GOKYO VALLEY TREK

Trip Facts

Duration 12 N / 13 D

Trip Grade Moderate to Adventurous, due to high attitude.

Country Nepal

Maximum Altitude On top Gokyo-Ri 5,357 m / 17, 575 feet high.

Overview

Gokyo Valley Trek with the guidance of Dhan Kumar Rai. The lead and expert guide of the local company Kirat Society Adventure and Hiking.

Trekkers will certainly enjoy this wonderful Gokyo Valley Trek, one of charming locations around Khumbu and Everest region. Gokyo Valley of glacial lakes enclosed by staggering giant snow-capped peaks. The adventure takes you through lovely Sherpa Villages adorned with ancient culture of Tibetan Buddhism.

The first part of the walk from Lukla leads you to the famous mountain small town of Namche Bazaar. Trekkers have time to get acclimatized before heading towards higher terrains. Namche Bazaar is the major hub of the native Sherpa and for all trekkers. From Namche Bazaar our route diverts leaving the main popular Everest Base Camp trail. Adventure then reaches you to Dudh River gorge enclosed by lovely dense fir, pines and rhododendron forest. The walk continues higher on leaving the tree lines behind for sheer mountain wilderness.

Finally, the walk reaches towards our major destination at Gokyo Valley of emerald glacial lakes. Gokyo Valley is located between the two major passes of Renjo-La and Cho-La in the shadow of Mt. Cho-Oyu. This is where Himalayan longest Ngozumpa Glacier is situated, the source of Dudh Koshi River.

At Gokyo enjoying the morning hike up to Gokyo-Ri, the highest point of the adventure. One of the most sensational view-point offers stunning sunrise over an array of snow-clad peaks. Includes views of the world’s 4 tallest mountains namely Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyu. As well as the grand scenery of Gokyo Valley and its turquoise lakes with Himalayan longest Ngozumpa Glacier.

Enjoying fabulous moments at Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Ri, the return walk leads towards a quaint village at Phortse. Hidden from the main trekking trail, slowly the adventure concludes heading back to Lukla. After a most delightful experience on Gokyo Valley Trek with the grand service of Kirat society Adventure and Hike.

Major highlights of this trek

Exciting short scenic flight with sweeping Himalayan panorama.
Enjoy the pleasant walk through traditional Sherpa villages.
Trekking around scenic landscapes throughout the adventure to Gokyo.
Enjoy the warm traditional hospitality and immense cultures of the native Sherpa.
Breathtaking views of the staggering giant snow peaks with Mt. Everest.
Grand panorama of the world’s 4 highest peaks from the high Gokyo-Ri hilltop.

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to a hotel.

On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal Intenational Airport, after visa formalities, and claiming the baggage. Outside the exit terminal our staff and guide receives you for a short transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed at the hotel, then join with other members of Gokyo Valley for a briefing.

Briefing is done by our guide, group leader with full information of the treks, including hotels in Kathmandu. Local cultures with do’s and don’ts.
In the evening a lovely dinner and introduction to Nepali foods and culture.

Day 2: Tour of Kathmandu heritage sites of great interest.

Moning after breakfast, our city guide takes you on a tour around thenworld heritage sites within Kathmandu city. After an exciting and interesting tour back to the hotel, preparation and packing for trekking.

Non-essential clothing and items not required for treks, can be stored in the Hotel or with Kirat Society Adventure.

Day 3: Fly to Lukla 2, 846 m and trek to Phakding 2,645 m - 04 hrs.

Starting early in the moning for a super scenic flight to Lukla, a short drive to Kathmandu domestic airport. After going through security, board on a small spacious aircraft for a 30 minutes exciting flight. During the flight, enjoy a spectacular panorama of the Himalayan range of peaks with views of Mt. Everest. Slowly the plane lands at Lukla’s Tenzing & Hillary Airport. After collecting the baggage and having time for a short refreshment. Start the trek following our expert guide through Lukla town and then down to Dudh Koshi River. Walking past lovely Sherpa villages, where the path is lined with Buddhist monuments and prayer walls. Facing grand views of Kongde and Kusum Khanguru peaks. Slowly the pleasant walks reach Phakding for ovenight halt. Located by the raging glacial Dudh Koshi River, check into a nice lodge with time to explore around.

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m / 11, 350 feet - 06 hrs.

Today’s walk takes you to the famous Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa Capital of Khumbu and Everest region. Moning walk follows a nice pleasant trail with ups and down to cross a long suspension bridge. Then a short steep climb to Monjo village with views of Thermasarkhu peaks. From Monjo the trail leadsnSagarmatha National Park entrance. (Sagarmatha a Nepali name for Everest, for the Sherpa it is called Chomolungma of Tibetan origin). From here over a bridge above the same river to Jorsalle. This is the last settlement before Namche Bazaar, possible lunch stops, aftenoon walk on the river bed. The walk leads through a lovely cool forest of pines, fir and rhododendron trees. From here our route leads to cross a high bridge to follow an undulating winding up to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is a fascinating small town with fancy restaurants, luxury hotels and resorts, as well many shops and stores. Facilities of banks and ATM for trekkers, an exciting place to be with close views of Kongde peaks.

