Trekking to Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes is one of the most beautiful activities in the Everest region. There are thousands of trekkers who visit Nepal for Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes trekking. Some trekkers might have a lesser number of days and still, want to trek to Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes lakes. For such trekkers, we’ve summarized the trek into Short Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek.
This trek is a remarkable experience. Every time in Everest, every trek to Everest is a lifetime adventure. This trek offers numerous remarkable moments and memories. Beginning with the scenic flight with thrilling land at Lukla, the Short Gokyo Lakes Trek will take up to Gokyo Ri, 5357 meters.
This trek is an opportunity to witness the highland Himalayas and the highland wetlands at the same time. The five Gokyo lakes are beautiful, beyond your imagination. They are calm and enchanting! In Short Gokyo Lakes Trek, you will also see the longest glacier, the Ngozumpa Glacier.
This trek also combines nature with culture. During this trek, you can witness the diverse culture of the Sherpas in the Everest region. You can witness their unique way of life, and how quiet and cheerful they are. You’ll surely love the way they greet you and serve warm heart heart-filling hospitality.
In this trek, you can complete your Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes trek only including your day of arrival. This trek does not have any rest or acclimatization days. Thus, this Short Gokyo Lakes Trek is most suitable for those who already have several high-altitude trekking experiences.
If you are a beginner trekker, there are several other treks you can do. Also, you can do the standard Gokyo lake trekking that includes sufficient acclimatization and rest.
Overview
Trekking to Everest Base Camp via the Gokyo Ri and Cho La Pass route, known for its stunning blue lakes and the Cho La Pass. The Khumbu region’s attractions, friendly Sherpas, vibrant monasteries, Namche Bazaar, Sagarmatha National Park, and mighty Everest will all be your companions on this walk. The journey will offer incredible views of the Himalayan range from places like Gokyo Ri and Kala Patthar. The magnificent views of several peaks, including Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Pumori, will make the trek to the EBC Trek via Gokyo Cho La Pass an unforgettable experience.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri
- Visiting all of the high Valley of the Khumbu with the extra time.
- Cultural Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
- Adventurous trek through the Everest route.
Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal! A representative from Everest Alpine Trekking will welcome you to our hotel. We will prepare you with information and gear for your trek. Overnight at hotel.
Rest day and acclimatisation to jetlag, sightseeing plus trek briefing. Possible drive to Ramechhap** – see ‘Lukla Flight’ details below.
Flight* from Kathmandu into the mountains and the town of Lukla. From there a gentle downhill walk to Phakding or Jorsale along the edge of the Dudh Kosi River. Easy, well-used, busy path of porters and yaks, surrounded by forest on the sides of the valley.
Uphill to the Sherpa capital in the heart of the Khumbu region, Namche Bazaar. Initially follow the valley to Monjo where you enter the National Park, then criss-cross the river a few times and start a long unrelenting path uphill, with spectacular bridges spanning deep gorges. Leave the coniferous forest behind, and arrive at a huge natural amphitheatre with the blue-roofed houses spread around the sides. Namche is the major trading centre of the Khumbu, with Tibetans crossing the high Nangpa La Pass to reach the bustling Saturday morning market. Nowadays there are also many equipment shops, internet, bank, post office, cafes, bars, lodges and hire shops. Rest here for a day and take the chance to visit the Everest Museum.
This idyllic town is an ideal place for"acclimatization". Health specialists recommend we spend the day being active, rather than sitting idle. From Namche it is possible to take a short hike to Everest View Resort, Thame, visit Khunde or relax and explore Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is the main center of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, bakery, and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. A short trek of only a hundred metres will help us to properly acclimatize. Our guides will also take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe an assortment of relics related to the first mountaineers to climb Everest, Sherpa culture and discover the varied plant and animal life of the Everest region. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Walk to Dole (4210m), via an easy path to Sangnasha. Climb uphill until Mong La, where we have lunch. After lunch it is downhill to Phorche Tanga. A pleasant walk through some forest then brings us to Dole, where we stop for the night.
Today we head to Machermo, following a quite easy grassy path. You are provided with views of Cho Oyu (8200m) as we climb gradually moving up the river valley passing Lhabarma and Luza to reach our destination of Macherma (4470m).
There is quite a steep climb to kick us off, and due to the increase in altitude we spend two nights at the lakes to enjoy the views. On day 9 it is an early start, around 3am to climb Gokyo Ri (5483m) for sunrise. It takes around 2 ½ hrs to reach the summit, and you are rewarded with spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama dablam, Pumori, Thambersku, Khangteka, Tensum Khang Gunnel and Cho La Che before returning to Gokyo Lakes for the remainder of the day.
On this day, we will start early in the morning. We will hike to Gokyo Ri for the sunrise view. Be careful while walking. We will start to walk at around 4 am in the morning. If you have brought a hand or head torch with you, you can use it. Gokyo Ri is the best viewpoint of the Gokyo lakes. This place is also popular for its sunrise view.
