• Duration18 Days
  • Diffculty-LevelStrenuous
  • Max. Altitude5,545m
  • Best SeasonSpring & Autumn

Overview

Everest is the home of the world’s highest mountains along with Tibetan sherpa culture and exotic flora and fauna. Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo lakes passing Cho La Pass is one of the most popular and renowned trekking in the Everest Region. The trek covers the pristine Gokyo lakes, glaciers, snowy peaks, and the world’s highest mountains. The 18-day trek is one of the best adventures that cannot be beaten, which is nestled in a hidden valley of the Khumbu region. The journey began with the 30-minute dramatic and scenic flight from Kathmandu to the world’s most extreme airport, Lukla Airport. The trail passes through the deep forest of rhododendrons, Junipers, Fir, Pine along with several waterfalls and Sherpa villages, and thrilling suspension bridges. 

Experiencing the stunning mountain views of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, and many more gorgeous snowy peaks. Passing the Tengboche monastery and getting a blessing from the Buddhist Lama would make your trip more treasured. Kalapatthar and Gokyo Ri offer you the most fascinating 360-degree mountain views whereas Cho La Pass reminds you that adventure is an easy task. Reaching the foothills of the world’s highest mountains and enjoying the unforgettable journey of the Everest Circuit trek. 

We have designed our Everest Circuit Trek itinerary, including enough acclimatization days that will help you to pause and relish the phenomenal landscapes and embrace the heart-welcoming hospitality from the local sherpas. Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes trek are the most famous trekking packages in the Himalayas. And why not? This trek has all the best hospitality, scenery, and tranquility one needs to escape from their busy life. 

We offer different Everest Base Camp Trek packages that you can check on our trekking in the Everest region section. Likewise, we offer genuine Everest Base Camp Trek costs without risking safety. To know more in detail about Everest Region Trekking, feel free to contact us anytime.

Highlights of Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes Trek

  • A glimpse of Nepalese art, culture, architecture, history, and religion during the city excursion, which includes Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, and Swyambhunath Stupa. 
  • Short, scenic, and dramatic flight to the world’s most dangerous airport in Luka. 
  • Trekking to the lush green forest of Sagarmatha National Park, encountering exotic fauna and stunning terrain. 
  • Passing several Sherpa villages and getting to know more about their lifestyle, culture, and practices. 
  • Acclimatization in the famous and vibrant Sherpa capital in Namche Bazaar and enjoy the lavish and classy hospitality at the foothills of the highest mountains. 
  • Exploring the biggest monastery of the Khumbu region, Tengboche Monastery. 
  • Explore the turquoise pristine Gokyo lakes. 
  • Prayer wheels, prayer flags, stone walls, stupas, and much more Buddhist correspondence are on the way. 
  • Explore Everest Base Camp, Gorak Shep, and its surroundings. 
  • Stunning views of mountains from both Gokyo Ri and Kala Patthar Viewpoint. 
  • Experience the most adventurous pass in the Khumbu region, Cho La passes above 5,400m. 

OUTLINE ITINERARY

ItineraryMaximum AltitudeWalking/Hiking
Day 01Arrival in Kathmandu 1,350m/4,429ft 
Day 02Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation1,350m/4,429ft 
Day 03Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding 2,800m/9,187ft3-4 hrs
Day 04Phakding to Namche Bazaar 3,438m/11,280ft5-6 hrs
Day 05Acclimatization Day - Namche Bazaar3,438m/11,280ft 
Day 06Namche Bazaar to Phortse Thanga 3,680m/12,074ft5-6 hrs
Day 07Phortse Thanga to Machhermo 4,470m/14,666ft4-5 hrs
Day 08Machhermo to Gokyo 4,800m/15,749ft4-5 hrs
Day 09Gokyo Valley: Acclimatization Day - Optional Hike to Gokyo Ri 5,357m/17,576ft3-4 hrs
Day 10Gokyo to Thagnak 4,750m/15,585ft4-5 hrs
Day 11Thagnak to Cho La pass to Dzongla 5,420m/17,783ft7-8 hrs
Day 12Dzongla to Lobuche 4,940m/16,208ft2-3 hrs
Day 13Lobuche to Gorak Shep , visit Everest Base Camp 5,364m/17,599ft6-7 hrs
Day 14Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Pheriche 5,545m/18,193ft7-8 hrs
Day 15Pheriche to Namche Bazaar3,438m/11,280ft6-7 hrs
Day 16Namche Bazaar to Lukla2,800m/9,187ft6-7 hrs
Day 17Fly to Kathmandu1,350m/4,429ft 
Day 18Final departure

