Trip Highlighted
Gokyo Lakes & Gokyo Ri Trekking – A super alternative to classic Everest Base Camp Trek!
Gokyo LakeTrekking is a grand and glorious adventure on the high valley of Khumbu hidden behind Mt. Everest by high Tsho / Cho La pass, where our fabulous walk leads you in the land of Lakes and Mountains.
Truly a spectacular holiday, Gokyo Lake Trekking encounters numbers of Sherpa villages enriched with fascinating culture of Buddhism religion in the shade of old traditional life and warm hospitality of the High Landers of Everest.
Gokyo Lake trekking starts with a short sweeping and scenic flight from Kathmandu to land at Lukla airstrip. From here, we walk on a gradual path visiting many lovely villages of Ghat-Phakding and Monjo village to enter Sagarmatha National Park, listed in World Heritage Sites.
Sagarmatha is the local name for Everest in Nepali and local Sherpa calls as Chomolungma of Tibetan origin language, which means Great Mother.
Finally our scenic walk leads to a long climb into serene forest of rhododendron, magnolia, pines, oaks, pines and fir tree lines with grand views of high snowcapped mountains all the way to reach Namche Bazaar.
Namche is the prosperous town in Khumbu region offering facilities of Banks-ATM-post office-Cyber Café with good restaurants and bakeries – an interesting place where Saturday colorful and busy markets held every week.
After Namche our route leads to higher areas to reach our final destination at scenic Gokyo Lake and its beautiful valley. We walk on a less-trodden and tranquil areas, leaving the main trail for a week, towards Gokyo Lake and climb of Gokyo-Ri.
At Gokyo, we walk past first and second lakes and then head towards third Lake where many good lodges nestles along its shore. Here we get the fabulous view of world 6th highest Mt. Cho-Oyu at 8,201 m that straddles the border with Nepal and Tibet close to fifth Lakes of Gokyo areas.
In Gokyo we enjoy spectacular views and climb to the highest spot of the adventure on top Gokyo-Ri at 5,357 m / 17,678 ft high. The summit offers grand panorama of world’s four highest mountains Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Ch-Oyu with Mt. Makalu towards east with many adjoining peaks.
After a glorious and pleasant time on Gokyo we head back to Lukla taking an alternative scenic and cultural route via remote Phortse to reach at Pangboche and then at impressive Thyangboche Monastery engulfed with green forest and mountain views.
This wonderful adventure ends at Lukla with a short flight to Kathmandu after a great mesmerizing time on Gokyo Lake Trekking
It’s no secret that a trek to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri is a strenuous journey that demands plenty of physical preparation. In general, you can expect to walk 5- 7 hours a day covering 10 – 15 km a day. It might sound easy to an intrepid hikers but steep ascents and descents will even challenge them.
Do not challenge the height – always walk on slow pace, stay acclimatized and hydrate your body frequently.
We also suggest you to do some research about the Altitude Mountain Sickness – know its symptoms, prevention and cure before booking the trek.
Physical training for Gokyo Lake Trekking
You might have already guessed that you need to train your body few-weeks prior the trek. However, your body doesn’t need an intense workouts in gym. There are many ways to prepare your body for a journey to Gokyo Lakes & Gokyo Ri. Running, Swimming, Cycling, Hiking and leg & back workout are some good training activities to boost your strength and fitness.
Mental Preparation for Gokyo Lake Trekking
There will be moments during the trek when you will find really difficult to step even a single foot. This is a moment when your mental stamina will be tested. Many trekkers find very difficult to overcome the mental tiredness.
Consider joining a fun-run or marathon to test your mental stamina and push to the finish. It will place you out of your comfort zone which as a result help you overcome the fatigue that starts during the trek.
Preparing for high altitude is the most challenging element but very important at a same time. It can even strike the fittest trekkers and local Sherpa. Before you take the routes of Gokyo Lakes, make sure to spend one extra night at Namche as a part of acclimatization. Also schedule one more night at Gokyo Lake before climbing the Gokyo Ri – the highest point of the trek.
Another way to combat the effect of altitude sickness is to carry altitude sickness pills, staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol & Junk food.
Morning transfer to domestic airport as per your flight time for short panoramic flight to land at Lukla, getting into a smaller aircraft (Twin Otter or Dornier) with 30 minutes on air with great views of Himalayan peaks includes Mt. Everest.
On reaching at Lukla on its unique airstrip known as Tenzing - Hillary airport, from here a slow start with few hours of walks downhill passing many Sherpa farm villages and well tended crops and vegetable fields and terraces with views of Kwangde and Kusum Khanguru peaks.
After 3-4 hours on first day walks reaching our overnight stop in a nice lodge at Phakding, transfer into your rooms with sound of glacial Dudh Kosi River nearby.
Today a long day to reach Namche Bazaar, starting with gradual walk following the river upstream and crossing few bridges to reach at Sagarmatha National Park entrance near Monjo village.
Sagarmatha for Everest in Nepalese and Sherpa calls Chomolungma in both languages means 'Great Mother' from here a pleasant walk on river bed and then climb for few hours into forested trail with views of snow capped peaks, as the walk reaches you at exciting town and village at Namche Bazaar.
A rest and a free day at Namche Bazaar for proper and necessary acclimatization at this great height of above 3,440 m high before heading higher ground, at Namche spend the day with scenic hike around and browsing the streets and shops, Namche holds a colorful and busy Saturday Market every week.
After an enjoyable time with res days at Namche Bazaar, morning starts with uphill for short time and then walking on gradual winding path to Shanasa village.
