Everest & Gokyo Lakes Circuit
Everest & Gokyo Lakes Circuit
19 Days Starting and ending in Kathmandu
Visiting: Nepal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TNE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This circular Everest Base Camp trek explores the heart of the Sherpa homeland, from Namche Bazaar to the Gokyo Valley, crossing the glaciated Cho La Pass and on to the classic route to Everest Base Camp used by the great climbing parties. Allowing ample time for acclimatisation, we are able to explore this high mountain wilderness, the quieter Gokyo Valley as well as the main Everest trails. Our goal is Everest Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier with the chance to climb iconic Kala Pattar (5545m), which offers fabulous close-up views of Mount Everest.
Highlights
Itinerary
The group flight is an overnight flight departing London this evening.
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Day 2
The group flights are scheduled to arrive into Kathmandu this afternoon. Free
airport transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied
your flight details to Exodus in advance and requested transfers. A
representative will meet you at the airport and you will be transferred to
the hotel. There are no activities planned today so if making your own travel
arrangements, you can arrive at any time. Upon arrival to the hotel please
look out for a noticeboard in the reception area with details of where and
when to meet for your welcome/trek briefing this evening. There is an Exodus
desk in the hotel lobby should you require any assistance.
*Hotel Royal Singi (or similar)*
Day 3
We will need to depart the hotel at around 2-3am to drive to Manthali
(Ramechhap) airport to catch our flight to Lukla. At this time of day when
there is usually light traffic, the drive should take about 4 hours. Roads in
Nepal are not of the same standard as in the west, there may be potholed
areas and the last section is unsurfaced. (Occasionally flights may run
directly from Kathmandu to Lukla, in which case we will use these instead if
possible.)
We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the first
short leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (or
'Milk River'). We descend from the small plateau down into the forested
valley. The trail crosses several tributary streams and we have some
tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding, where we
will spend our first night.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2650m)*
Day 4
Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day's walk
takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We
cross the river several times by bridges as we pass through the villages of
Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep
climb to Namche. Halfway up this ascent we may get our first glimpse,
cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically behind the
great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 300m of climbing brings us to Namche
Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area. Namche is a
prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly
market on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning but the town bustle all day
every day with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds
of trekking and climbing gear as well as Tibetan souvenirs.Â
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,440m)*
Day 5
We spend today acclimatising to the altitude. If it’s a clear morning those
who want can get up before breakfast and walk up to the National Park Museum
for our first good view of Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. After breakfast we
have an easy acclimatisation walk into the Thame Valley, a quiet side valley
on the way to Tibet. The trail climbs steeply out of Namche and then contours
around the valley on an easy trail through beautiful forest. We return to
Namche for lunch and in the afternoon there is time to explore the Sherpa
capital or visit the Everest National Park Museum or the Sherpa Cultural
Centre.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,400m)*
Day 6
We climb steeply out of Namche to the Everest View Hotel. This spectacularly
situated hotel has wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam and is an ideal
place for a tea break. Continuing on, we trek to the villages of Kunde and
Khumjung set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. In Kunde
we can visit the Edmund Hillary hospital, and in Khumjung we can see the
Edmund Hillary School. There should also be time to visit Khumjung monastery,
where for a small donation we will be shown the only Yeti skull in the world!
Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,600m)*
Day 7
At Kyanjuma we turn off the main trail and begin climbing to the Mong La,
marked by a chorten on the top of a ridge at 3,972m. This ridge descends from
Khumbila, the abode of the patron god of all Sherpas. From the ridge, the
trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks towards the Dudh Kosi. At
Phortse Tenga (3,600m) the trail starts to climb steeply out of the valley
and we enter the rhododendron forests, which give way to juniper and conifers
higher up the valley. We pass through kharkas, summer settlements used by the
Sherpas to graze their yaks, before coming to Dole, where we have magnificent
views of Kangtaiga and Tramserku.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,040m)*
Day 8
A short walk today. From Dole the trail is steep in places as it passes
through Lhabarma and Luza along the side of the valley, high above the river
through scrub junipers until we cross the sandy spurs to Machhermo (4,410m).
