About the Trek
This extended itinerary combines the classic Everest Base Camp trek with the stunning Gokyo Lakes and the challenging Cho La pass crossing, creating the ultimate Khumbu experience. You get everything the standard EBC trek offers, plus the magnificent turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the panoramic summit of Gokyo Ri.
The Cho La pass (5,420m) is a thrilling high-altitude crossing between the Khumbu and Gokyo valleys, involving some scrambling over rocky terrain and snow. Gokyo Ri (5,357m) offers what many consider an even better panoramic view than Kala Patthar, with four 8,000m peaks visible — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
The Gokyo Lakes are a series of six pristine turquoise lakes sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. The largest, Dudh Pokhari, reflects the surrounding peaks in its still waters, creating one of the most photographed scenes in the Himalayas.
Trek Highlights
- Visit both Everest Base Camp and the Gokyo Lakes in one trek
- Summit Gokyo Ri (5,357m) — views of four 8,000m peaks
- Cross the challenging Cho La pass at 5,420m
- Six turquoise glacial lakes in the Gokyo valley
- Sunrise from Kala Patthar (5,545m) overlooking Everest
- The most comprehensive Khumbu trekking experience
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 17-day comprehensive Khumbu journey combining EBC, Cho La pass, Gokyo Lakes, and two panoramic summits.
- Airport transfer, briefing, overnight in Kathmandu
- Scenic flight to Lukla
- Trek to Phakding along Dudh Kosi
- Overnight in teahouse
- Enter Sagarmatha National Park
- Steep climb to Namche
- Overnight in teahouse
- Hike to viewpoints
- Explore Namche market
- Overnight in teahouse
- Trek to Tengboche monastery
- Views of Ama Dablam and Everest
- Overnight in teahouse
- Descend and climb to Dingboche
- Enter the Imja valley
- Overnight in teahouse
- Hike to Nagarjun Hill
- Rest and prepare
- Overnight in teahouse
- Pass Dughla memorial cairns
- Reach Lobuche
- Overnight in teahouse
- Trek to Gorak Shep
- Visit Everest Base Camp
- Return to Gorak Shep overnight
- Pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar
- Iconic Everest sunrise panorama
- Descend to Lobuche
- Trek to Dzongla — base for Cho La crossing
- Rest and prepare
- Overnight in teahouse
- Early start for the Cho La pass crossing
- Navigate rocky terrain and snow
- Descend to Thagnak in Gokyo valley
- Overnight in teahouse
- Trek along the Gokyo Lakes
- Arrive at Gokyo village beside Dudh Pokhari
- Overnight in teahouse
- Pre-dawn climb to Gokyo Ri summit
- Views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu
- Explore Gokyo Lakes
- Overnight in teahouse
- Descend through the Gokyo valley
- Pass turquoise lakes
- Reach Dole village
- Overnight in teahouse
- Long descent through Namche to Lukla
- Farewell dinner
- Overnight in teahouse
- Morning flight to Kathmandu
- Trek concludes — departure or extend stay
What's Included
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation — Hotel / Homestay / Tents on triple sharing
- All necessary entry fees and permits
- Professional trek leader, guide, cook and support staff
- Camping equipment — sleeping bags, blankets, mats, toilet tents
- Safety equipment — medical kit, oximeter, crampons & gaiters
What's Not Included
- Meals during the road journey
- Any kind of insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Medical / evacuation expenses (assistance provided in emergencies)
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in inclusions
Things to Carry
Essentials
- Backpack (50-60 L) with rain cover
- Day pack (20 L)
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Headlamp / torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles (2 L)
- Personal medication
Clothing & Gear
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom) x 2
- Heavy down jacket (-20°C rated)
- Waterproof hardshell jacket and pants
- Balaclava, insulated gloves, liner gloves
- Trekking pants x 2 + warm fleece pants
- Quick-dry t-shirts x 3
- Gaiters (high ankle)
- Mountaineering sunglasses (Category 4)
Documents
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / DL)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Medical fitness certificate
Optional
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Power bank
- Energy bars / dry fruits
How to Prepare
This is a Moderate to Difficult grade trek. Expect long walking days (6–9 hours), steep ascents and descents, possible snow/glacier crossings, and altitudes above 4,000 m. Prior trekking experience and 6–8 weeks of dedicated preparation are strongly recommended.
Cardio — Start 6–8 Weeks Before
- Run: 5 km in under 25 minutes, 4–5x per week
- Long walks: 12–15 km weekend hikes with an 8–10 kg loaded pack
- Stairs with load: Climb 15+ floors with a backpack, 3x per week
- Incline training: Treadmill at 10–15% incline for 30 min, or find real hills
- Practice trek: Do at least 1–2 trail hikes (8–12 km) with full daypack before departure
Strength (4x per week)
- Weighted squats — 3 sets of 15 (10–15 kg)
- Bulgarian split squats — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Step-ups with weight — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Deadlifts or Romanian deadlifts — 3 sets of 10
- Core circuit: planks (90 sec) + mountain climbers (30) + Russian twists (20)
- Calf raises with weight — 3 sets of 20
Diet & Recovery
- 4+ litres of water daily throughout your training
- Protein-heavy diet (1.2–1.5 g per kg body weight) for muscle repair
- Load up on iron-rich foods (spinach, beetroot, dates) — helps with oxygen at altitude
- Avoid processed food, sugar and alcohol for 2+ weeks before departure
- Sleep 7–8 hours — recovery is as important as training
Altitude & Technical Readiness
- These treks cross 4,000–5,000 m — AMS is a serious concern
- Carry and know how to use Diamox (consult your doctor before the trek)
- Learn basic crampon walking if the trek involves snow — your leader will brief you, but practice helps
- Expect sub-zero camping nights — test your cold tolerance and layering system before departure
- Carry a personal first-aid kit: ORS, Diamox, Dolo, Avomine, bandages, antiseptic
- Inform the leader of ANY medical condition — no detail is too small at altitude
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
This adds the Cho La pass crossing (5,420m), Gokyo Lakes, and Gokyo Ri summit, making it a more comprehensive but also more demanding experience.
Cho La requires careful navigation over rocky and sometimes icy terrain. Our experienced Sherpa guides ensure safety. The crossing is weather-dependent.
No technical climbing is required, but you should be comfortable with scrambling over rocks and walking on snow. Good fitness is essential.
The combined trek is about 3 days longer than the standard EBC itinerary, totalling 17 days.