Gokyo Lake Trek
Gokyo Lake Trekking
Gokyo Lake Trek Route

Everest Gokyo Lake Trek

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Have you ever wondered what a lake at 5,000 meters looks like? Our 14-day Everest Gokyo Lake Trek itinerary allows trekkers to explore the holy Gokyo Lakes and their underrated beauty.

Trip at a Glance
Duration14 Days
Trip GradeModerate
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DestinationNepal
Maximum Altitude5,357 m
AccommodationHotel/Tea House
Starts/EndsKathmandu
ActivitiesTrekking
Best TimeMarch to May & September to November

Everest Gokyo Lake Trek is one of the most mesmerizing journeys in the Everest region of Nepal. It offers a magnificent view of the world's tallest peak, Mount Everest (8,848 m), and its surrounding peaks. The Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) is the highest point, offering four peaks over 8,000 m at a time. They are Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oy (8,201 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), and Mt. Makalu (8,463m). The trek also provides tranquil turquoise lakes and a chance to immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Sherpa community. 

Everest Gokyo Lake Trek Route

The trek typically starts from Lukla, a small settlement village with a bustling mountain airport. Lukla Airport serves as the gateway to the Everest region. From Lukla, the trail mostly goes upward gradually, but somewhere, it goes steeply upward and then descends. The trek route goes through picturesque Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Phortse before reaching Gokyo Valley. To reach Gokyo Lake, the trails also pass high-altitude villages with tea houses like Dole, Machhermo, and Phanga.

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trekking is an ideal combination of natural scenery, exhilaration, and cultural awareness. From Gokyo Ri, where you are awed by the majestic peaks, explore and meditate on the more suitable reflections of tranquil lakes in Gokyo Valley.

This famous trekking in the Everest region is known as the Everest Gokyo Ri Trek, so do not get confused. Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) is the highest point of the Gokyo Lake Trek. The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 14 Days Itinerary is a moderate trek with decent ascents and descents. This trek is recommended to both new and experienced trekkers in the Everest region. 

The Gokyo Lake Trek route gradually ascends through a beautiful Sherpa village, lush forests of rhododendrons, and yak pastures. Other parts of the Gokyo Valley Trekking include icy rivers, thrilling suspension bridges, colourful prayer flags, and glacier debris. The trekking route is impressive and will leave you spellbound.

Why choose us for the Gokyo Valley Trek Package 2024?

We are a local trekking company with a long history of organizing treks and expeditions in the Himalayas. Our teams are professionals and experts in their fields, and we always focus on planning the best holidays for our clients. We offer the best price for the Gokyo Valley Trek Package 2024, ensuring safety, service quality, and a rewarding journey.

Itinerary

This is our standard and recommended Everest Gokyo Lake Trek Itinerary.

Trip PlanExpand all

Our Gokyo Lake trek package includes airport pick-up. Our office representative will pick you up from Kathmandu airport and assist you in checking into the hotel in Thamel, a tourist hub.

In the evening, you meet other tour members with the manager for a briefing on the program, checking the equipment, and settling the payment. After that, the guide will introduce you to the necessary supplies, such as duffel bags, sleeping bags, down jackets, etc. 

Accommodation: Hotel

Today, your trekking guide will meet you at the hotel lobby in the early morning. You will then drive to Kathmandu airport to catch your short and scenic flight to Lukla.

At Lukla, you meet with the porters and have refreshment time at the guest house. Then, load the luggage and begin descending towards Phakding village. The trail passes lovely settlement villages with farming lands. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

It's an exciting day ahead. This part of the trail is very adventurous. You cross the river called Dudh Koshi, "Milky River", five times by suspension bridges. The route goes through dense forests and small remote villages.

Before reaching Namche Bazaar, you come across a steep uphill climb. You get to see a glimpse of Mt Everest while climbing a hill. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

Namche Bazaar, a famous Sherpa village in the Everest region, has a lot of things to look around and many short hiking options. You spend the morning with the day hiking to the Hotel Everest View. It is a famous hotel and holds a position in the Guinness World Records Book.

You can see the view of mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, etc from all of its windows. Later in the day, you can explore Namche Bazaar and Monastery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

Leaving Namche behind, the trail ascends towards the hamlet of Tengboche—the village with the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. You start your trek with a little climb to reach the top, from where the trail leads mainly flat to Kanjuma and Sanasa village.

You enjoy your walk with the stunning views of Mt Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Then, you go down to Punki Thanga, a lunch stop. After lunch, cross the river and climb for 2 hours to reach Tengboche Hill through lush forests of rhododendrons.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

The trail descends through lush forests to reach the bottom of the hill. Crossing over the Imja River, it ascends towards Phortse village. It's a relatively short trekking day, so you get time to relax your body after reaching the lodge. You can explore Phortse village and Monastery in the afternoon if you want. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

From Phortse, the trail gradually descends to the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing the river, the trail starts climbing. It is a three-hour climb through dense rhododendron forest.

