Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek

Your first sunrise in Nepal shall bring you the warmth of sunrays along with which our tour guide will take you for insightful sightseeing around UNESCO world heritage sites around Kathmandu valley. From taking a short hike to Swoyambhunath Stupa hill to strolling around Kathmandu durbar square, drive to Boudhanath stupa and nearby Pashupatinath temple. It shall be a chance to see, explore and enjoy Buddhism, Hinduism religious activities along with cultural and traditional attractions. Later in the afternoon after completion of our sightseeing program we shall have pre trip meeting with our trekking guide who will give you briefing about how all this Gokyo adventure is going to happen, what things to consider , take along and what to avoid. Later stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu. Meal includes breakfast.

We board a morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla that lands us on heart of Himalayas, Everest region between two mountains. It shall be more or less 27 minutes of scenic flight on which if you sit at left hand side, great eye level views of snow capped peaks are visible. The flight to Lukla is more of dramatic rather than dangerous as landing on Himalayas is always a challenging task. At Lukla airstrip, we meet our further porter crew who will first arrange our baggage and carry them all along the way with us. Our Gokyo trek officially begins as we grab our pair of trekking poles and start hiking through Pasang Lhamu gate. Walking gradually for couple of hours takes us to Thado Koshi where we shall have lunch or we shall further stretch to Phakding for overnight stay. In an average we shall have 3 to 4 hours of walking activity today. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We shall begin our walk after having our early meal today. It shall be full of excitement as we will be getting the first view of Everest today if weather remains clear. Today we also get an opportunity to see many confluences of Dudh Koshi river along with Thamserku view early in the morning from Benkar village. Today we also do get our permits checked at Sagarmatha National Park at local site in Monjo. We find huge mani stone today, and it shall be more of descend through refreshing rhododendron trees that takes us to our lunch site at Jorsale. Here at Dudh Koshi river bed, after having our lunch, we ascend towards Namche Bazaar crossing the popular Hillary bridge. At Chautara we take a quick stop before arriving at popular Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. We shall walk for 6 to 7 hours today with overnight stay at local lode and meal that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We will have our first acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar and this is an ideal site to spend a rest day before pushing ourselves towards higher altitude. Although it is called a rest day, we shall make it more of an active day today. Which means that we won’t be ideally simply staying at lodges. Instead, we will take couple of meters hike at higher altitude to Sherpa museum, then climb to Syangboche airport, and finally stretch upto Hotel Everest view for lunch or we return from there to our lodge for lunch.

Today will be the best view day so far, as we get to see many Himalayan peaks all surrounding us from office of Sagarmatha National park including distant view of Everest at backdrop. Amadablam and Thamserku will be however at close distance and as we see more of these Himalayan views, in coming days, we will encounter even more amazing and stunning panoramas. It shall be late afternoon while we return to our local lodge for lunch. Then it shall be free activities by exploring this beautiful Bazaar until end of the day. There are many restaurants, shops and even temple along with local monastery to visit. All together we shall walk for 6 to 7 hours today. We stay overnight at local lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner included in meal.

Gokyo trail separates today from main route to Everest base camp. We can clearly see the direction board that shows us the way to Kyanjuma instead of Phunki Thenga. This part of the trail is mostly jungle walk in between beautiful rhododendron, pine and Juniper trees. We get an opportunity to see the confluence of Dudh Koshi river and Imja Khola flowing from Himalayas and melting glaciers. There are many pasture lands here that are locally called as Kharkas where Yak grazes around in summer. Our Gokyo Ri and Gokyo lakes trekking route then takes us at beautiful culturally rich Sherpa village of Tongba, Gyele and finally we stay overnight at one of the teahouse in Dole. North western Himalayas of Everest Himalayas like Khumbila and Tawache is seen more beautifully today. It shall be waking hours of 5 to 6 hours today. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

