Gokyo Valley Trek

Duration: 13 Days 1 review

About Gokyo Valley Trek

Gokyo Valley Trek is an ideal package for people who love to wonder around natural beauties. Gokyo Valley Trek is one of the best trekking experiences in Nepal, with hypnotizing natural scenes along with a magnificient view of the largest glacier in the Himalayas, Ngozumpa Glacier, and the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest. Anyone on this trip will fall in love with the nature and adventure there. This Gokyo Valley Trek takes you to Gokyo Valley starting from UNESCO world heritage sites like Swyambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Patan Durbar Square, and so on in Kathmandu through Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Dole, Machherma, Gokyo Lake, and Gokyo Ri and brings you back.

March–May (spring) and September–October (autumn) are the best seasons for this trek. The view from Gokyo Ri (Gokyo Peak) allows you to face various intimidating peaks like Mt. Lhotse (8501m), Mt. Cho-Oye (8153m), Makalu (8463 m), and many more. You'll also get the opportunity to be close to the Tibetan and Nepalese cultures. You'll totally find a friendly environment on this trek.

Gokyo Valley lies in the Khumbu region towards the west. You'll spend all your days on this trek exploring and hiking. You'll complete a long trek from Lukla to Gokyo Lake in 5 days. The unexpectedly excellent views of mountains and lakes will make you feel relaxed. Once you're there, you will be surrounded by the warm love of the mountains and the culture of the people there. Whispering water, grazing yaks, and singing forests will arrest your heart. This trek is the best way to explore the Khumu Himalayas. You'll get a chance to analyze Nepal's internal beauty on this trip with your own eyes. We can assure you that your days with us on this trip will create lots of unforgettable memories in your mind for the rest of your life.

Highlights

Spectacular views of the Mountains such as Mt. Everest, Choyu, Lhotse, Makalu, and Gokyo Ri
Visit the beautiful Gokyo Lake along with the Ngozumpa Glacier.
Experience the Sherpa people, their culture, and their hospitality.
Exploew's natural UNESCO world heritage site, Sagarmatha National Park
Visit to Lukla Airport, Namche Bazaar, and the Tangboche Monastery

Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu

Arrival in Kathmandu at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)

As soon as you arrive at TIA, you will be picked up by an office representative. You will be transported to the hotel, where you will be briefed about the entire trek.

Hotel
1,350m

Day 02 : Sightseeing of Kathmandu valley

In the morning, after breakfast, guided sightseeing of the entire Kathmandu valley including the renowned UNESCO world heritage sights – Monkey Temple, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa. In the evening, prepare for the trek. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast
Hotel
1,350m

Day 03 : Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2,610m/8,700ft): 40 minutes flight; 8km, 3 - 4 hours trek

We take an early morning flight to Lukla which is where all Everest treks begin. We walk on a trail that gradually descends to Cheplung village from where we get a glimpse of Mt. Khumbila, a sacred mountain which has never been climbed. From here, we gradually descend until Phakding. Overnight in Phakding.

Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
2,610m

Day 04 : Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,441m/11,284 ft): 11km, 6 - 7 hours

Our trail passes through a pine forest and we continue our walk on the trail that goes north up the Benkar valley. We cross Dudh Koshi River and pass Chumoa and Monjo villages before reaching the entrance of the Everest National Park. Then after crossing a suspension bridge, we pass Jorsale village and walk alongside the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. We ascend on a steep trail and reach Namche Bazaar which is probably the biggest town in the Everest region. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
3,441m

Day 05 : Acclimatization Day - Namche Bazaar: (3,441m/11,284ft)

We can tour Namche Bazaar which is the primary town of the Everest or Khumbu region and has government offices, ATMs, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, and a colorful market. Our guide will take you to explore around the nearest villages or hike up to Syangboche Everest View hotel for a couple of hours to resist your body with high elevation). Overnight in Namche Bazaar

Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
3,441m

Day 06 : Namche Bazaar to Dole Dole – 3,680 m / 12,073 ft – 6 hrs

Today we start from Namche Bazaar on a trail with gradual ups and downs. We might be able to witness Himalayan pheasants, musk deer, and Himalayan Thars on the way. Our trek then enters the Gokyo Valley at Sansa. The trail climbs through rhododendron forest and comes to a point where, for the first time, we will be able to see Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201 m/26,907 ft) at the head of the valley. The route now makes twisting ascents through woodland, climbs more steeply into the open, crosses a number of streams, traverses a yak pasture with a solitary herder’s hut, crosses a minor ridge, and enters our overnight stop, the lodge settlement of Dole. Dole began as a kharka (a yak pasture) with a few herders’ huts, but once Gokyo became a trekking destination, lodges soon established themselves more rapidly.

Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
3,680m

Day 07 : Dole to Machhermo Machhermo – 3,870 m / 12,696 ft – 4 hrs

Today's trek is a short and pleasant one, and we can relax and take things easy. Because of the demands of altitude acclimatization, we do not go further. Beyond the first of Dole’s lodges, the trail goes downhill, crosses a stream, swings right to climb a hillside, and crosses pastureland with dry stone walls and several yak herders’ huts. The trail continues past a few stone-built huts and contours along the hillside, descends into a small basin with more walls, stone huts, and lodges, and then, just under two hours from Dole, reaches Luza (4,360 m/14,305 ft), which is also a kharka (yak pasture). Because the lodges at Dole and Machhermo can be very busy in the autumn trekking season, it has become a possible site for overnight accommodation. From Luza, the path climbs out of the northern side of the basin and crosses more pastureland bordered by a chorten and prayer flags. In every direction, the views are spectacular. Eventually the trail slopes down into the valley, crosses a stream, and rises up a short slope into the yak pastures and lodges of our overnight stop in Machhermo.

Breakfast,lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
3,870m

Day 08 : Machhermo to Gokyo – 4,800 m / 15,748 ft – 4 hrs

Today will be another relatively short trek across broad pastures, through narrow clefts with steeply climbing trails, past two or three lakes, and through an ablation valley beside the Ngozumpa Glacier. An ablation valley is one formed by the melting of glacier ice. The trail climbs around a hillside spur, where lofty Cho Oyu will again come into view, and soon we will reach another kharka with some simple lodges. Directly ahead of us at this point, we will see the terminal moraine (ridge of rocks) that closes off the Ngozumpa Glacier. The trail now goes briefly downhill, then climbs through the aforementioned ablation valley on the western side of the glacier, goes steeply up stone steps, and crosses a stream on a short wooden bridge. A succession of cairns now marks the route through a stony landscape, with a small tarn (Mountain Lake) on the left. The valley now broadens, and the trail reaches a second, larger tarn, Taboche Tsho (4,740 m/15,552 ft). Beyond this point, the trail passes through a narrower section of the ablation valley and comes to a third tarn, Dudh Pokhari (4,750 m/15,584 ft), with prayer flags on its eastern shore. Dudh Pokhari celebrates a fair every year during Janaipoornima, a popular Hindu festival that falls in July–August. Just beyond this lake, we will come to our overnight stop in Gokyo.

Breakfast,lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
4,800m

Day 09 : Gokyo to Machhermo (Morning hike to Gokyo Ri) – 5,357 m / 17,575 ft – 6 hrs

Early morning, we climb the hill Gokyo Ri (5,360m/17,586ft). The summit is marked by large cairns and prayer flags with a great panorama of mountains above and lakes and glaciers below. After viewing the lake and panoramic mountain for some time, return to Gokyo for breakfast, then to Machhermo.

Breakfast,lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
3,870m

Day 10 : Machhermo to Namche Bazaar Namche Bazaar – 3,441m / 11,284 ft- 7 hrs

After an early breakfast, head on towards Namche Bazaar.

Namche feels quite lively and busy after the quiet of the smaller villages, and we spend the night of the trek here.

Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
3,441m

Day 11 : Trek Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft): 19km, 7hours

We begin our trek to Lukla today on a rocky terrain. pass by several monasteries and villages before reaching Lukla. After reaching Lukla we spend the rest of the day resting as today will be our last day on the mountains. Overnight in Lukla.

Breakfast,lunch,Dinner
Guesthouse
2,800m

Day 12 : Fly From Lukla to Kathmandu

We catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. After reaching Kathmandu, we can take a rest or do some souvenir shopping, evening farewell dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Breakfast,Dinner
Hotel
1,350m

Day 13 : Final departure

Final departure to your onward destination or additional trip.

