Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Ri (avoiding Chola Pass) - 15 days

We offer our clients a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service to and from Tribhuvan International Airport and their hotel. Upon your arrival, a representative from Discovery World Trekking will be waiting for you at the airport holding a pamphlet with your name on it. They will greet you, present you with a garland, and escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. This ensures that you will not face navigational problems in a foreign country. Similarly, when it's time for you to depart, our company representative will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return journey home. 

 

Trek start

We expect you to arrive in Kathmandu by three pm at least one day before the trip departure date for last-minute preparations. If, in case, you missed the online trip briefing, it will also provide us time to conduct an in-person trip briefing, which we will organize either at our office in Thamel or at your hotel. During the trip briefing, we will provide you with vital information about the trek, motivate you, and recheck your luggage to ensure you have packed all the essentials for the trip. On the trek departure day, we will take you to Kathmandu Airport for a 40-minute flight to Lukla, the trek region.

 

Accommodation

This trek package includes 14 nights of accommodations in the trek region. You will be staying at the best possible lodges that we hand-select. Most rooms we provide are on a twin-sharing basis. You will stay in rooms with attached bathrooms at Phakding, Namche (3N), and Lukla. Similarly, we will provide standard rooms at Dole, Machhermo, Gokyo (2N), Phortse, Pheriche (2N), Lobuche, and Gorakshep. You will spend at least two nights of hotel stays in Kathmandu, one before the trek starts and the other after the trek.

 

Meals 

The Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Ri trek takes place in high elevations near the world's tallest peaks, making it necessary to consume hygienic, nutrient-rich food. While we will provide you with enough nutritious meals, your options may become more limited as you ascend. We will provide you with 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches, and 14 dinners during the trek. Your meals will mostly be of local, Asian, or Western cuisine. The staple Nepali food consists of Dal (lentils), Bhat (rice), and Tarkari (often vegetable curry). While in Nepal, we also advise you to try momos and Chow mein.

For better health, we recommend consuming liquids such as green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, garlic soup (a must-have), and fresh vegetables at high elevations. While non-vegetarian items are available in the trekking region, we advise against consuming them due to potential hygiene concerns with the meat. We also recommend you avoid dairy products, alcoholic beverages, caffeinated items, and hot chocolates at high altitudes. 

Personal expenses incurred for alcoholic drinks, hot (tea/coffee), or cold beverages in tea houses, lodges, or cafes, aside from standard meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner with seasonal fruits), are excluded from the package.

 

Luggage

For every two trekkers, we provide one porter, but the luggage weight limit per trekker is 9 kg. We do not allow our porters to carry more than 18 kg of combined luggage. We never overload our porters. While porters will transport the bulk of your belongings, we advise you to bring a regular backpack for your valuables and important documents. Further, we suggest packing only the essentials for the trek. You can store any excess baggage at your hotel or our office storage free of charge. Additionally, during the briefing, we will thoroughly inspect all your items to ensure you have packed all the required things.

 

Typical day

Each trekking day will bring a unique experience as you trek, take in breathtaking views, snap photos, explore local villages, and enjoy traditional cuisine. Throughout the expedition, a qualified expert guide/Sherpa will accompany you, providing insights on the places you'll be visiting. Our porters will carry your main luggage, while you will bring a small daypack with essentials and valuables.

Your day will begin with a hot cup of tea or coffee, followed by a hearty breakfast. You'll start walking around 7-8 am, depending on the distance and terrain for the day. After trekking for three to four hours, you'll take a midday break for lunch before continuing the trek. The afternoon trek will be shorter, and once you reach your destination, you can indulge in dietary snacks and explore the surroundings.

We will serve dinner around 6-7 pm. After dinner, your leader/guide will brief you about the next day's plan. Then, you can engage in friendly conversations, enjoy onboard games like cards and Monopoly, or watch documentaries. Many foreign trekkers enjoy learning a few fun Nepalese words from our crew.

 

Electricity and water

In the trek region, lodges offer electricity to recharge your camera and mobile, but this service may not be free. Similarly, you can purchase packed mineral water from local lodges or en-route shops. Some trek regions may not allow plastic bottled water for ecological reasons. Hence, we advise you to bring a water bottle and buy boiled/bottled water from lodges and put it in your water bottle. We also recommend you use water purification pills. If you do not have water purification pills, our team can provide them for you.