You can see the first view of Mount Cho Oyu (8,201m) while ascending to Dole. Along the way, you may come across yaks and mules. Remember, always walk on the cliffside while passing by yaks or mules.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

Today is a short, easy trek from Dole to Machhermo, lasting 3-4 hours. The trek begins with wonderful views of the Himalayas. The trail ascends to Lapharma. Then, it goes mostly flat, with a little climb to Machhermo village. 

If the weather permits (it must not be windy or snowing), you will be taken for a short acclimatisation hike in the afternoon after lunch. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

After breakfast, you follow an impressive trail leading to the Gokyo Valley. Today's hike is moderate after Phanga to the First Lake of Gokyo Valley. The trail goes on rocky terrain to the beautiful Gokyo village, where the third lake is.

You pass the second lake to reach the third lake. Gokyo village is one of the most gorgeous villages you have ever seen in the mountains. The route to Gokyo Valley offers tremendous views of Mt Cho Oyo. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

You hike Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) in the very early morning for a sunrise view. It is the highest point of the Gokyo Valley Trek. The trail from Gokyo village steeply climbs following rocky terrain to Gokyo Ri. It is a 2-3 hours tough climb.

From the top, you can see a glorious sunrise and a breathtaking panorama of mountains. Four peaks over 8,000 m, Mt Everest, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu, and Mt Cho Oyo, are visible, as are other peaks surrounded by glaciers, Gokyo lakes, and valleys.

Then, you descend to the lodge and have breakfast before heading to Dole.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

From Dole, you follow the same trail back to Namche Bazaar. The trail ascends and descends through remote villages and lush forests to Phortse Thagna, then ascends to Mong La, the birthplace of Lama Sangye Dorje, who found the Tengboche Monastery.

The trail goes gradually down before heading to Khumjung and Khunde village. You can visit Khumjung Monastery, the Sir Edmund Hillary School and Khunde Hospital at Green Valley. Then, downhill to Namche bazaar through pine and juniper forests. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

Today is the last trekking day in the mountains. The trail steeply drops down through dense forests to Jorselle. We cross numerous suspension bridges again and pass some villages to Phakding. From here, you gradually climb uphill along a stream to Lukla.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: Tea House

An early morning flight takes you back to Kathmandu. You have a free afternoon in Kathmandu to go shopping and relax after the big trek. 

Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel

Our team will drop you in a private vehicle at the Kathmandu airport as per your flight departure time.

Meals: Breakfast
If the above itinerary doesn’t meet your needs, we can design a Tailor-Made Program based on your travel plans and requirements,Reach our travel experts.
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Begin: 23 Nov, 2024Finish: 06 Dec, 2024
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Cost Includes
  • All grounded transportation as per itinerary
  • Two nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu inclusive of breakfast
  • Round flight ticket (Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu) inclusive of domestic airport taxes
  • Three times meals (Breakfast/lunch/dinner) and accommodations during the trekking
  • One highly experienced English-speaking & friendly trekking guide
  • Required porter (One porter between two trekkers) 
  • Sagarmatha National Park permit and TIMS card
  • Gokyo Lake Trekking map
  • Nepal Gateway Company T-Shirt
  • Nepal Gateway Duffel bags for trekking if needed 
  • Local fresh fruit
  • First aid kit
  • Evacuation assist 
  • Government taxes
  • Office service charge
Cost Excludes
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Your medical travel insurance
  • Nepal Visa. 
  • Your international flight ticket to/from Kathmandu
  • Your personal nature expenses, equipment and medical kit
  • All kinds of hot and cold drinks and alcoholic beverages in trekking
  • Hot shower, internet and phone call unless it is free
  • Snacks and Deserts (Apple pie, cakes etc)
  • Tipping to field staff (Tipping is not mandatory but expected)
Good To Know

When is the Best Time to Trek to Gokyo Lakes?

The best time to trek to Gokyo Lakes is from March to April and October to November. The flights between Kathmandu and Lukla are primarily on time because of stable weather, so you'll be on the itinerary. The pleasing climate and clear sky are all you need to enjoy the trek to the fullest.

The views are fantastic, and the trail bloomed with seasonal vegetation. Recently, skaters trekked or took a helicopter ride to Gokyo Lake to skate on one of the highest ice skating rinks in the world in the winter season.

How difficult is the Gokyo Lake Trekking Route?

