Gokyo Lakes Trek takes you on a journey you will never forget. With its sparkling pristine beauty, Gokyo Lakes Trek is no doubt the best trekking route in the world. The Gokyo Lakes Trek is a less-known gem in the Everest region providing the best experience combined with the traditional Everest Base Camp Trek.
The Gokyo Lakes with Everest Base Camp Trek is an ultimate adventure trekking in Sagarmatha National Park. A hike to Gokyo Ri provides the best possible view of Mount Cho Oyu (8,188 meters) and other dominant mountains in the Khumbu region. We avoid the regular crowdy track leading to Everest Base Camp and follow the side route through the Sherpa settlements of Dole and Machhermo to reach Gokyo Valley. Gokyo provides a breathtaking view of 8000+ meter mountains like Everest, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. Explore the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal.
Gokyo valley (4,790 meters) situated in the lap of Mount Cho Oyu is the highest settlement in the world. This small settlement of stone houses beneath Gokyo Peak is well known for its most beautiful lake system. The Lake system consists of 19 lakes covering an area of 485 acres. All lakes lie between 4,600 meters – 5,100 meters, making them the highest freshwater lake. Gokyo Cho (locally known as Dudh Pokharai) is considered the main lake.
Similarly, Thonak Cho is the largest of all. The primary source of water in Gokyo Lakes is Ngozumpa Glacier and the stream coming down from Renjo La Pass. Gokyo Lakes are considered a holy lake by Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus believe Nag Devata ‘snake god’ resides in this lake. There is a big festival during Janai Purnima (July-August).
Gokyo Ri also known as Gokyo Peak (5,357 meters) is one of the main highlights of this trip. Located on the west of Ngozumpa Glacier. Gokyo Ri offers one of the most fascinating beauties of four mountains above 8000 meters, i.e. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Later we will traverse our route to Dzongla (4,840 meters) crossing the famous Cho La Pass (5,420 meters).
We continue our journey to Everest Base camp (5,360 meters) and Kalapatthar (5,545 meters). Our Gokyo Lakes Trek is meticulously designed allowing you to acclimatize properly and enjoy the fullest of your trip to mighty Everest. The trek gives us the fascinating opportunity to view Mount Everest and other prominent mountains in Everest and Makalu region.
What is the best season for Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September- November) is considered the best time to visit Gokyo Lakes. These months’ weather is most likely to be excellent and clear, giving us the best view. It is also possible to trek to Gokyo Lakes Trek in the monsoon and winter seasons. However, the weather might affect your trip in various ways.
How to get to Gokyo Lakes Trek?
By Flight: The trek to Gokyo Lakes starts with a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Continue the same route going to Everest Base Camp until Namche. From Namche, we traverse our path to Dole and Machhermo and to Gokyo Valley. We cross the famous Cho La pass to get to the regular Everest Base Camp Trek route.
Overland journey: If you wish to make this trek more exotic, we have the very best option for you. We drive from Kathmandu to Jiri and continue trekking through the lower Solu region to reach Phakding. From Phakding we will continue the same route as we have discussed above. This classic Everest Base Camp route was used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa to climb mount Everest.
If you are exhausted and don’t want to trek, you can consider a Helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp or Trek till EBC and fly back to Kathmandu by Heli.
How difficult is Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Gokyo Lakes Trek is considered tougher than the regular Everest Base Camp Trek. It includes crossing high passes. If you have some previous trekking experience helps a lot. However, this trek can be best for those looking for a more strenuous trek than Everest Base Camp Trek.
Gokyo Lakes Trek Highlights:
- Explore the beauty of the highest-altitude freshwater lake system.
- The majestic mountain views from Gokyo Ri & Kala Patthat, including four 8000+ meter mountains like, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu.
- Cross the famous and strenuous Cho La Pass (5,420 meters).
- Trek to the base camp of Mount Everest.
- Explore Ngozumpa glacier, the biggest glacier in the Khumbu region.
Pass through several legendary Sherpa settlements, and witness the culture and tradition.