Everest and Gokyo Lakes Circuit

The Gokyo Lakes and EBC trek was an epic experience. I was fortunate to be part of an amazing group of nine, whose camaraderie and support made the journey even more special. The Himalayas are truly majestic, and walking among the towering peaks, snowy valleys, crossing glaciers, and swinging bridges was an experience like no other. While the Gokyo region's lakes were spectacular, the clear highlight for me was the Cho La Pass. It was difficult and challenging, but the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the top was unparalleled. Each stretch of the trek rewarded us with incredible scenery, making it a trip of a lifetime. This incredible adventure was made possible by our exceptional leader, Nurbu Sherpa, and our amazing assistant guides, Benja Rai and Roshan Rai. They were our constant companions, cheering us on and ensuring our well-being every step of the way. Nurbu Sherpa was always available to answer questions and address any concerns, and the trip ran smoothly thanks to the excellent organisation by Freedom Adventures. While there were undoubtedly some extremely challenging days, their unwavering support and positive attitudes kept us going. Our health and safety were their top priorities. None of this would have been possible without our incredible "iron men" – the porters. They carried our loads, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the surroundings. Each morning, they greeted us with the warmest smiles, making our journey even more memorable. Special thanks to Narendra Rai, Laxmi Tamang, Dikman Rai, Nabaraj Rai, and Saila Rai.

A heartfelt thank you to the team and the friendships made along the way.

What an amazing experience, trekking through the Everest region via the Gokyo lakes. Stunning scenery and just awesome views of the Himalayas! We had an amazing team of professional guides, lead by Kanchan and assistants Anil and Fhurpa, who were very accommodating and gelled really well with our group. Same goes for the porters who made sure we always had access to our luggage when we arrived in the tea houses after a long day of trekking. Accommodation and food varied from good to basic (in more remote areas) but perfectly suited for the trek. It's been an experience of a lifetime for me I can only recommend Freedom Adventures very highly!

I cannot say enough about how wonderful this trip was - lifechanging, challenging, beautiful and truly an adventure of a lifetime. A huge thank you to the following for being the BEST team of assistant guides (Benja Rai, Roshan Rai), porters (Narendra Rai, Laxmi Tamang, Dikman Rai, Nabaraj Rai, Saila Rai) and the greatest sherpa of all time - Nurba Sherpa. I will remember this trip for the rest of my life. The mountains, teahouses, culture, hospitality and most importantly the people on this trip. Forever grateful. Thank you.

This was the trip of a lifetime! Nurbu Sherpa, and assistant guides, Benjamin Rai and Roshan Rai were amazing, as well as all the porters (Narendra Rai, Laxmi tamang, Dikman Rai, Nabaraj Rai, Saila rai) who supported us throughout the trek. The views were incredible and the trekking was challenging but rewarding, it was the best trip and would 100% recommend to others.

The Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp trek was a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. The views were magnificent: the turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes, the yellow tents of Everest Base Camp among enormous mountants, the challenging and rewarding sunrise on rocky Kala Pathar, and the breathtaking (figuratively and literally) Cho La Pass. The trek is physically and mentally demanding but 100% rewarding.

Huge thanks to our lead guide, Nurbu Sherpa, and assistant guides, Benjamin Rai and Roshan Rai, for providing support, expertise, and encouragement throughout the journey. I also greatly appreciate our porters, without whom we wouldn't have enjoyed the experience.

Had a great time trekking the Gokyo lakes and EBC route. Our guide Kanchan was excellent, very knowledgable and always made sure we were comfortable. Would definitely recommend to others.

This was a trip I will remember for a very long time - a real once in a lifetime experience. Our guide Kanchan was always so informative, friendly, and knowledgeable, with infectious high energy and enthusiasm. He’s a better chess player than he’ll admit too.. The whole trip was well organised and ran very smoothly, which allowed us to really enjoy the surroundings without worry. The trecking is challenging at times but always more than worth it, and part of the experience. The Gokyo route provides a quiter alternative to the main EBC trek with stunning scenery. Many thanks to Kanchan and assistant Uther for an amazing experience.

