Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek

Trip Facts
Accommodation:	Standard to Deluxe Hotel's Option in Kathmandu & Tea Houses During Trek
Grade:	Moderate
Max Altitude:	5,357 m/17,575 ft
Meals:	As Mentioned in the Itinerary
Transportation:	Private Vehicle/Flight
Duration :	13 Nights/14 Days
Group Size:	1 to 15 People

Highlights of The Trek

Enjoy World's Adventurous Flight to Tenzing Hillary Lukla Airport
Trek to the World's Inspirational Khumbu, Everest Region and enjoy Sherpa Culture
Visit to the World's Highest Freshwater Lakes, Gokyo Lakes at 4,700 m to 5,000 m.
Witness the best view from Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) of Gokyo Valley, Mt. Everest and other mountains
Admire the Great Views of Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Makalu (8,481), and Mt. Cho Oyo (8,153 m)
See the Nepal’s largest Ngozumpa Glacier
Visit Sacred Khumjung Monastery and witness Purported Yeti Scalp
Visit Khumjung School and Hospital made by Sir Edmund Hillary
Enjoy being in the busting and old salt trade route, Namche Bazaar
Visit Sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu
Pay Homage to living goddess, Kumari in Kathmandu Durbar Square
Enjoy Nepali Food, Hospitality and Culture

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350m/4,430 ft)

Day 02: Fly to Lukla (2,880 m/9,450 ft)-35 minutes & trek to Phakding (2,650m/8,695 ft)-4 Hours

Day 03: Trek to Namche (3,450 m/11,320 ft)-6 Hours

Day 04: Day at Namche Bazaar for Acclimatization

Day 05: Trek to Phortse Thanga (3,680 m/12,075 ft)-4/5 Hours

Day 06: Trek to Machermo(4,470 m/14,665 ft)-5/6 Hours

Day 07: Trek to Gokyo (4,750 m/15,585 ft)-4/5 Hours

Day 08: Hike to Gokyo Ri(5,357 m/17,575 ft) and Fifth Lake-5/6 Hours

Day 09: Trek back to Dole (4,000 m/13,125 ft)-4/5 Hours

Day 10: Trek back to Namche-5/6 Hours

Day 11: Trek back to Lukla-6/7 Hours

Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu

Day 13: Reserve Day in Kathmandu

Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu

Overview

Gokyo Lake Trek is one of the best alternative treks in Everest Region. The panoramic view from Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) of world’s highest mountains like Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Makalu (8,481), and Mt. Cho Oyo (8,153 m) along with other peaks and the Nepal’s largest glacier, Ngozumpa Glacier is something beyond imagination. Gokyo Lake Trekking is the beautiful trek which takes you to turquoise Gokyo Lake and to Gokyo Ri, from where you can see jaw dropping highest mountains, Gokyo valley and glaciers.

This trek passes through various Sherpa settlements and views of many mountain massif of Everest Region enroute. This trek is best option for those who are looking for views of world’s highest mountains without too much of physical stress and crossing high passes. This is the less tourist area than Everest Base Camp Trek but rewards you not less. Gokyo village at an elevation of 4,750 m is one of the highest settlement areas in the world.

Our Gokyo Lake trek starts with 35 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. We start our trek from Lukla to Namche and follow the trail to Goyko Lake. The best time to trek to Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Ri is from March to May and from September to November.

NOTE ON LUKLA FLIGHT:
Due to the congestion in Kathmandu International Airport, Nepal Government has issued notice of flight operation to Lukla Airport from Ramechhap Manthali Airport until further notice to avoid Airport Traffic in Kathmandu. Lukla Flights from Ramechhap (Both ways) will operate from March to May and September to November every year. In other months, Lukla flights will operate from Kathmandu Airport itself. Please write us for the latest updates. Ramechhap Manthali Airport is 136 kms from Kathmandu and can be reached in around 4 hours. Alternatively, we can arrange Helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla if you do not want to drive.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350m/4,430 ft)

Once you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport, our Alpine Holidays representative will pick you up once you collect your baggage and left the main terminal building. Please look at the signage on your name. Then we will drive to hotel. In the evening, our trek manager and trek guide will brief you at hotel before we go for Nepalese Cultural Dinner.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: D

Activity Duration:

Day 02: Fly to Lukla (2,880 m/9,450 ft)-35 minutes & trek to Phakding (2,650m/8,695 ft)-4 Hours

After early breakfast, we drive to the domestic terminal and fly to Lukla. Lukla is a gate way to the Everest Region. After we land at Tenzing Hillary Airport, we will allocate our duffel bags among our porters. Today is the easy gradual trail which takes us to beautiful village of Phakding.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Phakding.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 03: Trek to Namche (3,450 m/11,320 ft)-6 Hours

Our trail goes level path along the river and climbs upwards Dudh Koshi Valley. We cross by beautiful villages of Benkar, Monjo and Jorsele. In Benkar, there is a beautiful waterfall. After having lunch at Jorsele, we get to the confluence point of two rivers, Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi. We cross Bhote Koshi by a long suspension bride and follow uphill trail to Namche.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Namche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 04: Day at Namche Bazaar for Acclimatization