Day 5: At Namche for acclimatization and a short scenic hike.

A leisure and free day, for short hikes higher up to support acclimatization before heading towards Gokyo Valley.nnPlaces of interest around Namche Bazaar for short hikes:nThe best and short hike above Namche Bazaar, a climb to the Park Museum. An interesting place situated on a high ridge facing the grand vista of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse with majestic Ama Dablam. Includes views of Kangtiga, Thermasarkhu and Kwangde range of peaks with Khumbila, the patron god of Khumbu Sherpa. An enjoyable tour of the museum provides full information of the Khumbu and Sherpa’s cultures. The next good hike for a few hours climbs to Syangboche ridge with a small old airstrip. From here continue to walk up to Everest View Hotel, located on a high green hill covered in beautiful forest. The first luxury deluxe hotels of Khumbu area, established in 1971. Listed on the Guinness Book of World Record in 2004 as the highest hotels. At 3,962 m / 13,000 feet, enjoy the serene surroundings with views of Mt. Everest. Optional Hike to Khumjung and Khunde villages, located down from Everest View Hotel on a wide glacial valley. Beneath Mt. Khumbila, Khumjung with 500 years old Gompa / monastery treasures a scalp believed to be of a Yeti. Continue the walk to Khunde, the first and only hospital of Khumbu built by the late Sir Edmund Hillary. From here follow a pleasant trail and steep downhill back to Namche Bazaar.

Day 6: Trek to Dole 4,110 m-06 hrs.

From Namche Bazaar, moning a short climb then on the main winding trail facing glorious views of Mt. Everest. After an hour of good walking reaching a junction where the trail to Everest base camp, Gokyo and Khumjung branches off.
Our route diverts heading high to a scenic hill at Mong, a small place with few lodges and shops. Enjoy a magnificent panorama of snow-capped peaks and then downhill to a river gorge of Dudh Koshi at Phortse Tenga.

Stopping at Phortse Tenga for lunch, a small settlement with a few simple lodges and restaurants, amidst beautiful dense trees. Aftenoon a slow climb into a gorge covered in rhododendron, pine and fir trees. As climb leads higher reaching an open area at Dole, a nice settlement with several good lodges for ovenight stop.

Day 2: Trek to Machermo 4,470 m-04 hrs.

After a pleasant ovenight stay in a nice lodge at Dole, moning a short steep climb leading to an open area. Where tree lines get sparse for short rhododendron and juniper bushes, following the high ridge towards Luza.
A nice small place with few lodges, as the walk leads higher on a gradual path reaching above Machermo.
Facing grand views of Mt. Cho-Oyu towards north with Machermo peak in the west. From the top a slow descent to enter a river gorge lined with willow and poplar or populous trees. A short steep up to a nice plateau where Machermo settlement is located, arriving for lunch and ovenight stop.

A lovely place to enjoy the aftenoon relaxing and marveling at the surrounding views of high peaks.

Day 8: Trek to Gokyo Valley 3rd lakes 4, 800 m -04 hrs.

Today another shorter day walk to Gokyo, our first main destination. The moning trail leads to a steep up of less than half hour climb reaching an open exposed high ridge. The walk continues with views of Cho-Oyu and Cholatse peaks in the east with Dudh Koshi River down below. The moning walk proceeds to a small isolated place of Panga, from here heading closer to Gokyo. The walk leads into a patch of vegetation and rocky areas, as climb starts reaching the first lake of Gokyo. Slowly the walk leads to the second and then to the third main lake, close to the settlement of Gokyo. The lodge is situated further up from the 3^rd lake, also called Dudh Pokhari (a milky pond). As the lake remains frozen with white ice most of the seasons. But when it is free from ice, it looks like a turquoise or emerald colored lake. Enjoy the aftenoon after a nice lunch in the lodge restaurant, overlooking views of Cho-Oyu and surrounding towering peaks.

Day 9: At Gokyo for acclimatization and hike to Gokyo-Ri.

Early moning a 2-3 hours hike up to Gokyo-Ri ridge top, a good climb to support acclimatization. From Gokyo-Ri, enjoy the glorious panorama of Gokyo valley with Ngozumpa glacier. Includes a grand vista of the world's four tallest peaks,nMt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Mt. Cho Oyu at one single look. From the top back to the lodge for breakfast and lunch. Energetic people can take the options, a long day hike to 5^th lake. Enjoy a leisure aftenoon marveling at the scenic surroundings.

Day 10: Trek back to Machermo-04 hrs.

From here onwards a pleasant downhill walk to Machermo, following the same scenic trail. Reaching Machermo by lunch time and for an ovenight halt.
Rest of the aftenoon at leisure and short hike around Machermo view-points.

Day 11: Trek to Phortse village 3,880 m -05 hrs.

Start the moning following the same route to Dole, from Dole downhill to Dudh Koshi River near Phortse Tenga. From here across a bridge, and then on a pleasant winding trail to Phortse, a sleepy, quaint village. On arrival by aftenoon tea time and staying in the comfort of a nice simple lodge.

