Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo – 18 Days

What Can You Expect In The Everest Base Camp Trek With Gokyo Lake?

• The uphill hike to Gokyo Ri(5,483 m) offers you a close-up view of the Cho Oyu, Everest, and Makalu, alongside an expansive view of the valley and turquoise Gokyo lakes below you.
• The stunning view of the morning sun gleaming over the snow-capped mountains with golden hues from Kalapatthar will make you want to stay there forever.
• Home to rich biodiversity, Sagarmatha National Park offers you opportunities to witness diverse flora and fauna.
• The charming villages and settlement areas dotted alongside the trail provide you with insights into the way of life in the Himalayas.
• You will come across challenging terrain like Cho La Pass, walking on the Khumbu glacier, and loose scree-filled trails.
• Since this trek takes you above 5000 m, there is a chance of altitude sickness. So, you can expect to have 1-2 acclimatization days in your Everest Base Camp trek with the Gokyo package. 

What Is The Best Time For The Everest Base Camp Via Gokyo Lakes?

Like any other trek, spring(March to May) and autumn(September to November) are considered the ideal times for this rewarding journey. The mild temperature accompanied by the clear skies makes this journey one of the best spring treks in Nepal. The clear and crisp mountain views throughout the trail are something that makes this spring trek more rewarding. Moreover, the rhododendron blooms with different shade cuts off the monotonous environment of the journey.

Similarly, the dry trails during autumn enhance your trekking experience. The pleasant weather offers you clear visibility of the picturesque mountain backdrop against the beautiful Gokyo Lakes. Moreover, witnessing the festival of Mani Rimdu in the Tengboche region makes your journey more fun and exciting.

How Long Is The Everest Base Camp Trek With Gokyo?

While climbing Mt. Everest is hard and demands technical skills, the Everest Base Camp with Gokyo trek typically takes 15–22 days, offering a challenging yet non-technical adventure for trekkers. If you don’t include any acclimatization days in your itinerary, then your trek can be as short as 15 days. However, if you add acclimatization days with more detailed exploration, then your journey can last up to 22 days. 

What is the Distance and Height of the EBC Gokyo Trek?

In this 18-day journey, you will cover approximately 112 kilometers (70 miles) of the Khumbu region. With each day progressing on the trek, you will ascend further to the higher altitude. The maximum elevation you will reach through this rewarding trek is 5545 m at Kalapatthar. 

Where does the Gokyo EBC Trek Start and End?

Usually Gokyo to Everest Base Camp Trek starts and ends at Lukla. The route in between can be changed. Some people first attempt the Gokyo Lake and pass Cho La Pass to reconnect with the EBC trail. While some trekkers first complete the EBC trek and join the Gokyo Lake trek in the last phase of the trek. 

Accommodation In The Everest Gokyo Trek

You can find teahouses and lodges operated by locals in the EBC Gokyo trek. Usually, teahouses will offer you a room on a twin-sharing basis. You may find the attached bathroom in the lower elevation. However, as you incline higher, the facilities get limited. The bathroom will be shared within the same vicinity at a higher altitude. You may find facilities like Wi-Fi, electrical appliance charging, and a hot shower, but you will have to pay an extra amount to avail such services. In the Gokyo Lake route, the last teahouses will be in the Gokyo Valley, while on the EBC route, the last teahouses you can find are at Gorakshep. 

Meals In The Everest Gokyo Trek

The teahouses are not only for accommodations; these places are stops for meals during the trek. You can get various options of food, including Nepalese staple Daal Bhaat Tarkari, regional food like Tsampa, butter tea, Shyakpa, local food like momo, chowmein, thukpa, and some foreign cuisines like pasta, Spaghetti with meatballs, etc. 

What Permits Are Required For The Everest Base Camp And Gokyo Trek?

The first permit that you need to have when embarking on the Everest Gokyo Trek is the Sagarmatha National Park Permit. You will need this permit when you enter the national park area from Monjo onwards. Generally, permits get checked at various checkpoints, so make sure you carry them throughout the trek.

#

Children under the age of 10 don't require a permit. However, you should have any document, like a passport, etc, to prove the fact. Another permit that you need is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. This permit will cost you NRS 2000(around $20). 

How Difficult Is The Everest Base Camp Gokyo Trek?

