Gongabu, Kathmandu, Nepal
Earth Matter Treks & Expedition Nepal
  • Destination

    Nepal

  • Regions

    Everest

  • Activity

    Trekking/Hiking

  • Accomodation

    Hotel (Kathmandu) / Local Teahouses (Trek)

  • Transportation

    Hiace & Domestic flights

  • Duration

    20 Days

  • Trip Grade

    Strenuous

  • Altitude

    5,545 m

  • Best Season

    March-May & Sept-Nov

  • Start/End Point

    Lukla/Lukla

Destination Region Activity Accomodation Transportation
Nepal Everest Trekking/Hiking Hotel (Kathmandu) / Local Teahouses (Trek) Hiace & Domestic flights
Duration Trip Grade Altitude Best Season Start/End Point
20 Days Strenuous 5,545 m March-May & Sept-Nov Lukla/Lukla

Trip Overview

The 20-day Everest Base Camp via Cho La Pass and Gokyo Lakes trek takes you through the parts of the Khumbu region in a single journey. You walk all the way to Everest Base Camp climb Kala Patthar, cross the Cho La Pass and stay for two nights near the lakes of the Gokyo Valley. The entire route lies within Sagarmatha National Park.

We drive to Manthali the day fly to Lukla and begin walking from there. The trail passes through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery and Dingboche then goes up to Gorak Shep. At Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) you stand beside the Khumbu Icefall. From Kala Patthar (5,545 m) you watch the sunrise over Everest, Nuptse and Changtse. After that we cross Cho La (5,420 m) into the Gokyo Valley, which’s far quieter than the main Everest Base Camp trail. From Gokyo Ri you get a view of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu all together. Then we walk down through Dole and Namche to Lukla.

This is a trek. Most days involve five to seven hours of walking with the longest days going up to eight hours. You spend eight nights above 4,000 meters. The Cho La Pass crossing includes a steep and icy glacier section. It is best for trekkers who have done long hikes before. We include acclimatization days, in Namche and Dingboche and our guides control the pace each day.

Trip Highlights

  • Stand at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) directly beside the world-renowned Khumbu Icefall.
  • Ascend Kala Patthar (5,545 m) and Nangkartshang Ri (5,083 m) for spectacular close-up panoramas of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
  • Conquer the high-altitude Cho La Pass (5,420 m), crossing from the Khumbu Valley into the Gokyo Valley.
  • Summit Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a sweeping 360-degree vista of four 8,000-meter giants: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
  • Traverse the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, and explore the high-altitude turquoise Gokyo Lakes.
  • Visit historic Sherpa cultural and monastic landmarks, including Tengboche Monastery and Namche Bazaar.

Itinerary

  • Our team will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in central Kathmandu. After checking in, you can rest after your flight or take a walk around Thamel to get oriented.
  • Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • We spend today running through route details, checking your gear list, and sorting out necessary trekking permits (Sagarmatha National Park Permit and Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit). If you need any final personal items or clothing layers, you will have plenty of time during the day in Thamel. In the evening, you can pack your duffel bag and rest before the journey begins.
  • Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • Driving time: 4 to 5 hours
  • We leave Kathmandu in the afternoon on a private vehicle, taking a scenic drive along the BP Highway alongside winding river valleys and rural hills to Manthali, the headquarters of Ramechhap. Driving the day before avoids the middle-of-the-night 1:30 AM departure from Kathmandu and ensures you are comfortably rested for your early morning flight.
  • Overnight stay in Manthali.

  • Flight time: 20 minutes | Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
  • We take an early morning scenic flight from Manthali Airport to Lukla. Upon arrival, we meet our porter crew, assemble our gear, and begin trekking down alongside the Dudh Koshi River, passing through small Sherpa hamlets like Ghat to reach Phakding.
  • Overnight stay in Phakding.

  • Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
  • We cross high suspension bridges draped in prayer flags, crossing the Dudh Koshi River multiple times through Monjo and Jorsalle (Sagarmatha National Park entry point). After a steep ascent up the famous Namche Hill, we reach the bustling mountain town of Namche Bazaar.
  • Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

  • An essential acclimatization day. We take a morning hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) for panoramic vistas of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Afterward, you can explore the Sherpa Culture Museum, local bakeries, and vibrant markets in Namche.
  • Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

  • Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
  • We trek along the scenic ridge high above the Imja Khola, enjoying uninterrupted mountain views before descending to Phunki Tenga. From the riverbank, a steady climb through rhododendron and pine forests brings us to Tengboche, famous for its historic monastery and panoramic backdrop of Ama Dablam.
  • Overnight stay in Tengboche.

  • Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
  • Descending through birch and rhododendron forests to Deboche, we cross the Imja Khola and pass through Pangboche. As we ascend above the tree line, the landscape opens into alpine scrub pastures leading up to the stone-walled village of Dingboche.
  • Overnight stay in Dingboche.

  • Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours total
  • An essential altitude adaptation day. In the morning, we take an acclimatization climb up Nangkartshang Ri peak (5,083 m) or explore along the surrounding high ridge directly above Dingboche. The viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramas of Ama Dablam, Makalu, Lhotse, Kantega, and the sweeping Imja Valley. We return to Dingboche for an afternoon of rest.
  • Overnight stay in Dingboche.

  • Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
  • The trail ascends along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, passing Dughla. We climb the steep ridge to Thokla Pass, home to memorial chortens honoring fallen climbers, before continuing across the alpine valley floor to Lobuche.
  • Overnight stay in Lobuche.

  • Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours total
  • We trek alongside the Khumbu Glacier over lateral moraines to reach Gorak Shep. After a short break, we push onward along the glacier moraine path to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). Standing right beside the famous Khumbu Icefall, we celebrate reaching base camp before returning to Gorak Shep for the night.
  • Overnight stay in Gorak Shep.

  • Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours total
  • Early in the morning, we ascend Kala Patthar (5,545 m) for an unobstructed sunrise view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, and Changtse. After descending to Gorak Shep for breakfast, we retrace our steps toward Lobuche and branch off west across high alpine pastures to Dzongla.
  • Overnight stay in Dzongla.

  • Hiking time: 7 hours (9 km)
  • Our high-pass crossing day. We start early, ascending a steep, boulder-strewn ravine and icy glacier section to reach the top of Cho La Pass (5,420 m). After enjoying the high-mountain panoramas, we carefully descend down rocky scree slopes into the quiet hamlet of Dragnag.
  • Overnight stay in Dragnag.

  • Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
  • We cross the vast, glaciated moraine field of the Ngozumpa Glacier, navigating terminal ice ridges and boulder paths. Reaching the western side of the glacier, we arrive at the turquoise third lake (Dudh Pokhari) and the lakeside settlement of Gokyo.
  • Overnight stay in Gokyo.

  • Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours total
  • We climb early to the summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a sunrise panorama over four 8,000-meter peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After descending to Gokyo for breakfast, we trek down through the Dudh Koshi Valley, passing Machhermo and Luza to reach Dole.
  • Overnight stay in Dole.

  • Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
  • The trail descends steeply through rhododendron and pine forests to Phortse Tenga, climbs back up to the scenic ridge top at Mongla, and wraps around the hillside to bring us back into Namche Bazaar.
  • Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

  • Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
  • Our final day of walking. We descend Namche Hill, cross the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, and trek through Phakding to reach Lukla, where we celebrate our successful high-pass circuit with our guide and porters.
  • Overnight stay in Lukla.

  • Flight time: 20 minutes | Driving time: 4 to 5 hours
  • We take an early morning scenic flight from Lukla to Manthali Airport. Upon landing, our private vehicle transfers us along the BP Highway back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you check in to your hotel with the evening free to rest.
  • Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • A dedicated day to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the Kathmandu Valley. After breakfast, our guide and private driver take you to visit iconic heritage spots, including Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
  • Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • After breakfast, our representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule. This marks the end of your 20-day Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes trekking adventure in Nepal. Safe travels!

Cost Inclusion/Exclusion

Cost Inclusion

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
  • Five nights accommodation in city/town hotels (4 nights in Kathmandu & 1 night in Manthali/Ramechhap) on a bed and breakfast (BB) plan.
  • Round-trip domestic flights (Manthali to Lukla and Lukla to Manthali) including airport departure taxes.
  • All overland ground transportation between Kathmandu, Manthali, and Kathmandu as per the itinerary by private vehicle.
  • All accommodation during the trek in handpicked teahouses and lodges.
  • Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trekking days, along with a cup of tea or coffee with every meal.
  • Fresh seasonal fruit provided after dinner during the trek (if and when available).
  • Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Fee.
  • Experienced, English-speaking, government-licensed trekking guide and local porters (1 porter for every 2 trekkers) to carry your main luggage.
  • Complete staff insurance, daily wages, meals, accommodations, equipment, and transportation for all trekking staff.
  • Full-day guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites by private vehicle.
  • Complimentary use of an Earth Matter Treks duffel bag for the trek duration.

Cost Exclusion

  • International airfare and Nepal Visa fees.
  • Lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu and Manthali.
  • Entrance ticket fees for heritage sites, monuments, and temples during the Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour.
  • Personal travel and medical insurance (including mandatory coverage for high-altitude trekking above 5,000 meters and emergency helicopter evacuation).
  • Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, mineral/bottled water, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electronic device charging fees on the trail.
  • Personal trekking equipment and gear (e.g., down jacket, sleeping bag, trekking poles, hiking boots).
  • Tips for your guide, porters, and drivers at the end of the trip as a gesture of thanks.
  • Extra accommodation or transport due to unforeseen flight delays or weather conditions in Lukla/Manthali.