Does this trek actually reach Everest Base Camp?

Yes — despite the name, this itinerary visits both Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp. The 15-day schedule allows you to trek the full Gokyo valley, summit Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for its famously wide Everest panorama, then continue over a high-valley route to EBC (5,364m) and Kala Patthar (5,545m). You get the two best viewpoints in the Khumbu region in one trip.

How does Gokyo Ri compare to Kala Patthar as a viewpoint?

Both are world-class. Kala Patthar gives a close-up of Everest's south face and the Khumbu Icefall — dramatic and intimate. Gokyo Ri offers a wider panorama: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the shimmering Gokyo Lakes below — many photographers consider it the superior viewpoint. This trek gives you both.

What altitude does this trek reach?

The highest point is Kala Patthar at 5,545m. You also summit Gokyo Ri at 5,357m and walk to Everest Base Camp at 5,364m. The Gokyo Lakes themselves sit at 4,750m. The route involves sustained time above 5,000m, which is why good prior acclimatisation is built into the 15-day schedule.

What is included in the price?

Included: Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu flights, all trail accommodation in tea houses, full board (three meals per day on the trail), NMA-certified guide, porters (1 per 2 trekkers), all permits (Sagarmatha NP and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit), and Kathmandu airport transfers. Excluded: travel insurance, personal gear, alcoholic drinks, and tips.

Is the Gokyo valley more remote than the standard EBC route?

Slightly, yes. The Gokyo valley sees fewer trekkers than the main EBC corridor, which means tea houses are smaller and villages feel quieter. The trade-off is that accommodation choices are more limited at Gokyo itself — your guide books rooms in advance during peak season (October–November) as lodges fill up. The Gokyo trail is still well-maintained and clearly marked.

What permits does this trek require?

The same permits as the standard Everest Base Camp trek, and both are included in the package price. Two permits are needed: Sagarmatha National Park entry and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit, NPR 3,000 each (about US$45 together). There is no TIMS card in the Khumbu; the municipality permit replaced it. The Sagarmatha National Park permit covers both the Gokyo and Everest Base Camp corridors, so no additional permits are needed for the lakes.

TrekChallenging

EBC via Gokyo Lakes Trek — 15 Days

15 days5,545 mFrom Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)Best: Oct–Nov, Mar–May

Photo by Vyacheslav Argenberg on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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EBC via Gokyo Lakes Trek — 15 Days

Nov16

Nov 16 → Nov 30

0 going12 left

$2,300

Dec3

Dec 3 → Dec 17

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$2,300

Dec17

Dec 17 → Dec 31

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$2,300

Prefer your own dates? Book a private trek.

Duration

15 days

From

$2,300/person

Max Altitude

5,545 m

Difficulty

Challenging

Starts

Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)

Group Size

2–12 People

Stay

Tea House

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Best Season

Oct–Nov, Mar–May

4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later

Trip Highlights

Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) AND Kala Patthar (5,545 m) — two iconic Khumbu summits in one trek

Five sacred Gokyo Lakes strung at 4,700–5,000 m — among Nepal's most surreal landscapes

Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) via the classic Khumbu approach

Cho La Pass (5,420 m) — glacier crossing connecting the Gokyo and Khumbu valleys

Ngozumpa Glacier — Nepal's longest glacier at 36 km

Namche Bazaar Sherpa capital, market, and mountain museum

Best comprehensive Khumbu itinerary: EBC + Gokyo combined in 15 days

Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Makalu views throughout the trek

See Everest from two legendary viewpoints — Gokyo Ri's sweeping four-peak panorama and Kala Patthar's close-up of the south face — on one 15-day adventure through the Khumbu's best valleys.

Day-by-Day Itinerary(15 days)

Altitude Profile

Peak: 5,164 m · Day 9

Early morning flight to Lukla through spectacular Himalayan scenery. Begin trekking south through Sherpa villages along the Dudh Koshi river to the peaceful riverside settlement of Phakding.

2,610 m3–4 hours8 kmB, L, DTea House

The EBC and Gokyo Lakes Combined Trek is the Khumbu's ultimate 15-day adventure — combining both of the Everest region's iconic destinations in one circuit by crossing the challenging Cho La Pass (5,420 m). One week on the classic EBC trail (Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Base Camp, Kala Patthar), then a crossing of the glacier-draped Cho La into the Gokyo valley for the turquoise lakes and the Gokyo Ri summit (5,357 m) panorama of four 8,000 m peaks. It is the most comprehensive single itinerary available in the Khumbu.