We advise you to avoid drinking water from rivers, taps, or wells in trekking regions as it may not be safe for consumption despite its appearance.

 

Communication

While undertaking the Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Ri, internet services will be available at the lodges; however, an additional service charge may apply. You can contact your friends, families, and colleagues from these lodges. As you ascend to higher altitudes, we communicate using mobile for safety. To ensure the well-being and comfort of all our trekking groups, Discovery World Trekking remains in daily contact with them through trek leaders. If you want to remain connected during the trek, you may purchase a local sim card in Kathmandu. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that depending on the network provider, the signals might not be strong enough to maintain stable connections.

 

Tipping

Tipping guides, porters, and crew during a trek is entirely up to you and should reflect the level of service you've received. In Nepalese culture, tipping is a way to express appreciation for good service. As a general guideline, we suggest tipping as a group at the end of the trek. The amount you tip is entirely at your discretion, but we recommend considering factors such as service quality, the trip, length, and trip cost.

 

Trek End

At the end of the trek, early morning, we will fly you from Lukla back to Kathmandu. The flight will last around forty minutes. With no more trails to cover, your flight will be quite relaxing. After arriving in Kathmandu, we will take you to your hotel. In the remaining time, you are free to spend your time as you choose. Later in the day, we will organize a fare well dinner.

 

Feedback

We'll arrange a farewell dinner for you in Kathmandu. During this dinner, we'll also present you with a company certificate to commemorate your trek achievement.

We welcome and value your feedback on the services and performance of our team. This is an ideal time to share your comments or suggestions.  If you've had a positive experience with us, we'd be grateful if you could take the time to review us on travel portals like TripAdvisor. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us reach more people and grow our business.

 

Useful Info

We highly recommend our clients consider adding a few extra days to their trip to allow for potential flight delays from Kathmandu to Lukla and back. Unfortunately, poor weather conditions may cause flight delays.

Hence, to avoid any potential delays that could affect your international flight back home, we suggest you allocate a few extra days for the trek. If flights get delayed, you may take a helicopter to Lukla, but it comes at an additional cost of USD 500 to 1,000.

 

Trip extension

After completing your trek with us, you may want to consider extending your stay in Nepal to explore more of this beautiful country. Nepal offers a wealth of exciting activities, and, in extra time, you can participate in various activities such as touring Kathmandu, a trip to Nagarkot for breathtaking views, a jungle safari in Chitwan, paragliding, rafting, or canoeing.

Whether you're looking for a relaxing or adventurous experience, there's something for everyone in Nepal. Our team at Discovery World Trekking can assist you in organizing any activities you're interested in, ensuring you have a memorable and enjoyable trip.

 

Departure

On your departure date, when you return to your country, our company representative will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope that you return to Nepal for some more exciting treks.

 

When planning the Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Ri, the weather is a crucial factor you need to consider. While the trail is open throughout the year, certain seasons offer more favorable conditions. Spring and autumn, for instance, have clear days, mild temperatures, and no rain, making for an enjoyable trekking experience.

In contrast, summer coincides with the monsoon season, bringing wet and slippery trails, though some hikers still enjoy the waterfalls. Winter, on the other hand, can be challenging due to heavy snowfall, yet some trekkers still relish the adventure.

Discovery World Trekking organizes the Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Ri year-round. Here's a brief breakdown of the weather conditions you can expect at high elevations each month.

January to February: This is the coldest period with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. While daytime temperatures may be warmer, the nights are frigid. Treks are still possible, but those sensitive to the cold should avoid these months. 

Temperature: 15°C to -15°C.

 
March to April: One of the best times to trek, with mild weather and beautiful views of the Himalayas and glaciers. The spring season also brings flora and fauna back to life.

Temperature: 18 °C to-12 °C 

May to June: Before the monsoon, the weather is ideal for treks, and the fusion of spring and summer seasons, makes for an enjoyable experience.

Temperature: 25°C to -5°C. 

