Gokyo to Everest Base Camp Trek

The route

From Namche the trail leaves the main Base Camp path at Mong La and climbs the Dudh Koshi valley through Dole and Machhermo to Gokyo and its lakes. From Gokyo it crosses the Ngozumpa Glacier to Thagnak, goes over Cho La to Dzongla, and joins the main trail at Lobuche for Gorak Shep, Base Camp and Kala Patthar. The way down is the main trail through Pheriche and Namche.

Why Gokyo first

The Gokyo valley is quieter and climbs in small steps, so the body adjusts well before the pass and before the highest nights at Gorak Shep. The price is the way down from Cho La to Dzongla, which is steep and loose. If you would rather climb the steep side and come down the easier one, we can walk it the other way round, Base Camp first.

If Cho La is closed

After fresh snow the pass can be unsafe. Then we go back down the Gokyo valley and round by Phortse or Namche to the main trail. It adds two or three days, which is why I ask you to keep a spare day.

Permits and the guide rule

You need two permits: the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. Read more in my guide to Nepal trekking permits and the licensed guide rule.

When to go

October and November have the clearest skies and the best conditions on the pass; April is good too. In winter snow can close Cho La. See the best time to trek in Nepal.

Good paths up the Gokyo valley, then rough moraine on the Ngozumpa Glacier, boulders and a short glacier crossing on Cho La, and moraine again from Lobuche to Gorak Shep. The pass day is 7 to 8 hours, and the way down to Dzongla is steep.

In the two or three months before, walk long hill days back to back with a day pack, and practise steep descents. Earlier walking above 4,000 m helps a lot.

Sherpa villages, monasteries, prayer flags and mani walls on the lower trail. The Gokyo valley has few villages: its lodges grew from summer yak pastures, and the lakes are sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. On the way down you pass Pangboche and Tengboche, two of the oldest monasteries of the Khumbu.

• Licensed & Trained Guide Your safety is the foundation of every trip I lead. I am licensed by the Government of Nepal as a trekking guide (licence no. 18550) and a tour guide (licence no. 4606), and trained in first aid, basic rescue and trekking-based search and rescue. I check your gear and the weather before every stage, so you can enjoy the trek with peace of mind. For groups larger than four, I bring in additional government-licensed guides I have worked with before.
• Health & First Aid Certified Wilderness First Responder: I hold up-to-date certifications in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, ensuring I am fully trained to handle medical emergencies, injuries, and illnesses in remote terrain. Proactive Health & Altitude Tracking: Your safety is my daily priority. I monitor your pulse, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and acclimatisation levels daily using a pulse oximeter to catch early signs of Altitude Sickness (AMS). Fully Stocked First Aid Kit: I carry a comprehensive medical kit on every trek, equipped with essential medications, wound dressings, and emergency response supplies tailored to the route. Established Emergency & Evacuation Protocols: I maintain clear protocols and direct lines of communication for medical evacuations, including swift coordination with helicopter rescue teams if severe conditions arise. Strict Hygiene & Safe Water Standards: I ensure clean, safe drinking water throughout the trail and verify strict hygiene practices during all meal breaks to protect you against waterborne illnesses. Personalised Care & Medical Attention: Before we step onto the trail, I review any health concerns or allergies you may have so I can cater to your needs and adapt our pace accordingly.
• Communication Satellite & Emergency Communication: I carry a reliable satellite messaging device (such as a Garmin inReach) to stay connected in remote areas with no cellular coverage, allowing for real-time location tracking and instant SOS capabilities. Daily Family & Loved One Updates: When signal or satellite access allows, I provide regular updates to your emergency contacts or loved ones so they always know you are safe and on schedule. Transparent Route & Weather Briefings: Before we set off each day, I conduct clear briefings on the upcoming terrain, expected weather conditions, trail milestones, and safety protocols. Open & Encouraging Dialogue: I foster an environment where you can freely express how you’re feeling—whether you're experiencing fatigue, discomfort, or symptoms of altitude—without hesitation or judgment. Direct Operations & Rescue Contact: I maintain continuous connectivity with ground support, local lodge networks, and emergency rescue services to coordinate logistics seamlessly if plans need to adjust.
• Route Experience Deep Local & Trail Knowledge: Having navigated these routes extensively across varying seasons, I know the terrain, trail conditions, hidden hazards, and optimal rest spots in intimate detail. Flexible & Adaptive Itineraries: I constantly evaluate trail status, weather patterns, and team energy levels, making smart, real-time adjustments to our daily pace or route to avoid risky conditions. Smart Pace & Acclimatisation Management: I set a steady, sustainable pace (bistarai, bistarai) designed specifically to promote proper altitude adaptation and prevent physical burnout. Vetted Rest Stops & Accommodation: I choose reliable, high-standard teahouses, campsites, and lodge networks along the route, ensuring safe, hygienic, and comfortable places to rest every night. Terrain & Environmental Hazard Navigation: From loose scree and river crossings to icy passes and rockfall zones, I guide you through technical and treacherous trail sections with hands-on support and proper technique.
• Daily Health Check Morning & Evening Health Checks: I conduct routine health check-ins every morning and evening to track how your body is adapting to the altitude, workload, and changing climate. Vital Signs & SpO2 Monitoring: Using a medical-grade pulse oximeter, I measure your blood oxygen levels (SpO2​) and heart rate twice daily to spot early, subtle signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Lake Louise Scoring System: I utilize the standardized Lake Louise Score card to systematically assess symptoms like headache, fatigue, nausea, and sleep quality, taking the guesswork out of altitude safety. Hydration & Appetite Tracking: I monitor your daily fluid intake and meal consumption, ensuring you stay properly hydrated and sufficiently fueled for tough trekking days. Early Intervention & Action Plans: If any health metrics or symptoms dip, I take immediate, preventive action—whether that means adjusting our daily pace, adding a rest day, or initiating a controlled descent.
• Emergency Evacuation Direct Helicopter & Ground Coordination: In the event of severe illness or injury, I maintain direct contact with local helicopter rescue operators and ground transport services to arrange immediate, rapid evacuation. Insurance Verification & Claims Support: Before setting out, I review and verify your high-altitude travel insurance details so rescue protocols can be triggered instantly without bureaucratic delays. Rapid Medical Evacuation Protocols: I carry standard, high-altitude emergency protocols to prepare and stabilize you quickly, ensuring a swift transfer to the nearest medical facility or hospital in Kathmandu. Constant SOS Satellite Connectivity: Using my satellite messaging device, I can trigger a 24/7 global emergency SOS and send exact GPS coordinates to search-and-rescue teams, even in complete dead zones. 24/7 Ground Operations Backing: I work alongside an experienced city-based support team that coordinates hospital admissions, logistics, and communication with your insurance provider and loved ones while I manage the evacuation on-site.

Made from this page, always up to date. Download and print, or keep them on your phone.

• Route sheet PDFThe route day by day, altitudes and safety points: for the trail.
• Before you go PDFIs it for you, months, permits, budget, packing lists to tick.
• Safety plan PDFWho to call, where to go down, warning signs, a card to fill in.