12 Day Gosainkunda Lake and Everest Base Camp Trek with 6 Day Yoga Retreat
Arrival
Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to Budanilkantha
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, once you've passed through Immigration and retrieved your luggage, please look out for your Team Mount Everest driver carrying a placard with your name who will transfer you to Park Village Resort in Budanilkantha for overnight on bed and breakfast basis.
Briefing
This evening (subject to flight timings), youโll meet your guide for your pre-climb briefing to discuss tomorrowโs trek and go over any questions you may have.
Trek
Day 02: Budanilkantha to Sing Gompa (3,330m)
After breakfast, you will be transferred by vehicle (around a 3hr 30min drive) to Dhunche (1,960m), where you will start your trek towards Gosainkunda Lake. The trail passes through beautiful forests and traditional villages, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You will overnight in Sing Gompa (3,330m).
Drive from Park Village Resort to Dhunche:
Trek from Dhunche to Sing Gompa:
Day 03: Sing Gompa to Gosainkunda Lake and back to Laurebina
After breakfast, you will continue your trek to the enchanting Gosainkunda Lake, located at an altitude of 4,380 meters. Once you arrive at this stunning spot, you'll take a short break before starting your descent. You'll spend the night at a tea house in Laurebina, set at an elevation of 3,910 meters.
Day 04: Laurebina to Budanilkantha
After an overnight stay in Laurebina, your trek will continue towards Dhunche, with an expected duration of about 4 hours 30 minutes. In Dhunche, youโll meet your driver, who will take you on the approximately 3.5 hour drive back to Budanilkantha. Once in Budanilkantha, youโll be staying at Park Village Resort.
Day 05: Fly to Lukla (35 min) and trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440m
Today's plan involves an early departure from the hotel, with the goal of reaching Lukla, depending on weather and flight schedules. We expect to arrive between 7:00 and 9:00 am. Alternatively, if you choose to take a private helicopter, we can arrange that as well. Upon reaching Lukla, weโll enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off on a leisurely downhill trek to Phakding, a journey of about three hours to an altitude of 2,652 meters.
In Phakding, we'll stop for lunch to recharge before continuing our trek to Namche Bazaar. As it will be a long day, it's recommended to keep your head torch handy. By this stage of the trek, you'll be well acclimatised to the higher altitudes.
Day 06: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche 3,867m
Today, we begin our ascent to Tengboche, situated at an elevation of 3,900 meters, departing from Namche. The first two hours of the hike offer an easy trek along the left side of the valley, high above the valley floor. Afterward, the trail descends toward the river, where weโll stop for lunch.
After lunch, weโll continue with a 2- to 3-hour trek uphill, leading us on a long, gradual ascent to the picturesque town of Tengboche. This section of the journey involves a steady but extended climb, typically lasting around 5 to 6 hours in total.
Day 07: Tengboche to Dingboche 4,358m
Starting from Tengboche, our day begins with a gentle descent, followed by a steep climb leading to the crossing of the Imja Khola River. From there, weโll continue hiking with a gradual ascent towards Pangboche, where weโll stop for lunch. (Itโs worth mentioning that Pangboche was significantly affected by the 2015 earthquakes.)
After lunch, weโll resume our trek on a gradual uphill path as we enter the Imja Valley, offering stunning views of Island Peak. About an hour later, weโll arrive in Dingboche, marking the end of our trekking for the day.
In the evening, weโll embark on an acclimatisation hike to Nangkartshang peak, ascending to an altitude above 5,100 meters before descending back to Dingboche for an overnight stay.
Day 08: Dingboche to Lobuche 4,828m
Leaving Dingboche, we retrace our steps towards the Khumbu Valley, following a scenic and leisurely route that spans higher terrain. Eventually, weโll arrive in Dugla, where weโll stop for lunch and have time to rest.
After lunch, weโll start our ascent to the Thukla Pass, pausing along the way to pay our respects at the Everest Memorial before continuing on to Lobuche.
