Gokyo Lakes Trekking

Overview:

Considered as the most scenic trek in the Everest region the Gokyo Lakes trek is a must do! Narba Treks has prepared a special 13 days package to visit the Gokyo Lakes and return back to Kathmandu. During this trek in Nepal you’ll be able to enjoy cultural sightseeing in Kathmandu, trek through the Everest region, and besides seeing incredible Himalayan views you’ll be able to visit the highest freshwater lakes in world at Gokyo! The highest point of the Gokyo Lakes trek is atop the Gokyo Ri Peak, where you’ll be able to see views from an elevation of 5,357m/17,570ft! These include some of the more famous mountains such as; Mt Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu. Furthermore the Ngozumba Glacier is another major highlight of the Gokyo Lakes trek.

Welcome to Nepal + trek preparation:

After arriving in Nepal to start your Gokyo Lakes trek of 13 days, our Narba Treks team will be awaiting you for a meet & greet and to drive you to your booked hotel in Kathmandu. Most hotels are located inside Thamel, the main tourist hub of Kathmandu. The next day while we prepare your permits for the Gokyo Lakes trek, you’ll be able to enjoy a scenic cultural tour of Kathmandu’s most famous landmarks. Kathmandu’s Durbar or Palace Square, Swayambunath the Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath a famous Hindu Temple, and lastly the giant white Stupa of Boudhanath. We reconvene and meet up with your trekking team in the afternoon to go over a detailed plan of the Gokyo Lakes trek itinerary. The next day on day 3 we fly to Lukla and officially start the trek to the Gokyo Lakes.

The Gokyo Lakes trekking trail:

Upon our arrival at Lukla airport we meet up with our porter team and hold a final check before commencing with the Gokyo Lakes trek. The first part of the trek follows the classical Everest Base Camp trek up to Namche Bazaar. To reach here we’ll spend two days of trekking through forested trails with incredible natural views, and passing by the Everest National Park gate. Namche Bazaar or in short Namche is considered as the biggest Sherpa village of the region, and is where we’ll hold our first acclimatization day to prepare for the upcoming higher elevations. The Gokyo Lakes trek has as highest elevation 5,357m/17,570ft. Hence it’s important to properly acclimatize, luckily for us Namche is the ideal place hold this extra day. Filled with charming restaurants, bars, and shops Namche Bazaar also offers incredible views, houses cultural museums and offers a day hike up to the Everest View hotel. This day hike in Namche Bazaar is the best way to acclimatize. Furthermore, from the Everest View Hotel you’ll be able to see some of the first views of the famous Mt Everest, and its surrounding mountains.

Having properly acclimatized, we head of the classical Everest Base Camp trail and make trek westwards to the village of Phorse at 3,810m/12,496ft. This marks the half of the Gokyo Lakes trek, as well as the start of the most exciting part of the trek! It’ll take a good half day of trekking to reach Phorse village. Views of Mt Thamserku and Mt Ama Dablam can be seen as well as the occasional yak. The next day we make way for Machhermo, the last village before reaching the Lakes of Gokyo. From here the Gokyo Lakes start to appear as we climb up to the Ngozumpa Glacier. Once we reach the long stretch 2 nd Lake of Gokyo, we follow its banks until a clearing brings us to the largest and 3 th Lake of Gokyo. Across the lake Gokyo village comes in view and also one of the main highlights of the Gokyo Lakes trek.

Gokyo and Gokyo Ri:

Gokyo is such a magical place. The turquoise colored lake reflects the surrounding white Himalayas and the blue sky above in a perfect mirror image. You’ll quickly get why the Gokyo Lakes trek is called one of the most scenic treks in Nepal! We spend an extra day at Gokyo to explore around and to climb up the Gokyo Ri Hill 5,357m/17,570ft. There are a total of 6 main lakes and during this day we can also optionally visit and explore the 5 th Lake. Gokyo Ri offers the best views of the entire Gokyo Lakes trek that include; Mt Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu! After spending a day exploring around Gokyo we start to make way back to Namche Bazaar and ultimately back to Lukla to conclude the Gokyo Lakes trek.

Narba Treks invites you to trek to one of the highest located villages and the highest freshwater lakes in the world with the Gokyo Lakes trek in Nepal. Grab this chance and spend 13 days in the Nepalese Himalayas while trekking through Sherpa country and see some of the best mountain views in the world! The Gokyo Lakes trekb awaits!

Short itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 02: Trip preparation + sightseeing

Day 03: Kathmandu fly to Lukla trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft)

Day 05: Namche Bazaar acclimatization day

Day 06:  Trek to Phorse village (3,810m/12,496ft)

Day 07:  Trek to Machhermo (4,470m/14,663ft)

Day 08:  Trek to Gokyo (4,800m/15,744ft)

Day 09:  Explore the Gokyo Valley + climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,570ft)

Day 10:  Trek to Dole (4,200m/13,779ft)

Day 11:  Trek back to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft)

Day 12:  Trek back to Lukla (2,850m/9,350ft)

Day 13:  Fly back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

Detailed itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

• Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in the Kathmandu
• Our representative will pick-up you from the airport and transfer you to your hotel
• Hotel check-in and take a few minutes rest
• Stroll around the Thamel Bazaar
• Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu

Day 02: Trip preparation + sightseeing

• Hotel breakfast
• Meet up with your trekking guide for your trip preparation
• Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu:
  • Kathmandu Durbar Square
  • Swayambunath Monkey Temple
  • Boudhanath Buddhist Temple
  • Pashupatinath Hindu Temple
• Head back to your hotel
• Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu

