Gokyo Valley Trek - 12 Days
Trip Facts- Duration:12 Days
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Destination: Nepal
- Max. Altitude: 5360 Meters
- Start at: Kathmandu
- End at: Kathmandu
- Group Size: 1 - 14
- Best Season: Spring - Autumn
Highlights
- Flight to the world’s Highest Airport with a breathtaking view of mountains and landscape.
- Great hospitality of Sherpa People and knowing the culture of the mountain people.
- Scenic view of mountains, astonishing lakes, and landscape.
- Spectacular views of Mountains include Mt. Makalu and Everest
Overview
Mount Everest region is a prime adventure destination in Nepal, and it offers numerous diverse trekking routes, Everest. Gokyo valley trek is among them, and the itinerary designed for an off-beaten path covers the base land of the world's highest with its scenic view along with covering the range of Makalu (8540m) & Choyou(8230m). Gokyo Valley Trek also lets you experience Nepal’s biggest glacier and beautiful Gokyo lakes that lie at high altitudes which are also considered a prime attraction of Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park.
Why Choose Gokyo Vlleya Trek?
The trekking to Gokyo lake offers many silent features to be uncovered together with its major fascination Nepal’s biggest glacier if your choice is an outdoor adventure. The most popular urban Namche Bazar along with Khumjung and Machherma where domiciled biggest Sherpa community with its own lifestyle and culture are encountered. The wide river valley surrounded by high mountains is amazing. The trek also partly includes mesmerizing Rhododendron Forest. And if you get lucky you can see some wildlife, Such as Himalayan Thar, musk deer can occasionally be glanced at while crossing through small yak-grazing settlements. These experiences are something best that is hardly found elsewhere.
Gokyo Valley Trek: Fascination Lake and Breathtaking Mountains
Gokyo valley trek located in the Everest region has major two things to offer; it's six different lakes that contain freshwater and the wonderful scenic view of the popular Himalayas range Makalu, Cho-you, and the world’s popular Mount Everest. Besides, Trek also allows trekkers who have a limited time to discover the breathtaking beauties of Nepal which lie at the highest altitude. It is the best option for those who want to have a trek covering the Nepalese most popular Everest region to experience one of the great Himalayas in the world.
Trip Difficulty: Is This Trek Suitable for You?
The difficulty level of the Gokyo valley trek is moderate, so keep in mind that this Himalayan journey at high altitude is not an easy task. Nearly every individual who has an early experience of hiking and carries some load (5-6 kilogram) can encounter it and take up the mission on condition. If you are physically fit and do not suffer from any serious illness, then you can prepare yourself for this Himalayan journey. As preparation, you must do some exercise and one hour of hiking a day with some load month before the trip start. This training will make you feel easier to accomplish the trip.
Itinerary
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This is our stander package plan if you want to customize the trek itinerary, tell us your holiday plan our travel experts help you to make it suit your interest.
Landing in Kathmandu – a valley surrounded by mountains and the silver-shining Himalayas in the north sets the immediate tone of nature, adventure, and thrill. On the way to your hotel, you will witness the lively and thriving way of life of our capital. It’s diverse and mesmerizing for anyone – right from its traffic to the antiques and temples.
Today we will take a morning flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,184ft), which is the trek starting point for Gokyo valley. At Lukla, we can meet our additional crew members. On this 25-minute flight, you can see Nepal's high mountain peaks and the countryside. We must walk for 3 hours today to reach our destination. We pass through a small town and cross a few suspension bridges while walking to Phakding. Passing through prayer flags, wheels, and mani stones, and taking in the view of high mountain peaks is an amazing experience. Overnight in a teahouse in Phakding.
After breakfast, we start our trek to Namche Bazaar. Today’s trek will take us through pine forests, crossing suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi river, and into Sagarmatha National Park. Today's hike is longer and more difficult than yesterday's. During the final 2-hour climb to Namche Bazar, you will be exhausted, but you will be rewarded with your first glimpse of Everest! Namche Bazar is the gateway to Mt Everest and the main trading center of this region. Overnight in a hotel.
To allow our bodies to adjust to high altitude, we will take today as an acclimatization day. It is wise to keep active. We can acclimatize better if we hike higher and sleep lower. We will hike to the Everest viewpoint and visit Sagarmatha national park headquarters visitor center where you can get more information about the Khumbu region and the Sherpa people. It's also a beautiful place for a panoramic view of Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama-Dablam, one of the most impressive mountains in the area. Taking a stroll around Namche bazaar and shopping will be an enjoyable experience. Overnight in a lodge.
Today we start our journey through the main trail, which is shared by both EBC and Gokyo trek, until Kyangjuma. We leave the main trail and climb steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests, which give way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. We will continue the trek to reach MongLa and below us, we see the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola Rivers. Spring is the best time for the flower’s lover; it’s the time to bloom rhododendrons. The trail passes many Kharkas, summer settlements used when Sherpas bring herds of yaks to graze in these high pastures. The route passes further north through the settlement of Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) to Dole where there are few hotels. The views of Khumbila and Tawache (6542m) are incredible throughout the day today. Overnight in a teahouse.
The morning hike to Luza (4360m), will be quite tough, and feel short of breath. After resting to catch a breath and see a panoramic view, we continue our journey along the side of the valley. On the way to Machhermo at (4410m), we can enjoy the view of Mt. Cho Oyu, Kantega, and Thamserku and many summer settlements. Overnight in a teahouse.
