Gokyo Lake Trek - 13 Days

gokyo-lake-trek
At a Glance
  • Duration13 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Max Altitude 5385m
  • Group Size 1 - 20 person
  • Start City Kathmandu
  • End City Kathmandu
  • Trip Type Private and Group Joining
  • Activity Trekking and Hiking
  • Best Season March - June and September - January
Trip Highlights
  • The magnificent views from Gokyo Ri
  • Lakes around Gokyo
  • Ngozumpa Glacier
  • Emerald-green Gokyo Lakes
  • Sherpa culture and hospitality
  • Namche Bazar
  • Lukla Airport
  • Everest Viewpoint
  • Views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the surrounding peaks

The Gokyo Lake trek leads you right into Gokyo Valley, one of the highest settlements in Nepal. It is an adventurous journey through, the pristine Khumbu region. The flora and fauna in the Sagarmatha National Park provide a memorable path to Gokyo Valley. The hike to Gokyo Ri (5340m), or Gokyo Peak, is the most exciting part of the trek, where you will enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime Himalayan mountain, lake, and glacier scenery. We can see a couple of the marvelous blue-green, glacier-fed Gokyo Lakes, including Thonak Lake, the largest of the bunch. 

 Gokyo Lake Trek is an extraordinary hike on a rugged trail that allows you to explore unbelievable Everest alpine sceneries. Because the trek does not include a visit to Everest Base Camp, it is a little more peaceful. The Gokyo Lake Trek begins from Lukla, which is considered the gateway to Everest region trekking. The trail passes through Phakding, and Namche Bazaar, and continues to the Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Lakes. The emerald-green lakes along the route to Ngozumpa Glacier are truly unique. Ngozumpa Glacier is the longest glacier in Nepal.

Throughout the trek, you will be able to see the Tibetan Buddhist lifestyle of the local people.  Buddhist monasteries, Chhortens, and Sherpa culture, and traditions are visible along the trek. The views when you arrive in Gokyo Valley show the massive snowy peaks of the Everest Region, including some of the world-renowned 8000-meter peaks. The hike up to the Gokyo Ri (5360m) offers an even more stunning panorama of the Everest Himalayan range and a breathtaking sunrise view. The picturesque view when you arrive at Gokyo Ri is one that will stick with you forever.  Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the surrounding peaks can be seen. Finally, the trail descends all the way down to Lukla and we will fly back to Kathmandu.

Best Time for Gokyo Lake Trek

The best time for the Gokyo Lakes Trek is September-December and March-May. September marks the end of the monsoon season, so all the mountains look beautiful with their colorful rare Himalayan flowers. The mixed view of colorful landscapes, white mountains, and a bit of cloud looks great. October and November are perfect for trekking. Also, these months offer super clear skies. The Spring starts in March when beautiful flowers pop up along the trail. Also, bright red Rhododendrons bloom in March. We see lots of beautiful Rhododendron trees along the way to Namche and beyond. April and May are the best months for climbers because of the great weather and clear skies. The Gokyo Lakes Trek can be done any time throughout the year, but in the rainy season, you do run the risk of having flights to and from Lukla canceled.

Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty

This trek is not a difficult one. This trek can be done by those who have regular walking skills. We don’t spend nights at a very high altitude, so the average hiking experience will take you to the Gokyo Lakes. This trip is led by a guide who handles everything during the trek and will do anything to help you if you are struggling. Also, this trek can be done by people of all ages. However, very young kids are not recommended to be taken into the Himalayas. Kids aged 5 or 5+, as well as 80+-year-old people, have done this trek successfully. There are some uphill climbs on the trek, but our guide sets the pace very gently so you won't feel that you are climbing a hill.

Our well-trained guides will make your Gokyo Lakes Trek simple and easy. Day 6 is the most difficult day of the trek, as we’ll be climbing Gokyo Ri, but it’s well worth it! Waking up early in the morning and walking to 5320m is challenging, but once you reach the top and see the magnificent view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Amadablam, etc., you will forget all the difficulties you went through. The combined view of the crystal blue and the white Himalayas will take you to heaven. Obviously walking uphill is not easy, but the slow pace and the views we see on the way make it a lot easier. While you enjoy the Himalayas, you forget all the aches, pains, and fatigue you might have!