The Gokyo Lake Trekking Route is a moderate trekking trail in Nepal. It is rugged and steep, passing through a series of ups and downs through lush forests and along cliffsides. The trekkers must be able to walk 6 to 7 hours a day and leave modern comforts behind while trekking. 

Gokyo Lake Trekking does not demand a very fit body, but the stamina and walking capability of the participants are a must. Likewise, you must be able to adjust to the limited available services. The Gokyo Lake Trek is an excellent way to test your endurance and challenge yourself. 

Altitude Sickness on Trek to Gokyo Lake

First, do not worry. Altitude sickness is a common illness that trekkers face because of drastic changes in air pressure. We ensure your body appropriately adjusts to the elevation while trekking with us. 

To avoid altitude sickness during the Gokyo Lake Trekking, you must keep yourself hydrated and not ascend more than 500 meters in a day. Your itinerary should include rest days and short hikes to higher points while spending the nights in the lower points. 

Extra nights in Kathmandu on the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek

If you arrive in Nepal earlier than the fixed date or decide to stay a few extra days, you have to bear the expenses of an additional stay. The company will not be liable for it. We can book the extra accommodation in the same hotel on your request.  

Gokyo Lake Trek for Solo/Group

Please let us know how to do the Gokyo Lake Trek solo. We will send you the price of the solo Gokyo Lake Trek according to your requirements. Likewise, you can join our Gokyo Lake Trek fixed departure dates and trek with fellow trekkers worldwide if you are a solo traveller. 

Permits Required for Trek to Gokyo Valley

The Trek to Gokyo Valley requires the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Local Area permits. 

  • Sagarmatha National Park permit fee: NPR 3000.00 per person
  • Local Area Entry permit fee: NPR 2000.00 per person

Travel Tips for the Gokyo Valley Trekking Route

Accommodation: Lodges are available on the way to Gokyo Lakes. The lodges are run by the locals. The rooms are twin-shared with a shared washroom.

Food: Meals during the trek are given according to the lodges' menus. You can choose what suits your taste. Dal bhat is the most nutritious and delicious dish. You can add curry or chapati, too.

ATM: The last ATM is in Namche Bazaar. While trekking, you may need Nepali cash to buy services like hot showers, charging, internet, etc. 

Charging: Charging stations are available in all lodges. You can charge your camera and phone battery. Due to the lack of electricity, the lodge owners may ask you for a few extra bucks for the service. 

Luggage: The luggage weight limit is 10 kg per head. Our porters carry heavy duffel bags. Extra clothing and suitcases can be stored free of charge in the hotel's locker room. 

Personal Expenses: Our Gokyo Valley trek package does not cover things like extra drinks, meals in the city, shopping, travel insurance, tipping, etc. We recommend you make a daily budget of at least USD 12 to USD 15.

Travel Insurance: Gokyo Valley Trek is a remote trek with underlying risks of altitude sickness. Not only that, but even in a medical emergency, we might rescue you from the nearest hospital in Kathmandu. So, we need travel insurance that covers medical bills and emergency evacuation to offer medical assistance promptly. 

Tipping: Trekkers tip guides and drivers at the end of the trek to express their gratitude. Tip whatever you feel like, and there's no need to feel bad if you can't tip.

FAQs

Our Gokyo Lake itinerary is 14 days long. You can do this trek in 10 to 12 days or cut the day shorter to a week by adding a helicopter return.

You can reach Gokyo Lake by flying to Lukla and trekking for 6 to 7 days from there. Or, there is an alternative option to reach Gokyo Valley by a quick helicopter ride.

There are altogether 19 lakes in the Gokyo Lake system ranging from 4,700 meters to 5,000 meters. Among them, six are the main lakes. Thonak Cho is the largest one, and Dudh Pokhari is the main lake. The other four are Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngojumba Cho, and Gokyo Lake.

Gokyo Peak or Gokyo Ri is 5,357 meters above sea level. It is the highest point of our Gokyo Lake Trek, located above picturesque Gokyo village.

Yes, Dudh Koshi is a real place. It is a river in easter Nepal.

You can book the Gokyo Lake Trek through our website. Once we receive your booking inquiry, we will get in touch with you and answer all your queries as well as begin the easy booking process.

Yes, you take a helicopter ride from Kathmandu or Lukla to Gokyo Lakes. There is also the possibility to trek to Gokyo Lakes and return in a helicopter. You can easily upgrade to a helicopter ride with us at a reasonable price. For more information contact us.

Gokyo Lake Trek is easier than the Gokyo Cho La pass trek because you will not be crossing a high challenging pass. And because of this reason, Gokyo Lake Trekking is recommended to beginner trekkers, but Gokyo Cho La pass trek is not.

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