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Everest & Gokyo Lakes Circuit

19 Days
From CAD 4,845
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Unknown

Rating


 (20 reviews)

Experience Overview

This circular Everest Base Camp trek explores the heart of the Sherpa homeland, from Namche Bazaar to the Gokyo Valley, crossing the glaciated Cho La pass and onto the classic route to Everest Base Camp used by the great climbing parties. Allowing ample time for acclimatisation, we can explore this high mountain wilderness, the quieter Gokyo Valley plus the main Everest trails. Our goal is Everest Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier with the chance to climb Kala Pattar (18,192ft/5,545m) for fabulous close-up views of Everest. Why trek with Exodus? One of the highest staff-to-traveller ratios on the trek with one staff member to every four travellers More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal Carefully planned ascent rates and itineraries with built-in acclimatisation and contingency days We beat the Everest crowds by rising early, avoiding foot traffic on the trails and getting into the next teahouse early for hot showers Established protocol for Lukla flight delays Exodus annually commissions independent air-safety audits on domestic carriers in Nepal and only use those approved as part of the audit Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained to recognise and deal with altitude sickness All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage Staff carry oxygen, a first-aid kit, and self-assessment acute mountain sickness cards, used to monitor every traveller at altitude Speak to Exodus office staff who have done the trek themselves
Profile
— Accommodation: 3 Classic nights (hotels), 15 Simple nights (teahouses/mountain lodges) — 15 days of walking with full porterage — Group normally 4 to 16, plus tour leader and local staff. Minimum age: 18 — Altitude maximum: 18,192ft (5,545m); average: 13,450ft (4,100m) — Travel by private minibus and two domestic flights — Staff carry oxygen and a first-aid kit on trek — 22 October 2026 departure led by Valerie Parkinson, Wanderlust World Guide Awards winner 2021
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 3 Classic nights (hotels), 15 Simple nights (teahouses/mountain lodges) — 15 days of walking with full porterage — Group normally 4 to 16, plus tour leader and local staff. Minimum age: 18 — Altitude maximum: 18,192ft (5,545m); average: 13,450ft (4,100m) — Travel by private minibus and two domestic flights — Staff carry oxygen and a first-aid kit on trek — 22 October 2026 departure led by Valerie Parkinson, Wanderlust World Guide Awards winner 2021
Trip For You
This trek is graded Activity Level 6 (Challenging & Tough) with 15 days of walking and full porterage throughout. You need only carry your daypack. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.   Most of the walking is at relatively high altitude. The maximum altitude is 18,192ft (5,545m) with the average being 13,450ft (4,100m), please refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes. The itinerary is designed with built-in acclimatisation days to maximise the chance of successfully crossing the Cho La pass, reaching Base Camp and climbing Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar. The reward is panoramic views spanning pristine glacial lakes, expansive glaciers and the highest mountains in the world. Anyone attempting this trek should be confident in their physical fitness and ideally have previous experience of trekking at altitude. This circuit is tougher than the classic Everest Base Camp trek as it involves a long, demanding crossing of the Cho La pass (17,780ft/5,420m). This entails a very steep ascent and descent on rocky trails, which can be icy; there is always ice and snow at the top as we cross a glacier. There are chains on the steep ascent up the Cho La. Besides the pass, most of the walking is on well-established trails but there may be snow and ice at the highest points of the trek on any departure. Although daytime temperatures can be very pleasant, the nights will be cold. At Gokyo and around the Base Camp area it can be well below freezing, especially on the winter departures. In very bad conditions or after very heavy snowfall, Cho La may be impassable, in which case we take a lower route. The trail also crosses a few modern suspension bridges with mesh sides; anyone with a strong fear of heights or vertigo may find them difficult. This trip includes domestic flights – please refer to the Transport section of the Trip Notes for information about flight safety in Nepal. Walking hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings exclude lunch stops and will vary depending on the group’s pace. To help you better prepare for your trip, please also see our Nepal Destination Guide. Nepal flight safety Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations. Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources: The current travel advice for Nepal issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeThe Air Safety Network entry for Nepal In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident the airline meets acceptable safety standards. We appreciate you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you please consider all the information above when deciding to book this trip. Internal flight delays Adverse weather conditions at Lukla airport occasionally mean that flights to/from Kathmandu cannot operate. We include an additional day at the end of the itinerary to allow for this but please note that persistent bad weather may delay the start of your trek or your return to Kathmandu. Should there be a lengthy delay at the start of a trip, we aim to provide a shortened Everest trek; however, if adverse weather conditions continue and the main objective of the trek becomes impossible to reach, an alternative trek to another region in Nepal will be offered. When fixed-wing planes are unable to fly, but helicopters to Lukla are available, clients may choose to travel by helicopter; in this event, the price per person will be approximately US$600-US$800, of which Exodus will cover half. Should there be a significant delay at the end of your trek, we endeavour to get you on the first available fixed-wing flights to Kathmandu. If helicopters are able to fly, we will consider paying for these on a case-by-case basis to enable you to meet your international flights. In the case of persistent adverse weather, Exodus will rebook international flights for Flight Inclusive clients, but clients booking on a Land Only basis will be responsible for rebooking their onward travel and for any associated costs. All flights to and from Lukla will no longer operate in/out of Kathmandu Airport (KTM), these flights have been transferred to operate in/out of Manthali Airport (RHP), which is in the Tamakoshi River Valley in Manthali, 82mi (132km) east of Kathmandu. The journey from Kathmandu to Manthali is a four-hour bus drive in the early morning and the return leg from Manthali to Kathmandu is usually five to six hours due to heavier traffic later in the day. The flight time between Manthali and Lukla is about 20 minutes. It is necessary to depart your hotel in Kathmandu at approximately 3am by bus to ensure arriving in Manthali for 7am-7.30am in time for the flights to Lukla (between 8.30am-9am). Your Kathmandu hotel will provide a packed breakfast for the journey.
Group Description
The group is generally between four and 16 people. We have representatives in Kathmandu who will look after your transfers to and from the airport and will be available to answer other questions you may have about your trek. There is an Exodus desk and noticeboard in the Royal Singi Hotel in Kathmandu. The desk is manned morning and evening. The departure starting in Kathmandu on 22 October 2026 will be led by Valerie Parkinson who has been leading treks in the Himalaya for more than 38 years. Valerie was the first British woman to summit Mount Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. She will share her mountaineering experience, including her own Everest summit expedition and Everest North Col expedition with you along the way. Valerie won Best Tour Leader in the prestigious annual Wanderlust World Guide Awards in 2021. All other departures will have an English-speaking Nepali tour leader throughout the trip who will be assisted by Nepali trekking guides. All Exodus leaders are highly experienced and have undertaken Exodus leader training courses and wilderness first-aid training. The trekking guides are licensed by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and receive additional training through Exodus. The trekking guides will walk with the group, spacing themselves out to ensure the pace is appropriate for careful acclimatisation and to ensure the safety of all trekkers in the group, helping those who may need some encouragement or support. On all our Nepal treks, there is one member of trek staff for every four clients – this ratio may change if a guide needs to stay behind with a group member. The leaders are assisted by additional guides and as many porters as necessary to carry the kitbags. All your main gear is carried for you and you only need to carry whatever you require for that day’s trek. Porters carry two client kitbags each – kitbags should be restricted to 22lb (10kg). Porters are given porter clothing for treks above 14,765ft (4,500m) – windproof jacket and trousers (pants), boots, socks, gloves, hats and sunglasses. All the trekking staff are insured by our local partner in Nepal.
Eating Drinking