Itinerary

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A representative from Breeze Adventure will welcome you at Tribhuvan Airport and take you to your hotel.  We will prepare you with information and gear for your trek.

  • Accommodation: 2/3 Star Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Transport: Car/Van

Early in the morning, we catch a flight to Lukla from the Kathmandu/Ramechap airport. The views from the plane build our anticipation and excitement for the trek. After landing, we are welcomed by our crew and the cool Himalayan breeze.  We pass beautiful Sherpa villages, their agricultural fields, and many mani stones and prayer wheels.  We see a spectacular view of Kusum Kanguru as we reach Phakding. Overnight in a guest house.

Note:All the flights from and to Lukla will be operated from Lukla for (September-November and March-May) due to the high air traffic in Kathmandu airport. We will have to drive from Kathmandu to Ramechap airport for 4-5 hours to catch our flight to Lukla.

  • Max Altitude: 2610m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 3 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 8km

After breakfast, we began to head to Namche Bazaar.  We cross several suspension bridges, enjoying views of Thamserku.  Following the Dudh Koshi River bank, we pass other small Sherpa villages, reaching Monjo and officially entering Sagarmatha National Park.  We stop at Jorsalle village for lunch and continue along the riverbank through pine forests.  We cross the highest suspension bridge of the Everest region, and trek upwards.  We catch our first glimpse of Mt. Everest and continue to Namche Bazaar. Overnight in a guest house.    

  • Max Altitude: 3440m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 6-7 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 11km

Wake up with a pleasant view of Mt. Kongde Ri as we have our breakfast.  Today is our acclimatization day.  At higher altitudes, there is less oxygen in the air.  We must take time to let our bodies adjust to the difference.  To help acclimatize, we take a short day hike up to Sagarmatha National Park Museum and Khumjung Village.  The supposed Yeti scalp at the monastery and the Everest Viewpoint are memorable moments of the hike. Also, from the museum, we can see a perfect view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and many more pristine peaks.  On the way up, we can stop at the famous Everest hotel and enjoy a cup of tea.  Afterward, we will explore Khumjung village and stop for lunch.  After lunch, we head to Namche Bazaar. Namche is a major trade center in the Khumbu region and is densely populated by the Sherpa people.  The city is bustling with trekkers who have finished or are preparing for the Everest Base Camp Trek.  Bakeries, cafes, equipment stores, jewelry shops, and restaurants line the streets of Namche Bazaar. Overnight in the guest house.

  • Max Altitude: 3880m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 3-4 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 5km

After breakfast, we ascend for 25 minutes to the top of Namche Bazaar for a nice view of Kongde Ri. The gentle trail from here to Kyanjuma was built by Pasang Sherpa from donations given by trekkers. Soon, a junction appears, dividing the Gokyo Lakes Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek. Taking the Gokyo Lakes Trek path, we head up to Mong La Danda.  The view of Mt. Ama Dablam and Thamserku is amazing. After taking some photos, we descended to Phortse Thanga and stopped for lunch. Between here and Dole, we have the best chance to see the rare, majestic Musk Deer. Ascend another couple of hours through birch and juniper forests until Dole, a beautiful little village with gorgeous views of Thamserku. Overnight at guest house.

  • Max Altitude: 4038m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 6-7 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 14km

Dole to Machhermo takes about 4 hours on a gradual uphill path. We can see Mt. Cho Oyu after ascending 15 min from Dole. There are two small villages (Lafarma and Luza) between Dole and Machhermo that we can take a rest in. By the time we reach Machhermo, we are above the tree line, and the scenery is extraordinary. Machhermo is a very quiet village located near a river.  After having lunch, we can go to visit the river and explore the rest of the village.  Overnight at guest house.

