Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake & Cho la pass

The best and suggested time to trek to Everest Base Camp Via Gokyo Lake & Cho la Pass are mid-September to mid-December (Autumn) and March to late May (Spring). However, this trek is possible year-round. We suggest you to trek during the best time of year but we can organize if you need to trek during the monsoon or winter. During the winter it can be done with proper winter gear.

March/April/May/June (Spring)

During springtime, the average temperature is 20°C (68°F), with a high of 25°C (77°F) during clear days and a low of – 15°C (5°F) overnight above 4000 meters.

July/August through early-September (Monsoon)

During the monsoon, the average temperature is 22°C (71.6°F), with a high of 30°C (86°F) during clear days and a low of- 5°C (23°F) overnight above 4000 meters.

Mid September/October/November (Autumn)
The average temperature in autumn is 17°C (62.6°F), with a high of 20°C (68°F) during clear days and a low of – 15°C (5°F) overnight above 4000 meters.

December/January/February (Winter)

The average temperature is 10°C (50°F), with a high of 17°C (62.6°F) during clear days and a low of – 20°C (- 4°F) overnight above 4000 meters.

Yes, you need a sleeping bag sleeping bags rated -10°C (14°F) to -20°C (- 4°F) as per the trekking season you plan. Also, our guide can provide you an extra blankets if needed at the teahouses. It is always good to have a liner which you can buy here in Kathmandu or you can bring from home.

Yes, on this trek you require Crampons. There will be ice on the Cho La Pass. 

Yes, you can buy gears in Kathmandu at better price than your home but quality may not be the same. There are some branded items like Rab, North Face, Black Yak, Marmot etc. There are local brands as well. You can rent sleeping bags and down jackets but the other items you need to buy.

It is suggested to follow our standard itinerary. However, you can walk faster and finish the trek earlier but it is your own risk. Due to the altitude issue, we have designed our itinerary and strongly suggest you follow it.

It depends on timing, weather conditions, and your health condition. In general, you will be spending 30 minutes at the Everest base camp. However, you can spend more if time permits or if your health, and weather condition is good. This is what you and your guide decide.

Yes, you can go Kalapatther for sunset but it will be cold after the sun goes down. In general, many people go for sunrise. You can do both is you want to.

No, we do not carry oxygen on this trek. Because there is oxygen available in the lodges and you can use if needed with extra cost.

 

If you get sick, we will take you down if you can walk. Or you can take a horse down (you need to pay extra for a horse ride). If you have basic altitude symptoms then we will stop for the day and see how you feel. If you feel better then we will continue up otherwise we will take you down. If you are serious then we will take you down by helicopter either in Lukla or Kathmandu.

If you need to take a helicopter rescue down to Kathmandu then we will coordinate with a helicopter company who will deal with your insurance. 

 

Unfortunately, you cannot buy insurance here in Nepal. You need to buy from your home country that should cover trip cancelation, trip interruption, helicopter evacuation, medical and health expenses etc.

Tipping is not in our culture but guides, Sherpa and porter expect tipping. You can tip at the end of the trip.

 

Yes, there are weight restrictions on a Lukla flight. You can carry 15kg total (10kg of your duffel bag and 5kg hand-carry bag).  If you have more than that then you need to pay extra (USD 1.5 per kg)

 

If your flight to Lukla gets canceled then either you try the next day or pay extra for the helicopter.

 

The helicopter will fly in bad weather conditions as it has better visibility. But sometimes helicopters also can not fly. If you want to fly to Lukla by helicopter then you need to pay USD300-USD500 which depends on the situation.

Due to the air traffic, all Lukla flights are from and to Ramechap. Because Lukla flights are always in the morning and several international flights land at Kathmandu airport. There is only one runway in Kathmandu which causes flights on hold. During the main season (mid-March to mid-May and October to Mid -November all Lukla flight operates from Ramnechap.

 

There are shared tourist vehicles provided from and to Ramechap. They depart at 2 am from Kathmandu for Ramechap and on return after your flight, shared tourist vehicles are standing in Ramechap for Kathmandu. It is 5 hours drive.

Yes, you can have a private vehicle to Ramechap and back if you want with an extra cost.

 

Your guide will pick you up from Kathmandu airport upon your arrival. He will be holding a paper with your company and your name on it.  You need to carefully look for your name. My guide will assist you to the hotel in Kathmandu.

Yes, we will arrange private transport for you.

Yes, all of our guides speak English fluently. Do not expect a guide as a native speaker but good enough for Nepalese standards. Besides English, our guide speaks Spanish.

Yes, our Guides are certified and have a Government certificate. Also, first aid trained, skilled, and has leading capacity with knowledge of locals.

Yes, we do have our staff yearly insured. Also, we do provide full trekking gear initial phase and they are well-equipped.

 

We will provide you with a porter who will carry your bag. We do have a 2:1 porter ratio (1 porter for every 2 people).

 

Porter will carry 25kg (12.5kg each).

Yes, you can have your porter which costs USD25 per day.
 

Yes, we do provide you with a duffel bag. Your entire trekking gear will go into the duffel bag that the porter will carry.
 

Yes, you can leave your suitcase either in our office or in the hotel. The hotel in Kathmandu has a free luggage store room. We can help you with this.

On a trek, we do offer mid-range accommodation. First three nights and last two nights you will have attached bathroom and hot shower. But the rest of the lodges do not offer a hot shower with an attached toilet in. There are common shared inhouse toilets. Rooms are twin a sharing basis and they are pretty clean. We can offer Luxury lodges on this trek but the cost may vary. 

There are no lodges or tea houses in the Everest Base Camp. It is not legal to sleep in the base camp for those who do not have a climbing permit. Either you have to have an Everest Climbing permit or a Nuptse climbing permit to stay overnight in a tent legally.

However, during the Everest expedition season (April to June) there are several tents where you can spend a night.

 

Yes, you can have your private room but you need to pay an extra USD250.
 

Yes, you can have a hot shower till Gokyo on the way up. But we do suggest you not to have a hot shower after Namche. On the way down you can have a shower from Pheriche.

Yes, it is better to bring your own face towel and bath towel. However, there are towels in some lodges but good to have your own.

Yes, you need to buy toilet paper along the way. They won’t have toilet paper in their toilet.

 

Yes you need to bring your own soap for your personal use.

 

In the village there are restrooms but not along the way. You need to find a private spot along the way for emergency use.

 

There are menu available with a variety of choices. You can pick up any items as per your choice but please be vegetarians. Meats are not suggested as they are not fresh. There are bread, eggs, potatoes, rice, Pasta, noodles, pizza, macaroni, different soups, and Dal Bhat (lentil and rice with curry) available along the trek.

Yes, we do serve hot and fresh food. They will start preparing and serving once you order your meal.

Not. There are veg meals available and we do suggest you go for veg meals.

 

No, it is not a problem. You can still have options but you must tell my guide if you are vegan.

Yes, you need to tell us what food you should not eat so our guide can let it know in the lodges.
 

No, you van not use running water because they are not safe. You need to boil them or purify them.

 

Yes, it is provided which is medicated proof and safe to drink. Our guide will carry purified tablets and add into your bottle in front of your eye.

Yes, you can buy water bottle along the way but you need to pay for that

Yes, you can have boiled water but you need to pay extra.