Gokyo Lake Trek

Gokyo lake trek is one of the most charming trekking routes in Everest region. Gokyo valley with its beautiful scenic mountains, ice fall, turquoise lake, glacier (Ngozumpa Glacier) is the most beautiful place in the entire Everest region. Mountain View from Gokyo Ri provides the most spectacular views of the legendary mountains in Everest region. This trek is an alternative trek to Classic Everest base camp trek offering the most magnificent views of the Khumbu Mountains like Cho Oyo (8,201 m/26,906 ft.), Everest (8848 m/29,029 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m/27,940 ft.) and Makalu (8463 m/27,766 ft.) along with Ngozumpa Glacier, which is biggest glacier in Nepal.

Gokyo Lake is located inside the Sagarmatha (Everest) national park at 4,700 m - 5,000 m altitude. Gokyo village lies on eastern shore of the Lake. We can see reflected view of Cho-Oyu and other giant Himalaya in the crystal clear lake. Gokyo lakes are formatted by fresh glacial water of Ngozumpa glacier and Gokyo Ri (5357 m) rises above the Gokyo lake.  

Autumn and spring are best season for trekking in Nepal. Gokyo lake trekking separated from EBC trail in Namchebazar. We walk through beautiful dense forests of rhododendron, pine and oak, where we can see different rare species of high altitude. We will pass beautiful Sherpa villages and break points such as Phakding, Namchebazar, Phortse, Machchhermo to reach Gokyo valley. We will climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) then trek back to Lukla and fly to Kathmandu.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01:Kathmandu (1400 m) Arrival Day.

Day 01: Welcome to Kathmandu (1400 m).
Upon your arrival we assist you from the International airport to a luxurious hotel. After taking a short rest and getting refreshed we visit local market and prepare for tomorrow’s trip. Rest overnight.

Day 02: Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley.
Today we provide you a tour guide to visit over Kathmandu valley.  Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley is optional for those trekkers who want to start their trek from the second day. We are visiting the world heritage sites and sightseeing places. We take you to visit the world heritage sites like Boudhanath, Swayambhunath (the monkey temple), Kathmandu Durbar square, Patan Durbar square, Bhaktapur Durbar square, the Hindus’ most religious place Pashupatinath, and colorful market of Thamel, narrow path of Asan, cultural variation and other sightseeing places. Rest overnight at the hotel. 

Day 03:Today early in the morning we fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2800 m) trek to Phakding (2640 m).
This is the world's best mountain flight. From this flight you can see 18 different mountains. After landing  we trek for 4 hours all the way to Phakding (2,640 m) through the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi river and rhododendron forest. Next we reach green valley Phakding.  Rest  overnight.

Day 04: Today we trek for 5-6 hours from Phakding to Namche (3440 m).
After end of Phakding village there is a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi (Milk River), after 2 hours walk we reach Monjo. At Monjo our travel pass documents will be checked by the government officers, and they give us permission to enter into the Sagarmatha (Everest) national park. Next, we reach Jorsole and it will be our last resting point before climbing steps to Namche bazar. Stay overnight at Namche bazar

Day 05: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazar (3440 m).
Today is a scheduled acclimatization day. On this day we should be active to intimate with high altitude. You can explore colorful market, visit view point to see beautiful mountains, visit Sherpa cultural village Khumjung with a beautiful view of mountains Thamserku, Ama Dablam and Mt Everest or visit the Everest National park museum situated just above Namche Bazar. Rest overnight there.

Day 06:Today we trek for 5 hours from Namche Bazar to Dole (4100 m).
After acclimatization day we prepare ourselves physically and mentally for our further trekking. Before we start there will be a short brief on route and safety, then we start our trekking by climbing hill and descending to the east of the village, broad valley will lead us to the Dudh Koshi river. Next, Sonsa is changing point of our route from the most frequented Everest Base camp route. As the trail turns north, from Mong we get glimpses  of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawache and Khumbila mountains and we descend to the Dudh Koshi river and we start climbing uphill through rhododendron forest where we can see mountain goat (thar), colorful bird Danphe, and beautiful views of Tawache and Khumbila mountains. After uphill we reach Dole. Stay overnight at Dole.

Day 07: Today we trek for 5-6 hours from Dole all the way to Machhermo (4410 m).
After crossing the Dudh Koshi Bridge we have to move through forest. In this forest we can observe wild lives like pheasant ( Danphe), mountain goat, musk deer and so on very close to us. We have to go through forest, bridge, waterfalls, and small lakes until we reach Dole. We climb up through the scenic ridge with the view of Thamsherku, Kantega and Cho-oyu Himalayas. We ascend from Luza village to the Dudh Koshi River and trail on the sandy way before we reach Machhermo. At Machhermo we can visit rescue hospital for a lecture on altitude sickness and primary treatment. Rest overnight there.