Breakfast is included throughout the trip. In the teahouses, breakfast will be a choice of bread (a slice of toast, chapatti or Tibetan bread), a choice of egg (boiled, fried or omelette), and a choice between either muesli or porridge each day. Hot tea/coffee is also served. On specific days, there will not be a choice for breakfast and either a trekkers breakfast (egg, hash brown, baked beans and toast) or a pancake with jam/honey will be served – these options are not available in all teahouses and so we have only included them in locations where they can be guaranteed. You may also be able to supplement your included breakfast with additional items on the teahouse menu should you wish. Additional items that are not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. Please note, some more remote teahouses/lodges are unable to provide an extensive menu due to irregular delivery schedules and during periods of bad weather or a high volume of trekkers, there may be a more limited menu choice. Also, the higher altitude the more expenses the menus and extras generally are. Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route – sometimes one of your guides will go ahead with the group’s order to make it more expedient. Dinner will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as teahouses base their room rate on it). Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises curried lentils and meat or vegetables, some rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos; a type of Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed, filled with meat or vegetables. Meat is available in the teahouses but we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money – we recommend using hand sanitiser. If you have a gluten-free diet, we strongly recommend you bring extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available for you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are powdered and contain gluten. Gluten-free breakfast options will be limited to vegetable fried rice and a choice of egg, and on specific days only, a trekkers breakfast (without the toast/with an extra egg). Breakfast options for vegans will be limited to a choice of muesli/porridge with water each day, and on specific days only, a trekkers breakfast (without the egg) or vegetable fried rice. If you are lactose intolerant, the same will apply although you will also have a choice of egg each day. If you buy imported food and drink on trek, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Drinking water Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly at altitude where it is generally recommended you drink at least 100floz to 135floz (3-4 litres) per day. We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal. The teahouses sell boiled water for approximately 150-300 rupees (US$1.80-US$3.65) per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot-water bottle. Alternatively, all teahouses provide free cold water. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend you bring a reusable bottle/water bladder/Camelpak (ideally two) and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available including Steripens or purification tablets, which are the quickest and easiest options to use on trek – we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time. Make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions). Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates more than 99.99 percent of all microbiological contaminants from any non-saltwater source – visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15 percent off their first order and, better still, 15 percent of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. These bottles filter the water as you drink through the spout may not be the most efficient while on the go on a trek. Please note, if the water freezes it will clog up the filter. In this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
Transportation
For airport transfers, we use a private minibus. Flights to and from Lukla will be either in a Twin Otter or Dornier plane. This point-to-point trekking trip requires you to walk between each overnight stay under your own steam. Other forms of transport may be available along the route (horses, 4x4s etc) but Exodus is not able to take responsibility for the safety or the cost of any transport that customers choose to take even if provided with the assistance of our leader or staff. Nepal flight safety Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations. Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources: The current travel advice for Nepal issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeThe Air Safety Network entry for Nepal In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we will remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident that the airline meets acceptable safety standards. We appreciate that you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you please consider all the information above when deciding to book this holiday.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Royal Singi Hotel, Lal Durbar, Kamaladi, Kathmandu Phone: +977 144 24190 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Kathmandu Airport (KTM) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Kathmandu Airport (KTM) from the end hotel. Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
The main trekking season in Nepal is from mid-September to mid-May. We do not operate treks in Nepal outside these months as it is the rainy season. During the trekking season, conditions at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking and rain or snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15C to 35C (59F to 95F) in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10C (50F) at 11,810ft (3,600m) and progressively lower the higher we go. Within the trekking season, there are three further distinct seasons in the weather, each offering different advantages for trekking. Post-monsoon/autumn (mid-September to November): This is the most popular trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are generally above 20C (68F). On trek, temperatures will be lower although skies are usually clear and days should be sunny and mild with clear mountain views. However, at higher altitudes, the days can be cold and windy. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as -10C (14F) or lower in late November at the higher altitudes. Winter (December to end of February): Despite the colder conditions, this is an ideal time to trek in Nepal. Skies are usually very clear, especially in December, and the mountain views are at their best. Nights will be very cold with temperatures down to -20C (-4F) but days are often pleasant and sunny. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures are 19C (66F). Pre-monsoon/spring (March to May): Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 30C (86F) in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring. Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. There will always be snow/ice on the top of the Cho La pass as it is a glacier. Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.
Spending Money
We recommend taking your personal spending money in cash (US dollars, British pounds or euros can all be changed easily). Please note that any marked, torn or damaged notes may not be accepted. Please remember, £50 notes, Scottish or Irish currency cannot be changed in Nepal. Cash can be changed easily at the airport on arrival in Kathmandu or at money changers in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Hotels in Nepal can also change up to US$300 per person. Please note, travellers cheques can NOT be exchanged in Nepal. Our staff will advise you about how much money to take with you on the trek. You need to withdraw/exchange enough money in Kathmandu to last the duration of your trek – to cover meals, drinks, tipping and other incidentals. It is a good idea to carry spare cash on the trek in case of an emergency. Carrying a large amount of cash is unavoidable so we suggest splitting it up into a few different places – but remember to keep track of how much you have stashed where. Prices of food and amenities in teahouses generally become more expensive the higher altitude/more remote you are and access to ATMs/money changes are extremely limited. Please allow 4,400 - 5,800 rupees (US$33-US44) per day for lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, showers, toilet roll and charging on trek, and for meals not included in Kathmandu. This amount is given as a rough guideline only. Your expenditure will be towards the top end if you buy boiled water rather than treating cold water, and depending on how many hot showers you take, if you pay to charge electrical devices, drink alcohol, use wifi on the trek and so on. If you'd like to purchase a trekking map for 500 rupees (US$4), please speak to your Leader at the welcome briefing and he will provide the relevant map for you. Optional excursions A few optional tours and activities are available from Kathmandu. Prices for a half-day sightseeing tour start at 5,300 rupees (approximately US$40) per person, based on a group of six and above. For all trips, return transport and a qualified sightseeing guide are included. The price does not include lunch or entry fees. Please enquire with your leader in Kathmandu, who can provide further information. An optional Everest sightseeing flight is available (again, please book this locally through your leader in Kathmandu). Anyone taking an internal sightseeing flight in Nepal should pay attention to the Flying in Nepal statement.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Nepal and is usually expected. Tipping can often be an awkward affair, especially when in an unfamiliar country where you are not sure when or how much to tip. As such, your tour leader will usually offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty which will be used to tip porters in hotels, local guides, assistant guides, porters, and the drivers. Your leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size, but a rough guideline is provided below. Tipping of the leader is at your discretion and separate to the amount they will suggest for the other staff. We suggest you send an envelope around the group at the end of the trip and you can put in what you like and give to the leader on the last evening. The following are guideline amounts received by each staff member from the group as a whole… Tour Leader: 40,000-45,000 rupees (usually tipped on the last night in Kathmandu) Your trekking crew (tips are usually given on the last evening of the trek in Lukla): Trekking guides: 25,000-30,000 rupees for each guideTrek porters: 18,000 rupees for each porter General tipping guidelines: Kathmandu/Manthali Airport transfers: 1,000-1,500 rupees for each driverDrivers (shorter journeys): 200-300 rupeesHotel porters: 100 rupees each time for each roomTeahouses and lunch stops on the trek: It’s customary to round your bill up to the nearest 50 or 100 rupeesRestaurants: 10% of the bill for good service To help budget for the tips, generally there will be one member of trek staff (guide/assistant) for every four clients. You will also have one porter for every two clients to carry your luggage. If you are unsure on how much to personally budget, you can check with your Leader when you arrive in Kathmandu. Please try to give all tips in local currency.