Itinerary & Map

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  • Accommodation:Apsara Boautique Hotel
  • Meals:Welcome Dinner
  • Altitude:1,350m

We will welcome you at the Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival day. Our airport representative will take you to the hotel and assist you in check-in. As your arrival time may fluctuate, we have not planned anything on this day. The remaining day is free to explore around the streets of Thamel and get used to the surroundings. In the evening, we will have a welcome dinner where you can meet with the rest of the team members.

  • Accommodation:Apsara Boautique Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Altitude:1,350m

Today's sightseeing tour in Kathmandu will give you a good insight into Nepali art and architecture. You will visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhnath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath. All of these monuments hold great importance in the history of Nepal. Later in the evening, you will meet with the trek guide and have a quick briefing session about the trek.

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:2,840m

After early morning breakfast, you will take a short 30 minutes flight to the starting point of the trek, Lukla. The flight offers stunning aerial views of the Himalayan mountains. Upon landing at the Lukla airport, meet with the porters and begin descending towards Phakding village. It will be a three hours trek today. The trail goes along the Dudh Koshi River and lush forests. 

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:3,440m

We will register our permits and begin trekking towards the Namche Bazar. Crossing the Hillary bridge, you will enter the national park. The trial offers frequent glimpses of Mt. Everest. Along the way, you pass by many small villages and waterfalls. The route to Namche Bazar steeply ascends through dense forests, crossing many suspension bridges and streams.

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:3,880m

Today is our first rest day to acclimatize our body with the elevation. We will spend the day exploring the village and going on a half-day hike to The Everest View Hotel that offers breathtaking views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. Likewise, we can also hike to Khumjung village, where you can visit the oldest monastery of the Khumbu region. Later, spend the evening mingling with Sherpas.

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:4,200m

The trail from Namche Bazar ascends through beautiful rhododendron forests and picturesque mountain villages. You can see a range of mountain views along the way. The view of Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Thamserku gets impressive as you approach Dole village. The trail passes the Gokyo river and takes you to the last destination for the day.

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:4,470m

We will ascend higher as we see the beautiful meadows where yaks are pastured and trails are covered with Buddhist prayers flags and shrines. We can also see the first glimpse of Mt. Cho Oyu at 8,188m (the sixth highest mountain). The trail passes through the small villages of Lapahrma and following the valley takes you to the beautiful Machhermo village. 

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:4,790m

This day will be the first glimpse of the Gokyo lakes system after an hour and 30 min trek from Machhermo. The trail passes through the elevated grazing land which takes you to Phanga, it's a memorial of people who have lost their lives during the landslides which can be seen from this place. After crossing a small iron bridge at the end of the Ngozumpa glacier, you will meet the first lake and following second lakes and finally arrive in the pristine crystal main lake. The landscapes, scenery, lakes, peaks, and small settlements are absolutely stunning.

 

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:5,357m

Today is like an acclimatization day, where we will hike to the Gokyo Ri and come back to the same place for a night's stay. You have to hike for like 3hr to reach the top of the Gokyo Ri, which offers panoramic mountains views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and many more snowy peaks along with the magical Ngozumpa glacier and lakes. Gokyo Ri is also considered one of the best viewpoints in Nepal. 

 

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:4,700m

This morning, after breakfast, we will hike on the Ngozumpa glacier as our trail becomes rocky and mixed with ascending and descending parts. We will be walking down to the valley of Gokyo and you can experience the yak grazing lands, moraine, and glaciers trail. The short hike to Thangnak will end and we will prepare for the early morning Cho La pass

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:5,420m

Early morning, we have to get up early and get ready for today's hike to Cho La pass. This day would be quite difficult as we need to cross the Cho La pass and walk above the frozen ice and glaciers. After a couple of hours of hike, we will reach the top of the Cho La Pass which offers stunning views of Cholatse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Cho La lake as well. From here, we keep moving downhill on rocky trails and glaciers and reached Dzongla for the stay. 

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:4,910m

Again the air becomes thin from here onwards as you again enter above 5,000m. Likewise, the landscape becomes more bare and desolate. The trail gradually passes through the Khumbu valley towards Lobuche village, a small village in the foothills of the Lobuche peak. 

