Sagarmatha the highest mountain on Earth is possible to reach both on Everest Base Camp trek and Gokyo.
Two weeks in the Himalayas will give you an unforgettable chance to see Everest the highest mountain on our Globe and a huge amount of nature and majestic mountains.
The best part is that you can totally do it by yourself, you will not need a guide to reach Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC).
Most people just trek EBC, but if you have a chance to combine both treks and reach Gokyo it will blow your mind.
What strikes is how big this is. You spend 2 weeks walking and it’s just a fragment, just 2 valleys, a fragment on a map.
I have done treks and climbs in the Alps where ascent to a hut under a summit was half or one day. Here in the Himalayas reaching just a base camp takes a week… Overwhelming.
When to go?
The Season is from October to December and High Season from February to May, when you will get the best weather and visability.
The worst time is monsoon time June-September.
Who can do it?
Everyone who love mountains, has a basic mountain trek experience and is fit enough to walk 4-5h a day with a backpack in high altitudes.
Difficulty is small to medium (on Cho La) the pass connecting both treks between Khumbu and Khumjung valleys.
If you have any kind of heart disease better ask your doctor first.
What to take to Everest Base Camp trek?
Basicly all you need can fit in one 30-45l backpack:
– Good hiking boots
– light pants, warm pants
– breathable clothes
– a hat
– sunglasses
– warm sleeping bag
– extra fleece and down jacket
– raincoat
– underwear and socks
– toothbrush and sun block
– headlamp
– a map of the EBC and Gokyo trek
– a good camera would be nice
– trekking poles can be useful to relieve your knees on descends
Accomodation
No need for a tent on this trek because there are many villages on the way with
lodges offering double, triple-person rooms and the cheapest… dorms.
Temperatures can drop below zero so make sure to have warm clothes on you.
If you eat in the lodges, bed can be really cheap (around 50-100 rupies).
General rules
– Try not to gain height too fast to avoid altitude sickness.
– Stay hydrated with water, or better with isotonic fluids ( I used Isostar isotonic powder)
– Not drinkig alcohol is strongly advisable ( we didn’t use this rule and end up with horrible Headache an altitude sickness syndrome at Gorak Shep)
– It’s always better not to trek alone, a small group and at least one experienced partner is recommended
– If you have a choice start your trek on Thursday, this way you’ll manage to see Namche Bazaar Saturday Market.
Entrance fees:
Before September 2017 every trekker needed TIMS card for EBC trek with photo requied. Cost Rs.2000
Now TIMS cards are not required for Everest Base Camp and Gokyo trek.
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit Rs 3390 (Nepali Rupies). This permit can be obtained in Tourism Board, Kathmandu or Sagarmatha National Park Entrance at Monjo. No photo needed.
- Local Entry Permit Rs. 2000 | Can be obtained in Lukla. No photo needed
Everest Base Camp trek and Gokyo day by day:
Day 1
Kathmandu (1400m) –Lukla (2860m) –Phakding (2600m)
A short 30min flight from Kathmndu to Lukla cost between $140-$160.
Three or four flights a day start early in the morning to catch good weather and visability in Lukla short mountain airport.
Better to book in advance in high season. I stayed in Kathmandu partying so was ok with time but just tried to fly on Thursday and mayed it.
Day 2
5-6h ↑1000m ↓100m
Phakding(2600m) – Namche Bazaar(3450m)
4-6 hour Day with overstop in Monjo village with Sagarmatha National Park Checkpoint.
Entering Sagarmatha NP you need paid permit for Rs.3390. It includes both Everest Base Camp and Gokyo trek (2018)
In the Afternood we reached Namche Bazaar. There are plenty of lodges and Guesthouses to choose from.
We did not book anything in advance. This was our way of travelling. We went as far as we could go or liked to and stayed where we liked or it was possible.
Namche is a place where you can even buy extra down jacket or other mountain gear if you need for the rest of the trek.
