EBC Circuit Trek via Gokyo Ri Chola Pass

Altitude: 2,800m/9184ft (Lukla) & 2,652m/8,698ft (Phakding)

Walking Distance: 8km (3-4 hours) *

Flight time: 35 min

After a short morning flight to Lukla, you’ll be introduced to your guide and porter. Kick off your trek with an easy walk through Chaurikharka village and descent towards Dudhkoshi Ghat (2,530m/8,300ft). The trail follows the bank of the Dudhkoshi River until Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), where we will be staying for the night to acclimatize. Enjoy your free time in Phakding, a popular stopping point.

Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft

Walking Distance: 10-12km (5-6 hours)

We’ll have breakfast in Phakding before gearing up for the trek to Namche Bazaar, the biggest Sherpa village in Nepal. Our trail takes us first over the Dudhkoshi River via a long suspension bridge, and then through a beautiful pine forest to Monjo, about two hours away. Soon thereafter, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park for a brief permit check and then descend to Dudh Kosi River (spotting Mani stones along the way!) en route to Jorsale. Lunch will be served here, and then it’s uphill to Namche. Our path along the riverbank is flanked by two crossings, one of which is the Hillary Suspension Bridge. It’s a tough climb up the hill to our resting place, but you’ll be rewarded in Namche Bazaar with your first glimpse of Everest in its majesty.

Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft

At this point, we take a well-deserved break! Today will be spent resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatized to the lofty altitude. There’s an optional 2 hour hike to Everest View Point, an uphill walk that will help speed acclimatization. Otherwise, spend the day exploring Namche Bazaar. Check out the Sherpa museum for an overview of the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering. On Saturdays, the Hatt Bazaar is open for trading and an intimate look at the locals’ marketplace. It is part of the larger Namche Bazaar, a shopping hub filled with all manner of trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment.

Altitude: 3,870m/12,684ft (Tengboche)

Walking Distance: 10km (6 hours)

Breakfast in Namche Bazaar fuels us for another day of trekking towards Everest Base Camp today! Breathtaking views of the Himalayas – Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde – are some of the highlights not be missed. A short drop takes us to the riverside, then it’s across the river upwards through the forest pass. Brace your legs for a continual uphill trek at this point, alternating between a gradual grade and some seriously steep ground! Our destination, Tengboche, is known as one of the most beautiful places in the Everest region. Its views, which include Ama Dablam, are legendary. We’ll stop in on the Tengboche monastery, which is one of the largest in Khumbu. Nourish your spirit with a guided tour of the monastery grounds, followed by chanting and prayer with the resident Buddhist monks.

Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft (Dingboche)

Walking Distance: 11km (6 hours)

Our trek today kicks off with a walk through the Rhododendron forest to Deboche followed by a bridge over the raging Imja Khol River. We’ll pass the valley wall and then traverse the plains to Pangboche village, the biggest settlement of Sherpas in the region. Enjoy a great opportunity to observe a typical Sherpa village and have lunch with the locals! The intrepid can brave a brief hike to the Pangboche monastery, one of the oldest in the area. Our afternoon trek will be a difficult one, as the landscape gives way to dry, deserted mountains and we hike towards Dingboche. 

Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft (Dingboche)

This is your chance to rest up before the last leg of our adventure! Savor a full day of exploring Dingboche and the surrounding valleys of Chhukung and Imja, the latter of which links with Island Peak, the high passes of Amphu Laptsa, and Makalu Barun National Park. Taking an optional trek to the valleys will pay off in rewarding views but taking it easy is the most important thing today. You’ll need your rest for the penultimate day of ascent tomorrow.

Altitude: 4,900m/16,076ft (Lobuche)

Walking Distance: 11-12 km (6-7 hours)

From here on forth, the trek will move more gradually and will be more challenging, due to the higher altitude. We’ll pass Dungla, but not before a tough, steep walk to the top of a high hill. Here are the memorial stupas dedicated to the climbers and trekkers who lost their lives to Everest over the years. The next part of our adventure brings over craggy mountain terrain to Lobuche, a small settlement with amazing views of Mt. Lobuche, Mt. Pumari and the Nuptse. Prepare to snuggle up for a cold night, as we are now almost three miles above sea level and the evenings can be downright chilly!

