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Everest Base camp & gokyo lakes
ITINERARY
TREKKING
ALTITUDE
2024 & 2025
This Himalayan trek takes you through the Sherpa homelands and right to the foot of Mount Everest, over high passes and into the remote and stunning Gokyo Valley with its turquoise glacial lakes! A quieter and more adventurous route! Over 15 days of trekking you will see the mighty peaks of the Himalayas, experience the incredible Sherpa culture, and will finish with a chance to explore the bustling Kathmandu and enjoy a traditional Nepali celebration meal.
We will meet our group and Action Challenge staff at the airport and check in together before boarding our flight to Kathmandu.
On arrival, we are met at the airport by the local Nepalese team and start our transfer journey to our overnight destination of Mulkot. At a suitable point of the drive, we will stop at the Mountain Lodge of Dhulikhel, to enjoy an authentic lunch with a stunning backdrop. We expect to arrive at our hotel late afternoon/early evening. Once we are all checked into the hotel, we will have a briefing
from our Action Challenge Leader and local head guide who will be leading us on the challenge. In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome meal together, providing us with the perfect opportunity to bond and relax as a group before our early departure in the morning.
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel early and drive approximately one hour to Manthali airport for our exhilarating flight to Lukla. Clear skies permitting, this will be our first opportunity to get a glimpse of Everest, Ama Dablam and Nuptse. The awe-inspiring scale of these Himalayan giants will give us
an exciting taste of what’s to come. On arrival in the famous town of Lukla (‘Place
with many goats and sheep’), we will begin our acclimatisation walk to Monjo 2850m. We will then stop and take a break at a suitable time, to enjoy the views and recuperate over lunch, before continuing with our afternoon trek. After a couple of hours of trekking, we will arrive at our accommodation for the night, which will be our first night in a traditional Sherpa tea house in Monjo. Here, we will enjoy a warm meal before getting some needed rest in preparation for our first major
trekking day tomorrow.
Following breakfast, we will cross the mighty glacier-fed Dudh Kosi River zigzagging back and forth 5 times – across wire bridges which gradually get higher above the river as we climb. The 5th and final bridge of the day is the Hilary Bridge, at an impressive 300m above the river bed– an amazing feat of engineering and an awe-inspiring crossing. As we continue through alpine forest valleys we finally enter Sagarmatha National Park. Sagarmatha is the Nepalese name for what we know as Mt. Everest – and on a clear day, we hope to be rewarded with our first sighting of Everest’s impressive summit behind the Lhotse ridge. The final climb of the day takes us to the village of Namche Bazaar and we will have lunch upon arrival at our Teahouse for the night. For those looking to understand more about the history and culture of the Sherpa people – and to help acclimatise further – there will be an optional walk up to the Sherpa Culture museum situated just on the surrounding hillside outside of the town. An extremely interesting and educational excursion! As the sun sets, we will return to our Teahouse, where the communal stove and heaters will keep us warm before dinner and an early night.
Trek Day 3 will commence with an early morning 30-45 minute climb to the ridge above Namche, for a stunning view of the sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu peaks and a statue of Tenzing Norgay, the Nepalese Sherpa who accompanied Sir Edmund Hilary to the summit in May 1953. We will then take a break to observe the vbreathtaking sunrise over Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and many more famous peaks. Once the sun has risen, we will return back to our Teahouse for a hearty breakfast before setting out for an acclimatisation walk to the hills above Namche Bazaar. Slow and steady, we will climb up a series of steps along a narrow dusty trail for approx. 2 hours before opening out onto a plateau. The stunning views of the majestic Konde Ri towering above Namche Bazaar present a dramatic backdrop. The final push of the day will take us around a winding mountainside – up to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880m. Here, we can spend a well-deserved hour or so relaxing and enjoying a hot chocolate, whilst admiring the spectacle that is Everest itself. Once we become slightly more acclimatised to the altitude, we will return down to Namche for lunch at a local café. The afternoon will then be left empty for us to rest and recuperate, before enjoying an evening meal and getting some sleep.
