Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri)

Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri)

14Days
5,330mMax altitude
MediumDifficulty
$1,980per person

Overview

Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri)

The Gokyo Valley Trek is among the finest routes in the Sagarmatha National Park that take you to the base of Gokyo Ri(5,360m), in the Khumbu region, the settlement at the highest elevation in the world. The trek to the beautiful Gokyo Valley( 4,800m/15,744ft) offers a great view of the iconic peak, superb scenery, the exploration of wildlife, and crystalline lakes in the region.

Gokyo Valley Trek Trip Overview:

The trek lets you explore the upper valley with the majestic vista of Everest and other surrounding mountains like Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The valley has been undoubtedly one of the most popular trekking destinations for adventure enthusiasts around the globe. The trek takes off from Lukla and concedes at a higher-elevation point of Gokyo Ri. One can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys, glacier lakes, and mountains from Gokyo Ri.

The Khumbu region is heaven for the eco-tourists, where they can take chance to observe and mingle with Sherpas, the local inhabitants of the Everest Region. Sherpa people are very popular in the mountain climbing domain, assisting climbs and undertaking rescue missions. The region consists of multiple monasteries, many of which are aesthetically influenced by the neighboring Tibetan Culture. Tengboche Monastery is one of the famous monasteries in the region.

Itinerary Outline:

1st Day: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
2nd Day: Fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) & trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), a 3-4 hrs walk
3rd Day: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft), 5-6 hrs walk
4th Day: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar
5th Day: Trek to Dole (4200m/13,776ft), 5-6 hrs walk
6th Day: Trek to Machharmo (4470m/ 14,663ft), 4-5 hrs walk
7th Day: Trek to Gokyo (4800m/15,744ft), 3-4 hrs walk
8th Day: Acclimatization and exploration around Gokyo
9th Day: Trek from Gokyo to Phorse Village/ Phorste Thanga (3680 m), 5 to 6 hrs walk
10th Day: Trek from Phortse to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft), 5-6 hrs walk
11th Day: Trek from Tyangboche to Namche via Khumjung(3,790m/12,431ft), 6 - 7 hours walk
12th Day: Trek back to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), 4-5 hrs walk
13th Day: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
14th Day: Departure from Kathmandu
End of our services

Note: Because of bad weather we could face problems with domestic flights to/from Lukla being delayed by a few hours or canceled for a day or more. Very rarely, but it could happen even in the best trekking season also as you know how climate changes affect our world. Thus, we always recommend you add supplement night/s in Kathmandu after your trek if possible (just in case). If everything runs smoothly, you can enjoy other activities like sightseeing, White water rafting, wildlife activities, and shopping, as you wish on those additional days. However, if you want heli rescue in the state of flight cancellation to/from Lukla-we can organize it as per your request with extra cost.

Duration14 days
DifficultyMedium
Max altitude5,330m
Start / EndKathmandu
AccommodationHotel & Tea Houses
Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri) photo
  • Base camp of World roof
  • Sunrise/sunset view from Gokyo Ri
  • Gokyo Lake
  • sherpa culture
  • Monastery
Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri) photo Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri) photo Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri) photo Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri) photo

Best Season for this trip

March - June & Sep to Dec

Spring: Mar-May Monsoon: Jun-Aug Autumn: Sep-Nov Winter: Dec-Feb

Day by day

Unfold your journey

Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri) Trek Map

Kathmandu → Kathmandu

Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri) route map
day
1

Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

20 Minutes Hotel Kathmandu Welcome Dinner
Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal. As planned earlier, one of our representatives will be waiting for you at the Tribhuvan International Airport to assist you to move to the hotel in Kathmandu. We will meet again for the dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurants after you get a break for refreshments. We will also have a short briefing about the trip. Overnight at the Hotel.
day
2

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) & trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), a 3-4 hrs walk

20 minutes 27 minutes 3-4 Hrs Tea House Pha 3 Meals
In the early morning, we will fly from Kathmandu to the tiny airstrip at Lukla. The scenic flight from Lukla will take us about 40 minutes if the weather doesn't hamper the schedule. After landing there, you will have plenty of time to stroll around. The place is completely magical. You can take your complete time to enjoy the beauty of Lukla. The lunch place will be managed depending upon the time we arrive at Lukla. We will then take an easy walk to Phakding village for an overnight stop. You can also spend the rest of the time strolling around the village for local knowledge.
day
3

Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft), 5-6 hrs walk

5-6 Hrs Tea House Namche Bazaar 3 Meals
On the third day of the trek, we will continue our walk up through the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo. Monjo is famed for being the entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park. On the way, we will descend while entering the boundary of the National Park and a gradual walk will then brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi River to Jorsalle village. It is the last village till Namche Bazaar. We reach the Namche Bazaar after 5-6 hours of walking. Namche is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region.
day
4

Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar

Tea House Namche Bazaar 3 Meals
We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar(3,440m/11,283ft) resting on the fourth day of the trip. We will need a day off to acclimatize and rest to allow our bodies to become familiarized with the increasing altitude. You will have a complete day of leisure, so, you can visit Everest View Point Hotel for a wonderful panoramic view or stroll around the market. If it's Saturday, you can visit the “Saturday market”, a market where the local people of the area go for shopping to fulfill their daily needs. It is the only shopping market in the surrounding areas. Also, you can visit Sherpa Museum as well a great place to learn the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering and stroll back to the hotel overnight.
day
5

Trek to Dole (4200m/13,776ft), 5-6 hrs walk

5-6 Hrs Tea House Dole 3 Meals
After strolling around the Namche area, we will continue on the gradual trail with a few short up and downs overlooking the magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks at Shanasa. Our trek will then ascend the left side to Mongla hill and continue down to Phortse Thanga. After lunch, we will walk for a further few hours. After walking and ascending for a few hours, we will reach Dole where we will stay for the overnight. Dole is a small place with few teahouses. Enjoy your night at Dole.
day
6

Trek to Machharmo (4470m/ 14,663ft), 4-5 hrs walk

4-5 Hrs Tea House Machharmo 3 Meals
After breakfast, we will climb to the scenic ridge above the Dole. The climb will continue along the side of the valley, high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to reach Machharmo. We will reach Machharmo in the afternoon. After getting refreshed, we will then visit the Himalayan Rescue Association located here. Overnight at the hotel.
day
7

Trek to Gokyo (4800m/15,744ft), 3-4 hrs walk

3-4 Hrs Tea House Gokyo 3 Meals
On this day, we will climb up to the ridge from where we can see the excellent view both down the valley to Khangtega and the northern part to the Cho-Oyu (8153m/26741ft). Our route will then descend to the river bank before the climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa glacier. Afterward, the trail will level out as it follows the valley past a second lake, known as Longponga(4690m/15383ft). You will enjoy the view of the lake and the surrounding here. After an hour's walk, we will reach Gokyo village, situated on the edge of the third lake.
day
8

Acclimatization and exploration around Gokyo

Tea House Gokyo 3 Meals
You can take the day as a full day resting at Gokyo or utilize the day by exploring the place. You will find the fifth lake passing another fourth lake offering a magical view. This will be an opportunity to view the full part of Mt. Everest and Cho-Oyu. You can see the Northern part of Cho-Oyu base camp and the biggest glacier in the world, Ngazumpa Glacier. Stroll back to the hotel for overnight.
day
9

Trek from Gokyo to Phorse Village/ Phorste Thanga (3680 m), 5 to 6 hrs walk

5-6 Hrs Tea House Phorste Thanga 3 Meals
We will hike up early morning to Gokyo Ri for the breathtaking view of splashing the sunrise from the top of the mountain including Mt. Everest. This will be an unforgettable lifetime memory for you. After taking some amazing pictures and enjoying the view, we stroll back an hour to Gokyo for breakfast. After breakfast, we will walk back through the same valley. We might walk for a minimum of 3 and half hours to cross the river to the right valley up hills to the Phorse village for an overnight stay. Phorse Village is a very interesting village as it is situated in the middle of the hills above the river valley with pine and Rhododendron forest surroundings. You will also have a chance to see the Himalayan pheasant and a few other Himalayan animals here. Overnight at the lodge in Phorse.
day
10