From here our route diverts away from main Everest base camp trail heading with climb on quiet trails uphill towards Gokyo Lake.
As climbs starts on steep up to Mong small village at 3,973 m high, located on a high ridge facing views of surrounding snow capped mountain views, from here downhill to Dudh Kosi River to reach at Phortse Thanghka for lunch.
Afternoon walk from Phortse, leads to a gradual uphill to Dole, where trail climbs steeply out of the valley through a patch of rhododendron, juniper and conifers trees.
Walking around Yak pastures and then past Tongba and Gyele villages to reach at Dole with super view of holy Khumbila peaks and Tawache 6,542m. At Dole for overnight stop in a nice cozy lodge after a good walks of six hours.
Morning walk from Dole with a climb along a side of the valley, where rhododendron forest fades for small bushes of juniper, walk gains altitude slowly.
Walking then on level path for an hour to Lhabarma Kharka and Luza at 4,390 m high and then skirting around a ridge walking downhill to reach at Machherma village.
At Machherma for lunch and overnight stop with time in the afternoon for short hike or just relax and enjoy the views.
From Machherma, our journey continue to reach at third Lake of Gokyo, walk follows a scenic path to Pangka, a small area and then following one of the glacial fed rivers which flows from Ngozumba Glacier and Mt. Cho-Oyu.
Walk leads to a climb by the side of a glacier, passing at first Lake and then second Lake, to reach third biggest Lake called Dudh Pokhari or Gokyo Lake.
Around Gokyo Lake, with many good lodges facing grand view of the Lake with world's 6th highest Mt. Cho-Oyu and other range of peaks.
Gokyo valley originally a summer settlement and Yak grazing pasture offering fabulous views of Mt. Cho Oyo and Gyachung Kang that reflects on its emerald colored Gokyo Lake.
Early morning hike up to Gokyo-Ri, a scenic hill top at 5,357m for wide panorama facing views of Mt. Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, Taweche and far as to
Mt. Makalu towards east.
After a grand view from Gokyo-Ri, descend back to Gokyo for breakfast and lunch with rest of the afternoon free at leisure or take a short walk of few hours.
With leisure time with grand views at Gokyo, today a short walk to a small place at Na or further beneath Ngozumba glacier, time permitting walking a little further depending upon best available lodge on route.
Starting with pleasant morning walk descending on gradual winding path above Dudh Kosi River opposite from Machherma area, as walk continues with fabulous views, and then finally reaching a moderate size sleepy Sherpa village within a peaceful spot at Phortse where few trekkers pass around this trail.
Morning facing fantastic views of high snow capped peaks with Amadablam, as our adventure continues heading slow uphill climb for an hour to a ridge and then on gradual up with stunning views as the walk leads above a river, and then reaching at upper Pangboche village near its old monastery.
With rest and possible lunch stop, afternoon walk on downhill to a bridge over Imjatse River, where an hour steep up into a cool lovely alpine forest brings you at beautiful Thyangboche Monastery with sweeping views of Mt. Everest and Amadablam with other adjoining peaks.
At Thyangboche Monastery areas for overnight stop in its nice and cozy lodge, with ample time to explore its interesting monasteries where you can observe monks and priest on prayer.
Thyangboche famous for Mani Rimdu festival held in October months.
Morning along with grand views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kangtenga, Tharmarserku, Kwangde with magnificent Mt. Amadablam, from here heading down hill and then over a bridge with climb up to Kyanjinma, an hour before Namche Bazaar.
Kyanjinma a small scenic place with few good lodges offers grand views of Everest-Amadablam with Thermasharkhu, here chances of seeing some wild life.
From this isolated and peaceful spot heading back to Namche bazaar and then downhill to Dudh Kosi to reach at Sagarmatha entrance and exit gate to reach at Monjo village for overnight after a pleasant day walk.
Our last day walk of this great adventure, morning leads on gradual trail crossing a long bridge to reach at Phakding, and then on the way to Lukla with few ups and downhill with last and final climb of an hour to reach at Lukla for last overnight stop in Khumbu and Everest region.
Morning as per flight time transfer to Lukla terminal building, then board in a small aircraft for exciting half hour flight to reach back into hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu.
Rest of the day free and relax your body and muscles from great adventure on Gokyo Lake & Gokyo-Ri Trekking.
The Gokyo and Gokyo Ri trek is a popular trekking route in the Everest region of Nepal that takes you to the beautiful Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri, a peak overlooking the lakes and offering stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest.
The Gokyo and Gokyo Ri trek typically takes around 12-14 days to complete, depending on your pace and itinerary.
The best time to do the Gokyo and Gokyo Ri trek is during the autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) seasons, when the weather is clear and the skies are generally free of clouds.
The Gokyo and Gokyo Ri trek is considered a moderate to challenging trek, with some steep ascents and descents, high altitude, and variable weather conditions. It is recommended that trekkers have some prior trekking experience and be in good physical condition.
The highlights of the Gokyo and Gokyo Ri trek include the beautiful Gokyo Lakes, the stunning views of Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks from Gokyo Ri, and the chance to experience the unique Sherpa culture and hospitality of the region.
Accommodation on the Gokyo and Gokyo Ri trek varies from basic tea houses to more comfortable lodges, depending on the location and altitude. The tea houses typically offer simple but clean rooms with shared bathroom facilities, while the lodges may have attached bathrooms and more amenities.
Yes, you will need a trekking permit to do the Gokyo and Gokyo Ri trek, as it is located within the Sagarmatha National Park. You will also need a TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card.
Gokyo Ri is a peak located at an altitude of 5,357 meters (17,575 feet) above sea level.
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