15-day EBC with Gokyo Lake Trek

Along the way, you’ll stay in teahouses, which are simple mountain lodges offering basic rooms, usually with twin beds and shared bathrooms. Meals are available in a common dining area, and while facilities get more basic at higher altitudes, most places are clean, cozy, and welcoming.

For acclimatization, the trek includes planned rest days typically in Namche Bazaar and Gokyo to help your body adjust to the high altitude. These days often involve light hikes to higher elevations before returning to sleep lower, which is key to avoiding altitude sickness.

Since the route reaches over 5,000 meters, going slow, staying hydrated, and following a steady itinerary is crucial for both safety and enjoyment.

Food and drinking water on the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek with Gokyo Lake are generally reliable, though basic. Most teahouses offer a set menu with a mix of local and international dishes.

The most common meal is dal bhat, which is a traditional Nepali dish with rice, lentil soup, and vegetables, which is filling and provides good energy for trekking. You’ll also find noodles, soups, pancakes, fried rice, and even pasta or pizza at some stops. While meat is available in lower areas, it’s best to avoid it at higher altitudes since it’s often carried up without refrigeration.

For drinking water, bottled water is sold in most villages, but it gets more expensive as you go higher. A better and more eco-friendly option is to carry a reusable water bottle and use water purification tablets, filters, or UV purifiers, as tap or stream water is not safe to drink without treatment. 

Electricity and internet services are available along the EBC Gokyo trek, but they become more limited and expensive as you gain altitude. In most teahouses, you can charge your devices, usually for a small fee, especially at higher elevations. Power is typically supplied by solar panels or small hydroelectric systems, so charging may be slower or unavailable during bad weather or busy times.

Internet access is possible in many villages through Wi-Fi services, often provided by Everest Link or similar networks. While you can purchase Wi-Fi access cards, the connection is slow and unreliable the higher you go which is good enough for messaging, but not for video calls or streaming.

An alternative is to buy a local SIM card (like Ncell) in Kathmandu, which works in some areas early in the trek but loses signal in remote parts. Overall, it’s best to enjoy the trek with limited digital distractions and use connectivity only when necessary.

Group size for the EBC and Gokyo trek can vary depending on your preference and trekking style. Most organized treks run in small groups of 6 to 12 people, which offers a good balance between social interaction and personal attention from guides. Smaller groups are easier to manage on the trail, at teahouses, and during acclimatization, making the experience smoother and more flexible.

You can also choose to trek solo with a guide or porter, which gives you more freedom in pacing and itinerary, though traveling with at least one companion is recommended for safety in high-altitude areas.

Larger groups (over 15 people) are less common, as they can be harder to coordinate and may cause delays or crowding in teahouses. Whether solo or in a group, the key is to choose a size that fits your comfort level, allows for proper guidance, and ensures a safe, enjoyable journey.

Altitude sickness is a serious concern on the EBC trek via Gokyo, as the route reaches elevations above 5,000 meters. It happens when your body doesn’t adjust well to the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes.

Common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, and fatigue. To prevent altitude sickness, the trek includes acclimatization days usually in Namche Bazaar and Gokyo where you rest and do light hikes to help your body adapt.

The golden rule is to ascend slowly, stay hydrated, and listen to your body. Avoid alcohol, drink plenty of fluids, and don’t skip rest days. Some trekkers also take Diamox, a medication that helps with acclimatization, but it should only be used after consulting a doctor.

If symptoms get worse, the safest solution is to descend immediately to a lower altitude.

Difficulty of the Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes is rated as moderate to difficult, mainly because of the high altitude, long duration, and varied terrain. The trek doesn’t involve technical climbing, but you’ll be walking for 12–18 days, often for 5 to 7 hours a day, with steep climbs, rocky paths, and the challenging Cho La Pass crossing, which can be icy or snow-covered.

The real challenge comes from the altitude, as the trail goes above 5,000 meters, where the air has less oxygen, making even simple tasks more tiring. That’s why good physical fitness, steady pacing, and proper acclimatization are essential.

Travel insurance is essential for the Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes trek due to the remote location and high-altitude risks involved. A good insurance policy should cover medical emergencies, altitude sickness treatment, helicopter evacuation, and trip cancellations. Because getting medical help in the mountains can be expensive and complicated, having insurance gives you peace of mind.

Make sure your insurance specifically includes high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 meters and covers emergency evacuation by helicopter, which is often the fastest way to get help if serious illness or injury occurs.

