Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo -Ri Trek

Elevation of Kathmandu: 1,400m (4,593 ft)

Language spoken Nepali/English

Currency: Nepalese Rupees

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Moonlight (3-star)

From the very minute we land in Tribhuvan International Airport, our representatives from the Best Adventure Travels shall meet and greet us. Through private transfers we shall be taken to 3-star hotel where the travelers can freshen up and plan a quick a short stroll in busy streets of Thamel.

In the evening we shall be introduced to the remaining team members, dedicated guides, for a short briefing of the next day schedule. Alongside is a well-planned welcome dinner for the explorers.

Elevation of Lukla: 2,800m/9,184 ft

Elevation of Phakding: 2,652m/8,700 ft

Distance covered: 8km/5 miles

Walking duration (Phakding): 3-4 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

On the second day we shall board a flight to Lukla, from Kathmandu. Based at an elevation of 2860m, Lukla offers a pleasing view. Within the time span of 35-40 minutes, we observe a breath-taking view of the white landscape, and freshwater rivers.

Upon landing in Lukla airport, our trekking adventures begins! From there we will walk towards Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) which is 8km (5 miles) from Lukla. The approximate time taken to reach the destination is 3-4 hours, which highly depends on the walking pattern of individuals. The trails to Phakding is satisfactorily straight and can be considered as a warmup trek. A night shall be spent in Phakding tea house.

Elevation of Namche Bazar: 3,440m/11,283 ft

Distance covered: 10.7k/6.69 miles

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

In between the sloppy mountains is the inhabit of Namche Bazar. Occupying the area of 3,440m (11,283 ft), Namche bazaar is densely populated by the Sherpa communities. Namche is the commercial hub of the Solukhumbu region. The town is filled with lodges, banks, government offices, and several eateries.

While moving forward to Namche, we shall follow the trials of Dudh Kosi, and confront Mt. Thamserku (6,608 m/21,675 ft), Deodar forests, Himalayan pine and several suspension bridges including Hillary Suspension bridge.

Our journey further leads to Monjo valley, which is at the territory of Sagarmatha National Park, from the trip continues to descend Jorsale. After 5-6 hours of rigorous walk, we will be greeted by the soothing view of Namche and a magnificent sight of Kangaru peak, Kusum peak, Kwangde peak.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

The fourth day is separated as the acclimatization day. As the oxygen levels and air pressures are quite low on the continued journey, our body needs to adapt the changes. Hence, a day is kept aside for warm up.

We shall take a short walk around the Namche and hike towards Khumjung village (3780m). Further, we will explore the Sherpa community, Hillary School and visit the oldest Buddhist monasteries. Before lunch we will walk for around 3 hours and descend back to Namche Bazar, where we will spend an overnight.

Elevation of Phortse: 3810m (12,496 ft)

Distance Covered: 6km / 6.7 miles

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Overlooking the soothing views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Mt.Everest, we commence our trek to Phorse village. From rocky to steep paths, the adventure pushes us out from Namche valley and lands us in the nature embraced atmosphere of Rhododendron, Conifers, and Juniper.

On the way there are chances of spotting Musk Deer, Himalayan Thar, Daphne and Yaks. Higher the elevation, thrilling will be the trek. From Kayangjuma we en route Sansa, a junction between Everest Base Camp and Gokyo valley.

The pathway takes us to the summer settlements of Sherpas and Yak pastures and to Mongla Pass (3975m). Besides the influencing view, Mt.Khumbila, Tawaoche, and Ama Dablam holds a holy belief in Khumbu region. After crossing a bridge in Dudh Kosi river (3255m) and trekking uphill, we arrive to Phorse, a village just nestling quietly under the snow-capped mountains of Tawoche and Cholaste. A little more walk to the residential area, and we stay overnight.

Elevation of Machhermo: 4,470m (14,663 ft)

Distance covered: 10km/6.25m

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

We shall bid farewell to Phorse village and move forward to Machhermo. Through the Oaks and Pine forests, we shall mount uphill where we will catch a sight of Cholatse (6335m), Taboche (6367m), Kantega (6783m) and Thamserku (6623m). After walking through Ngozumpz glacier, Lhabarma (4330m) and Luza (4340m) we will reach Machhermo, where we shall conclude our journey for the day.

