Short Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes Trek - 10 Days

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At a Glance
  • Duration10 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Max Altitude 5385m
  • Group Size 1 - 20 Person
  • Start City Kathmandu City
  • End City Kathmandu City
  • Trip Type Private and Group Joining
  • Activity Trekking and Hiking
  • Best Season March - June and September - January
Trip Highlights
  • Short, scenic, and thrilling two-way Kathmandu to Lukla flight.
  • Viewing the mesmerizing Gokyo lakes.
  • An Amazing view of Gokyo village with Mt. Choyu.
  • Beautiful view of Ngozumpa glacier.
  • Morning Sunrise from Gokyo Ri.
  • Namche Bazaar, the capital of the Khumbu region.
  • Impressive sunrise view from Gokyo Ri.
  • Astounding Himalayan vistas of Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Cholatse, and many others.

Trekking to Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes is one of the most beautiful activities in the Everest region. There are thousands of trekkers who visit Nepal for Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes trekking. Some trekkers might have a lesser number of days and still, want to trek to Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes lakes. For such trekkers, we’ve summarized the trek into Short Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek.

This trek is a remarkable experience. Every time in Everest, every trek to Everest is a lifetime adventure. This trek offers numerous remarkable moments and memories. Beginning with the scenic flight with thrilling land at Lukla, the Short Gokyo Lakes Trek will take up to Gokyo Ri, 5357 meters.

This trek is an opportunity to witness the highland Himalayas and the highland wetlands at the same time. The five Gokyo lakes are beautiful, beyond your imagination. They are calm and enchanting! In Short Gokyo Lakes Trek, you will also see the longest glacier, the Ngozumpa Glacier.

This trek also combines nature with culture. During this trek, you can witness the diverse culture of the Sherpas in the Everest region. You can witness their unique way of life, and how quiet and cheerful they are. You’ll surely love the way they greet you and serve warm heart heart-filling hospitality.

In this trek, you can complete your Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes trek only including your day of arrival. This trek does not have any rest or acclimatization days. Thus, this Short Gokyo Lakes Trek is most suitable for those who already have several high-altitude trekking experiences.

If you are a beginner trekker, there are several other treks you can do. Also, you can do the standard Gokyo lake trekking that includes sufficient acclimatization and rest.

If you want to go on a Short trek to Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes, contact us. We will be happy to organize the best trek for you.

Best Time for Gokyo Lake Trekking

If you wish to see the blue skies and mesmerizing white Himalayas reflecting inside the tranquil Gokyo lakes, autumn is the best time. If you are looking forward to the trails covered in colorful petals of Rhododendron blossoms, you must go in Spring.

Autumn (September, October, and November) is the most popular time for Short Gokyo Lakes Trekking. This is the post-monsoon period. Hence, you can rejoice in the best visibility. The Himalayas, Gokyo Lakes, and surrounding will be at their best this season. Also, there are very few chances of rainfall and snow.

Spring (March, April, and May) is the time for nature lovers. This is the time when nature regains its beautiful form after the ruthless winter. With Spring, sprouts of grasses peep out through the ground and buds start developing into alluring flowers. You will see colorful Rhododendron blossoms along the trekking trails in lower regions. Also, you will see tiny wildflowers smiling on the ground. Also, the weather remains stable.  Likewise, the temperature is moderate to trek.

Winter and Monsoon are less popular seasons to trek. The uncertain weather poses a different level of risk and difficulties while trekking in these seasons. So, you must be ready with a strong mindset, a good physique, and proper planning and gearing.

Difficulties During Short Gokyo Lakes Trek

Altitude is a major difficulty. This Short Gokyo Lakes Trek has no acclimatization days. If you are a beginner trekker in high altitudes, this trek will be very tough. Instead, you can add a few extra days and do the 12-day Gokyo Lake trek with more acclimatization days.

There are some long days on the trek. Walking for long trekking hours over the rugged trails is truly a challenge but worth it!

Itinerary

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Welcome to Nepal! A representative from Breeze Adventure will welcome you to our hotel.  We will prepare you with information and gear for your trek. Overnight at hotel.