Day 09: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp 5,365m and descend to Gorakshep 5,160m
Todayโs trek takes us from Lobuche to Gorakshep, perched at an impressive altitude of 5,160 meters. This part of the journey offers a unique and breathtaking experience as we pass through stunning mountainous terrain, navigating loose rocks and glacier moraine.
The trail is undulating, and after some time, weโll arrive at the welcoming settlement of Gorakshep, where weโll stop for a well-earned lunch. Afterward, weโll set out on a challenging 3-hour trek to reach the iconic Everest Base Camp. Itโs important to remember that this final stretch is particularly tough, especially as weโll be dealing with only about 55% of the oxygen available at sea level.
Day 10: Ascend Kala Patthar 5,555m and descend to Pheriche 4,370m
After a restful night in Gorakshep, we plan to wake up at dawn and hike up to the summit of Kala Patthar, which rises to an impressive 5,555 meters. From this viewpoint, weโll have the incredible chance to see the sunrise as it casts its golden light over the majestic Mount Everest. Though the ascent is a challenging three-hour climb, the rewards are immense, making it a memorable highlight of our journey.
After returning to Gorakshep, weโll enjoy a hearty breakfast before starting our descent, eventually reaching Pheriche.
Day 11: Descend from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Today, we descend from Pheriche to the bustling Namche Bazaar, covering approximately 15 kilometers over 6 to 7 hours. The trail winds through charming Sherpa villages like Pangboche and Tengboche, where you can visit the renowned Tengboche Monastery and enjoy stunning views of Ama Dablam and other peaks.
As we trek through lush rhododendron and pine forests, keep an eye out for Himalayan wildlife, including musk deer and colorful pheasants. Upon reaching Namche Bazaar, you'll be welcomed by its lively atmosphere, with cozy cafes, shops, and marketsโperfect for relaxing after a rewarding day on the trail.
Day 12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla Airport
Today marks the final day of our trek as we descend from Namche Bazaar to Lukla, covering about 18 kilometres over 7 to 8 hours. The trail descends steeply at first, winding through forests of rhododendron, pine, and oak, and crossing several suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags. Along the way, we pass through familiar Sherpa villages like Monjo and Phakding, enjoying the vibrant local culture and scenery one last time.
Arriving in Lukla, we complete our remarkable journey in the Everest region. This is a time to celebrate our accomplishments, relax, and reflect on the incredible adventure we've had, surrounded by fellow trekkers and the warm hospitality of Luklaโs lodges.
Day 13: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu then drive to Nagarkot
We bid farewell to the mountains and take an early morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu, enjoying one last aerial view of the stunning Himalayas. Upon landing in Kathmandu, we'll take a scenic drive to Nagarkot, a hill station renowned for its panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, weather permitting.
This afternoon, we'll visit an authentic Nepalese restaurant for dinner and some traditional Nepali songs and dance.
The drive to Nagarkot takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, winding through charming countryside, terraced fields, and small villages. Upon arrival, you can relax and take in the serene atmosphere or explore the local area. As the day comes to a close, enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the mountains, setting the stage for a peaceful evening in this tranquil retreat.
Yoga retreat
The Yoga retreat camp is nestled in Nagarkot, a tranquil village in the Bhaktapur district, about 25 km from Kathmandu. The drive from Kathmandu takes around 2 hours. This peaceful location offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas and is surrounded by lush green hills, making it the perfect retreat for those seeking peace and a connection with nature. The retreat features a blend of daily yoga, meditation, sound healing sessions, and hikes in the nearby hills.
Typical daily schedule at the yoga retreat
- 7:30 AM: Tea Time
- 8:00 AM: Jala Neti (nasal cleansing)
- 8:15 AM: Yoga class (1.5 hours) including pranayama breathing, meditation, mantra, and mudra
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast
- 11:15 AM: Hiking
- 1:30 PM: Lunch
- 3:00 PM: Sound healing education and practice (2 hours)
- 5:30 PM: Tea Time
- 6:00 PM: Evening Yoga class (a gentle session with a sound bath)
- 7:30 PM: Dinner
- 8:00 PM: Free time for evening relaxation
Departure
A driver will collect you from your hotel before your departing flight and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), ensuring that you arrive there at least 2 hours before your flight departs.