It’s best to buy travel insurance before your trip and carry a copy with you while trekking. This way, you’re protected against unexpected events and can focus on enjoying your incredible journey safely.

Money exchange on the Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Lake is best done before you start the trek, usually in Kathmandu or Lukla. Nepalese rupees (NPR) are the local currency, and most teahouses and shops along the route accept cash only and credit cards are rarely accepted outside major towns.

You’ll find money exchange counters in Kathmandu where rates are better and services more reliable. In Lukla and some bigger villages, you can exchange small amounts, but rates may be less favorable.

It’s always a good idea to carry enough cash in smaller notes for daily expenses, tips, and emergencies. ATMs are very limited or unavailable on the trek, so plan ahead and keep your money safe throughout the journey.

If you’re planning the Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake trekking, there are a few important permits you’ll need. These documents help ensure your safety, support local communities, and allow access to protected areas. Here are the 3 main permits you’ll need:

TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System)

• This card keeps a record of all trekkers in the region. It helps authorities track you in case of an emergency.
• You can get it from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or through a trekking agency.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

• This allows you to enter Sagarmatha National Park, home to Mt. Everest and beautiful wildlife.
• You can get it in Kathmandu or at the park entrance in Monjo.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

• This is a local government permit required for all trekkers in the Khumbu (Everest) region.
• It’s available in Lukla or Monjo and replaces the older TIMS card in this region.

General

• Backpack (40–50L)
• Sleeping bag (good for -10°C or colder)
• Trekking poles
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Water bottles or hydration bladder
• Sunglasses (UV protection)
• Water purification tablets or filter
  

Upper Body

• Base layer shirts (2–3, moisture-wicking)
  
• Fleece or down jacket (for warmth)
• Waterproof & windproof jacket
• Sun hat or cap
• Warm hat (wool or fleece)
• Neck gaiter or buff
  

Torso

• Lightweight mid-layer (fleece or light down)
• Waterproof shell jacket
  

Lower Body

• Thermal leggings
• Trekking pants (2 pairs)
• Waterproof pants
• Underwear (quick-dry)
  

Hands & Feet

• Inner gloves (thin)
• Warm gloves (waterproof)
• Trekking socks (3–4 pairs)
• Warm socks (1–2 pairs)
• Trekking boots (broken-in, waterproof)
• Camp shoes or sandals
  

Essential Extras

• Trekking permits & passport copies
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Lip balm with SPF
• Quick-dry towel
• Snacks (energy bars, nuts)
• Power bank
  

Basic Medication & First Aid

• Altitude medicine (e.g., Diamox)
• Painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol)
• Blister pads (e.g., Compeed)
• Diarrhea medicine (e.g., Imodium)
• Band-aids & antiseptic cream

Optional Items

• Gaiters (for snow, especially in colder seasons)
• Power bank or solar charger
• Lightweight towel
• Lightweight travel pillow
• Earplugs (teahouses can be noisy)
• Journal or book
• Snacks (energy bars, chocolates, nuts)
• Ziplock bags or dry sacks (for organizing and waterproofing)
• Microspikes (for icy trails, in shoulder seasons)

 How to Book

• To book your trek, you need to pay a deposit of 20% to 30% of the total cost.
• The rest of the payment can be made when you arrive in Kathmandu, before the trek starts.
• Once we get your deposit, we’ll send you a booking confirmation email.
  

Payment Options

You can pay by:

• Bank transfer
• Credit/debit card
• Cash (USD, Euro, or Nepali Rupees)

Payment details will be shared after you confirm your booking.

Changing Your Booking

• You can change your trek date by letting us know at least 15 days before the start.
• Late changes may cost extra (for example, flight or hotel changes).

Cancellation by participant 

• Cancel more than 30 days before the trek start date: 80% of your deposit refunded.
• Cancel between 15 and 30 days before the trek: 50% of your deposit refunded.
• Cancel less than 15 days before the trek: no refund of your deposit.
  

Cancellation by Operator

• If we cancel the trek due to safety concerns, extreme weather, or government restrictions, you will get a full refund or the chance to reschedule your trek.
  

Leaving the Trek Early

• If you need to leave the trek early because of illness or personal reasons, refunds for unused services may not be available.

Events Beyond Our Control

• We are not responsible for cancellations or changes caused by natural disasters, political issues, pandemics, or other events outside our control.