Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Ri Trek - 13 Days

Your official trek starts at Lukla, one of the highest airports in the world, after a stunning 30-minute flight from Kathmandu. Experiencing cold and fresh air, you trek approximately 3-4 hours to Phakding by crossing bridges and walking continuously, passing through monasteries, mani walls, and various landmarks.

Leaving the Phakding behind with glimpses of herds of mules and yaks there, you head to the beautiful Namche Bazar after having a delicious breakfast. The trail moves forward with a majestic panorama of Kongde Ri and Thamserku Peak, offering breathtaking scenery and blooming rhododendron forests. Along the way, you walk through Sagarmatha National Park and cross several bridges over the Dudkoshi River.

In the same way, you will make a steep ascent and eventually reach picturesque Namche Village, popular as one of the best tourist hubs of the Everest region in Nepal. While walking on the trails to Namche, you get glimpses of Mt. Everest over the Nuptse and Lhotse ridges along the trails. Travelers can indulge themselves in unique local cultures, traditions, and lifestyles.

Namche Bazar is the gateway to Everest Base Camp, where travelers can buy essential goods, as it is also the region's trading hub. Depending on your trek’s itinerary, you have a day to explore the culture, tradition, conduct, and lifestyle of local inhabitants residing in Namche. You have several options to make your day worthwhile, such as a short hike to Thame, Khunde, Khumjung, or Chorkyang Everest View Point and the Mountaineering Museum for stunning views of Himalayan ranges and historically significant heritages.

Early in the morning, you wake up more energized for the trek to Dole, a wonderful village nestled in the alpine zone, having guesthouses with comfort rooms and striking vistas of the surrounding giant peaks. Leaving Namche behind, you ascend to the Dudh Koshi Valley with incredible scenery, passing through monasteries, stupas, and views of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and more along the way.

Then the trail climbs down to pine and rhododendrons, and then the trail divides. The route to Gokyo is to the left, and the continuous walk takes you to Mong Village with a striking view of Tengboche and others. On the trails, you enjoy dramatic waterfalls and blooming rhododendrons, as well as walking on stone stairs.

Your journey to Machermo, a tranquil settlement, begins with a steep climb through scrub junipers, offering a wonderful scene. The trail goes slightly uphill, where it’s essential to walk steadily in high elevation that passes through the small villages of Lhabam and Luza with breathtaking vistas of the towering mountains Thamserku and Cho Oyu, eventually making it to Gokyo.

After leaving Machermo, the trail ascends to the more scenic ridge, offering panoramas of Kangtega, before traversing a narrow valley that opens up into a wider one. The trek will not be very difficult, as you have just a couple of steep parts to go through. The trail climbs down to the Dudh Koshi River, followed by a steep climb path toward Ngozumpa Glacier and the first Gokyo Lake. You move forward to the north of it and encounter the second lake, which is larger than the first and runs parallel to the path. Further ahead, you will see the third lake and some teahouses.

It takes 2-3 hours to reach Gokyo Ri with a steady climb from the southern slope of Ngozumpa Glacier and south of Taujun Lake. It's a fairly challenging adventure through steep and rugged terrain, so you have to have a slow and steady walk. While standing on Gokyo Ri (5357 m), you witness the spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, lakes, and glaciers below. Another noticeable and captivating key feature is the view of the sunset from here.

After spending quality time there, you retrace your steps to the main trail and make your way down to Machermo for the night, passing a charming hamlet of stone houses. Along the way, you will be accompanied by panoramic vistas of majestic mountains such as Gyachung Kang, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, and Makalu.

Early in the morning, you head on towards Namche Bazar. You start your journey to Dole from Machermo after having a delicious breakfast. The trail then winds through a dense forest adorned with vibrant red rhododendrons before climbing down to Phortse Tenga. From there, a steep ascent leads to the path descending toward Kyanjoma. Eventually, a short walk from Kyanjoma will bring you to Namche. You’ll have a wonderful evening to explore the culture, traditions, conduct, and way of life in Namche.

Today, you’ll have your final close-up vistas of the towering snowcapped mountains stretching across the horizon. The trail from Namche to Phakdin is mostly downhill, taking you through gorgeous hamlets, lush forests, and striking suspension bridges. After a gentle walk through Benkar, you’ll arrive at Phakding. Continuing towards Lukla, you’ll traverse the village of Toktok, which offers various panoramas of the nearby gigantic snow-covered peaks. Finally, you’ll reach Lukla, where you’ll spend the night with delicious local cuisine.

After having a delicious breakfast early in the morning, you head to the Lukla airstrip, where you’ll board your flight to Kathmandu. The flight takes around 30 minutes, and the maximum altitude reached is 1350 m. You have the entire day to explore the city and interact with locals after arriving in Kathmandu. In the evening, you’ll stay overnight in Kathmandu, enjoying food.

Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city, is nestled in a valley surrounded by the majestic Himalayan mountains. At the heart of the ancient city’s winding alleys lies Durbar Square, which becomes frenetic during Indra Jatra, a religious festival featuring masked dances. It is home to other UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites too, such as Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Pashupatinath, which offer prehistoric information about the valley, and one can see architecture dating back centuries.

Travelers can also visit Shiva Puri National Park, Narayan Hiti Royal Palace, The Garden of Dreams, Kathmandu Fun Park, Chandragiri Hill, etc. Kathmandu is also a gorgeous hub to shop for souvenirs, offering an ample diversity of unique items that resemble the culture and heritage of Nepal. Some popular markets and areas are Thamel, Asan Market, Durbar Square Area, Boudhanath Stupa, etc., for buying a wide range of items.

It's time to say goodbye to the breathtaking peaks, the amazing sites, and the amazing memories made in Nepal as your tour draws to an end. Exploring the breathtaking Himalayan country has been an honor, but you will depart for your home country, and our staff will meet you at the airport to bid you farewell.