It was here in 1974 that a yeti was reported to have attacked a sherpa and
killed three yaks! We should get to Machhermo by lunchtime and in the
afternoon there is time for an acclimatisation walk up onto the ridge behind
the lodge for amazing views of Tramserku.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,410m)*
Day 9
We begin today by climbing a ridge for an excellent view down the valley to
Kangtaiga and Tramserku and up the valley towards Cho Oyu (8,201m). The
valley now widens as the trail passes through Pangkha then descends to the
riverbank before beginning the steep climb on a narrow trail onto the
terminal moraine of the Ngozumpo Glacier. We pass the first of the lakes at
Gokyo, called Longpongo. We then follow the almost level trail past the
second lake and on to the third lake and the walled meadows and lodges of
Gokyo at 4,750m. Gokyo is a small settlement of lodges on the shores of a
blue lake. Look out for Brahmany Ducks swimming in the lake. We have lunch in
Gokyo and in the afternoon we can walk up the hill behind camp for incredible
views of the Ngozumpo Glacier.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,750m)*
Day 10
A very early start this morning for the steep ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,360m), a
small peak above Gokyo village. As we climb, the views become even more
fantastic and from the top we can see four of the seven highest peaks in the
Nepalese Himalaya: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. Stretching out for
miles below us is the longest glacier in Nepal - the Ngozumpo Glacier, which
tumbles down from the slopes of Cho Oyu. One of the best all-round views in
Nepal, the climb is well worth the effort. We return to Gokyo for lunch and
then set off for Thangnak. The trail starts by climbing to the crest of the
moraine overlooking the Ngozumpo Glacier. The route across the glacier is
well marked with cairns but we need to take care as the path is narrow and
there is ice underfoot in parts. The trail climbs up and down and takes us to
the eastern side of the Gokyo Valley. We stay tonight at Tangnak (4,700m) at
the foot of the Cho La Pass.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,700m)*
Day 11
An early start for the very long day across the Cho La (5,420m). We climb up
from Tangnak for about 90 minutes to a col. Ahead we can see the Cho La in
the distance. We descend to a large boulder field, where we rest before
tackling the climb to the pass. A new trail has been created up the Cho La
with some metal chains and handrails but the old trail still exists - your
leader will decide which trail is best to use depending on conditions on the
day. The last two hours are very steep and rocky and involve some scrambling
as we zig-zag up to the top. The upper part of the route can be covered in
snow and ice, particularly after November and in spring. Finally we reach the
glaciated top, from where there are excellent views including an unusual
aspect of Ama Dablam. We need to take care on the descent as it’s steep and
involves the crossing of a small glacier (usually snow-covered) which is
fairly straightforward. After a scramble down onto the glacier, we follow a
trail across the snow and down a rocky gully to the pastures below. The trail
becomes more defined as we approach Dzongla, where we stay tonight.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,830m)*
Day 12
An easier day ahead as leaving Dzongla we begin with a continuation of our
descent. A short ascent brings us to the foot of Awi Peak, which we contour
round on a wonderful high trail with great views of Chalotse and Tawoche
across the valley. We finally descend to join the main trail again just below
Lobuje. We spend the night at Lobuje (4,930m). The sunset on Nuptse from the
ridge across from the lodge is not to be missed.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,930m)*
Day 13
We are now surrounded by giant Himalayan peaks; Everest, Nuptse, Lingtren,
Khumbutse and Pumori tower above us. Today is long and hard as we visit
Everest Base Camp (5,364m). The trail from Lobuje climbs steadily by the side
of the Khumbu Glacier, with some steep ups and downs on a rocky trail. It
will take us about 3 hours to reach Gorak Shep (5,180m), a collection of
lodges situated at the foot of Kala Pattar. After a short break and an early
lunch, we fill our water bottles and make sure we have plenty of snacks
(there are no lodges from here to Base Camp) and set off for Base Camp. The
trail heads along the crest of the moraine at first with plenty of
undulations, some of them quite steep. We then drop steeply down onto the
Khumbu Glacier itself, where we get magnificent close-up views of the great
Khumbu Icefall as it tumbles down from Everest. In the spring season we will
see expedition teams as they prepare for an ascent. We retrace our steps to
Gorak Shep for the night.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 5,184m)*
Day 14
Another long day as we ascend the small peak of Kala Pattar ('black rock') at
5,545m. It is a steep two-hour climb to the summit, but the effort is well
worth it, as we appreciate the most magnificent view of the Khumbu glacier
and above all a close-up sight of the world's highest mountain which the
Nepalese call Sagarmatha - Head of the Waters and the Sherpas Chomolungma -
Mother of the World. We return to Gorak Shep and descend past Lobuje to
Pheriche (4,243m).
Please note the exact order in which we trek up Kala Pattar and visit Everest
Base Camp will depend on the weather and how the group is acclimatising. Both
days are long and hard due to the high altitude.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,243m)*
Day 15
We descend the Pheriche Valley with spectacular views of Ama Dablam. We join
the main Imja Khola Valley, which we follow down to Pangboche with superb
views looking back to the great ridge of Lhotse-Nuptse. Pangboche, at 3,985m
is the highest permanent settlement on the approach to Everest. Dropping down
to the rushing Imja Khola we then walk through rhododendron forests to
Thyangboche. From here we have a fantastic panorama of Everest, Nuptse,
Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. We stay here for the night and we can visit the
famous monastery and if the weather is clear we can enjoy the fantastic
sunset and sunrise.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,800m)*
Day 16
We descend through the forest to the river at Phunki Tenga. Crossing a bridge
we then climb up to Kyanjuma with great views of Ama Dablam. From here an
easy trail contours around the hillsides back to Namche Bazaar, from where we
descend to the river and retrace our steps to Monzo (2,815m).