  • Max Altitude: 1400m
  • Accommodation: 2-3 Star Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast

From Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, we will take a morning flight to Lukla. If the weather is clear, you will see mesmerizing views of the amazing valleys, hills, mountains, and many others from the plane. The left raw is recommended for a better view of the mountains on the KTM to Lukla flight.
This short flight, along with being scenic is thrilling as well. You will experience a thrill at the time of landing. The runway at Lukla airport is short, 527 meters and the airport is at an altitude of 2845 meters. 
After landing in Lukla, we will meet and gather will all our trekking crew. Now, we will start to trek from Lukla to Phakding. It is quite amazing that the high-altitude trek begins with a trail that descends down to a lower altitude, 2610 meters at Phakding. 
The trail is beautiful. We will be walking under the shades of Rhododendron trees. The trail passes along the river. You will be crossing the river and trekking through the scenic trails. We will reach Ghat and walking further from there will take us to Phakding.
Phakding is our destination for today. Phakding is a small and beautiful village with some teahouses. After having dinner, we will stay overnight at the teahouse.

  • Max Altitude: 2610m
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Time: 3 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 8 Km

Today is your second day of our adventure. We will eat a nice breakfast at the teahouse and will start to trek. Walking through the settlement in Phakding, we will see some locals and the herds of mules and Jokpeys. We will leave the settlement in Phakding and will descend down to meet the Dudh Kosi river. 
There is a suspension bridge that we will cross. After crossing the river, we will follow the trail along the river bank. The trail makes a gradual ascend through the dusty and rugged trail. En route, we will see a beautiful waterfall. We will continue walking over the combined stone stairs and flat trails. 
We will walk across the Tok Tok village. Enjoying the scenic trail, we will walk and cross the several suspension bridges on the trail. We will have lunch at a lodge in Jorsale or in Monjo. After having lunch, we will continue to trek.
The trekking trail passes through several ups and downs before you reach the Hilary suspension bridge. The Hilary Suspension Bridge is the highest and longest en route. Crossing the bridge is a thrilling experience. 
After crossing the bridge, there is a steep ascent to Namche Bazar. This ascent is difficult. The route is very dusty and you will meet with numerous herds of animals that are porting the goods. You must be careful not to stand towards the open edge of the trail while the animals are near. Stand towards the wall and wait until they pass ahead.
After climbing uphill for nearly 2 hours, there is a public toilet. You will meet a few vendors (1 or 2) selling water, fruits, and some snacks there. After walking further for nearly 30 minutes from there, we will meet on a flat trail. There is a checkpoint where you will have to verify your permit. From there, you will see some houses. 
Walking ahead for nearly 10 minutes, you will see Namche. Namche is a beautiful place with clustered houses. At Namche, we will check into a hotel. Overnight at a teahouse.
 

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

We will begin to trek from Namche at nearly 7 am in the morning. Climbing the few stone stairs, we will meet the flat trail above Namche. From there, Namche looks beautiful with the white Himalayas in the background. We will walk along the flat trail.
After walking for nearly 20 minutes, we will start seeing the mesmerizing Himalayas in front of our eyes. We will see the towering peak of Mt. Thamserku. Along with it, we will gradually see Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and others. 
After walking for some time, we will get the first sight of Mt. Everest far ahead. On the trail, we will meet with an old couple who make donation appeals. We will walk further enjoying the beautiful scenery around. Everything is beautiful, the trail, landscapes, Himalayas, everything. 
On the trail, you will meet with lots of trekkers who trek to Everest Base Camp. The trail is the same but diverges Sanasa. We will take a left at the forking trail and will continue our journey. The trail is beautiful. We will trek over a steep hill towards Mong la. At the hilltop in Mong La, we will have lunch. 
From there, we will descend down towards the village in Phortse Tanga for around 15 minutes. The trail is exciting. We will walk over the beautiful trail until we reach Dole. Dole is a small village with good views of the surroundings. Overnight at a lodge in Dole.

