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Trip Overview

Gokyo Lake trekking, an adventure that inspires all trekkers and adventurer where walk leads you within beautiful glacial lakes of Gokyo, a valley surrounded by high peaks of Cho-Oyu and Cholatse with a range of rocky hills and mountains truly a great fascinating area to experience in Gokyo Lake Trekking. Gokyo Lake Trekking a wonderful spot on least visited areas than other normal treks to Everest base camp, as this walk leads you into hidden valley where few trekkers often explore around this magnificent country, which was once a summer pasture a Yak grazing place as commercial trekking progressed the area at present full established with nice walking trails and excellent lodge with rooms facing views of peaks.

Gokyo Lake Trekking will certainly delight every one once you set foot at Lukla airport after flying in from Kathmandu in a small aircraft with a stunning panorama of Himalaya with Everest during 30 minutes flight. From Lukla gateway town for adventure around high Khumbu of Everest region where trek heads past lovely and interesting Sherpa villages adorned with Buddhist religion of fascinating culture to observe along the great walks along with views of snow-capped mountains.

As walk continues reaching nice cool forest on entering Sagarmatha National Park listed in World Heritage Sites that protects its beautiful green environment where most of world highest mountains located within the park, where walk leads you within deep gorges and glacial valleys within pine, hemlock, fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron woodland and then a walk leads higher where tree lines fades for smaller bushes within bare rock and snow.

Trek in the month of April to May will be pretty when rhododendrons flower in season, including other flora around this scenic wild country, as walk leads into famous high Namche Bazaar a perfect spot for a rest day to support acclimatization.

From here reaching magnificent Gokyo Valley, where you will soak within beautiful scenery enjoying amazing moments with a hike to viewpoint hill on top Gokyo-Ri located at 5,357m / 17,570 ft. offer a great panorama of world’s four highest peaks Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu and Makalu include Gokyo valley and its emerald lakes with long Ngozumba glaciers.

After a super moment in and around Gokyo lake return journey on the same trail back to Namche unto Lukla for last overnight stop before flying into hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, with glorious and fantastic time at Gokyo Lake Trekking.

Short Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for flight to Lukla 2,820 m and trek to Phakding 2,657 m – 04 hrs.
Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m – 06 hrs.
Day 03: In Namche for rest and acclimatization with a short hike.
Day 04:  Trek to Dole 4,110 m past Phortse Tenga – 06 hrs.
Day 05:  Trek to Machherma 4,470 m – 04 hrs.
Day 06:  Trek to Gokyo Lake 4,750 m – 04 hrs.
Day 07:  At Gokyo rest day and hike to Gokyo Ri 5,357m / 17,570 ft.
Day 08:  Walk back to Dole – 06 hrs.
Day 09:  Trek to Namche Bazaar – 06 hrs.
Day 10:  Trek to Lukla – 06 hrs.
Day 11:  Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Detail Itinerary: 

Day 01: Fly to Lukla 2,820 m trek to Phakding 2,657 m - 04 hrs.
Early morning gets transferred to Kathmandu domestic Airport, after necessary security formalities board in a smaller Twin Otter / Dornier or similar aircraft for the sweeping scenic flight to Lukla, in Lukla, you will have time to wander around where few hours walks lead you at Phakding for an overnight stop.
Walk on the gentle trail most of the way, encountering few ups facing views of Kusum-Kanguru, and then short climb brings you at Ghat village, as walk continues to Phakding village located by the bank of Dudh-Kosi River.

Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
From Phakding crossing over Dudh-Kosi River, morning walk on the pleasant path with few short uphills and down to re-cross the same few time, facing magnificent view of Thermasarkhu 6,608 m, to reach Monjo village and into Sagarmatha National Park, from here a short descend to Jorsalle village, the last village till Namche Bazaar.

The walk leads on river bed towards last bridge over Imjatse River and then on winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with a magnificent view of Kwangde peak, Kusum Kangru Mt. Everest- Nuptse, Lhotse, from here another few hours climbs to reach famous Namche Bazaar for an overnight stop.

Day 03: In Namche rest day for acclimatization and short excursion.
Rest day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization where one can take short walk uphill to Sagarmatha National Park Headquarter, a magnificent spot on top Namche Bazaar with marvellous views of surrounding snow-capped peaks, visit its interesting museum with full information regarding history of the area, geography, culture, mountaineering history with flora and fauna of the region, afternoon at leisure.

