What to Expect

  • High altitude trek to Gokyo Ri (5360 mt.) just above the Gokyo Lakes to see sunrise on the top of the world).
  • Magnificent views of more than 40 peaks including four of the world’s highest (those above 8000 meters): Mt Everest, Mt Cho Oyu, Mt Lhotse, and Mt Makalu.
  • Ngozumpa Glacier (the longest glacier in the Himalayas at 36 km).
  • Passes through a number of Sherpa villages, including Namche Bazar the gateway to Everest.

About Gokyo Lake Trekking

Gokyo Lake Trekking is the second most popular trek in the region and for a very good reason...it offers the alluring attractions of the Everest Region with outstanding views of the highest peaks on the planet. This route is an exciting alternate choice to the Everest Base Camp Trekking. Although this journey doesn't' include a trip to Everest Base Camp it makes up for it with several lakes of jaw-dropping beauty along the trailside.

Gokyo Lake Trekking has breathtaking scenery and peak views that include Everest and many other peaks soaring into the skies. The highlight of the Gokyo Lake trekking journey is a ridge top known as Gokyo Ri (5340 m, 17,519 ft). This viewpoint has a staggering panorama of Everest and surrounding mountain peaks as well as the beautiful lakes below alongside Ngozumpa Glacier.

Gokyo Lake Trekking passes through the homeland of the famed Sherpa ethnicity. The Sherpa are especially renowned for their mountain skills. The Gokyo Lake Trekking gives us a chance to observe the Sherpa lifestyle with wondrous Buddhist monasteries. Wildlife in this area includes exotic alpine animals including the elusive snow leopard and some people even think the yeti lives in the Himalaya here.

Our Gokyo Lake Trekking starts after a short, scenic flight over terraced farmland to the mountain airport of Lukla. We then take our time as we allow adequate time to adjust to the high elevation. We trek north up the Dudh Kosi Valley to the destination known as Namche Bazaar, a town at the gateway to the higher Himalaya. After visiting the famous Sherpa villages of Kunde and Khumjung we continue up the Dudh Kosi River as the trail and landscape become more desolate as we move higher and closer to the highest peaks on earth.

The collection of lodges at Gokyo is set near a mesmerizing lake shimmering in the sunlight with the peaks towering above. We enjoy the unforgettable setting and the surrounding natural splendor along with views from nearby Gokyo Ri. Then we make a pleasant return journey to Namche Bazaar and a finally a scenic flight from the mountain airport at Lukla.

Recommended: Add a cushion of a few extra days in your onward travel schedule, advised as a margin of safety for your international flight from Nepal. Air travel between Kathmandu to Lukla is frequently delayed due to weather conditions and poor visibility. Flights often get behind schedule and delays can even last for days. Under these situations, High Camp Adventure will do its best to re-schedule flights to and from Lukla at first availability. However, the possibility of postponements of flights and even cancellations is a real possibility. We, therefore, advise that you schedule at least an extra two days cushion in your itinerary to avoid conflicts with international flights out of Nepal. In the event of prolonged delays, one option is to arrange a helicopter evacuation at your request. The additional cost of a helicopter flight would be between 500 to 1000 USD per traveler, exact cost dependent on demand and capacity. That said, we would also like to mention that it is also likely that there will be no delays whatsoever. In that case, High Camp Adventure can arrange activities with your additional days in Kathmandu before your flight home. 

Please Note: Our Gokyo Lake Trekking has set departure dates from Kathmandu and this trek can be personalized to accommodate your specific wishes and timetable. 

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1Arrival at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 2Fly to Lukla (2,804 mt.), trek to Phakding (2,610 mt.). Walking 3 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 3Phakding to Namche Bazar (3,441 mt.). Walking 6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 4Rest day at Namche Bazar for acclimatization & exploration. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 5Namche to Dole (4,040 mt.). Walking 4 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 6Dole to Machhermo (4,470 mt.). Walking 4-5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 7Machhermo to Gokyo (4,790 mt.). Walking 5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 8Gokyo to Gokyo Ri (5,360 mt.) and retreat to Machhermo. Walking 7-8 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 9Machhermo to Namche (3,440 mt.). Walking 5-6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 10Namche to Lukla. Walking 7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 11Early morning fly back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 12Transfer to Airport for your final departure from Nepal.
Explore Detail ItineraryTrip MapPrint Pdf

What's Included

Price Includes

  • Pick up & Transfer to and from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to your hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Two nights accommodation at 2/3 star hotel in Kathmandu (breakfasts included).
  • Transportation to and from trek starting point (including airfare).
  • Tea-house lodging during the journey.
  • Standard Meals during the journey (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
  • Expert Guide (registered and licensed by the government) with accompanying porters (generally, one porter for every two clients). (High Camp Adventure covers the staffs’ meals and accommodations as well as wages, transport, insurance, and essential gear.)
  • Equipment (Sleeping bag, Down jacket, Walking poles).
  • Conservation Area and National Park entry fees.
  • Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card.
  • Trekking Map.
  • Medical kit.
  • Government taxes.
  • Our service charge.
  • Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu the eve of your international departure.

