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.
Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. You will be welcomed by your trekking guide at the airport and transferred to Hotel. Final preparation for your treks with
a complete pre-trip meeting. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Early morning drive to the domestic airport to board your onward flight to Lukla. Arrive at Lukla, you will be served a hot meal for the rest of the journey which is an easy trail to Phakding. You will meet your experienced porters at Lukla and continue to Phakding for an overnight stay.
(Note: Due to ongoing renovation work at the domestic airport in Kathmandu, it is likely your flight will be operated from Manthali Airport (130kms/ 4hrs drive from Kathmandu). You will have to drive at night to be seated on an early flight to Lukla which takes 20 mins approx.
After breakfast continues your trial to Namche Bazaar. Enter Sagarmatha National and continue to Namche bazaar. Namche Bazaar, also known as the gateway to Everest is the largest Sherpa settlement in the Khumbu region. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.
Today is a free day for acclimatization purposes. A short hike to Syangboche airstrip and Everest view hotel is worth a try. Or just simply relax at your guest house or explore the village.
After breakfast starts our trekking with a short climb to a ridge and following the main trial until the crossroads above Dudh Koshi River. We leave the trail to EBC and continue our trekking. Cross Mon La Pass to reach Phortse Tenga. Continue the trial on a steep ascent to reach Dole. Overnight stay at Dole.
From Dole, we climb the steep trail alongside the valley. Pass through several temporary settlements of yak herders who come to graze their yaks. You will get the most fascinating view of Cho Oyu, Kangtega, and Thamserku. Overnight stay at Machermo.
As we are at 4,500 meters we need good acclimatization. We will take this day as free to acclimatize our bodies. Explore the surroundings or just stay at your guest house and read, it's your day.
After breakfast start your journey to Laks at Gokyo. Continue through the scenic trail to Pangka. We will then descend slightly. We will follow the route on a steep rocky incline leading us into the valley aside from the glacier. You will cross 1st and 2nd lakes and cross the path which leads us to Chola pass. We will continue our journey to Gokyo, with the mesmerizing view of Cho Oyu and Gyachung following you. After reaching Gokyo explore the remaining lakes. Overnight at Goyo.
Early morning hike to Gokyo Ri for the 360-degree view of prominent mountains in the Khumbu region like Cho Oyu Everest, Khumbu, and Lhotse. The view of Everest from Gokyo Ri is considered better than from Kalapatthar. Return to hotel and after lunch trek to Thagnak where we stay overnight.
We will start our trek early today. Continue trekking up and then cross a ridge to reach the rocky moraine to Pass. The trekking is strenuous, however, you will be mesmerized by the excellent beauty of Rolwaling valley in the west and Mount Ama Dablam in the southeast. From the top start a long descent through the straightforward glacier. While going down the view of Ama Dablam and Cholatse feels even more beautiful.
Start your trek uphill through a ridge above Pheriche village to reach Thukla danda where you will find the memorials of climbers who died in this region. Continue to Lobuche village, where we will stay overnight.
Today is an important day of the trek as we are finally reaching Everest Base Camp. After breakfast trek to the beautiful village of Gorakshep through the rocky moraine of Khumbu glacier. Leave your backpack here and continue the hike to Everest Base Camp. Cherish the moment at EBC, take photographs, and later return to Gorakshep for an overnight stay.
Get ready early morning for a hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m/18,192ft) from where we are going to see the astonishing beauty of the sunrise over Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks. Return to Gorakshep for breakfast and trek back to Pheriche where we will stay overnight.
Take a tight breakfast as we will have a long day retracing our trail back to Namche Bazaar. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.
Trek to Lukla via the same villages we have left before. Upon your arrival at Lukla, explore and enjoy your last moments on the Khumbu region. Stay overnight at Lukla.
Fly back to Kathmandu. Be transferred to your hotel and relax. Nothing to do today, take your time.
Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu city awaits you. Explore the real essence of Kathmandu with a full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city consisting of
Kathmandu Durbar Square (City of Temple), Swoyambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), and Patan City (City of fine arts). Evening you will be transferred to a Nepalese restaurant
for Authentic Nepalese cuisine with a cultural show.
Your trip ends. After breakfast, you will be transferred to International Airport to board your flight to your next destination.
