Gokyo Lake Trek

Gokyo Lake Trek is designed to give you an ultimate trekking experience in Khumbu region of Nepal, combining the diversity, this region has to offer in terms of natural scenery, cultural heritage and also altitude.

Gokyo lakes are the world’s highest freshwater lake system with one of the clearest waters in world in Sagarmatha National Park. It is comprised of six major lakes, of which Thonak lake is the largest. Apart from their hydro-logical value and apart from the important fact that these lakes are listed under the Ramsar Convention by UNESCO in 2007, the clear turquoise waters against a backdrop of solemn mountains offer otherworldly scenic views that is any trekker’s paradise.

Everest Gokyo Lake Trek is designed for people that want more diverse views and are willing to take a bit more strenuous path compared to Base camp trek. The trail that we embark on will be highlighted by majestic views of colossal mountains of Himalayas, valleys that rest between them and freshwater streams that sinuously go about their ways.

Also the views of glaciers of various sizes will grace you throughout. This trek also gives you an option of climbing Gokyo Ri, which is at the same height of Everest Base Camp and offers a magnificent view of many mountains that are above 8000m (Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Everest). Also, one can view Ngozumpa glacier (the largest glacier in the Himalayas).

As we traverse the rugged landscape, you will witness first hand the famed Sherpa culture and their warm hospitality. The teahouses on the route of Everest Gokyo Lake Trek have been selected after careful consideration and you will get to enjoy the best services, healthy and delicious food as well as get an opportunity to experience way of life of locals even if for a brief period of time.

Also Everest Region offers other classic trek like Everest Base Camp Trek and Everest Three Passes Trek with high three passes of Everest region Kongma La Pass (5,535/18,159ft), Cho La Pass (5420m/17,782ft), and Renjo La Pass (5,340m/17,520ft).

As most of the trekking in Everest region, Everst Go-kyo Trek begins with a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, from where we trek to phakding. Once we reach Namche Bazzar (gateway to Everest), we rest for a night and start our ascent towards Gokyo, passing places like Dole, Machhermo, Gokyo villages and finally Gokyo Ri. After the conclusion of trek, we fly back to Lukla and finally to Kathmandu.

Day 1 :

Arrival in Kathmandu(1310 meter), Check-In hotel (B&B plan)

Welcome to Kathmandu, an ancient city rich in cultural heritages, vibrant and full of diversity in every sense of the word. Our guide will receive you at the gate of Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA) with your name on the board. He/she will brief you about your schedule and information you might need the most while driving towards hotel room. We make sure your are comfortable and leave the rest of the day to yourself to relax.

Day 2 :

Cultural heritage sightseeing, trek preparation in Kathmandu

We start the day by a visiting one of the most revered, ancient and believed to have self-emerged atop green hillock west of Kathmandu, the great stupa of Swayambhunath, a site over 2,500 years old. The pilgrim’s approach to the shrine is through a wooded park up a steep flight of 300 stone steps, lined with stone sculpture of animals and birds, vehicle of gods. Our guide will brief you while exploring the sites.

Afterwards, we drive towards east of Kathmandu valley to one of the important World Heritage Sites “Pashupatinath”, a renowned Hindu temple. The main deity is Lord Shiva, both destroyer and creator of the world according to Hindu belief system. Throughout the year, Shiva is worshipped at Pashupatinath as a lingum(phallus) in his incarnation as the Lord Pashupati. The Bagmati River is lined with many dharmsalas and cremation ghats. There is usually cremation in progress on one of the platforms of the river. The ashes will be scattered in the river, regarded as holy as it flows into the sacred Ganges.

At the end of the day we return back to the hotel and go through pre-briefing about next schedule. Our guide will assist you to prepare your necessary gears as per the need of upcoming trek.

Day 3 :

Flight to Lukla Airport(2900 meter), Trek to Zamfute(2680 meter) (6 hrs)

Our early morning flight by Twin Otter aircraft rushes us to Lukla, the most popular as well as notorious mountain airstrip in the world. It was originally conceived by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust as an runway to transport materials for building schools and hospitals. Lukla is now one of busiest runway in Nepal. On the flight we may witness the magnificent bird eye views of highest mountains peak of the world including Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (the world’s 3rd,4th,5th highest respectively). On arrival, we meet our Sherpa guide and we pick up our trail after cup of tea. Surprisingly, the high altitude trek begins by descending to the river at Phakding. Further on and we choose one of several good lodge in wooded area at Chumoa, close to the entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park.

Day 4 :

Trek to Namche Bazar (3440 meter) (8 hours)

The early start of our hike will allow us to ascend the Namche hill first thing in the morning. At about half-way up the hill, the gap between the woods will allow us to get glimpse Mount Everest for the first time. If the weather is clear at the top, the South-West face will be visible behind the long Lhotse-Nuptse ridge.