Day 03: Kathmandu fly to Lukla trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Transfer to the domestic airport
• Scenic short flight to Lukla from Kathmandu
• Trek about ¾ hours to reach to Phakding
• Dinner and stay overnight in the guesthouse of Phakding

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Trek through Rhododendron and pine forests with views of the riverside
• Stop at Monjo for permits check
• Cross several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi Rivers
• Pass by Jorsalle village
• Head further on until Namche Bazaar
• Dinner and stay overnight at the guesthouse in Namche Bazaar

Day 05: Namche Bazaar acclimatization day

• Morning breakfast
• Explore the busy market place of Namche Bazaar
• Visit the Hillary Statue
• Hike towards Syangboche and the Everest View Hotel
• Enjoy your first views of the mighty Mt Everest
• Hike back to Namche Bazaar
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Namche Bazaar

Day 06: Trek to Phorse village (3,810m/12,496ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Ascend up into the Dudh Khosi Valley
• Incredible views of Mt Thamserku, Ama Dablam, and Everest during the ascend
• After descending down the forest take the left leading trail
• Continue on to Mong
• Descend to Phorse village
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Phorse

Day 07:  Trek to Machhermo (4,470m/14,663ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Follow the trail to Dole village
• Ascend the juniper forest hill
• A bit further uphill is Machhermo
• Amazing views of Mt Thamserku along the way
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Machhermo

Day 08:  Trek to Gokyo (4,800m/15,744ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Make your way to the ridge
• See some nice views of Mt Kangtega
• Continue through a narrow valley leading into a wide valley
• Head down to the Dudh Khosi River
• Climb up to the Ngozumpa Glacier
• Visit the 1 st Gokyo Lake
• Continue on the trail and visit the 2 nd Gokyo Lake
• The trail follows the 2 nd lake until reaching the 4 th and Gokyo
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Gokyo

Day 09:  Explore the Gokyo Valley + climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,570ft)

• Morning breakfast
• Morning hike up Gokyo Ri Hill
• Amazing views of Mt Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu and of the Ngozumba Glacier
• Afternoon hike up to the 5 th Lake (optional)
• Make your way back to Gokyo and enjoy the last views
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Gokyo

Day 10:  Trek to Dole (4,200m/13,779ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Retrace your steps back to Machhermo
• Descend the hill down to reach back at Dole
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Gokyo

Day 11:  Trek back to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Follow the trail leading back to Porse village
• Continue back on the same trail leading to Namche Bazaar
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Namche Bazaar

Day 12:  Trek back to Lukla (2,850m/9,350ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Make your way back passed Jorsalle and Monjo
• Descend further back to Phakding
• Continue on back to Lukla ascending slowly
• Guesthouse check-in
• Optional celebration party with our Narba Treks team
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Lukla

Day 13:  Fly back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Fly back to Kathmandu
• Transfer back to your booked hotel in Kathmandu
• Evening farewell dinner to celebrate your successful Gokyo Lakes trek
• Stay overnight in your hotel at Kathmandu
• End of the trip

Trip highlights:

• Guided sightseeing of 4 cultural landmarks in Kathmandu
• Enjoy a spectacular two-way flight from and to Kathmandu-Lukla
• Trek throughout the western Everest region
• Visit and stay overnight at traditional Sherpa villages, such as Namche Bazaar
• Visit the Holy Lakes of Gokyo
• See the mighty Ngozumpa Glacier up-close
• See Incredible views of Mt Everest, Cho-Oyu, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Makalu, etc
• Hike up Gokyo Ri for a stunning 360 Himalayan view

Package Inclusion

• Three times meal while trekking (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
• Guide and Porters salaries, their insurance, food, and accommodation.
• Basic share accommodation during the trek.
• Ground transport (pick up and drop airport).
• Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) Permit.
• Both-way flight ticket Kathmandu-Lukla- Kathmandu.

Package Exclusion

• International flight and Nepali visas charge.
• Food and hotel while in Kathmandu.
•  Personal insurance for members (you should do your insurance from your own country up to 5000m to cover heli recue).
• Personal sleeping bags and jackets.
• Rescue operation or emergency evacuation.
• Personal expenditure.
• Alcohol and soft drinks (coke, mineral water, boiled water, etc).
•  Tips to the trekking crew.

When is the best time to book the Gokyo Lakes trek?

The best times of the year to book the Gokyo Lakes trek is between March to May, and end-September to mid-November. During these months the weather shows clear blue skies and some of the best views!

Do I need a guide to do the Gokyo Lakes trek?

To complete the Gokyo Lakes trek you do require a licensed trekking guide. Narba Treks has expert and professional English speaking guides available with incredible knowledge of the Himalayas they are sure to guide you safely throughout the entire trek!

Is the Gokyo Lakes trek hard?

Officially the Gokyo Lakes trek is rated as a moderate trek. While the trail is not that hard as other treks there are high elevations to overcome as well as some adventurous parts during the trek. We have had seniors and children complete the Gokyo Lakes trek, but we do recommend to do some type of stamina training before doing the trek, in order to fully enjoy it.

Which mountains can I see during the Gokyo Lakes trek?

During the Gokyo Lakes trek you’ll be able to see some of the- and the highest mountains in the world! These include views of Mt Everest, Mt Thamserku, Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Cho Oyu, and even Mt Makalu. Narba Treks’ guides will point out every mountain as well as offer you some legends into their names and summit ascends.

Can I visit Everest Base Camp during the Gokyo Lakes trek?

Yes, it is possible to continue on from the Gokyo Lakes trek and head on to Everest Base Camp. This will increase your trekking days as well as overall cost but is certainly worth it! Everest Base Camp is just 4 days of trekking from Gokyo.