Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek

A Quick Glimpse

• Trip Duration: 18 Days
• Trekking Duration: 14 Days
• Starting Point: Kathmandu
• Ending Point: Kathmandu
• Maximum Elevation: 5,550 meters (18,208 feet)
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous 
• Best Seasons: October to December and March to May
• Key Highlights: Mountain views, tranquil lakes, adventure high pass, Everest Base Camp, Massive Glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, cultural and religious monuments, beautiful valleys, Sherpa villages and lifestyle, and wildlife
• Mountain Views: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho-Oyu, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Pumori, and lots more
• Customizable: Yes

The Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek via Cho La Pass is in the Solukhumbu Everest Region. During this Trek, you visit the world's highest mountain base camp, two different viewpoints (Gokyo Ri and Kalapatthar) to see eye-catching mountain views, and tranquil Gokyo Lakes, with the adventure experience of crossing Cho La Pass (5420 m).

It is a combined Trekking package that combines two routes: Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes. You can see four high mountains above eight thousand meters. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu are four of Nepal's eight mountains. Beautiful glacial lakes, landscapes, valleys, flora, and fauna add prettiness to this Cho La Pass Adventure Trek.

Trekking to the Gokyo Lakes with Everest Base Camp via Cho La Pass after visiting the base camp begins with the regular EBC trail for a few days up to the bottom of Mt. Everest and Kalapatthar, then goes to Zongla for Cho La. During this adventure, you will see two giant glaciers, Khumbu and Ngozumpa. You will make a circle during this Gokyo Everest Base Camp Trek, which means you only need to trek back on the same route except for the last day from Namche to Lukla.

Once you leave the regular Base Camp route and take a right toward Cho La, the trail will be quieter and have much fewer trekkers. You spend a night in Zongla before crossing Cho La. It would be best to start early in the morning to cross the Pass and avoid the wind, and reach the next destination on time. You get to Thangnak for lunch after crossing Cho La. After lunch, you can stay at this place or Trek to Gokyo in the afternoon. It takes another two hours to reach Gokyo from Thangnak and cross the colossal glacier Ngozumpa.

You can visit the 5th Lake or Gokyo Ri the next morning. If you have one day in Gokyo, visit Gokyo Ri because it offers magnificent mountain views—probably the best of the Everest Himalayas, lakes, and glaciers. Visiting the 5th Lake is a full-day excursion, so we recommend taking snacks from the lodge before heading on. From this place, you can see the whole body of Mt.Everest, so if you have extra days, visiting the 5th Lake can be worthwhile.

The lodges are close to the 3rd Lake, but the 4th and 5th are toward the north. You will pass the 1st and 2nd lakes while walking toward Dole after Gokyo. You see ruddy shelducks around these lakes. Today, you walk through Fanga, Machchhermo, and Luza before you arrive at Dole to stay.

After Dole, you descend for around an hour through rhododendrons and pine forests. There are some beautiful ice-climbing sites where people climb in winter. You can also see musk deer inside this forest while descending to Phungki-Tenga. After Phungki-Tenga, the trail goes upward for about an hour and a half to Mong Danda. There are Himalayan Thars (wild Himalayan goats) around the walking path. You can see celestial views of Mt.Thamserku, Khangteka, and Amadablam from this hill, and then you can start descending towards Sanasa, where the Everest Base Camp trail joins back. Today, you reach Namche Bazaar, and the following day you reach Lukla before flying to Kathmandu.

Frolic Adventure managers are well-informed about the Trek and update you about any changes in the route, so you can always get factual information before you book your Cho La Pass Adventure Trek. We are a legally authorized trekking operator from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), providing government license holders with English-speaking guides and helpful, friendly assistance.

