Gokyo Trek

Trip at a Glance

  • Trip Name: Gokyo Trek
  • Trip Code:
  • Trip Duration: 14 days
  • Trip Grade: Moderate
  • Activities: Everest Trekking
  • Meals: Breakfast in Kathmandu and 3 meals during the trek
  • Transportation: Flight kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
  • Best Season: March - May & Sept - Dec
  • Country: Nepal
  • Max Altitude: 5357m
  • Trip starts: Kathmandu
  • Trip ends: Kathmandu
  • Group size: 1-12

Trip Overview

One of the most spectacular places in the Everest region, Gokyo Valley offers trekkers an unforgettable trekking experience. Gokyo Trek is an adventure that takes you to explore the beautiful Himalayan valley with magical glacial lakes. From beautiful lakes to glaciers and mountains, the trek has everything beautiful to offer you an incredible experience.

What is Gokyo Trek like?

This adventure is one of the most popular treks in the Everest region second to the Everest Base Camp Trek. You will traverse a beautiful trail from Lukla toward the spectacular valley of Gokyo. When the trek route separates from the EBC trek route from Namche Bazar, it starts getting quieter. There are fewer trekkers on the trail while the regular route to the base camp has more trekkers.

While this trekking adventure takes you to explore the beautiful Gokyo Lakes, you can also continue towards the Everest base camp crossing Cho La pass.

Exploring and indulging in the magical charm of the lakes, you can also trek to the astonishingly beautiful viewpoint of Gokyo Ri. An early morning hike to the viewpoint is an overwhelming experience of the view it brings to you.

A total of 14 days trip, Gokyo Trek is a perfect adventure for people looking for a peaceful trekking holiday. You can explore the wonders of Gokyo Lakes also on the Everest Three High Passes Trek.

Why Gokyo Trek?

This trekking adventure to Gokyo Lakes is ideal if you –

  • Want to explore beautiful glacial lakes
  • Love to get lost in the beauty of mountain wilderness
  • Enjoy trekking in the high altitude
  • Want to enjoy spectacular views of mountains, glaciers, and glacial lakes
  • Love to walk through beautiful natural surroundings in the mountains

Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m/4,428 ft)

Landing in Tribhuwan International Airport. Welcome by the representative of Step On Himalaya then followed by transfer to the designated hotel via a private vehicle. A welcome dinner from the Team of Step On Himalaya

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Dinner

Day 02 : Kathmandu Valley Tour with Preparation of trek (1,350 m/4,428 ft)

The first day of Trekking starts with the Kathmandu valley tour. An experienced, English speaking guide will accompany you for the sightseeing of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley which are mainly the Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square. By evening, we will have brief discussions about the plans according to the itinerary and remaining documentation. Overnight stay at Kathmandu with breakfast included.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast

Day 03 : Flight to Lukla and then trek to Phakding (2,651 m/8,700 ft): 3 - 4 hours

An interesting but scary flight to Lukla of about 30 – 35 minutes from Kathmandu Domestic Airport and then we trek to Phakding for about 3 – 4 hours. Overnight stay at Phakding with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 04 : Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,438 m/11,280 ft): 5 - 6 hours

On day 4, we walk from Phakding along the Dudh Koshi River and cross multiple suspension bridges. During a walk, we come across small beautiful villages, monasteries and attractive chortens with colorful prayer flags and manis. As we enter the Sagarmatha National Park, the trekking permits are checked at Monjo. Then we will head towards Jorsale and finally to Namche Bazaar. We can enjoy the majestic views of Kusum peak, Kangaru peak, Mt, Everest, Mt. Lhotse, etc. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 05 : Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar (3,438 m/11,280 ft)

Namche Bazaar is the central hub of trading among the Tibetans. They sell the souvenir and other variety of things required for trekking. Acclimatization is very important to plan further programs. It also helps us to prevent the illness related to Mountains like Acute Mountain Sickness. For this, we climb to Khumjung valleys and visit the monastery there. We can also go to the airstrip above Syanboche valley and view the attractive views of Khumbila, Thamserku, Kongde, etc.  The Tourist Visitor Center is also there where we can see articles related to the first climbers of Mount Everest and Ancient Sherpa Culture. Then we walk back to Namche Bazaar where overnight stay with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 06 : Trek from Namche Bazaar to Phorse (3,680 m/12,073 ft): 5 - 6 hours

Today’s destination is Phorse. We walk after early morning breakfast from Namche Bazaar along with several ups and downs. We will slowly walk down towards Kyanjuma and then after reaching Sansa, we will follow the Gokyo trails. After reaching Mong, we can get an amazing glimpse of Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Khumbila, Mt. Tawoche, etc. From there, we will further descend to Dudh Koshi river and then ascend to Phorse passing via Rhododendron forests. We still can see the amazing views of the snow-capped mountains. Overnight stay in Phorse with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 07 : Trek from Phorse Village to Machhermo (4,470 m/ 14,663 ft): 5 - 6 hours

