Gorak Shep Teahouse
The highest night of the trek, between Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar
Stay in Gorak Shep (5,164 m), the last settlement before Everest Base Camp and the base for the Kala Patthar sunrise. Night 9 on our 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek: the most basic and coldest night, and the most memorable.
About Gorak Shep Teahouse
Gorak Shep (5,164 m) is the last settlement before Everest Base Camp: a few teahouses on the edge of a frozen sandy lakebed, beneath Kala Patthar and Pumori. It is the highest night of the trek, the coldest and the most basic, and also the most exciting, because from here you walk to Everest Base Camp in the afternoon and climb Kala Patthar for sunrise the next morning.
Your night in Gorak Shep
You arrive around midday on Day 9 from Lobuche, leave your bags at the teahouse after lunch and walk about 2 hours each way to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). After dinner and an early night, you start at about 4:00 am on Day 10 to climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m) for sunrise over Everest. Read more about Gorak Shep.
What the teahouse is like
Everything here is carried up by porters and yaks, so rooms are very simple twin rooms with blankets, toilets are shared and basic, and there are no showers worth using. The dining room stove is the warm centre of the evening. Charging and Wi-Fi cost the most on the whole trek. Nights drop to about -18°C, and many people sleep lightly at this altitude; that is normal.
Tips for your stay
- Wear every warm layer to bed and keep batteries and water inside your sleeping bag.
- Lay out your clothes and head torch the night before the Kala Patthar climb.
- Eat dinner even if you are not hungry; your body needs the energy.
- Tell your guide straight away about severe headache, breathlessness at rest or confusion.
Highlights
- Highest night of the whole trek
- Walk to Everest Base Camp in the afternoon
- Sunrise climb of Kala Patthar the next morning
- Views of Pumori and Nuptse from the door
- Share the excitement with trekkers from around the world
Amenities
Frequently asked questions
What is the altitude of Gorak Shep?
About 5,164 metres (16,942 ft), the highest overnight stop on the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Why do trekkers sleep in Gorak Shep and not at Everest Base Camp?
Trekking permits don't allow trekkers to camp at Base Camp, and Gorak Shep is the last place with lodges. You visit Base Camp on a day walk from here.
What are the teahouses like in Gorak Shep?
The most basic of the trek: simple twin rooms, shared toilets, no real showers and a stove-heated dining room in the evening. Charging and Wi-Fi are expensive.
How cold is Gorak Shep at night?
Around -18°C in the main trekking seasons, colder in winter.
Is the stay included in the trek price?
Yes. The teahouse night and meals are included in our Everest Base Camp Trek.