Day 08: Today early in the morning we trek from Machhermo for 4 hours all the way to Gokyo (4800 m).
Before trekking there will be a short brief on Gokyo Lake, route and safety. We ascend to the hill and enjoy the views of Thamsherku, Cho-oyu and Dudh Koshi valley. We descend to the river bank before climbing the moraine of Ngozumpa glacier on a step trail. We pass through holy Dudh Pokhari (place where pilgrims come to visit), Longpongo, and Loboche, Tsho before Gokyo. Next, we will be in the first lake, it is believed there is a foot print of a Buddhist priest. Rest overnight.

Day 09: Today we hike for 3 hours from Gokyo to Gokyo Ri (5357 m) and then trek back to Gokyo (4800 m).
Today is another day in Gokyo. If weather is clear we will climb to Gokyo Ri from the top of Gokyo Ri, we admire Himalayan vista and tranquil Gokyo Lake. We also hike the fourth and fifth Gokyo lakes,the fourth lake is located 3 kms away from Gokyo, from here we can see high cliff and Himalayan peaks rising above it. After short walk we will be in the fifth lake, climbing up nearby hill we can see hilarious views of Cho-oyu, Lhotse, Makalu and Everest. From the Scoundrel's view point we can see Ngozumpa glacier (which is the largest glacier in Nepal) and Cho-oyu base camp. After the fifth lake we turn back to Gokyo. Rest overnight there.

Day 10:Today we trek for 5 hours from Gokyo to Dole (4100 m).
Taking beautiful memory from Gokyo we trail down through the edge of the Dudh koshi river, forest and valley to Dole. We explore Dole and rest overnight.

Day 11: Today we trek to Khumjung (3970 m).
We start our trail towards Khumjung. On the way we can see green valley, animals, birds, and beautiful view of Khumbila (sacred mountain). Khumjung is located inside the Sagarmatha (Everest) national park, a world heritage site. Khumjung monastery has the scalp of yeti. In Khumjung there are modern facilities of mobiles, internet and landline phones. There is a Khumjung school built by Edmund Hillary trust. Stay overnight in a tea house.

Day 12:Today we trek for 4 hours from Khumjung to Monjo (2870 m).
Today early in the morning we start from Khumjung and trek for 4-5 hours following the Dudh Koshi river all the way to Monjo. After breakfast our trail starts towards Monjo via Namchebazar. Walking through the edge of the Dudh Koshi river and crossing the suspension bridge we reach Monjo.  It is a green valley where we can see pine forest through our hotel windows.

Day 13: Today we trek for 4 hours from Phakding to Lukla (2860 m).
Leaving green valley Phakding back we start trekking to Lukla through the edge of the Dudh Koshi river. After crossing the suspension bridge we will be at Lukla. You can spend your half day exploring natural beauty and cultural variation at Lukla.  Today is your last night with your local trekking crew in Khumbu region. You can celebrate your last night and we fly tomorrow from Lukla to Kathmandu. Rest overnight at Lukla

Day 14: We fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (1400 m).
Today early in the morning after having breakfast we fly from Lukla to Kathmandu. We take beautiful memories and fly to Kathmandu. We spend our half day by visiting sightseeing places and colorful market of Kathmandu valley. Yarsa Treks will host you a farewell dinner in typical Nepali restaurant with cultural shows and rest overnight at the hotel.

Day 15:Final departure.
Today Yarsa Treks will assist you to the International Airport for your departure. There will be small farewell program before your departure.

Service included in cost

• Airport pick up and drop off service by private car/jeep
• Tourist standard hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with BB plan
• Lodge / tea house accommodation service during trekking
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner (3 meals) per day during your trekking
• Tea/coffee in breakfast
• Sightseeing by English speaking tour guide in Kathmandu
• Entry fees for sightseeing places in Kathmandu
• Flight tickets for Kathmandu - Lukla and Lukla-Kathmandu sector
• An experienced English-speaking trekking guide
• Necessary trekking porters to carry your luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
• National park entry permit and TIMS card
• A comprehensive medical kit
• All government and local taxes

Service excluded in cost

• Visa fee for Nepal entry
• International flight tickets
• Excess baggage charges
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
• Tea/coffee accept breakfast
• Your Travel and rescue insurance
• Your Personal expenses such as telephone calls, laundry service, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc.
• Tips for guides and porters
• Anything other not mention in cost include section