Gokyo Valley Trek

  • Trip Duration:
    15 Days
  • Trip Code:
    EGV
  • Trip Grade:
    Moderate
  • No. of Pax:
  • From
    $ /person

Overview

Gokyo Valley Trek is one the world’s most beautiful high altitude treks of Nepal. This trek takes you to Gokyo Lake and the glacier around Gokyo Ri. The summit climb of Gokyo Ri is very satisfying for most of the trekkers. From Gokyo Ri you will enjoy a fantastic views of the entire Himalayan mountain range including Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, Amadablam and Thamserkhu. Gokyo Valley is usually less crowded than Everest base camp and offers an alternative trekking route to Everest base camp. The views that you see from Gokyo  valley is not only exceptionally beautiful and but also more distinct despite being slightly in  far distance.

We take a scenic flight to Lukla and then start our trek up the Dudh Koshi river valley until we reach Phakding. Next morning we set off for Namche Bazaar, a large Sherpa market town, having passed through the Sagarmatha National Park, Sherpa villages, and Monasteries on the way. We spend one more extra day Namche Bazaar for acclimatization and to do some exploring of nearby schools and mountain vistas. Then, the trek continues along high mountain trail towards Gokyo valley.

From Machhermo we head up to Gokyo village, which takes more than a couple hours to reach. We will walk up to the valley and check in a lodge near the  for overnight stay. There are six lakes in the Gokyo region, but the sixth one is too far and requires a day hike to  the .north

Leaving Machhermo village the trail begins to ascend beside the glacier. Gently we will  climb on stone steps that rise beside a cliff on one side and then  descend  steeply to the rapids below on the other side. Once up over this you are rewarded with views of the first lake of Gokyo valley. The water of the lake is glacial melt, in bright aqua bluish green and the near barren fields nearby are  endowed  with stone cairns .

Our return trekking journey we stop by Tengboche to visit the most popular Buddhist monastery of the Everest region before heading back to Lukla and catch flight  Kathmandu. This trek is the perfect opportunity to explore the lake at the highest elevation, unique lifestyle of the Himalayan people, their religion, customs and traditions in the Everest Region.

Itinerary:

  • Arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport where you will be welcomed by Trek Himalayan representative and transferred to your hotel. This day is simply an arrival day and there will no organized activities. So you will have some free time to relax or walk around for local sights. A pre-departure meeting will be held early evening and you will be introduced with your trekking guide. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

  • Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to begin your city tour of Kathmandu. You will visit the Boudhanath temple, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, Pashupatinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and possibly view cremation ceremonies along the banks of the Bagmati River. Continue drive to Patan Durbar Square to see ancient Nepalese architecture and end your tour after lunch. After that you will visit the Patan museum. Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • A very early morning wake up and transfer to the domestic airport to board our flight to Lukla. We take off to our destination on a 35 min scenic mountain flight to Lukla. After a cup of tea at local Lodge in Lukla we are treading on the legendary “Everest Highway” which heads downwards through the alpine valley following the “Dudh Kosi” or milk river (named after its milky colour from glacial silt). We reach Phakding after 3hrs walk and end our first day here.

  • The next day we will be walking mostly uphill through the alpine valleys. We will be crossing Dudh Kosi River a few times before we reach Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital of the Khumbu region. On a clear day you get views of Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Kusum Kangru, Kwangde and Taweche on the way to Namche.

  • Acclimatization is important before proceeding to higher altitudes. This is the first acclimatization day in Namche bazaar that everyone should make into their trekking itinerary. You can explore around and relax. Namche tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche and other higher altitude places of Khumbu. For the acclimatization you walk up to Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Tyangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town.

  • Climb the hill and descend to the east of the Khumjung village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Koshi. The trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Koshi at 3500m and gives you access to Phortse Tanga, an isolated village with a few number of houses.

  • After breakfast you start the trek. The trail climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests, which give way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. This portion of the trek is especially more beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons are blooming in the spring (late April to early May). The trail passes through many Kharkas (grazing land) used by Sherpas for their herds of yaks in the summer. The route passes through the settlements of Tongaba and Gyele to Dole at 4040m, where there are only very few lodges available

  • From Dole the trail climbs steeply via Lhabarma through scrub junipers. There are Kharkas wherever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. The trail continues to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to Machhermo at 4410m. You can have a good mountain view in Machhermo.

  • Beyond Machhermo the trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view down the valley to Kantega. Beyond the rich valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at 4390m. Then we descend to river bank before beginning the climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. It is a steep climb on the moraine. Afterwards the trail levels out as it follows the valley past a second lake, known as Longponga at 4690m, then finally up a boulder- strewn path to Gokyo.

