Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes Trek is specially designed for those who want to combine a trek to the Everest Base Camp and the Gokyo valley. This trek takes you up the Khumbu valley where there aren’t as many tourists as on the main trail to the base camp. Experience the hospitality of friendly Sherpas, colorful monasteries and prayer flags while enjoying views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Amadablam, Thamserku, Cho Oyu and Lhotse from the summit of Gokyo RI or just relax around Gokyo, a hidden valley with gorgeous blue lake in the lap of Himalaya has its own reputation among the adventurous souls. This Trek allows you truly unique opportunity to discover the route to Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Valley, Gokyo Peak, the famous Cho La pass, and Kala Patthar. You can enjoy the full exploration of the valleys of the Khumbu, Gokyo lakes, Sherpa country, monasteries and the warm welcome of its inhabitants.
| Trip Duration | 20 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu) |
| Trekking destination | Everest Base Camp, Kalapathar and Gokyo |
| Trip Grade | Strenuous |
| Activities | Trekking & cultural sightseeing tours in Kathmandu |
| Altitude | Minimum 1350 m (Kathmandu) & Maximum 5545m (Kala Pattar) |
| Best Seasons | (Mid-September to end-November) & (mid-March through May) |
| Accommodations | 04 nights at Kathmandu & 15 nights in lodge/teahouse during trek |
| Meals | 19 Breakfast, 15 Lunches & 16 dinners |
| Transportation | Private vehicle / domestic flights |
Fly to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding (2610m)
Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Situated high above the Bhote Kosi Gorge, Namche is the centre of Sherpa life in the Upper Khumbu and its bustling market and steep, narrow streets provide plenty of colour and interest. We have an extra day here to help acclimatize to the altitude, which affords an ideal opportunity to visit the National Park headquarters, as well as the nearby Sherpa Museum. There are some spectacular views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Nupse and Lhotse from here and this afternoon there is a chance to enjoy an optional hike along the Bhote Kosi Valley towards Phurte (3500m). A walk of some 2 hours, it involves a steep climb initially, but this does present some superb views across the surrounding landscapes to the mountains beyond. Alternatively you might just like to enjoy the atmosphere of Namche itself, doing a little shopping amongst its myriad of tiny stalls, or watching the bustling chaos of street life as yaks, trekkers and Sherpas vie for space amongst its narrow lanes.
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Transport, Entrance Fee, Guide, etc
Accommodations
Airfare
Trekking Portion
The following is a list of clothing and accessories that we suggest that you take with you. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However we recognize that you may have your own personal preferences for clothing which may be equally as suitable. You can find variety of these gears to hire or buy in Kathmandu.
All equipment and other items are carried by the porters and should have weight limitation of approximately 12-15 kg. It is only necessary you to carry a camera or small daypack!
Head
Upper Body
Hands
Lower Body
Feet
Accessories
Toiletries
Personal Hygiene
Extras/Luxuries
Binoculars/Reading book
Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes Trek is graded as Strenuous. To qualify for this trek, you should be in excellent health & fitness, should be able to walk 6-7 hours a day in average. Some days, you might even need to walk more than above and should have past hiking experience too. So, besides physical attribute, you need to come up with positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination to complete the trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior of the trip is good idea to enhance your strength and stability. No technical skill is required for this trip. It is vital that you consult with your doctor before you decide and sign up for the Everest Base camp trek. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform Natraj Trekking before booking the trek.
Our accommodation whilst on Everest Base Camp Trek on twin room sharing basis in a simple locally run lodges, known as teahouses and it’s a great pleasure to support these small local businesses. Rooms are simply furnished with just a bed and occasionally a small table. You will need to bring a sleeping bag. Please note, normally washing and toilet facilities are shared and may be in a separate part of the teahouse or outside. It’s great to enjoy the company of your fellow travellers and share a tale with other trekkers in the evening in the dining area.
If you are a solo traveler, you will share a room with someone else of same sex of your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference and get single rooms on request by paying extra as indicated on cost section. But, you need to understand that in teahouses/lodges of higher elevation area single room is not always possible. We guarantee single room in Kathmandu only. Single room is may not be possible at local lodge during your trek
On this trek we provide standard breakfast, lunch and dinner, tea or coffee will also be included with each meal. Your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. You can buy packaged water (bottled mineral water) from local lodge and shop en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water (extra cost to be paid) and treat with water purification pills.
During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porter or yaks. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 kg. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel while trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel’s safekeeping. You may also leave your extra things at your hotel which is not required for your trek in your main luggage. Please note that we will provide complimentary kit bag for you before your trek starts so that you can pack all your necessary things.
On tea house trek you will be accompanied by a team of local crew whose aim is to make the trek as comfortable and enjoyable as much possible. The crew consists of a trek guide/leader and a team of porters to carry all your gear. On average, there will be a ratio of one porter to every two trekkers.
The most important thing that makes your Trek successful, enjoyable and memorable is the skilled, experienced, courteous and helpful trek guide and the crew members with ability of operating your days in the mountain smoothly. Your trip will be led by experienced trek guide. All of our trekking guides/leaders are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and personal aptitude.
