Everest Base Camp and Gokyo via Dole and Machermo

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The tough but worthwhile Everest Base Camp and Gokyo via Dole and Machermo trip takes you through some of the most beautiful Himalayan vistas. You will take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the entry point to the Everest region, before starting the trip. You will hike to Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole, and Machermo from Lukla. Before moving on to Gokyo, where you will get the chance to hike to Gokyo Ri, a high point that provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Everest, you will first acclimate to the altitude in Machermo. You will descend to Lobuche, Gorak Shep, and Everest Base Camp from Gokyo by way of the Cho La Pass. You will leave Everest Base Camp after a few days and return to Lukla before taking a flight back to Kathmandu. A decent level of physical fitness is necessary for the physically challenging Everest Base Camp and Gokyo via Dole and Machermo trip. It's crucial to properly acclimate because the altitude can be difficult. The benefits of this journey, though, are tremendous. Reaching Everest Base Camp is a remarkable accomplishment, and the scenery is stunning.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu — Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up by our representative at the airport and taken to the hotel. You will meet your guide, discuss the trek program, and make final preparations for the trek. If you have an early arrival, we will take you for a sightseeing trip in the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu and later, in the evening, you’ll have dinner in the hotel. From 20th March 2020 due to heavy congestion, all flights to and from Lukla depart from Ramechhap airport, 130km, a 4-hour drive from Kathmandu. It means now it’ll take an extra day to get to Lukla from Kathmandu though the flight price is the same. Day Day 2: Drive to Ramechhap (474m/1555ft), Flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) and Trek to Phakding — Kathmandu - Ramechhap via Road - Lukla via Air - Chheplung - Ghat - Phakding You should travel to Ramechhap from Kathmandu to catch your Lukla Flight and follow the same route for returning to Kathmandu. At 4 am, you’ll have to take a bus ride to Ramechhap which is around 5 hours and breakfast will be on the way. After you reach Ramechhap, you’ll take a flight to Lukla from Manthali Airport which lies at an altitude of 439 m above sea level and is located at a distance of 132 km east of Kathmandu. Lunch will be after we reach Ramechhap. A flight to Lukla is the most unpredictable part of Everest Three Pass trek itinerary and if the flight takes place as scheduled, you’ll reach Lukla in the evening or else you’ll need to wait for the next day to proceed to Lukla. There are several airlines operating flights to Lukla; Tara/Yeti Air, Summit Air,etc. and you can choose the one you like. Moreover, the best views of the mountains can be seen on the way to Lukla. After having quick meal, the trail starts from Lukla and descends to the Dudh Kosi River in Phakding. The first day gets difficult due to the cold, high altitude and backpacks. You will get the view of picturesque Sherpa villages, Tibetan Scriptures engraved Mane Walls and Chhortens and monasteries throughout the trails. Chhortens are like temples and often have relics of buddha in them. You’ll reach Monjo exploring the trail and have dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. Distance from Kathmandu to Ramechhap- 132 km/82mi (5 hours), Ramechhap to Lukla – 73.4km/45.6mi (30-40min) Trekking distance: 9.5 km / 5.9 mi Trekking time: 4-5 hours Total ascend: 100m / 328ft Total descend: 200m / 656ft Day Day 3: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft) — Phakding- Monjo - Jorsale - Namche Bazaar The trek from Phakding continues after breakfast, along the Dudh Kosi River, passing through pine forests and crossing several suspension bridges to Monjo. In Monjo, there is a national park checkpost. We will cross the river twice and reach Larcha Dovan, the confluence of two major rivers in Everest Valley and lunch will be in any small hotels or restaurants on the way. Here, we will cross the most iconic suspension bridge and follow a steeper trail to the historic trading town of Namche Bazaar which is surrounded by scenic mountains. From Phakding it's an 8 hrs trek and from Monjo, it's about 5-6 hrs. Dinner will be at Namche Bazar and rest for overnight. Trekking distance: 10.4 km / 6.5 mi Trekking time: 5-6 hours Total ascend: 940m / 3,084ft Total descent – 200 m/ 656 ft Day Day 4: Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar — Namche - Khumjung - Khunde - Namche You will take a rest day to acclimate at the high altitude. You can hike to the Everest View Hotel for a panoramic view of the Mt. Everest with delightful breakfast and tea or coffee. Then hike to the beautiful sherpa village of Khumjung and