Overview
Also known as Everest Circuit trek, this is one of the most adventurous treks in the Everest Himalayas, it follows the route via high pass of Cho La at 5,330m into the Base Camp of Mount Everest.
A unique trek that goes through Lukla, Namche bazaar and all the way to Gokyo, Chola Pass, Kalapattar and Everest Base Camp.
Leading you to the home of the legendary Sherpa people, based at the foothills of the highest peak in the world, Mt. Everest at 8,848m. This trek follows the highly praised trekking route through the Dudh Koshi to its source the Gokyo Lake which is to the west of the Everest Base Camp, giving you the benefit to summit Gokyo Peak (5,483m) offering a fantastic panoramic view of Cho Oyo, Everest and Makalu.
As we cross the Cho-La pass, and return back to Lukla following the route through Everest Base Camp, Kalapattar down to Tengboche monastery, Khumjung village, Namche Bazar and Lukla. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Everest including several other similar peaks and explore the Buddhists monasteries located at the world’s highest elevation.
Minimum of 2 required. Private dates available on request.
What to Expect
What's Included
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival in Kathmandu airport
Arrival at the Tribuwan International Airport in Kathmandu (1,345m). Transfer to Hotel in our private tourist vehicle.
Day 2:
Pre-trip Meeting and Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.
Morning sightseeing trip to Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Afternoon at leisure and shopping in Thamel, near hotel.
Day 3:
Fly to Lukla trek to Phakding
35 minute scenic morning flight to Tenzing and Hillary Airport at Lukla at 2804 metres. Begin trek with descent to Dudh Koshi River, join main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunrikharka (2713m). An easy day and short walk to Phakding.
Day 4:
Trek to Namche Bazaar
Trek along banks of Dudh Koshi, crossing river many times on suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. Enter Sagamartha National Park, with steep ascent and breathtaking views. Known as the Gateway to Everest, Namche Bazaar is one of the biggest villages we will see and has many quality restaurants, lodges, shops, money exchanges, internet cafes and bakeries.
Day 5:
Namche Bazaar acclimatisation day
Acclimatisation day to adjust to thinning of the air. We take a short trek up the Syangboche Airport around Everest View Hotel. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas with stunning sunrise and sunset over the panorama of Khumbu peaks.
Day 6:
Trek to Phorste Thanga
Steep ascent out of valley through rhododendron forest. Juniper and large conifers start to appear as the elevation increases making the trekking very pristine in spring. The trail passes through Yak Kharkas and summer settlements. Views of Khumbi La and Tawache are magnificent throughout the day.
Day 7:
Trek to Machherma
Stunning ridge views this morning both down the valley to Kengtega and up towards Cho You. Descent to river crossings before climbing steeply to terminal moraine of the Ngozumpz glacier. We will reach Machherma by early noon.
Day 8:
Trek to Gokyo
One of our main destinations, Gokyo (4,790m) is a small village at the foot of Gokyo Ri and on the eastern shore of the third Gokyo Lake, Dudh Pokhari. We will make this camp our base for 2 nights as we will have couple of sightseeing and hiking trips around Gokyo.
Day 9:
Trek to Gokyo Ri and back to Gokyo
Early (steep) climb to the top of Gokyo Ri at an elevation of 5,483m. Stunning views of Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, including the giants Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Gychung Kang. This day we have for acclimatisation and afternoon back to the camp.
Day 10:
Trek to Thangna
Trek to the foot of Cho La pass. Accomodation in Thangna will be very basic and in a dormitory based room because of its remoteness.
Day 11:
Cross Cho La pass then trek to Dzongla
Start before sunrise at 4 or 5am to reach the Pass early, avoiding bad weather conditions. Cross over at an altitude of 5,300m and start to climb. Although steep, we are rewarded by magnificent views, before descending to Dzongla, where we aim to arrive at noon. Accomodation in Dzongla will be very basic and in dormitory style room because of its remoteness.
Day 12:
Trek to Lobuche
A rather easier and shorter trekking route will take us to Lobuche after 4 hours of trekking.
Day 13:
Trek to Everest Base Camp then back to Gorak Shep
A challenging day's walk along the Khumbu Glacier and up to Everest Base Camp at 5,365m, the closest point to Mt. Everest without mountaineering equipment. There may be teams there preparing to attempt the summit. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from Base Camp is spectacular. Return to Gorak Shep.
Day 14:
Hike up to Kala Patthar early in the morning and trek down to Periche
A challenging but rewarding day, most of morning is spent climbing Mt. Kala Patthar, a small peak (by the Himalayan standards) at 5,555m. The ascent is demanding but unveils magnificent mountain panorama: Everest, the highest point on the planet at 29,028ft (8,848m), towers directly ahead and on all sides loom the other giants, Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless others. We make a quick descent to Gorak Shep, a tiny hamlet at 5,180m then trek down to Periche.
Day 15:
Trek to Namche Bazaar
A slightly different route down to Orsho then to Pangboche village. Here is the oldest monastery in the region which contains what is said to be the scalp and bones of a Yeti, or abominable snowman. Leaving mountains behind us we descend to the Tengboche Monastery at elevation 3,860m before continuing to Namche Bazaar at 3,441m, early afternoon.
Day 16:
Trek to Lukla
Finally we return to Lukla where we started our trek, what seems like a lifetime ago. We'll spend some time enjoying and reflecting on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. We also have some spare time to explore the town.
Day 17:
Morning flight back to Kathmandu
Enjoying our last glimpse of the mountains we have recently visited on the 35 minute scenic flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, we are met and transferred back to our starting hotel.
Day 18:
Leisure day and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
This is a spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla. We have the option to extend and continue onto Chitwan Jungle Safari, Rafting Adventure, Kathmandu Valley Shopping Tour, Scenic Everest Flight, Mountain Biking and other activities. Final farewell dinner in traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances.
Day 19:
Transfer for your final flight departure
Transfer to international airport in Kathmandu for flight departure from Nepal