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:5,364m

It is another big day. The trail finally takes you to the EBC. Leaving Lobuche behind, you will ascend and reach Gorak Shep. Making your way through the Khumbu Glacier, you will walk on boulders, loose rocks, and small craters. 

Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, you will feel a great sense of achievement and see mountaineers getting ready to push towards the top of Mt. Everest. You will not see the top of Everest from its base camp because other giant mountains cover it. Spend some time here and descend to Gorak Shep to spend the night. 

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:5,545m

Today, we will wake up early in the morning and hike to the famous Kala Patthar to witness gorgeous sunrises and 360-degree views of snowy peaks like Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, and Changtse. After taking some pictures and resting, we will descend to Pheriche. 

  • Accommodation:Standard Tea House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:3,440m

The trail retraces its steps back to Namche Bazar. You will trek through lush forests and remote villages. Here, you will get to visit the largest monastery of the Khumbu region, the Tengboche monastery. You can explore the monastry before descending coming back to Namche. Rest and relax in Namche Bazar. Enjoy the mountain lifestyle and coffee shops and restaurants. 

  • Accommodation:Standard Guest House
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Altitude:2,840m

After having breakfast, you will follow a steep downhill route through dense forests, crossing many suspension bridges and villages to reach Monjo. The trail then passes by Phakding village and ascends to Lukla.

  • Accommodation:Apsara Boautique Hotel
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Altitude:1,350m

Another scenic flight from Lukla will take you back to Kathmandu. The flight will be short. You will have an entire day in Kathmandu to explore tourist sites, shop, and relax. Farewell dinner in the evening.

We suggest you manage one extra day for contingency. If the flight from Lukla does not get delayed or you do not see any unforeseen adverse weather on the trail, then you will have one extra day in Kathmandu to enjoy and explore.

  • Meals:Breakfast

The last day in Kathmandu. Our airport representative will drop you at the Tribhuvan International Airport and bid you our last goodbye.

 

Cost Details

Includes
  • Airport pick-up and drop 4times
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast as per the itinerary
  • City sightseeing by private vehicle including all entrance fees and tour guide
  • Meals during the treks (daily three meals and three tea/coffees )
  • Best available teahouse/lodge accommodations during the trek on a sharing basis
  • Seasonal fruits during the treks
  • Welcome and Farewell dinner
  • Highly experienced English-speaking friendly, helpful guide and porters (one porter for two trekkers), including all their salary, food, accommodation, transportation, equipment, and accidental insurance.
  • Round-trip flight tickets, including airport departure taxes ( KTM-LUK-KTM)
  • we provide duffel bag put your things which carried by porte(Note: Duffel bag need to be returned after the completion of the trip)
  • Mystic Adventure Holidays' T-shirt
  • A trip achievement certificate and Trekking map as souvenirs 
  • First aid medical kit (carried by your leader)
  • Sagarmatha National Park's fee and Rural Municipality entry permit
  • All government taxes and service charges
Excludes
  • Nepalese entry visa fee. You can obtain a visa quickly upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A multiple-entry tourist visa suitable for 30 days can be obtained by paying USD 50 or the equivalent in foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying USD 135. Please bring two passport-size photos.
  • International Flights Ticket
  • Excess baggage charge(s)
  • Return to Lukla or Kathmandu Helicopter is not include extra amount
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival, late departure, or early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
  • Travel and rescue insurance ( Mandatory)
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
  • Compulsory to Tips For Guide and supporting staff (Min. 10% of Paying amount)
  • All the expenses i.e. not mentioned in includes section

Departure Dates

Below is our regular Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary. You can tailor-make the itinerary if you want. We organize private treks too.

Additional Info

Everest Circuit Trek terrain & difficulty 

Everest Base Camp & Gokyo LakesTrek is a slightly strenuous trek with a fair share of challenging steep ascends and descends. Mind you, descents are as difficult as ascents, so don't take it lightly, and be careful on the track. You will be walking 6 to 7 hours a day at a minimum, therefore you have to be in good health and fitness. 

The trail winds through dense forests and the region gets remote with an increase in elevation. You have to walk in thin air before touching EBC and Gokyo Ri, which can get challenging for some trekkers. Along with that, you always have to look for altitude sickness and make sure you do not get any symptoms. You can learn more about altitude sickness here.