Trek from Phortse to Tyangboche (3,867m/12684ft), 5-6 hrs walk

5-6 Hrs Tea House Tyangboche 3 Meals
After having breakfast at Phortse, we will hike down hills, following the narrow trail to reach the river valley. We will then have a gradual steep walk up hills through the forested hills of pine and rhododendron to reach Tyangboche. The Tyangboche Valley is situated at the top of the hill. If you are lucky, you might see the Himalayan pheasant and musk deer. Tyangboche is a very small village with only a few tea houses. The biggest Buddhist Monastery, Tyangboche Monastery is one of the prime interests in the area. The monastery has monks praying ceremony in the evening which is really interesting where you can also take part. The monastery itself is big with wonderfully colorful Buddhist-painted walls. From Tyangboche you will see Mt. Ama Dablam & Thamserku, which is just in front of the valley. Additionally, Tyangboche offers great and impressive views of Mt. Everest with Nuptse. Overnight at Mt. Lodge in Tyangboche.
day
11

Trek from Tyangboche to Namche via Khumjung(3,790m/12,431ft), 6 - 7 hours walk

6-7 Hrs Tea House Namche 3 Meals
After breakfast, the trail will lead us down from the forested hills to the bottom of the hills called Phungithanka. We reach the place across the crossing of the local suspension bridge. We will then prepare to walk the long hill up again to the Kyanjuma, the junction of the trinity ways to Gokyo Valley, Khumjung village, and Namche Bazaar. After another 30-40 minute gradual walk, we will reach the Khumjung Valley. We will take a short afternoon visit to the Khumjung surroundings, Khunde Hospital run by Sir Edmund Hillary of the Canadian Foundation (the biggest hospital in the Khumbu region), the Hillary school, and the old Monastery with the legendry Yeti scalps. We enjoy the beauty of the panorama of the mountains with sunrise. We will reach the Syangboche airstrip(3700m), which is known as the highest-elevation airport in the world. If the weather and visibility favor us, we might get an amazing view of Pilatus aircraft flying over to this airstrip. Further walk down will bring us to Namche for an overnight stay.
day
12

Trek back to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), 5-6 hrs walk

5-6 Hrs Tea House Lukla 3 Meals
We start a pretty easy walk back to Lukla. The hike will involve little up and down hills. We will follow the same way that we had trekked on the 1st day of our trek. It will take us about 4 to 5 hours walk to reach Lukla. While you will refresh with a warm hot shower, the guide will be re-confirming the flight back to Kathmandu for the following day. We will be celebrating the success of the trek in our teahouses and hotels at Lukla. the place also has some nice bars, restaurants, and pubs to spend some time in. Overnight at Lukla.
day
13

Fly back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

20 Minutes 27 Minutes Hotel Kathmandu Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
After taking an early morning flight to Kathmandu, our guide will transfer you to your hotel. You will have time to relax after a long journey. You can take back your breath, relax and rest at your hotel. We will meet again in the evening, to share the feedback, celebrate the completion of the Himalayan journey, and have a farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese restaurants in the main downtown Thamel. Overnight at Kathmandu Hotel.
day
14

Departure from Kathmandu

20 Minutes Breakfast
You can spend the day doing any last-minute shopping for souvenirs or gifts for your family, friends, or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive. You can also commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If you are ready for departing, you'll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onward destination. We wish you a wonderful Himalayan adventure with us!

Gokyo Valley Trek Altitude Chart

Metres above sea level

Gokyo Valley Trek (Gokyo Ri) altitude chart

What's covered

Inclusions & exclusions

Trip includes

  • All airport and hotel transportation by private vehicle in Kathmandu as per the itinerary suggested.
  • Deluxe twin-sharing accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu (Alcoholic beverages are excluded)
  • Kathmandu to Lukla to Kathmandu by flight
  • Full board meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) during the trek
  • Seasonal fruits during the trek are provided
  • Comfortable & clean accommodation on teahouse/lodge/tent during the trek
  • Government Registered Trek guide (English speaking, First Aid and eco trained), Sherpa porter (one porter for two trekkers)
  • All necessary paper works, Everest region entry fee, and permits & TIMS card
  • Four seasonal sleeping bags, Nepal Vision Treks duffel bag, and trekking map (sleeping bag to be returned after trip completion)
  • First aid exclusive medical kit bag
  • All government and local taxes

