Gokyo Lake Trek – 14 Days

After landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu you will be welcomed by our team and driven to your hotel. After a brief period of rest, meet your trek guide for a briefing on trek, permits, and itinerary. Explore the streets of Kathmandu for your evening, visit the nearby places like Thamel or Durbar Square.

Tips:

• Change some Nepalese money for personal spending.
• Make sure trekking gears are packed and prepared.
• Sleep well before your adventure begins.

You begin the day with an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, one of the world’s most spectacular and thrilling flights. Once on the ground, we start our trek, with a gentle descent through Sherpa villages, crossing suspension bridges on the Dudh Koshi River. The walk to Phakding is a short one, to give you time to acclimatize.

Tips:

• Hover for beautiful aerial sights on your flight.
• Walk at a steady pace to minimize altitude sickness.
• Stay hydrated, and take in the lovely scenery.

Today, we will walk alongside the Dudh Koshi River and cross many suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. The trail then steadily climbs up into Sagarmatha National Park, where you’ll register at the entrance gate in Monjo. A strenuous uphill hike through pine forests will bring you to Namche Bazaar, the lively Sherpa center of activity in the Everest region.

Tips:

• Walk at a consistent pace to aid with acclimatization.
• Get your first view of Mount Everest from a viewpoint before Namche.
• Drink a lot and also take a break so you avoid altitude sickness.

To assist with altitude acclimatization, take a short trek to Everest View Hotel for stunning mountain vistas. Visit the Sherpa Museum, and nearby Khumjung and Khunde villages.

Descending from Namche the trail stays on a ridge providing stunning views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest. After continuing through Mong La, the path drops down to Phortse Tenga, then climbs steadily through rhododendron and juniper forests to Dole.

Tips:

• Snow-capped mountains to arid desert, but the coastline is never far away.
• Walk slowly and breathe deeply until you acclimatize to the thin air.
• Get stunning snaps of the Himalayan range.

As such, today’s hike is an ever-steepening climb through the Dudh Koshi Valley, past alpine meadows and farm villages. You will arrive in Machhermo, an important acclimatization stop before continuing to Gokyo.

Tips:

• Rest to enjoy the breathtaking mountain views.
• Watch for altitude sickness symptoms such as headaches or dizziness.
•  Keep your body warm as the temperatures begin to dip

Spectacular day of trekking through Gokyo Valley along the longest glacier in Nepal, Ngozumpa. You’ll trek through the first three Gokyo Lakes before arriving in Gokyo Village, a stunning settlement by the third lake, Dudh Pokhari.

Tips:

• Move slowly and steadily through rocky terrain.
• Enjoy the mesmerizing turquoise blue lakes.
• Sleep early tonight for Gokyo Ri climb tomorrow.

A pre-dawn hike to Gokyo Ri rewards you with panoramic sunrise views over Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. Soak in the beautiful views, then walk back downhill to Gokyo Village and keep walking to Thangnak.

Tips:

• If you want to see the best sunrise view, set out early.
• Wear warm clothes because it is very cold at the summit.
• Bring some snacks and water for energy.

A tough but satisfying day as you cross the Cho La Pass. The climb is steep in parts and has to cross a glacier, then descend to Dzongla.

Tips:

• Crampons or microspikes if needed.
• Get an early start before afternoon weather pattern shift
• Follow your guide closely for safety.

A shorter walk with stunning views of Ama Dablam and Nuptse. The path winds its way up towards Lobuche, a common stop on the way to Everest Base Camp.

Tips:

•   Acclimatize before going to higher altitudes.
• Take in the close-up views of Himalayan peaks.
• Get a good night’s sleep for the day ahead.

Completing and retracing back over the pristine Ngozumpa Glacier, today’s journey takes you back to Gokyo, where the incredible beauty of the Gokyo Lakes is on display once more.

A long descent back to Namche Bazaar, via Dole and Phortse Tenga. As you descend, you’ll feel the air thicken.

The final day of trekking takes you back along the Dudh Koshi River to Lukla, where you’ll celebrate the end of your adventure.

Early morning flight back to Kathmandu with rest of the day free to explore the city or relax in hotel.