Gorakshep: The Last Stop Before Everest Base Camp

Gorakshep is the final stop before reaching Everest base camp. The small village was settled to provide services for trekkers and remain safe from extremely cold nights in the Everest region. There are only five tea houses in Gorakshep that remain very busy during peak season (March, April, May, September and October, November). 

Detailed information on Gorakshep: Gateway to Everest base camp

Gorakshep elevation

The elevation of Gorakshep is 5164 meters above sea level. It is situated beneath the south face of Mount Everest. There is a high chance of altitude sickness due to low temperature and reduced air pressure. Drinking plenty of water and hiking slowly is the best way to prevent altitude sickness at this high altitude, 5164 m. If trekkers feel more discomfort, then shifting to a lower elevation can improve their health conditions. 

Gorakshep to Everest base camp distance

Gorakshep to Everest base camp distance is 3.3 Km. After completing Lobuche to Gorakshep route, we can take rest and have our Lunch in lodge of Gorakshep. Then after trekkers start trekking to Everest base camp. It takes around two to three hours to reach EBC from Gorakshep. After enjoying quality time in Everest base camp, we can return to Gorakshep for a night's stay.

Accommodation

There are five tea houses in Gorakshep :

• Hotel Himalaya
• Hotel snowland
• Hotel Buddha
• Hotel Everest
• Hotel Yeti 

These five tea houses provide the best services for night stay along with three meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. We can warm our body in a firewood heater, enjoy delicious food and remain safe in these tea houses. 

Food

We can get variety of food like Nepali thali, MO: MO, noodles, muesli, porridge, bread items, egg items, potato and cabbage curry. Trekkers can choose food items from the menu.

Water

There is a poor source of drinking water near Gorakshep. The Sherpa fetch the drinking water far from the settlement. Drinking water suppy from pipeline is impossible in winter due to freezing of water. Thus, water is very expensive in Gorakshep, It costs 5-6 USD per litre.

Wifi and network

We can get both Wi-Fi and network in Gorakshep. There is good facility of Wi-Fi after paying Rs 1000 per day. We ca get a mobile network of N-cell to contact our relatives and friends. 

Weather and Temperature

Gorakshep is the coldest place on the Everest base camp trekking route. The weather remains unstable and experiences sunny, foggy, snow fall or windy condition. The temperature ranges below 0°C throughout the year. The temperature during the winter season is extremely low (-20 ℃) which makes difficult to spend night in Gorakshep. 

View

We can have amazing views of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Pumori, Khumbuste, Changeste, Lho La, Lobuche, Chhumbu, Cholache, and Tabuche from Gorakshep.

Khumbu Glacier

Khumbu Glacier from Khumbu Icefall is the attraction of Gorakshep. Actually, Gorakshep is situated on the bank of the Khumbu Glacier. Trekkers can enjoy the amazing view of Khumbu Glacier from Gorakshep. 

Oxygen Facility

Every hotel provides oxygen facilities in Gorakshep. The hotel charges 8250 USD per night. The trekkers can take advantage of the Oxygen facility when their health condition gets worse. 

How to reach Gorakshep?

We can reach Gorakshep via Lobuche while ascending towards Everest base camp. Similarly, we can reach Gorakshep while descending from the Gokyo lake trek and Everest three passes trek. Helicopter is the fastest medium to reach Gorakshep from Lukla. It costs 650-750 USD to take a helicopter from Gorakshep to Lukla or vice versa. 

Challenges on Gorakshep

• Altitude sickness 

Most of the trekkers experience headaches and vomiting as the symptom of altitude sickness in Gorakshep. Trekkers should drink plenty of water and diamox tablet from Lukla to prevent altitude sickness.

• Cold temperature

The low temperature results in freezing water, headache, dizziness and sleepless nights. So, we should try to keep our body warm, avoid hard drinks and drink plenty of hot water to maintain body temperature.

• Limited tea houses

Limited tea houses are the main challenge that makes us sleep in a shared room. Attached rooms are not available in tea houses so trekkers should use common toilets and bathrooms. Luxury facilities are not available in Gorakshep. 

• Limited medical facilities

There are not any health centers in Gorakshep so if we get serious health problems, then we can evacuate to Kathmandu or shift to a lower altitude. Each hotel facilitates oxygen cylinders at cost if needed. If the oxygen level decreases in the body, then we can get oxygen supplements after giving 100 USD per cylinder. 

Conclusions on Gorekshep 

Gorakshep is the last stop before EBC trek. It is on the southern slope of Mount Everest providing lodging and food facilities for trekkers and expedition teams. High altitude and the coldest temperature are challenges of Gorakshep, eventhough drinking plenty of water and using Diamox can prevent headaches and altitude sickness in Gorakshep.