Trip Overview

The Gokyo Lake Trek is an alternative to the traditional Everest Base Camp trek while still providing you with plenty of stunning views of Mount Everest as well as unforgettable overnight stays in the iconic town of Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Khumbu Region.
The route to the Gokyo Lakes is less busy than the traditional route to the Everest Base Camp, but still offers you an insight into local village life, impressive views of icy rivers and stony, glacier debris, snow-capped mountains, and of course the dazzling turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes.
The Gokyo Lakes are made up of six bodies of water, or lakes, located at an altitude of 4,700 to 5,000m in the Gokyo Valley. Gokyo Valley falls within the Sagarmatha National Park area.
The lakes are the world’s highest freshwater lake system and have been designated as wetlands of international importance (a Ramsar site) as well as being sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
By spending an extra day in the Gokyo Valley, you can visit the 5th and 6th lakes which sit in a high alpine bowl at the foot of Cho Oyu, the world’s 6th highest mountain.
You should expect to walk 4-6 hours a day, with one of the highlights being a steep climb up Gokyo RI (5,357m) to view Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu. You will also see the largest glacier in Nepal, Ngozumpa, and ice ridges.
To best acclimatize before setting off for the Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Valley, time spent in Namche Bazaar offers you the opportunity to trek to the nearby Khumjung Village to visit the school set up by Sir Edmund Hillary, who, along with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, were the firsts summit Mount Everest.
Gokyo Ri sits at 5357m. and awards stunning and unforgettable views of Mount Everest and the Khumbu region mountain peaks.

Sample Itinerary

  • Day 1 – Kathmandu (1,300m)
    The adventure begins with arrival in Kathmandu. You will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by a representative from our team, who will help you with your luggage and transportation to your hotel. There are no planned activities for the day, so you can enjoy the afternoon and evening in Kathmandu.
  • Day 2 – Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800m) to Phakding (2,652m), Duration 3-4 hours
    Take a short flight to the tiny airstrip at Lukla. Have time to stroll around, while the guide sorts and divides the load baggage to be carried by porters. Enjoy lunch before starting out on the easy walk to Phakding village.
  • Day 3 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m), Duration: 6 hours
    Leaving Phakding, we will trek north on a path leading to Monjo. This small town is the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. As it doubles back and forth across the Dudh Koshi River, our trail winds its way past tiny settlements called Tok Tok and Jorsale. After crossing a final suspension bridge at the junction of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers, we will hike uphill for about two hours before reaching Namche Bazaar.
  • Day 4 – Namche Bazaar, Acclimatization Day – Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,962m), Duration: 3 to 4 hours
    Today is an acclimatization day: as we ascend to higher elevations, it’s important to let our bodys adapt to the thinner air. There is a lot to see and do in Namche Bazaar. For one, you will get to enjoy your first view of Everest itself, and also many neighboring peaks, among others the distinctive summit of Ama Dablam.
  • Day 5 – Namche Bazaar to Dole (4200m), Duration 5-6 hours
    Following a gradual trail with a few ascends and descends, we will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks at Shanasa. Ascend to Mongla hill and continue down to Phortse Thanga. After lunch, a further few hours ascent will take us to Dole.
  • Day 6 – Dole to Machhermo (4470m), Duration 4-5 hours
    Today we climb to the scenic ridge above Dole. The trail continues to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river, where we reach Machhermo. Later in the afternoon, we will visit Himalayan Rescue Association.
  • Day 7 – Maccermo to Gokyo (4800m), Duration 3-4 hours
    Trekking up to a ridge allows excellent views both down the valley to Khangtega and to the northern part and Cho-Oyu (8153m). Our route descends to the riverbank before beginning the climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa glacier. Afterwards the trail levels out as it follows the valley past a second lake, known as Longponga at 4690m. Another hour’s walk will take us to Gokyo village on the edge of third lake.
  • Day 8 – Exploration day at Gokyo
    Take a full rest day rest at Gokyo or choose to explore the fourth and fifth lakes. The Gokyo lakes comprise the world’s highest freshwater system. This is great place to view part of Mt. Everest and Cho-Oyu. You can see the northern part of Cho-Oyu base camp and the biggest glacier in the world, Ngazumpa glacier.
  • Day 9 – To Gokyo Ri (5357m), Gokyo to Phorse Village/ Phorste Thanga (3680m), Duration 5 to 6 hours
    Early in the morning, we hike up to Gokyo Ri for the breathtaking view of a mountain sunrise, which includes Mt. Everest. You will have unforgettable memories of many of the famous Himalayan mountains and glaciers. After breakfast in the village, we start our walk back through the same valley. We cross a valley and carry on uphill to Phorse village for overnight. Phorse Village is interesting as it is situated at the middle of the hills above the river valley with pine and Rhododendron forest surroundings. You may also see the Himalayan pheasant and some other Himalayan animals.
  • Day 10 – Phorse Village/ Phorste to Thanga (3,867m), Duration 5-6 hours
    This morning we will mostly be heading down, following a narrow trail to reach to the river valley. Then, a gradually steep walk up hills through the forested hills of pine and rhododendron reach to Tengboche, situated at the top of the hill. From Tengboche you have a great view of Mt. Ama Dablam, as well as Thamserku, the top of Mt. Everest, and Nuptse. Tengboche has the biggest Buddhist Monastery called Tengboche Monastery where you may get to witness the monks’ evening prayer ceremony.
  • Day 11 – Thanga to Namche Bazaar via Khumjung (3,790m), Duration 6 – 7 hours
    The trail today leads down to the forested hills called Phungithanka, across the Dudh Koshi River cross with local suspension bridge, and then a long walk uphill to the Kyanjuma junction. Another 30-40 minute gradual walk brings you to the Khumjung Valley. We will spend some time here, visiting the Khunde Hospital, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary, The Hillary school and the old Monastery with the legendry Yeti scalps. Enjoy the mountains’ panorama, then carry on to Syangboche airstrip, which at 3700m, which is the highest airport in the world. We will then continue on down to Namche Bazaar for overnight.
  • Day 12 – Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,800m), Duration 4-5 hours
    Continue descent to Lukla, quite an easy trek, although there are small up and down hills. The route retraces the same one that we trekked on our first day. It will approx take 4 to 5 hours to reach Lukla. While you will freshen up with a hot shower, the guide will re-confirm the flights to Kathmandu for the following day. Celebrate your success of the trek in Lukla’s bars, restaurants and pubs.
  • Day 13 – Lukla to Kathmandu (1,300m)
    After an early morning flight to Kathmandu, our guide will transfer you to your hotel. Spend the day resting and we will then meet up for a celebration and farewell dinner at one of the fine Nepalese restaurants in Thamel area.
  • Day 14 – Departure from Kathmandu
    Today is free for last minute souvenir shopping until your transfer to the International Airport for your departing flight.