14-Day Everest Base Camp Trek: Gokyo Lakes & Cho La Pass from Kathmandu

Cross a glacier pass and unwind in teahouses rich with Sherpa warmth and culture.

This 14-day trek from Kathmandu combines the classic Everest Base Camp route with the Gokyo Lakes circuit and the Cho La Pass crossing, a combination few treks offer. You'll walk through Sagarmatha National Park with a licensed English-speaking guide, sleep in teahouses, and eat all meals provided. The route takes you to Everest Base Camp, up Kala Patthar for sunrise views, across the icy Cho La Pass, and to the high-altitude lakes of Gokyo Valley before descending back to Namche Bazaar and flying out from Lukla.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,350m)

• Guide picks you up at airport
• Trek briefing and gear check

Day 2: Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding

• Morning scenic flight to Lukla
• Trek through Sherpa villages to Phakding

Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

• Cross suspension bridges
• Enter Sagarmatha National Park
• First glimpse of Everest

Day 4: Acclimatization Day in Namche

• Optional hike to Everest View Hotel
• Explore local market and Sherpa museum

Day 5: Trek to Tengboche (3,867m)

• Walk through pine forest
• View Thamserku and Everest
• Visit Tengboche Monastery

Day 6: Trek to Dingboche (4,410m)

• Cross Imja Khola
• Pass Pangboche
• Feel higher altitude

Day 7: Trek to Lobuche (4,910m) via Thukla Pass

• Walk alpine terrain and memorials
• Gradual ascent to Lobuche

Day 8: Trek to Everest Base Camp & Gorak Shep

• Follow Khumbu Glacier to Base Camp
• Take photos and enjoy achievement
• Return to Gorak Shep

Day 9: Hike Kala Patthar & Trek to Dzongla

• Sunrise view from Kala Patthar
• Trek down to Lobuche
• Trek to Dzongla

Day 10: Cross Cho La Pass & Trek to Gokyo

• Cross icy Cho La Pass early morning
• Descend into Gokyo Valley

Day 11: Climb Gokyo Ri & Explore Lakes

• Morning climb for panoramic views
• Visit 3rd and 4th Gokyo Lakes

Day 12: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

• Descend past Machhermo, Dole, Khumjung
• Reach Namche for rest and hot shower

Day 13: Trek to Lukla (2,840m)

• Final trekking day along Dudh Koshi River

Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu

• Early morning flight to Kathmandu
• Free time for rest or optional massage
• Trip concludes

The experience

The trek starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, then follows the classic Khumbu route through Sherpa villages and suspension bridges into Sagarmatha National Park. You'll reach Namche Bazaar on day three and spend a day acclimatizing there before continuing higher through pine forests past Tengboche Monastery to Dingboche. From there the route climbs to Lobuche and on to Everest Base Camp itself, where you stand on the Khumbu Glacier at 5,364 meters. The next morning you hike Kala Patthar for sunrise views of Everest before descending to Dzongla.

The defining section comes on day ten: you cross Cho La Pass early in the morning, an icy 5,420-meter col that connects the two circuits. The pass is steep and exposed but short, and once across you descend into the quiet Gokyo Valley. From Gokyo you climb Gokyo Ri for panoramic views of Everest, Cho Oyu and Makalu, then visit the turquoise Gokyo Lakes before the long descent back to Namche Bazaar. The trek ends with a trek down to Lukla and a 35-minute flight back to Kathmandu on day 14.

Your guide is a licensed English speaker, and a porter carries your gear at a 1:2 ratio (one porter per two trekkers). All 12 nights on the trek are in teahouse accommodation with twin-sharing rooms. You get one hotel night in Kathmandu before departure. Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are provided throughout the trek, though you choose between a Half Board Plan (breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own) or a Full Board Plan (all three meals) at checkout. The trek includes park permits, domestic flights, airport transfers, and a duffel bag for your gear. Emergency oxygen and experienced logistics support are part of the package for safety at altitude.

What’s included

• Licensed English-speaking guide and porter support (one porter per two trekkers).
• 12 nights in twin-sharing teahouse rooms plus one hotel night in Kathmandu with breakfast.
• all meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
• round-trip domestic flights between Kathmandu and Lukla.
• airport transfers on arrival and departure.
• Sagarmatha National Park and TIMS permits.
• duffel bag for your trekking gear.
• emergency oxygen and safety support at altitude.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half Board PlanGuide in English · No fixed timeEnglish-speaking guide, with teahouse accommodation during the trek only

Full Board PlanGuide in English · No fixed timeStandard Nepali meals (B, L, D) with accommodation in teahouses on a twin-sharing basis

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Marvel Treks and Expedition

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes in one trek with a glacier pass crossing: otherwise split them into separate trips.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between Cho La Pass and the rest of the trek?

Cho La Pass is a glacier crossing at 5,420 meters that connects the Everest Base Camp circuit to the Gokyo Lakes circuit. It's steep, icy, and exposed (the most technical section of the trek), but it's also short and done early in the morning. It's what makes this 14-day route unique: most treks do one circuit or the other, not both.

How high do you go, and will I have time to acclimatize?

The highest point is Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters. You acclimatize in Namche Bazaar on day four, and the trek climbs gradually after that, spending multiple nights at each altitude band (Dingboche, Lobuche, Gokyo) so your body adjusts. The itinerary is designed to give you time at altitude before pushing higher.

What are the Gokyo Lakes like, and how much time do you spend there?

The Gokyo Lakes are a series of high-altitude turquoise lakes in a quiet valley at 4,790 meters. You spend two nights in Gokyo: one day to climb Gokyo Ri for views and visit the 3rd and 4th lakes, then the next day you begin the descent. The lakes are rarely crowded compared to the Base Camp route.

Do I need my own trekking gear, or is it provided?

You need to bring or rent your own trekking boots, jacket, poles and other personal gear. A duffel bag is provided to pack your belongings, which the porter carries each day. Gear rental is available in Kathmandu before the trek starts.

What's included in meals, and can I choose what I eat?

Depending on your option, you get either breakfast and dinner (Half Board) or all three meals (Full Board) at teahouses along the route. Teahouse menus are simple: dal bhat (rice and lentils), noodles, potatoes, eggs, and you order from what's available. The Full Board option removes the need to buy lunch separately.

How many people trek together, and will I have a private guide?

The trek uses a licensed guide and porters at a 1:2 ratio, so you may trek with other travelers. If you book alone or as a pair, you'll likely share a guide with others on the same dates. A private guide is not mentioned as an option for this trek.