Gokyo Lake Cho La Pass EBC Trek-16 Days

Manthali to Lukla Flight (March, April, May, September, October, and November)
During peak seasons, such as March, April, May, September, October, and November, the flight to Lukla will be operated from Ramechhap/Manthali due to air traffic expansion. The Manthali/Ramechhap airport is about a 4 to 5-hour drive away from Kathmandu. On this day, we wake up between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM, take an escorted shuttle to Manthali Airport in a shared tourist vehicle, and board a 20-minute flight to Lukla.

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight (January, February, June, July, August, and December)
The flight to Lukla is typically operated from Kathmandu during nonpeak seasons, which include January, February, June, July, August, and December. Please be aware that the decision regarding the operation of flights solely depends on the airline and is influenced by the volume of travelers during a specific month. On this day, we wake up between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Our staff will escort you to the domestic airport terminal in Kathmandu, where you will board a 35-minute flight to Lukla.

Prepare your trekking gear and luggage for the Gokyo Lake Cho La Pass Trek the day before the flight. We will be landing at an adventurous Tenzing Hillary Airport, the world’s most thrilling airport, Lukla, at an altitude of 2,840 meters (9,317 feet).

This thrilling airstrip, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, marks the beginning of our exciting journey to Everest Base Camp (EBC) through Gokyo Lake Cho La Pass at 5367 meters.

After arriving at Lukla Airport, our assigned porter guide will greet you warmly and will prepare to assist you with the trek preparations. The porters will carry your duffle bag throughout this adventure trip.

They are the mountain warriors in the grandeur Himalayas with their incredible strength, facilitating you in the 14-day journey by carrying your trekking gear and supporting up to two clients per porter.

Before starting the official trek, we will stop for some tea and snacks in Lukla, then we will start our trek through the trails of Cheplung and gradually ascend towards Thadokoshi, perched at 2,580 meters (8,464 ft).

En route to the charming village of Phakding, we will witness breathtaking snowcapped peaks such as Kusum Khangkaru and Nupla, then continue along the serene Dudhkoshi River until we arrive at Phakding for the night.

The morning walk continues following the river upstream most of the way, crossing a few bridges over Dudh Kosi River and villages of Bhenkar and Monjo to reach Sagarmatha National Park entrance, from here leading to Jorsalle village for lunch, and then walk for a few hours to the last bridge leading with steep uphill climb for few hours to Namche Bazaar, Namche with many facilities good stores, shops, restaurant, pubs, cyber café, post office and banks.

A perfect spot for a rest day and acclimatization before heading higher area, at Namche one can relax or take a short hike to Everest View Hotel which takes almost 2 hours, or walk up to the top of Namche for better views of Everest, Amadablam and adjoining peaks, visit of interesting museum.

From here to the Gokyo area,  the walk is easy to Kyangima near Shanasa, with chances of seeing some wildlife, colorful Danphe pheasant (Impeyan Pheasant) National bird of Nepal, and musk deer, sometimes Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). From here our route diverts towards the north with a climb to Mong Ridge at 3,973 meters. After Mong walk descends with a series of switchbacks to Dudh Kosi at Phortse Thanghka, from here uphill to Dole, through rhododendron forest then gives way to juniper and conifers trees.

After Dole, walk on a level trail for an hour to Lhabarma Kharka at 4,325 m and to Luza at 4,390m; then skirt around the ridge line looking at Machherma village, below on a small valley, and then reach Machherma for lunch and overnight stop, afternoon free for acclimatization and short hike for views of Mt. Cho Oyo 8,210m and all the mountains flanking Ngozumba Glacier.

The morning walk leads to Gokyo Lake following a scenic trail to Pangka 4,545m, then climbing a rocky path into ablation valley, reaching the first lake and then the second lake, and finally to the third lake called Dudh Pokhari or Gokyo Lake. At the bank of the lake, a summer settlement of Gokyo at 4,790 meters, after lunch, a short walk around the lake with a view of Mt. Cho Oyo world’s 06th highest, and Gyachung Kang, which reflects on emerald Gokyo Lake.