  • Max Altitude: 4040m
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Time: 6-7 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 13km

We will have a good breakfast in Dole and will start to trek at 7 a.m. Today is a short and easy day. The trek route from Dole to Machhermo is fairly straightforward with gentle climbs. This short three-hour trek is technically not as difficult as yesterday. But you must be careful watching out for the symptoms of altitude sickness. 
This day is a short day. It is more like a rest day and also an acclimatization day. The trekking trail is fabulous with the sceneries getting better and better. You will see the best views of Mt. Cho Oyu, the fifth-highest peak in the world. 
After reaching Macchermo, we will have our lunch. We can spend the rest of the day resting. Machhermo is a beautiful place. From there, you will see an astounding peak rising above. This place is a popular summer settlement for cattle grazing.  
Overnight in a lodge at Macchermo. 
 

  • Max Altitude: 4200m
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Time: 4 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 7km

From Macchermo, we will begin to trek at around 7 a.m. Today is the day when we will trek to the Gokyo village. We will trek through the easy and scenic trail from Macchermo to Gokyo Lake. Along the trail, you will get the best and clear views of Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Cholatse, and many other Himalayas. 
As you trek towards Gokyo lake, you will begin seeing the high-altitude wetlands. The lakes are amazing. The Gokyo Valley is astounding. Above the valley, you will see the sparkling glacier rising to make wonderful scenery. The Ngozumpa glacier and the Gokyo lakes are amazing.
The Gokyo village is a small beautiful village that sits at the edge of one of the Gokyo lakes. There are a few lodges in the village where we will be staying overnight.

  • Max Altitude: 4790m
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Time: 5 Hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Walking Distance: 8km

On this day, we will start early in the morning. We will hike to Gokyo Ri for the sunrise view. Be careful while walking. We will start to walk at around 4 am in the morning. If you have brought a hand or head torch with you, you can use it. Gokyo Ri is the best viewpoint of the Gokyo lakes. This place is also popular for its sunrise view. 
From Gokyo Ri, you will see the best view of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Nuptse, and others. You will see the best view when the sun shines upon the white glistening peaks. Also, the mesmerizing view of tranquil Gokyo lakes is to die for. 
After viewing the sunrise, we will get back to the Gokyo village. From there, we will set off on the trekking trail towards Namche Bazar. Descending down through the downhill trail, we will walk to Dole. The trail is beautiful. It will take you nearly 5 hours to reach Dole. 
At Dole, we will have lunch. From there, we will trek back to Phortse Tenga following the downhill trail. From Phortse Tenga, the trail climbs up to Mong La Danda. Enjoy the mesmerizing Himalayan vistas from Mong La. From there, we will walk through splendid and easy downhills to Namche Bazaar.

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

Early in the morning, we will have breakfast at the hotel in Namche Bazaar. We will start to trek at about 7 am. The trail from Namche to the Hilary suspension bridge is a steeply descending one. This trail is dusty and rugged. You will meet with the herds of animals going down from Namche to lower altitudes. 
After completing the downhill trail, we will cross the highest and longest suspension bridge in Khumbu, the Hillary Bridge. Crossing the bridge is a thrilling experience. After crossing the bridge, we will take an ascent that will gradually descend after some time. After the descent, there is another suspension bridge.
We will walk along the trail breathing the fresh air. En route, we will meet a few locals selling products like fruits (Apples, Oranges, and local Bananas) and also the bottled water. If you are trekking in Spring, you will see lots of Rhododendrons today.
We will walk past several villages including Monjo, Jorsale, and Toktok. We will have our lunch at any of these villages. We will reach Lukla after several hours of walking. Overnight in Lukla.

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

After completing the short trek to Gokyo Lakes, we will fly from the Lukla airport to Kathmandu/ Ramechap. It depends on the month you visit Nepal. The flights from Lukla will be operated to Ramechap in October - November and March- May. The early morning flight is highly scenic. You will see the beautiful Himalayas outside your windows. Observe the views of the Himalayas going farther and the crowded valley of Kathmandu getting closer. Overnight in Kathmandu.

  • Max Altitude: 1400m
  • Accommodation: 2/3 Star Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Transport: Flight , Car or Van

Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport.  Thank you for choosing Breeze Adventure as your trekking guide!  We look forward to your next adventure with us. Or, you could continue your other activities as your private itinerary.