Everest Circuit Trek permit

After the decentralization, you no longer need a TIMS card to trek in the Everest region. Now, you will need Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit and Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit to trek to EBC.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance permit cost: NPR 2000 per person 

Sagarmatha National Park Entry permit cost: NPR 3000 per person

You can get both of these permits from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Monjo.

*Note: If you are trekking from Jiri, then you will need an extra permit called the Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit, which costs 3000 per person.

Best time to go on the Everest Circuit Trek

To enjoy the trek to its fullest, you have to trek in spring and autumn. Spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November) are the best times of the year to go on Everest Circuit Trekking. These seasons have moderate climates and stable weather. 

The trail sees hundreds of flowers bloom in the spring. Autumn adds the warmth of festivity to the environment as the Nepalese celebrate their biggest festivals in this season. 

Trekking Everest Base Camp in winter is possible, but you have to be well prepared to face cold and possible trail blockage. Monsoon is not a good time of the year to trek to the Everest region. However, with less expectation of mountain views and slippery trails, you can still trek during this season as well. 

Food & Accommodation during the Everest Circuit Trek

Everest Circuit Trekking route is one of the developed trekking routes in the Himalayas, therefore you will get both luxury and budget-friendly accommodations. Our Everest Base Camp Trek package includes a lodge stay. The rooms will be small with limited furniture and a double bed. Likewise, the washroom will be shared/private depending upon the lodge. 

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be given during the trek. The food will be served as per the menu of the lodge. You can get dishes like rice, curries, momo, noodles, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, soup, toast, eggs, meat, veggies, porridge, bakery items, tea, coffee, Thukpa, etc. 

Tips to make the journey smooth

  • Doble checks all the gear and clothing before embarking on the trek.
  • Carry a reusable water bottle and fill it in the lodge/tea shops along the route. It will save you a lot of money and also keep the environment clean.
  • You may not find ATMs beyond Namche Bazar, so withdraw enough cash to use further on the trail.
  • Do know that you may have to pay a few extra bucks to use services like WiFi, hot showers, and charging booths at some places.
  • Carry a Nepali SIM card to use cellular data on the way (the network may not be stable all the time).
  • Carry extra batteries or a solar charger.
  • You can tip any amount you like to the crew members. To give you a general idea, this is what we recommend- USD 150 to the porter & guide, USD 5 to the tour guide, and USD 2 to the driver.
  • Always walk on the mountainside, especially when yaks and mules are passing by.
  • Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Hydration is the key to avoiding altitude sickness.
  • Always say Namaste to the locals touching both palms and bending a little.

FAQs

  • Q1. What about weight limits?

    The main limitation on the weight is the luggage limit on the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla which is 10kg (22 lbs) and another 5kg (11 lbs) for a carry-on for a total of 15 kg or 33 lbs.

  • Everest Base Camp Trek costs. The Everest Base Camp Trek costs you anywhere from $ 700 to 5000$, depending on your requirement 

  • A 12-day trek to Everest Base Camp could cost between $1,200 and $2,500 per person, not including any additional costs for peak season booking. Many travelers opt to work with Skyhook, our platform that connects travelers with amazing local guides at direct prices.

  • In theory, no. Anyone with robust cardiovascular capability and good stamina should be able to cope with higher elevations and lower oxygen density. Trekking or hiking experience anywhere in the world is strongly recommended for maximum enjoyment of your Himalayan adventure, however.

  • We take all possible precautions to proactively ensure the safety and wellness of our trekkers, but rest assured that our guides are trained and experienced in dealing with emergencies. If necessary, your guide will utilize your travel insurance information to call a rescue helicopter, and you will be flown to Kathmandu for medical attention.

     

  • There are laundry services available in some of the tea houses, and it may be possible to wash some clothes during your acclimation days in Namche Bazaar or Dingboche for a small fee. It is better to plan and pack enough, then wash your clothes when you get back to Kathmandu at the end of the trip. 

     

  • Most of the tea houses have Western-style flush toilets and cold running water. In almost all cases the bathrooms are shared and not attached to the individual rooms. Some of the higher-elevation tea houses have Asian-style toilets which consist of a ceramic basin on the ground (Bathrooms on the Everest Trek. 

     

  • Some of the lower-elevation tea houses offer Wi-Fi for an extra charge of $3 to $10. Another option is to get a Nepalese SIM card in Kathmandu for both internet and calls. Even if you have a SIM card data use is mainly limited to lower-elevation tea houses. You can also use your guide’s phone for international calls as long as you reimburse him for the charges which tend to be fairly reasonable.