Khunde, have lunch there and return back to Namche via yak farm above Syangboche Airport. There is a newly opened Himalayan Museum and Sustainable Park in Syangboche. You can also explore the town, visit the local markets and Sherpa Cultural Museum if time permits. Make sure to charge all your electronic devices in Namche from there on you’ll have to pay extra for charging. Overnight stay at hotel. Day Day 5: Trek to Dole (3,800m/12,467ft) — Namche Bazar -Mon La - Phortse Tenga - Dole The view is stunning today as we continue on the main trail north from Namche. We have amazing views of Everest and Lhotse after a quick ascent to a ridge. Then, after continuing to follow the main track, we come to a crossroads situated high above the Dudh Koshi. Prior to arriving at Phortse Tenga, we divert from the Everest trail and rise to cross the Mon La. The trail ascends steeply through a rhododendron and birch woodland from Phortse Tenga to Dole. Distance: 11 km / 6.83 mi Trekking time: 5-6 hours Total ascent: 980 m / 3,215 ft Total descent: 320 m / 1,050 ft Day Day 6: Trek from Dole to Machermo (4,400m/14,435ft) — Dole - Machermo As we ascend from Dole along the valley's edge, rhododendron trees give place to juniper scrub as the height rises. When yaks are brought to these pastures to feed throughout the summer, they pass by several summer communities (yersa). From here, you can see Kantega, Thamserku, and Cho Oyu with great clarity. We won't spend much time hiking today, and we'll be to Machermo in time for lunch. Distance: 6 km / 3.73 mi Trekking time: 3-4 hours Total ascent: 600 m / 1,969 ft Total descent: 80 m / 262 ft Day Day 7: Trek to Gokyo (4,800m/15,748ft) — Machermo - Gokyo Lake We now proceed to Gokyo's lakes. To get to Pangka, we take a very beautiful route. From there, we drop a little bit by following one of the rivers that go off the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. After passing the first of the holy lakes, we ascend a steep, rocky incline into the valley by the glacier. We quickly reach the second lake and proceed across the slope that leads to Cho La. The town of Gokyo is located on the eastern coast of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. The backdrop is breathtaking as you stroll by the lakeside with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang. Distance: 5 km / 3.11 mi Trekking time: 3-4 hours Total ascent: 400 m / 1,312 ft Total descent: 0 m / 0 ft Day Day 8: Rest day in Gokyo (4,800m/15,748ft) — This day is spent acclimatizing and exploring Lake Gokyo and other lakes in Gokyo Valley. Early in the morning, you can hike to Gokyo Ri for panoramic views of Mt. Everest and the surrounding mountains. It is one of the best place to see the Everest in the trek. We recommend following options (doing both can be very tiring): Wake up at 4 am and hike up to Gokyo Ri (5360 meters) and back to Gokyo Lake (4790 meters). Distance: 4 km/ 2.4 miles. Walking 3/4 hours. Hike to 4th Lake (4870 meters) and 5th Lake (4990 meters) and back to Gokyo Lake (4790 meters). Distance: 14 km/ 8.6 miles. Walking 6/7 hours. Also, you can simply laze around, sip tea, eat, and rest on your acclimatization day. Take it easy, rest, hydrate with enough water or tea, and take advantage of your free day. Day Day 9: Trek to Thagnak (4,700m/15,419ft) — Gokyo - Thagnak You will cross the massive Ngozumba Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal, with the view of Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Gyachung Khang and reach Thagnak. It’s a 2 -3 hrs trek mostly through the glacial moraine across Gokyo village. On arriving in Thagnak, you'll take a little acclimatization hike before going to the place to stay the night. Distance: 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) Time: 4-5 hours Total Ascent: Minimal Total Descent: Minimal Day Day 10: Cross Cho La Pass (5,420m/17,782ft) and Trek to Dzongla (4,830m/15,846ft) — Thagnak - Cho La Pass - Dzongla Today involves negotiating Cho La's second pass, which is frequently regarded as the toughest day of the trek. It will take some work to get to the top at more than 5,300m. You'll cross Cho La Pass, which is known for its challenging climb, and then trek to Dzongla, where you'll have stunning views of the surrounding Mt. Cholatse and Mt. Tobuche in the west and Mt Nire Khang, Lobuche West and East and Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Amadablam, and Mt. Makalu. Distance: 9 kilometers/5.6 miles Time: 7-8 hours Total Ascent: 590 meters/1,935 feet Total Descent: 590 meters/1,935 feet Day Day 11: Trek to Lobuche (4,930m/16,175ft) — Dzongla - Lobuche You will trek to Lobuche going around Mt. Nire Khang and Lobuche. Along the trail, you will pass beautiful landscapes and with amazing view of Mt. Cholatse, Mt. Arkamtse, Mt. Tobuche, Mt. Lobuche , Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Lho La in Nepal Side and Mt. Chnsgtse in Tibet. The view extends to Mt. Amadablam, Island Peak and Imja Valley and Mt. Makalu