TripDetails
Thrilling flight to Lukla.
Walk along the banks of the beautiful Dudh Koshi river through Sagarmatha National Park and reach Namche Bazar.
Get to experience ancient culture and tradition of Sherpas.
Explore stunning Gokyo Lakes.
Hike up to Gokyo Ri.
Interact with the locals in Machhermo and Dole.
Walking past several chortens, mani walls, and gumbas.
Observe surreal views of snowy mountains like Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Bruntse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Kongde, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku, etc.
Gokyo Lake Trek is the best option for anyone looking for something extra than usual Everest Base Camp Trek. Gokyo Valley Trek will take you the fine village of Gokyo where you will come across beautiful glacial lakes. Initially, the trail follows the Everest base camp trek and later goes towards the Gokyo lake. This trek is designed to last for 15 days and it will be an adventure that you will cherish forever. The experts at Go For Nepal Treks & Expedition have carefully designed this trek that will provide you with majestic views of Everest, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam.
This trek takes place in the famous Everest region and you can expect it to start from Lukla. The airport is pretty scary, but you must make this flight. Collect your necessities and then move towards Phakding. The trail sees a steep increase in elevation from the first day, and you’ll need to walk along dense forests to reach Namche. After acclimatizing there, you proceed towards Phortse. This small village is mostly inhabited by Sherpas, and they will teach you a thing or two about Buddhism.
Admire the Ngozumpa glacier and head into the Gokyo valley. Here, you’ll find the Gokyo lakes, which in the peak of winter, turn into ice. Hike up to the summit point of Gokyo Ri, and from there, admire the intricate view of the snow-laden mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam. Slowly move your way down Dole, and after a quick break, you head to Namche Bazar. Catch a flight from Lukla, and head to Kathmandu, which marks the end of this amazing trip.
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What's included
- Airfare from Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu including airport the departure tax in Kathmandu and Lukla airport.
- Airport – hotel -airport picks up and drops by private vehicle in Kathmandu.
- All government taxes and our service charges.
- All your standard Meals during the trek (Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners)oneitem Menu.
- An experienced Government license holder guide.
- Everest National Park permits and TIMS permit for trekking.
- Farewell dinner in a typical Nepali Restaurant with on the second last day.
- Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and medicine for all staff.
- Lodges, Guesthouses accommodation during the trek
- Official expenses.
- Standard twin sharing accommodation in a three or four star hotel in Kathmandu; Breakfast included.
- Surface transfer from and to Kathmandu.
- The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests)
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (Due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
- International airfare and airport departure tax.
- Personal clothing, insurance against accidental, medical and emergency rescue evacuations,
- Personal expenses (Phone Calls, Laundry, bar bills during the trekking, Battery recharge of camera or mobile, extra porters if you wish to take, mineral water, Shower etc.)
- Personal high altitude medicines, first aid kits, equipment, gears, clothes etc.
- Tips for Guides and Porters according to the custom of trekking in Nepal since long though this is no obligation if your trip is not satisfied with our staffs.
- Travel Insurance
- Travel, Trekking and Helicopter Rescue insurance.
- Day 01
- Day 02
- Day 03
- Day 04
- Day 05
- Day 06
- Day 07
- Day 08
- Day 09
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
Arrival in Kathmandu via respective Airlines.
After your arrival at the international airport, you will complete all paperwork. One of the delegates from Go For Nepal Treks & Expedition will pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel. You can rest for the day. In the evening, you will stroll on the vibrant streets of Thamel, and have a delicious traditional welcome dinner.
Fly to Lukla (2,820 m) and walk to Phakding (2,640 m); 4 hrs.
Today, you will fly to one of the most extreme airports in the world, Lukla airport. The flight will give you first view of snow-capped mountains. Upon landing at Lukla airport, you will get freshen up and meet other crew members. After some time, you will begin gradually descending towards Phakding village through the forested trail. The trail then goes along the Dudh Koshi River and take you to this village from where a superb view of Kusum Kanguru Peak can be seen.
Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m); 5 hrs walks.
Following an uphill trail, you will reach Monjo. From here, Sagarmatha National Park begins, and you will trek through the national park. The trail will include several ascend & descends through dense forests crossing several streams and rivers. Passing by little settlement areas, you will reach Jorsale where you will cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and climb to Namche Bazar.
Rest day at Namche for acclimatization and local hike.
Today is your day of rest day in beautiful Namche Bazar. You will spend this day exploring around. In the morning, you will go on a short excursion to Syangboche Airstrip or Everest View Hotel to observe excellent views of Himalayan mountains like Mt. Everest, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku, Kongde Ri, etc. After the short tour, you will come back to Namche Bazar, and visit the Everest Photo Gallery and Sherpa Culture Museum.
Trek to Dole (4,200 m); 6 hrs.