  • Today, early in the morning we climb Gokyo peak at elevation of 5280m. From the top of the peak we will have stunning views of the beautiful Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the entire Khumbu Himalayas, such as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Gychung Kang. Those who explore the glacier and Gokyo peak are much rewarded. This day we have for acclimatization and after noon back to the Phangka for overnigh stay.

  • We descend to Phortse in a single long day passing through Thare and Konar, making a few ups and downs of the Dudh Kosi valley.

  • Leaving the mountains behind us our descent takes us through various towns of Dingboche, Orsho, Shomare and Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River to ascend gradually to Tengboche at 3800 meters.

  • You can enjoy viewing Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Or, you can visit National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. You can do shopping at Namche after your lunch then walk to Monjo.

  • This is our last day of trekking, finally we return to Lukla where the trek began. Enjoy your moment to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part in the trek. In the afternoon you are free to wander around, relax or perhaps enjoy a hot shower! In the evening we enjoy a farewell followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with our Sherpa companions.

  • We pack up early and head for the airstrip to catch a morning flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu the rest of your day is free to do your own things. You could do some last minute shopping and packing, or send a few post cards home or even go down for a stroll to Thamel.

Trip Map:

Map

What is included

  • 3 Nights basic clean hotel in Kathmandu on BB basis
  • Flight: Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu
  • Domestic Arrival and Departure Transfers
  • Everest (Sagarmatha) National Park fee
  • Everest Local Development Tax
  • Accommodation in Basic, Clean Lodge on twin sharing basis during the trek
  • English speaking certified trekking guide, reliable porter
  • Clients are allowed to carry only 15 kg personal luggage on trek
  • One duffle bag for each member (complimentary)

What is Excluded

  • International airfare
  • International Airport Pickup/Drop
  • Nepal Entry Visa
  • Single supplement during entire trip
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) on trek.
  • Hot shower or bucket of hot water
  • Camera/cell phone battery charge while on trek
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Excess baggage charge on the domestic flight if exceeds 15 kg
  • Tipping is expected for field staff
  • All expenses incurred in the event of early arrival, late departure (early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • If scheduled flight gets cancelled due to bad weather from Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu. In such situation, we need to send chartered helicopter. Helicopter cost has to be borne by the clients.
  • Rescue: All our clients must have travel insurance that covers urgent emergency medical/ evacuation from mountain locations to Kathmandu.
  • Any other services not specified in the ‘Cost includes’

Gokyo Valley Trek 2024/2025 Cost and Departure Dates

Trip Code
Arrival Date
Departure Date
Status
Price

Nitty Gritty

  • Trekking Region: Everest, Nepal
  • Trip Duration: 15 Days
  • Total Trekking days: 11 Days
  • Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu: 3 Nights
  • Trips Starts / Ends: Kathmandu
  • Activities: Trekking
  • Mode of Transportation: Car/Jeep/Bus and domestic flight as per group size
  • High Seasons: (Autumn)Oct – Nov- Dec & (Spring) Mar – Apr – May
  • Low Seasons: (Winter) Dec-Jan-Feb & (Monsoon) Jun-Jul-Aug
  • Accommodation: Basic Clean Hotels in Kathmandu & Basic Clean Lodges (teahouses) on trek
  • Type of Trip: Private/ Fixed Group Departures
  • Service available: Basic Standard
  • Trek grade: Moderate to Challenging
  • No. of Pax : 2 & above
  • Meals during trip: Breakfast in Kathmandu
  • Maximum elevation: 5357 m. / 17575 ft.
  • Walking hours:7-8 hrs a day (approx.)
  • Staff: Elglish speaking local guide
  • Porter Guidlines: Each porter carries only 30 Kgs. as per IPPG guidelines.

General Information

  • Trip Notes tell you about the itinerary details and supplementary information of the relevant trip of Trek Himalayan. We have prepared specific trip notes adhering to fixed travel dates. Please check which travel dates suit you. If you find any trip notes missing or only partially received while sending to you by email, please bear with us. They will be there anytime soon.

FAQ

  • Nepal is a land of ancient history, colorful cultures and multi- religions found nowhere else on the planet! There are many festivals and cultural events celebrated throughout the year in the various regions by different Nepalese ethnic groups who follow their own way of religious practice, lifestyle, language, culture, and tradition keeping peace and harmony in society.
  • Trekking can be organized for few days to few weeks long, depending on trekkers interest, strength and time frame. Walking could be twelve kilometers or just four kilometers a day and spend the night in the countryside lodge or camp.
Associated With
image
image
image
image
image
image