The Cho La crossing is the route's centrepiece — a technically straightforward glacier crossing at 5,420 m with fixed ropes on the steepest sections, requiring crampons for the upper snowfield (included in your gear). Your guide carries emergency oxygen and a Gamow bag as standard on all crossings above 5,000 m. The pass rewards with the wild western Khumbu landscape — the Ngozumpa glacier moraine, the silence of the Gokyo valley, and the blue-green lakes strung northward from Gokyo village.

This itinerary is appropriate for fit trekkers who have already spent 10+ days at altitude (or have prior high-altitude trekking experience) and want the most comprehensive single Khumbu experience possible.

Logistics: Which Direction?

We run this route EBC-first (Lukla → Namche → Dingboche → Lobuche → EBC → Kala Patthar → Cho La → Gokyo → Namche → Lukla). This direction front-loads the most demanding altitude work while legs are fresh and acclimatisation is building — the Cho La crossing comes at day 10 when the body is well-adapted. The reverse direction (Gokyo first) risks trekkers crossing Cho La before adequate acclimatisation at high altitude.

Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Cho La pass: Crampons required (provided). Max altitude: Kala Patthar 5,545 m.

What's Included

Included

Government-certified English-speaking senior trek guide
Porter (1 per 2 trekkers; 18 kg max)
Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu round-trip flights (scheduled)
All teahouse accommodation on trek
3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Kathmandu hotel and airport transfers
Altitude illness prevention kit and pulse oximeter
All government taxes and service charges

Not Included

International flights
Nepal visa
Travel insurance
Personal gear
Tips

Pickup

Pokhara or Kathmandu: where should we pick you up?

This trip begins in Kathmandu. If you are already in Pokhara, we can bring you across (Pokhara and Kathmandu are about 200 km apart: 25 minutes by plane or 6 to 8 hours by tourist bus).

Pickup in Kathmandu

Trip starts here

Landing in Kathmandu? We meet you at the airport or your hotel and get you to the start.

Kathmandu international airport (on arrival)Included
Kathmandu domestic airportIncluded
Kathmandu hotel pickupIncluded
Kathmandu tourist bus park pickupWe quote

Pickup in Pokhara

Staying in Pokhara? We can bring you to Kathmandu for the start.

Pokhara hotel pickupIncludes getting you to Kathmandu by tourist bus or flight. We confirm the price with you.We quote
Pokhara airport pickupWe quote
Pokhara tourist bus park pickupWe quote

Hotel in the city

No hotel, I will book my own$0
Kathmandu: tourist standard guest houseWe quote
Kathmandu: 3-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Kathmandu: 4-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Kathmandu: 5-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote

Prices are per person and added to the trip price when you book. “We quote” means the price depends on your flight time and hotel, so our team confirms it with you before the trip. It is never added to your payment without asking.

Best Time to Go

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

Prime season. October is perfect — clear skies, stable weather, 4–6 week dry window. November gets cold at altitude but still excellent. EBC trail at its busiest.

Low: -10°C at EBC High: 15°C Namche October: minimal. November: possible above 5,000 m

Spring (Mar–May)

Climbing season — expeditions on Everest. Good trekking weather. Rhododendrons in Namche area. Pre-monsoon cloud builds in afternoon from May. Slightly warmer than autumn.

Low: -8°C at EBC High: 18°C Namche March: possible at pass level. May: mostly clear

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Very cold. Khumbu trails remain open but temperatures extreme at EBC (-20°C+). Experienced cold-weather trekkers only. Fewer crowds. Lodges may be closed above Namche.

Low: -25°C at EBC High: 5°C Namche Heavy above 5,000 m

Monsoon (Jun–Aug)

Not recommended. Trails wet and unstable. Cloud cover obscures mountain views. Risk of landslides on lower sections.

Low: 5°C High: 20°C Namche None at low altitude

Permits Required

Sagarmatha National Park Permit

NPR 3,000 (about US$23)

Required for all trekkers. Checked at Monjo gate.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Fee

NPR 3,000 (about US$23)

Local municipality permit. In the Khumbu it replaces the TIMS card, which is not used here.

All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.

What to Pack

Moisture-wicking base layers (top + bottom)

Fleece mid-layer jacket

Down jacket (800+ fill power — essential above 4,000 m)

Waterproof shell jacket and pants

Trekking trousers (2 pairs)

Merino wool socks (5–6 pairs)

Liner socks (3 pairs)

Warm hat / beanie

Balaclava for Kala Patthar and EBC

Sun hat or cap

Lightweight gloves

Insulated waterproof gloves or mittens

Neck gaiter or buff (2×)

Thermal underwear set

A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Frequently Asked Questions

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