  • Max Altitude: 4470m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 4-5 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 8km

Today, we are going to see the beautiful Gokyo Lakes, a highlight of our trek.  We stop at a village on the way to have some tea and take in the surrounding beauty.  About an hour after our tea break, we will reach the first lake. After another hour of hiking, we can see the first lake. The second lake is nearby. Both lakes are mesmerizing with their blue-green hue. We hike for another hour and arrive at the third lake. The views of Mt. Cho Oyu from here make the experience even more special. Our eyes are wide as we observe the beautiful, tranquil lake. We have our lunch here and then walk up to Ngozumpa Glacier. It is the longest glacier in the Himalayas, though it is melting rapidly because of climate change, so we are privileged to see it before it is gone. We continue to Gokyo Village. Overnight at guest house.

  • Max Altitude: 4780m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 4-5 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 9km

Today, we are going to see the beautiful Gokyo Lakes, a highlight of our trek.  We stop at a village on the way to have some tea and take in the surrounding beauty.  About an hour after our tea break, we will reach the first lake. After another hour of hiking, we can see the first lake. The second lake is nearby. Both lakes are mesmerizing with their blue-green hue. We hike for another hour and arrive at the third lake. The views of Mt. Cho Oyu from here make the experience even more special. Our eyes are wide as we observe the beautiful, tranquil lake. We have our lunch here and then walk up to Ngozumpa Glacier. It is the longest glacier in the Himalayas, though it is melting rapidly because of climate change, so we are privileged to see it before it is gone. We continue to Gokyo Village. Overnight at guest house.

  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 14km
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 7-8
  • Transport: 4470m

After breakfast, we head down to Namche Bazaar, passing through Dole. The trail is mostly downhill except for a 40-minute climb from Phortse Thanga to Mong La Danda. After that, the trail is relatively easy, passing down through Kyanjuma. We stop at Namche Bazaar. Take some time to explore and buy any souvenirs before leaving the Everest region! Overnight at guest house.

  • Max Altitude: 3440m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 7-8 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 20km

After having breakfast with gorgeous mountain views, we start heading down to Lukla.  We head down for half an hour while enjoying the last view of Mt. Everest and say bye to the mountains. We will cross six suspension bridges and pass several Sherpa villages today before arriving in Lukla.  After crossing the highest bridge, we will walk another 3 hours to Phakding and stop for lunch.  We arrive in Lukla after 2.5 hours of walking the beautiful trail through the Sherpa settlements. Time to enjoy the last night of the Himalayas in Lukla!

  • Max Altitude: 2860m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 7-8 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 19km

Have breakfast and then walk to Tenzing-Hillary airport and fly back to Kathmandu/ Ramechap in the morning. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Overnight in hotel.

Note:All the flights from and to Lukla will be operated from Lukla for (September-November and March-May) due to the high air traffic in Kathmandu airport. We will have to drive from  Ramechap airport to Kathmandu for 4-5 hours after the flight.

  • Max Altitude: 1400m
  • Accommodation: Guest House
  • Time: 30min
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Transport: Plane

Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport.  Thank you for choosing Breeze Adventure as your trekking guide!  We look forward to your next adventure with us.

  • Meals: Breakfast

The peaceful and beautiful Gokyo Lakes Trek itinerary is designed by our years of experienced local mountain guides. It is a tested and successful itinerary for beginner and regular hikers. If you are planning for the Gokyo Lakes Trek with your kids or senior family members, we can design a special itinerary with less distance camp and more days acclimatization days for you as your desired, travel durations.