Price Excludes:

  • International plane ticket to and from Nepal.
  • Major meals in Kathmandu (other than breakfast).
  • Personal Expenses including laundry, telephone calls, bar bills, drinks and snacks.
  • Personal clothing and gear.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Shower fees at lodges, fees for recharging electronic equipment, and personal expenses along the trail.
  • Tips for Guides, Porters and Staff.
  • Expenses incurred by cancellation and events beyond our control, for example, weather delays, trail detours, political unrest, illness and et cetera.
Departure note

Please take a look at our fixed departure dates for this trek. If they do not fit with your schedule, then please let us arrange an itinerary that is more suitable to you and your requirements. 

Useful Information

Accommodation

All the accommodation as per the itinerary is included in the package cost. We have chosen a 2/3 star hotel in the cities for your comfort and safety. The hotels can be upgraded to more deluxe ones upon your request. While trekking in the Mountain, our guides will choose the best available lodge of the village from their past experience. As some villages have limited number of lodges, in a peak season like in Spring and Autumn, you may have to share a room with some stranger trekker as well. Comfortable two men tent with mattress and four seasons sleeping bag will be provided for the camping trek. Our crew will try to set the camp in a scenic place. All the hotel and camping accommodations are as per twin sharing basis unless you are of different gender.

Meals

Nepal is such an easy place to get several vegetarian options so no worries if you are a vegetarian or vegan. You can enjoy typical Nepali food as well as continental, Italian, Indian and Tibetan. Freshly cooked and hygienic dinner and breakfast are served at the camp and lunch will be served on the way to the next destination which will be prepared by our own chef. Only breakfast is served in Kathmandu whilst farewell dinner on the eve of your international departure is served from our side. All the meals (B/L/D) are on full board basis during the trek.

Trekking Crew

An experienced and licensed Guide and necessary porters will assist you during the trek. In a group with more than 8 clients, 2 guides will be provided for the betterment in service. In a teahouse trek, generally, one porter is provided for every two clients who carry between 15 to 20 kg. However, on a camping journey, more porters are required. All the camping equipment such as kitchen, dining, dome and toilet tents, kitchen equipment, fuel, and all consumable goods has to be carried from Kathmandu which needs more manpower. All of our guides and porters are fully insured so you don't' have to worry about them in case of emergency. Our team believes that our customer care is the first priority.

Physical Fitness and Experience

Gokyo Lake Trek is a moderate trek which is fit for those who has the ability to walk 5-6 hours of walking uphill and downhill in a day carrying a personal day pack. Some days are longer with 7- 8 hours of walking as well. Gokyo Lake Trek is high altitude trek which demands more physical, however having strong determination, positive vibe and average physical fitness can complete this trek. Some time mental aspects also play a vital roll in an altitude. Doing some physical exercise a few weeks prior to the trip is better but technical skill is not required for this trek. If you are taking medicine for heart, lung or blood diseases, please kindly consult your doctor and inform to High Camp Adventure.

Travel Insurance

This is a real adventure in high altitude so obtaining a travel insurance is always a good idea for your safety and is highly recommended too. Your travel insurance policy should cover helicopter evacuation and medical expenses in an emergency. There is not any Nepalese insurance company to sell travel insurance policy so you better buy a good one from home. There are some insurance policies which covers only in low altitude below 4000 mt. and some only in high altitude above 4000 mt. So before you purchase it, please double check the policy what it covers and where are you going.

Best Seasons

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for  Lake Gokyo Trek. Where normally days are sunny, the temperature is perfect, the sky is clear and Mountain remains crystal. This trek can be done in Monsoon (June to August ) but you should not expect the great weather and Mountain view.  You can do it in Winter (December to February) if you are used to with extreme cold temperature.

Domestic Flights

Add a cushion of a few extra days in your onward travel schedule, advised as a margin of safety for your international flight from Nepal. Air travel between Lukla to Kathmandu is frequently delayed due to weather conditions and poor visibility. Flights often get behind schedule and delays can even last for days. Under these situations, High Camp Adventure will do its best to re-schedule flights to and from Lukla at first availability. However, the possibility of postponements of flights and even cancellations is a real possibility. We, therefore, advise that you schedule at least an extra two days cushion in your itinerary to avoid conflicts with international flights out of Nepal. In that case, High Camp Adventure can arrange activities with your additional days in Kathmandu before your flight home.