Overview
Considered one of the most rewarding treks to Everest Base Camp (EBC), the Gokyo Lake EBC via Cho La really lives up to its name. Royal Himalayan Holidays takes you on a 19-day journey traveling around the Everest region and visiting Gokyo Lake (4,790m/15,715ft) and Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,598ft) via the high-altitude mountain pass Cho La (5,368m/17,612ft). See some of the highest mountains in the world up close and visit one of the world’s most pristine high-altitude lakes at Gokyo! The Gokyo Lake EBC via Cho La is recommended for experienced trekkers but can be accomplished by novice trekkers as well.
Royal Himalayan Holidays receive you at the airport in Kathmandu to start your 19 days at Gokyo Lake EBC via Cho La package. We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner later that evening in a traditional Nepalese restaurant and introduce you to your trekking guide for the Gokyo Lake EBC via Cho La trek. On the second day of your holiday, we go sightseeing around Kathmandu and hold a trek safety and preparation briefing. Once we are ready we set out the next morning and fly to Lukla (2,850m/9,350ft). At the airport, in Lukla, we meet up with our Royal Himalayan Holidays porter team and set out for Phakding village (2,610m/8,563ft). We descend for most of the way and follow the Dudh Khosi River up to Phakding, where we’ll spend our first night in the mountains. On the second day of the Gokyo Lake EBC via Cho La trek we head for Namche Bazaar. This is the biggest village in the entire Everest region and we’ll spend an extra day here to acclimatize. During the Gokyo Lake EBC via Cho La trek, we’ll ascend to a max elevation of 5,545m (18,192ft)! So it’s very important to hold a few acclimatization days to get used to the higher altitudes and prevent the risk of getting acute mountain syndrome (AMS). This is where we head away from the traditional Everest Base Camp trail and head west to Phortse Thanga and our overnight destination at Dhole (4,200m/13,779ft). From here it’s a two-day trek to Gokyo (4,790m/15,715ft). Along the way, we’ll pass by various smaller lakes also considered as Holy Lakes. Gokyo is just amazing. Hidden in between glaciers and snow-white mountains and resting just at the shores of Gokyo Lake this is one incredible scenic village! Exploring around the lake and enjoying the sights is how we’ll spend the afternoon as the next day we’ll hike up to Gokyo Ri (5,360m/17,585ft) for a sunrise view! From the top of Gokyo Ri, you’ll see 360° panoramic views of Mt. Everest (8,848m/29,028ft), Mt Lhotse (8,516m/27,940ft), Mt Cho Oyu (8,188m/26,864ft), and Mt Makalu (8,485m/27,838ft) in the backdrop. Having enjoyed this amazing sunrise view we head back down to Gokyo for breakfast and leave to continue the Gokyo Lake EBC via the Cho La trek by heading to Thagnak also known as Dragnak village (4,700m/14,420ft). This is our final stop before crossing the Cho La Pass at 5,368m (17,612ft)! The trek up the pass can get windy but the views are equally powerful. We spend some time atop the pass before heading down the east side towards Dzongla village at 4,830m (15,846ft). The next day the Gokyo Lake EBC via Cho La trek continues back on the traditional Everest Base Camp trail by heading to Lobuche (4,910m/16,109ft). From Lobuche, a short trek takes us to Gorakshep (5,170m/16,962ft). After settling in the tea house we back up light and make a hike to Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,598ft). While the views of Mt Everest aren’t the best form at the foot, the views of the Khumbu Glacier (Nepal’s longest ice glacier) are incredible! The next day we hike up to Kala Patthar hill (5,545m/18,192ft) early in the morning to catch a spectacular sunrise view over Mt Everest and its neighbors. This is also the highest point of the Gokyo Lake EBC via the Cho La trek! We’ll spend the next four days trekking back down a southern route to Lukla before flying back to Kathmandu.
Join Royal Himalayan Holidays on of the best treks in Nepal to Everest Base Camp with the Gokyo Lake EBC via Cho La trek of 19 days. We do recommend booking a few additional days on top of this trekking package as flights to and from Lukla can get delayed due to weather circumstances.