Highlights

— Enjoy a circular trek via the quieter Gokyo Valley — Stay beside the azure glacial lake at Gokyo — Climb Gokyo Ri for magnificent views of the Himalaya including four 8,000m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu — Cross the Ngozumpo Glacier and conquer the Cho La pass — Ascend Kala Pattar and Gokyo Ri for views of Everest and other Himalaya giants — Trek to Everest Base Camp and stand at the foot of the highest mountain on Earth
Everest & Gokyo Lakes Circuit View Larger Map

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 4259

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport: holiday.

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: TNE

StartStarts: Kathmandu, Everest Region

FinishFinishes: Kathmandu, Everest Region

DurationDuration: 19 days

DeparturesDepartures: Not Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Unknown

Includes

— All breakfasts — Morning bed-tea on trek — Welcome drink at each overnight lodge — Three nights in hotels and 15 nights in teahouses — All listed transport and activities — Tour leader throughout, plus local staff (staff to client ratio of 1:4 on trek) — Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone — Full porterage throughout trek — Exodus kitbag — Trekking permit and national park fees

Accommodation

Hotel and Himalayan teahouses
We stay in teahouses for most of this adventure, a classic experience for trekkers in the Himalaya. We spend the rest of our time in hotels. Below is more information on the places we stay.  Kathmandu: Royal Singi Hotel (nights 1 and 17-18)    The Royal Singi, a three-star hotel, has been welcoming our groups for more than two decades. The name is inspired by the Snow Lion, a mythical creature in Tibetan Buddhism, which represents immense joy, positivity, delight and comfort. The hotel embraces the name with a restaurant, bar, outdoor courtyard, and complimentary wifi throughout. There’s also an Exodus desk in the lobby and an Exodus representative is usually available daily in the mornings and evenings. The Royal Singi is well located near the Thamel district, close to banks, restaurants, shops and attractions.    Himalaya: Teahouses (nights 2-16)    Staying in teahouses is a time-tested tradition for hikers in the Himalaya. They may be basic, but they’re a welcome sight after a day of walking among the spectacular peaks. The hub of teahouse living is the dining room, which is usually decorated with traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper.    We stay in twin-share bedrooms, which come with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow. Remember to bring (or hire) a sleeping bag, rooms are unheated so they can get cold at night.    Worth knowing    Some teahouses above 9,845ft (3,000m) may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally, kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Your leader will not offer this to you.   Most teahouses have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable, and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch (flashlight) is essential. Charging facilities are generally only available in the dining room (charged at approximately 200-500 Nepalese rupees/US$1.50-US$3.80 per hour per device). Many of the teahouses use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many also have wifi, though it can be slow and temperamental.   Most teahouses have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main building. Toilets are usually squat-style, although many lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it in the bin provided). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen), please refill it or ask the lodge to. Some teahouses have hot ‘showers’ (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees/US$1.90-US$3.80 per shower). Sometimes this is simply a bucket of hot water.   Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the teahouse staff and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes.   Generally, the higher the altitude, the more basic the teahouse and the more expensive food and services.    Extra accommodation    If you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability). Please enquire with your sales representative.    Single accommodation    If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival at a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis. 

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4845 (CAD 255 /day)

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Start Kathmandu

The adventure starts in Kathmandu. On arrival, those travelling on the group flights will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Free arrival transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied Exodus with your flight details in advance and have requested a transfer. There are no activities planned today so if making your own travel arrangements, you can arrive at any time. Upon arrival to the hotel, look out for a noticeboard in the reception area with details of where and when to meet for your welcome/trek briefing this evening. Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

2
Day 2: Early morning transfer to Manthali for your flight to Lukla. Trek to Phakding

We have a very early start this morning to drive (approximately four hours) out to Manthali Airport (RHP) where all Lukla flights now operate from. We depart our hotel at approximately 3am to ensure arriving in Manthali for in time for the first morning flights to Lukla. The hotel will provide a packed breakfast for the journey. We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (9,190ft/2,800m), and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading north up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (Milk River). We descend from the small plateau into the forested valley. The trail offers tantalising views before reaching the settlement of Phakding, where we spend our first night. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 8,701ft/2,652m)

3
Day 3: Follow the Dudh Kosi and ascend to Namche Bazaar

Heading out of Phakding, we follow the Dudh Kosi north. Today's walk takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We cross the river several times by bridge as we pass through the villages of Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep climb to Namche. Halfway up the ascent, we may get our first glimpse (cloud permitting) of the Everest summit behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 985ft (300m) climb brings us to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly market on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, but the town always bustles with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear and Tibetan souvenirs. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 11,285ft/3,440m)

4
Day 4: Acclimatisation walk to Kunde and Khumjung; descend to Kyanjuma

We climb steeply out of Namche past the airstrip at Shyangboche to the Everest View Hotel, the highpoint of our day at 12,730ft (3,880m). Built by the Japanese, this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Enroute to the Everest View Hotel, you will have the option to stop off at the Sagarmatha Next experience centre and learn about the work this local organisation is doing to tackle waste pollution on the mountain trails and how you can help. Descending through forest, we come to Khumjung, where we have lunch close to the Sir Edmund Hillary School. After, we walk up to Kunde and visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital. The twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung are below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. For much of the walk, we have great views of Ama Dablam and other Himalaya giants. We walk back down through Khumjumg to the monastery. Sadly, it was damaged in the earthquake but is now being repaired. Inside is a small box and, after paying the entry fee (which goes towards the repairs), we will be shown the only yeti skull in the world. Descending to the main trail, we spend the night at Kyanjuma. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 11,810ft/3,600m)

5
Day 5: Cross the Mong La into the Gokyo Valley and trek to Dole

At Kyanjuma we turn off the main trail and begin climbing to the Mong La, marked by a chorten on the top of a ridge at 3,972m. This ridge descends from Khumbila, the abode of the patron god of all Sherpas. From the ridge, the trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks towards the Dudh Kosi. At Phortse Tenga (3,600m) there are a few tea houses to choose from for our lunch stop. After lunch the trail starts to climb steeply out of the valley and we enter the rhododendron forests, which give way to juniper and conifers higher up the valley. We pass through kharkas, summer settlements used by the Sherpas to graze their yaks, before coming to Dole, where we have magnificent views of Kangtaiga and Tramserku. Total ascent: 2,887ft (880m); total descent: 2,119ft (464m) Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 13,255ft/4040m)

