- Destination
- Nepal
- Duration
- 18 Days
- Trip Difficulty
- Moderate
- Accommodation
- 4 Star hotel and Tea House
- Meals
- B, L, & D
- Max. Elevation
- 5545m
- Group Size
- 2-10
- Best Time
- Sept - Nov & March - May
Trip overview
The 18-day Best of Everest Trek combines two of the most popular trekking areas in the Khumbu region — the beautiful Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp. Instead of taking the regular Everest Base Camp route from Namche, the trail first heads towards the quieter Gokyo Valley before joining the Everest Base Camp trail later in the journey.
The trek begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and continues through Phakding to Namche Bazaar. After an acclimatization day in Namche, the route takes a different direction from the usual Everest Base Camp trail, heading towards Dole and Machhermo before reaching Gokyo.
After exploring the Gokyo area and hiking to Gokyo Peak, the trail retraces part of the route and continues towards Portse. From Portse, the trek joins the Everest Base Camp route and heads towards Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep. The journey then reaches the main goal of the trek, Everest Base Camp at 5,364m.
The following morning, an early hike to Kala Patthar at 5,545m provides another opportunity to enjoy close views of Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks. From Kala Patthar, the trail descends through Pheriche and follows the familiar route back to Namche and Lukla before flying back to Kathmandu.
By combining the Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp routes, this itinerary lets trekkers experience two different sides of the Everest region. You get the peaceful trails and high mountain landscapes around Gokyo along with the classic Everest Base Camp journey, making it a more complete exploration of the Khumbu.
Best Time for the Best of Everest Trek
The best months for the Best of Everest Trek are generally spring, from March to May, and autumn, from late September to November. During these months, the weather is usually more stable, the mountain views are clearer, and daytime conditions are more comfortable for long trekking days.
October and November are especially popular for the Everest region because of the clear mountain views. Spring brings warmer days and blooming rhododendrons along the lower sections of the trail.
Winter is also possible for experienced trekkers who are comfortable with cold conditions. The higher sections around Gokyo, Lobuche, Gorak Shep and Kala Patthar can be very cold, and snowfall can affect the trail.
The monsoon months are less predictable. Rain affects the lower trails, while cloud and poor visibility can also cause delays to flights between Kathmandu and Lukla. For this reason, spring and autumn remain the preferred seasons for this trek.
How Difficult Is the Best of Everest Trek?
The Best of Everest Trek is a challenging high-altitude trek, mainly because of the elevation and the number of consecutive trekking days rather than technical climbing.
The route reaches Gokyo Ri at 5,357m, Everest Base Camp at 5,364m and Kala Patthar at 5,545m. At these elevations, the amount of oxygen in the air is significantly lower than at sea level, so even a normal uphill walk can feel demanding.
Most trekking days involve around 5 to 8 hours of walking, with some longer days depending on trail conditions and the pace of the group. The section from Gokyo towards Phortse and the later approach to Everest Base Camp involve uneven and rocky mountain trails.
Regular walking, hiking, running, cycling or other cardiovascular activities before the trek can help build the stamina needed for the journey. The most important thing is not speed. A steady pace and enough time for rest are much more useful at high altitude.
Altitude and Acclimatization
Altitude is one of the main things to consider on the Best of Everest Trek. The itinerary is designed to increase elevation gradually and includes two acclimatization days before reaching the highest parts of the route.
The first acclimatization day is around Namche and Syangboche, where the group can take a short hike to a higher elevation before returning to Namche.
A second acclimatization day is planned at Dingboche, with a hike towards Nagarjun Hill before returning to the village.
The route also spends time at Gokyo before crossing towards Phortse and continuing to the Everest Base Camp side. These rest and gradual ascent days are an important part of the itinerary rather than simply extra days added to the trip.
Highest Point on the Trek
The highest point of the Best of Everest Trek is Kala Patthar at 5,545m (18,192ft).
The hike to Kala Patthar normally begins early in the morning from Gorak Shep. The climb is demanding at this elevation, but the reward is one of the most impressive viewpoints on the entire journey, with close views towards Everest and the surrounding Khumbu peaks.
The trek also reaches Everest Base Camp at 5,364m and Gokyo Ri at 5,357m.
These three high points make the Best of Everest different from a straightforward Everest Base Camp itinerary. The journey takes in both the Gokyo side of the Khumbu and the Everest Base Camp side before returning through the lower valley.