Today, we take an extra day at Namche to get Acclimatization. We can simply rest at the tea house but day hikes to Everest View Lodge at Syangboche and Khumjung Village is highly recommended for proper acclimatization. Khumbu village is beautiful Sherpa village where we visit school and hospital founded by Sir Edmund Hillary.We also witness purported Yeti Scalp at Khumjung Monastery before we return to Namche.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Namche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 05: Trek to Phortse Thanga (3,680 m/12,075 ft)-4/5 Hours

This day, we climb to the Khumjung hill and descend to the east of the village at Kyanjuma. From Sansa, we follow the trail to Gokyo Lake. We visit Mohang, the birthplace of reincarnated Lama of Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet who brought Buddhism in Khumbu Region. We descend down to Dudkoshi River for overnight. Gradual ups and downs are frequent but we will reward with stunning views of mountains.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Phortse Thanga

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 06: Trek to Machermo(4,470 m/14,665 ft)-5/6 Hours

We uphill climb to Machhermo by passing rhododendron forest and a water fall before Tongba Village. We walk uphill and pass through Dole, other villages and chorten alongside the Dudh Koshi River. After Dole, our trail goes through scenic ridge which gives us views of Cho Oyu, Thamserku and Kantega mountains. After we arrive at Kharka and trek a level path on a sloping area to Luza. From Luza, we see Machermo and descend down for our overnight.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Machermo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 07: Trek to Gokyo (4,750 m/15,585 ft)-4/5 Hours

We follow the uphill trail to the top of the ridge from where we see Cho Oyu, other mountains along with Ngozamba Glacier. On the right side, we see Cholatse and Tawetse. Our trail descends to Pangka. We continue our descend to the river bank before we climb the terminal moraine of Ngozamba Glacier. When we pass the mani wall, we arrive at Gokyo leaving behind small first, second lake and third one is Dudh Pokhari. From Gokyo, we see Mt. Cho Oyu at its best reflected in the lake.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Gokyo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 08: Hike to Gokyo Ri(5,357 m/17,575 ft) and Fifth Lake-5/6 Hours

This is our second night at Gokyo. This day, we hike to Gokyo Ri to get the panoramic view of Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Makalu (8,481), and Mt. Cho Oyo (8,153 m) along with other peaks and the Nepal’s largest glacier, Ngozumpa Glacier. The view from summit is as from Kalapatthar. We also visit fourth and fifth lakes of Gokyo before we settle down for overnight. From fifth lake, we see the Cho Oyu Base Camp.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Gokyo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 09: Trek back to Dole (4,000 m/13,125 ft)-4/5 Hours

After relaxing breakfast, we follow the same trail back to Dole. After crossing, Dudh Pokhari, second and first lake, we descend to Pangka before climbing a hill. On the way back also, we see many mountains. We get to Dole passing by Machermo, Luza and Lhafarma villages.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Dole.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 10: Trek back to Namche-5/6 Hours

Our trail mostly goes steep down to Phortse Tangna. On the way back, we trek through forest of rhododendron, wild flowers and few waterfalls. In Namche, you may consider walking around the town.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Namche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 11: Trek back to Lukla-6/7 Hours

After we leave Namche Bazaar, we steeply descent until the bridge and cross Bhote Koshi River. Our way follows ups and downs, forest and rocky trails. We will have our lunch at Benkar or Phakding. After lunch, we continue gradual trail to Lukla. This is the final day and last leg of our trek. Farewell and thanks to the crew member in the evening.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Lukla.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu

In the morning, we fly back to Kathmandu and rest of the time is free unless you have some last minute shopping. In the evening, we host farewell dinner at one of the nice restaurants in Thamel to celebrate the success of our trek.

Accomodation: Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B D

Activity Duration:

Day 13: Reserve Day in Kathmandu

Lukla flight highly depends on weather. So, we keep one day extra if incase flight to/from Lukla get cancelled because of weather. If the flight happens as planned, we may do some extra sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Accomodation: Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu

After breakfast, our Alpine Holidays representative will drop you to the airport before 3 hours of your flight time.

Accomodation:

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Cost Info

Cost Includes:

Garland welcome, arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu with Office Representative.
3 Nights in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of Taxes and Service Charges.
10 Nights/11 Days All Inclusive treks in Everest Region with breakfast, lunch and dinner and tea/coffee each time in meals in local tea houses/lodges.
Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu or Ramechhap/Lukla/Ramechhap flight with necessary transfers.
Meals as indicated in the Itinerary.
English Speaking Trek Guide with a reliable team of porters (2:1 Ratio) and additional Sherpa as per the group size.
First Aid Kit and Duffel Bag.
Welcome and Farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Everest National Park Permits and Trekkers Information Management System, TIMS Fees.
Local Village Municipality Entry Fees.
Insurance for Guide, porters and Sherpa with their meals, accommodation and daily allowances.
Bottle Drinking water in vehicle for sightseeing drives and transfers.
All drives, sightseeing and transfers by Deluxe Vehicle as per the group size.
24/7 hours Assistance.

Cost Excludes:

International Airfare to/from Kathmandu.
Nepal Visa fees on Arrival at airport (USD 30/- for 15 Days).
Meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu except welcome and farewell dinners.
Bottle drinking water, hot beverages, charges for hot shower, mobile/camera charges during the trek.
Personal nature of expenses like tips, bar bills, laundry and personal expenses.
Cost may arise of natural calamities, flight cancellation, illness, hospitalization, tour cancellation, blockade etc.
Cost for Emergency Helicopter Evacuation Charges in case of emergency.
Other than in our include section.