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Day 6: Continue to Machhermo

A short walk today. From Dole the trail is steep in places as it passes through Lhabarma and Luza along the side of the valley, high above the river through scrub junipers until we cross the sandy spurs to Machhermo (4,410m). It was here in 1974 that a yeti was reported to have attacked a sherpa and killed three yaks! We should get to Machhermo by lunchtime and in the afternoon there is time for an acclimatisation walk up onto the ridge behind the lodge for amazing views of Tramserku. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 14,469ft/4,410m)

7
Day 7: Trek to Gokyo Lake, a small settlement of lodges on the shores of a blue lake. Afternoon, optional walk up the hill behind camp for incredible views of the Ngozumpo Glacier

We begin today by climbing a ridge for an excellent view down the valley to Kangtaiga and Tramserku and up the valley towards Cho Oyu (8,201m). The valley now widens as the trail passes through Pangkha then descends to the riverbank before beginning the steep climb on a narrow trail onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpo Glacier. We pass the first of the lakes at Gokyo, called Longpongo. We then follow the almost level trail past the second lake and on to the third lake and the walled meadows and lodges of Gokyo at 4,750m. Gokyo is a small settlement of lodges on the shores of a blue lake. Look out for Brahmany Ducks swimming in the lake. We have lunch in Gokyo and in the afternoon we can walk up the hill behind the lodge for incredible views of the Ngozumpo Glacier. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 15,584ft/4,750m)

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Day 8: Climb Gokyo Ri

An early start this morning for the steep ascent of Gokyo Ri (17,585ft/5,360m), a small peak above Gokyo village. As we climb, the views become even more fantastic and from the top we can see four of the eight highest peaks in the Nepalese Himalaya: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. Stretching out for miles below us is the longest glacier in Nepal - the Ngozumpo Glacier, which tumbles down from the slopes of Cho Oyu. One of the best all-round views in Nepal, the climb is well worth the effort. We return to Gokyo for lunch and the afternoon is free to relax or explore the lakeshore. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 15,584ft/4,750m)

9
Day 9: Walk across the Ngozumpo Glacier to Thangnak

There is time this morning to explore the area around Gokyo. The energetic can walk to the fourth lake or explore the trail to the Renzo La from where you can see Everest. After an early lunch we set off for Thangnak. The trail starts by climbing to the crest of the moraine overlooking the Ngozumpo Glacier. The route across the glacier is well marked with cairns but we need to take care as the path is narrow and there is ice underfoot in parts. The trail climbs up and down and takes us to the eastern side of the Gokyo Valley. We stay tonight at Thangnak at the foot of the Cho La Pass. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 13,123ft/4,700m)

10
Day 10: Cross the Cho La and enter the main Khumbu Valley; trek to Dzongla

An early start for the very long day across the Cho La (5,420m), you will need to carry your micro-spikes with you today. We climb up the valley from Thangnak for about two hours to a col. Ahead we can see the Cho La in the distance. We descend to a large boulder field, which we cross on a well-defined path to the base of the steep part of the ascent. A new trail has been created up the Cho La to avoid the risk of rock fall and there are some metal chains in place to use as handrails. The last couple of hours are very steep and rocky and involve some scrambling as we zig-zag up to the top.The upper part of the route can be covered in snow and ice, particularly after November and in spring. Finally, we reach the glaciated top, from where there are excellent views including an unusual aspect of Ama Dablam. We will need microspikes for the descent (and sometimes on the ascent) and we need to take care on the descent as it’s steep and involves the crossing of a glacier (usually snow-covered) which is fairly straightforward. After a scramble down onto the glacier, we follow a trail across the snow and down a rocky gully to the pastures below. The trail becomes more defined as we approach Dzongla, where we stay tonight. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 15,846ft/4,830m)

11
Day 11: Continue the ascent to Lobuje

An easier day ahead as leaving Dzongla we begin with a continuation of our descent. A short ascent brings us to the foot of Awi Peak, which we contour round on a wonderful high trail with great views of Chalotse and Tawoche across the valley. We finally descend to join the main trail again just below Lobuje. We spend the night at Lobuje (4,930m). The sunset on Nuptse from the ridge across from the lodge is not to be missed. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 16,175ft/4,930m)

12
Day 12: A long day to visit Everest Base Camp. Overnight at Gorak Shep

We are now surrounded by giant Himalayan peaks; Everest, Nuptse, Lingtren, Khumbutse and Pumori tower above us. Today is long and hard as we visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m). The trail from Lobuje climbs steadily by the side of the Khumbu Glacier, with some steep ups and downs on a rocky trail. It will take us about 3 hours to reach Gorak Shep (5,180m), a collection of lodges situated at the foot of Kala Pattar. After a short break and an early lunch, we fill our water bottles and make sure we have plenty of snacks (there are no lodges from here to Base Camp) and set off for Base Camp. The trail heads along the crest of the moraine at first with plenty of undulations, some of them quite steep. We then drop steeply down onto the Khumbu Glacier itself, where we get magnificent close-up views of the great Khumbu Icefall as it tumbles down from Everest. In the spring season we will see expedition teams as they prepare for an ascent. We retrace our steps to Gorak Shep for the night. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 16,995ft/5,180m)

13
Day 13: Climb Kala Pattar (5,545m) for classic views of Everest; descend to Pheriche

Another long day as we ascend the small peak of Kala Pattar ('black rock') at 18,192ft (5,545m). We set off very early before breakfast for the steep two-hour climb to the summit, but the effort is well worth it, as we appreciate the most magnificent view of the Khumbu glacier and above all a close-up sight of the world's highest mountain which the Nepalese call Sagarmatha - Head of the Waters and the Sherpas Chomolungma - Mother of the World. We return to Gorak Shep for a well-deserved breakfast and then head back down to Lobuje for lunch. Descending on the main trail we pass through Chukpo Lhari, where there are many memorials to those who have died on Everest. From here we drop down steeply to Dugla, a small collection of tea houses. The trail then descends to the riverbed and we have an easy walk down the valley to Pheriche. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 13,921ft/4,243m)

14
Day 14: Trek to Thyangboche and visit the famous monastery, descent to Phungki Tenga and ascend to Kyanjuma

We descend the Pheriche Valley with spectacular views of Ama Dablam. We join the main Imja Khola Valley, which we follow down to Pangboche with superb views looking back to the great ridge of Lhotse-Nuptse. Pangboche, at 13,075ft (3,985m) is the highest permanent settlement on the approach to Everest. Dropping down to the rushing Imja Khola we then walk through rhododendron forests to Thyangboche. From here we have a fantastic panorama of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. We have lunch here and can visit the famous monastery. After lunch the trail descends to the river at Phungki Tenga and then we have a long climb up to our lodge for the night at Kyanjuma, where there are wonderful views across the valley to Ama Dablam. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 11,811ft/3,600m)