Everest and Gokyo Lakes Circuit was the most amazing experience. Our guides, Nurbu, Nima and Benjamin, were wonderful. They put 110% effort into making this an unforgettable adventure for all of us. They knew how to adapt to the needs of the group and individuals. Prefesionals who make it a fun and enjoyable trip.

Furthermore, the trip is very well put together. The alternation of heavy and less heavy days makes it easy to do! Well ‘easy’ because there are hard days for sure.

I also have a great deal of appreciation for the porters who helped us with our belongings. We could never have done this without them!

The views keep changing and this is one of the coolest things I have ever done, I would recommend it to everyone!

The EBC Gokyo Trek was phenomenal! From the breathtaking views to the challenging yet rewarding trails, every moment was filled with awe! Special thanks to the guides (nurbu sherpa, nijma sherpa and benjamin rai) and host team, who were incredibly attentive and friendly, making the journey safe and enjoyable. Plus, the trek was well-organized, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. Highly recommend!

I had been looking forward to this trip for many months and it certainly did not disappoint. From start to finish I felt comfortable and cared for. Already having some experience hiking at altitude was a definite help and allowed me to feel prepared for what to expect. Nonetheless, being in the mountains at such a height for two weeks is not easy. The Gokyo route is absolutely stunning and a definite must to avoid the busier trails linked to the standard Everest Base Camp trek. I would strongly recommend this to everyone considering a trekking holiday in Nepal. A huge thank you to Nurbu, Nima and Benja along with the porting staff for allowing the trip to run effortlessly with constant laughter throughout. These three made the trip so special, it definitely would not have been the same without them, and I can confidently say the whole group would agree.

Embarking on this journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Nepal was nothing short of transformative. If you have the time I would highly recommend to take the few extra days and travel through the Gokyo Lakes and Valley rather than going straight to Base Camp.

Despite the challenges (there were at least 3 days that really really tested me!), this adventure was completely worth it! We completely lucked out and had the most amazing guides with Nurbu Sherpa, Lima Sherpa and Benjamin Rai! They made our trip for us and helped me significantly on my challenging days.

From the awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas to the warm hospitality of the locals, hosts and the cute tea houses, every step of the way was filled with wonder and discovery! You won't regret this trip <3

This was an epic Himalayan Adventure, one that challenges you mentally & physically but is equally rewarding. We had a brilliant group of trekkers, guides and porters which was well managed by lead guide Nurbu Sherpa and his assistants Nima Sherpa & Benjamin Rai. They were professional, knowledgeable, considerate, funny and very entertaining. This trip had it all and made for a very memorable time with great people. I would recommend this trip over the regular EBC trip as you get to see so much more of the region as it a circuit. It’s a longer itinerary, and more expensive but it’s so worth it !! Alan

Hi: Lot's to mention here - first off, I want to thank you for ALL the intricate preparations that go into making an adventure this complicated happen. Also, thank you to all the Nepali, most specifically 9 individuals that I will get to later, for opening their hearts and their land to a bunch of strangers with a wholesome, kind and warm hearted way that will literally stay lingering in my mind forever. Nepal will never be far from my thoughts now. There are three folks that I want to highlight: first off, Benza and Neema, the two assistant guides were a combination of expertise, coach, best friend, encourager and servers. When I couldnt move one more step, when my mind and my heart and my soul was crushed, there were those two young men offering me a cup of coffee, a hand up a hill, a Sherpa stew or maybe just the right words to keep me going up one more hill. And they do it with calm and equanimity that here in America, we've really lost. Then there is Nurbu. WOW. I dont think I can do justice to describe the level of professionnalism, grit, level-headedness, earnesty that could be in one human being. I was significantly older than the rest of the group who were young single Millenials. My strong point has never been group situations either! So, a few days into it Im thinking: 'Why on Earth did I sign up for this?' Nurbu felt it to and with his signature kindness, he navigated the delicate situation to make it better. It's those small kindnesses that really count. I then fell ill with a very bad bronchitis. I really fell apart since I was coughing non-stop, barely able to breathe. Again, Nurbu, a person who must hold so many hats in his very complex job, stepper into action to try to find cough medicine for me, to assure me that my body could still do this, and that honestly it was not a big deal, that they all had my back. So thank you for a trip to the highest mountains, but also an internal trip to see what mettle we are made of. This was the adventure of a lifetime.