From Dole, our Gokyo trekking trail further ascends to Lhabarma where we get to see a Luza hamlet. At most of the trails are steep and need careful walk. At this point we have crossed the 4000 m altitude, so we can see bushes and junipers. Altitude also may have affect our body, so gradual ascent while drinking plenty of water is recommended. Climb from Luza takes us to Yak grazing areas, a pasture lands and further we enter Dudh Koshi valley, above the river, we cross sandy spurs and finally arrive at destination of the day at Machhermo. There is a local story that once Yeti was spotted here that took life of Yaks and injured Sherpas too. However there is no such evidence to prove it. With similar interesting stories, we do get spectacular views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu and other surrounding peaks from Machhermo. It shall be 4 to 5 hours walking day today with overnight stay at teahouse. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It shall be the most important day of our trip while we enjoy great landscapes of local Himalayan settlements at Cholatse, Pangaa. As now we approach near 5000 meters of altitude, there will be many opportunities when we will be surrounded by snow capped peaks, glacier moraines and rocky Himalayan environment. Gokyo can be considered as the best place for viewing Himalayan surroundings. We will then leave behind the Gokyo lake named Longpongo and arrive at second lake called as Taboche Tso which is a bigger one than first one and where we can see Himalayan duck swimming in the freezing lake. Further pushing ourselves forwards takes us quite at similar elevation of Ngozumpa glacier passing the third lake from where the Gokyo village amazes us with excellent sceneries from high elevation lakes at third lake named as Dudh Pokhari. Today we shall walk for 5 to 6 hours with accommodation at local teahouse and meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It is an acclimatization day today surrounding numerous Lakes, and then we shall traverse a top of Scoundrel’s viewpoint to catch astounding views of grand Himalayan peaks, Nuptse, Makalu along with Lhotse and other snow capped peaks like Cho-Oyu and Gyachung Kang. From further northern side of glacier moraine, spectacular views of Cho Oyu base camp and largest Ngozumpa glacier is seen. After successful completion of hiking upto Gokyo fifth lake, we do have an option to ascend towards sixth lake too, but it shall only be possible if you are interested and we have adequate time today. Consult our professional and experienced trekking leader; he will lead the group taking correct steps. As a quick note what we can recommend is that you can walk up towards Gokyo Ri hike today and push ourselves to fifth day tomorrow. It shall be 5 to 6 hours walking day today. We stay overnight at local lodge. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Our trek begins early in the morning today as morning offers more spectacular views than on afternoon. It shall be continuous and challenging ascent of Gokyo Ri that takes three to four hours that depends on your physical status. What we must understand is that proper acclimatization is the key to complete any trek. Get awesome views from Gokyo Ri that includes snow capped peaks like Mt. Everest (8848m), Cho Oyu (8153m), Makalu (8475m), Lhotse (8501m) along with other peaks like Thamserku (6808m) and other surrounding ones. It is believed that spectacular views of four 8000m peaks are available from this viewpoint. Turquoise colored crystal clear lakes along with the Gokyo villages takes us towards Dole via Machhermo. It shall be walking hours from 5 to 6 hours . Overnight stay at local lodge that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri trek then follows downhill as we take a look behind towards Cho Oyu. We walk down today enjoying great waterfalls, enjoying interaction with local Himalayan flora, fauna and rhododendron trees beautifully blooming at spring season of the year. While descending down the valley, there come the chances when we get an dual opportunities towards reviewing the snow capped Himalayan views of Amadablam, Tawache, Thamserku and other peaks along with far view of Tengboche too from Mongla. Carrying on our journey, we descend towards Sansa that connects us to the main Everest trail taking us at Namche Bazaar. After arriving at Namche Bazaar, we take a complete rest, enjoy free shower at hotel and relax at your overnight stay quality hotel in Namche. We shall walk for 5 to 6 hours today and meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We shall have our Everest souvenir shopping while we are at Namche Bazaar. Every Saturday large marketplace takes place here where various goods and gears specially trekking and climbing related are traded between sellers and buyers. From Namche, we take the same route downwards which had taken our breath away about a week ago while ascending. Crossing the Dudh Koshi river multiple times over suspension bridge, we get to ground level of Himalayas at Jorsale. Surrounding around us becomes more greener and denser as we are now at descending to lower elevations. The breathing process becomes more easier and easier. Leaving behind another checkpoint while exiting from Sagarmatha National Park gate, we also cross Phakding and after couple of hours walks with few quick stops along the route, we finally arrive at Lukla. We give a stretch to our sore legs and celebrate successful completion of Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri adventure at Everest region of Nepal. It shall be walking hours from 6 to 7 with accommodation at local lodge that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in meals.

We take a morning domestic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu that concludes our main objective of trekking. Usually these domestic flights are scheduled for morning due to clear weather condition in early time of the day. After 27 minutes of flight to Kathmandu, we assist you in checking in your hotel and then after enjoy you are invited in our farewell dinner at one of the cultural restaurant nearby Thamel. Stay overnight at your hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast and farewell dinner included as meals of the day.

Planning a contingency or an extra day is a smart way to travel specially at Everest region. As weather conditions are very unpredictable at Himalayas, usually flight to Lukla might get delayed or even cancelled for next day departure. Therefore if you plan one extra contingency day, there shall not be any problem in scheduling your international flight back home. Or else if there is no any unforeseen obstruction, you can always enjoy a extended day sightseeing around Kathmandu valley, or choose other option that suits you. If you are at Kathmandu, accommodation will be at hotel with meal that includes breakfast.