15
Day 15: Trek back to Namche and further down to Monzo

This morning our walk to Namche Bazaar takes us along a beautiful undulating trail high above the Dudh Kosi. We have time in Namche and after lunch we descend through Namche Bazaar and pick up our outward trail again to Monzo, where we stay tonight. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 9,350ft/2,850m)

16
Day 16: Return to Lukla

We retrace our steps southwards with a final climb to the airstrip at Lukla. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 9,185ft/2,800m)

17
Day 17: Fly to Manthali; transfer to Kathmandu

We fly back to Manthali airport on one of the first flights of the day (approximately 7-7:30am) to allow for the five to six hour bus transfer back to Kathmandu arriving in the city for mid-late afternoon. Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel

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Day 18: Free day in Kathmandu

Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu (it is also a spare day to allow for any delays in the flights to or from Lukla). You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Boudhanath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours, which can be booked and paid for locally; please ask your leader for details. Or you can simply hire a taxi from outside the hotel. The Thamel area is full of shops and restaurants and coffee shops for those who want a more relaxing day. Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

19
Day 19: End Kathmandu

The tour ends after breakfast. Catch your transfer to the airport – see the Joining Instructions for more details – and begin your return journey home.

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travel

It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.

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Reviews

 

Terry Saul   -  Traveled, April 2024

Great trip with a wonderful group and excellent guides This was my first time walking in the Himalayas and it was a truly magical experience. The scenery was breath-taking. I am glad we chose the route taking in Gokyo and the Cho La pass which were both challenging and beautiful and made for quieter days on the trail than when we got back to the main base camp route, which was considerably busier. We had not stayed in teahouses before and they made a change from the experience in tents we had previously, but the lack of variety in food menus did mean we ate the same things many days. Most Inspirational Moment Reaching the top of Kala Patthar as the sun was coming up round the side of Everest is a memory that will live with me forever Thoughts on Group Leader Tenzi Sherpa was an inspiration. Always jolly and with the most infectious laugh. He really looked out for the whole group and seemed to conjure medicines and cures for everyone's ailments and ills wherever we stopped. He truly seemed to enjoy his job and took pleasure in introducing us all to his culture and country. Advice for Potential Travellers Wear a buff all day and every day to keep the dust out of your lungs. Despite the warnings before we went a few of our party didn't wear them because they complained that it made breathing difficult, especially as we got to higher altitudes, but they all then subsequently came down with the Khumbu Cough

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/22/2024

 

martin Morris   -  Traveled, December 2024

Challenging and rewarding trip An amazing and very challenging trek to Gokyo, over the Cho La Pass and on to Everest Base Camp. We were blessed with good weather for most of the time and the views were breath-taking and the arrival at EBC was very satisfying. Most Inspirational Moment Climbing Gokyo Ri for the amazing views and arriving at Base Camp and seeing the Khumbu ice fall and summit of Everest. Thoughts on Group Leader Dohje and his team (Nobu, Angelu and Mingma) were amazing, and they managed to cope with many incidents and problems that will always arise when you are spending such a long time at 5,000 meters and above. They were also very friendly, helpful and informative, I learnt a lot about Sherpa culture and history. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for a tough challenge but don’t be put off, its is well worth the effort. Suggestions If I had to pick one thing as a must do it would be the ascent of Gokyo Ri, don’t miss this one out! Its also a fantastic place for photographers, take your best camera.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 01/20/2024

 

Ruth Woolstencroft   -  Traveled, November 2023

Childhood dream I had always wanted to look up at Everest from base camp and wonder what it must be like to actually stand at the summit. In October I did that and it was absolutely worth the effort. I chose this route to challenge myself and just push a little more. The trek was a steady slog with wonderful views around every corner to inspire and motivate you. The Nepali people were welcoming and the regular yak/mule trains a lively distraction. We were carefully acclimatised with some short days to rest and recover, our guides ever vigilant and encouraging. Namche was a highlight with its bustling community. The two long days were the most challenging but also the most rewarding. Setting off in the dark for the Cho La Pass was exciting. I think we were all apprehensive but it proved to be a spectacular day and the sense of achievement was immense. Similarly, arriving at base camp and seeing the Khumbu icefall and Everest visible above was a great moment and well worth the tiring journey there. Most Inspirational Moment From a distance the Cho La Pass looks impenetrable! As you get closer you see the route emerge and then you are climbing up towards the top. We left in the dark and cold and could see our destination way ahead bathed in sunshine on the top. We literally emerged from the dark and cold into the light....... truly inspirational. Thoughts on Group Leader I had already had the pleasure of Dorjee leading my Annapurna trip. He is an outstanding leader. He was organised, encouraging, sympathetic and totally dedicated to the group. He was also great fun which is important when energy levels are flagging, bringing humour and laughter to the trek. We all also commented on how well respected he is within the local communities. At Lukla airport he pretty much took control to ensure the right people got on the right planes at the right time!! Thank you Dorjee. Advice for Potential Travellers The best practice is not to walk for miles on end but to find a steep hill and go up and down it a lot! The tube escalators are ideal. You need good knees. Mine are cranky so I used poles all the times to take the pressure off them. Take lots of layers. It can be very cold at night and you will probably dive straight into your sleeping bag fully clothed! Eat plenty, you will work it off! You can buy everything at Namche so don't worry if you've forgotten anything or need more of something. Leave enough time to recover from your flight before the trek departs Kathmandu. My turnaround was too tight and the first two days were consequently very tiring. Be prepared for the post trek blues when you get home........ Suggestions Nepal is not the UK. The tea houses are basic at the top. Embrace it and enjoy the experience of living more simply.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/14/2023

 

Louise Atkinsongok   -  Traveled, October 2023

Amazing A fantastic trip of a lifetime. Most Inspirational Moment Basecamp was the highlight. But the party on top of Gokyo Ri was my best memory thanks to Aayush's DJ skills. Chola pass was the hardest day but stunning. There is a lot of walking uphill on the way down! Thoughts on Group Leader Tsheten was organised and knowledgeable. Kami was strong and steady (he knows just about everyone in the mountains!). Aayush was a bundle of energy and kept us entertained and motivated while ensuring we were all doing ok. Together they made a fantastic team, their skills complemented each other and we felt safe and looked after at all times Advice for Potential Travellers Don't underestimate how hard this trip is, being at altitude for a couple of weeks is hard on your body!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/29/2023

 

David Shaw   -  Traveled, January 2023

Trip of a lifetime Besides the spectacular peaks and fresh mountain air, the residing memory was how attentive and hard working the staff were, from guides to porters. Every need taken care of without complaint, always with a smile and humble attitude. A joy to experience and a pleasure to be part of the group. Met some lovely people and gained interesting incites into the local culture, people and mountains. Thank you Exodus and to Oz and his team. The landscape was majestic….my favourite mountains were Ama Dablam and Cholatse. The most rewarding day was crossing the Cho La pass, via the Ngozumpa glacier. Incredible. Every day was a highlight and the wake up cup of tea was a blessing ! Most Inspirational Moment For me the first view of the Ngozumpa glacier which looks like the surface of th moon and subsequent Cho La Pass, Thoughts on Group Leader Ozzy was extremely knowledge, likeable and ensured everything was taken care of from start to finish. A great asset to your company. Advice for Potential Travellers Book....you won't regret it. To be experienced in person for yourself.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/03/2023