Today is a full rest and exploration day in Gokyo. You can visit the 4th, 5th, and 6th lakes, and you will enjoy visiting all of these lakes in Gokyo.

Morning hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for sweeping views of the world’s highest peaks from Mt. Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Cholatse, Taweche, and to the east rises Mt. Makalu. After a wonderful time on top of Gokyo Ri descend back to Gokyo for lunch with a short walk to Thaknak, located beneath Ngozumba Glacier and Cholatse Peak, The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure preparation for Cho-la pass crossing.

The walk starts before dawn with a long climb to Cho-la pass or Tsho-la, as the climb leads over a rocky moraine. In snow conditions will be a tough job to find the right trail, and walk on the rubble of the moraine to reach the top of the pass at 5,367 m, hidden by Cholatse, Nirekha, and Taboche peaks, after a hard climb, descend to a small valley at Dzong-la for an overnight stop.

After a wonderful night at Dzongla, a morning walk with an uphill climb leading to a pleasant path near Thugla (Dugla) on the junction of Pheriche, Dingboche Cho-la pass, and Lobuche trails. From here few hours of a good walk to Lobuche for an overnight stop.

The morning walk begins our fantastic adventure to Everest Base Camp. We start with a gentle uphill climb lasting a few hours, followed by a short, steep ascent near Gorakshep, where we walk on glaciers and moraine to reach our destination. Gorakshep, which has a few lodges, is situated beneath Mt. Pumori and Kalapathar. After a few more hours of walking east to Everest Base Camp, we enjoy breathtaking views overlooking the Khumbu Glacier and Khumbu Ice Fall. After an incredible experience at the world's highest mountain, we will retrace our steps back to Gorakshep for an overnight stay.

Early morning hike to the top of Kalapathar at 5,545 meters, the highest point of this adventure, as the walk leads up for a few hours offering tremendous views of surrounding snow-capped mountains as far as the horizon, including Mt. Everest at close distance and beneath the towering lofty peak of Pumori. After a great time, return to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue the walk to Pheriche via Thugla, from here descend to a flat windy valley, and after a pleasant walk, reach Pheriche for an overnight stop.

The return journey is easier on losing altitude every few hours, walking downhill with a few short ups to Pangboche and then reaching a bridge over Imjatse River, from here into a forested area with a few hours climb to beautiful Thyangboche Monastery with a panorama of mountains including Mt. Everest and Amadablam peaks. At Tengboche, visit the famous monastery, an interesting detour around the monastery premises with views of the mountains.

The morning walk descends to Imjatse River and then a steep climb for an hour to Sanasa with a gradual path with short ups and downs to Namche Bazaar, after a short rest at Namche with a lunch break head downhill to Dudh Kosi River and then on a gradual trail with few short up to reach at Monjo village near Sagarmatha National Park main entrance gate for an overnight stop before Lukla. 

Morning walk on the pleasant path, most of the way reaching Phakding from here, retracing the walk back to Lukla with the last climb for an hour, on reaching Lukla, celebration with fellow trekkers and staff.

From Lukla, morning scenic flight back to Kathmandu with fantastic views of mountains from the plane on landing at Kathmandu airport, our staff transfers you back to a hotel around the Thamel area with the rest of the day free at leisure.

NOTE: In the main trekking season of the Everest trek ( March - May/September to November), all the airlines operate the flight between Lukla to Kathmandu through Ramechhap/Manthali airport. In this condition, a 15-20 minute flight to Ramechhap from Lukla, then a tourist share vehicle to Kathmandu, approximately 4-5 hours overland service to Kathmandu.

ALTERNATIVE OPTION AVAILABLE: HELICOMPTER FLIGHT TO KATHMANDU:

You have the option to book a direct helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla for an extra charge of USD 550 per person. This price is quoted on a 5-person sharing basis. This is the best alternative to avoid the long drive to Manthali airport during peak season (March, April, May, October, and November).