Amazing amazing amazing. I had never hiked before but had a decent level of fitness and it was very challenging but rewarding. What I would say is don’t underestimate the intensity of the trip. There are some easy days but also some long days fuelled by jelly babies and Oreo’s.

Freedom Adventures was a great company and were very organised with everything we needed.

I was very lucky to have an amazing group of people on the trip but the most amazing part of the trip were the guides. Nurbu is someone you should actually ask to be your guide on your trip. He is a legend. He is warm, knowledgable and one of the funniest people around. His team love him and it makes the experience wonderful as they’re all an incredible team. The assistant guides Nima and Benja are also amazing. Nima is very kind and patient with those who need a little extra help and as an experienced climber he is great as the team walking lead for the more difficult parts of the trip like Cho La or scrambling at the glacier. Benja is very kind and funny and always ready to help people who need some more one to one support. He spent a lot of time with my friend who has trouble going down on steep areas and he held her hand and took her slowly down everytime.

Another think important about freedom is that they look after their porters. There are strict weight limits on what they carry and it’s clear the porters loved being part of the team. After a hard day going across the Cho La pass we stopped to make a snow man and have a snowball fight and everyone joined in.

I’d love to come back and do Annapurna and if I do there is no one else I’d use except Much Better Adventures. And of course I’d insist on Nurbu, Nima and Benja again!

Thank you everyone! Charlotte (Charlie)

I have just returned after an unforgettable trip to Nepal. My partner and I completed the Gokyo Lakes, Cho La Pass, and EBC trek. Thanks to Dakman, Ugan and, our porters I had most incredible time. Dakman is such a calming, wise, and good spirited presence and Ugan always provided lots of laughter and always had a smile on his face. We would have never got through the 18 days without all of the team and are so thankful to them for creating the best memories, in such stunning, and magical surroundings. For anyone who is considering the trek I would recommend the Gokyo Lakes circuit over the standard EBC trek. Whilst it's a little longer, it provides more time/practice for acclimatisation and the views are unreal. Thank you to Dakman and the team for an incredible 3 weeks.

What an incredible trip! We had an amazing group of six who became almost instant friends, and our guides made sure we had a wonderful, successful adventure!

Our team was led by our main guide, Dakman Thapa, and assistant guide, Ugen Sherpa, and we had three porters: Furi Sherpa, Nishan Tamang, and Visan Rai. Dakman and Ugen handled everything professionally (from accommodation and trekking permits to Lukla flight delays) so that our trip ran smoothly. Dakman is an exceptional guide. His knowledge, openness, kindness, and encouragement got us through even the toughest days, and he really made this adventure special. He always made sure to check on everyone individually, and knew exactly what to say to motivate us. Ugen was brilliant and very knowledgeable, and his infectious laugh and positivity made everyone smile. Our porters were wonderful, and when we met them on the trails they were kind and friendly, even on tough trekking days. Furi especially often had a smile and a joke ready to share.

The scenery is, needless to say, stunning. The vastness of the Himalayas is something you really have to see to comprehend. The view from Gokyo Ri and the sunrise from Kala Patthar were incredible, but there were so many highlights along the way, from the colourful rhododendrons to the peaceful Tengboche Monastery, and all the yaks, jhopkyas and cute dogs along the trail.

The teahouses were basic but always provided a clean room (shared between two people), a warm common room, and a good selection of food. The hot drinks were great (masala tea and hot mango juice were popular choices for our group). As we got higher the amenities become more basic and the temperature dropped below freezing, but we always had hot drinks, warm water in our flasks at night, and plenty of snacks to get us through.

Overall a fantastic adventure, and I can definitely recommend it!

This was an excellent trip, well organised and great fun. Our guide, Dakman, made the whole experience for me - knowledgeable, kind and with a great sense of humour, I feel lucky to have had him for the 15 days. The teahouses were on the whole very good, some more basic than others, specifically the one at basecamp, which I felt was unhygienic. The tour and route was varied, extremely beautiful and comfortably challenging. The group were great and we bonded very quickly with the help from our guides.