After an early morning breakfast from Phorse, we will have to trek for about 5 -6 hours to reach Machhermo. We might get a chance to encounter the local wildlife like Musk deer, mountain goats, pheasants, etc at the closest distance. Then we slowly climb up towards the Luza village, more above the Dudh Koshi river. Continuing the trail, we reach Machhermo passing through the jungles, beautiful waterfalls, and dainty villages. Overnight stay here with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 08 : Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800 m/15,744 ft): 5 - 6 hours

From Machhermo, we will ascend onto the hill enjoying the fascinating views of Dudh Koshi valley and other mountains like Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Kangtega, Mt. Cho-Oyu, etc. The trail will reach Phangga and then we will gradually descend to the river bank and then again ascend to reach the moraines of the Ngozamba Glacier. To reach Gokyo, we have to pass through Longpongo, Raboche Tsho, and Dudh Pokhari valley. We can roam around if you want. Overnight stay at Gokyo with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 09 : Trek from Gokyo Valley then Short Climb to Gokyo Ri (5357 m/17,570 ft) and hike to fifth lakes (4956 m/16260 ft): 5 - 6 hours

Acclimatization day at Gokyo. If the weather is supportive, we can hike to the Gokyo Ri from where we can soothe our eyes with the Himalayan vista and the calm Gokyo lakes. Then we can hike up to the fourth and the fifth Gokyo lakes which are about 3 km north of Gokyo. A little climb up will offer the astonishing sight of Mt. Everest, Mr. Lhotse, Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Nuptse, etc. This vantage point is popularly known as Scoundrel’s Viewpoint. We can view the Cho-Oyu base camp and Ngazumpa Glacier from the northern part of the Fifth Gokyo Lake. Ngazumpa Glacier is considered to be the biggest glacier in the world. Then we return to Gokyo to spend Overnight with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10 : Trek from Gokyo to Dole (4038 m/13248 ft): 3 - 4 hours

Today we will reach to Dole after walking for about 4 hours. We will walk along the Dudh Koshi River and pass by the first Gokyo lakes enjoying the amazing views of the Taboche and Cholatse snowy peaks. After walking for a short distance, we reach a Chorten from where we can see great views of Mt. Kangtega, Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Thamserku, etc. We will pass by the beautiful hamlets of Machhermo, Luza, Lhafarma before arriving at Dole. Overnight stay with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11 : Trek from Dole to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,284 ft): 4 - 5 hours

We will walk for about 5 hours from Dole back to Namche Bazaar passing through the Rhododendrons and wildflowers. We can encounter the local wildlife like Musk Deer, Pheasants, Mountain goats, etc. We can have beautiful views of Khumbila region from Mong. We will reach an intersection where we meet the trail to Sansa. Gradually, we walk and climb up to a timbered slope beyond Kyangjuma. We will then reach the Namche Army camp hill and after walking for about a kilometer, we will arrive at Namche Bazaar. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar with 3 meals.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12 : Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,860 m/9,186 ft): 6 - 8 hours

We will walk till Lukla from Namche Bazaar. We will walk-ups and downs on a rocky path passing through the suspension bridges. We will then spend the remaining time wandering around or rest. Overnight stay in Lukla and being ready for tomorrow’s flight back to Kathmandu. 3 meals included.

Accommodation: Tea house/Guest house

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla airport

A flight back to Kathmandu after having early morning breakfast. The rest of the day to spend at the hotel or roam around the local markets for shopping. Farewell dinner in the evening from the team of Step On Himalaya. Stay overnight at the Hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14: Final departure from Nepal

After having early morning breakfast, the representative of Step On Himalaya will assist you and then accompany you to reach the airport at least 3 hours prior to the scheduled time of the flight.

Accommodation: n/a

Meal: Breakfast

Service Includes

  • Transportation in a private vehicle (pick up and drop to Airport)
  • Accommodation in a Three-star hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included
  • Accommodation in Teahouses and Guesthouses during the trek
  • 3 meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) were included during the trek
  • Ground transportation according to the Itinerary
  • Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu valley guided by an English speaking Tour Guide
  • Domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and vice-versa
  • All the permits, TIMS, and entrance fees during the Sightseeing Tour
  • Porter to carry luggage (1 porter: 2 trekkers)
  • Insurance (travel and medical), Salary, Food, and Accommodation of the staff
  • All the government and local taxes

Service Excludes

  • Personal expenses like bar bills, hot showers, beverages, internet use, etc.
  • Visa Fee and Airport Taxes
  • International Ticket Fare
  • Travel and Medical Insurance
  • Rescue charges in case of Emergency or any mishaps