Altitude: 5180m/16,994ft (Gorekshep) & 5364m/17598 (EBC)

Walking Distance: 15km (6-8 hours)

This is it! Our big day kicks off with an initial, relatively easy trek from Lobuche to Gorekshep. The subsequent, straight trail to Everest Base Camp is harder, involving rocky dunes and moraine, formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris. On the way to our destination, we’ll approach the famed Khumbu Glacier and icefall, located on the slopes of Everest. At the Base Camp, our goal, you’ll have the chance (during the spring climbing season) to meet climbers attempting to scale the mountain’s summit. Bring out your cameras for unbelievable views of breathtaking beauty. As the afternoon sun starts to wane, we’ll head back to Gorekshep for some much-needed rest and relaxation after a gruelling and busy day.

Altitude: Kalapathar 5545m/18192ft, Dzonga 4840m/15879ft

Walking Distance: 12km and 6-7 hrs.

We’ll wake before dawn today to trek towards Kalapathar (which means “black rock”) for a fiery, glorious sunrise over Mt. Everest. The day’s first light will illuminate your spectacular view of Nuptse Nup, Changtse and Lhotse. This may be, of the whole journey, your most opportune moment to snap amazing pictures of Everest and its neighbouring peaks. Afterwards, it’s back to Gorekshep for breakfast and onwards to Dzongla.

Altitude: Cho La 5364m/17598ft, Thaknak 4358m/14298ft

Walking Distance: 12km and 7-8 hrs.

This could be the most challenging day of the trek as you go over the pass. Fortunately, having already visited Everest Base Camp, you should be getting used to trekking at the high altitude and feeling stronger. If the weather is bad, crossing the pass can be difficult. Crampons are not normally used but microspikes can be helpful if the weather is bad. It’s a tough climb to the top but the amazing views more than make up for it.

Altitude: Gokyo 4750m/15584ft

Walking Distance: 9 Km and 4-5 hrs.

We continue down into the Gokyo Valley and cross the Ngozumpa glacier the longer glacier in this part of the Himalayas and an impressive sight. We should reach Gokyo by lunch. After lunch, you should have time to walk up to one of the lakes in the valley and get some great views of the surrounding peaks.

Altitude: Gokyo Ri (5,357m)

Walking Distance: 7km (5 or 6 hours)

We will take an early morning hike up to the summit of Gokyo Ri at 5,357m. The views here might even be better than those from Kala Patthar. In front of you are 4 of the 14 tallest peaks in the world, namely, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. Although further away the views of Everest are great and you get to look down on one of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas below you. We will head back to the tea house for breakfast and to start our trek down the Gokyo Valley to Machermo where we will spend the night.

Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft (Namche)

Walking Distance: 15km (7 to 8 hours).

Today is a relatively long hike but it’s a good trail and all downhill. The lower elevation makes things easier as well. The trek spends most of the day going down the Gokyo Valley with some good views of the peaks before you intersect back with the main route up to Everest Base Camp and head back to Namche. Will spend the night in Namche Bazaar.

Altitude: 2,800m/9,184ft

Walking Distance: 16km (6-7 hours)

After breakfast, we trek toward the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then pass through several local villages. Our arrival in Lukla brings an evening in our last Tea House and, traditionally, a party with your trekking crew: you made it! Thanks to great teamwork and perseverance, you’ve accomplished a physical feat of which others only dream. This is your last night on the mountain, which can be bittersweet.

Altitude: 1350m/4428ft

Flight time: 35 min

In the morning, you’ll hop a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, where your journey both began and ends. You’ll transfer to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed solo rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas. We’ll reunite in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of the best Nepalese restaurants in town, where we’ll be eager to hear your feedback on the trip.

Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft

It’s your last day in Nepal! Grab some breakfast, and then take in some last-minute shopping in Kathmandu. We’ll make sure you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport with plenty time before your flight home. At this time, we’ll say our goodbyes and bid you farewell, armed with warm memories and gorgeous photos to show your loved ones. END OF OUR SERVICES.