From Gokyo Ri, you will see the best view of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Nuptse, and others. You will see the best view when the sun shines upon the white glistening peaks. Also, the mesmerizing view of tranquil Gokyo lakes is to die for.
After viewing the sunrise, we will get back to the Gokyo village. From there, we will set off on the trekking trail towards Namche Bazar. Descending down through the downhill trail, we will walk to Dole. The trail is beautiful. It will take you nearly 5 hours to reach Dole.
At Dole, we will have lunch. From there, we will trek back to Phortse Tenga following the downhill trail. From Phortse Tenga, the trail climbs up to Mong La Danda. Enjoy the mesmerizing Himalayan vistas from Mong La. From there, we will walk through splendid and easy downhills to Namche Bazaar.
Early in the morning, we will have breakfast at the hotel in Namche Bazaar. We will start to trek at about 7 am. The trail from Namche to the Hilary suspension bridge is a steeply descending one. This trail is dusty and rugged. You will meet with the herds of animals going down from Namche to lower altitudes.
After completing the downhill trail, we will cross the highest and longest suspension bridge in Khumbu, the Hillary Bridge. Crossing the bridge is a thrilling experience. After crossing the bridge, we will take an ascent that will gradually descend after some time. After the descent, there is another suspension bridge.
We will walk along the trail breathing the fresh air. En route, we will meet a few locals selling products like fruits (Apples, Oranges, and local Bananas) and also the bottled water. If you are trekking in Spring, you will see lots of Rhododendrons today.
We will walk past several villages including Monjo, Jorsale, and Toktok. We will have our lunch at any of these villages. We will reach Lukla after several hours of walking. Overnight in Lukla.
Over two days a descent via Namche Bazaar to Lukla with various options for accommodation. It is possible to stay in different villages, for example Pheriche, Khumjung, Monjo, but the route is the same as the way up.
Over recent years there has been a change, sometimes with little notice, regarding the airport you fly from to reach / return from Lukla. Traditionally, and still occasionally, you fly from Kathmandu airport, however there are now (mostly) regular seasonal changes that have moved the flight to depart / return from Manthali Airport, which is in a place called Ramechhap. If your flight does depart from Ramechhap we will let you know in advance, as far as possible, as this will impact your itinerary slightly, and there will be additional costs as the airport is a four hour drive from Kathmandu.
Depart Kathmandu. If you leave in the morning it is possible to arrive in London the same day.
Cost Includes
- Airport picks up and transports by private Car/Jeep.
- Three night’s standard twin sharing Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
- Fresh fruit every evening after dinner.
- Trekking Lodge (Tea House) accommodation during the trek.
- All necessary paperwork including Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit & Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fees.
- Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (Ramechhap -Lukla- Ramechhap) flight with private airport transfer and domestic airport tax.
- A highly experienced, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, English speaking well trained, Government license holder guide with all his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport and insurance.
- Strong, helpful Sherpa porters with proper safety equipment and walking equipment, his salary, food, accommodation, and insurance (one porter for two people).
- Comprehensive medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
- Arrangement of emergency helicopter service (paid by your Travel Insurance Company).
- Use of sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag and walking poles (if you don’t have your own, to be returned after trip completed).
- Everest Alpine Trekking T-shirt
- Government taxes and official expenses.
- Guided Kathmandu sightseeing tour with private car/jeep.
- Trip achievement certificate after successful trip completion.
- Oxygen meter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily (Very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS) symptoms) which will ensure your health during the trek.
- Assistant guide for groups of 7 or more people.
Costs Exclude
- Meals whilst you are in Kathmandu - lunch, and dinner.
- Nepal entry visa fee (easy to obtain the visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport – Kathmandu). $30 USD for 15-day, $50 USD for 30 Days, and $125 USD for 90 Days visa.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
- International airfare.
- Your personal expenses.
- All the alcoholic and non-alcoholic, soup, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cocoa, mineral water, extra food, cold and hot drinks on trek ( i.e. those you choose to purchase along the way and during evenings in the tea houses)
- All desserts & sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
- Hot shower and battery charging at the tea houses.
- Tips for the guide, porter, and driver (tipping is expected)
- Kathmandu sightseeing monument entrance fees($30 USD per person)
- Excess baggage of more than 10 kg for Lukla flight.
- NOTE: If you return earlier from the trek due to sickness or any problem, the money you paid for the flight, hotel, mountain room, food, etc. is non-refundable, and you will need to bear the expenses for the hotel, food, etc. in Kathmandu yourself.
FAQS
Gokyo Valley Trek isn’t as difficult as other strenuous treks in the Himalayas. It has moderately suitable trails that can be traversed by any hiker, even beginners with strong physical health. The paths to Gokyo Valley are unpaved with several highs and lows, which can be stressful for trekkers.
They may encounter rock steps with steep ascents, and descents full of loose rocks and streams which are harder to climb. Ngozumpa Glacier is probably the most challenging section of the entire trek. It has trails covered in snow which makes the hiking a bit tricky. But, apart from that, the trek can be easily done without any difficulties.
