This new take on the classic trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp includes a walk through two of the most amazing and dramatically beautiful valleys in the Everest region, the Gokyo and Khumbu valleys. The circular route used in this trek is a fantastic way to see the picturesque Gokyo Valley in addition to the classic trek to Kala Patthar and Mt Everest Base Camp. And seeing as you rarely trek in the same area more than once, the views are surprisingly new at every turn.

After a quick flight from Kathmandu with your Sherpa guide, through the southern foothills of the Himalaya and to the tiny town of Lukla, your trek begins up the steep valleys, stopping along the way at the numerous pleasant and friendly Sherpa villages that are nestled along the sides of the near vertical valley walls. Nights will be spent in the same quintessential guest houses that hosted many a great explorer of both the past and the present.

Reaching the Gokyo valley, you will break off the main trail and trek alongside the beautiful Ngozumpa glacier and up to the stunning turquoise lakes of Gokyo.

After crossing the Chola Pass, your trek is capped off with a stop at the top of Kala Patthar for a spectacular and awe-inspiring panorama of the region’s 8,000 meter peaks, including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. After a visit to Mt. Everest Base Camp, you will descend down the classic main trail which follows the picturesque Khumbu valley, and back down to Lukla for your flight back to Kathmandu.

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner

Day 1:
Arrive Kathmandu (4,200 feet)

Arrive at the Kathmandu airport where you will be met by one of our representatives. You will be transferred in a private vehicle to one of the best known hotels for climbers and trekkers located in the heart of the exotic and energetic neighborhood of Thamel. Alternatively you can take a cab to the assigned hotel where our representative will meet you. After you settle in our representative will meet up with you to discuss the itinerary and to answer any last minute questions. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the gardens of the hotel or take a walk through the vibrant streets of Thamel.


Day 2:
Kathmandu (4,200 feet)

Today you will take a guided tour of Kathmandu in a private car. Your English speaking guide will introduce you to the magic of this amazing city and its peaceful Buddhist culture. The tour will include many interesting attractions including the old Royal Palaces in Durbar Square, the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath.

The afternoon is a great time to pick up any last minute personal equipment you may need. Kathmandu is a great place to buy supplies for your trek, such as extremely inexpensive, yet quality warm weather clothing, sleeping bags, snacks, etc. Get a good night of sleep tonight, as tomorrow starts your trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp!


Day 3:
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (9,318 feet) - Trek to Phakding (8,662 feet - 4 hours) (L, D)

Early in the morning your guide will meet you at the hotel and you’ll head out together to the Kathmandu airport for a quick, yet exciting flight through the southern foothills of the Himalaya to the small mountain airport in Lukla. After gathering your gear and a local Sherpa to carry all but your day pack, you will begin your trek up the well worn trail towards your first overnight stop in the village of Phakding.


Day 4:
Phakding to Namche Bazaar (11,286 feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

Getting another early start you will trek along a glacier feed river, through rhododendron, magnolia and giant fir forests, eventually reaching the bustling town of Namche Bazaar, the largest and most important Sherpa town in the region.


Day 5:
Acclimation and Rest Day in Namche Bazaar (11,286 feet) (B, L, D)

Today is the first of two acclimation and rest days on your trek. These are very important days that are used to help your body acclimatize to the increased altitude and thinning air of the Himalaya. To acclimate properly, you will hike to the top of the hill above Namche and then return that afternoon to sleep at the lower altitude.


Day 6:
Namche Bazaar to Phortse Thanga (12,054 feet - 5 hours) (B, L, D)

With the first of your two acclimation days completed, you leave the main trail to Mt. Everest Base Camp. Climbing along a high ridge you begin up the beautiful Gokyo Valley, eventually descending into in the village of Phortse Tanga in the afternoon.


Day 7:
Phortse Thanga to Dole (13,253 feet – 3.5 hours) (B, L, D)

From Phortse you follow the trail through the forest to the village of Dole (or sometimes called Dhole), your next stop on the trek.


Day 8:
Dole to Machhermo (14,467 feet – 4 hours) (B, L, D)

Leaving Dole, you begin the morning with a steep but beautiful climb through fir, pine and rhododendron groves to Lhabama and Luza. The afternoon consists of a leisurely trek high above the river. The night is spent in the village of Machermo.


Day 9:
Machhermo to Gokyo (15,713 feet – 4 hours) (B, L, D)

Today is considered your first real day at altitude. The trekking is considerably more difficult and your guide keeps the pace purposefully slow to avoid exhaustion in the thinning altitude. The views also open up tremendously today and the high peaks, like Mt. Cho Oyu, really begin to dominate the skyline. The morning is punctuated by a steep trail, but once you reach the Gokyo Lakes the terrain levels out some for an easier afternoon. You spend the night in Gokyo along the shores of the lake.


