Day 8 of the Everest Base Camp trek takes you from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, the highest village that you will be sleeping in throughout the duration of the trail. Gorak Shep is also the closest village to Everest Base Camp itself, which you are sure to visit later on in the day.
This guide will go over the details behind the portion of trail between Lobuche and Gorak Shep and what to expect along the way.
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1) Lobuche to Gorak Shep Hiking Details
Day 8 on the Everest Base Camp trek can be broken out in two main sections. The first is the trek between Lobuche and Gorak Shep (what this guide will go over).
The second part of the day though is the round trip hike to Everest Base Camp from Gorak Shep, which I will be covering in a separate guide.
Note: while most people do opt for Everest Base Camp on day 8 and then the trek up Kala Patthar on day 9, I would recommend switching the two ONLY if the weather is clear for a Kala Patthar sunset on day 8.
Below you will find some key details for what to expect on the trail between Lobuche and Gorak only.
Everest Base Camp Trek Day 8: Lobuche to Gorak Shep
Starting Point: Lobuche
Lobuche Elevation: 16,109 feet / 4,910 meters
Ending Point: Gorak Shep
Gorak Shep Elevation: 16,814 feet / 5,125 meters
Distance: 2.8 miles / 4.5 kilometers
Duration: 3 Hours
Elevation Gain: 863 feet / 263 meters
Net Elevation Gain: 705 feet / 215 meters
*Elevation gain is the true amount of elevation gained for the portion of the trail. Net elevation is just the difference in elevation between Lobuche and Gorak Shep.
» Learn more about the various distances, elevations, and durations of the Everest Base Camp Trek
» Learn more about flying into the region in the Kathmandu to Lukla Flight Experience Guide
2) Lobuche to Gorak Shep Elevation Profile
Below you can find the Lobuche to Gorak Shep elevation profile. It is a pretty steady and gentle incline throughout the way with just a couple short steeper sections in some places.
At the very end of the trek as you approach Gorak Shep, the trail will make its way over the Chumbu and Pumori glacier tongues. Here you will find one rocky and uneven downhill section followed by an uphill before you arrive in the village.
3) Trekking Map
As you can see on the map, you will be walking right alongside the Khumbu Glacier for the duration of the hike. In that final kilometer though, the path will cross over a separate glacier that feeds into the Khumbu Glacier.
During this portion of trail the terrain will get more technical but luckily it doesn’t last too long. Before you know it, you will be in the tiny village of Gorak Shep.
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4) Everest Base Camp Packing List
You will want to pack accordingly for this 11-day trek in the Himalayas. I put together a complete Everest Base Camp Packing List that goes over every single item I brought along on the trail. Some of the most important items on the list include:
- Hiking Socks: Darn Tough Merino Wool Crew Mens | Darn Tough Merino Wool Crew Womens
- Hiking Pants: Eddie Bauer Men’s Guide Pro Pants | Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro Pants
- Fleece: Columbia Men’s Ascender Softshell | Columbia Women’s Kruser Ridge II Softshell
- Rain Jacket: Columbia Men’s Watertight II | Columbia Women’s Arcadia II
- Hiking Shoes: KEEN Men’s Targhee III | KEEN Women’s Targhee III
- Hiking Backpack: Osprey Atmos 65 | Osprey Renn 65
- Trekking Map | NatGeo Waterproof Map
- Solar Power Bank | Anker 20,000mAh Solar Power Bank
- Deodorizing Body Wipes | Alcala Bamboo Deodorizing Body Wipes
5) Lobuche to Gorak Shep Trekking
As I mentioned before, day 8 can be broken down into two parts, the first part takes you from Lobuche to Gorak Shep and the second part is the round trip trek to Everest Base Camp (or Kala Patthar).
Once you reach Gorak Shep, you will have the chance to check into your teahouse, drop off your bags, have some lunch and refuel, and then continue on with your day.
After having breakfast in Lobuche and checking out of your teahouse there, it is time to begin the 2.8 mile / 4.5 kilometer trek to Gorak Shep.
The sandy and rocky path will slowly gain elevation as you walk alongside the Khumbu Glacier with the Nupste face out in front of you.
There will be certain sections that require a bit more of a steeper incline, as you make your way from one section of trail to the next.
As you continue your way up, you will get better and better views of the Khumbu Glacier down below alongside the surrounding mountain landscape.
Throughout the way you are also sure to pass several Sherpa flag monuments as you are now getting closer and closer to Everest Base Camp.
Soon the trail will head onto the glacier, the last section of trail before reaching Gorak Shep. Here is where there will be some additional inclines and declines on a more rocky and uneven path.
You will want to be super careful here and watch your step as you don’t want to hurt yourself as you make your way across.
Around this time, you will actually be able to see Mount Everest. It will only be the very tip of the mountain but it will be there right behind Nupste.
It is then just a bit more until Gorak Shep finally comes into view with Kala Patthar and Pumori sitting behind the village.
Make your way to your teahouse, check into your room, have some lunch and get ready for part 2 of the day!
6) Gorak Shep Teahouse / Accommodation
I wouldn’t overthink your accommodation choices too much on the trail in general. I found all the places I stayed at pretty much the same give or take.
Essentially, rooms will cost Rs 500 (less than $5 USD) for the most part, given you eat your meals at the teahouse as well.
In Gorak Shep you will find the fewest number of teahouses available. During peak season it is common that many people need to sleep in the common areas due to the lack of available rooms. When I visited, I stayed at the Buddha Lodge, which was one of my favorite on the trail.
The other teahouses to check out include the Himalayan Lodge, Snowland Highest Inn, Everest Inn, and Gorak Shep Yeti Resort.
While I have heard a lot of complaints about Gorak Shep – very cold, no running water, terrible sleep, etc., I had a pretty good experience overall.
Since there is no running water though (at least when I was there), I had to purchase water bottles from the teahouse instead of using my water sterilizer.
Take a look at this in depth overview of the Everest Base Camp Trek as well as the below guides I put together for each day of the journey:
Day 1 – Lukla to Phakding
Day 2 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Day 3 – Hotel Everest View Acclimatization
Day 4 – Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Day 5 – Tengboche to Dingboche
Day 6 – Nangkartshang Acclimatization
Day 7 – Dingboche to Lobuche
Day 8 – Lobuche to Gorak Shep & Everest Base Camp
Day 9 – Kalapathar & Gorak Shep to Pheriche
Day 10 – Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Day 11 – Namche Bazaar to Lukla
That about wraps up a quick guide to the trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write them in below.
Also be sure to check out the other Nepal itineraries and guides up on the site (like why I would recommend an Everest Base Camp Trek in November).
Have fun out there and safe travels!
