EVEREST BASE CAMP VIA GOKYO RI TREK

A better route to Everest Base Camp

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Trek difficulty

Difficult

Trek Duration

18 Days

Highest Altitude

18,200 ft

A better route to Everest Base Camp

The world knows of the Everest Base Camp trail. To go to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world is on every mountain lover’s bucket list. However, we believe, to truly do justice to trekking in the Everest region, Everest Base camp- Gokyo Ri circuit is the trek to do! This trail offers you the best of both worlds: the well-trodded Everest region and the lesser-visited Gokyo region. By adding three more days to the itinerary, the trail becomes infinitely more rewarding. 

First, the views from the Gokyo Ri summit are much grander than the ones you will see from on top of Kala Patthar in the Everest region.  From Kala Patthar, you would see three of the 14 eight-thousanders in the world – the Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. On the Gokyo Ri summit, you not only see these mountains but also see another eight-thousander, Cho Oyu.  Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, is an additional treat you get on the Gokyo trail.

Then, when you look down from the Gokyo Ri summit, you see the Ngozumpa glacier – the longest glacier in the Himalayas.   Behind you, you see three blue-green lakes that seem to dwarf everything around them. These are the Gokyo lakes. There are five of them – each grander than the other that you get to visit.  All of this, coupled with the seclusion the Gokyo region offers, makes it a stupendous addition to the Everest Base Camp trail.

That being said, Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri is a difficult trek. You climb to over 17,000 ft at least thrice on this trek (Gokyo Ri, Chola Pass and Kala Patthar). Going to that altitude three times is not easy at all. Then there is the Ngozumpa glacier and Chola Pass, both of these places with terrain that are tricky to traverse.  You must come well-prepared for this trek.

The world knows of the Everest Base Camp trail. To go to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world is on every mountain lover’s bucket list. However, we believe, to truly do justice to trekking in the Everest region, Everest Base camp- Gokyo Ri circuit is the trek to do! This trail offers you the best of both worlds: the well-trodded Everest region and the lesser-visited Gokyo region. By adding three more days to the itinerary, the trail becomes infinitely more rewarding. 

First, the views from the Gokyo Ri summit are much grander than the ones you will see from on top of Kala Patthar in the Everest region.  From Kala Patthar, you would see three of the 14 eight-thousanders in the world – the Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. On the Gokyo Ri summit, you not only see these mountains but also see another eight-thousander, Cho Oyu.  Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, is an additional treat you get on the Gokyo trail.

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Everest Base Camp via the Gokyo Ri trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Videos

Watch these videos to plan and prepare for your trek.

Expert Speak

Sandhya Chandrasekharayya, Co-Founder, COO

Sandhya Chandrasekharayya, Co-Founder, COO

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the "Women of Worth" Award by Outlook Business in 2017. She believes in sustainable living just as she believes in sustainable trekking.

What I Like About the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Trek

What I Like About the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Ri Trek

Sandhya Chandrasekharayya, Co-Founder, COO

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the "Women of Worth" Award by Outlook Business in 2017. She believes in sustainable living just as she believes in sustainable trekking.

1. The Everest Base Camp

There is a point on the Gorakshep – Everest Base Camp trail, where you get a bird’s eye view of the base camp, sitting at the edge of the Khumbu icefall.  You see the Khumbu glacier, the Western shoulder of Everest and Nuptse. It is a sight that fills you with amazement, and a sense of where you are.

Walking to expedition tents on the Everest Base Camp is an excitement of its own. There is a maze of expedition tents among the unbelievably dangerous Khumbu icefall seracs. Sometimes, you find an Indian expedition tent whose climbers will welcome you to their tents and regale you with stories!

Photo by Dushyant Sharma

2. The different faces of Ama Dablam

Ama Dablam has the distinction of being the most beautiful mountain in the Everest region. You first see it in Namche Bazaar, from the Sherpa Cultural Museum. It disappears from your view as you get deeper into the Gokyo region.

And then, right after you cross Chola Pass, en route to Dzongla, you are greeted with an entirely different face of  Ama Dablam. This peak looks so different from different spots on the trek. And to see an entirely new face of this beautiful mountain feels like a privilege.

Photo by Christopher Immanuel

3. Trekking among big mountains

The biggest attraction of trekking in Nepal is its big, precipitous mountains. They surround you! On this trail, you will see Everest, Makalu, Lhotse and Cho Oyu and traverse Himalaya’s largest glaciers like Ngozumpa and see the Khumbu glacier.

The sense of being among big mountains also gives you a sense of the legacies of great mountaineers. You are walking on the same trails they have walked on, filled with landmarks to their memory.

You see the Tenzing Norgay Stupa, on the route beyond Namche. And then, just above Dughla on the Everest highway, you’ll find memorials for eminent mountaineers who gave their lives away on the slopes.

Mt Pumori. Photo by Nand Kishore

4. Crossing Cho La Pass

Cho La Pass is a pass that takes you from the Gokyo region to the Everest region. It is an extremely adventurous pass crossing – with the ascent being on rubble and scree while the descent is on a snowed out glacier and boulders. There is not one moment in this tricky climb and descent that you can afford to lose your attention. It makes for an adrenaline-filled experience.

If you do the Everest Base Camp - Gokyo Ri circuit you have done justice to trekking in the Everest region! For anyone trekking in Nepal for the first time, this trail is infinitely more rewarding.

Chola pass to Zongla. Photo by Vijesh

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are pioneers of treks in India

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow.

Our treks are transformative

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

Indiahikes Features

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

Get expert guidance even before you start the trek

Get personalised support from our expert Experience Coordinators. From registration to departure, they'll prepare you every step of the way.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Meet like-minded trekkers

Indiahikes carries with it a strong spirit of trekking, one that comes with fitness, minimalism, mindfulness and a deep love for nature.

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