Elevation of Gokyo: 4800m (15,744 ft)

Distance covered: 7km/ 4.38m

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

Basically, an important day of the trekking journey, as we will be taking climbs on the ridge of Cho Oyu and Kangtega valley. The lane progress through Pangka (4390m) and then descend to riverbanks before marching straight to Ngozumpa glaciers. Through the messy rough track, we witness the first motionless Longponga lake (4650m). Tramping frontwards we encounter the second fresh water, of the Taujung lake (4710m) and then finally encounter the majestic greenish-blue Gokyo lake (4750m).

Elevation of Gokyo Ri: 5357m (17,570 ft)

Distance covered: 10km/6.25m

Walking duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

The very morning, the first thing when we open our eyes, we will perceive the exalted vista of the Himalayas. On this day we will further out stretch the voyage towards the highest elevation, Gokyo Ri (5357m).

The movement shall be a rewarding one as we will gaze at the whole of Khumbu mountain region, the massive Ngozumpa glacier, and the left behind Gokyo valley. After spending a few hours, we will head back to the village for lunch and then advance to the fifth Gokyo lakes.

From the northern section of fifth Gokyo lakes, we get a vivid vigilance of Cho Oyu base camp. The rigid 5-6 hours trek is worth every hardship.

Elevation of Dole: 4040m

Distance covered: 8km/6.9 miles

Walking duration: 3-4 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Tea house

As they say, every corner of Himalayas has a different version of story, today we shall understand one of those. While descending to Dole from Gokyo we will come across Lhabarma, Thamserku, Kantega, and Luza.  Further descending to Pangka we come across a leveled terrace on the hill sides. The panoramic views never stop to amaze us, hence till the time we sprawl to Dole we shall continuously get enchanted by the nature’s formation.

Elevation of Namche Bazar: 3,440m

Distance covered: 10km/6.25m

Walking duration: 4-5 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge

Our tour starts to make a steep descend. Today, we will catch a final view of Cho Oyu range and the additional attraction of this day would be the natural vegetation, rare flora and fauna, mountain goats, and pheasants.

However, in the near intersection of Sansa, we take a final revised look of Thamserku, Dablam, Tabuche. Through several bends after the Sansa trail we shall reach the Namche army hill and enjoy the final beauty of Himalayas. Later, we proceed towards Namche Bazar and enjoy the final night.

Elevation of Lukla: 2860m

Distance covered:19km/11.89 miles

Walking duration: 6-8 hours

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge

Early morning, we re-trace the pavements towards Lukla from Namche. We confidently follow the flowing trails of Dudh Koshi River and walk into the woods full of pines and Rhododendrons. Before arriving to Lukla, we walk down the rocky topography, at the same time pass by old monasteries, Sherpa villages, Prayer Wheels and Painted Mani Walls. Upon reaching Lukla, we can take our own time to explore the place, meet and greet the locals, purchase souvenirs, visit school established by Sir Edmund Hillary, or try out local eateries.

Elevation of Kathmandu: 1350m

Distance covered: 84.61 miles (136.17 Kilometers)

Flight duration: 35 minutes

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: 3-star-hotel

We take an early morning flight to Kathmandu from Lukla. The 35 minutes flight is sure to give us a quick flashback of the previous nine days journey and experience. On arriving Kathmandu, we shall get transfered to the hotel. The rest of the remaining hours in Kathmandu can be spent as per the individual choice.

After check in we can take a short city tour to nearby destinations Ason Bazaar, Indrachok, Kathmandu Durbar Square/Basantapur, (Kathmandu Durbar Square is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site).

As this is a final day with us, a farewell dinner is organized, where we shall ask the trekkers to share their exploring experience, and feedbacks for the Best Adventure Travels.

Meals: Breakfast

After the early morning breakfast, our private transfers and tour representatives shall drop the explorers to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for departure.