Prices per person - trek costs
Prices are shown per person in US Dollars
| No. in group ๐ | 2 ๐ง | 3 ๐ง | 4 ๐ง | 5+ ๐ง |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-acclimitisation trek - Gosainkunda Lake - Days 1-4 | $830 | $820 | $810 | $800 |
| Everest Base Camp trek - Days 5-12 | $1,410 | $1,400 | $1,390 | $1,380 |
| Yoga retreat - Days 13-18 | $870 | $860 | $850 | $840 |
| Total per person | $3,110 | $3,080 | $3,050 | $3,020 |
Mobiles: scroll right for larger groups ๐
Prices per person - standard transfers
Prices are shown per person in US Dollars
| No. in group ๐ | 2 ๐ง | 3 ๐ง | 4 ๐ง | 5+ ๐ง |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard shared flight from Kathmandu to Lukla | $780 | $770 | $760 | $750 |
| Standard shared flight from Lukla to Kathmandu | $780 | $770 | $760 | $750 |
| Standard options - total per person | $1,560 | $1,540 | $1,520 | $1,500 |
Mobiles: scroll right for larger groups ๐
Upgrade options - private transfers
Please note that the helicopter can seat a maximum of four people. For groups larger than four, a second helicopter would be required.
Prices are shown per person in US Dollars
| No. in group ๐ | 1 ๐ง | 2 ๐ง | 3 ๐ง | 4 ๐ง | 5+ ๐ง |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla | $3,900 | $1,950 | $1,300 | $975 | $7,800 |
| Private helicopter from Gorekshep to Kathmandu | $6,240 | $3,120 | $2,080 | $1,560 | $12,480 |
| Private air transfers - total per person | $10,140 | $5,070 | $3,380 | $2,535 | $20,280 |
| Effective surcharge to standard options per person | $8,850 | $3,510 | $1,840 | $1,015 | $18,780 |
Mobiles: scroll right for larger groups ๐
Disclaimer: Please note that prices for accommodation and transportation, services included in our itineraries are outside of our direct control. Therefore, every time we create a new itinerary, we must obtain up-to-date pricing from our suppliers. All prices are subject to change based on availability, seasonal fluctuations, and other factors. For the most current pricing, please contact us directly.
What's included in the costs?
Note that conversely with many other operations, our prices do indeed cover meals in tea houses along the route, and return flights from Kathmandu to Lukla. You will need cash for additional beverages, and tips.
- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle.
- Hotel accommodation in Budanilkantha with breakfast (Twin Sharing Room).
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek (twin sharing basis).
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek and each meal a cup of tea or coffee.
- An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and necessary porters (1 Porter for 2 trekkers) during the trek.
- Staff costs include their salary, insurance, equipment, domestic airfare, food and accommodation.
- Duffel Bag, warm/down jacket and Sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion).
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS).
- Trip achievement certificate.
- Medical kit (carried by your trek leader).
- Farewell dinner in Authentic Nepali Restaurant.
- All government taxes, VAT and office service charge.
- Private Transportation to and from yoga retreat.
- Private twin sharing room at yoga retreat.
- All meals at yoga retreat.
- All above mention activities at yoga retreat.
Costs exclude
- Nepal Visa fee.
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Any private helicopters/ transport arranged.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
- Excess baggage charges (The baggage weight limit to Lukla flight is 15kg per person in total).
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and earlier return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, internet / Wi-Fi, laundry, bar bills - tea/ coffee, hot chocolate, juice, beer, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled or boiled water, shower etc.).
- Tips for guides and porters.
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, once you've passed through Immigration and retrieved your luggage, please look out for your Team Mount Everest driver carrying a placard with your name who will transfer you to Hotel Buddy in Kathmandu for overnight on bed and breakfast basis.
