About the Trip
‘Adventure around high and scenic Gokyo Lakes on the off beaten tracks’
Highlights:
- “Enjoy super panorama of high Himalayan mountain range at close distance
- Grand views of world four highest peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyu
- Breathtaking scenery from the highest point of the trek at scenic Gokyo-Ri hilltop
- Beautiful Khumbu villages adorned with age-old Buddhism culture and heritage
- From green alpine woods to arid, barren mountainous terrain at Gokyo valley”
Trek Previews:
Accommodation Mode: Hotels in Kathmandu / with local lodge on treks
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous walks.
Area of Trekking: Nepal Mid-East Himalaya around the Khumbu region.
Highest altitude: On top Gokyo-Ri Hill at 5,357 m and 17, 575 feet high.
Trek duration: 11 nights and 12 days (With flights both ways)
Total Trip: 15 nights and 16 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Best Seasons for Gokyo Lake Trekking:
- Nearly all months of the year, but the best time spring season from March to May months and autumn to pre-winter, September to December months.
- During springtime when wildflowers are in full blooming season with various species rhododendron from tall trees to bushes, makes the hills alive with spectacular wild-flower.
- Trek will be more enjoyable in spring with longer sunlight hours to enjoy the walks and views of the high mountain range.
- Next good time in autumn/fall to pre-winter months from September to November and December, although much cold but days are bright and clear for views and pleasant walks. Days are fine but short sunlight hours can expect snow sometimes.
Introduction:
- Around the high scenic Khumbu region of Everest, lies a most beautiful valley and picturesque country the Gokyo Lake. Enclosed and well hidden from the main and popular trekking trails, where one can enjoy complete mountain wilderness.
- Gokyo Lakes Trekking, an enjoyable high altitude walks within the backdrop of high mountain range that includes Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Amadablam with series of peaks.
- Starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to reach Lukla, an interesting town with a small airstrip suitable for STOL (short take-off landing) aircraft), from here walk leads on a pleasant trail through nice farm villages following the Dudh Kosi River upstream.
- As walk progress to enter Sagarmatha National Park, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the park boasts exotic flora and fauna with the world highest peaks. From the park entrance climb begins into lovely rhododendron, pine and silver fir forest to reach the famous Namche Bazaar.
- Namche Bazaar a lively large village almost a size of a town where trekkers can find facilities of nice hotels, lodge, resorts with banks, many standard restaurants with fresh bakeries and cafe.
- Spending two overnight in Namche for a scenic short hike to support acclimatization before heading higher valleys of Khumbu towards beautiful Gokyo valley and glacial lakes.
- From Namche Bazaar onward route to Gokyo Valley diverts from the main busy trail that leads to Everest base camp, the adventure continues with a steep climb and downhill hill to enter the Dudh Kosi River gorge.
- The walk continues heading higher on leaving the deep river gorge to reach a wide scenic Gokyo valley and its calm emerald-colored lakes at the main Gokyo settlement located close to its third lakes.
- A charming and beautiful place to enjoy exploring around its scenic areas surrounded by high peaks of Cholatse, with world 6th high Mt. Cho-Oyu in the north direction close to Gokyo fifth lake.
- At Gokyo Lake, a steep climb takes you on the highest spot of the adventure at Gokyo-Ri, a rocky hilltop at above 5,357 meter high offers a stunning panorama of the world four highest peaks, includes number one Mt. Everest, 4th high Mt. Lhotse with 5th Mt. Makalu and 6th highest Mt. Cho-Oyu with array of peaks that surrounds this scenic top.
- After an enjoyable time of a lifetime experience return journey on the same scenic trail so that you can get the most of the beautiful surrounding scenery, as walk heads downhill back to Lukla with overnight stops in lovely lodges of Dole, Namche, and Phakding.
- Finally, the adventure completes in Lukla for last and final nights around scenic Khumbu and Everest region, where the next early morning short panoramic flight brings you to Kathmandu, after a memorable experience on Gokyo Lakes Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,820 m walk to Phakding village 2,645 m- 04 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m- 06 hrs.
Day 05: At Namche for acclimatization and short scenic hike to the viewpoint.
Day 06: Trek to Dole 4,100 m - 06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Machhermo 4,450 m - 04 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Gokyo Lake 4, 800 m - 04 hrs.
Day 09: At Gokyo for a hike to Gokyo-Ri with leisure afternoon.
Day 10: Trek to Dole past Machhermo and Luza - 06 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Namche Bazaar - 06 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Phakding past Sagarmatha National Park - 05 hrs.
Day 13: Last day walk to Lukla - 04 hrs.
Day 14: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 15: In Kathmandu spare and reserve as a contingency day.
Day 16: Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Day to Day Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
On arrival at Nepal international airport in Kathmandu, received by our staff for a short transfer to your hotels.
Where hotels are located within the hub of Kathmandu around the Thamel area, an exciting and interesting location, on reaching your respective hotel check into your rooms and get refreshed.
Meet a hotel lobby where our guide/leader will brief you with full information on the treks, local cultures, and other necessary details to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable.
The evening group dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant along with local folk programs to entertainment you while enjoying delicious meals.
Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
In Kathmandu for a guided full-day sightseeing tour around interesting old monuments world heritage sites.
Where tour takes you to visit old Durbar Square (palace courtyard), ancient Buddhist Stupa of Swayambhunath, and the world largest dome/stupa of Bouddhanath with the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.
After an enjoyable and fascinating tour back to the hotel with time for trek preparation for next morning departure to Lukla.
Fly to Lukla 2,820 m walk to Phakding village 2,645 m - 04 hrs.
