The Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes is the most adventurous Himalayan expedition to the Everest Himalayas of Nepal, which is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime journey. This top-notch trekking route traverses the major cultural and natural marvels of the Everest hiking region, including the Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lake, and three of the extraordinarily thrilling high mountain passes connecting the world to the hidden gem of the region: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La.
Also referred to as the Khumbu region, this trekking to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with three high passes to the Everest Region follows a well-traversed and established classic Himalayan route circumnavigating the largest snow-capped mountain for various purposes, be it for trekking, nature exploration, or the extraordinary bravery of summiting the peak itself, Mt. Everest (8,848 m), revered by locals and Tibetians as Sagarmatha or Chomolungma in the first half, gradually ascending to serene Gokyo Lakes and chilly mountain passes at high elevation.
Hence, the journey to this combined trek to the iconic Everest Base Camp and side trips to Gokyo Lakes and high altitude three passes is one of the most physically demanding and rewarding surreal cultural and natural odysseys that typically begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla serving as the gateway to the region and later on makes its way through the lovely and warming Sherpa settlements, lush rhododendron forests, and alpine landscapes to discover the best of the best remote and unspoiled natural beauty and Himalayan culture, paying visit to several notable historical and religious landmarks.
What makes the combined trek to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with three high passes special?
While hiking alone to the Everest Base Camp has been standing out as the top holiday destination for more than seven decades since the opening of the Everest region for tourism in 1953, undoubtedly, when the trekking trail traces the blue jewel and three high passes, it is going to be an immensely engaging expedition to experience the natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventurous spirit that is out of the world.
Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect at the joint trekking trip to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with three high passes:
The enriching Sherpa culture and hospitality on the way to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes
The Everest trekking region, featuring one of the most adventurous routes to breathe in and live in the Himalayas: Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake Trek with Three High Passes, is a golden opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of the much-famed Himalayan locals called Sherpa massively dominating the Everest region, well known for their extraordinary coping abilities and mountainous surroundings and navigation skills.
The cultural life of the Sherpa and their hospitality with warm smiles and genuine connections do ease your homesickness. Further, the visit to several monasteries such as Tengboche and Dingboche, along with the encounter of numerous Mani Walls, Gompas, and other Buddhist monuments, will provide you with a deeper insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region right away from the thrilling yet scenic flight to Lukla to create everlasting memories and forge meaningful connections with nature and the people of the Himalayas during the combined odyssey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with the Three High Passes.
The legendary Everest Base Camp and its viewpoint Kala Patthar
Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar are two of the most iconic destinations within the Everest region of Nepal. Elevated at 5,364 m (17,598), the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, the highest elevation gain at an altitude of 5,545 m (18,192), both serve as legendary places, providing the most spectacular panoramic vistas of the surrounding area during the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake Trek with Three High Passes.
The Everest Base Camp is the starting point for climbers, mountaineers, and expeditors attempting to summit the peak itself or seeking to explore the highest mountain range in the world for a longer period. The mesmerizing viewpoint of Kala Patthar in older times was used to forecast the weather in the Everest Base Camp and the entire peak region.
Both of these top-notch highlights of the Everest region offer epic Himalayan scenery where the Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse, including Everest, stand out amongst others, followed by varying landscapes seen from these high altitudes, from verdant valleys, rhododendron, and pine forests, to rugged alpine lands with glacial moraines embodying the spirit of adventure, self-discovery, and reverence of the natural world during the fused hike to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with three high passes.
Traversing the major Three High Passes of the Everest region: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La Pass
Yes, the crossing of the three high passes during the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes is exactly that element that gives this particular journey an edge over the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar Trekking or the Himalayan expedition to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass.
Making way through these passes: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, is the most exhilarating experience as trekkers get to immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas and test themselves not only physically but also mentally. Among them, elevated approximately at 5,535 m/18,159 ft, Kongma La is the highest of the three passes amidst the peaks of Pokalde and Chuuukung Lhotse. It offers a 360-degree vista of some of the world's tops, such as Makalu and Lhotse, including Everest, and others stretching as far as possible.
In the meantime, Cho La Pass, at an altitude of around 5,420 m (17,782 m) in between the majestic Ama Dablam and Cholatse, offers an amazing glimpse at the surrounding mountains, followed by a glimpse of the emerald waters of the Gokyo Lakes below, adding much to the scenery during the 17-day long Himalayan journey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes.
Similarly, Renjo La Pass is situated at an altitude of approximately 5.340 m (17,520 ft) above sea level, nestled amidst the Renjo and Angaldumba Peaks, and is usually characterized by expansive views of Everest, followed by sweeping panoramas of snow-capped peaks, glacial valleys, and alpine turquoise lakes, followed by surreal lookouts at several traditional Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries further enriching the cultural experience to relish at its fullest on the Himalayan journey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes.
Gokyo Lakes and Valleys
Ranging from 4,700m to 5,000m, Gokyo Lakes are a series of six stunning turquoise lakes in a pristine natural setting, crafting the right environment to find the person within yourself far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and shading unique colors. Surrounded by stunning glacial moraines and the contrasting beauty of snow-capped peaks, these lakes give you easy access to the nearby villages and valleys, along with the prominent peak overlooking Gokyo Lake, Gokyo Ri, to completely unwind yourself in the nature and cultural wonders of the Everest region during the adventurous trek to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes.
Hence, the unparalleled beauty of Gokyo Lake and its valley make it a must-visit destination for trekkers seeking wonderful Himalayan sight, a true sense of achievement, adequate exploration, and relaxation, along with a spiritually replenishing journey in the heart of the Himalayas.
Challenge and adventure off-the-beaten route within the Everest region
Although the trek to Everest Base Camp is popular and can be crowded with tourists in the peak seasons, the side trip to the Gokyo Lakes and high passes ventures off the main trekking routes and takes you to remote and less traveled trails, ensuring an adventure of a lifetime.
These less trodden paths might get rough and narrow at several sections demanding good physical fitness and acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS) that can get fatal if not taken care of at a time when government-authorized high-altitude trained local guides can ensure your safety by helping you with most of the trekking logistics on the way to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakw with Three High Passes.
Best 17 Days Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes with Three High Passes Trek Itinerary
The combined hike to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakw with Three High Passes begins with a scenic and equally adventurous flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and traverses the Everest region through traditional villages densely populated by Sherpa along the bank of the Dudh Koshi River under the protection of the Sagarmatha National Park, spending each night in local tea houses or lodges at notable villages such as Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche.
Lobuche then takes you to the foot of the highest mountain in the world, Everest Base Camp, making its way from Gorak Shep. The following day after summiting the Everest Base Camp is the time when you will reach the maximum altitude in Kala Patthar, descending to Dzongla, Gokyo, and Lungdenvillage after crossing the three high passes. On making it to Lungeden village, now begins the retracing of the route back to Lukla, first spending a night at Namche and then going directly to the airport in Lukla to board the flight.
This 17-day itinerary provides a comprehensive experience of challenging to pleasing experience with the inclusion of highlights of the Everest region, almost everything from diverse landscapes to the culture to be called a raw Himalayan wilderness to conquer in the 17-day journey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes, and hence is considered one of the best trekking routes to Everest region.
Group trek cost for the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes Expedition
The standard package cost for the memorable voyage to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake with Three High Passes can range anywhere from USD 1875 per person to USD 1675, depending upon the number of trekkers included in the group. If you have a group involving more than 10 members, contact us for a special discount, which for now is:
- USD 1875 for 1 pax
- USD 1775 for 2-3 pax
- USD 1725 for 4-6 pax
- USD 1675 for 7–10 pax