Everest Two Passes and Gokyo Trek

Our team boards an early fixed-wing flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,840 m). After meeting our porters, we set off down the Dudh Koshi valley through pine forests and small farming hamlets like Ghat, crossing several suspension bridges before reaching Phakding.

We follow the Dudh Koshi river north, crossing it multiple times on high steel suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags. After checking in at the Sagarmatha National Park entry point in Monjo, we make a steep, sustained ascent up the Hillary Suspension Bridge and onward to the trading hub of Namche Bazaar.

We spend our first proper acclimatisation day hiking uphill toward the Everest View Hotel at 3,880 m and the village of Khumjung. Walking at higher elevations and returning to sleep in Namche helps our bodies adjust to the dropping oxygen levels.

We leave the main Everest Base Camp highway behind and branch northwest into the quieter Bhote Koshi valley. The trail contours along pine-clad slopes before descending to cross the river and climbing steadily to the historic village of Thame.

Today we trek deeper into the remote upper valley toward the Tibetan trade route. We pass through sparse alpine scrubland and tiny seasonal herding settlements, gaining altitude gradually as we approach the small outpost of Lungden.

We start before dawn for our first major crossing, ascending the steep, rocky switchbacks to the summit of Renjo La at 5,360 m. The descent takes us past the pristine waters of the Gokyo Lakes down to the lodges on the shore of Gokyo village.

We tackle the early morning climb up Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a panoramic look at Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, and the massive Ngozumpa Glacier. The afternoon is kept free to rest by the lake.

A short walking day begins with a careful crossing of the rubble-strewn surface of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We navigate cairns across the moving ice and moraine walls before reaching the tiny cluster of lodges at Dragnag.

We make a pre-dawn departure to climb the steep, rocky gullies leading up to the Cho La pass at 5,420 m. After traversing the small glacier section near the summit, we descend over loose slate scree to reach the isolated settlement of Dzonghla.

We traverse high above the Khumbu valley beneath the striking rock walls of Cholatse and Taboche. The trail rounds a ridge to join the main Everest trail at Thukla, where we pause at the memorial climbers' ridge before pushing on to Lobuche.

We trek alongside the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep, our final overnight stop. After dropping our gear at the teahouse, we continue across glacial boulders and ridges to reach Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m before returning to Gorak Shep for the night.

We make a cold, pre-dawn push up the dark scree slopes of Kala Patthar (5,545 m) to watch the sunrise over Everest and Nuptse. We then descend back to Gorak Shep for breakfast, pack our bags, and retrace our steps down the valley to Pheriche.

We enjoy an easier day of downhill walking, dropping below the treeline through Pangboche and Tengboche, past the historic monastery. After crossing the Dudh Koshi river once more, we make the final climb back up to Namche Bazaar.

Our final day on the trail involves a long, steady descent down the steep stone steps from Namche to the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi. We walk through Monjo, Phakding, and Ghat, arriving back in Lukla to celebrate the end of our trek with our porters.

We catch an early morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu, where our transport meets us to transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to rest and recover.