Everest Base Camp with Gokyo RI Trek, avoided Chola Pass-15-Days

Your adventure journey to the Everest region begins with a stunning flight that is determined by the time of year you travel. During the peak seasons of spring and autumn, your journey begins around 12:30 a.m. from Kathmandu. You will travel overland for around five hours to Manthali Airport, a strategic starting point that ensures you catch one of the day's first flights. From there, an exciting 20-minute flight takes you over rolling foothills and deep into the heart of the Himalayas, landing at the well-known airport in Lukla.

Traveling during the quieter months of winter or the monsoon season makes it easier to enter the Everest region. During these times, aircraft leave directly from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). After breakfast at your hotel, you will be driven to the airport for an amazing 40-minute flight that will provide you with a panoramic view of the magnificent peaks that lie ahead.

When you arrive at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, you will take your first steps on the trail. The day's trek is short and mild, allowing your body to begin acclimating to the altitude. The path gently descends the Thado Koshi River, passing via several unique suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags before arriving at the peaceful settlement of Phakding. To complete your first day, you will get the option to visit the neighboring Rimishung Monastery, immersing yourself in the Khumbu's spiritual tradition.

After breakfast, you will continue trekking along the Dudh Koshi River, enjoying the majestic views of the trail and crossing many suspension bridges, including the Hillary Bridge, where you can experience new recreational activities such as bungee jumping.

On the Everest Bungee, you don't just jump; you fall into the Himalayas. The platform is 3,600 meters above sea level and hangs over a wild mountain river. This makes it one of the highest bungee adventure spots in the world. It seems like time slows down when you step off. As you look around, snow-capped peaks rush by, and the wind howls in your ears. For a brief yet exhilarating moment, you experience a sense of weightlessness between the sky and the rock. It energizes you, but you feel like you're losing it in the mountains' serene beauty.

As you move forward, you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park checkpost, where your permits are registered, and then ascend through the dense forests. You will see the first sight of Mt. Everest. Trekking further, you will arrive at Namche Bazar, the gateway of Everest.

Today is your first day of acclimatization in Namche Bazaar. Acclimatizing your body during a high-altitude voyage is crucial for preventing altitude sickness. We will be spending the day perusing the Namche Bazar, engaging with locals, and visiting museums.  After a short hike, you will reach the Everest View Hotel at an elevation of 3,962 meters. This hotel is renowned for its breathtaking vistas of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains, including Mt. Everest, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Lhotse, and Kongde Peak, as its name suggests. 

The Everest View Hotel sits at an altitude of 3,880 meters (12,729 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest-placed luxury hotels in the world. It looks out over Khumjung like a watchful eye. It doesn't feel like a building; it's more like a platform with a view of the sky. In the morning, the soft crackle of frost under your feet gets you up. The panoramic windows let in a lot of light that makes Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest look beautiful. Inside, only the soft clink of teacups can be heard. Each sip feels like a toast to the mountains. "It's not just a place to stay; it's a front-row seat to a work of art that changes with every cloud.

(Note: According to your choices, we have multiple options of hikes during the acclimatization day, such as visiting the Sherpa Culture museum, Yeti Sculpture, and Everest View Hotel.)

Enjoy the breathtaking vistas for a while before descending to Namche Bazaar to spend the night.

As we leave Namche, the crisp Himalayan morning meets us. The trail swiftly takes us away from the busy town. Today's trek is a long, lung-testing ascent through peaceful rhododendron trees with branches that are twisted and covered with moss. As we go higher, the air gets thinner, and each switchback gives us a better view of snow-capped giants like Ama Dablam.You may see musk deer, Himalayan Thar, and Danphe (Nepal's national bird) along the way.

We share the trail with dzopkyos (yak-cow hybrids) that are carrying heavy loads. Their bells provide a rhythmic sound that goes along with our steady pace. After six hours of walking, getting to the modest, spread-out teahouses of Dole is a huge relief. The settlement is 4,200 meters up and has stunning views of the valley below. Every muscle feels the 760-meter climb, but the overwhelming sense of success and the peaceful solitude of the mountains make every hard step worth it.

The track opens up into a breathtaking high-altitude journey after leaving Dole. The air gets crisper and the views get bigger as we follow the valley wall. The mighty, ice sides of Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world, stand out against the sky ahead.

The walk isn't as steep as it was on other days, but you need to go slower and more carefully to get used to the thinner air. We go via the small towns of Lhabarma and Luza, whose stone houses cling to the mountainside. After a long ascent, the Machhermo valley opens up, showing a large, flat basin that was made by glaciers long ago.

Lhabarma is just a few stone building and a teahouse, a short break on the open mountainside. It doesn't feel like a community; it feels more like an stop along your trek, where you can have a warm drink and some shelter while taking in the stunning views down the valley.

Luza is a little bigger, and its low-built homes are tucked away among huge boulders that keep them safe from the valley's strong winds. The sound of the Dudh Koshi river thundering deep below vibrates up the cliffs, making the rough, strong terrain that this tough community calls home even more amazing.

finally we will arrive at Machhermo where we spend the night. It is important in history since it is where a famous yeti sighting took place. It is also home to the Himalayan Rescue Association's third aid post, which makes it a very important stop for acclimatization and learning about safety at high altitudes before continuing on to Gokyo Lake.