  • A lot of the tea houses have power strips with American outlets. If not then either a C or D type outlet is good. You can check out all the details on the different outlets. If you have time in Kathmandu you can buy at least the common adapters for just a couple of dollars. 

     

  • They have electricity at the tea houses in the common areas. They do charge an extra fee of $1 to $4 an hour for charging. 

     

  • We provide all the meals on the trek but don't provide water. The best option is to treat the local water either with chlorine/iodine tablets or use a sterile pen. The tea houses will give you good quality free water and you can also get along the trail but you will need to treat it. If you are using the tablets make sure they dissolve completely (about 30 mins). On most treks, you can buy mineral water along the trail. A liter of mineral water at lower-elevation tea houses costs around USD 1 but at higher elevations can cost up to $4 so the cost can add up.

     

  • We can arrange a private room in Kathmandu. In some of the villages on the trek, it may be possible to have a private room (at no extra cost) and we will do our best to arrange that. However, during busy times of the year there is a limited amount of lodging available in some of the villages so it's generally impossible to arrange private rooms. This is the case even if you're willing to pay extra since the tea house owners will not give out a private room if it means someone else goes without a room. 

     

  • All of our trekking packages include 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu and we can arrange extra nights on request. Please let us know in advance if you need extra nights so they can be reserved. You can pay for any extra nights when you arrive at the hotel directly or office. Sometimes you will find cheaper rates online for these hotels, but the advantage of having us make the arrangements is that if your Lukla flight is delayed we can shift or cancel the reservation at no extra cost.

  • Yes, you can leave any luggage at the hotel or our office in Kathmandu during the trek. 

     

  • Generally, we recommend a day pack of about 40 L, or roughly the size of a school backpack to hold your extra layers as well as essentials for the day. 

     

  • We will provide a duffel bag for you in Kathmandu. The duffel bag will be carried by the porters on the trek and will be your luggage item on the flight. Often the porters get ahead on the trail and your duffel will not be available until you reach the tea house in the evening so you will need to carry a day pack while hiking with the items you need during the day.

     

  • We ensure the travel safety of all our trekking guests, both male and female. Nepal, on the whole, is both very safe and welcoming of foreign visitors. We have long-standing, strong relationships with the lodges we frequent, and know them to be safe and reliable. In addition, our guides are consistently mindful of all guests' whereabouts while trekking. We travel in small groups, all the better to easily maintain continual contact.

     

  • There's no limit on our adventures, as long as participants are healthy and willing! We have had families with kids as young as 7 years do the Everest Base Camp Trek and our eldest trekkers have been in their late 70s. We generally suggest that families schedule a private trek and schedule a few extra days. Don't hesitate to ask us about arrangements.

     

  • Yes, you can take a helicopter to Everest Base Camp. Check out Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour and Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek to see the itinerary with helicopter drop/pickup at the base camp.

     

  • No, you can't see Mt. Everest from the Everest Base Camp because other giant mountains like Lhotse and Nuptse block the view of the top. However, you can see the views of Everest from many other points throughout the trek.

     

  • Everest base camp is situated at 5,364 m (17,598 ft). 

     

  • March to April (spring) and October to November (autumn) is the best time to go on the Everest base camp trek. You can also go on this trek in the early winter.

     

  • No, you can't see Everest from Lukla. The first view of Mt. Everest is seen from Namche Bazar during the Everest Base Camp trek.

     

  • No, there is no WiFi service at Everest Base Camp, but you can use Ncell's sim to use cellular data at the base camp. The connection may not be stable all the time due to elevation and weather conditions.

     

  • We recommend you start preparing for Everest Base Camp Trek 4 to 6 weeks before the trek. You can focus on increasing your stamina and core body strength. Cycling, hiking, swimming, etc are some great workouts.

     

  • Everest Base Camp trek is a doable trek for beginner trekkers, but the trekkers have to be in good shape and healthy. The trail has many steep ascents and descents, and you have to walk 6 to 7 hours a day with a day pack.

  • Everest Base Camp trek cost may vary as per the itinerary you are following and the services you are willing to use. Generally, our EBC trek package costs around USD 1495 to USD 1999, including flights and overnight stay in Kathmandu. Get in touch with us for more information. 

     

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