Photo: James Chou ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Turquoise lakes and an icy pass.
The Gokyo valley is the quiet neighbour of the Everest trail: a chain of turquoise lakes, the Ngozumpa, Nepal’s largest glacier, and the summit of Gokyo Ri with four 8,000-metre peaks in view at once. We climb to the lakes, cross the glacier and the Cho La at 5,420 m with a short stretch on ice, and join the Khumbu trail at Dzongla. Fifteen days sleeping in lodges. For those who want Everest without the queue and a pass thrown in.
- Gokyo Ri, 5,357 m: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu
- The Cho La, 5,420 m, across a glacier
- The Gokyo lakes and the Ngozumpa glacier
- The quiet trail via Dole and Machhermo
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Preparation
Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu at 1,400 m, meeting at the hotel in Thamel. Gear check, permits, dinner with the guide.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 2 · 8 km, 3 hours
Lukla to Phakding
Flight to Lukla at 2,840 m and a descent along the Dudh Kosi to Phakding at 2,610 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Phakding - DAY 3 · 11 km, 830 m of ascent
Namche Bazaar
Via Monjo and the park gate, a steep climb to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 4 · Acclimatisation to 3,880 m
Acclimatisation in Namche
Up to the Everest View hotel at 3,880 m and Khumjung. Another night in Namche.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 5 · 12 km, 6 hours
Dole
At Sanasa we leave the Everest trail and head north over the Mong La at 3,970 m, down to Phortse Tenga and up to Dole at 4,200 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Dole - DAY 6 · 6 km, 3 hours
Machhermo
A short walk above the Dudh Kosi to Machhermo at 4,470 m. In the afternoon, the altitude-sickness talk at the rescue post.
Overnight: Lodge in Machhermo - DAY 7 · 9 km, 4 hours
The Gokyo lakes
Past the first and second lakes to the third, Dudh Pokhari, and the village of Gokyo at 4,790 m on the edge of the Ngozumpa glacier.
Overnight: Lodge in Gokyo - DAY 8 · Gokyo Ri 5,357 m, 6 hours
Gokyo Ri at dawn
Off at 4:30 for the two-and-a-half-hour climb of Gokyo Ri at 5,357 m. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu in a single frame. After lunch, a walk to the fourth and fifth lakes.
Overnight: Lodge in Gokyo - DAY 9 · 4 km, 3 hours
Across the Ngozumpa to Thangnak
We cross the Ngozumpa glacier over moraine and glacial ponds to Thangnak at 4,700 m. Three hours, then an early night before the pass.
Overnight: Lodge in Thangnak - DAY 10 · Pass 5,420 m, 8 hours
The Cho La
Off at 4:00. A steep climb over scree and rock, then the glacier in crampons to the Cho La at 5,420 m. Down over boulders to Dzongla at 4,830 m, 7–8 hours.
Overnight: Lodge in Dzongla - DAY 11 · 6 km, 3 hours
Lobuche and the Khumbu trail
A short traverse below Cholatse to Lobuche at 4,940 m, where we join the main trail. Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp can be added as an extra day by arrangement.
Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche - DAY 12 · 20 km, 7 hours
Down to Tengboche
A long descent via Thukla, Pheriche and Pangboche to the Tengboche monastery at 3,860 m. About 20 km.
Overnight: Lodge in Tengboche - DAY 13 · 25 km, 8 hours
Namche and Lukla
Via Namche Bazaar and Monjo to Lukla at 2,840 m. A long day of up to 25 km and dinner with the porters.
Overnight: Lodge in Lukla - DAY 14 · Flight
Flight to Kathmandu
Morning flight to Kathmandu or Ramechhap, a free evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 15 · Reserve, transfer
Reserve and departure
Buffer for delayed Lukla flights, then the airport transfer.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Hotel in Kathmandu, 3 nights
Lodges on the trek, 11 nights
Three meals a day on the trek
Licensed guide and a porter per two participants
Flights Kathmandu — Lukla — Kathmandu
Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu municipality permits
Light crampons for the pass day
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Meals in Kathmandu
Hot showers, charging and wifi in lodges
Optional helicopter return from Lukla
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
You need the stamina for 5–7 hours of walking daily and confidence on snow; light crampons are provided for the pass. Ivan runs a twelve-week plan and checks footwear ahead of time.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Footwear and warm layers for the specific mountain and season
- Sunglasses, gloves and spare mittens
- A headtorch and personal equipment from the guide's list
- For Kazbek: agreed crampons, harness and ice axe
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.