The 270-meter rise to the lodge at 4,470 meters feels like a big deal. As we get ready for the higher altitudes, our bodies need rest and water first.

The trail from Machhermo takes us north, up a steep and magnificent path into the high Himalayas.  We pass through old moraines, and the trail goes between rocks that were left behind by glaciers that have melted.  The air is thin and crisp, and each step takes a lot of effort, yet the view of the towering peaks gets better and better.

 The first time you see the color of Gokyo Lakes, it's like magic. The blue of the lakes is so bright against the gray granite and white ice.  Although the last push to Gokyo village appears to continue on for an indefinite amount of time, the view of the well-known third lake and the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the largest glacier in Nepal, is well worth the time and effort.

 We have reached one of the major jewels of the climb at 4,790 meters.  Standing in front of this beautiful alpine sanctuary, with the Gokyo Ri peak looming over you, you feel like you've got there.

As we start the steep, winding climb up Gokyo Ri, The hike from Gokyo to the top of Gokyo Ri  is a day of amazing rewards. The trek starts with a hike up the steep, winding trail to the top of Gokyo Ri (5,357m) before sunrise. The distance is little, but the effort is huge because of the high altitude. When you get to the top, all the hard work is forgotten. You are greeted by what many trekkers think is the best panoramic view in the Himalayas: a stunning 360-degree view of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, with the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the huge Ngozumpa Glacier at your feet.

The Ngozumpa Glacier is the longest glacier in Nepal. It is a long river of ice that runs through the Sagarmatha National Park for more than 36 kilometers (22 miles). The old, rough surface of the world's sixth-highest peak, Cho Oyu, is a spectacular panorama of moraines and meltwater ponds.

Its huge size is humbling, even though it isn't a smooth sheet of white ice. The Gokyo Lakes trek ends with a huge, rocky point that serves as a natural dam to keep the beautiful blue waters of the Gokyo Lakes in place.

This is not simply a view: it is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the world. The two-hour climb to the top is forgotten, and standing on the roof of the globe fills you with a deep sense of awe and achievement.

Today's hike is a dramatic and satisfying descent into a different environment, leaving behind the miserable high-altitude beauty of Gokyo. We start by walking along the edge of the beautiful turquoise lakes. Then, we continue down a steep, rocky path along to the Ngozumpa Glacier. Every step down makes the air thicker, which is a real relief for the lungs.

The track then goes down a stunning, open path that has been carved into the side of a mountain. This is one of the most gorgeous areas of the hike. We get to see Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kang Taiga up close and personal, with their frigid faces shining in the sun.

When you drop into the green valley of Phortse, it's like entering a safe place. This old Sherpa settlement is a hidden gem that's not on the main trails. It is bordered by terraced farms and whispering pines. Our knees feel the 950-meter drop, but the compensation is amazing: stunning mountain views and a deep sense of serene village.

You will climb a total of 370 meters (1,213 feet), but the terrain is mostly well-graded, so the ascent will be gradual and easy to handle. The trail winds through the rocky hills of the Khumbu area, giving you stunning, wide views of famous peaks including Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtega.

When you leave the trees behind, the area changes into a beautiful desert at a high altitude. The route regularly goes up and down above the Imja Khola valley, taking you across old glacial moraines. The last stretch of road into Pheriche, a town on a winding valley level, is a pleasant sight. You may locate hotels and the famous Himalayan Rescue Association clinic here. This is a very important place for trekkers to get used to the thinner air. This day is very important for helping your body get used to the higher altitude.

The trail goes up nearly 720 meters (2,367 feet), which makes it one of the steepest climbs on the trip. The trail takes you past a dramatic, high-altitude terrain of stony moraines, following the strong flow of the Khumbu Glacier. One of the most moving parts is walking through the Thokla Pass, where a sad but magnificent group of memorial stupas honors climbers who have died on Everest and other Himalayan peaks.
The air gets visibly thinner, and the sights get more and more dramatic, which makes you look forward to the last push to Everest Base Camp. Lobuche is a town on the brink of the glacier that serves as a harsh and windy base for trekkers and climbers getting ready for the highest parts of their journey.

Today marks the finish line of our journey: Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/ 17598ft)
You will start early from Lobuche (4,930 m/16,175 ft.) for a challenging yet rewarding trek. The path takes you through rugged terrain, often alongside the Khumbu Glacier, with breathtaking vistas of jagged peaks and the massive icefall. Your destination for the morning is Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/17,598 ft.). At EBC, you'll spend some time soaking up the atmosphere, observing the bright camps of expeditions preparing for summit attempts (during climbing season), and admiring the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, notably the towering Khumbu Icefall.
After achieving our goal, you will return to Gorak Shep (5,185 m/17,011 ft.). While tough, this descent will be critical for our acclimatization, following the "climb high, sleep low" philosophy. You'll relax and recuperate in Gorak Shep, reflecting on our incredible achievement of climbing to Everest Base Camp. This evening, you'll get ready for tomorrow morning's trek to Kala Patthar.

