Everest Base Camp + Gokyo Lakes Trek: 17 Days

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (1,400 m), followed by a pre-trek briefing covering permits, packing, and the trek's acclimatisation schedule. A licensed guide reviews the day-by-day route and checks personal gear against the recommended packing list. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla (2,860 m), a 527 m sloped runway with a one-directional approach, takes roughly 25-30 minutes when operating from Kathmandu, or around 20 minutes plus a 4-hour pre-dawn drive when operating from Manthali/Ramechhap in peak season. From Lukla, the trail descends gently through Chaurikharka and along the Dudh Koshi river to Phakding (2,610 m), passing prayer wheels and the trek's first mani walls.

From Phakding (2,610 m) the trail follows the Dudh Koshi river, crossing several suspension bridges including the high Hillary Suspension Bridge near Jorsale, before entering Sagarmatha National Park at the Monjo checkpoint. A steep switchback climb through pine forest gains 830 m to reach Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the Khumbu's main trading hub and the first mandatory two-night acclimatisation stop.

Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) following the golden "climb high, sleep low" rule. The morning hike climbs to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) at Syangboche, offering the first distant view of Everest's summit pyramid alongside Ama Dablam and Thamserku, before descending through Khumjung village, home to the Khumjung monastery and its Sherpa culture museum. Return to Namche for the second acclimatisation night.

From Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) the trail climbs to Kyangjuma and Sanasa before dropping to cross the Dudh Koshi again, then climbs steadily through rhododendron forest to Tengboche (3,860 m), home to the largest and most significant monastery in the Khumbu. On clear afternoons, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam are all visible from the monastery courtyard.

The trail descends from Tengboche (3,860 m) through Deboche's rhododendron and birch forest, crosses the Imja Khola, and climbs steadily past Pangboche, the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, into the drier, high-altitude landscape approaching Dingboche (4,410 m), a farming village walled with stone enclosures for barley and buckwheat.

Second mandatory acclimatisation day, this time at Dingboche (4,410 m). The recommended hike climbs Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) above the village for panoramic views of Makalu, Ama Dablam, and the Dingboche valley, reinforcing the 300-500 m per day net elevation gain rule before pushing higher toward Lobuche.

From Dingboche (4,410 m) the trail climbs past Dughla (4,620 m) and the Chupki Lhara memorial site, stone cairns honouring climbers who died on Everest, before a steady climb along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche (4,940 m), the last village before the final push to Base Camp.

From Gorak Shep (5,164 m), the trail crosses 3.5 km of rocky glacial moraine with the Khumbu Glacier on the right and the icefall rising directly above. At Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), Nuptse's west ridge and Lhotse's south face close in on three sides. Everest's summit is not visible from Base Camp; that view belongs to Kala Patthar, 280 m higher. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.

★ Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)

An early climb to Kala Patthar (5,644 m) for sunrise over Everest's south face, before descending from Gorak Shep (5,164 m) and turning west off the main EBC trail toward Dzongla (4,830 m), a small cluster of lodges at the foot of the approach to Cho La Pass.

★ Kala Patthar (5,644 m)

The technical crux of the trek: a pre-dawn start to cross the glaciated Cho La Pass (5,420 m), descending onto the Ngozumpa Glacier's edge before reaching Thangnak (4,700 m). Crampons and an ice axe are required October-November and early spring; a guide with specific Cho La experience is mandatory, and the Phortse detour is available if the pass is weather-closed.

★ Cho La Pass (5,420 m)

A short, easy day crossing the Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal's largest, to reach Gokyo (4,790 m) on the shore of Dudh Pokhari, the fourth of the six Gokyo Lakes.

Pre-dawn climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a panorama that includes four 8,000 m peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, from a single viewpoint, widely regarded as a quieter alternative to Kala Patthar. The afternoon is free to rest beside the turquoise Gokyo Lakes.

★ Gokyo Ri (5,357 m)

A long descending day back down the Dudh Koshi valley from Gokyo (4,790 m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), rejoining the main EBC trail near Sanasa.

The final trekking day retraces the route from Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) down through Jorsale and Monjo, exiting Sagarmatha National Park, then climbs back up to Lukla (2,860 m) for the last night on the trail before the return flight to Kathmandu.

Morning flight from Lukla (2,860 m) back to Kathmandu (1,400 m), weather permitting; flights depart early to beat the afternoon cloud build-up typical of the Khumbu valley. Afternoon free for showers, laundry, and souvenir shopping in Thamel, followed by a farewell dinner celebrating the completed trek.

International departure from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, or onward travel in Nepal.