in the east and Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Kusum Kanguru, Khang Teka to the south. You will also see memorials at Lobuche Pass, directly below the Khumbu Glacier on the eastern ridge of the trail to Lobuche dedicated to climbers who died climbing the mountains. Distance: 6 kilometers/3.7 miles Time: 4-5 hours Total Ascent: 100 meters/328 feet Total Descent: 200 meters/656 feet Day Day 12: Trek to Gorak Shep (5,140m/16,863ft) and Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,598ft) — Lobuche - Gorak Shep - Everest Base Camp - Gorak Shep You'll trek to Gorak Shep and then hike to Everest Base Camp on the rocky ridges of Khumbu Glacier. Upon reaching the base camp monument, you may take photos and videos with surrounding views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Lho La in Nepal Side and Mt. Chnsgtse in Tibet. EBC is an iconic destination and a major milestone for adventurers and trekkers all over the planet. However, the trekking groups are not allowed to stay overnight at the base camp; you'll need to descend later to Gorak Shep for sleep. Distance: 8 kilometers/5 miles Time: 6-8 hours Total Ascent: 224 meters/735 feet Total Descent: 224 meters/735 feet Day Day 13: Hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m/18,192 ft) in the Morning and Trek back to Lobuche (4,930m/16,175ft): — Gorak Shep - Kala Patthar - Gorak Shep - Lobuche Kala Patthar is the highest point in this trek and from here, the 360 degree view of of the Mountains is breathtaking. It is from Kala Patthar, visitors will get the best view of the Everest. This is a strenuous 4 hrs turnaround hike from Gorak Shep and head back to Gorak Shep for a quick meal before descending further to Lobuche for the night which is almost 2 hrs trek. Distance: 10 kilometers/6.2 miles Time: 6-7 hours Total Ascent: 615 meters/2,018 feet Total Descent: 415 meters/1,362 feet Day Day 14: Trek from Lobuche to Pangboche — Lobuche - Dughla - Pheriche - Shomare - Pangboche We will start our return journey where our first stop will be Pangboche. You can observe great views of surrounding mountains and snow peaks. On the way from Pheriche Pass to Pangboche, beautiful scenes of rivers can be seen. It’s a long walking day but there are several villages on the way where you can stop for tea or lunch. Later, in the night, you will reach Pangboche and stay overnight. You can also end your journey here and charter a helicopter(cost is exclusive) and fly back to Kathmandu. Otherwise your trek continues as itinerary. Distance: 9.03 kilometers (5.6 miles) Time: 5-6 hour Total Ascent: 4,836 feet (1,473 meters) Total Descent: 1,565 feet (477 meters) Day Day 15: Pangboche to Namche(3,440m/11,283ft) — Pangboche - Milinggo - Deboche - Tengboche - Phungi Thanga - Leushyasa - Kyangjuma - Namche Bazaar We will start after breakfast and reach the most important Tengboche monastery in couple of hours. We will visit the monastery and then continue a 400m descent to Phunki Tenka, cross the Imja river and continue uphill for another 300m reaching the upper trails of Namche. We will have lunch along the way. Distance: 12 kilometers/7.5 miles Time: 5-6 hours Total Ascent: 80 meters/262 feet Total Descent: 580 meters/1,903 feet Day Day 16: Namche To Lukla — Namche - Lukla It’s a long and final day of trek back to Lukla. It is about 20 km but mostly downhill with occasional uphill climb. The last couple of hours is uphill climb. We will retrace our steps on the left bank of Dudh Koshi river passing through lush forests and villages of lower Khumbu valley en route to Lukla. It will take about 8-9 hrs. Dinner and overnight stay at Lukla. Distance: 18 kilometers/11.2 miles Trekking Time: 6-7 hours Total Ascent: 460 meters/1,509 feet Total Descent: 1,530 meters/5,020 feet Day Day 17: Drive to Ramechhap and fly to Kathmandu (1,400m/4,593ft) — You’ll need to fly back to Ramechhap and drive to Kathmandu. After reaching, we will transfer you to a hotel. In the evening, you can go shopping for souvenirs, trying Nepali or Newari Cuisine (Ethnic group and native people of Kathmandu Valley. We will organize a farewell program for you to create memories with us. Day Day 18: Departure from Kathmandu (1,400m/4,593ft) — If your flight is in the evening, we will take you for sightseeing in one of the Buddhist stupa; Boudhanath/Swayambhunath which is also listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, Our representative will receive you from hotel and drop you at the airport for your return journey back home.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival at Kathmandu — Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up by our representative at the airport and taken to the hotel. You will meet your guide, discuss the trek program, and make final preparations for the trek. If you have an early arrival, we will take you for a sightseeing trip in the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu and later, in the evening, you’ll have dinner in the hotel.+