Gokyo Lake trek can be one of the alternatives for the Everest Base Camp trek. Other option could be you can combine both Everest Base camp and Gokyo lake trek in a single trip if you don’t have any time limit.Unlike Everest base camp trek, the trekking route to Gokyo lake is less crowded which means, it won’t be difficult to get accommodation during this trek. Also, the trail will be less crowded. During this trek, the impressive view of glaciers, mountains like Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Thamserku (6623 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), as well as Mt. Everest (8848 m.) can be seen. Different glaciers, icy lakes, moraines, and lakes can be seen during this trek.You will be trekking through different villages as well as through the Sagarmatha National Park –UNESCO World Heritage Site where different species of vegetation like pine, oaks, rhododendrons, etc. and wildlife like Himalayan thar, spotted deer, pheasant, lophophorus, etc. are well protected.This Gokyo Lake trek combines of trekking to 6 different lakes around Gokyo region – the main lake being Gokyo itself also known as Dudh Pokhari. Gokyo (Dudh Pokhari), Tanjung Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Thonak Cho, Ngozumpa Cho, and Longbanga Cho are 6 different lakes here in Gokyo region. Collectively, the water from these lakes flows down to the Dudh Koshi river.
If you have an extra day to spare, you can trek to all of those 6 lakes around the valley, but if you are short of time, you can roam around the Gokyo lake itself. All of these lakes are located at an altitude between 4700 m to 5000 m high. To get the good view of this Gokyo lake, we have to hike up to the Gokyo Ri (5357 m.), which is a steep and exhausting climb for about 4 to 5 hours. From the top of this view point, we will get a good view of Mt. Everest (8848 m.), Cho Oyu (8201 m.), Lhotse (8516 m.), and other surrounding mountains. You will also be able to get a good view of Ngozumpa glacier from the top. If you happen to hike up in the morning, you will be welcomed with the breathtaking sunrise view.
Trek starts from a 25 minutes of scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. From Lukla, you will hike up to Phakding and then to Namche Bazar. Trekking route to Gokyo lake is same up to Namche Bazar, where we will acclimatize with a short hike up to the Khumjung village. From Namche Bazar, the trail passes through Dole, Macchermo and then to Gokyo lake. You can choose other way from Phorse village to Macchermo and then to Gokyo Lake.Although you can trek in this region throughout the year, the best season for this trek is between March to May and September to December. You will get a good view of the mountains and surrounding in these seasons.
Duration: 13 Days
Max Altitude: 5360 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Cost: US$ 1050.00 to USD $1300.00 Per Person
Country: Nepal
Activity: Trekking in Nepal
Starting Point: Kathmandu
Ending Point: Kathmandu
Clear Sky Treks will greet you in an arrival and transferred to your hotel; here you will be formally introduced to your Guide and the activities to be enjoyed over the next few days. We will also ask for your passport photographs and any other details required for your trek permits, at this stage.
Your early flight to Lukla today will take approximately 30 minutes; from here you will trek to Phakding, descending 200m over 3 hours. You will catch a glimpse of some great mountains such as Nupla (5885m) above Kongde Ridge, Kusum Kang (6367m appears on the right a little later. All along you will be following the northern (left) bank of the Dudh Kosi River. It is important to take these first few days slowly to enable your body to acclimatise and to enjoy the passing scenery and culture.
Today begins on level ground, relative to the environment in which you are! You will cross the river on a high suspension bridge and begin to climb up to Monjo (2800m) and on to the gateway to the Sagamartha National Park Entrance in place to protect and preserve this beautiful environment. There is a good rest stop on the way up where you will see people gathered, admiring the first real chance to see Everest in the distance. On the way up today you will be rewarded with views of Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri and Tawache Peak before eventually arriving at Namche after about 5 hours.