After another early breakfast, we will depart Namche and head back up the same route as the day before, however differing slightly as we will follow the trail for ‘Tengboche’. This will wind us around the mountainside with Ama Dablam ahead to our right, and Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse further in the distance. Interestingly, along this route, we will pass by a small Stupa, built by Tenzing Norgay’s son,
which will frame the peaks around us perfectly. After passing by several picturesque villages and numerous tea shops, we will then descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an ideal location for a
quaint lunch. This will be the perfect opportunity for a well-deserved rest before we
begin the steep, yet slow and steady 2-3 hour ascent up to Tengboche. As we near the top of the climb, prayer flags will signify our arrival into Tengboche. This will be a unique experience, where we will have the chance to visit the legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region, and may have the chance to witness a sacred Buddhist ceremony with the monks in prayer. Hopefully, a blessing from the head monk will give us good fortune for the trek ahead. From Tengboche, we will spend the second half of the afternoon hiking along rhododendron-shaded trails, to reach Deboche for a group dinner and a well-deserved rest.
This morning, after re-fuelling with another nutritious breakfast, we will continue our trek from Deboche. The trail will wind through the Rhododendron Forest, before turning onto a mountainside path; getting very narrow at times, before opening up to a wire bridge crossing. It then climbs gradually, past beautifully carved mani stones to reach the small village of Pangboche, which sits in the shadow of the mighty Ama Dablam (6,812m). If time allows, we will stop here for a cup of lemon tea and lunch, before continuing along the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas, turning east into the Imja Valley. At this extreme altitude, the vegetation will be sparse, and all we will see is an abundance of scrubs and heather. As we continue our trek into the afternoon, we will keep Ama Dablam to our right all the way into the village of Dingboche, a small hamlet of low-lying Teahouses, dwellings and cafes. Dingboche village lies at the head of two valleys in the shadow of Pokalde (5745m). This will be where we rest and get dinner before another night of our adventure draws to a close. If the weather is clear, we may be able to observe Island Peak in the distance – a directional marker for tomorrow’s walk.
Following breakfast, our acclimatisation trek day will commence. We will initially head up the Chukhung Valley to observe overwhelming views of the Himalaya’s most famous peaks. The scenery and views will be utterly breathtaking! We will continue with a slow and gentle ascent towards Island Peak (6,100m) at the head of the valley, often used as a training climb for Everest summiteers, which can be seen as a striking yet distant landmark. With peaks on both sides, the valley is home to respectfully emotive memorials, with balanced stones and prayer flags, to
commemorate the lives of lost climbers on these higher peaks. We will take this opportunity to revel in the spectacle of having The Nuptse Wall and Lhotse Peak located to our left, with Everest hiding behind. After 3 hours, we will reach an altitude of 4,700m where we will stop for a rest and enjoy lunch at a Teahouse. We will remain here for a while, to stay exposed to the altitude before we re-embark on our trek and start an hour and a half decent back along the route to Dingboche. Upon arrival back at the Teahouse, we will have time to relax or enjoy a card game and chocolate cake at the local café before dinner and a much-needed early night.
The day will commence post breakfast with an immediate uphill climb as we depart Dingboche. We will ascend quickly with the valley floor far below, an impressive yet slightly daunting experience. Before passing the stupa, we will welcome the opportunity to take some photos. The trek will then continue along a wider plain, gradually heading upwards, with the mountains of Taboche (6,541m) and
the Cholatse (6,440m) ridge positioned behind us. We will continue to admire their beauty framed against the valley backdrop. Continuing up a mountainside pass, the route will become narrower and steeper. The path will slowly merge from a dusty trail to a rocky one, with imposing boulders on either side. We will continue to head upwards towards our lunch stop at Dukhla, a teahouse perched on the edge of a mountainside. We’ll need to earn it though, as to reach it, we will need to navigate over boulders and across frozen glacial pools. After lunch, we will face our toughest climb yet – an immediate uphill ascent using trekking poles. At the top, we will walk into what has become known as the ‘climbers graveyard’ – a collection of stupas and memorial stones framed in prayer flags to pay respect to those who lost their lives on Everest, and the surrounding mountains. The evening will end with dinner in a teahouse before bed.