Leaving Namche Behind, you will begin trekking on a nice path enjoying wonderful views of high Himalayan mountains like Taboche Peak (6,501 m) and Chola Tse (6,440). The trail will take you to Kyangjuma and ascend towards Mong La Pass. From here, you will descend and reach Phortse Tenga, and again ascend towards Dole.
Trek to Machhermo (4,470 m); 4 hrs.
After having a warm breakfast, you will slowly begin ascending towards Machhermo. You will reach Luza where the trail passes by a couple of tea shops. From here, the trail will take you to Machhermo village that will welcome you with a fantastic view of Mt. Cho Oyu in the north.
Trek to Gokyo Lake (4,790 m); 4 hrs.
The trail ascends to a ridge from where stunning views of Mt. Kangtega and Mt. Cho Oyu can be seen. From here, you will trek and pass by Pangka (4,390 m). Further, you will descend to a river and climb uphill to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. The climb will be on a steep path, therefore be careful while ascending. You will then pass by first lake Longponga (4,650 m) and second lake Taujung (4,710 m), you will reach Gokyo village.
At Gokyo hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), afternoon free to relax and enjoy the views.
Today is your day of rest day for acclimatization. You will go on a short hike to Gokyo Ri from where you will see breath-taking views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, and several other mountains. After spending some time at the top, you will descend back to Gokyo village for night stay.
Morning at leisure and walk to Nha (4,750 m); 4 hrs.
After having breakfast, you will drop down to Nha, which is located at the foot of Ngozumpa Glacier. Here, you will see the fourth lake, Thonak Thso Lake and the fifth lake, Ngozuma Thso Lake. After exploring around, you will trek back to Gokyo village for night stay.
Trek to Phortse village (3,810 m); 4 hrs.
Descending along the opposite side of Dudh Kosi Valley in the east, you will reach Phortse village. On the way, you will get to see views of different snow-capped mountains. The trek will be short, and you will have enough time to rest today.
Trek to Thyangboche Monastery (3,867 m) via Pangboche; 5 hrs.
The trail passes by several small villages and lush forest. You will reach Pangboche. From here, you will walk a little more and reach Thyangboche Monastery.
Trek to Monjo (2,880 m); 6 hrs.
After having breakfast, you will slowly descend and reach Namche Bazar. Here, you will take a short lunch break and descend further down to Monjo via Sagarmatha National Park.
Trek to Lukla; 4 hrs.
Leaving Monjo behind, you will descend and reach Phakding village. From here, you will begin trekking along the Dudh Koshi River and then ascend through the forested trail to reach Lukla. You will be retracing the same path as before.
Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.
An early morning flight will take you back to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you will be moved to the hotel. Rest of the day is free for you to explore the nearby market and do shopping. Later, in the late evening, you will have a farewell dinner organized by the company.
Transfer to international Airport for flight homeward bound.
This is your last day in Kathmandu. You will get transferred to the airport as per your flight time by one of our team members.
More about this tour
Useful Info
Himalayan Penchant
Gokyo Lake Trek is the best alternative for travelers that wish to explore the deeper corners of the revered Everest region. This trek will provide you with an insight into the life of the locals and the silent corners of the Everest region. From picturesque villages to stunning lakes and not to mention jaw-dropping beauty of Himalayas, Gokyo Lake Trek is a fantastic journey. You will see many Himalayan mountains like Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Makalu (8,481 m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812 m), Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m), Mt. Thamserku (6,623 m), Mt. Pumori (7,161 m), Taboche Peak (6,501 m), etc.
Gokyo Lake Trek landmark
Lukla Airport
Lukla airport is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world. A thrilling flight from Kathmandu will take you to Lukla, the starting point of Gokyo Lake Trekking.
Namche Bazar
Namche Bazar is the main tourist hub of the Khumbu region. This is also the main and the biggest residence area of Sherpas. Similarly, in Namche Bazar, you will find most of the facilities like WiFi, nice cafes & restaurants, luxury lodges, etc.
Gokyo Lakes
Gokyo Lakes is the highest freshwater lakes in the world. There are altogether six lakes and Thonak Lake is the deepest one. However, Gokyo Lake is known as the most beautiful lake among all. These lakes are situated at 4,700 meters to 5,000 meters. Moreover, these lakes are also the holy lakes for both Hindus and Buddhists.
Gokyo Ri
Located just above Gokyo Village, Gokyo Ri is a famous viewpoint of Gokyo Valley. Trekkers usually hike up to this viewpoint to acclimatize their body as well see to witness spectacular views of snow-capped mountains.
Culture
Gokyo Valley Trek will present you the ancient and rich culture and tradition of Sherpa people. Buddhism is the main religion followed by people residing in this part of Nepal. On the trail, you will come across many monasteries, chortens, gumba and mani stones that will showcase you the cultural richness of the region. Similarly, you will stay overnight in several villages during the trek, which will give you a chance to interact with locals and take a deep look into their unique lifestyle, beliefs, and values.