Trip excludes

  • Visa fees (You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu so (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)) International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Lunch and dinner except for welcome & fare well dinner (and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled plan)
  • Any extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary plan
  • Travel and rescue insurance

Dates & Prices

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FAQ’s

What travelers often ask

What is the Gokyo Valley trek?
The Gokyo Valley trek is a popular trekking trail in the Everest region of Nepal, which takes trekkers to the beautiful Gokyo Valley and its stunning turquoise lakes, glaciers, icefalls, and majestic mountains.
Can you see Everest from Gokyo Lake?
From the Gokyo Lake,  you must visit the Gokyo Ri, at an altitude of 5357m, from where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Mount Everest. Besides Everest, you will also enjoy the view of other sibling mountains.
How hard is the  Gokyo Lake Trek?
The Gokyo Valley trek is considered a moderate to difficult trek with a maximum altitude of 5,360 meters. Trekkers should be in good physical condition and have prior trekking experience.
How long is Gokyo Trek?
The Gokyo Valley trek is typically a 12-14 day trek, depending on the starting point and the speed of the trekker.
How do I get to Gokyo?
If you take a flight, you have to take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla followed by a Trekking trail to EBC. if you are taking the bus, the journey is from Kathmandu to Jiri by Bus and then the trek.
Is Gokyo Lake Worth?
The hike to Gokyo Lake is worth the extra days and effort if you are a travel enthusiast loving to spend more. The trek offers a view of Mt. Everest from a close distance, lakes, and other cultural importance.
What is the best time for the Gokyo Valley trek?
The best time for the Gokyo Valley trek is from March to May and from September to November when the weather is clear and stable, and the views are spectacular.
What permits are required for the Gokyo Valley trek?
Trekkers need to obtain the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and the TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) permit to trek in the Everest region.
What are the accommodation options during the Gokyo Valley trek?
There are a variety of accommodation options available along the Gokyo Valley trekking trail, including tea houses, lodges, and guesthouses. These options offer basic facilities like a bed, blankets, common toilets, and food.
Can I hire a guide or porter for the Gokyo Valley trek?
Yes, hiring a guide or porter for the Gokyo Valley trek is highly recommended, especially for those with little trekking experience or those who want to enjoy the trek without carrying heavy loads.
What are the highlights of the Gokyo Valley trek?
The highlights of the Gokyo Valley trek are the stunning view of Mount Everest, the turquoise Gokyo lakes, the Ngozumpa glacier, the Cho La pass, and the vibrant culture of the local Sherpa community.
Is it safe to trek in the Gokyo Valley?
Yes, trekking in the Gokyo Valley is generally safe. However, trekkers should be well-equipped, follow proper acclimatization, and be cautious of altitude sickness.
What should I pack for the Gokyo Valley trek?
Trekkers should pack warm clothes, trekking shoes, trekking poles, sleeping bags, sunscreen, a first aid kit, and other essential trekking gear. It is recommended to carry a backpack of about 45-50 liters.
Can you see Everest from Gokyo Lake?
From the Gokyo lake, you must visit to the Gokyo Ri, at the altitude of 5357m, from where you can enjoy the panaromic view of Mount Everest. Besides Everest, you will also enjoy the view of other sibling mountains.
How long is Gokyo Trek?
The Gokyo Trek is estimated to be aroud 16 days. Within the 16 days, you can climb to the 5400m of height . One of the challenging trek, Gokyo Ri Trek starts from the Lukla airport and stops there after the trek.
How do I get to Gokyo?
If you take a flight, you have to take flight from Kathmandu to Lukla followed by Trekking trail to EBC. if you are taking the bus, the journey is from Kathmandu to Jiri by Bus and then the trek.
Is Gokyo Lake Worth?
The hike to the Gokyo Lake is worth the extra days and effort if you are a travel enthusiast loving to spend more in the nature. The trek offers the view of Mt. Everest from a close distance, lakes and other cultural importances.

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