Breakfast

What’s Included

Included Excluded

International & Domestic airport pick up & drop by private transport.
Domestic flight tickets + Airport taxes for both ways (Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu)
Guided tour in Kathmandu (Private car + tour Guide)
3 night standard accommodation on B/B plan at Hotel Himalaya Hub or similar category in Kathmandu
Guide during the trek (his salary, food, insurance, accommodation, Our Company Sherpa guide Kathmandu/ Lukla their flight tickets)
Your food 3 meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) during the trek in the guest houses.
Porters (their salary food, insurance, accommodation from Lukla, 1 porter for two clients)
Your accommodation in the mountain(Normal but neat & clean on twin sharing basis) in the teahouse during the trek
Permit fees (Sagarmatha National Park)
TIMS card (Trekker’s Information Management System)
Medical kits
Sleeping bag & Down jacket during the trek (need to be return after finish your trek)
Rescue Arrangements for emergency evacuation (just in case if you have any problem in the mountain during your trek rescue help from our company but money paid by your insurance company, need personal insurance)
Register your name in the embassy
Last Night cultural/Farewell dinner at typical Nepali restaurant
All Government tax

All bar bills during the trek (soft drinks, hot drinks & alcoholic drinks)
Monument entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu
Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu
Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu (except farewell dinner)
Travel insurance required for emergency rescue and evacuation.
Sweets, Cigarette, Telephone bills, hot shower, Battery Charge, Wi-Fi, Heater Charge and your personal expenses, equipment during your trek beyond I mentioned above in a price included section
Any loss arising due to unforeseen circumstances is beyond Himalaya Hub Adventure.
Tips for field staff (Driver,Guide,porter)

Departures & Dates

We have daily trips available on a private basis, for a customized group itinerary, please feel free to write us.

Useful Information

Note: Lukla is one of the most sensitive airports in the world, there are always chances of flights getting delayed or cancelled. Just in case, if it gets cancelled for a few days and if you have limited time, you can take a Helicopter ride to Lukla, which will cost you around 500 USD extra for one way per person, but in that case, you will get a refund of your flight ticket money. We suggest you have a few extra days at the end to make sure this trip will not affect your international flight back home if you have a tight schedule.

Customer Reviews - 1 review

EBC + GOKYO TREKS

It all started when Ramesh, a local Tour-Manager, hopped into the taxi that I took from the airport to my hotel. Since I have never been to Nepal before, i assumed that I would not make the best deal if I would have made an agreement with a random guy that just hopped into my taxi. But since Ramesh was the most welcoming and friendly guy that i could imagine at that point, I took his card and when i was at the hotel I googled for the company and saw all the good reviews, so why not give it a try! I wrote Ramesh on Whatsappand he took time for me and came to my hotel and lead me to the company he is working for. I wanted to book a trip to Gokyo Ri, and was concerned about my broken toe, that I had back then. He planned the rout with me accordingly and made me feel very safe, so we had an agreement and I payed for the tour right away. THEN I got food poisoning, a really bad one. So I had to postpone the trekking that was supposed to start the next day. That was not only no problem for the company, Ramesh even came by at the hotel to check how I am, and offered me to get medicine from the near hospital. I found him such a nice person, that we even went for a beer together after the trekking twice. So when the food poisoning was over one week later, we planed the rout again - at no extra cost!

Before the trekking startet I got introduced to my guide Rupesh and he described me every detail of the trek. I liked Rupesh right from the start because he was very humorous and I knew that we will have a good time together. When Rupesh and I arrived in Lukla we met Passang, the porter and our dream team was complete.

I cannot tell in words how good these two humans treated me during my trekking, they not only lead me safely to the top of Gokyo Ri, what by the way is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and done in my life, they also became best friends of mine and I will never forget the two.

Rupesh managed everything perfectly so I could stay in cosy lodges and have the food I preferred. He made me feel very comfortable during the trek by walking my speed and paying attention to my condition and we had countless awesome conversations about everything. If we felt bored we played a local board-game called Ludo or played Uno, so we had a lot of nights laughing. If I wanted privacy, I had privacy - just how you would expect it. Rupesh is a very happy personality what made me forget my fears or doubts right away and motivated me if I felt a little down. Rupesh would always make everything to make you feel comfortable, and he does a perfect job doing so.

Passang the porter is a human that you just have to love, he speaks a basic english, knows every mountain on the way by its name and ist the most charming person you will meet. He carried my way to heavy back-pack (again, so sorry for the backpack being so heavy Passang!!) to the top and down again, and would always be positive and sing nepali songs. On the way down he invented me to his sisters place where I had the chance to taste the local rice wine. Passang as well did everything he could to make me feel comfortable and was the most respectful person you could imagine.

I truly had a hard time to say good bye to these guys and I promised that I will be back to meet them and trekk with them again.

THANK YOU for everything Passang, Rupesh and Ramesh for the awesome trip, i will always keep you in mind!