Embark on a circular trek via the Gokyo Lakes, crossing the Cho La pass to Everest Base Camp
Embark on a circular trek via the Gokyo Lakes, crossing the Cho La pass to Everest Base Camp
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 (18,190ft/5,545m) for fabulous close-up views of Mount Everest.
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.
This trek is graded Activity Level 6 (Challenging/Tough) with 15 days of walking and full porterage throughout. You need only carry your daypack. Please read a description of our Activity Levels, found on our website.
Most of the walking is at relatively high altitude. The maximum altitude is 18,190ft (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. You may find our Walking & Trekking Fitness Training Guide a useful reference.
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.
Why Trek with Exodus?
More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal
Ask an expert – talk to Exodus office staff who have done the treks themselves
Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained in recognising and dealing with altitude sickness
One of the highest staff to client ratios on trek(one staff member to every four group members)
All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage
Carefully planned ascent rates and itineraries with built-in acclimatisation and contingency days
Staff carry oxygen and first-aid kits
Self-assessment AMS cards used to monitor every client at altitude
Established protocol for Lukla flight delays: see below
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 Office
The 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.
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
TILGJENGELIGE DATOER | PRIS (1 VOKSEN) | PRIS (1 BARN) | Enkeltromstillegg | STATUS REISE | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
tor, 19 okt 2023 / man, 06 nov 2023 | NOK 32 745 NOK 28 815 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 505 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 07 mar 2024 / man, 25 mar 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 11 apr 2024 / man, 29 apr 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 26 sep 2024 / man, 14 okt 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 10 okt 2024 / man, 28 okt 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 17 okt 2024 / man, 04 nov 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 07 nov 2024 / man, 25 nov 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel |
TILGJENGELIGE DATOER | PRIS (1 VOKSEN) | PRIS (1 BARN) | ENKELTROMSTILLEGG | STATUS REISE | |
tor, 19 okt 2023 / man, 06 nov 2023 | NOK 32 745 NOK 28 815 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 505 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 07 mar 2024 / man, 25 mar 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 11 apr 2024 / man, 29 apr 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 26 sep 2024 / man, 14 okt 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 10 okt 2024 / man, 28 okt 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 17 okt 2024 / man, 04 nov 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel | |
tor, 07 nov 2024 / man, 25 nov 2024 | NOK 35 105 | På forespørsel | NOK 1 640 | På forespørsel |
Vi vil komme tilbake til deg med et tilbud på den forespurte reisen/pakken I løpet av 48 timer. Alle tilbud er uforpliktende og er vanligvis gyldige i 7 dager. Vi gjør oppmerksom på at reserverte tjenester kan bli kansellert innenfor disse 7 dagene og at pris kan endres inntil en endelig bestilling er mottatt.
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