Ethnic Diversity
People from the Sherpa community mostly resides in the Khumbu region. Similarly, you can also find Rais, Limbus, Sunwars, Manangis, and Lopas. All of these people are from different community and carries their own major festivals, culture, languages, dress, and delicacies.
Natural Aptitude
Gokyo Lake Trek 15-days passes by Sagarmatha National Park, which is home to many wildlife including rare ones like the red panda, snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, etc. Sagarmatha National Park is also the part of UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites. The national park includes several florae and rare medicinal herbs as well. Likewise, other parts of the trail also include beautiful forests of rhododendron, pine, fir, maple, cedar, juniper, etc. The entire region is extremely rich in vegetation and ranges from subalpine to alpine zone.
Gokyo Valley Trek difficulty
In spite of its delightful appeal, Gokyo lake trek is comparatively difficult to complete. You need to walk on slippery and snowy terrains for a minimum of 5 hours a day daily. Plus the high altitude entices altitude sickness and can be a major problem. You’ll need to adapt to sleeping on hard beds and withstand sub-zero temperatures. Walking past moraines requires strong willpower, strength, and stamina.
Altitude Sickness and Prevention
Gokyo Valley Trek brings chances of altitude sickness as you have will be trekking above 5,000 meters. Even though you are young and healthy, you might suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) also known as altitude sickness. Therefore, it is very important to acclimatize with the altitude before gaining more elevation. Keep yourself hydrated is the best way to avoid altitude sickness as dehydration can also lead to AMS. Drink enough water during the trek to avoid altitude sickness. In case you feel difficulty in breathing inform your guide right away so that he can take proper measures on time.
Transportation and Bag Pack
Gokyo Lake Trek begins with a thrilling flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. From Lukla, you will begin trekking towards Gokyo gradually through villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole, and Machhermo.
Below is the list of things you should carry during Gokyo Lake Trek:
- T-shirts and Pants (Innerwear)
- Thermal Wears
- Breathable Underwears
- Trekking Pants/Shoes/Socks
- Insulating Jacket
- Rain jacket
- Warm woolen Gloves
- Sun hat/woolen hat
- Goggles
- Sleeping bag
- Trekking Pole
- First aid kit
- Toiletries (toilet paper, hand sanitizer, sunblock, towel, soap, shampoo, sanitary napkins, etc)
- Miscellaneous (camera, extra batteries, journal, cards, bars, snacks, water purification tablets, etc)
Food and Accommodation during Gokyo Valley Trek
While taking the Gokyo Lake Trek, you will reside in small lodges and teahouses in the trail. They have a wooden bed and one restroom. Do not expect for wifi, but you can find a hot shower though. The trail is not so extreme that you need to stay in camps. At Lukla and Namche, there are quality lodges available. In the cities, there are 3-star and 5-star hotels available. For food, you can choose to eat at a restaurant or eat at the hotel itself.
Food like dal bhat tarkari, momo, chowmein, thukpa, pizza, sandwich, bread, bars, tea, coffee, and other beverages can be found. In the city, you can explore around and dine in numerous restaurants & cafes that are available out there.
Best time to go on Gokyo Valley Trekking
For those that are willing to scout the mysteries of the Everest region, then it is highly recommended that you take this trek during the Spring (March to April) and Autumn (late September to November). In this time, the trails are lively, and the melting of snow provides a certain lively ambiance. Along with the clear and unblemished views of the Himalayas. You get to interact with many locals as the tourism industry booms during this time of the year.
Likewise, Monsoon (June to mid-September) is not a favored time to go on trekking in the Everest region. The rainfall makes the views unclear and trail also become slippery & full of insects. However, in Winter (December to February), people do go on trekking in this region, especially photographers as this is the best time to capture the surreal views of Himalayas. But, with excellent views comes harsh cold and heavy snowfall.
Gokyo Valley Trek Cost
Gokyo Valley Trek Cost entirely depends on the travel agency you are traveling with. There are both options of luxurious and budget-friendly Gokyo Valley Trek. We, Go For Nepal Treks & Expedition is running Gokyo Valley Trek for years. With us, you will find the most affordable and comprehensive cost for Gokyo Valley Trekking.
The cost will include food & accommodation during the trek, all necessary permits, first aid kit, and expenses of guides & porters. For more detailed information, you can check our cost includes and cost excludes part.
Miscellaneous
- Collect enough information on the weather and temperature
- Get yourself a nice map
- Maintain body hydration- drink plenty of water daily
- Walk slow and safely
- Take out insurance that will cover any emergency evacuation and property loss
- Carry hand cash as there will be no atm on the way
- Pack light
- Do not get obsessed over network and internet; spend time in nature
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