Gokyo Cholapass with EBC Trek - 21 Days

Flying into Kathmandu on a crystal clear day is itself a truly breathtaking experience. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, & begin a whole sequence of memorable experiences that stay with you for a real long time. Upon arrival, a representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Our team will assist you with check-in process and provide an orientation about your daily activities. This will be your first overnight stay in the city of temples.

Kathmandu, is the historical heart of Nepal, has been a popular destination for tourists ever since the country opened its borders to outside world. The city presents a wonderful combination of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two prime neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significances.

We will arrange a professional tour guide for you and a private tourist vehicle with a driver to explore between monuments. The tour guide will take you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath Stupa, the historical and cultural sites you’ll visit today. Offering panoramic views of the valley.

After completion of your day tour, you will be having meeting with your trek guide at our office/hotel. He will brief you about the Trek and all the essentials. The Thamel has many trekking gear shops, where you can buy missing gear in the late evening and get ready for the flight to Lukla. 

The most awaited adventures EBC Trek begins today. First, we take a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla [2860m], which offers aerial and stunning views of the mountain scenery.

The next part of the day involves a 4 hours trek to Phakding through the Dudh Koshi River Valley. It’s a gentle descent from Lukla along rocky and well-made stone paths. On the way we will pass Cheplung village and reach at Ghat then trail will ascends to the Phakding Village.

From Phakding, we double cross a river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was introduced in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment. Next it’s a steep hike to Namche. If the weather is clear, we get the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is a central trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market – an old time meeting place for the Hindu traders who hail from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.

It is an ideal place to spend a day for rest to acclimatize with the higher altitudes before heading off towards Tyangboche. To prepare you for the tough climbing to come in the days ahead, you can walk up to Khunde hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary or you can take a one hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Stay overnight at your lodge in bustling Namche which is a real happening town hereabouts.

From Namche the route heads towards west and the trail is almost level as you head up the Bhote Koshi Valley, once a popular trading route into Tibet. After descending to the Bhote Kosi the trail climbs steeply to Thame. From here, there are good views of the peaks of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde and to the north is the Nangpa La, the pass leading to Tibet. Thame Gompa is situated above the village overlooking the valley and is a site for the spring celebrations of the Mani Rimdu festival. Stay overnight at a lodge.

From Thame, we retrace our steps down the Bhote Kosi Valley toward Namche Bazaar before branching off onto a quiet, scenic trail leading to Khumjung. This picturesque Sherpa village is charmingly tucked in the mountains and is home to its own Gompa perched at the top of town. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of Thamserku, Kantega, and the iconic Ama Dablam. We spend the night at a cozy local lodge, soaking in the village’s serene atmosphere.

Soon after leaving Khumjung the trail climbs to a large chorten on top of a ridge. This ridge descends from Khumbila, a 5734m peak, said to be the abode of the patron God of the Khumbu region. The trail descends slightly towards the Sanasa and then ascends up to Mongla at (4000m.). From here, you can get panoramic views of various mountains. Your trek steeply descends passing through Phortse Tenga and from there, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens. You can enjoy a delicious meal & a well earned rest at Phortse Tenga (3650m). Stay overnight at a lodge.

From Dole, you climb steadily along the side of the valley, where the small and thorny bushes give way to scrub junipers as the altitude increases. The trail cuts across many summer settlements. Ahead of you are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley you can view the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a short day and you will arrive at Machhermo in time for lunch. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Today you head for wonder lakes of Gokyo. As you hike, you follow a scenic trail to Pangkha & then descend slightly, following one of the melting-water Rivers which flow down from the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You climb a steep rocky path inclined into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. You soon arrive at the second of the lakes, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La (5420m) – your route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore lies the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, your eyes take in the scenery which is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters. Stay overnight at a lodge.

Today is a rest and exploration day in the beautiful Gokyo Valley. Gokyo serves as a local trade hub, where Sherpa families run cozy lodges and offer warm hospitality to trekkers passing through the region. The village sits beside the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal, providing a stunning backdrop for the day. You can also enjoy a side excursion to the Fifth Lake, passing the Fourth Lake along the way—a peaceful walk with breathtaking views. In the evening, return to your lodge to relax and soak in the serene Himalayan surroundings.

