Gokyo Valley Trek - 12 Days

Things to Know
  • Duration12 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Altitude 5,357 m (Gokyo Ri)
  • Trip Type Hiking
  • Start and End Kathmandu and Kathmandu
  • Best Time Mar-May, Sep-Nov
What You’ll Do
  • Trek to one of the finest lakes in the world, Gokyo Lakes
  • Beautiful Lukla flight from Kathmandu
  • Spend nights in lovely Sherpa villages
  • Come across numerous Himalayan vegetation while trekking
  • Go on a hike to the Hotel Everest View during acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
  • Explore river valleys, glaciers, narrow trails, and lush forests
  • Get to see the largest glacier in Nepal, Ngozumpa Glacier
  • Explore ancient monasteries, get to see the daily lifestyle of the locals, and walk past numerous stupas, chorten & prayer wheels along the way
  • Hike to Gokyo Ri to witness a stunning view of Mt. Everest and Mt. Cho Oyu
  • Enjoy jaw-dropping landscapes, unwind & rejuvenate

Gokyo Valley is located in the Khumbu region, north-eastern Nepal, home of Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m). If you choose a trek in the Khumbu region apart from the Everest base camp, then the Gokyo Valley trek is another great alternative. Moreover, the Gokyo Valley trail is way less crowded & a bit is trodden. Both beginners and experienced trekkers can enjoy trekking to Gokyo Lakes (4,700 m–5,000 m). Also known as the Gokyo Lakes Trek or Gokyo RI trek, this is an adventurous venture in the Himalayas. The major highlights of the Gokyo Valley trek are the holy Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo RI (5,357 m) viewpoint, Ngozumpa Glacier, and mesmerizing views of Mt. Cho Oyu (8,188 m) & Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m). Likewise, the verdant foothills, lovely villages, and the locals of the Khumbu region make trekking phenomenal. You will traverse far away from the modern cities amidst tranquil river valleys and giant mountains. The Gokyo Valley trekking offers some of the best mountain scenery.

Gokyo Valley Trek is a 14 days program. Many trekkers love to extend the trek to Everest base camp or combine Cho La or Renjo La passes in the itinerary. Do know that combining these places in the itinerary will make it much more challenging and demands previous trekking experience. In 14 days of the Gokyo Valley, you explore the wonders of Sagarmatha National Park. The trek begins from Lukla village (2,860 m), and to reach this place, you have to take the famous Kathmandu Lukla flight.

Itinerary
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  • Altitude1400 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time1 hours

On your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be met by our company representative and transferred to your hotel.

  • Altitude2610 m
  • AccommodationTea house
  • Time20 min flight | 3 hours trek

Manthali to Lukla Flight (March, April, May, October, and November)
During peak seasons, such as March, April, May, October, and November, the flight to Lukla will be operated from Ramechhap/Manthali due to air traffic expansion. The Manthali/Ramechhap airport is about a 5  drive away from Kathmandu. On this day we wake up at  2:30 am and transfer you to Manthali airport on a shared tourist vehicle and board a 20-minute flight to Lukla.

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight (January, February, June, July, August, September, and December)
The flight to Lukla is typically operated from Kathmandu during nonpeak seasons, which include January, February, June, July, August, September, and December. Please be aware that the decision regarding the operation of flights solely depends on the airline and is influenced by the volume of travellers during a specific month. On this day we wake up at 5 to 6 am. Our staff will escort you to the domestic airport terminal in Kathmandu and board a 35-minute flight to Lukla.

After making the necessary permit. Begin the trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River where you join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunikharka (2,713 m). The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat (2,550 m), it is a short walk to Phakding.

  • Altitude3,440 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time5-6 hours

We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing the majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags.  On the way, you enter Sagarmatha National Park proper, cross a few more suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, and walk through rhododendron forests. Excitement is building as you approach Namche, where dozens of trekkers and climbing expeditions have gathered before heading out on their respective adventures.

  • AltitudeEverest View Hotel (3,880 m)
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time4-5 hours

Today is a day to let the body acclimatize to the high altitude. We also hike up the Syangboche Airport near the Everest View Hotel. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas with a stunning sunrise and sunset over the panorama of Khumbu peaks. Visit Khunde Hospital and Khumjung School, both established by Sir Edmund Hillary and explore the historic Khumjung Monastery.

  • Altitude4038 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time5-6 hours

Leaving Namche, enjoy stunning views of the Dudh Koshi valley and pass by serene stupas with glimpses of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Thamserku. Descend through pine and rhododendron forests until the trail splits. Take the left path towards Gokyo Lakes, passing through Mong village perched on a ridge with panoramic views towards Tengboche. Admire waterfalls and rhododendrons along the way, with some stone stairs to navigate. Finally, you will reach the beautiful Dole Village. Dole is a small village in the Khumbu Region. It lies at an altitude of 4038m from the sea level.

