Everest Two Passes Trek: 17 Days via Gokyo, Cho La, and Everest Base Camp

You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where a member of our team welcomes you outside the arrival area and takes you to your hotel in a private vehicle. 

After check-in, you can rest from your flight or take a short walk around the hotel area. Later, your guide will brief you about the trek route, flights, permits, packing, weather, and the high-altitude days ahead.

You take an early mountain flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. However, during the busy trekking season, direct Lukla flights from Kathmandu may not be available. In that case, you drive from Kathmandu to Manthali first and take a short flight to Lukla from there.

After landing in Lukla, the walk begins gently as the trail descends into the Dudh Koshi Valley. You move past riverside paths, mani stones, prayer wheels, and small Sherpa settlements before reaching Phakding and checking into your teahouse near the Dudh Koshi River.

You wake up early in Phakding and start the walk toward higher ground. The trail becomes more active as you pass Benkar, Monjo, and Jorsalle. At Monjo, your guide completes the Sagarmatha National Park entry check before the route moves into forest paths, bridge crossings, and short uphill sections.

Beyond Jorsalle, you cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge and begin the steep climb toward Namche Bazaar. As you gain height, the first clear mountain views begin to appear. You reach Namche, the main Sherpa town of the Khumbu, with shops, bakeries, lodges, and mountain culture around you.

You spend the day acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar, so the overnight stay remains in the same town. Instead of resting all day, you take a short hike above Namche to help your body adjust to the altitude. The common route leads toward the Everest View Hotel, with clear views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and other Khumbu peaks.

Depending on the weather and your energy level, the hike can be extended toward Syangboche, Khumjung, or Khunde. Along the way, you see Sherpa villages, old monasteries, stone houses, and daily mountain life. After exploring these areas, you return to Namche Bazaar, spend some time around the market, and rest well before heading higher.

You trek deeper into the quieter Bhote Koshi valley, leaving the main Everest trail far behind. The landscape becomes drier and more open, with stone houses, yak pastures, mani walls, and long mountain views. The trail passes through Marlung, one of the larger settlements in the Thame valley, before continuing gradually upward.

As you gain altitude, the air feels thinner, and the pace naturally slows. You reach Lungden, a small high-altitude village, where you rest early and prepare for the demanding Renjo La Pass crossing the next day.

You start early for a challenging and rewarding day as the trail climbs above Lungden toward Renjo La Pass. The ascent is steep and rugged, with rocky sections and cold wind as you gain height. Reaching the prayer-flagged pass feels like a major achievement, with sweeping views of the Himalayan giants, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.

From Renjo La, you descend carefully on rocky trails into the dramatic Gokyo basin. The route opens to the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the impressive Ngozumpa Glacier before you arrive in Gokyo village for a well-earned rest at altitude.

You take a well-planned acclimatization day in Gokyo, allowing your body to adjust before the next high pass. An early hike to Gokyo Ri is the highlight, offering some of the best panoramic views in the Khumbu, with sweeping mountain and glacier scenery.

After the hike, you return to Gokyo village and spend the rest of the day at a relaxed pace. You can explore the shores of the Gokyo Lakes, enjoy views of the Ngozumpa Glacier, and rest well for the upcoming crossing toward Cho La.

You leave Gokyo and follow the valley trail alongside the dramatic Ngozumpa Glacier, walking through a stark alpine landscape of rock, moraine, and scattered yak pastures. The route stays quieter and feels more remote, with wide glacier views and surrounding peaks guiding the way.

The walk is shorter but still demanding due to the altitude. You reach Thangnak, a small settlement with a few teahouses, and rest early to prepare for the Cho La Pass crossing the next day.

You start early for one of the toughest days of the trek as the trail climbs from Thangnak toward Cho La Pass. The ascent moves through rocky terrain and can include snow and ice, so careful footing and a steady pace matter. From the top of Cho La, you take in dramatic high-mountain views before beginning the descent.

The downhill section is steep at first and often the most technical part of the day. As the trail eases, you continue toward Dzongla, a quiet village set beneath towering peaks, where you rest after the long pass crossing.

You leave Dzongla and follow a rugged high-altitude trail with wide mountain views and glacier scenery. The route passes the beautiful Chola Lake, then continues across moraine terrain as the landscape becomes more barren and dramatic. The air is thinner here, so the pace stays slow and steady.

As you approach Lobuche, you begin to feel the presence of the Khumbu Glacier and the Everest foothills around you. You arrive in Lobuche by afternoon, rest in the teahouse, and prepare for the Everest Base Camp day ahead.

You follow the rocky moraine trail beside the Khumbu Glacier, passing memorials and glacier viewpoints as the scenery turns wild and icy. After reaching Gorak Shep, you take a short break, refuel, and prepare for the final push higher.

You continue to Everest Base Camp, walking across glacial terrain with close views of the Khumbu Icefall area and surrounding peaks. After time at Base Camp for photos and rest, you retrace the trail back to Gorak Shep for the night, ready for the early start to Kala Patthar.

You start before dawn for the climb to Kala Patthar, the highest point of the trek and the best viewpoint for a close-up Everest sunrise. The trail is steep and cold, but the panoramic Himalayan scenery from the top makes the effort worth it.

After returning to Gorak Shep for breakfast, you begin a long descent through the upper Khumbu valley, passing familiar glacial landscapes and gradually returning to easier air. You reach Pheriche, a windswept settlement with wide valley views, and enjoy a more comfortable night at a lower altitude.

You continue descending through the Khumbu valley, passing stone walls, yak pastures, and classic mountain scenery as the trail becomes greener again. The route leads through Pangboche and then toward Tengboche, where prayer flags and monastery views add a peaceful feel to the day.

After crossing the river and climbing briefly, the trail continues through forests and familiar villages on the way back to Namche Bazaar. You arrive in Namche with time to enjoy a warm meal, relax in cafes, and celebrate the hard days already completed.

You leave Namche Bazaar and descend on familiar trails back into the Dudh Koshi valley. The route crosses suspension bridges and passes through pine forests and small villages, with a mix of steady descents and short uphill sections that keep the day active.

You continue past Phakding and follow the river trail toward Lukla, where the trek began. After arriving, you check into the teahouse, enjoy your final evening in the Khumbu, and celebrate the completion of the Everest Two Passes adventure.

You take a scenic flight out of Lukla, enjoying one last aerial view of the Khumbu valleys and Himalayan ridgelines. After landing, you transfer onward and wrap up the trek with time to relax and reflect on the journey.

In peak seasons, you often fly to Manthali/Ramechhap and then continue by road to Kathmandu. In other months, flights usually operate directly to Kathmandu, giving you a smoother return.