 

Hamish morton   -  Traveled, May 2022

adventures in nepal Goyko lakes and Everest base camp Simply the best organised and lead overseas trip I’ve been on in the last 30 years.( Oz ) Jaite Tamang was our very humble Nepalese Expedition leader. His natural ability to connect local Nepalese people with our group gave us a fully immersive experience of Nepal. His understanding of the local environment and wildlife added an extra dimension to our adventure and his Encyclopaedic knowledge of almost everybody we met on the trip was amazing. I’ve never seen such a young man manage our porters ,assistant guides and us under some very challenging situations with good humour and high energy. OZ has an excellent understanding of British banter which always help in taxing situations. His ability to anticipate problems ahead of time and nip them in the bud allowed our adventure to flow very well. When I come to the pool again I will definitely be asking for oZ by name. Most Inspirational Moment Meeting Kenton cool and a lot of the world-famous sherpas along the trail. Obviously getting to Everest base camp and goyko lakes was important . What was a bonus was the real inspirational moments in the little things like the wildlife and interaction with the local guides , Tea house owners and people along the way. also realising at almost 60 years old that there is some life in the old duffer yet Thoughts on Group Leader Jaite Tamang Oz was our group leader. OZ is a natural leader and demands respect amongst all his fellow guides and porters. He has a natural ability to bring people together and his good humour allows a relaxed harmonious movement across what is actually quite a difficult terrain and environment to be in. I can’t recommend him enough. I will definitely be requesting him by name on all my future trips in Nepal . Advice for Potential Travellers I have loads of advice for potential travellers and will probably write a whole document on this.. A few things I will definitely suggest now , do not take ibuprofen at high altitude because it is a respiratory suppressant and you may not be able to sleep well. Read up about the Khumber cough and make sure you do not exert yourself at high altitude. Make sure you bring a breathable buff to cover your lips and mouth. Suggestions I have done many overseas trips possibly 30+ in the last 40 years and I realise how important the group leader is to the enjoyment of a trip. Every client comes with different expectations, energy levels and immune systems. These all present challenging situations for a group moving across such difficult terrain over a long time and a good leader I will make all the difference.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/26/2022

 

Pagan Dave   -  Traveled, December 2022

Fantastic Trip My first trip to Nepal and what a great experience. Beautiful countryside and views, had a fantastic time and now want to go back to do some of the trekking mountains. Watch out its addictive! Most Inspirational Moment Being surrounded by famous mountains, crossing the tall suspension bridges with yak trains carrying supplies up the passes, amazing!! Thoughts on Group Leader Experienced nice guy, took good care of us, firm when he needed to be but shared our enthusiasm for the experience. Advice for Potential Travellers Yep, silk sleeping bag liner very useful, fingerless gloves for the cold evenings in the tea houses, tracksters worked great during the day and for the evenings too, merino wool thermals were absolutely brilliant, wool jumper better than synthetic fabrics for keeping smell free, cards for the evening, good (compact) camera for the scenery not my digital SLR! I used Diamox and was glad I did, no altitude sickness problems. In November it took clothes a few days to dry so pack enough. keep your bags within the weight limits, our porters had to carry our bags so please be considerate. Trek wasn't as physically demanding as I expected, get fit before you go and you will enjoy it more. Suggestions Watch out, if you go once you'll want to go back again! I was the only person on the trek for whom this was a first visit

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/31/2019

 

Paul Walter   -  Traveled, September 2019

Great Trip Amazing trip with a new adventure everyday so much happened it will take time to reflect on how amazing it was. The mountains and scenery was so impressive. Very glad we did the Gokyo Lakes trip rather then the straight Everest base camp trek as it gave us more time to appreciate the mountains and also it was a bit quieter and off the beaten track. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the mountains and taking in their magnificence. Also finally achieved a long held dream of doing such a trek and testing myself. Thoughts on Group Leader Our Group leader DB was very good at sharing details keeping us on track and making sure we stayed safe and healthy. I think he did more than other guides to check on our wellbeing and we appreciated that. Advice for Potential Travellers Make sure you get fit as many of the days are long and doing 15 days trekking back to back is pretty hard especially at altitude above 5,000m. Take a metal water bottle and fill it at night with hot water and use it as a hot water bottle in your sleeping bag as the tea houses above 4,500m get very cold at night in the bedrooms (we were at -10 deg most nights). Pack warm and take snack snd toilet rolls, tissues etc as these start to add a lot to costs as you move up the trek. We didn't bother showering for six days as the showers were so cold so be prepared! Watch out for altitude effects - our group was mainly ok but we saw a lot of pope with troubles so litter to your guides advice. Suggestions Look after the guides and porters as they are the real hero's taking your packs over the same hard terrain that you will hike with your small day pack and arriving many hours before you!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/25/2019

 

John Pickard   -  Traveled, February 2019

Everest & Gokyo lakes Circuit Do not read these trip notes and think, “oh thats a nice trip we have walked that in the lakes” This trip is a test of your physical and mental state. The views are spectacular, but so is the weather, when is snows it snows. sleep can be difficult at altitude, as can eating. Most Inspirational Moment seeing Everest from Namche, as the day before had been a huge slog, we needed some sunshine and a view Thoughts on Group Leader The leader of the group kumar, Harry and Saga were all very good and helpful. There were times that i am sure we pushed their patients Advice for Potential Travellers Do not rely on cash machines, take new english notes and exchange them. Get fit before you go!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/25/2019

 

Rachel Perry   -  Traveled, January 2019

If you’re considering going to the Everest region, I strongly recommend this trip. The Gokyo Lakes and Cho La pass were stunning, and an absolute highlight and you’d miss these on a standard EBC trek. The region is absolutely breathtaking and the people welcoming and so friendly. It’s certainly not an easy trek though- don’t underestimate the effects of altitude, and also the cold. Be sure of your fitness too, the Cho La pass was very physically demanding, with a certain amount of scrambling. Most Inspirational Moment I really enjoyed our visits to monasteries to witness nuns and monks going about their daily prayers- incredibly special. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Sherpa Dorjee, was a complete star and with his colleagues Yuma and Nima, they all kept us safe, cheerful and enlightened about the region and way of life. They knew exactly the right pace to walk at to minimise the effects of altitude, and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the surrounding peaks. Advice for Potential Travellers My top tips: Take merino- you're going to stink otherwise. Take plenty of hand sanitiser, you can't have too much. Take toilet paper (unless you want to pay £2 a roll up in the mountains). Steripens worked a treat for water sterilisation, but identify your Nalgene bottle somehow- when they get filled, you want to be able to identify it easily! The ATM's are variable in whether or not they work- I couldn't get one to work in Namche, and had to try about 6 in Kathmandu until one worked. I could however change cash (GBP) in Namche. The estimate of cash needs from Exodus is pretty close, but beware if you have too much left over at the end, changing it back is hard- the hotel couldn't give us GBP and airport gave change in USD. So, don't take too much! Don't forget the porters- they are like secret ninjas collecting your bag and delivering it to your door before you arrive, often dressed in trainers and a thin jacket- try to take some old gear for the porter bank. I bought them biscuits a few times in the morning- they still earn a poor wage, and it's a shame for them if their daily wage is spent on food. Suggestions Just book this trip!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 01/28/2019

