Highlights of Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek
- Exploring two of the major highlights in Everest region; Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and Gokyo Lakes (4,790m)
- Opportunity to experience unique Sherpa culture, traditions and their hospitality
- The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park
- Panoramic views of pristine Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Pumori, Cho Oyu, Makalu and several others
- A unique experience to explore both mainstream regions and secluded parts of the eastern Himalayas
- Hiking to two of the major viewpoints in the Himalayas; Gokyo Ri (5,357m) and Kala Patthar (5,644m)
- Diverse terrain of the country from lush forest trails, thrilling river crossing to high alpine pastures and glacial moraines
Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary Outline
This is the standard outline itinerary for Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek. In this exploration route, you will first explore the Gokyo Lakes and trek over the Cho La Pass to join the mainstream base camp route.
Day 01: Flight from Kathmandu (1,400m/ 4,593ft) to Lukla (2,800m/ 9,186ft) and trek to Phakding (2,610m/ 8,562ft)
Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/ 11,286ft) from Phakding
Day 03: Acclimatization and exploration day at Namche
Day 04: Trekking from Namche Bazaar to Dole (4,200m/ 13,779ft)
Day 05: Dole to Machhermo (4,470m/ 14,665ft) trek
Day 06: Machhermo to Gokyo Lake (4,790m/ 15,715ft)
Day 07: Morning hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357m/ 17,575ft) and trek to Dragnak (4,700m/ 15,419ft)
Day 08: Trekking from Dragnak to Dzongla (4,800m/ 15,748ft) over Cho La Pass (5,420m/ 17,782ft)
Day 09: Trek from Dzongla to Gorak Shep (5,180m/ 16,994ft) to Everest Base Camp (5,364m/ 17,598ft)
Day 10: Morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,644m/ 18,517ft) and trek to Pheriche (4,200m/ 13,779ft)
Day 11: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/ 11,286ft)
Day 12: Namche to Lukla (2,800m/ 9,186ft) trekking
Day 13: Flight back to Kathmandu (1,400m/ 4,593ft) from Lukla
Best Time to Trek
For the most exciting and memorable experience during this high altitude adventure, you should definitely consider one of the peak seasons. Either spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) will be the most ideal period to make the most out of this Himalayan journey.
These peak seasons are generally famous for the stable weather conditions they present and the unique charms of nature. Each of these seasons shows a different side of the Himalayan beauty during different periods of time.
Spring season is the lush period of nature where the entire landscape is flourishing with life. Your trekking trails will be decorated with colourful flowers and their sweet scent as you explore the most magical period of the Himalayas.
Similarly, if you are into flora and fauna explorations, the spring is the most ideal period to admire this aspect of the Sagarmatha National Park. Likely, autumn is also in the same calibre when it comes to providing unparalleled experience.
This fall season is popular for the most stable climate across the year and has a fresh atmosphere after the monsoon rain. The temperatures of this season are also perfect for outdoor adventures and wide crisp views of mountain vistas can be enjoyed from any part of the trail.
Besides those, the autumn season also has dry trekking trail conditions and it is much easier to cross the Himalayan passes at this period. The cultural experience is also exquisite during this season as the biggest festivals in the country like Dashain, Tihar, Sita Bivaha, Mani Rimdu Festival, etc are scheduled for this period of the year.
Accommodation and Food
The Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek takes place in one of the most iconic and renowned trekking regions in the world. Thus, naturally you can expect good services when it comes to accommodation and food on the trekking trails. Let’s check what you can enjoy on the food and accommodation aspect during this iconic Himalayan journey.
Accommodation
While moving along with Marvel Adventure’s standard trekking route, you will spend 12 nights on the mountain. If your trekking package is inclusive and handles all itineraries until you leave the country then you will spend around 3 nights at a star hotel in Kathmandu.
For your mountain accommodation part there are three options that you can choose from:
The teahouse accommodation facility is the most general accommodating option in the trail and it will be the inclusion of a standard package. You will receive a good level of service and all the basic amenities in this accommodation option.
As for the lodge facilities, they are more of a luxury option on the trail that will provide a more personalised experience. You can go for this option if you don’t want to compromise on luxury during your mountain trip.
Camping on other hand are not generally available on the route but upon request we can arrange that. This accommodation mode can be slightly costly compared to others as the porters have to bring the necessary tools for camping from the starting point.
Essential Permits and Regulations
There are a total of two permits that you will need to get for the Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek. These permits are mandatory requirements for the standard route and if you are taking the traditional route, you will need to get one additional permit as well.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit— US$ 30 per person
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit— US$ 30 per person
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit— US$ 30
The national park and restricted area permits are mandatory no matter which route you take for the journey. As for the traditional Everest Base Camp Trek route, you will need to get the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit as well.
Designated Areas to Get Required Permits
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit— Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Sagarmatha National Park Counter at Monjo
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit— Lukla, Sagarmatha National Park Counter at Monjo
Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit— Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Gaurishankar Conservation Area at Shivalaya
* Note: To ensure a seamless experience during your trip Marvel Adventure will handle the requirements for the necessary permits.
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Who Can Do This Trek?
Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek is a moderate level of exploration in the eastern Himalayas. Although both of these most highlighted sections in the Himalayas are high altitude points, the overall trip isn’t that challenging.
There aren’t any kind of technical segments along the trail nor are there any kind of strenuous parts. You can expect a smooth experience while traversing across the gradually ascending trail. Still, this is a high altitude trip and there are several factors that contribute to its moderate level of difficulty.