This challenging but very rewarding day includes the famous hike to the top of Kala Patthar (5,545m) and a long descent to Pheriche (4,240m), which takes about 7–8 hours and covers about 15 kilometers. The trek starts before dawn from Gorak Shep, and the trekkers climb steeply to the top of Kala Patthar in the cold, thin air to see the sunrise over Mount Everest. This is an amazing view that includes the whole Khumbu Glacier, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Pumori. This climb is hard, but it gives you the best view of Everest's summit without any climbing gear.

After breakfast in Gorak Shep, the trail goes down to Lobuche and then splits off toward the wider, wind-swept valley of Pheriche. The trail goes down a lot—1,305 meters in total—along the side moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and through Thukla (Dughla), where there are moving memorials to climbers who have died. The descent is easier on the lungs, but it's hard on the knees and joints because it goes down a lot of rocks. Getting to Pheriche is a big relief and a great sense of accomplishment. The lower altitude means thicker air, and the village has friendly teahouses, making it a great place to rest and think after one of the most beautiful and memorable days on the Everest trail.

The hike from Pheriche (4,371m / 14,340ft) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m / 11,286ft) is one of the longest and most important days of descent on the Everest Base Camp trail. This 6-7 hour trip takes you from the stark, high-altitude world of the Khumbu to the more comfortable and lively energy of the Sherpa capital. It covers a lot of ground and loses about 930 meters (over 3,050 feet) of elevation. The trail is mostly downhill, but it is known for being lengthy because of the many short, steep climbs that break up the descent and test your knees and your strength one last time.
The day starts with a slow descent down the wide Pheriche valley, where it meets the main trail at Pangboche. From here, you go back down through the Deboche forests, past the peaceful Tengboche Monastery, and then start the long, steep descent to the river confluence at Phunki Tenga (3,250m). This is where the hardest part of the day starts: the famous hour-long climb up the switchbacks to Kyangjuma or Sanasa. This steep part, which comes late in the day, is a challanges but final reminder of how uncomfortable it is to walk in the Himalayas. The last stretch from Sanasa to Namche is a welcome, mostly flat path along the mountainside that gives you the last, breathtaking views of Kongde Ri and Thamserku. When you get back to the busy streets of Namche Bazaar, it feels like you're back in civilization. The cafes, stores, and thick air are a luxurious and well-deserved reward after the long trip from the high mountains.

The final segment of your adventure across the Himalayas is a long but very rewarding hike that takes you back to Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu, from the busy metropolis of the Khumbu. This day is a mix of looking back on the past and trekking with purpose. You walk 13.5 miles from the high Himalayas to the lush, green valleys of the lower Everest region. The trail is mostly downhill, but it is notable for having many small, steep uphill sections that make the mountains work hard until the last step.

Before we start our day, you get one more amazing vista from the Namche cliffside. Then you go down the steep switchbacks to where the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers meet at Larja Dobhan. The track mostly follows the river valley after you cross the huge suspension bridges. where you can have adventure like Bunjee. 

On the Everest Bungee, you don't just jump; you fall into the Himalayas. The platform is 3,600 meters above sea level and hangs over a wild mountain river. This makes it one of the highest bungee adventure spots in the world. It seems like time slows down when you step off. As you look around, snow-capped peaks rush by, and the wind howls in your ears. For a brief yet exhilarating moment, you experience a sense of weightlessness between the sky and the rock. It energizes you, but you feel like you're losing it in the mountains' serene beauty.

It winds through lovely pine forests and past settlements, you know, such as Phakding and Ghat. The trail is like a roller coaster. Every time you go down to the riverbank, you have to climb back up the opposite side, which tests your strength one last time. The air gets thicker and richer in oxygen, which makes it easier to breathe, but the continuous changes in the ground still make your legs work harder. It is a good thing to see Lukla's airport on the side of the mountain, because it means the end of an epic. Getting to Lukla is a huge accomplishment. You can finally enjoy finishing one of the world's best journeys by sharing experiences with other trekkers before your trip down to the world below.

Our day begins early at the Lukla Tenzing-Hillary Airport (2,860 m/9,383 ft.). Flights from Lukla are highly weather-dependent, so there can often be delays. You will need to be flexible and prepared for any changes to the schedule. Depending on the air traffic and weather conditions, our flight will either take us directly back to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) or to Ramechhap's Manthali Airport. Due to congestion at Kathmandu's airport, many Lukla flights operate to and from Ramechhap, a small airport located a few hours' drive east of Kathmandu.
Our ground transfer will meet you upon landing at your destination, either Kathmandu or Ramechhap. After landing in Ramechhap, a leisurely 4–5-hour drive through picturesque countryside will return you to Kathmandu. You will be taken straight to the hotel upon your return to the busy capital city. After days in the mountains, the comforts of a city hotel—hot showers, reliable electricity, and a wider range of food options—are waiting for you.