Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes Trek | The Bucket List Company

Did somebody say Base Camp?

At the foot of Everest, atop a flowing glacier lies one of the most unique settlements in the world. Base Camp. The ideal opportunity for hikers to take their slice of the most iconic climb in the world, this trek will leave you feeling like you’re on top of the world.

Quite literally.

Slip the Gokyo Lakes into the mix and you’ll get a whole lot more out of your Everest experience. For starters, there’s the Ngozumpa Glacier, the Cho Oyu wall, the Chugima Pass and then, of course, the holy lakes of Gokyo.

Heading to Base Camp via the Gokyo Lakes adds in around four days’ extra hiking and acclimatisation to the traditional route. Longer? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Nowhere else on earth will you experience the tranquillity of turquoise waters like these, surrounded by ancient snow-capped giants on all sides.

Only question is, are you up to the challenge?

You’re not afraid of heights, are you?

On our Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes trek, you’ll be facing that fear. No, not in the tea house in Thamel. Not in the rhododendron forests near Maccherma either. Not even on the Ngozumpa glacier.

The truth is, there’s a long suspension bridge to cross on day 4. The Hillary Bridge, to be precise. And if you’re not sure you fancy the nerve-wracking crossing with precipitous drops beneath you, perhaps make your way to one of our other mountain trek pages. Fair warning!

Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the rest of your trek to Everest Base Camp and the Gokyo Lakes.

Over the course of 20 days, you’ll climb high above river valleys, pass through pine forests and see many authentic Sherpa villages. You’ll explore the highest freshwater lake system in the world, looking upon the contrast between the icy blue waters and bright white glaciers in awe. And you’ll get spectacular views of the Everest trinity: Nupse, Lhotse and Everest herself.

And that’s all before you’ve even made it to Base Camp.

Get ready to shut the door on who you used to be, and open the window to the top of world on your trek to Base Camp. Life changes when you set foot on Everest, you know.

With no load-carrying to do and with the help of our leaders, you’ll be able to concentrate on getting yourself to Base Camp and taking in the stunning silences, mind-blowing sunsets and spectacular views that only exist on Everest.

But aside from the views and the trekking, you’ll spend time in famous mountain markets, visiting ancient settlements and enjoying the intense beauty of this monumental place.

You’ll bookend the trek with a day’s exploring the bustling streets of Kathmandu too, drinking in the strange mix of calm, culture and chaos in the Capital, sipping refreshing brews in traditional teahouses and munching fresh momos on the street.