Cost Details
What's Included
  • Transportation to and from Tribhuvan Airport.
  • Three nights in a 2-3 star hotel in Kathmandu, breakfast included.
  • All transportation for the trek, including flights to and from Lukla.
  • Local guest house accommodation in the mountain.
  • Government-authorized experienced guides and porters
  • Insurance, food, accommodation, and wage for guides and porters
  • Hygienic meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
  • All equipment (sleeping bag, warm layers, etc.)
  • First Aid Kit
  • Maps
  • Service charges and government taxes
  • Sagarmatha National Park entry fee
  • Post-trek celebration dinner in Kathmandu
What's Not Included
  • International airfare
  • Meals in Kathmandu (besides breakfast)
  • Your personal expenses, shopping, etc.
  • Shower and electronic charging fees at guest houses during the trek
  • Alcoholic drinks, chocolates, tea and coffee
  • Tips for guide and porter
  • Extra accommodation and meals outside of the itinerary
Add-Ons & Options

Enhance Your Gokyo Lakes Trek with Exclusive Services:

  • Solo Travelers: Elevate your experience with a $250.00 single supplement fee.
  • Private Porter Service: Opt for a private porter at an additional $200.00 cost.
  • Helicopter Flight to Lukla: Opt for a helicopter flight to/from Lukla instead of a plane flight at an additional $450.00 one way.
Dates & Price

We especially quoted and specified the below list of Gokyo Lakes Trek start dates for the group joining option. Let us know if the below dates don't work for you we will surely add your available days to fit your interest.

Group Discount Prices
Number of peoplePrice per person
1 pax
US$1300
2 - 5 pax
US$1250
6 - 10 pax
US$1200
11 - 20 pax
US$1099

Essential Information

Trekking Trail

The trekking trail to Gokyo Lakes is well-built and maintained. Until the 4th day, we follow the same trail that leads to Everest Base Camp. Then, the trail splits at Kyanjuma and we take the uphill path to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri. With the awesome Himalayan views and a slow pace, we don’t feel very tired walking uphill. Still, it’s better to have previous uphill walking skills for this trek. The trekking trail is quite easy and safe until Gokyo Ri, where you’ll face a bit of a challenge.

 Food and Beverage

Food on Gokyo Lakes Trek is great! The menu at each guest house includes local and Western options. There are lots of choices so you won’t get tired of eating a certain dish on the trail. Still, it is better to have a regular item than try new food. Our company provides three meals every day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, you will have lots of choices regarding beverages. You can have hot drinks such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and beer too! Beer is not included in the package cost and is recommended on the way to Gokyo Lake. But, why not celebrate your successful Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri trip with beer on the way down to Lukla? There is tasty food along the way to Gokyo. Namche and Gokyo village is known for their Black Forest Cake! Also, you will get fresh coffee along the way. There are some cafés in Namche and Gokyo Village where you can have fresh (not instant) coffee.

Accommodation

People always wonder, ‘What is the accommodation like on the Gokyo Lakes Trek?’ Actually, the accommodation to and from Gokyo Lakes is super well managed. You will have a nice room with a separate western toilet and shower room in each guest house. There are nice hotels along the way if you would like to spend a little extra. We can also provide rooms with an attached bathroom all the way to Gokyo Lakes for a bit of an additional cost. There are very limited attached bathroom rooms and everyone wants to be comforted in the Himalayas, so the cost would be a bit more than the regular package and you’ll have to let us know ahead of time so we can book the room. Even the normal room has a very comfortable bed with a blanket and there is a western toilet on a sharing basis outside of the room.

 Flights to Lukla

The flights to Lukla operate from Manthali instead of Kathmandu. Because of the air traffic in Kathmandu airport, all the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and back have been rerouted from Manthali during the high season. But in the low season, we can fly directly from Kathmandu to Lukla and back. The flight to Lukla might be affected by the weather. In this case, you may have to wait for another day until the weather gets better. The flight to Lukla is also a sightseeing flight, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Himalayas. Landing and taking off in Lukla is a thrilling experience because the runway sits on the edge of a cliff!

Acclimatization Day

Acclimatization is very important for a successful trek. Here is one day of acclimatization day on the Gokyo Lakes trek. On this trek, we don’t spend our night above 5000 so just 1 day is enough for the regular trip. If you have extra days and want to have some extra days acclimatization days we can build another day on your trip. Normally we hike up to Everest Viewpoint, Everest Hotel, and Khumjung Village on our Acclimatization day. Acclimatization helps our body to be friendly with low oxygen. Hiking high altitude and sleeping at a lower altitude is called Acclimatization day.