Today is the day! With the buzz of expedition in the air, we will leave Lobuche at sunrise. The day will begin quite tame, as the first section of the route is flat, and we will trek along a valley floor with mighty peaks all around us. Our route will be marked by the conical peak of Pumori (7,161m) to our left, and Lingtren (6,749m) looming ahead of us. After an hour or so, we will begin our ascent as the valley floor rises. The treacherous climb will commence with steep steps up onto the Khumbu Glacier. From here, we will traverse over boulders and rocky paths before stopping at Gorekshep (‘Graveyard of Crows’), where a couple of simple mountain lodges are housed. It’s quiet, yet extremely authentic, providing the perfect insight into Everest culture. We will stop here for a wholesome lunch before embarking on the final climb up to Everest Base Camp. It will be a euphoric moment! We will seize the opportunity to spend some time taking photos and celebrating our achievements! Once our memories have been captured, our journey back down to Gorakshep (5,164m) will begin. As evening approaches, we will enjoy a well-deserved dinner and get some sleep before another trekking day tomorrow.
Today, for those who wish to and with weather permitting, there will be an optional
trek up to the summit of Kala Patthar departing before the sun rises. It is a 2-3 hour
ascent to the top, where the sun will rise over the peaks of Everest, Lhotse and the whole range of mountains. A breath-taking, once-in-a-lifetime sight! Those who make the climb will then descend back down to the Teahouse at Gorekshep for
a warming breakfast, before rejoining the rest of the group to begin the long descent down to Dzong La to complete a long but unforgettable day. Where a trek to Kala Pattar is not possible we descend directly to Dzong La. At a suitable time, we will stop for a rest break and lunch. As we head into the afternoon, we will cross over stunning glacial streams, and past numerous small farm holdings. Once we reach the bottom, we will be able to spot the small village of Dzong La. We should arrive here in time for sunset. The evening will conclude with a well-earned dinner and sleep in a cosy Teahouse.
Today after breakfast, our trail goes up high to the Cho La at 5370m. It will take us about 3-4 hours to reach, but it will be worth it for the sensational views! We start from Dzong La by climbing up to a plateau-like section and then,
we begin the real ascent to the pass. It’s steep and rocky, often with ice on the trail. We will be stopping to enjoy the surroundings as we go. Once up at the glaciated pass, we trek across the snow and ice to the summit and take in the incredible views of Ama Dablam, Kantega, Thamserku, Tawache, Cholatse and Baruntse to the east, and Nangpai Gosain, Pasang Lhamo, Numbur and on the Gokyo side of the pass. From the pass, we descend steeply for 1 ½ hours. Our trail then becomes more gradual, before it steepens again for our last descent into Dragnak. From Dragnak, our trail heads out through the big Nzogomba Glacier with creaking glacial lakes below us and ridiculously stunning landscapes all around. We make our way across the glacier and trek past the second lake into the Gokyo Valley – so different from where we have come from, this is a green ablation valley dotted with gorgeous, turquoise glacial lakes. We now have a stunning walk into Gokyo, a seasonal grazing village built beside the third and largest lake and with our first views up to Cho Oyo (8201m). This is where we will be settling into Tea Houses for the evening, and getting some rest after a well-deserved dinner.
The day will begin with another group breakfast, and the rest of the day will be completely dedicated to relaxation. After a few very busy days, this will be extremely welcomed. The day will end with another warming evening meal at our tea houses before we get some rest ahead of our challenge continues tomorrow.
After breakfast, we will head back to the trails again. We will have another stunning but long day, so it’s good to get out early. Our trail heads out around the side of the lake, then switches backs up a ridge until we reach an often frozen stream. Here, we will begin the steep ascent to the Renjo La, finally reaching the famous pass after skirting a dramatic rock face before the top. The morning climb will take us about 4 hours before we stop to enjoy our picnic lunch and even more ridiculously
stunning views. After the pass, we have a steep descent for an hour or so to a lake
where the terrain levels out for a bit in yak kharkas. We pass the twin Renjo Lakes and then we have a last steep descent into the Thame Valley. We stayed the night in the small hamlet of Lungden, again with spectacular views and located in one of the lesser visited areas of the Khumbu region, allowing us to experience more closely the traditional life of Sherpa families. The day will conclude with an evening meal before we get some rest after our long day of trekking.