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,815m)*
Day 17
We retrace our steps southwards with a final climb to the airstrip at Lukla.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,800m)*
Day 18
We fly back to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport and transfer to our hotel in
Kathmandu. At this time of day, there can be heavy traffic, especially coming
into Kathmandu itself, and the drive is likely to take 5 hours or
more. (Occasionally flights may run directly from Lukla to Kathmandu, in
which case we will use these instead if possible.)
The rest of the day is at your leisure.
*Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)*
Day 19
Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu (it is also a spare day to allow
for any delays in the flights to or from Lukla). You may wish to visit the
monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the
world at Boudhanath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at
Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours, which can be
booked and paid for locally; please ask your leader for details. Or you can
simply hire a taxi from outside of the hotel. The Thamel area is full of
shops and restaurants and coffee shops for those who want a more relaxing
day.
*Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)*
Day 20
The tour ends after breakfast. The group flight is a day flight scheduled to
depart in the morning. Those on the group flights or who have booked a
transfer through Exodus will be transferred to the airport.
What's Included
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Morning bed-tea on trek
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Exodus kitbagÂ
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Trekking map (provided locally)
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Tour leader throughout, plus local staff (staff to client ratio of 1:4 on trek)
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Arrival and departure transfers
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3 nights hotels and 15 nights teahouses
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Welcome drink at each overnight lodge
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Trekking permit and national park fees
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All breakfasts
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All listed transport and activities
What's Not Included
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Hire package incl. sleeping bag & down jacket from £72
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)
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Sleeping bag (hire in advance from £63
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Down jacket (hire in advance from £63
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu only)
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Visas and vaccinations
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Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu only)Visas and vaccinationsSleeping bag (hire in advance from £63
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)Down jacket (hire in advance from £63
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— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu only) — Visas and vaccinations — Sleeping bag (hire in advance from £63
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) — Down jacket (hire in advance from £63
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) —
Food
Breakfast is included throughout the trip. In the teahouses breakfast will comprise of a choice of bread (a slice of toast, chapatti or Tibetan bread), a choice of egg (boiled, fried or omelette), and a choice between either muesli or porridge each day. Hot tea/coffee will also be served. On specific days, there will not be a choice for breakfast and either a trekkers breakfast (egg, hash brown, baked beans and toast) or a pancake with jam/honey will be served - these options are not available in all teahouses and so we have only included them in locations where they can be guaranteed. Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route - sometimes one of your guides will go ahead with the group's order to make it more expedient. Dinner will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as teahouses base their room rate on it). Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises some curried lentil dhal and meat or vegetables, some rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos; a type of Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed, filled with meat or vegetables. Although meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser. If you have a gluten free diet, then we strongly recommend you bring some extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available for you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are powdered and contain gluten. Gluten free breakfast options will be limited to vegetable fried rice and a choice of egg, and on specific days only, a trekkers breakfast (without the toast / with an extra egg) will be served. Breakfast options for vegans will be limited to a choice of muesli/porridge with water each day, and on specific days only, a trekkers breakfast (without the egg), or vegetable fried rice will be served. If you are lactose intolerant as opposed to vegan then the same will apply although you will also have a choice of egg each day. If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount. Drinking Water Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day. We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal. The teahouses sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle. Alternatively, all teahouses will provide cold water free of charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with you and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available these days which are more effective than the traditional purification tablets - we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time: make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions). Handheld UV filters such as a ‘SteriPEN’ are very effective, can treat 1 litre of water in a couple of minutes and the water is ready immediately – look for lightweight lithium battery models and remember that you will need to bring a wide-mouthed bottle (e.g. Nalgene) for use with these devices. There are also an array of water filter and purifier bottles on the market but be wary of their weight, bottles with a small capacity and the products performance in freezing conditions. Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt water source – please visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15% off your first order, and better still, 15% of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. Please note that if the water freezes it will clog up the filter – in this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
Accommodation
This tour spends three nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu and fifteen nights on trek in lodges (teahouses).
In Kathmandu we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, a 4-star hotel located within walking distance of the Thamel district. All rooms have en suite facilities and there is a restaurant, a bar and an outdoor courtyard. There is free Wi-Fi throughout. There is an Exodus desk in the hotel reception area and an Exodus representative will usually be available.
The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains.Â
The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Some tea houses above 3000m may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and your leader will not offer this to you. Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials Almost all lodges have electricity but it is not wholly reliable a torch is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approx. Rs150-350 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have Wi-Fi these days – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental.
We book twin-share bedrooms throughout this trek. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are unheated and can get cold at night so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.
Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are located outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually Asian ’squat’ style. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it locally.
Some lodges now have hot 'showers' (charged at approx. Rs250-500 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water and not a shower head.
Standards of cleanliness vary especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand sanitizer gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and meal times.
As a general rule, the higher altitude you go to, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services become.
Most lodges in the Everest region offer Wi-Fi. Wi-fi is chargeable in each lodges NRs500-NRs800 per night. Sometimes the Wi-Fi may not work because of the poor network coverage or power cuts.
Extra Accommodation
If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your Sales Consultant.
Single Accommodation
If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the tea houses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a tea-house, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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