The trekking distance and altitude gain are two of the major challenges that trekkers have to face during this trek. During this du highlight exploration, you will cover an approximate distance of 112 km (70 miles). Similarly, the maximum altitude gain in this trip is around 2,844/ 9,330ft (from starting point Lukla to highest point Kala Patthar).
So it is necessary to acknowledge the difficult aspects of the adventure and prepare right for the trek. Although the physical demands on the rising trails are on a moderate scale, you will be able to make up for it with a good level of preparation.
Basic fitness and a good amount of training considering the recommended period will be quite enough to make this trip an exciting experience. So, on the aspects of who can join this trip, it will mostly depend on you. It depends on how determined and motivated for the journey and how much you are willing to train to make your trip easier.
Physical Preparation
Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek take you to two of the most highlighted portions in the Everest region. As both of these highlights are at significant altitudes, a good amount of physical preparation is a must to enjoy the journey and make it memorable.
For high altitude treks such as this, you are generally recommended to train for around 3 to 8 weeks. If you have experience in high altitude trekking and have a good level of fitness then you don’t have to train that long for your trek.
However, if you are a trekking beginner or don’t have a good level of fitness you should design an efficient training plan. The rugged mountain trail shouldn't be underestimated and if you need to train adequately to ensure an enjoyable and comfortable experience.
To make up for the demanding physical aspects of the trekking route, you need to include strength and endurance training in your training program. These exercises will increase your capabilities to handle long hours of physical demands on the trail.
Similarly, cardiovascular and stamina exercises are also known to improve your stamina reserve. These exercises have also proven to be effective in making it easier to adapt to rising altitudes.
Note: You can consult with an experienced trekker, your guide or a professional trainer to come up with the most ideal training program for you according to your capabilities. Practice hikes are also one of the reliable options for understanding the actual demand of the mountain trails.
Packing Essentials
While moving along the Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek map, you will spend two weeks on the mountain. It is crucial to pack all the necessary layers and equipment for this duration so you will stay comfortable throughout the experience.
The major priority for any packing list is of course the layers. So, depending on the season of your visit you will need to pack appropriate layers. For the lower regions, lights and comfortable layers like tshirt, shirt, hiking shorts, skirt, etc will be quite sufficient.
As you ascend to higher altitudes near the alpine zones and above, you will need to bring insulated layers and a down jacket to keep yourself comfortable. Similarly, comfortable trekking boots, hiking shoes, camping slippers, etc are also important.
Beyond the layers and footwear, trekking equipment such as hiking poles, sleeping bags, duffle bags, power banks, headlamps, GPS, maps, etc, are quite essential. Also, don’t forget to pack enough supplies of personal hygiene, snacks and electrolytes.
Note: If you are planning to finish your shopping in Nepal do it in Kathmandu. The products cost more on the mountain due to lack of proper transportation facilities.
Guide and Porter
Guides and porters are very important members of the Himalayan adventures. It is not possible to safely and comfortably navigate the rugged trails on the mountain without the help of these professionals.
The guides are very significant and core members of the exploration crew as they are responsible for overall all aspects of the trip. Guides take care of the overall risk assessment, itinerary plans, highlight exploration providing information, managing logistic details, taking care of your health and comfort, etc.
They handle all the important factors of your trip so you can enjoy the journey without any worries. Similarly, the porters are the help members of the group who will take care of your heavy luggage and help you travel more lightly.
Porters are also mostly the natives of the region who are familiar with the region like the back of their hand. So, they can also recommend the hidden gems of the region that you would miss while exploring on your own.
Marvel Adventure will provide exceptional trekking guides with years of experience in the region and strong helpful porters for your trip. The guides and porters will be allocated according to group size. A single porter is assigned to two trekkers (will carry 15kg of luggage of each trekker) and an assistant guide is provided for the larger groups.
Altitude Sickness
As we have already discussed, the total elevation point in this trek which is around 2,844/ 9,330ft (from starting point Lukla to highest point Kala Patthar). It is evident that due to the significant altitude gain, there are also risks of altitude sickness on this trip.
However, you don’t have to worry too much about it. As this trek doesn’t take you across the alpine slopes there is only risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Although it is a milder form of altitude sickness, it still can cause inconveniences and affect your overall experience.
Thus if you trek with us, Marvel Adventure will ensure that your trek remains a seamless journey without any issues. Our Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek follows a steady acclimatisation procedure and you will ascend slowly on the trail giving your body enough time to acclimatise.
We have also set enough rest periods on the trail to let your body acclimate properly. Our experienced crew will also monitor your health conditions and check how well you are doing at the rising altitude everyday throughout the trip.
If needed we can also arrange supplementary oxygen and follow appropriate procedures if any of the trekkers catch the symptoms of altitude sickness. So, you don’t have to worry about anything regarding altitude sickness while doing this Himalayan trek with us.
Why Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek With Marvel Adventure?
Marvel Adventure was established by professional and enthusiastic travel personnel with over a decade of experience in the industry. With core values that are based on quality services and client satisfaction, Marvel Adventure always pours in its best to guarantee a valuable experience.
Doesn’t matter which aspect of this beautiful Himalayan country you want to explore, we always give our best to make sure that you have an informative, comfortable and immersive experience. For this Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp Trek as well, we will make sure that you will have a quality experience without the need to worry about anything.
Our expert and exceptional team will make sure that your journey is seamless. Marvel Adventure also aspires to provide the best budget friendly packages without compromising the integrity of the service or experience in the region.
So, for your trip with us, you can expect the very best regarding every aspect. Similarly, it will be a safe, comfortable and valuable journey that will always have a special place in your memory.
