Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lake & Cho La Pass - 17 Days
NepalEverest

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lake & Cho La Pass - 17 Days

17 Days
Strenuous

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lake & Cho La Pass - 17 Days

from $6,750 / person

Overview

This 17-day group-guided trek is the most ambitious and rewarding way to reach Everest Base Camp, combining the classic EBC route with the spectacular Gokyo valley, Gokyo Ri Peak and the demanding crossing of Cho La Pass. Rather than following the main trail in its entirety, this itinerary branches into quieter, less-travelled terrain through forests of juniper and birch, along alpine lakes and beside the vast Ngozumpa Glacier, one of the largest in the Himalayas, before rejoining the EBC trail for the final push to Base Camp.

The route includes four high-altitude walks above 5,000 metres. The ascent of Gokyo Ri Peak at 5,350 metres delivers extraordinary panoramic views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu above the turquoise waters of Gokyo Lake. The crossing of Cho La Pass at 5,420 metres is one of the most dramatic sections of any trek in the Himalayas, with sweeping views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Everest and the surrounding massifs. Kala Patthar at 5,644 metres, climbed at dawn to catch sunrise over the Himalayas, provides the finest views of Everest on the entire route.

The journey begins and ends with a helicopter flight, to Lukla to start and back from Pheriche at the end, saving considerable time and effort on the descent. Four acclimatisation and contingency days are built into the itinerary, with four nights in the 4-star Hotel Mulberry in Kathmandu bookending the trek and welcome and farewell dinners included throughout.

Highlights

  • Epic helicopter rides with the mighty Himalayas in full view (shared if less than 5 pax).
  • The magic of catching your first glimpse of Everest alongside many other magnificent peaks
  • Reaching the stunning town of Namche with its array of local Sherpa handicrafts
  • The beautiful village of Gokyo
  • Hiking through vast junipers, over ridges, and witnessing majestic mountain views
  • At times, less-travelled paths for a greater sense of serenity
  • The stunning Gokyo Lake
  • Celebrating reaching your ultimate goal of Everest Base Camp!
  • Witnessing golden hues on the majestic Himalayas at sunrise
  • Ascending above the tree line to beautifully barren terrain
  • Stunning walk up the Khumbu Glacier

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport and be met by one of our representatives to enjoy a private transfer to your 4-star hotel in the Thamel area. Tonight there will be a welcome dinner and a trek briefing about the details of the journey that you will take over the next 16 days.

Accommodation

4-star Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Hotel (4 nights), Comfortable Traditional Lodge (3 nights), Traditional Lodge (9 nights)

Meals

16 breakfasts, and 14 dinners

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Helicopter
  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

7

Auswalk Walking Grade

Strenuous

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Serious hiking for experienced walkers. Expect steep climbs, rugged terrain, and full days on the trail.

View Fitness Guide

12

Days on the trail

6-12 km

Daily distance range

133-832 m

Daily ascent range

8/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Starting with two nights in a four-star hotel in Kathmandu, this tour transitions into the mountains with a combination of three-star hotels and the best accommodation available along the trek. Rooms are typically en-suite where possible, all properties are well used to welcoming trekkers, and the lodges sit in magnificent locations built in authentic Nepalese tradition. From Namche Bazaar onwards, the accommodation and food grow simpler as the altitude rises, which is a natural and expected part of trekking at this level.

What You'll Eat

A welcome dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant sets the tone on arrival in Kathmandu, and a farewell dinner at a beautiful open-air contemporary Nepalese restaurant brings things to a fitting close on one of the final two evenings. Sixteen breakfasts and fourteen dinners are included in between, all ordered from the menu at each property along the trek. Lunch is available along the trail, though the generous size of the other meals means many trekkers find surprisingly little is needed at midday.