July to August: Monsoon season peaks, with heavy rainfall at elevations below 3500 meters. Though treks are challenging, they are still possible with proper planning and guidance from Discovery World Trekking.

Temperature: 27°C to 5°C

September to October: Yet, another ideal season for the Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Ri. These months bring hundreds of tourists to the trek regions. The temperature is mild, and the clear skies offer breathtaking mountain views. The festive mood during Tihar and Dashain adds to the experience.

Temperature: 20°C to 5°C

November to December: Winter sets in, and snowfall begins. While trekking is still possible in November, it gets tougher as December approaches, with frigid nights and heavy snowfall.

Temperature: 15°C to -14°C

Trek difficulty

Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Ri is a challenging trek, but it compensates for your effort and determination with grand vistas and a sense of achievement that soothes your soul. However, as the trek is intensive, you should prepare yourself before departing for the trek. You can participate in stamina-building exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling, or even a day-long trek. Remember, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the trek. 

Even if you are a novice trek, provided you are normally fit, you can complete this trek. Past trek experience is useful but not required. If you are not in good shape, you must prepare yourself a few months before. If you can walk at a decent pace on a route full of ups and downs, you can surely complete this trek. However, people suffering from serious blood, lung, and heart diseases must consult their physicians before booking this trek. 

Trek safety 

The safety of our esteemed guests is our top priority. We conduct treks fully prepared, complete with necessary gear, equipment, and first aid kits. In high-altitude treks, we carry oximeters to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels and to detect early signs of altitude sickness. We have allotted certain days in the itinerary for proper acclimatization. 

Our leaders and guides have undergone extensive training in first aid. In the unlikely event of a trekker falling ill due to high altitude, the trip leader decides whether to continue ascending or descend immediately. Additionally, we ensure that all trekkers travel as a group to promote group safety and solidarity throughout the trek.

 

Discovery team

During the trek, our team of well-experienced and licensed guides/Sherpas will be with you ensuring that your journey is comfortable and memorable. Our porters will transport your luggage, with one porter assigned for every two trekkers. However, if preferred, we can provide one porter per trekker.

Our crew members are natives of high Himalayan regions and possess remarkable physical endurance at high altitudes. We value all of our staff members and prioritize their well-being. For our staff members, we offer competitive pay and cover their insurance, clothing, food, and lodging throughout the trek. If ill or injured, all our guides and porters receive medical care.

We strive to maintain happy and contented staff members as we believe that only satisfied persons can deliver exceptional service. Our trek leaders are extensively trained and certified in the following areas:

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid
• Government Trekking Guide Training
• Fluent in English and other major languages
• Trained in Conservation and Biodiversity
• Experienced in rock climbing

 

Visa

Except for Indian citizens, all foreign nationals require a visa to enter Nepal, which they can get on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or at immigration checkpoints along Nepal-India and Nepal-Tibet borders. To apply for a visa, you must possess a passport with a minimum of six months validity, a passport-size photograph, and the applicable visa fees. The current visa cost is USD 50 for a 30-day stay, which you can pay in cash. Children under the age of 10 are eligible for free visas. 

Citizens of China and the SAARC (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan) countries are eligible for a free visa. It's worth noting that citizens from certain countries (Nigeria, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Palestine, and Afghanistan) may not be eligible for on-arrival visas. Therefore, if you are a citizen of these countries, you must contact your local Nepalese embassy.

It's essential to note that visa policies may be subject to change without prior notice by the government. Therefore, please visit https://www.immigration.gov.np/  to stay up-to-date on the latest information.

 

Trek booking

Discovery World Trekking has been a trustworthy trekking and tour operator, fully authorized, registered, licensed, and bonded by the Nepal government for over a decade. As a proud member of both the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), we provide a reliable and professional service.

Booking your trek with us is easy and secure. You can confidently reserve your spot. We only require 10% of the trip cost as advance to confirm your booking. We request you send us additional documentation, such as passport copies, passport-size photos, travel insurance policy, and flight details, within a week of booking.

We offer flexible payment options, including bank transfer, Wise, or online payment, through our website. You can pay the remaining trip cost in cash, bank transfer, or credit card after you arrive in Nepal. We will also provide payment details along with modes of payment via email.

