Everest Base Camp - Gokyo Lake Trek

This is one of Nepal’s most famous treks, set amongst breath-taking high mountain scenery, through the Khumbu - Sherpa country. After a magnificent mountain flight to Lukla we follow the Dudh Kosi valley to Namche Bazaar. The trail to Gokyo is a gradual ascent up the valley passing through patches of birch and rhododendron forest where the elusive musk deer can sometimes be seen. Through small yak-grazing settlements we reach the Gokyo lakes where we climb Gokyo Peak (5480m) and enjoy stunning summit mountain scenery including Everest, Makalu and Cho Oyo. From this point we follow a trail heading south for Phortse, then north for Pheriche. After the ascent of Kala Pattar (5545m) and the impressive up-close view of Everest, our return route passes through Tengboche, a magnificent location with a fascinating monastery. We rest here and savor the incredible scenery, including magnificent views of Everest, Ama Dablam (6856m), Kantega (6809m), Kwangde (6194m), Nuptse (7879m), and Lhotse (8511m), to name but a few.

17 Days Difficulty   Strenuous Maximum Altitude:5545 m
DAY 01	Katmandu - Lukla (2800m) by plane - Phakding (2600m) 3 hrs.
Great view of the Kusum Kangru (6369m).
DAY 02	Phakding - Namche Bazar (3440m) in 6 hrs.
Climb up on the right bank of the Dudh Kosi, surrounded by summits rising above 6000m. Namche Bazar is the Sherpa capital of the region.
DAY 03	Namche Bazar.
Acclimatisation day which gives us time for a sightseeing tour or an excursion towards the village of Thame or Khumjung.
DAY 04	Namche Bazar - Phortse Thanga (3600m) in 5hrs.
Beautiful view of the Tengpoche monastery and the verdant Phortse plateau to the east. Stunning vista of Thamserku (6608m) and Kang Taïga (6685m) to the south-east and Taboche (6367m) to the north-east..
DAY 05	Phortse Thanga - Dole (4040m) - Machhermo (4410m) in 5hrs.
Rhododendron forests give way to junipers and tall conifers. After Dole the landscape gets rocky and only a few trees are left. First views of Cho Oyu (8153m).
DAY 06	Machhermo - Gokyo (4750m) in 4hrs.
We follow the immense frontal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier to the Gokyo lakes. Climbing up we will discover one by one those emerald drops lost into black rocks and snow.
DAY 07	Gokyo lakes.
Optional ascent of the Gokyo Peak (5480m) in 5hrs. A breathtaking 360 º view with Lhotse, Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu--four of the fourteen 8000m on earth--dominating the myriad of lesser peaks.
DAY 08	Gokyo - Phortse (3840m) in 6hrs.
The trail goes along the east side of the valley.
DAY 09	Phortse - Pheriche (4250m) in 5hrs.
Descent towards Imja Khola river, then climb up to Pheriche passing by Pangboche which houses the oldest monastery in the Khumbu. Ama Dablam seems almost at touching distance and shines with majesty.
DAY 10	Pheriche - Lobuche (4920m) in 5hrs.
Progress along the river and carry on over moraines. Beautiful vistas of Nuptse situated north east and of Taboche, Chola Tse and Lobuche to the west.
DAY 11	Lobuche - Gorak Shep (5100m) in 3hrs.
We continue along the side of the Khumbu glacier, the path becomes rocky and awkward as we keep climbing over the moraine. The sugar loaf dome of Pumori (7145m) lies directly ahead--on the right Nuptse rises in a sheer spire and behind it is an elusive sight of the Everest.
DAY 12	Gorak Shep - Kala Pattar (5545m) - Lobuche in 7hrs.
An intricate route threading its way between crevasses and almost translucent ice pinnacles and over moraine ridges. Unforgettable panorama from Kala Pattar: Ama Dablam, Makalu, Nuptse, Lhotse and the impressive black pyramid of Everest. We then retrace our steps to Gorak Shep and return to Lobuche.
DAY 13	Lobuche- Dingboche (4410m) in 5hrs.
DAY 14	Lobuche- Dingboche (4410m) in 5hrs.
DAY 15	Tengboche-Namche Bazar (3440m) in 5hrs.
DAY 16	Namche Bazar - Lukla (2800m) in 6hrs.
Up and down through the forest, among rocky cliffs and sheer drops overlooking the river.
DAY 17	Lukla - Katmandu by plane.