 

Fiona Henderson   -  Traveled, October 2018

Trip of a lifetime, but it's tough We started this trip at the end of October. The organisation was superb. Our leader Silas was brilliant and very helpful. He was professional, was in control and incredibly knowledgeable. This is a long trip and it is tough. By choosing this trip over the standard Base Camp trek you are giving yourself three more days trekking at more than 5,000m so don’t be under any illusion that this will be any easier / the same as EBC trek. Climbing Gokyo Ri and Chola Pass are very hard. The scenery is absolutely incredible and the sense of achievement is unreal. This really is a trip of a lifetime and a huge tick off the bucket list. Most Inspirational Moment Reaching base camp. Thoughts on Group Leader Amazing! Absolutely faultless. Advice for Potential Travellers Make sure you are fit and have resilience. This isn't a trip for the faint hearted.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/17/2018

 

Tory Bygrave   -  Traveled, September 2018

Gokyo Lakes What can I say, it really has been a trip of a life time!!! Most Inspirational Moment Two very different experiences stand out for me; the first being the day we crossed the Cho La Pass. An early start and steep climb led to fantastic views and sense of achievement at the pass. This was followed by a decent over the glacier and stunning walk into the next valley. The second was the opportunity to meet Mr Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving team member of the 1953 Everest expedition and listen to his memories, arranged by and translated by our guide. Another once in a life time experience provided by this trip. Thoughts on Group Leader Our lead guide, Tsering Dorgee Sherpa, met us from the plane and and looked after us until departure. His experience and knowledge ensured the whole group gained as much as possible from the trip and stayed safe. He along with our other guides Uwa and Nima were always professional but still made the trek entertaining and had a great sense of humor. I really felt the group were lucky to have been guided by this team. Advice for Potential Travellers Don't under estimate the trek, its tough but worth it. If you are going in the cooler season then prepare for the cold on the earlier starts, it really will make a difference to your trip. The Tea house accommodation was, on the whole, a lot better than expected and the food was always good. I took plenty of snacks, didn't need them all but glad I did. If you do take snacks make sure its food you really enjoy, peanut M&Ms were a great idea for me. If you are undecided between this and the normal EBC trek I would go for this without a doubt. Gokyo is stunning and Cho La pass an adventure.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/20/2018

 

Sue Jamieson   -  Traveled, September 2018

Hard but great trip This was an amazing adventure. Don’t underestimate this, it is tough, but totally worth the effort. Most Inspirational Moment Climbing over the Chola Pass. I honestly didn't think I would make it! And walking up to Gokyo was just so beautiful. The colour of the water is out of this world. Thoughts on Group Leader Dorjee was amazing. So knowledgeable. He really looked after us all, making sure we weren't suffering the affects of altitude sickness. He was a really nice guy and I have to thank him personally for getting me over the Chola Pass. Advice for Potential Travellers This trip is hard so don't underestimate it and you will have a great time Suggestions Keep breathing!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/27/2018

 

Martin Patterson   -  Traveled, March 2018

Gokyo lakes and Everest base camp Having arrived in Katmandu via Delhi we were met by our tour guide Shailesh Tamang who for the next 19 days would be our go to advisor for all things Nepalese. The first night was spent in a Katmandu restaurant getting to know the rest of our group as well as sampling some of the local food. The next morning saw us all gathered for a pre dawn return to the airport in preparation for the flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla in a small 16 seat aircraft. The views of the mountains and valleys during the flight gave us a sample of the sights we would experience during our trek. On arrival at Lukla and our baggage given over to the porters, who with seemingly superhuman strength carried 2 or 3 bags each, and we were off on our first day of trekking in Nepal. The first day of trekking was fairly short to ease us into what would progressively become tougher days of knee jolting foot pounding trekking. Our days took on a familiar routine of 7am breakfast, trek for a couple of hours then stop for refreshments at a teahouse then move on until lunch was taken at another teahouse and then onwards again until mid afternoon to our accomodation for the night. The teahouses are clean and very basic but do provide everything needed for this type of trip. Throughout the days of trekking there are a constant stream of porters, mules and yaks moving up and down the trail with supplies which adds to the whole experience of trekking in this mountain wilderness. The scenery is constantly changing as new valleys and mountains come into view at every turn of the trail, remember to look behind you as this view is as stunning as what lies ahead. During our trek we experienced weather that allowed walking in shirt sleeves as well as hand numbing bitter cold, so a good set of warm clothing is essential. There were a couple of extra early starts to climb Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar to view sunrise over Everest which was well worth the extra effort. Our trek up and over Cho la pass was particularly tough as we had to walk through snow and when we started our descent more snow fell upon us, which for me just added to the whole experience. All in all this trip has left us with some amazing memories and a yearning to return one day. Most Inspirational Moment There were many moments during this trip that will leave a lasting memory. Ascending Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar pre dawn for views of Everest, making it up and over Cho la pass despite the adverse weather conditions and reaching Everest base camp. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Shailesh Tamang was always available to answer any questions and give help where necessary. His years of experience of leading in the mountains was quite evident as he successfully got 12 trekkers of varying experience safely from start to finish achieving all the goals set out in the itinery. Advice for Potential Travellers Listen to the advice of your tour leader and guides, this is their back yard after all. Don't underestinate the effects of AMS or how cold it can feel at night. Make sure you prepare yourself physically for the rigours of this trip to ensure maximum enjoyment.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/15/2018

 

Tracey Patterson   -  Traveled, February 2018

Everest & Gokyo Lakes Circuit Had a great time. Was very hard trekking but the sense of achievement is worth it. Saw lots of fantastic scenery and experienced lots of weather conditions. Most Inspirational Moment Making it to Everest Base Camp and the top of Kala Patthar. Thoughts on Group Leader Shailesh Tamang was a good leader and looked after all members of the group. He knows his country and imparts his knowledge well. Advice for Potential Travellers Make sure you are fit enough for this trip. Make sure you have micro-spikes or equivalent and know how to use them. Suggestions I believe the rating on this trip needs to be increased as some parts of the trek are hard work.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/22/2018

 