Menus along the route offer more variety than altitude might suggest, with pancakes and pizzas a regular feature alongside Dal Bhat, the local staple that sherpas rely on at elevation and well worth trying. Food is good throughout and naturally simplifies as the route climbs higher. Snacks, beer, soft drinks and chocolate are available at almost all properties, and packing additional high-energy supplies from Kathmandu or home is always worthwhile.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in the mountains.

More About This Trip

The walk both starts and finishes in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is the main gateway to Nepal, with connections from major international hubs across Asia and beyond. A representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your accommodation. Please let us know your travel plans in advance so we can arrange this. Those already in Nepal can arrange to meet the group at the hotel directly.

A transfer back to Kathmandu Airport is included at the end of the trip for your onward flight.

This guided group walk has set departure dates in spring and autumn, across March, April, May, September, October and November. Private departures can be arranged for groups of four or more; contact us to secure your preferred date. Spring brings rhododendrons in bloom and clear early morning views of the peaks, with April particularly popular for its stable conditions. Autumn offers the finest views of the year, with clear skies and dry trails after the monsoon; October is the prime month for crossing Cho La Pass. Whatever month you travel, temperatures at altitude drop well below freezing; warm layers and proper trekking gear are essential.


This walk is graded from challenging to strenuous, with altitude the defining factor above all else. Daily walks average 7.4 kilometres with around 700 metres of ascent. Trails are mainly well-travelled, with prolonged ascents, long elevation sections, and some steps. A rocky section awaits on the approach to Everest Base Camp. Four high-altitude walks above 5,000 metres add considerably to the overall challenge, and a helicopter flight removes the need for some of the longer descents. Acclimatisation is taken seriously, with extra days built in and a carefully managed rate of ascent throughout.

A solid walking experience is essential. Include serious hill climbs, resistance training, and core and balance work in your preparation, and train at altitude where possible to help your body adapt to reduced oxygen levels.

Your guide is a local expert mountaineer with in-depth knowledge of the track.

Tipping is customary in Nepal and is a way to show appreciation for the hard work of your trekking team. The price of your Auswalk walking holiday does not include tips. To help you plan, we suggest the following tipping amounts per hiker per day:

1000NPR (head guide) per hiker per day

500NPR (assistant guide) per hiker per day

500NPR (per porter) per hiker per day

You will have the opportunity to present your tips to your guide and porters at the farewell dinner as a token of your gratitude for their invaluable support throughout your trek.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

The Everest region is powered by hydro electricity. In peak season, supply is limited and power outages may occur so we advise bringing a powerbank/ back up batteries for your phones, cameras, and electronics.

Hot showers are mostly powered by solar panels or a gas-fired water heater. On very rare occasions hot showers may not be available.

When you arrive in Kathmandu you will receive a duffle bag to pack all of your items for your trek. As each porter will carry two duffle bags each, the maximum weight per duffle bag is 12.5kg.

Each morning it will be up to you to pack your bag and place your luggage outside your room. Your guide will let you know what to do.

Any excess kilos can be stored at the hotel in Kathmandu.

We want to bring to your attention some important information regarding helicopter evacuation and associated costs, which are not included in your current Auswalk package.

In the event that a helicopter evacuation becomes necessary, please be aware that there will be additional charges. For this reason, it is essential to ensure that your travel insurance policy provides adequate coverage for emergency evacuation. Should you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Please also note that the helicopter services included within your Auswalk package cannot be used or reimbursed in the event of an evacuation. Unfortunately, these pre-booked helicopter costs are forfeited and non-refundable, as they are secured months in advance and are a component of the overall package price. An evacuation is an unforeseen event that incurs separate costs, supplementary to the Auswalk package you have purchased. A helicopter evacuation, regardless of the severity is not the same as a transport helicopter ride. The amount charged for evacuation is standard in Nepal and is unfortunately outside of Auswalk's control.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that you will be required to pay for the evacuation services before departing Nepal and then claim the expenses through your insurance provider, including forfeited services i.e. accommodation, transport etc. The helicopter company is unable to process claims on your behalf. Direct claims by you to your insurance company typically result in a faster reimbursement process.