The Gokyo Ri Cho La Pass Everest Base Camp trek is considered a moderate to challenging trek. One of the main challenges of this trek is definitely Cho La Pass. Most of the time, this high mountain pass is covered with snow. So, walking on the steep, rocky, and icy path is a great challenge even for seasoned trekkers.

Moreover, you will have to traverse through the Ngozumpa Glacier and walk on the moraines alongside the ridgelines. During the trek from Gorakhsep to base camp, you will have to take steep ascents through the glacial moraine. Walking for 6 to 8 hours daily over two weeks is already a huge challenge. However, difficult terrain makes this trek more daunting.

On top of that, altitude increases the difficulty of this trek to a great extent. You will be constantly walking above 3000 m, which is already a high elevation. However, you will ascend above 5000 m at Base Camp, Gokyo Ri, Gorakshep, Cho La Pass, and Kalapatthar, making this trek prone to altitude sickness. 

Is The Gokyo to Everest Base Camp Trek Feasible For Me?

Being one of the moderately challenging treks, you need a good level of physical fitness and mental endurance to complete this journey. Even though this trek doesn't have any technical climbing sections, it is recommended to have some prior trekking experience. It's not like this trek cannot be done by beginners. Everest Base Camp trek via Gokyo is doable for beginners, but you need to have preparation for physical strength and mental resilience beforehand.

Likewise, if you are someone who wants to reach the Everest base camp but doesn't want the crowd, the Gokyo Everest Base Camp Trek is perfect for you. You can enjoy the tranquility of the Gokyo valley first and then accomplish the base camp. 

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization During the Everest Trek with Gokyo Lakes

One of the main concerns for trekkers like you who are embarking on the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo is high altitude sickness. When the altitude rises, the air starts thinning with a lower percentage of oxygen held in the air. So, when you incline to such an altitude, your body has to adapt to the limited air. If your body cannot adapt to high altitude, it results in altitude sickness. During this trek, you will be walking above 3000 m most of the time and gradually inclining higher with every passing day until you start to descend after reaching Base Camp. Moreover, you will go above 5000 m during the major challenges of the trek. So, there are high chances of trekkers falling into the trap of altitude sickness. Hence, you need to take precautions and safety measures to avoid altitude sickness.

• You should consume a lot of fluid during the trek. Carry reusable water bottles. Carrying water purifiable tablets and electrolytes can be handy during the journey.
• Choose the package with acclimatization days.
• Do not ascend rapidly. Try to match your breathing with your stride.
• Follow the golden rule of "Climb High, Sleep Low."
• Eat and sleep well. Replenish enough energy for tomorrow’s trek
• Carry altitude sickness medications like Diamox and other medicines such as paracetamol, etc, with you

Preparation For Everest Gokyo Lakes Trek

Being one of the challenging treks, you should prepare yourself physically and mentally for long days in the high, remote Himalayas. You can cope with long hours of walking for more than 2 weeks with good physical stamina and mental endurance.

So, you can try incorporating strength exercises and cardio exercises into your routine to build up your overall fitness and stamina. You cannot build good physical strength if you start practicing the day before the trek. You should at least start doing these exercises 4 to 6 weeks before the trek. Preparing for the trek also requires you to prepare yourself mentally. You should set realistic expectations about the trek and develop adaptability in yourself.  

How Much does Everest Base Camp Via Gokyo Lakes Trek Cost?

If you are going for the Gokyo EBC trek, then it may cost you approximately between USD 1400 to USD 2200 per person. If you choose Everest Base Camp via the Gokyo Trek package from us, it will cost you USD 1700. This reasonable cost includes all the accommodation for 17 days, 3 meals during the trek, permits and entrance fees, guides, porters, and transportation.

However, the above cost does not include visa costs, international airfare, insurance, and other personal expenses. The Everest Base Camp Trek cost with Gokyo may increase if you include additional highlights or extend your itinerary to incorporate other treks like the Three Passes Trek. 

Why Choose Mountain Adventure Trekking For the Everest Base Camp Gokyo Trek?

Mountain Adventure Trekking has been providing excellent service for trekking in Nepal for decades. With expert local guides, personalized service, well-planned itineraries, logistics, and years of experience in the Everest region, we ensure you a safe, smooth, and unforgettable journey of the Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo. Contact us today.