What can I say about this trip it was hard, painful, cold, breathtaking, inspiring add to that the lack of oxygen and you have a well rounded adventure. The group consisted of three women one of them my daughter and one man me. The guides were Nurbu Sherpa and Bijaya Rai these guides were informative and carried out their duties admirably.All questions were answered in detail in fact further information was given voluntarily which added to the richness of the trip. It was noted also that theses guides were assessing the group for possible health problems at each stage of the trip, which was reassuring. Also the guides had a sense of fun, interacting with the group lightening the mood when times become difficult on the trek. Overall, once I had forgotten the pain the adventure has become very enjoyable, keep up the good work Thankyou Colin Platt

The trip was everything and more I could have asked for. Kanchan, Birdhoj, Anil and all of the porters were incredible. They went through each of the next days plan the night before and were always there for any help needed as well as being the most lovely and fun people to spend time with on the trip. I can’t recommend it enough.

This trip was a highlight of my life, and surpassed every expectation I had. Our guides Dakman, Phurba and Bir made this experience unforgettable. It was a privilege to learn about Nepal and Sherpa culture through their excellent knowledge. Their professionalism, organisation and hard work behind the scenes meant that our trek ran smoothly and according to plan, with everyone's safety made a priority. We shared special memories not only when trekking and experiencing the awe-inspiring, humbling scenery Khumbu has to offer, but getting to know each other during quiet moments at our teahouses in the evening are memories I will treasure forever. Dakman, Phurba and Bir joined in and had so much patience for our British sarcasm and relentless jokes at each others expense! I am so grateful to have been led by this wonderful team - dhanyabād. The pace of the trip was well suited to all, and resulted in reaching base camp successfully and safely. I feel so fortunate to have shared this with such a great group of people. For anyone thinking of booking this adventure, I cannot recommend highly enough. Two and a half weeks of experiencing the Himalayas is an adventure you will never forget. Till next time, Nepal!

The Gokyo Lakes trip far exceeded my expectations on every level. It was an incredible experience in the most beautiful setting only made better by the amazing team of guides and porters led by Dakman. I would strongly recommend this trip to anyone considering it, just make sure you do some training and bring the right kit as there are some tough and very cold days - the scenery and team experience make it all worth it though!

This was an absolutely brilliant trek. Nepal is spectacular and I can't speak more highly of our local guide Dakman and his whole team. They couldn't do more for you and when I suffered a medical issue whilst ascending to EBC they went the extra mile to ensure I could complete it and then get medical attention. Highly recommended.

This must surely be the best route to get to Everest Base Camp. Very strenuous at times, due to the high altitude, but plenty of downtime to acclimatise and rest up are scheduled in and the views are so worth the effort. Our local guides Pujan and Asman took care of us every step of the way and were clearly very passionate about the region and keen to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm. This was my second trek in Nepal with MBA and I'm sure it won't be my last. The trip planning and well trained local staff are second to none and I'm sure were an important factor in the successful completion of the trek from start to finish.

Excellent trip, exceeded expectations. The chief guide Dakman Thapa was top quality; fun with a great sense of humour, but a consummate professional throughout the trip. I struggled on the 3 day walk out, with a chest infection, but he was patiently supportive as I lagged at the back.of the group.

I can't recommend the Gokyo Lakes - ECB trip highly enough. Our guides, led by the very knowledgable Dakman, were excellent, and good fun too. They ensured our pace was suitable to allow safe acclimatisation, looked after several members who had a few health problems on the trip, kept us informed, made sure we were safe, and even joined in on some card games at nights. For me the highlight wasn't EBC, but first sight of Everest, Ama Dablam and Cho Oyu; along with climbing Gokyo Ri (what a view from there!), ascending Cho La Pass, glacier crossings and the wonderful Kala Patthar sunset of Everest and Nuptse. Some days were long, some days were very cold, accommodation was basic but it was all part of the adventure. 10/10 from me!