Travel without stress or delays

Most visitors travel to Lukla via aeroplane, however, flights are often subject to weather-related delays or cancellations.  Hence we use helicopters which are far less susceptible to such issues, helping to deliver your trip as per the carefully planned itinerary (shared if less than 5 pax).

Returning from the peak via helicopter also eliminates walking all the same way back down to the trailhead in Lukla - your knees will be very grateful!  This saves up to 3 days of repeat walking and in addition to this, eliminates having to travel for 5 hours to and from Ramechhap for Lukla flights

Built-in contingency day in case the weather delays departure from the mountains.  This rarely happens with helicopters but we know you wouldn’t want to miss your international flight in the unusual event that it did!

Priority use of our team's 4 helicopters in case of an emergency


The best possible food and accommodation

Staying in a 4-star hotel in the quietest part of the bustling Thamel area in Kathmandu, where you can enjoy all of the tourist spots but are insulated from the crowds

Enjoying the best accommodation options available on the trek.  Note: accommodation levels vary and, where possible, rooms have ensuites.   Accommodations at a few high altitude locations are less luxurious but still comfortable

Since food plays a significant role in hiking at higher elevations, we strive to serve our guests fresh and healthy meals every time


Be well guided and looked after

Sufficient time to visit Kathmandu’s unmissable 7 World Heritage sites with our guided tour

Highly experienced fun-loving guides with fluent English

Guide to hiker ratio of 1 to 4 passengers so you will be very well looked after

Our professional safety-focused team on the ground ensure the best possible experience


We support the region and the environment

We support the Himalayan Sherpa Hospital at Phakding through the Himalayan Sherpa Foundation

We support the organisation KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project). KEEP provides valuable training programs for guides, including language training, map reading, and a porter welfare program

We offset our carbon emissions, raise money and donate to Odonata, an environmental charity committed to supporting biodiversity

Auswalk has earned Advanced Eco Tourism Certification


Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Everest reviews

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Andrew W
9 months ago

Entire trip went extremely well. Foods were of excellent quality too.

Louise C
10 months ago

Our guide & porter (Funuru & Penba) were excellent. They were supportive and great company. They willingly shared their knowledge and encouraged us every step This trek is life changing. Would definitely recommend. Auswalk is professional and attentive & flexible, making sure everything is in place to support a successful trek.

Hettiarachchige DG
last year

Fantastic walking experience. We had wonderful guides and porters. They made sure I reach my goals in a safe manner. Helicopter on the way back to avoid trekking down was great. It saved my knees . Thank you Auswalk for organising a wonderful experience

Frequently Asked Questions

March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn) are the two main trekking windows. Late March to late April offers crisp air and excellent mountain clarity. For fewer crowds, late October to mid-November is the pick — conditions are still good and the peak-season rush has eased. The summer monsoon (June to August) makes trekking difficult.

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A company representative and vehicle will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. From Kathmandu, a helicopter flight takes you directly to Lukla to begin the trek — no white-knuckle mountain runway required.

A porter carries your main bag between lodges each day while you walk with just a daypack. Your main bag must weigh no more than 12.5kg — you'll receive a duffel bag in Kathmandu to pack everything you need for the trek. Anything extra can be stored at your Kathmandu hotel. Keep your passport and valuables in your daypack at all times.

In Kathmandu, you'll stay in a four-star hotel. On the trail, accommodation is in hand-picked boutique lodges — small, characterful places that know how to look after trekkers. As you climb higher the lodges get simpler, but they're comfortable and well set up for the conditions. Breakfast and dinner are included each day on the trek.

Coverage is available in parts but patchy in more remote sections. WiFi is offered at all lodges, though speeds slow considerably at higher elevations. Most lodges charge a small daily fee for access. Bring a power bank — outlets exist but are limited, particularly at altitude. Nepal uses Type C, D and M plugs.

