Trekking · Nepal
Everest Region Treks
From Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes to the Three Passes circuit and shorter Pikey Peak — how to choose your Khumbu trek.
The Khumbu, the valley system rising toward Everest from the Sherpa town of Lukla, is the most celebrated trekking region on earth. It packs glacier-fed lakes, 8,000-metre giants, ancient monasteries and high passes into a relatively compact area, which is why so many different routes thread through it. Here is how the main Everest region treks compare, and who each one suits.
The short answer
If you want the classic, walk the Everest Base Camp trek — 12 to 14 days to the foot of Everest and the Kala Patthar viewpoint. For something quieter with turquoise lakes, choose Gokyo. If you are an experienced, very fit trekker, the Three Passes circuit links all the highlights. Short on time or wary of thin air? The Everest View trek or the lower, road-accessed Pikey Peak deliver Everest panoramas without the extreme altitude.
The routes, ranked
- Everest Base Camp — the iconic 12 to 14 day pilgrimage to Base Camp and Kala Patthar (around 5,545 m). Best for first-timers who want the headline experience and don't mind crowds.
- Gokyo Lakes — roughly 12 days to a string of glacial lakes and the summit of Gokyo Ri (around 5,357 m), beside the vast Ngozumpa Glacier. A calmer, scenic alternative that can be linked to Base Camp via the Cho La pass.
- Three Passes — the toughest Khumbu circuit, around 18 to 20 days crossing Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La and taking in Base Camp, Kala Patthar and Gokyo. Strictly for experienced trekkers.
- Everest View — a short 7 to 9 day, lower-altitude trek to Tengboche and the Hotel Everest View (around 3,880 m), ideal when time or altitude is a concern.
- Pikey Peak — a 5 to 7 day cultural trek through lower Solu to a panoramic Everest sunrise (around 4,065 m), off the beaten path and with no Lukla flight required.
Before you go
Whichever route you pick, altitude is the great equaliser in the Khumbu. Read up on altitude sickness and build in acclimatisation days, study our broader Nepal trekking guide for kit and fitness, and sort your trekking permits before you fly. With sensible pacing, the Everest region rewards almost every level of trekker.
Our top picks
Frequently asked questions
What is the best trek in the Everest region?+
Everest Base Camp is the most iconic, but the Gokyo Lakes trek is quieter with arguably better views, and the Three Passes circuit is the ultimate Khumbu challenge. If you are short on time or wary of extreme altitude, the Everest View trek or Pikey Peak are better fits.
Do you need to fly to Lukla for an Everest trek?+
Most Khumbu treks — Everest Base Camp, Gokyo and the Three Passes — begin with the short flight from Kathmandu (or Manthali) to Lukla. The exception is the Pikey Peak trek in lower Solu, which is reached entirely by road and needs no mountain flight.
Is Everest Base Camp or Gokyo Lakes better?+
Everest Base Camp puts you at the foot of the mountain with the Kala Patthar viewpoint, while Gokyo offers turquoise lakes, the Ngozumpa Glacier and a panoramic summit on Gokyo Ri with fewer crowds. Many trekkers combine both by crossing the Cho La pass.
What permits do you need for the Khumbu?+
Every Everest region trek needs the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. Both are easy to arrange and most agencies handle the paperwork; a licensed guide is also required.