Everest Region is more expensive than the other regions in Nepal, as most of the goods have to be shipped by airplane and then carried to their final destination by porters. On this trek breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided. You only need money for table drinks (alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas) tips, souvenirs, hot shower (available in some places).
Internal & international Flight
The starting point of the trek is in Lukla which is connected by a 40 mins flight from Kathmandu.
Please note adverse weather conditions at Lukla airport may occasionally mean that your flight to/from Kathmandu cannot operate. Natraj Trekking has built in additional days to the itinerary to accommodate this. However, very rarely persistent adverse weather could mean that the start of your trek or your return to Kathmandu is delayed. Ultimately any prolonged delay of your return to Kathmandu may result in missing your intended international flight; in such circumstances Natraj Trekking will make every effort in helping to rebook clients onto the next available flight (in the appropriate booking class and with the same international carrier). However, any extra cost is incurred for re-booking flight to be borne by yourself charged by airlines
pIn case of your flight delay/cancellation happens at begin of your trip and it goes so long that it disturbs your onward travel schedule, you are liberal to choose an alternative trip: such a trek in the Annapurna or Langtang or any other regions. If you are not interested in the alternative trip and would rather wait for the trip, you are welcome to wait in Kathmandu for as many days as it takes to get a flight to Lukla. However, please note that there will be no refund, if you lose your time waiting at the airport and do not take an alternative tour or you only do short trek later due to time limitation. If the cancellation happens before the trip, we will provide you accommodation and lunch in a guesthouse in Kathmandu. In case of the flight delay/cancelation after finishing of the trek, you will be responsible for all your expenses. Please also note that you will not be entitled to any refund for the services (such as hotel, transport, flight, etc) included in the package that you would not use later.
There are a couple of telephone facilities in the Everest region up to Namche Bazaar. Cell phones work fine up to Tengboche also at Everest Base Camp.
Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day’s adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.
You need to pass on your International flight details to us for a ‘meeting and greeting’ service at the Kathmandu Airport. You just pass through the Customs and come out of the Arrival Terminal Hall after collecting your baggage where you will see our representative /guide standing with a placard that states Natraj Trekking’ with your own name.
Autumn (mid Sept to mid Dec) and Spring (March to May) are the best seasons for the classic Everest Base Camp Trek. The weather is sunny and warm offering outstanding views but the nights are cold and can fall to freezing in higher elevations. Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) is also good for EBC trek, only issue is cold (obviously). Trekking in summer/monsoon (June, July) will be affected by rain but summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist. The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during monsoon and winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature.
Sherpas live in the upper regions of Solu Khumbu. They emigrated from Tibet about 600 years ago. The Khumbu region has provided a strong group of able bodied, hardy and fearless Sherpa porters and guides. Sherpas practice Tibetan Buddhism which is also known as Lama Buddhism.
Depending on the prevailing situation, itinerary can be modified to some extent after consulting with your trek guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary. You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into the remotest region, where many unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
In case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we hope will not happen; you shall be rescued by a helicopter. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back in Kathmandu.
It is recommended of joining any of Natraj Trekking trips that be protected against comprehensive expenses potential to incur due to medical issues or accidents (to include air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please be noted that we do not arrange insurance. Please note that your insurance should be covered 5600m
ll visitors except the Indian nationals must hold passport and valid visa. Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. Visa is also issued at the entry points. It can be extended at the Department of Immigration, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fee. People willing to get entry Visa at the air port or any of the land entry points are required to fill a visa form with passport photograph.
If you are obtaining Nepal Visa upon arrival (Please note that some of citizens cannot get visa upon arrival), please be noted that Visa Application Form can be received through us by e-mail. Two passport size photo graphs are required and following visa fee to be paid at the airport as per your stay in Nepal
Visa Facility Duration Fee
Note: Please note that visa fees and rules are subject to change.
The beautiful environment of the Himalayas is also an extremely fragile one. At Natraj Trekking, we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact on the environment as much as possible.
Natraj Trekking works with the motto ‘Development through Tourism’. Keeping in line with this motto, NT encourages its clients who besides trekking and climbing the Himalayas are also interested in contributing for the development of Nepal.
We ensure that all porters and all other staff climbing in high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. We ensure that the porters we hire are insured. We run the trek according to the guidelines of the International Porter Protection group (IPPG- www.ippg.net).
On the second day of the itinerary, we host a Pre-Trip short Meeting at the hotel by your trek guide, The primary purpose of the meeting is to provide brief information on your trek and equipments hiring if needed.
Please bring the following thing on the meeting-
Natraj Trekking is the one of the leading and oldest trekking agency in Nepal since 1967. We organize Tibet, Bhutan & India tour as well. We excel in this field because we genuinely love what we do and are committed to providing you with the best services as we commit you.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships.
TIPS
Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ for good service. Tips do not form part of the wages of your guides, porters and trek crew but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. Normally the tips are given at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work.
Natraj Trekking is the one of the leading and oldest trekking agency in Nepal since 1967. We organize Tibet, Bhutan & India tour as well. We excel in this field because we genuinely love what we do and are committed to providing you with the best services as we commit you.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships.
TIPS
Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ for good service. Tips do not form part of the wages of your guides, porters and trek crew but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. Normally the tips are given at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work.