Namche is the most prosperous and active hub of Khumbu region. A bazzar is held every Friday and Saturday. The wares on display include meat, grains and vegetables, shoes, hand woven aprons, trekking gears with your choice of cafeteria for coffee, bakeries and also pub to hang out for some drinks. Thamserku (6648 m), Kwangde Ri (6187 m) and Khumbila (5707 m) surround the natural bowl that Namche sits in.

Day 5 :

Acclimatization Day

We take the day off to allow our bodies to adjust to the rarefied atmosphere before ascending to higher altitudes. The secret to safe acclimatization is to ‘climb high, sleep low’. So, it is safe for the more energetic amongst us to hike up the hill behind the Namche to the airstrip at Syangbouche to Khunde, Khumjung village, or stroll across to the museum behind the police post. Others may prefer to ‘Chill out’ and visit one of the lodges for a freshly-baked cinnamon roll. Namche is busy and bustling trading place and there is always plenty going on.

Day 6 :

Trek to Dole farm village (4100 meter) (7 hours)

Our journey for today heads further north leaving Namche. The trails are wide and plain in most part build by a local native with his own efforts and will. He has been doing that great job with the small fund support from the trekkers who pass the way. To our right view stand a bold Thamserku and Khangtega with beautiful Amadablam in the front. The vantage-point of Mong-La will increase our feel around Himalaya. We descend to the river bank of Phortse Tenga and continue gradual climb up until Dole for the camp.

Day 7 :

Trek to Macherma yak land (4410 meter) (6 hours)

We ascend the hill over Dole after breakfast, pass Lapharma and the easy plain trails follows to Luza and to Mahcherma. There are local people who migrate to this areas during crops growing seasons with animals and others to run lodges. The place carries fabled tales of mysterious Yeti, which the locals believe to exist. We now have the view of Giant Mount Cho-oyou (8200m).

Day 8 :

Acclimatization Day

This morning will be different than rest of the days because we have one extra day to enjoy the beautiful scenario and adjust our body to this elevation. We keep the backpack unpacked and carry our day bag with needed water and energy bar while hiking up to Mahcerma Ri. The idea is ‘climb higher and sleep low’.

Day 9 :

Trek to Gokyo lake (4800 meter) (7 hours)

Gokyo is the wonderful Sherpa land of sacred Lake, the largest glacier of Nepal and beautiful surrounding mountains. Today is the day to make it to our choice of destination. The trails ahead are gradual up but more plain until Gokyo. It is the third lake, we camp for overnight. If someone wants to push little up to 4th or 5th lake in the afternoon, we could do that as well.

Day 10 :

Ascend Gokyo Ri (5357 meter), Descend to Dole Farm land(4100 meter) (8 hours)

The higher, the better”. It turns out to be absolutely true, when we make it to atop of Gokyo-Ri. This is one of the best vantage to experience the amazing great Himalayas of Khumbu region. We have all giant Mountain on the sight if the weather is clear. We take our moments at the top. Be sure to have your wind proof jacket and pant with hat, it will be mostly windy up there. We descend down to Dole farm land.

Day 11 :

Trek to Yeti scalp valley (3800 meter) (7 hours)

Khumjung and Khunde is termed as twin green valley. Since, the house roofs are all painted green and the village is close to each other. The valley is one of the most populated in Khumbu region. It holds the first School and Hospital of entire Khumbu build by the aid of Sir Edmund Hillary, Himalayan Trust. The mysterious Yeti scalp is in the show case in Khumjung Gompa. We can witness an authentic Sherpa lifestyle while being there.

Day 12 :

Trek to Monjo tourist point (2650 meter) (7 hours)

In the lap of Khumbi-Yulha, we wake up to see the beautiful green valley with Thamserku, Khangtega, Kongde, Amadablam in front of our sight. We have to leave for our day ahead camp by gradual up and mostly down hill via Namche towards Monjo. The starting point of Sagarmatha National Park. Relax with the peaceful nature of Monjo.

Day 13 :

Trek to Lukla Airport (2900 meter) (6 hours)

The last hiking day of the whole trip. It can take up to five hours to lukla with the final ascent to lukla valley followed by last relaxing overnight in the mountain lodge.

Day 14 :

Flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to the hotel.

Another chance to experience the domestic flight of Lukla. Please note that the weather of Lukla and Kathmandu can cause delay either fog-bound or wind, be reassured that our staff in Lukla and Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimized the inconvenience caused if this happens. Your understanding and patience during the such situation will be greatly appreciated.

Day 15 :

Departure.

Our guide will drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA). Airport check-in and flight to onward destination. We end our services here.
Note:
This itinerary is only a guideline, and is occasionally subject to change to suit local conditions, particularly on this trek where lot of time is spent above 4000m.