We had a brilliant time trekking in the Everest region. The circuit route is tough and the cold takes its toll but you are rewarded with the most incredible views the whole way which makes it all worth it. We had fantastic local guides with extensive knowledge of the mountains, who guided our entire group safely and successfully.

This trip is incredible and if you’re fit, love the mountains and want a less crowded experience, choose this over the traditional EBC trek. It’s cold, it’s relentless and it’s tough, but the rewards are HUGE and the pacing is great so even the hard days are manageable. If you’re going in November make sure you have good layers and a warm sleep system…below zero nights and mornings are common. It was one of the greatest treks I’ve ever been on … could not recommend more highly.

I signed up for a Gokyo Valley & Everest Base Camp trek led by Sanjeet Twayana and I couldn’t ask for a more professional, kind and funny guide than him. The whole team, including fantastic porters made sure this challenging trek was a safe and very special adventure for the group. They showed us how beautiful Nepal is, and shared their impressive knowledge about the region. For that, I’m forever thankful and would highly recommend booking trips with them!

We had the pleasure of trekking the Gokyo Lakes / Cho La pass EBC route and it was amazing, from the beginning until we departed. If you have the time, I would recommend taking this longer route as some of our highlights were on the sections which are not on the traditional EBC route (in particular, Gokyo Ri). The longer route is noticeably quieter than the main EBC route and so offers (in our opinion) a better hiking experience overall.

We are seasoned hikers but this was our first high altitude trek, so we were initially nervous about the additional challenges of getting to 5600m but our guide, Pasang Sonam Sherpa was a phenomenal leader, and controlled the pace such that we were able to achieve each milestone without an issue. We had also read conflicting reviews online on the difficulty of the trek, but our guide Pasang made sure that we took regular breaks and provided lots of tips along the way to help us through. If you are of average to good fitness, I am confident that Pasang would be able to guide you to the top.

Pasang is the most unbelievably knowledgeable and friendly guide we could have asked for (he has a close-to-encyclopaedic knowledge of the various peaks in the region) and reassured us about every aspect of the trek that we had questions on. He also seemed to be popular amongst the porter and guide community, so we made plenty of friends along the way! Our porter, Dawa Sherpa was also super friendly and made sure we were able to complete the trek safely and with all of our kit.

As advertised, the accommodation is basic. It must be said that some of the lodges were nicer than others and there were occasions where we walked past tour groups in nicer lodges (e.g. with newer facilities, more toilets) to go to our basic ones (one of which was an outbuilding to the main lodge; another had no wifi; all had shared facilities); however, I’m not sure what the practicalities are of booking the accommodation in advance in this region (perhaps the other lodges had their issues, who knows) and speaking with Pasang we do understand that accommodation is quickly booked up at short notice and in some villages, such as Portche Tanga, options are really limited. On reflection, it might have been nice for the host to have opted for some slightly higher-end (meaning perhaps $5-8 p/room more) accommodation at points along the way but mostly we had no complaints. The Hotels in Namche and Gokyo were our favourites.

Do make sure to follow the kit list MBA provides as we were thankful to have wet wipes etc. when showering wasn’t a practical option. The days are short with plenty of time for relaxing in the afternoon so come armed with something to occupy your time.

Overall this was a stunning addition to our collection of hikes! We had so much fun and Pasang even took the trouble of beating my boyfriend at darts on his inaugural darts match over a celebration beer on the way back down in Namche. Thank you again to Pasang and Dawa for making our trip so fun and meaningful!

Booked a trek to see the Gokyo Lakes, Cho La Pass, Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp. It was the most incredible trek that I’ve been on and I couldn’t recommend it enough. I had Dakman as a guide with Njima and Anbunde as assistant guides. I couldn’t have asked for better. They went above and beyond, offering us things outside of the itinerary just to ensure we had the most out of every moment. A real highlight for me was getting to join in with the festival activities too! I was able to ask endless questions to learn about Nepalese culture, all of which were answered with a smile! Our 4 porters were just amazing too. I’ve already instructed my friends that they need to sign up immediately! Thanks again for the most amazing 19 days!