Which takes about four and half hours. Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake and you leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. As you climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu slowly come into sight and the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself is one of the finest to behold in the Everest region – some say it is even better than that from Kala Patthar. After lunch, it is a short walk to the village of Thangna, situated at the shore of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Now you ascend slightly along the valley towards Chola pass. The Chola pass is most times covered with blue ice that tends to give you that icy cold feeling of the chill. Down here, you can also enjoy the majestic views of various mountain peaks. From here, the trail descends steeply down for an hour and then slightly descends all the way to Dzongla. Stay overnight at a lodge.

From Dzongla, the trail descends and ascends gently, winding along the west side of the Lobuche Khola. Along the way, trekkers are treated to breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, the Nuptse–Lhotse wall, and towering Everest. The trail from Pheriche joins us at the Lobuche Khola (Lobuche Stream), creating a scenic convergence of paths. We spend the night at a cozy lodge in Gorakshep, preparing for the high-altitude adventure ahead.

While trekking to Everest Base Camp you pass through a trail which weaves its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. During the spring season, you will come across some expedition teams at the Everest Base Camp. The number of teams is always less in the autumn season. On the return leg, you can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and numerous mountains. You then return to Gorak Shep to stay overnight.

At the break of dawn, climb to Kala Patthar (5545m.) and enjoy the views of sunrise. It’s a magnificent experience; make sure you get some good pictures into your camera. From Kala Patthar you can have a panoramic view of Mt. Everest and many other mountain peaks like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and many more. The 4 legged Yaks are normally regarded as the porters in this area. The town of Pheriche is known well for its windy environment. Here you can see the perpendicular walls of Cholatse and Tawache. The Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post is located down here, and foreign volunteer doctors are based at this post to provide medical treatment to trekkers as well as the local folks. Stay over night at your lodge.

To reach Tyangboche you pass through Pangboche village, which is known to have the highest permanent settlement throughout the year in the Khumbu region. Upon your arrival at Tyangboche village, you come across the famous legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region. There is a trekker’s visiting centre where local Sherpas make an exhibition of different goods to be sold to interested trekkers. They also show a slide presentation about Sherpa people, culture, Buddhist religion and environmental development programs. Tyangboche is a good place to hang around for some time. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Which takes about 4 hours. From Tyangboche, the trail descends steeply and slightly towards Phunki Tenga (3250m) crossing the Dudh Koshi. Now you have a glimpse of panoramic views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages and numerous teashops, the trail ascends steeply to Sanasa where local Sherpa people sell Tibetan goods. Stay overnight at a lodge.

On the last lap of our trekking we follow the Dudh Kosi River down to Lukla with steeply descending from Namche Bazzar. The trail goes through dense forests and crossing many bridges over streams. There are also many small settlement areas on the way. After we get to Phakding Village, we hike to Lukla, where we end our beautiful and memorable trek.

Today, we take a short flight back to Kathmandu. The views during the flight are perfect. After  touchdown to the airport in Kathmandu, our team will trasfer you to the hotel and  take care everything while check into your hotel.

The remaining time of your day is yours for leisure, treat yourself to a relaxing Spa treatment and Massage, shopping for souviners and more. At evening you will be taken to a well known Nepali kitchen for a delicious farewell dinner of the original Nepalese cuisine. As you enjoy your meal, you will also be entertained to an exciting cultural dance performed by the local belles. You will enjoy this experience which is complimentary on behalf of Higher Limits Trek & Expedition. Over night at your hotel.

Our escort team will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight home. For those who wish to extend their stay in Nepal, a variety of optional activities can be arranged, including a jungle safari with a game drive in one of the national parks, adventurous white-water rafting, Tibet overland tours, or mountain biking experiences. Simply let us know your interests and budget, and we will be happy to tailor an extension program to suit your needs.