16-day Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp Trek

Cross Cho La Pass to reach turquoise lakes and the base of Everest

This 16-day trek in the Khumbu combines Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp, crossing the high Cho La Pass and visiting Tengboche Monastery. You trek to two major viewpoints (Kalapatthar at 5,550 meters and Gokyo Ri at 5,357 meters), where Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu and five other major peaks come into view. The route stays off the main trail and requires moderate fitness.

The experience

The trek runs 16 days through the Everest Region, starting with domestic flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and ending with the return flight. You trek with a live guide who speaks English or Chinese, sleeping in mountain lodges and eating bed and breakfast each morning. Lunch and dinner are on your own. The route takes you through Sherpa villages and past Buddhist monasteries, including Tengboche, the largest in the Khumbu region.

The defining feature is Cho La Pass, a high crossing that opens access to Gokyo Valley and its series of turquoise lakes: the part of the trek that keeps most trekkers away. From Gokyo Ri, you look out over the lakes and the surrounding peaks. Later, you descend to Everest Base Camp itself, then climb Kalapatthar for the panoramic view that includes Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Makalu and Mt. Cho Oyu. The trek is built for adventurous trekkers with at least moderate fitness. Children are welcome from age 10.

Airport transfers run from Kathmandu to Manthali during high season, and shared vehicle transport moves the group between trailheads. Domestic flights to and from Lukla are included in the price, which settles the logistics that usually require separate booking.

What’s included

• Sharing vehicle transportation between Kathmandu and the trailhead.
• airport transfers from Kathmandu to Manthali and back during high season.
• domestic flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and return.
• bed and breakfast each morning in mountain lodges.
• a live guide in English or Chinese for all 16 days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (25 to 70 years) · Senior (71 to 80 years) · Youth (10 to 24 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mountain Travel Nepal

Is this one for you?The trek starts with domestic flights and shared transport from Kathmandu, so you do not need a car or separate travel arrangements to reach the trailhead. The 16-day span lets you cross Cho La Pass and visit both Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp in one journey, a combination that shorter treks cannot fit.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 24 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

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 is Cho La Pass and why does it matter on this trek?

Cho La Pass is the high crossing that connects Gokyo Valley to Everest Base Camp, and it is what separates this route from the standard Everest Base Camp trek. The pass sits above 5,000 meters and opens access to the turquoise lakes of Gokyo Valley, the part of the Khumbu that stays off the beaten trail.

Can I see Mt. Everest from the trek, or only from a distance?

You see Mt. Everest from two major viewpoints: Kalapatthar at 5,550 meters, where you stand with a direct view of the summit, and Gokyo Ri at 5,357 meters, where the peak rises above the surrounding lakes and mountains. Both viewpoints are included stops on the trek.

What is Tengboche Monastery and when do we visit it?

Tengboche Monastery is the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region, and you pass through it during the trek. The monastery sits at 3,860 meters and is a working community of Sherpa monks. The trek includes time to walk the grounds and see the prayer halls.

Do I need to arrange my own food during the trek?

Bed and breakfast are included each morning in the mountain lodges where you sleep. Lunch and dinner are not included, so you arrange and pay for those meals separately at the lodges or teahouses along the route.

How do the domestic flights work, and are they included?

Domestic flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and back are included in the trek price. Lukla is the trailhead for the Everest Region, and the flights settle the transport that would otherwise require a long drive or additional booking.