Day 04: Trek to Dole 4,110 m past Phortse Tenga - 06 hrs.

After a pleasant time at Namche Bazaar with eye-catching views, morning walk leads to short up and then on a gradual winding path to Shanasa village.
From here route diverts away from main Namche-Everest base camp trail moving on quiet trails with a climb towards Gokyo Lake.

Climbs lead with steep up to reach at Mong 3,973 meters facing views and then descend to reach Dudh Kosi River at Phortse Tenga for lunch. After Phortse, continue to walk to Dole as the trail climbs steeply out of the valley through a patch of rhododendron forest which gives way to juniper and conifers trees. In the springtime, this place will be magic with wildflowers in full bloom. This path passes summer Yak pastures. The trek leads past Tongba and Gyele villages to reach at Dole with super view of Khumbila and Tawache 6,542m. At Dole for an overnight stop in a nice cosy lodge after a scenic walks of 5-6 hours.

Day 05: Trek to Machherma 4,470 m - 04 hrs.

Morning climb on the side of a valley, as rhododendron forest, stops for smaller bushes of juniper as the walk gains altitude slowly. Finally, the path leads on the level path for an hour to Lhabarma Kharka and at Luza of 4,390 m; and then skirting around a ridge with downhill to Machherma village.  Arriving at Machherma for lunch and overnight stop with time in the afternoon for a short walk or just relax.

Day 06: Trek to Gokyo Lake 4,750 m - 04 hrs.

From here journey continues heading to Gokyo 3^rd Lake, as walk follows to Pangka, a small area and then descend slightly, following one of the glacial fed rivers which flow from Ngozumba Glacier of high world 6^th highest Cho-Oyu and other adjoining peaks.

The walk leads to a climb on the side of a glacier, past first and second lakes, crossing a path to reach at the final third lake known as Dudh Pokhari or Gokyo Lake a summer settlement with fantastic views of Mt. Cho Oyo and Gyachung Kang that reflects on emerald green waters of Gokyo Lake.

Day 07: At Gokyo rest day and hike to Gokyo Ri 5,357m / 17,570 ft.

Morning hike up to reach Gokyo Ri for panorama at above 5,357m offers grand views of Mt. Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, Taboche and far as to Mt. Makalu towards east.

After a wonderful moment at Gokyo Ri, descend to Gokyo for lunch and rest, afternoon a short walk around the lake.

Day 08: Walk back to Dole - 06 hrs.
After a wonderful and exciting time around Gokyo valley and beautiful lakes, morning easier on the downhill to reach back at Dole, as walk leads with wonderful views and then heading backing into tree lines at Dole for an overnight stop.

Day 09: Trek to Namche Bazaar - 06 hrs.

From Dole trek takes you on down-hill with a short climb to Mong ridge after Phortse-Tenga village, and then a long descend to reach at main trekking trail near Sanasa and Kyanjima village with views of Amadablam at close distance, after a refreshing stop at Namche for an overnight stop.

Day 10: Trek to Lukla - 06 hrs.

Our last day walk of the adventure where the trail follows on the same route back to Lukla past Monjo, Phakding and Ghat villages crossing few times over Dudh Kosi, with last final climb to reach Lukla town for last overnight stop around high scenic Khumbu and Everest region.

Day 11: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Morning transfer to Lukla Tenzing and Hillary airport for sweeping short flight to Kathmandu facing scenic views of mountains, green scenery of hills and farm fields with nice villages and towns as flight lands at Kathmandu airport and then back to your hotel, with a free afternoon to relax of great memorable adventure on Gokyo Lake Trek.

Cost Details

Essential Info

Gokyo Lake Trekking seasons and climate: 
Where one can join on this treks nearly all months of the year except monsoon wet months from mid-June to mid-September.  March to May lively and colourful with rhododendron (national flower of Nepal) and other wild-flower in full bloom, most days are clear with late afternoon cloudy with cooler morning and night time.  October to December another best months to trek when most of the days are clear for views but with short sun-lights and much cold and freezing temperatures in the morning and night including shades away from sunlight,

with chances of snow sometimes during autumn and winter times.

Trip Departure

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