Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lake D12 Waypoint
3 May 2026 11 waypoints 16 photos 11.82 km
D12 Itinerary
The appearance of alpine rhododendrons again is a sign that we're dropping back down to around the altitude we started at. Not long after the start, Waypoint 186 is called NAMASTE LODGE — I didn't stay there myself, but it's run by the younger sister of our lead Sherpa guide, so if you don't have another place in mind, it's worth stopping by.
From Waypoint 191 there's a continuous steep, winding climb all the way up to the stupa at Waypoint 192. Since the elevation is still around 4,000 m, this climb takes even a fast walker about 40–45 minutes — pace your breathing and go at your own speed.
Once at the stupa at Waypoint 192, there's a café nearby where you can rest; the one I went to required paying or buying something to use the toilet. Past this point the trail starts descending to THAMSHERKU LODGE, where we stopped for lunch on the way up to EBC. Their curry chicken and curry egg dishes were both good — worth ordering to share with your group.
We continued on after lunch. A friendly tip here: before entering the Namche Bazaar area and heading back to HOTEL BODHI, stock up on everything you need at the shop at Waypoint 64 — soap, shampoo, towels, wet wipes and tissues, and a 150-rupee bottle of cola to treat yourself once you're back at the hotel.
Back in Namche Bazaar, a town we'd already visited once, this is your chance to take care of anything left undone, including but not limited to:
- A hot shower and hair wash
- A massage
- A haircut or hair wash at a barbershop
- Souvenirs — better saved for Caravan Souvenir Shop in Lukla
- Gear — better saved for Everest Outfit in Kathmandu
- Eating a set meal or a burger
- Drinking all kinds of overly sweet soda
- Tracking down that FRESH™ Carrot Juice you missed out on in Dingboche
Trail Log
186 NAMASTE LODGEMentioned in text
4,054 m3,390↓32 min 1.34 km ↓167 m
187 Waterfall
4,054 m3,390↓17 min 750 m ↑17 m ↓129 m
188 Short Break
4,054 m3,390↓19 min 370 m ↓62 m
190 Pavilion
4,054 m3,390↓19 min 740 m ↓76 m
191 Steep Climb BeginsMentioned in text
4,054 m3,390↓45 min 1.44 km ↑355 m
192 ViewpointMentioned in text
4,054 m3,390↓1 h 26 min 2.24 km ↓381 m
194 Bridge
4,054 m3,390↓4 min 260 m ↑10 m
195 THAMSHERKU LODGE
4,054 m3,390↓1 h 37 min 0 m
196 Recording Resumes
4,054 m3,390↓42 min 2.34 km ↑136 m ↓177 m
197 Short Break
4,054 m3,390↓53 min 2.04 km ↓177 m
199 BODHI NAMCHE
4,054 m3,390
Start of record07:49 4030 m 0 km River Side Lodge
↓8 min 300 m
End of record14:51 3409 m 11.82 km Hotel Bodhi
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