Whether or not you have trekked earlier but, hiring a porter is always a great idea during a trip to Gokyo Valley. They’ll help you with the luggage on the trail and make it somewhat easier walking the mountainous terrain. Porter in Khumbu Valley can carry up to 25 kg of weight for US20 to US$25.
Trekking Gokyo Valley without a guide is possible if the trekkers are fully aware of the route. Otherwise, it’s best to rent a professional trek guide who can navigate you all along the way. They’ll guide you throughout the way and even take care of your essentials. Depending on the Gokyo Valley Trek itinerary, they might charge you anywhere from US$30 to US$35.
Gokyo Valley Trek costs around US$1,350 for each individual hiker. The amount covers the expenses of a three-time meal, accommodation, and a domestic flight to Lukla. Within the travel package, you’ll also get the essential trekking equipment like a duffle bag, hiking poles, and jacket required for the trek.
After the hike is finished, trekkers will have to return the gear to Everest Alpine Trekking. Apart from the elemental gear, trekkers will be in charge of personal expenses, including snacks, hotel, and other luxurious items.
Although it’s one of the highest settlements in Nepal, Gokyo Valley has plenty of accommodation options to offer trekkers. There are lodges, hotels, and guest houses at every stop for trekkers to spend the night.
Teahouses are the favorite of most Gokyo Valley hikers as they are user-friendly and more accommodating. Their rooms are basic and come with all the required facilities, including a bedsheet and a pillow. Blankets are provided to the guests, but it’s a good idea to bring your own as it’s extremely cold in the mountains.
Generally, trekkers will have to agree to dine in the tea house to get the room. Some tea houses provide hot showers and electricity for free of cost but most of them charge a certain amount to get to use the facilities.
A few guesthouses along the way to the Gokyo Valley offer wi-fi to the guests. But, it’s hard to find the service at a high altitude as there are no strong network connections. The wi-fi doesn’t work properly in remote settlements at a higher elevation, so it’s worthless spending a hefty amount on it.
Teahouses and lodges also provide electricity for guests to charge their phones and batteries. Trekkers will have to pay US$2 to US$5, depending on how long the service has been used.
Trekkers climbing Gokyo Valley in spring or autumn won’t need crampons to walk the trail. They can just use any sturdy hiking boot to climb the glaciers and moraine. However, if they are walking the valley in winter, microspikes or a crampon might be a great option as they provide more traction.
It allows the trekker to have easy mobility on the snow and ice without losing grip.
By attaching crampons to the mountaineering boots, trekkers can get a solid grip to hike on a snowy trail or cross the icefields and snow slopes. Gaiters are always handy to have as it protects the feet from frostbite and cold.
They cover the feet to avoid the injuries that can occur from exposure to debris and snow. Gaiters are great for rough and low-extreme conditions as they shield the ankle and feet, protecting them against moisture and wet conditions.
There are a few instances where trekkers of Gokyo Valley suffer from altitude sickness. Sudden and quick access to high altitude leaves trekkers with shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. They are early symptoms of acute mountain sickness, which, if ignored, will become a severe problem.
However, the sickness can be avoided at the outset by climbing the trail slowly while going high. Altitude acclimatization is one of the best ways to prevent altitude sickness. It’s basically adapting to the weather and temperature at new places without getting affected. Taking proper rest and staying fit before going high also helps to minimize the sickness.
Looking at the atmospheric conditions and weather, Gokyo Valley Trek can be done any time of the year. But, the ideal time to do it is spring and autumn when the weather is delightful with all sunshine. The mild temperature with a beautiful atmosphere makes the hike gratifying and enjoyable.
Spring and Autumn season also comes with a mesmerizing view of shimmering snow-capped mountains, colorful flowers, and fall foliage which looks spectacular. The pleasant weather with fresh wind makes it easy for trekkers to walk the trail without losing sweat.
The trail running to Gokyo Valley makes its way through the Sagarmatha National Park, so trekkers will have to get their entry fee to the sanctuary, which costs US$30 for foreign nationals. Visitors from SAARC countries get off on the trekking permit with the fee costing only US$15.
Unlike Everest Base Camp, the trails of Gokyo Valley remain empty, especially during winter and monsoon. The path only sees a rise in travelers during the peak trekking season as it’s easy to ascend the trail during the other. Even on a usual day, there are fewer trekkers who climb the rugged trails to the Gokyo Valley.
The actual trail of Gokyo Valley starts from Lukla and ends back in the town. It runs through remote settlements, deep valleys, and gorges to end up at the beautiful Gokyo Valley. While this is the longest way, it allows trekkers to get enough rest and relish the scenic view of diverse landscapes.
Trekking from the lower hills like Lukla also helps the hikers to avoid altitude sickness. Those who are in a rush can take a direct helicopter flight to the valley or stop at any nearest village. By skipping the treks, they’ll be saving a lot of time and energy.