The main aim today is to allow your body to acclimatise, it is important to drink lots of water and take some gentle exercise. Namche is a growing town tucked into a neat little valley, there is lots going on in the centre with market days on Friday and Saturday. There are some interesting museums and shops. There is also internet and a sauna! You could venture further afield, take a visit to Khumjung where the Hillary school sits and Khunde nearby, on the way back to Namche you could visit the Shyangboche airstrip, (3790m) the highest in the world nearby is the Everest View Hotel for stunning views.
Trek from Namcheg to Dole [4040m] which takes about five and half hours. Soon after leaving Khumjung the trail climbs to a large chorten on top of a ridge. This ridge descends from Khumbila, a 5734m peak, said to be the abode of the patron God of the Khumbu region. The trail descends slightly towards the Sanasa and then trail ascends up to Mongla (4000m.). From here, you can see panoramic views of various mountains. You trek steeply descend passing through Phortse Tenga and from there, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens. You can enjoy delicious meal at Phortse Tenga (3650m.).
Trek from Dole to Machhermo [4410m] and it takes about five hours. From Dole you climb steadily along the side of the valley, where the small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements, which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of us are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a short day and you will arrive at Machhermo in time for lunch.
Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo [4750m] which takes about four and half hours. Today you head for the lakes at Gokyo. You follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, following one of the melt-water Rivers, which flow down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You climb a steep rocky inclined into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. You soon arrive at the second of the lakes, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La (5450m.) – your route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters.
Rest day at Gokyo and excursion in and around Gokyo valley. Gokyo is a trade centre where the Sherpa people run lodges to provide the best services to the trekkers.Gokyo is situated by the side of Ngozumba glacier, the biggest glacier of Nepal. This day you can make a side trip to Firth Lake via Forth Lake.
Trek and climb from Gokyo to Gokyo Ri [5360m] & Trek back to Machhermo (4410m.) via Gokyo village and it takes about six hours. Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake and you leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. As you climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu slowly come into sight and the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself, is one of the finest to be had in the Everest region – some say it is even better than that from Kala Patthar. After lunch it is a short walk to the village of Machhermo.
Trek from Machhermo (4410m.) to Namche Bazaar (3440m.) which takes about six hours. The trail gently descends to Dole and then starting descending steeply to Photse Tenga (3650m.) passing through rhododendron forests. Then the path immediately ascends steeply to Mongla Danda (4000m.) and gently descends up to Kyanjoma (3500m.) following small ups and down to the destination.
Trek from Namche to Phakding (2652m.) and it takes about five hours. The trails descend steeply for early one and half hours. After that, the path has small ups and down to Phakding through Monjo. you will take lunch here and continue Trek from Phakding to Lukla [2800m] and it takes about three hours. Your final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the Sherpa guides and porters, where you can sample some chhang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience.
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu. You take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu.
In the evening we will drive you for farewell dinner with cultural dance.
All too soon it’s time to bid Nepal farewell and one realizes that we can never be intimate, only acquainted with this amazing adventure kingdom
Start | End | Status | Price | |
February 14, 2024 | February 26, 2024 | Available | US$ 1050.00 to USD $1300.00 Per Person | Book Now |
March 3, 2024 | March 15, 2024 | Available | US$ 1050.00 to USD $1300.00 Per Person | Book Now |
April 1, 2024 | April 13, 2024 | Available | US$ 1050.00 to USD $1300.00 Per Person | Book Now |
May 11, 2024 | May 23, 2024 | Available | US$ 1050.00 to USD $1300.00 Per Person | Book Now |
September 1, 2024 | September 13, 2024 | Available | US$ 1050.00 to USD $1300.00 Per Person | Book Now |
October 2, 2024 | October 14, 2024 | Available | US$ 1050.00 to USD $1300.00 Per Person | Book Now |
November 5, 2024 | November 17, 2024 | Available | Book Now |
Grade: Moderate
Trip Duration: 13 days
Max. Altitude: 5360m
Season: Sep – May
Trekking: Teahouse
Accommodation: 2 nights in Kathmandu, 10 nights in trekking lodge
Transportation: Flight & Drive
Group Size: 2 to 15 pax