Jodie Boldy   -  Traveled, March 2018

Amazing adventure A great trip to take you on a journey through the Himalayas seeing some breath taking sights. Most Inspirational Moment The two highlights for me were summiting Gokyo Ri and crossing the cho la pass. Also I got engaged on an acclimatisation walk over looking macherno peak which was very beautiful. Thoughts on Group Leader The group leader was brilliant could not have asked for better. He is very approachable and knowledgeable. He took great care of the group and his advise was priceless, he was very encouraging on the tough days and always had a smile on his face. Advice for Potential Travellers I would advise to take Diamox for altitude and also ciprofloxacin in case of stomach upset, better to have it and not need it. I took a small hot water bottle for the night time which was brilliant and the water is still nice and warm to wash your face with the following morning. Snacks are a good idea, you can buy them in the tea houses but they are expensive the further up you go. We had a solar charge which folds up when not us use has about 3 panels on it this was really good you can just attach it to your day pack through the day. Steri pen for the water as it gets to cost a lot if you buy mineral. Suggestions This trip seemed a good all round trip. If anyone is thinking of doing a trip I would defiantly advise this one. The classic base camp trek is fairly busy, so this was a nice alternative and you still do base camp. Base camp seems to be the thing to do however I must say I found Gokyo much more stunning and the views from the top of Gokyo RI breath taking.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/28/2018

 

Gillian McFall   -  Traveled, October 2017

Everest and Gokyo Lakes A fantastic first experience of Nepal … and hopefully not my last Most Inspirational Moment The emotions that came out at Base Camp showed how much the trek meant to some people and I'm happy to have shared that experience with them. Thoughts on Group Leader Shailesh was very informative about what each day would involve ensuring that we were well prepared. He looked after the group well and was careful to check for any health/altitude issues which was reassuring. Advice for Potential Travellers Eat plenty apple pie!! :-) Suggestions Getting off the main Everest Trail for a few days was lovely, much quieter and a welcome escape into the beautiful goyko area. I would recommend this route.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/25/2017

 

Emily Green   -  Traveled, March 2017

Excellent trip of a life time A trip of a life time! One I’ll never forget. I am very pleased that I went early in the year because it was as a lot quieter on the routes than I’ve heard it can be in September/ October. The weather was very cold though, but the mountains and scenery looked stunning in the snow. A stunning part of the world. Most Inspirational Moment Reaching Everest Basecamp was very special, and a life long dream. However for me climbing to the summit of Kala Patther whilst the sun was coming up over Everest was even more special. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Tenzi and his team were incredible. They thought of our every need before we did. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They did everything with a smile and were very attentive to making sure we were all ok. Incredible people - thank you! Advice for Potential Travellers Take lots of warm clothes if you are going early in the season. Also some gaiters. A number of good base layers is handy. A portable battery charger is really handy too. Favtor 50 sunscreen is a must! Suggestions An incredibly beautiful and challenging trip. I'd highly recommend it. I loved the longer trip with the additional Gokyo Ri and Kala Patther summits. Basecamp was great, but doing all 3 made it even more special.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/18/2017

 

John Doyle   -  Traveled, April 2016

Full Marks 10 out of 10 This trip was everything I expected, and wanted. A journey up the relatively quiet Gokyo valley, then some very strenuous days, and then a relatively easy, but busy descent down the Khumbu. Crossing Cho La was hard but one of the best days. Our Leader,Silas, and guides Mingma and Pembar, were excellent. Also a word for our 4 porters, they did an incredible job,always willing, happy and smiling. My previous 2 trips to Nepal were in tents, but no more for me, the Tea houses make for a much more pleasant trip. This trip is long enough and varied enough, and strenuous enough to satisfy most people,and give a broad and varied look at life in this amazing country. Thanks Most Inspirational Moment Crossing Cho La Advice for Potential Travellers WI Fi is very common throughout most of the trip, much more common than mobile, although often unreliable. Take a solar powered battery bank,very useful. Most of us spent about £20/day out on the trails. Views on Diamox were mixed, some took it others not, we all managed to hit the high spots without any altitude problems.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/19/2016

 

Chris Grant  -  Traveled, March 2016

Worth the extra few days! If you want to see Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Pattar but don’t just want to go up the valley and back down again, this is the trip to choose assuming you can spare the extra few days. This longer circuit, taking in both Gokyo Ri and one of the High Passes (Cho La), is well worth it: it’s quieter, has stunning views in its own right and will allow you more acclimatisation time prior to the regular Everest bits. I can safely say it was the most varied, wonderful and fulfilling 15 days’ walking I’ve ever done, and I’d recommend it to anyone with two feet and a head for heights. Most Inspirational Moment Having a long-awaited glass of wine at the Everest View Hotel on a perfectly clear morning (trek day 14) - that was pretty special. The views from Gokyo Ri, Cho La, EBC and Kala Pattar were more staggering than I'd ever have believed, and the routes in between these high places were beautiful as well. But the biggest inspiration was seeing how the local Nepalese people have bounced back from disaster and continue to make their way in the world. Tourism is the lifeline of that region and it felt good to contribute to their ongoing recovery. Thoughts on Group Leader I'd had a great leader on my previous Exodus trip (Hamid on the Peaks and Valleys of the High Atlas) so I'd booked this specific trip because I'd heard good things about Valerie Parkinson. I wasn't disappointed: she *is* Exodus in Nepal and made a great trip into a glorious one. Everything went like clockwork without any fuss or bother; she lives and breathes her job; and she's happy to share her seemingly limitless knowledge. Full marks, and then some! Advice for Potential Travellers In no particular order... There's a lot of climbing but the distances aren't too far. I wasn't able to do much in the way of appropriate preparation walking but I cycle regularly, and this helped build the thighs up for the ascents - definitely worth considering if you can't get some prep walks in before you go. I took a Steripen with me to save having to buy "mineral water" which is effectively only UV-filtered anyway - this helps reduce plastic bottle waste and also pays for itself over the course of this one holiday. A water bladder for the backpack is better for ensuring you take on enough liquid whilst walking, though a bottle is also vital in case the tube freezes in the early mornings (happened to me once). I also invested in a 16,000 mA power pack from RavPower, which, although heavy, was enough to recharge my Steripen 4 times, my camera 4 times, my phone once, plus someone else's phone and camera, and still have 20% or so left over - much better than trying to charge your devices at the lodges, trust me. There's plenty of snacking material for purchase in lodges (bars, Pringles, chocolates and the like) so there's no real need to bring stuff out with you unless you have specific requirements/tastes - this also helps you keep below the 10+5kg weight limit on the plane. I managed the whole trek without taking diamox (though a couple of Ibuprofen were needed one night to suppress the altitude headaches) or using trekking poles (that may just be a personal thing - most people used them). Mobile and Internet access is available in most places but is sketchy above Namche Bazaar so I didn't bother, and it was liberating. Bring a pair of comfortable earplugs if you have difficulty sleeping - there can be a lot of snoring at altitude and the lodge walls are mostly plywood so don't exactly cut out the noise from neighbouring rooms. I managed with a good 3-season sleeping bag since all lodges have blankets/quilts to provide extra layers (travelling in March/April). There are more Western-style toilets than you might have feared but you will need to use squat toilets before the end of the trip, promise... And when you're back in Kathmandu make sure you go to Fire & Ice for a pizza/dessert - what a treat! Suggestions This was my second Exodus trip and my second 5-star review. If I could have given this 6 stars I would have because I enjoyed every minute - yes, even the 04:30 wake-ups. This is a special trip in a special country, and if you get the weather and a bit of luck like we did, you too could have a trip of a lifetime to the roof of the world.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/18/2016

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