Day 3 – rest and acclimatization day
I planned my trek to see this market. In order to do that fly to Lukla on Thursday and reach Namche Bazaar Friday afternoon. Saturday morning market starts. It’s one chance to meet lot’s of people from the villages and valleys in the area in one place and see real life high in the Himalayas.
For more go for link bellow
Namche Bazaar Saturday Market
Day 4
4-5h ↓350m ↑750m
Namche Bazaar (3450m) – Tengboche (3870m)
Leaving early Namche will get you a chance to arrive in Tengboche early in the afternoon just before buddhist ceremony in Tengboche Monastery.
Day 5
5-6h ↑ 850m ↓ 70m
Tengboche (3870m) – Periche- Dughla(Thukla) (4620m)
Weaking up with a view of Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest was the moment…
Passing a Sherpa with Ama Dablam- the dream mountain in the back.
We did’t go up to Lobuche because I loved the view in Duglha of Ama Dablam mountain, so we stayed for a night there.
Drinking hot tea and Rakshi with other trekkers in Dughla lodge and playing Texas Hold’em poker finished the day.
Day 6
4-6h ↑550m
Dughla (4620m) – Gorak Shep (5160m)
Beautiful day gaining height. We did a little detour to see Italian Piramid – a research project found in the ’90s. their website
A helicopter wreck and Khumbu glacier in the back.
Finally reaching Gorak Shep – last lodges settlement before EBC.
Impresive Pumori mountain reigning over Kala Patar.
Day 7
Gorak Shep (4620m) – Everest Base Camp (5350m) – Kala Patar (5550m)
Culmination day of Everest Base Camp and Gokyo trek, literally.
Two hours up the Khumbu Glacier and you reach Everest Base Camp – this year there were 4 expeditions.
Half and hour of lots of endorphins thinking: maybe one day Everest summit? …
Prayer flags
We also heard about airplane crash in Lukla. All passengers died, just a pilot mannaged to jump out…
In the afternoon both of us had huge Headache and had to take some non-steroidal antyinflamantory pils and a nap.
After big impovement me and my friend Mike from Krakow decided to go for Kala Patar, even the clouds were gathering.
Freezing my ass up the summit waiting for clouds to scatter and Everest to show up.
Waiting and wainting… and
all of a sudden the clouds parted. A blast, just before the sunset both montains showed up.
Everest and Nuptse in sunset light
I don’t know how many moments during this trek I had, but this one was intense.
Day 8
Gorak Shep – Dzongla (4830m)
At this point most Everest Base Camp Trek trekkers go back the same way.
We decided to go for Cho La and Gokyo.
In Dzongla we stayed for the night and we meet our Sherpa friends from Namche Bazaar. I won a bottle of coke as a bet in setting up fire to my Krupnik honey liqueur, Yeah 🙂
Day 9
Dzongla (4830m) – Cho La (5420m) – Gokyo (4750m)
Wonderful day crossing the Cho La and huge glacier, finishing in a total mind blowing Gokyo.
Sleeping in lodge benches – that’s no reservations surprises. So much fun, though. I slept like a baby…
Day 10
rest day in Gokyo
Just enjoying tremendous beauty of this place.
I think I paid more for a hot shower than for accomodation and food. So worth it.
Chilling with British and Aussie trekkers and a Yak 😉
Day 11
Gokyo-Gokyo Ri
When you see vastness of Himalayas in its pure form you experience catharsis.
I was always impressed and curious about climbers reaching summits in the Himalayas. It’s addictive, how can’t it be?
Day 12
Gokyo-Namche Bazaar
We had a huge party in Namche Bazaar. Such a great place to party. Sherpa town rules!
Day 13
Namche Bazaar – Lukla
Better book your flight in Namche, because in Lukla in high season can be busy…
Day 14
Lukla – Kathmandu
One more scary flight…
Back to Thamel to have a propper shower and party some more.
Is Everest Base Camp Trek Gokyo worth time and money? I don’t have to answer.
I was well acclimatized and combining 2 treks was still a bit rough in 14 days. Three or four more days might suit better for extra acclimatisation.