Day 10:
Gokyo to Gokyo Peak (17,920 feet) return to Gokyo (4.5 hours) (B, L, D)

Today is the second of your important acclimation days. In the morning you will take an acclimation hike to the ridge above the village for spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse and return to Gokyo to spend the night.


Day 11:
Gokyo to Dragnag (15,418 feet - 3 hours) (B, L, D)

Today you will take a short trek to the village of Dragnag. Tomorrow you will pass the famous Chola Pass


Day 12:
Dragnag Over the Chola Pass (17,609 feet) to Dzongla (15,854 feet - 7 hours) (B, L, D)

With a good rest the day before, you begin the most difficult day of the trek. The trail first crosses the southern section of the Ngozumpa Glacier, then climbs up and over the Chola Pass. From the Chola Pass you will be rewarded with unsurpassed views of the Ngozumpa Glacier down the Gokyo Valley (fed by Cho Oyo) and the Khumbu Glacier down the Khumbu Valley (fed by Mt. Everest and Lhotse). Descending down the back side of the pass, you spend the night in Dzongla (sometimes called Dughla).


Day 13:
Dzongla to Lobuche (16,173 feet - 4 hours) (B, L, D)

After a difficult day, you will take a relatively easy trek on a trail above Tsho Lake from Dzongla to Lobuche, once again joining the main trail (Khumbu Valley trail) toward Mt. Everest Base Camp. Although the trekking is easier, the views only get more impressive.


Day 14:
Lobuche to Gorakshep (16,862 feet - 4 hours) (B, L, D)

Today the trail follows alongside the Khumbu Glacier with stunning views of the Everest range. In the afternoon you will reach the village of Gorakshep, your highest overnight stay of the trek. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture the setting sun as it turns Everest into various shades of pink and purple.


Day 15:
Gorakshep to Mt Everest Base Camp (17,090 feet) and return to Gorakshep (6 hours) (B, L, D)

Bright and early you will trek up to the fabled Mt Everest Base Camp, where a great variety of both history and myths have been born. Along with its legendary history, the views at Everest Base Camp are fantastic, as the camp is strategically situated along the edge of the famous Khumbu Icefalls Glacier, a river of snow and ice that drops down from the peaks of Mt Everest and Lhotse.

Used as the base of operations for those summiting Mt Everest and their crews, Mt Everest Base Camp is a hive of activity during climbing seasons. Who knows, perhaps you will spot a famous climber or Sherpa during your visit? After visiting the historic Mt Everest Base Camp you will descend back down to Gorakshep.


Day 16:
Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (18,190 feet) and return to Gorakshep (6 hours) (B, L, D)

Bright and early you will begin your trek to summit the nearby hilltop peak of Kala Patthar. Possibly the most spectacular view you can ever witness without technical climbing skills, the panoramic views of Mt Everest and her neighboring peaks, including Lhotse and Nuptse, are nothing short of absolutely breathtaking from Kala Patthar. It will be worth every breath and every step you take on this amazing trek of a lifetime.

You will then descend down Kala Patthar and return to the village of Gorakshep where you will again spend the night.


Day 17:
Gorakshep to Pheriche (14,040 feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

Leaving the mighty Mt Everest behind, you will continue down the Khumbu Glacier Valley following the classic Mt. Everest Base Camp trail and to the village of Pheriche where you will spend the night. Be sure to take a walk outside at night to view the stars from the clear high altitude. You will be happy you did.


Day 18:
Pheriche to Tengboche (12,662 feet - 7 hours) (B, L, D)

Continuing down the valley to lower altitudes, the air is easier to breath, your steps come a little more quickly, and trees start surrounding the trails once again.


Day 19:
Tengboche to Monjo (9,235 feet - 6 hours) (B, L, D)

Passing once again through the lively and bustling village of Namche Bazaar, the trail is mostly down hill. Not long after we reach the small village of Monjo where we will spend the night..


Day 20:
Monjo to Lukla (9,317 feet - 5 hours) (B, L, D)

Leaving Monjo, the final day of your trek finds you back in Lukla where you will spend the night before catching a morning flight back to Kathmandu.


Day 21:
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu

An early morning flight brings you back to the vibrant city of Kathmandu. The afternoon and evening are yours to spend at your leisure to recover from the long, yet momentous trek.


Day 22:
Trip Ends

The trip ends and we transport you back to the airport for your flight home. OR, stay on for one of our other incredible Nepal, Bhutan or Tibet trips.