Eventually, our 15 days of Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri trekking concludes with your time to leave towards your onward destination. Our office representative will assist you in transferring you to International airport in Kathmandu 3 hours prior your scheduled international flight. With warm greeting from Icicles, we hope to see you again soon in near future and you give us another chance to organize adventurous trips in days to come. Farewell! Today meal includes breakfast.

This trek is less crowded compared to other popular Everest region treks like EBC trek and you will get an opportunity to immerse in excellent views of highest Himalayas above 8000 meters (Everest Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu) along with Ngozumba glacier views and other snow capped Himalayas. Other magical things that you will explore are the magical turquoise colored Gokyo lakes; all of which are once in a lifetime of memories.

First and foremost, you need to be physically fit and strong enough to walk 5 hours daily in average without respiratory and cardiac illness. Consult your doctor for detailed medical information while we recommend you need to have passion towards adventure too to complete this trek successfully.

Previous trekking experience is not mandatory but you need to be strong physically and mentally. To maintain your fitness, get yourself involved in cardio exercises that increases your stamina, join gym, go for cycling, swimming or short hike on free time. Then you will be quite ready to embark in this trip.

There is no any age restriction for any trekking activities, but you need to be at least 18 before attempting any climbing peak above 6000m. Therefore you can join this Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri trek with all your kids and elderly too.

Another prerequisite is that you need to obtain TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park entry permits, both of which will be arranged by us. Permit costs are included in the total cost.

Best time for Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Lakes trek comes twice a year during autumn months of late September, October and early November and spring months of March, April and May. It is not recommended to join this trek during winter due to heavy snowfall at higher altitudes. So, now is the best time to plan for your next Nepal trekking adventure. Act now, contact us, we will make it happen.

Travel insurance is mandatory and you can get it easily via online travel insurance providers like world nomads and travel guard etc. The choice is yours, and both your insurance company and you should understand the policy terms and conditions. For this trek, you need to have a travel insurance policy with helicopter rescue operation upto 6000m.

Teahouses with standard facilities i.e. rooms with twin sharing beds, one large dining hall, attached or shared toilets. Have a quick look around if there are shared toilets or attached ones. And all tea houses at higher regions don’t have western style toilets, they have squat ones because of altitude issues (flush mechanism).

You will be offered with full board meals i.e. hygienic breakfast, lunch and dinner mostly a Nepali food items along with Chinese and continental dishes. From noodles, eggs, rice lentil and soups to pancakes and porridges there are quite a few varieties.

You are recommended to get couple of packets of cashew nuts, raisin and other dry fruits with chocolate bars for quick glucose energy boosts.

Drinking pure water is must. Therefore, while you are in Kathmandu, you can buy mineral water bottles at local supermarkets around Thamel and do check the seal before consuming and dispose properly then after.

While trekking at Himalayas, always drink boiled water supplied by your (nearby) teahouse and store it in your water bladder or jar. Or else, you can use the tap water at tea house and purify with steripen or chlorine tablets. It is recommended that you drink at least 3 liters a day. And especially during colder times at night, drink purified luke warm water that saves your throat from illness. And never drink unpurified water directly from open source even if you see others drinking it. First thing you don’t want is to become sick during the trek.

Well, the most essentials are two thin layers clothing with down jacket, trekking shoes, sun block cream, glasses and preferably a drinking water bladder along with other gears. Also sleeping bag, mats or airbags, woolen gloves/mittens is recommended to bring along if you have one. Or else, our company can easily arrange) hire or buy at reasonable cost either at Kathmandu or at Everest region.

Yes, but you need to pay extra for charging batters at tea houses above Namche Bazar where the charging plugs are only made available at dining room. So, if you have extra batteries it is recommended to bring along if you want to avoid paying extra amount. And you can get the compatible plugs (connectors) at less than 100 rupees at any electric store or supermarket in Kathmandu.

Another tip is that keep your batteries warm at cold places in higher altitudes inside your sleeping bag or your down jacket. This helps batteries lasts long.

It's true to some extent especially at the higher altitudes but you don’t need to race while trekking with professional guide from reputed trekking company. Trekking guides will pre-book via phone; our porter will move ahead the trails. However, during peak seasons if you need to sleep at dining room, it’s not that bad thing to experience; after all it will be something memorable and can be taken with a positive note.

Everest region in Nepal is home to best of the best trekking destinations and there are quite a few alternatives to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo ri trek. Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp Trek is the best alternate while EBC trek, High passes trek and EBC trek with island peak climbing are to name the few.