You can book this trek from here. 

Currency exchange 

The official currency is Nepali Rupees (NRS/Rs), and 1 USD is almost equal to NRS.130. If you have Indian Rupees (INR), please note that only Indian notes of 100 and 2,000 are legal in Nepal. Though a traveler’s cheque is a safer option, we recommend you bring cash to Nepal. If you bring a traveler’s cheque, you must undergo lengthy bank processes and high commissions. You will have to pay 4 percent or more depending on the bank. 

On the other hand, if you bring money in cash (major currencies) you can easily exchange them for Nepali Rupees in one of the several legal cash exchanges in Kathmandu, especially Thamel. These cash exchanges display their ongoing exchange rates publicly. Some hotels also exchange small amounts of foreign currencies.

You can also withdraw cash in Nepali Rupees using ATMs in Kathmandu. Some of these ATMs are open 24/7. You can take out up to Rs.35,000 by paying a fee of Rs.500. We advise you to exchange your currency in Kathmandu based on your spending habits. We estimate you will need USD 10 - 20 per trekking day for spending. There are no currency exchanges in trek regions, and locals only accept Nepali currency.

 

Extra personal expenses

Though this package covers most expenses during the trek, it does not cover all expenditures. You are responsible for all the expenses, including meals and accommodations, while in Kathmandu, both before and after the trek.  

In addition to these expenses, you must bring your own personal spending money for items such as the visa application process, travel insurance policy purchase, beverages (hot(tea/coffee), cold and alcoholic drinks), snacks, tips, and souvenirs. We suggest you bring cash in a major currency and exchange them for Nepali Rupees upon arrival in Kathmandu. Since trek regions do not have cash exchange facilities, you must exchange your foreign currency in Kathmandu based on your spending habits.

 

Travel Insurance

This trek takes place at higher elevations, presenting a small risk of altitude sickness and other hazards. As a result, travel insurance is mandatory for all participants, and it must provide coverage for medical and helicopter rescue expenses up to the highest altitude (5,555m). While we can suggest insurance companies based on previous client experiences, we do not sell insurance policies ourselves.

We kindly ask our valued clients to provide us with their detailed insurance information within a week of booking. In an emergency, we will utilize your insurance policy and other pertinent documents to expedite evacuation and transfer you to medical centers.

Last-minute booking

We advise you to book your treks and expeditions in advance, but we also welcome last-minute bookings. However, in last-minute booking, the full payment for the trip cost is due 24 hours before the trek departure date.

While we always strive to operate the trek as planned, in case of last-minute bookings, we cannot guarantee that there won't be any delays due to factors like adverse weather or lodging availability. Nonetheless, we will do everything in our power to successfully conduct the treks and ensure you have a fantastic experience.

If you want to know more about our last-minute booking options, please don't hesitate to contact us at 977-9840055491 or via email at [email protected]. We're always here to answer any questions and help you plan your next adventure.

Group & private trek

We offer group and individual (private) treks, with more discounts for bigger groups. If Discovery World Trekking forms trek groups, you will not get discounts. Our team can handle groups of any size. For each trek group, we provide a group leader/guide and a porter for every two trekkers. We add an assistant guide for groups of 12 or more.

 

Ecotourism

At Discovery World Trekking, we place great emphasis on promoting environmental sustainability. To achieve this goal, we collaborate with the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to organize eco-friendly trips that help mitigate the negative impact of tourism on trek areas while simultaneously benefiting local communities and trekkers. We dispose of waste properly and encourage our guests to do the same. If we use campsites, we will try to leave them in better condition than when we arrived.

 

Notes

Please be aware that the itinerary provided is a general guideline and may require modifications due to factors beyond our control, such as unstable weather or lodge unavailability. However, such changes are rare. If any changes are necessary, your trek leader will make the best possible rerouting decision after consulting with the group members and considering the interests of the entire party. We cannot be held responsible for any such delays or consequences resulting from such changes.

Additionally, though the Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Ri has fixed departure dates from Kathmandu, we are happy to accommodate your requests and reschedule the trek if the scheduled trek date does not work for you.