A 30–35L waterproof daypack is the right size. Fill it with two to three litres of water, snacks, sun protection (SPF 50+ cream, sunglasses, hat), lip balm, a warm layer, your headtorch, and any personal medication. A power bank is worth its weight — charging points thin out as you climb.

Layers are everything. On the trail you'll likely be warm in breathable trekking pants and a long-sleeve top, but temperatures at altitude drop hard — a down jacket and thermal base layers are non-negotiable for evenings and high passes. Waterproof, Gore-Tex hiking boots are strongly recommended; the terrain ranges from forest paths to snow-covered passes, and trail runners won't hold up. Walking poles are optional but earn their place on the longer descents. A sleeping bag rated to -15°C is required and is included in your package — bring your own liner. If you need a down jacket or other gear, Kathmandu has good options at very reasonable prices before you head out.

What about altitude sickness? Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness. The trek reaches 5,364 metres at Everest Base Camp, and 5,644 metres at Kala Patthar — serious elevation by any measure. The itinerary builds in acclimatisation days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche to let your body adjust, and guides are trained to manage the pace carefully. Garlic soup, ginger tea and plenty of fluids are the trail remedies of choice. Speak to your GP before departure about prescription options. If symptoms become severe, evacuation by helicopter is arranged through the local partner, who operates their own fleet — you're treated as a priority rather than joining a queue.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy must cover trekking above 5,000 metres and helicopter evacuation. A rescue from altitude can run to several thousand dollars, and you'll be expected to settle the bill before leaving — your insurer reimburses you afterwards. Send through your policy details, including insurer name, policy number and 24-hour emergency contact, before departure. Note that the two helicopter transfers included in your package — Kathmandu to Lukla at the start, and from the end of the trek back to Kathmandu — are part of the trip cost. Emergency medical evacuation is a separate matter and must be covered by your insurance.

The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Budget around 3,000 NPR per person per day on the trek for lunches, snacks and drinks — you'll stop at tea houses along the way. ATMs are available in Kathmandu and larger towns but scarce on the trail, so draw enough cash before you head out. Tipping is expected and appreciated. The standard amounts per hiker per day are 1,000 NPR for the head guide, 500 NPR for an assistant guide, and 500 NPR per porter.

Do not drink tap water in Nepal under any circumstances. Stick to bottled water or water that has been boiled at your lodge (there may be a small charge). A quality filter or iodine tablets are useful backup. On food, vegetarian meals are the safer option on the trek — the advice is to avoid meat where possible to reduce the risk of stomach issues, though many walkers eat local chicken and yak dishes without trouble. Let the team know about any allergies or intolerances at booking; if your requirements are severe, bring supplementary snacks from Kathmandu before heading out.

The trek passes through Buddhist monasteries including Tengboche and Namche, and the Kathmandu sightseeing day includes Pashupatinath, one of Nepal's most sacred Hindu temples. Dress modestly at religious sites — shoulders and knees covered. On the trail, give yaks plenty of space and always pass on the uphill side.

Want to Know More?

The Everest experience

Wonder
Ascend Kalapatthar at 5,550 metres for the most celebrated sunrise view of Mount Everest
The view of Everest from Kalapatthar at sunrise, with the Khumbu Icefall below, is one of the world's great sights
Walking to Everest Base Camp is a journey that changes your sense of what mountains actually are
Wellness
The Khumbu's exceptional altitude and mountain air provide a profound sense of physical achievement
Trek pack-free with Sherpa guides who understand both the terrain and the altitude at every stage
Sherpa culture, with its deep Buddhist faith, generous hospitality, and remarkable capability, is humbling
Nature
Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site of extraordinary Himalayan biodiversity
The sound of glacial rivers and the sight of prayer flags on every ridge define the acoustic and visual landscape
Ama Dablam, often called the most beautiful mountain in the world, dominates the view from Tengboche