Gokyo Lakes Trek

Upon your arrival at Kathmandu airport, a Wind Horse representative will meet and greet you, and transfer you to your hotel. No activities are planned for this day, so you will have the rest of the day at your leisure until the evening.

Later in the evening, your trip guide will meet you and present you with a brief orientation about the trek. After the briefing, you will enjoy dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, you will visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar (palace) squares in Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu Durbar Square is rich with its intricate wood carving and its history. Also known as the “Musuem of Temples” there are over 50 temples in the square. You will explore the area around the former palace of the kings of Nepal, viewing various temples and monuments.

Following the visit, you will drive to Boudanath Stupa. Boudanath Stupa is one of the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and also a World Heritage Site. Boudanath signifies peace and tranquility, and is a Centre of religious and spiritual significance. You will see thousands of pilgrims circumambulating the stupa, you will circumambulate with pilgrims and visit the surrounding monasteries.

Afterward, you will proceed to Pashupatinath Temple. The Pashupatinath temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati river and is one of the most revered Hindu temple in Nepal. The main temple complex is not accessible to non-Hindus, but you can explore around the periphery of the temple complex which is quite large and impressive. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The mountain flight into Lukla is spectacular, and the landing is an exciting experience. One end of the runway is 60 meters higher than the other. The flight is typically on a small Dornier or Twin Otter aircraft, with a duration of around 25–30 minutes.

Upon arrival at Lukla (2800m), you will meet your guides and porters before commencing the trek towards Phakding.  You will descend gradually for about 2 hours to Thado Koshi, and then you will make your first ascent, gradually uphill all the way to Phakding (2620m). It takes about 2 hours from here to reach Phakding. Overnight in Phakding.

Following the Dudh Koshi River, the trail traverses through Sherpa settlements such as Bengkar and Chumao, and then enters into the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. You will than cross over the Hillary suspension bridge, and continue with a steep uphill climb to Chautara, where you get the first glimpse of Everest through the trees.

You will continue the ascent until you reach the vibrant Namche Bazaar (3440m), the pulsating heart of the Sherpa community, offering accommodations, cafes, and stores vending souvenirs and trekking essentials. Namche Bazaar serves as an ideal location to procure any forgotten items and acclimatize to the altitude for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Today is set as an acclimatization day, it is important to acclimatize so that your body get used to the ever increasing altitude. To do this you will embark on a short hike to Everest View Hotel at Syangboche, situated at an altitude of 3880m. The Everest View Hotel is considered to be one of the best vantage point, offering breathtaking views of the mountains such as Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse and other peaks.

After relishing at the panoramic scenery, you also have the option to visit Khumjung village. A brief descent on the other side from the Hotel Everest view leads you to the large village of Khumjung, home to Hillary’s School. Following the visit, you will descend back to Namche, where you have the rest of the afternoon to relax or explore on your own. The whole journey including the Everest View Hotel will take about 5-6 hours round trip. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

The trek from Namche Bazaar to Dole traverses through diverse terrains with stunning views. The hike is over a relatively accessible path that presents incredible views while ascending along the Dudh Koshi valley.

At Sanasa, the trail diverges: one path continues toward Everest Base Camp, while the other heads toward the Gokyo Valley. Leaving the Everest Base Camp route, you will turn left, and proceed toward Mong La Pass (3900m). Though the ascent is steep, the pass rewards you with breathtaking panoramic views of Ama Dablam, Thamsherku, Tawoche, and Kumbila.

Crossing over Mong La, the trail descends sharply towards the Dudh Koshi and then ascends towards the village of Phortse Tenga. Departing from Phortse Tenga, the trail ascends amidst birch, fir, and rhododendron forests, guiding your way toward the picturesque village of Dole. Overnight in Dole.

Today’s hike is alongside the Dudh Koshi River, that offers a captivating view as you head towards Machhermo. Machhermo serves as a summer pastoral settlement and an essential stopover for trekkers heading towards the Gokyo Valley.

