Gokyo - Chola Pass - Everest Base Camp Trek 2025/2026

You will arrive in Kathmandu today. We will welcome you at the arrival section of the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and drive you to the hotel. Since it is an arrival day, there is no activity planned so you can rest, relax, and explore the surroundings a bit after checking into the hotel

We are going to start the trek today towards the Everest Base Camp. Before starting the trek, we need to fly to Lukla, the gateway to Everest. We take a flight to Lukla either from Kathmandu or from Ramechhap. If we take a flight from Ramechhap, we need to drive for 5 hours before boarding the plane. It is a 40-minute flight to Lukla from Kathmandu where as it is just a 20 minute flight from Ramechhap.
After landing at Lukla airport and getting ready for the walk of the day, we head towards Phakding to call it a day. We check into a teahouse at Phakding and settle for the day to relax.

We are on the second day of the Everest Base Camp Trek and are going to trek to Namche Bazar today. The trek is full of small and beautiful settlements, peaceful natural surroundings, many suspension bridges, and a nice and winding trail to the destination for the day.
Namche Bazar is a beautiful and bustling town situated on a slope in the mountains and a popular stopover for the trekkers to the base camp and Gokyo valley. We settle into a teahouse here for the day and explore the town for the rest of the day.

It is an extra day here at Namche Bazar which will give us plenty of time to get used to with the increasing elevation in the mountains. We can go for a hiking trip in the surroundings which will take us out and do some activities to train our body and mind to adjust with the weather and surroundings outside.

From Namche Bazaar, the trail climbs gently past rhododendron forests and grazing yaks, leaving the bustle of Sherpa shops behind. Prayer flags flutter as you ascend toward Mong La, offering sweeping views of Ama Dablam and Khumbila. After a descent to Phortse Tenga by the river, the path rises steeply through pine and birch forests. The air feels fresher, thinner, and quieter as you gain altitude. By the time you reach Dole, a small settlement of stone lodges at 4,040m, the crowd has thinned, and the mountains feel closer, wrapping you in solitude and crisp Himalayan air.

Leaving Dole, the trail climbs steadily above the tree line, opening to wide alpine meadows dotted with grazing yaks. The landscape feels raw and expansive, with Cho Oyu peeking in the distance. Passing small herder huts and icy streams, the path follows the Dudh Koshi river valley, gentle yet continuous in its ascent. With thinning air and fewer villages, silence deepens, broken only by the wind and bells of yaks. After about four hours, Machhermo appears at 4,470m—a quiet cluster of lodges cradled beneath towering ridges, offering rest and breathtaking Himalayan views.

From Machhermo, the trail ascends steadily along the valley, with Cho Oyu looming grand in the north. Crossing streams and rocky paths, the first turquoise Gokyo Lake shimmers into view, followed by the second and third, each more stunning against the stark, glacial backdrop. The air grows crisper, the terrain more dramatic, as the trail winds gently to Gokyo at 4,790m. Nestled beside the third lake, the village feels otherworldly—blue waters, snow peaks, and the Ngozumpa Glacier nearby—making the arrival both awe-inspiring and serene.

Early morning, you climb Gokyo Ri, a steep trail rewarding each breath with panoramic views of Everest, Cho Oyu, and the Ngozumpa Glacier. The air is thin and crisp, every step demanding focus. At the summit (5,357 m), the world unfolds in snowy grandeur—turquoise lakes below, jagged peaks all around. After soaking in the awe, you descend slowly to Gokyo village, letting your body adjust to the altitude while the mountains linger in memory.

Leaving Gokyo, the trail winds along the turquoise lakes before crossing rocky ridges and glacial streams. The path climbs gradually, offering sweeping views of Cho Oyu and the Ngozumpa Glacier. Alpine meadows and scattered herder huts mark the way as the air grows thinner. By afternoon, you reach Thagnak at 4,700 m, a quiet settlement of stone lodges surrounded by soaring peaks, perfect for rest and acclimatization amidst the vast Himalayan panorama.

A challenging day begins with the steep climb to Cho La Pass (5,420 m), where icy winds and rugged rocks test every step. At the summit, breathtaking views of Ngozumpa Glacier and towering peaks reward the effort. The descent leads through glacial moraines and rocky terrain to Dzongla at 4,830 m, a small high-altitude settlement. Exhausted but exhilarated, the evening brings quiet reflection under vast Himalayan skies.

From Dzongla, the trail follows rocky ridges and glacial streams, steadily climbing toward Lobuche at 4,910 m. The landscape grows stark and dramatic, with towering peaks and the Khumbu Glacier in view. Small lodges dot the path, offering brief rest before continuing. By late afternoon, Lobuche’s high-altitude village emerges, a quiet outpost surrounded by jagged mountains, where trekkers prepare for the final push toward Everest Base Camp.

From Lobuche, the trail rises over moraine and rocky terrain to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m. Standing amid prayer flags and glacier views, the sense of achievement is overwhelming. After soaking in the majestic peaks, including Everest and Lhotse, you descend to Gorak Shep (5,164 m) for the night. The village, quiet and high, offers rest and preparation for the early ascent to Kala Patthar.

Before sunrise, you climb from Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5,545 m), where panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and the Khumbu Icefall unfold. After absorbing the breathtaking scenery, the trail descends steeply through rocky paths and scattered lodges to Pheriche (4,371 m). The long descent offers time to rest, reflect, and let your body recover, surrounded by the serene Himalayan landscape.

From Pheriche, the trail descends through rhododendron and pine forests, crossing the Dudh Koshi and Imja rivers via suspension bridges. Villages like Phortse Tenga and Mong La mark the way, with prayer flags fluttering and yaks grazing along the path. The air grows warmer and more familiar as you drop in altitude, and the bustling sights and sounds of Namche Bazaar gradually return. By late afternoon, the vibrant market town appears, lively with shops, teahouses, and trekkers, offering comfort, culture, and a well-earned sense of accomplishment.

The final day begins with a gentle descent from Namche Bazaar through forests and small villages, crossing suspension bridges over rushing rivers. The trail winds past terraced fields, mani walls, and local homes, bringing you closer to the lower valleys. The air grows warmer, and the sounds of civilization return. By afternoon, Lukla emerges, its colorful lodges and the bustling airport marking the end of the trek. The sense of accomplishment mingles with nostalgia, as the towering Himalayan peaks fade into the distance, leaving memories of an unforgettable journey.

Fly to Kathmandu
 

Gokyo - Chola Pass - Everest Base Camp Trek comes to end today. We will drive you to the airport for your departure flight. You will be good with the flight if you reach to the airport two hours before your flight time. We will arrange the drop off service accordingly.