1 daysEasy5,364 mEverest Base Camp Helicopter Tour — 1 Day
From / person
$1,680









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 & Dinner
Best Season
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Not recommended. Trails wet and unstable. Cloud cover obscures mountain views. Risk of landslides on lower sections.
Sagarmatha National Park Permit
USD 30Required for all trekkers. Checked at Monjo gate.
TIMS Card
USD 20Trekkers Information Management System — required for all Nepal treks
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Fee
NPR 2,000 (approx USD 15)Local municipality entry fee introduced in 2023
All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
On the Trail
Your Himalaya Awaits
Private departures on any date, a hand-picked NMA guide, and an itinerary built around you. Tell us your dates — we usually reply within a few hours.
$2,300
/ person · all-inclusive