The trail from Dole to Machhermo is relatively straightforward, featuring a gradual incline. Along the way you will pass through yak pastures, enjoying the views of Cho Oyu, Kangtega, and Thamsherku. You’ll traverse villages such as Labarma and Luza, each offering unique glimpses into the local culture amidst the beautiful natural surroundings. Overnight in Machhermo.

Departing from Machhermo, the trail initially climbs up to a ridge, presenting breathtaking views of Kangtega, and then meanders through open country towards Gokyo. As you climb higher, the landscape changes to rockier, drier terrain, offering unparalleled views of Cho Oyu, Cholatse, and the neighboring peaks.

The trail then descends to the Dudh Koshi valley, and a steep ascent will take you along the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. You will come across the first and second lakes before reaching the third lake. Gokyo village sits by the third lake, framed by the towering presence of Gokyo Peak in the backdrop. Overnight in Gokyo.

Hiking up to Gokyo Ri at an altitude of 5,330 meters is an extraordinary adventure that offers panoramic vistas of some of the world’s tallest peaks such as Mount Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Pumori, Nuptse, and others.

Begin your hike early in the morning to make the most of the daylight and to witness the sunrise over the Himalayas. Once at the summit of Gokyo Ri, take your time to absorb the incredible vistas. The view of the mountains and the surrounding Gokyo Valley is truly captivating.

You will get unobstructed views of four of the highest peaks Mt Everest (8,848m), Cho Oyu (8,210m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Makalu (8,463m). Soak in the beauty, and appreciate the natural magnificence of the Himalayas before descending to your lodge at Gokyo.

After lunch, depending on your energy levels and available time, you can take a walk around the 4th or 5th Gokyo Lakes. These locations provide different vantage points and perspectives of the surrounding mountains. Overnight in Gokyo.

Today the hike goes alongside the Dudh Koshi river with the breathtaking views of the Gokyo lakes along with the towering peaks of Taboche and Cholatse. You will come across several charming villages such as Machhermo, Lhabarma, and Luza, each offering a distinct peek into the rich local culture and Sherpa way of life. Overnight in Dole.

On this day onwards, if you wish you can cross over the Cho La pass and combine the Gokyo Lakes Trek with the Everest Base Camp Trek as per the below itinerary:

Day 10. Trek from Gokyo to Thangnak
Day 11. Trek from Thangnak to Dzongla via the Cho La pass
Day 12. Trek to Gorakshep & Excursion to Everest Base Camp
Day 13. Hike to Kalapathhar & Trek from Gorakshep to Pheriche
Day 14. Trek from Pheriche Namche Bazaar
Day 15. Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 16. Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 17. Free day in Kathmandu
Day 18. Departure

Descending from Dole, you will navigate a steep pathway that winds through forests with rhododendron and pine trees to Phortse Tenga. This serene village nestled in a river valley offers a perfect and scenic location for a well-deserved rest.

Continuing onward from Phortse Tenga, the trail gradually ascends towards Mongla, presenting panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains. Further along, the path descends towards Sanasa, intersecting with the classic Everest trekking route.

From Sanasa, the journey follows the iconic Everest Base Camp Trek route, leading you toward the vibrant and bustling hub of Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Your final day of the trek drops you back down to the Dudh Koshi River, crossing numerous suspension bridges and retracing your route past Jorsalle, Monjo, Bengkar, Phakding, Ghat, and Cheplung, before ending your Gokyo Lakes Trek adventure at Lukla. The last section from Ghat to Phakding is a steep climb of approximately 3 kilometers. Overnight in Lukla.

Board an early morning flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, proceed to transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure, allowing you to relax and unwind. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today has been set aside as a contingency day to accommodate any potential flight cancellations from Lukla due to the unpredictable mountain weather, which often happens. However, if the flight proceeds as planned, you have the freedom to utilize this day as you desire. You could consider exploring souvenir shopping options or, upon request, we can organize a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley for you. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight to your next destination.