Day 12: Trek to Tengboche Monastery 3,867 m via Pangboche- 05 hrs.

After a refreshing ovenight stay at Phortse, moning a pleasant walk on a scenic trail to Tengboche Monastery. The route follows with views of snow-capped peaks. Then on winding uphill above Imjatse River to reach upper Pangboche for lunch stop. Aftenoon an hour downhill to a bridge with a few hours climb to picturesque Tengboche and the monastery. Tengboche is encircled by an array of peaks with grand views of Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam. A lovely spot surrounded by green tree lines. At Tengboche there is time to visit the monastery interior of great religious and cultural interest. Tengboche has several good lodges for ovenight stops.

Day 13: Trek to Monjo 2,880 m- 06 hrs.

Start the moning with a long descent and enjoy the moning glorious views of snow-capped peaks with Mt. Everest. Reaching at Imjatse River with a slow climb to Shanasha and Kyanjima, a small settlement with grand views of Everest and Ama Dablam. The walk leads on a winding trail to Namche Bazaar for a possible lunch stop. After Namche Bazaar descends to a river bank and towards Jorsalle and a short steep up to national park exit gate. From here a short walk from the park to lovely Monjo village in the comfort of a nice lovely lodge.

Day 14: Trek to Lukla and transfer to a lodge-04 hrs.

Enjoy the last day of the jouney to Lukla, following a pleasant trail from one nice village to another. Crossing bridges a few times towards Phakding, and then reaching Ghat village. After a few hours of good walk, an uphill walk for an hour more to the entrance gate of Lukla. On reaching Lukla town transfer to a nice hotel or lodge for the last ovenight around Khumbu and Everest region.

Day 15: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu with afternoon free at leisure.

Early breakfast and then a short walk to Tenzing & Hillary airport, as the plane arrives. Get on board for a scenic flight of half hour to land at Kathmandu airport, and then transfer to your hotels. Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities after a great wonderful adventure to Gokyo Valley.

Day 16: Free day as contingency and for individual activities.

We have reserved a day free as contingency in case of flight day on both ends to and from Kathmandu and Lukla. As Himalayan weather, even in the best seasons of the year, can be unpredictable with bad unfavorable. The flights cannot operate, if all goes well according to our itinerary days. Enjoy the free day for shopping or join in for a tour to Patan or Bhaktapur cities, worth a visit.

Day 17: Free day as contingency and for individual activities.

Final day in Kathmandu and Nepal, as time for your intenational flight for homeward bound or next port of call. Transfer to Kathmandu, Nepal intenational airport bidding farewell to the guide and staff. After a marvelous and enjoyable adventure around Khumbu and Gokyo Valley trek.nnImportant notes:nnPlease be informed that the flight to Lukla or back to Kathmandu, might get diverted to Manthali Airport in the Ramechap district. Which is about a 4-5 hours’ drive, in case of flight diversion to Ramechap. We might have to transfer the clients on Day 02, after the sightseeing tour in the aftenoon time. For an exciting and scenic drive to Manthali town airport and stay in the best available hotels. The next moning to catch a flight to Lukla takes about 20 or 25 minutes to Lukla and vice-versa. The diversion is due to heavy air traffic at Kathmandu airport that coincides with other domestic and intenational flights. If the flight to Lukla is diverted to Ramechap from Kathmandu, as per the notice of Nepal Civil Aviation. The company will inform all our clients well in advance regarding the changes. Sometimes, due to bad unfavorable weather conditions either from Kathmandu, Ramechap, or Lukla. The flight can get delayed or lead to cancellation, in this situation please bear with us and understand. For the sudden inconvenience, in this situation, our guide and the head office will try our best for a good solution. Whether to charter a Helicopter or wait for a few days till the weather clears for a normal flight from both ends.

Essential Information

The Best Seasons for Gokyo Valley Trek:

One can enjoy Gokyo Valley Trek nearly all seasons, except for the wet monsoon season from mid-June to August.

The best seasons are spring and autumn/fall. The spring begins from March to May, most days are longer with sunlight hours.

Normally the morning till mid-afternoon days are clear for views and scenic walks can get overcast late afternoon sometime.

Can expect snowfalls, cold mornings and in the nighttime, the mid-hills are covered with tall rhododendron, pine and juniper trees. A lively time with wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various colors.

The next high season is autumn/fall, starts from September and ends in November. Most days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, a pleasant time for scenic walks. Days are shorter due to limited sunlight hours, cold afternoons, and nights till morning time. Expect snowfall sometimes, but with a bright starry night sky.

Trekkers can also enjoy Gokyo Valley trek during the winter times of December to February. Most days are clear and sunny, but shorter days due to limited sunlight hours. Cold freezing temperatures in the morning, evening, and night time, chances of snowfall sometimes.

Please Note:

During the peak seasons of spring and autumn. The flight to and from Lukla is diverted to Manthali Airport, Ramechap due to busy air traffic.
Ramechap is about 132 km/ 82 miles driving distance from Kathmandu takes approx. 4-5 hours.