Today, after breakfast our trail follows the Bhote Koshi River for about 3-4 hours down into Thame. Our walk will feel like a step back in time as we pass by many old, walled Sherpa villages, and seasonal settlements of the Thame and Thamo villagers. We will probably also share the trail with Tibetan yak caravans, and Khampas, trading en route to and from Namche and Tibet with the villagers. At a suitable time, we will stop for a rest break and lunch. Thame is a beautiful old village
with snaking rock walls, yak paddocks and gorgeous, traditional slate-roofed Sherpa
houses. Thame Gompa, perched up to the north of the village, is one of the oldest in the Khumbu, so it’s well worthwhile to take the afternoon to climb to the Gompa and wander around this old, walled village. As evening approaches, we will settle into our Tea House for the evening and enjoy a group dinner.
The day will once again commence with a fuelling group breakfast. We will then head back down the trail into familiar Namche, perhaps seeing some of our Tibetan friends from the trail at the local market and coming back to the amazing luxuries of this bustling, mountain bazaar. Along the route, we will stop to enjoy a picnic lunch while admiring our surroundings. As we enter the afternoon, we will continue with our trek towards our Tea Houses for the evening. On our way down, we will have the option for a side trip to Lawudo Gompa (3790m). Nestled in the mountainside above Thamo and Mende villages and affiliated with the famous Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, this Gompa was built at the site where Guru
Rimpoche meditated in a small cave en route to Tibet. The cave has been turned into a tiny cave chapel, and there is a fascinating library which we may be permitted to see. It’s a beautiful and serene place, with Khumbila, the sacred Sherpa peak from which the Khumbu region takes its name, soaring overhead and the Gompa prayer flags framing the perfect Himalayan foreground.
Today, after breakfast we will complete the last leg of our challenge together back down to the town of Lukla. The day will follow similar territory to the first two days of our trek, however in reverse. The day will begin from Namche, descending through the alpine forest and traversing back over the Hillary Bridge. After reaching the valley floor, our trek will pass through the village of Monjo in half the time it took to do the same route a week ago before the pace slows and we change to uphill on our way up to Phakding where we will stop for lunch. The air is more humid lower down, and the lower altitude will make breathing much easier.
However, the toughest part of the day is still to come, as we approach the slow, long and steady ascent up to Lukla. It is important to recognise that this is potentially the toughest part of the route, but definitely extremely rewarding!
After 3 more tricky hours of climbing (and some downhill), we will be able to spot the familiar arch where we took our first group photo 11 days prior! We’ve made it, having conquered this momentous challenge together. The day will conclude with a final group photo before we walk through the small streets of Lukla towards our Teahouse for an evening meal and some needed sleep.
Weather permitting, the day will begin with an early morning 30-minute flight back to Manthali airport. Upon arrival, we will depart the airport together to make the 4-hour journey back to our hotel in Kathmandu, with a stop along the journey for lunch. We will check into the hotel late afternoon/early evening to enjoy some free time. As night falls, we will all dine together one final time with a celebratory meal at a traditional Nepalese restaurant.
The day will commence post breakfast with an immediate uphill climb as we depart Dingboche. We will ascend quickly with the valley floor far below, an impressive yet slightly daunting experience. Before passing the stupa, we will welcome the opportunity to take some photos. The trek will then continue along a wider plain, gradually heading upwards, with the mountains of Taboche (6,541m) and
the Cholatse (6,440m) ridge positioned behind us. We will continue to admire their beauty framed against the valley backdrop. Continuing up a mountainside pass, the route will become narrower and steeper. The path will slowly merge from a dusty trail to a rocky one, with imposing boulders on either side. We will continue to head upwards towards our lunch stop at Dukhla, a teahouse perched on the edge of a mountainside. We’ll need to earn it though, as to reach it, we will need to navigate over boulders and across frozen glacial pools. After lunch, we will face our toughest climb yet – an immediate uphill ascent using trekking poles. At the top, we will walk into what has become known as the ‘climbers graveyard’ – a collection of stupas and memorial stones framed in prayer flags to pay respect to those who lost their lives on Everest, and the surrounding mountains. The evening will end with dinner in a teahouse before bed.
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