We begin the ascent to Gokyo Valley. Along the way, we can enjoy excellent views of Cholatse Mt.Choyu and the small Sherpa settlement. We are now in a high alpine area and as we approach the Ngozumba Glacier, we trek onto the moraine and rock that extend down from it. We enjoy excellent views of Kantenga to the south and Cho Oyu to the north. Once we have ascended the muzzle of the glacier, the path flattens. We pass the first of the Gokyo lakes, Longpongo, before reaching the second, Taboche Tsho at 4740 m, a larger one where green Brainy duck is often seen swimming in the freezing waters. As we walk up the valley our path parallels the Ngozumpa Glacier and separating us from the glacier is the massive lateral moraine. Little ahead of the second lake is the third lake, the two linked by a stream. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Cho-Oyu Mountain as a backdrop sets an amazing spectacular sight at this juncture. After lunch, we can take time to explore the third Gokyo Lake, Dudh Pokhari. Overnight in teahouse
Today we hike up to the Gokyo-Ri early in the morning, which is an excellent viewpoint in the Everest region. The continuous and grueling ascent of Gokyo Ri will take two or more hours, from where we can see an Aesthetic view of the Himalayan including Mt. Everest (8848m), Cho Oyu (8153 m), Guangcheng Kang (7922m), Lhotse (8501m), Makalu (8475 m), Cholatse (6440m), Taweche (6542m), Kantega (6685m), Thamserku (6808m), Lobuche (6145m) and Mt. Everest (8848m). Hundreds of other unnamed peaks and the beautiful Gokyo Lakes are below. After a breathtaking hike to Gokyo-Ri, we will descend to Dole. Overnight in a teahouse.
Today’s trek is mostly downhills. After 6 hours of trekking, we will reach the beautiful trade town Namche bazaar. The trail descends to Phunki Thanga and ascents to ridge Mongla dada. After an hour's descent from Mongla, we reach a junction where the steep path up from Sanasa meets our track. Winding through several bends we are almost near Namche. Upon coming to Namche army camp hill, we look back to see Lhotse, the tip of Everest, and Tengboche for the last time. After half an hour’s walk from here, we reach Namche. Overnight in Lodge.
Today our last day of the trek at a lower altitude is easier and more enjoyable. Most of the track today is flat although we will have some descend and brief ascents too. Today, we enjoy the lush green scenery of rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distant background Kwangde peak. As we walk through the Sherpa villages, we notice an impressive display of faith in Buddhism and the cultural practices associated with it as prayer stones dot the landscape and prayer flags flap in the wind. We have to cross the 3-suspension bridge over Dhud Koshi River through the prayer flags strewn suspension bridges and also cross one of its tributaries, Thado Koshi once. The final ascent of about 45 minutes from Chheplung takes us to Lukla, where we stretch our fatigued legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity to spend some relaxing moments with the whole crew as the porters will not accompany us to Kathmandu. Overnight at Lukla.
After a long memorial journey in Mountains, today we fly back to Kathmandu. We can rest and relax at the hotel. In the afternoon you can spend your time at last minute shopping or exploring sights you’ve missed. We end our Adventure with a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Today the journey along the Nepalese Himalayan comes to an end. We will arrange airport transport for that who are leaving Nepal. There is nothing special to do but we can share our experiences and organize our photos. Please keep in contact with us to learn about others' exciting travel ideas. We will always be glad to help you with our service.
Cost Details
Includes- All Airport and hotel transfers as per itinerary in private vehicle
- Accommodations in a deluxe hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing Basic.
- Welcome and farewell dinner
- Round trip flight (Kathmandu – Lukla– Kathmandu).
- Full board meals: B, L, D, and accommodation during the trek.
- An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide), assistant trek leader, and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food, and lodging.
- Down jacket, sleeping bag, GSA bag, t-shirt, trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion).
- All necessary paperwork and National Park permit and TIMS.
- All government and local taxes.
Excludes- Nepalese visa fee.
- International airfare.
- Excess baggage charges.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
- All bar bills along the trek.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
- Travel and rescue insurance.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc
- Tips for guides and porters.
FAQs
Yes, you need to get permits for the Gokyo valley trek - 1) Sagarmatha National Park entry permits which cost NRS 3000. And for SAARC Countries NRS 1500. 2) Khumbu Rural Municipality Permits which cost NRS 2000 (To get this permit you need to be in Lukla).
There are tea houses and lodges in this trekking area that are clean and cozy. In some places like Lukla and Namche, we may also have a room with an attached bathroom.
On average, we must walk 5 to 6 hours a day during our trek to Gokyo Valley.
Continentals’ menus are generally available during the trek. As well you can get traditional Nepali Dal-Bhat, Momo, Tibetan Bread, and Tsumpa Porridge.
If you booked a trip package from us, the cost of lodging and three meals are already included in the cost of your trip. But you need some cash to pay for personal expenses like extra snacks, beverages, and drinks, hot showers, electronic device charging, wifi, etc. A daily budget of USD 20 to 25 (NRS 2000-3000) is sufficient.
Where Do I Store My Extra Luggage While I’m on the Mountain?