  • Altitude4470 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time4-5 hours

Today is a short and easy day. The trek route from Dole to Machhermo is fairly straightforward with gentle climbs. This short three-hour trek is technically not as difficult as yesterday. But you must be careful watching out for the symptoms of altitude sickness.  This day is short. It is more like a rest day and also an acclimatization day. The trekking trail is fabulous with the sceneries getting better and better. You will see the best views of Mt. Cho Oyu, the fifth-highest peak in the world. 

  • AltitudeGokyo Ri 5,357 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time5-6 hours

Leaving Machhermo, the trail heads up to another scenic ridge with views of Kangtega before heading through a narrow valley that leads into a wider valley.  The trail descends to the Dudh Koshi River.  It is a steep climb to the Ngozumpa Glacier and the first Gokyo Lake. As you continue north, the second lake appears.  Unlike the small first lake, this lake is quite long and runs parallel to the hiking trail.  Further, we come to the 3rd lake and some teahouses. Here we stop for lunch and then climb up to Gokyo Ri.  This takes 2.5 to 3 hours to climb up. The viewpoint at Gokyo Ri is a high 5,357 meters, with a great panorama of mountains above and lakes and glaciers below.  Sunset is spectacular and highly recommended.

  • Altitude4470 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time4-5 hours

Early in the morning, we have a steep climb up to the top of 4th Gokyo Lake, It is one of the best viewpoints in the Everest region . After viewing the lake for some time, return to Gokyo for breakfast, then to Machhermo.

  • Altitude3440 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time8 hours

We continue walking through a typical Sherpa village of Khumjung, leaving the mountains behind us as we descend back to Namche Bazaar.

  • Altitude2840 m
  • AccommodationTea House
  • Time7 hours

Follow the Dudh Koshi River, crossing the suspension bridges you crossed at the beginning of your trek, and once again, you are in Lukla, where we overnight, waiting for our flight back to Kathmandu early the next morning.

  • Altitude1400 m
  • AccommodationHotel

Lukla to Manthali Flight (March, April, May, October, and November)
The flight from Lukla to Manthali is a 20-minute flight. After that, it is about a 5 to 6 hour drive to Kathmandu. Please note that the driving hours may vary according to the highway traffic condition. You’ll be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu on a shared tourist vehicle.

Lukla to Kathmandu Flight (January, February, June, July, August, September, and December)
The flight from Lukla takes about 35 minutes. After arriving at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu via a shared tourist vehicle.  Please be aware that the decision regarding the operation of flights solely depends on the airline and is influenced by the volume of travelers during a specific month.

    our airport representative will drop you to Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

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    Useful Info

    Views during the Gokyo Valley Trekking

    You get to witness some of the highest mountains in the world during the trek. The trail, first of all, offers diverse landscapes. Every new village will give you distinct scenery. At the start of the trek, you'll see views of Kongde RI (6,187 m), Kantega (6,782 m), Thamserku (6,608 m), Chamlang (7,319 m), and Ama Dablam (6,812 m). With the progress of the trail, taller mountains like Everest (8,848.86 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), Island Peak (6,160 m), Pumori (7,161 m), Cholatse (6,440 m), Makalu (8,481 m), and Cho Oyu (8,188 m) begin to come into sight. We have two acclimatization days in our Gokyo Valley trek itinerary. The acclimatization hikes take you to viewpoints that make the mountain landscapes even more surreal. Likewise, waterfalls, streams, bridges, colourful flowers, stupas, chortens, etc enhance the beauty of the trail. Spend Nights in Picturesque Sherpa Villages and the Ancient Cultural Heritage of the Mountain People. During the Gokyo Valley trek, we have night stops in some of the finest villages, surrounded by beautiful snow cliffs and green hills. We spend nights in villages like Phakding (2,610 m), Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), Dole (4,040 m), Machhermo (4,470 m), Gokyo (4,750 m), and Pangboche (3,985 m).

    Apart from these, you will walk past numerous villages on the way. The villages are resided by several mountain communities like Sherpas, Lamas, Bhotiyas, Rais, Limbus, etc. The 14-day Gokyo Valley trek will allow you to see and experience the mountain lifestyle. Interact with the locals and understand their simple life mantras.

    Gokyo Lake

    Gokyo Lakes are the world's highest freshwater lake system, which ranges from 4,700 meters to 5,000 meters (15,400 ft to 16,400 ft). For locals, these lakes hold religious importance. There are a total of 19 Lakes, out of which six of them are considered the main lakes. Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngojumba Cho, and Kyajumba Cho. Gokyo village is located at the shore of Dudh Pokhari. During Janai Purnima (in August), pilgrims take a holy bath in the lake.

    Price fromUS$1250US$1500(per person)
    We Offer Group Discount Price
      
    1 paxUS$1500
    2 - 5 paxUS$1350
    6 - 10 paxUS$1300
    11 - 20 paxUS$1250
    US$1500

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