What to expect from the Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Trek via Cho La Pass

• You will be walking through different Himalayan valleys, such as the Dudhkoshi River Valley, the Khumbu Valley, the Imja Valley, and the Gokyo Valley, with mind-blowing mountain views most of the time.
• Natural beauties such as Rivers, waterfalls, and vegetation from the Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) graced the EBC Gokyo Trekking route.
• The Sherpas are world-famous for mountain climbing. You can experience their lifestyle, activities, culture, and traditions, along with great hospitality.
• Unreal mountain views from vantage viewpoints such as Hotel Everest View, Tengboche Hill, Nangkar-Tshang Hill, Kalapatthar, and Gokyo Ri make you feel like you are in absolute heaven while doing the EBC Gokyo Trek via Choa La Pass.
• Step to the foot of the world's tallest mountain and reach very close to the famous Khumbu Icefall.
• Explore the balmy Gokyo Lakes and glacial ponds, and cross giant glaciers with a moonwalk-like feeling.
• You can see wildlife such as Himalayan Thar, musk deer, and Himalayan pika, as well as birds such as mountain hawks, ravens, Tibetan snowcocks, golden Brahminy ducks, and Himalayan Monal.
• Visit the ancient Buddhist monastery and join the monks for regular offerings.
• Meet the Everest climbers in the spring.

Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lakes Trek via Cho La Pass: Who can go on this Trek?

The 'Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek via Cho La Pass' is a challenging mountain trek. It could have similar difficulties as the Base Camp Trek most of the time, but this high Pass makes it more adventurous and challenging. If you are a regular hiker and have visited places higher than 4000 meters above sea level several times, it should not be a problem. However, if you are a first-time trekker, we suggest short treks in Nepal or the other Himalayas before attempting the Cho La Pass Trek.

The Altitude and thin air make breathing difficult in the high Himalayan region. Ice is on the trail near the Cho La Pass; even a bunch of it sometimes heaps up. It is strenuous to walk around the top of this hill.

Going over the Cho La Pass from the Gokyo side to the Base Camp

You might have seen different trekking itineraries for the Everest Gokyo Trek that go through Cho La Pass and need clarification on which routes are better. For your information, visiting the Base Camp first and going to the Gokyo Lakes later is a more accessible itinerary because you will have less climbing. If you go over the Pass from Zongla, you feel like you're only climbing a little, but the stretch from Thangnak is a tiring uphill climb for many hours. But if you have knee problems from a long downhill walk, crossing from the Gkyo side is recommended.

Also, starting early in the morning with a flashlight to cross Cho La from Thangnak would be best. If you first go for the Pass from Zongla after the Base Camp, you can start with daylight. Although you have to start earlier than the other regular Trekking days,

How do I prepare for an adventure trek to Everest Base Camp with a stop at the Gokyo Lakes?

Everyone who dreams of trekking in the Himalayas can complete the Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lakes trek, but they need some hiking and altitude practice. You can often hike in nature, where the trails wind up and down hills, and visit high elevations above 4,000 meters on short treks. Those who do not have hills and mountains for hiking and Trekking in their country can do indoor practices with high atmospheric pressure, such as running and jogging.

Hill hikes, weightlifting, running, and jogging strengthen and flex your muscles for walking in the high Himalayan region. In the Everest Himalayan Region, prepare to carry a few kilograms in your daypack for 6-7 hours of walking daily over 15–16 days.

In addition to physical preparation, you must also mentally prepare to Trek to Everest Base Camp via the Cho La Pass, including the Gokyo Lakes. Be ready to face any difficulties during the trip, such as changing weather, what to do if the Lukla flight is canceled, staying in basic lodges with no daily showers, and altitude sickness.

Book Everest Base Camp to Gokyo Lakes Trek via Cho La Pass with Frolic Adventure.

After learning about Trekking from Everest Base Camp to Gokyo Lakes via Cho La Pass, you can explore the beauty of this Himalayan region. We are taking bookings for this adventure trip to Everest for 2026 and 2027, so you can secure your seat now.

You can book the trip directly through the 'book this trip' section or the contact us page with any trip-related questions. We offer a special discount for group trekkers to the Everest Gokyo Lakes and are ready to customize itineraries according to your time frame and physical fitness.