Start early after breakfast departure for Lukla, drive to Kathmandu domestic airport, short scenic flight in a small aircraft (Dornier / Twin Otter or similar airplane), as the plane lifts off higher enjoy fantastic views of the Himalayan range of peaks with Everest, Lhotse as plane lands at a small airstrip in Lukla.
Lukla a busy town and gateway to Everest base camp and other various destinations within the high Khumbu area, in Lukla with time to get organized checking your baggage and then leaving the bigger bags for porters or pack animals to carry.
From Lukla a short walk of few hours following a pleasant path through nice lovely Sherpa villages along the bank of Dudh Kosi River to reach the first overnight stop of the trek at Phakding village after an enjoyable walk.
Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
After first overnight in Phakding village continues to walk on a nice trail with a short up and down crossing bridge to reach Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, a lovely village facing Tharmasarku peaks.
From Monjo and past Sagarmatha National Park (listed in world heritage site) follow Dudh Kosi River within a cool forest of tall pine and rhododendron trees and then climb on winding uphill to Namche Bazaar for an overnight stop.
At Namche for acclimatization and short scenic hike to the viewpoint.
At Namche for another extra day for leisure hike and acclimatization before heading much higher altitude.
Morning hike to view-point hill for beautiful scenery offer views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Amadablam includes an array of peaks, at Namche visit the museum and optional hike with the climb to Everest View Hotel (the first luxury hotel within the Khumbu area). Namche is also famous for its colorful market held once a week on Saturday.
Trek to Dole 4,100 m - 06 hrs.
From Namche on a winding scenic trail with views of Everest and a range of peaks then our walk diverts on leaving the main trail of Everest Base Camp. As our route leads to a steep climb to reach a scenic hilltop at Mong, facing super views of snow-clad peaks.
After enjoying beautiful scenery descend to Phortse-Tenga, a popular small place for a lunch stop and other refreshments, located by the Dudh Kosi River, afternoon on gradual up within the cool shade of a forest to reach at Dole for an overnight stop in one of its nice cozy lodge.
Trek to Machhermo 4,450 m - 04 hrs.
Morning a short climb to a high ridge top on leaving the deep gorge of Dudh Kosi and Dole small settlement, as the walk enters an exposed wide valley to reach a nice small settlement at Luza, after a refreshing break walk of few hours to reach at Machhermo for lunch and overnight stop, with afternoon free for short leisure hike for excellent views of Mt. Cho-Oyu and other towering peaks.
Trek to Gokyo Lake 4, 800 m - 04 hrs.
Today another short day to reach the main highlight of the adventure at Gokyo Lake and its scenic hidden valley, morning walk with short steep up and then on a nice pleasant path, where tree lines fade for short juniper and rhododendron bush to reach a small place at Pangka.
From here short climb on a rocky area within the ablation of glacial valley to reach at Gokyo first lake, and then second and finally reaching at third main lakes where all nice lodge and guest-house located.
Afternoon enjoy lunch with surroundings scenery of high towering Mt. Cho-Oyu and Gyachung Khan with many other high peaks.
At Gokyo for a hike to Gokyo-Ri with leisure afternoon.
Early morning few hour hike with a steep climb to reach on top Gokyo-Ri, the highest point of the adventure at 5, 357 m high. Where you can catch striking sunrise views over the world highest mountains with Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyo with a series of smaller peaks.
Enjoy a glorious panorama of Gokyo valley and the lakes with Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier within Nepal, and reputed to be the largest in the whole Himalayas as well the main source of Dudh Kosi River.
From the top descend back to your lodge for late breakfast and lunch, with an afternoon at leisure to marvel the beautiful surrounding scenery.
Trek to Dole past Machhermo and Luza - 06 hrs.
After a marvelous moment around the high valley of Gokyo and glacial lakes descend to the lower valley on downhill to Dole for the last overnight around the Gokyo area
Trek to Namche Bazaar - 06 hrs.
From Dole short descend to Phortse Tenga, with climb to Mong Hill with downhill to reach on the main trail near Shanasa village, from here on the nice pleasant wide path to Namche Bazaar for overnight.
Trek to Phakding past Sagarmatha National Park - 05 hrs.
From Namche today a pleasant day's walk of the adventure starts the morning on the long downhill to a river to reach Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo village.
After possible lunch break continue walk crossing a long bridge and then follow Dudh Kosi River to Phakding village for an overnight stop.
Last day walk to Lukla - 06 hrs.
Our last day walk of the adventure starts with a nice pleasant trail with few ups and down to Ghat and Tade-Kosi, and then the last climb for an hour to Lukla for the final overnight stop around Everest and Khumbu. Afternoon free at leisure to explore around interesting Lukla town.
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Early morning short walk to Lukla airport named after late Tenzing and Hillary the first one to climb Mt. Everest, and then board in a small aircraft for a short scenic flight to Kathmandu, during air enjoy a panorama of the Himalayan peaks with Everest.
On reaching at Kathmandu airport, transfer back to your hotel, with time in the afternoon for individual activities and shopping.
In Kathmandu spare and reserve as a contingency day.
A spare and contingency day in Kathmandu in case of flight delay at Lukla or in the beginning from Kathmandu to reach Lukla, where weather can be unfavorable sometimes even in the best time of the year.
If all goes well as our standard itinerary, enjoy this free day or joining in for another exciting tour around Kathmandu at places of great interest.
Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Last and final day in Nepal in the country of amazing Himalaya blended with colorful culture, as per your time for international flight our staff, guide transfer you to the airport for final departures home-ward after a memorable experience and adventure on Gokyo Lake Trekking.