 Guide and Porter

This is a fully-guided trek in the Everest region. Our well-experienced guide leads your trip to Gokyo Lakes. All our guides have years of experience in the Himalayas will make your trip successful. Please always be open to our guide about any problems you might be experiencing. Don’t hide any problems; we value open communication. Our trained guides will help you anytime with any problem in the Himalayas. A successful trip can only be made with an experienced guide. All the expenses for our guide and porter are included in your budget (except for tips), including their insurance, food, air ticket, and salary.

Insurance

Please buy your personal insurance before you come for the Gokyo Lake Trek. Also, please make sure that it covers all medical expenses and unexpected incident helicopter evacuation too. You can’t buy it in Nepal, so please check the policy when you buy your insurance.

Lakes around the Gokyo Valley

Gokyo is the name of the biggest lake in Gokyo Valley. There is a total of 6 lakes here. On our 6th day of the trek, after walking about 3 hours from Machhermo village, we start to see the lakes. The first lake is not very big, but it looks beautiful with its dark blue water. The second Lake is about 300 meters further. This lake is bigger than the first lake and equal in beauty. After walking about 35 minutes from the 2nd lake, we see a huge bright blue-green lake with a white mountain shadowing from above.

This is Gokyo Lake, which looks beautiful with its dark blue water and the shadow of Cho Oyu Mountain. Next to the third lake lies Gokyo Village, where you stay for a couple of nights of amazing exploration. The other 3 lakes are not seen from Gokyo village, so over the next day and a half, we hike around to see them. Each one of the Gokyo Lakes is gorgeous and has its own character. The view of Mt. Everest from the 5th lake can’t be seen from other places! It is so beautiful. The lakes are impressive in and of themselves, but the mountain views add another layer of beauty.

Fitness Level for Gokyo Lakes Trek

The Gokyo Lakes Trek is adventurous, but not too strenuous. Those who have basic hiking experience can do this trek easily. It’s not a marathon and you don’t need to be an incredibly fit person for this trek. Also, no need to have any climbing or other technical experience. We do recommend you do some practice before this trip. About 3 weeks of training is enough for this trek. If there are any hills near your town, you can hike there up and down every day for about a couple. Going to the gym also builds your stamina. If both options are not available to you, you can practice walking downstairs with a backpack. If you are planning to do this trip and are using prescription drugs, please talk to your doctor before you book this trip. Also, if you have any problem with your body, please follow your doctor's advice for this trek.

Why take the Gokyo Lakes Trek with Breeze Adventure?

This trek is one of the most fun trips in Nepal. The trail falls in the territory of Khumbu (Everest) National Park. The journey up to these incredible lakes deep within the Himalayas is not very difficult, especially if you go with an experienced company. Our team has combined over a decade of experience with organizing treks to the Everest region and more specifically Gokyo Lakes. Our guides have spent over twelve years in the mountains. Beyond that, most of our guides are Sherpas who were born in the Everest region, so their level of expertise is the best of the best. Also, their hearts are as fresh and tender as the snow of the Himalayas. They are always honest in their work. Even though they’ve spent their whole lives in the mountains, it never gets old for them.

With guides native to the area, you can gain a deeper understanding of the area and hear some exciting stories as well. The journey itself is one of the most fascinating trips in Nepal. The success of your trek, with a native guide, is an experience you will never forget. Our team will take care of you in every situation. We have several experienced and trained Sherpa guides in our company and they are all eager to show people their beautiful Everest region. Our guide uses every moment of your trek in the Gokyo Lakes to enrich your experience. We always work hard for our guest's successful trips to Gokyo Lakes.

Note:

Please be assured that Breeze Adventure manages our treks to the highest standards. Your safety and satisfaction are our priority. We will support you to the best of our abilities with any issues that may arise. We will work with you to ensure you get the most from your trek and visit Nepal.

Price Per PersonUS$1300US$1400(All-Inclusive Price)
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