    The short Gokyo Lakes Trek itinerary is designed by our very well-experienced mountain guides. It is a tested and successful itinerary for regular hikers. If you are not a regular hiker, planning to trek to Gokyo Lakes with your kids or senior family members, we can design a special itinerary with a shorter camp and more days acclimatization days for you as your travel duration. Also, you could check the Longer version Gokyo Lakes Trek package and itinerary.

    Cost Details
    What's Included
    • Transportation to and from Tribhuvan Airport.
    • Three nights in a 2-3 star hotel in Kathmandu, breakfast included.
    • All for the trek, including flights to and from Lukla.
    • Local guest house accommodation in the mountains.
    • 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
    • Gokyo Ri and Lakes Trek 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 itinerary.
    Dates & Price
    Select a Departure Month
    Book Now
    Dec 22, 2024From:Kathmandu City
    Dec 31, 2024To:Kathmandu City
    PriceUS$1250
    StatusAvailable

    this is featured group departure in each month. If these dates are not fit for you we can organize your trip on your desired dates with your own group. 

    Group Discount Prices
    Number of peoplePrice per person
    1 pax
    US$1299
    2 - 5 pax
    US$1150
    6 - 10 pax
    US$1099
    11 - 20 pax
    US$1050

    Essential Information

    Gokyo Lake Trekking Permits

    Three permits is needed for ebc chola Gokyo Lake trekking i.e. TIMS card, Sagarmatha Local Area permit, and Lukla local area permit are needed for this trip. All of these can be issued while you are on the trek (In Lukla) or in Kathmandu. The permits of ebc Chola Gokyo Lake trekking cost you about $60 in total with documents such as a Passport, Visa, and photos. Breeze Adventure arranges all kinds of permits that you shall need for the journey.

    Gokyo Ri Peak summit time

    Gokyo Ri Peak summit takes about 3 to 4 hours from Gokyo village. You start the Everest base camp trek via the Gokyo Lake hike early in the morning at around 3 O’clock so that you can get to Gokyo Ri before sunrise. If you don’t want to see the sunrise, you can also start the hike later in the morning but views from the lake might be blocked in the daytime. At around 6 am, you reach there and after spending one hour on the top, you walk back to a lower altitude to Lake Gokyo.

    Food and Accommodation on Gokyo Lakes Trekking

    Accommodation in Gokyo Lakes will be a tea house which is a small guest house made by the villagers. Most villagers in Dole, Machhermo, and Gokyo Lakes have modified their own houses to give comfortable living to the tourists. Upto Namche Bazaar, you will be accommodated in a quite luxurious hotel with an attached bathroom and plugs inside the room. Beyond that, the accommodation on the Everest Gokyo Lake trek is basic with only two beds in the room and sharing bathroom.

    Three meals are included in the Gokyo Lake trekking packages. You will be given breakfast of your choice at around 7 am in the morning in your hotel. Then you start the hike and lunch with be provided en route to Gokyo Lake trekking at another hotel along the route. The final meal i.e. dinner will be served in your tea house at night around 8 to 9 pm. The menu on hotels in Gokyo Lake Nepal has options for Nepalese, Indian, Continental foods, and common foods such as Pasta, spaghetti, burgers, and more.

    Fitness/Experience

    This trek is designed for well-experienced trekkers. As many of our treks lead us high into the Himalayas, it is necessary to let our bodies sufficiently get used to the altitude. It is best to take it slow to prevent altitude sickness.  The level of fitness necessary for our Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes trek.  On average, expect to walk an average of 5-6 hours per day while on the trial.  Generally, the treks can be done with an average level of fitness.  More important than fitness or experience is one’s personal determination and positive attitude toward finishing and enjoying the trek.  

    Travel Insurance

    We strongly recommend having travel insurance before going on a trek.  We do our best to take care of you, but something can happen that is out of our control.  In case of a medical emergency, leading to a helicopter evacuation, it is best to have insurance.  You are unable to obtain medical insurance in Nepal and must do so in your home country.  Be sure that your insurance covers accidents abroad and high in the mountains.  

    Domestic Flights

    Sometimes Flights to and from Lukla can be delayed due to weather conditions and delays may last up to several days. If flights go smoothly, we will help arrange activities for you during your margin days.  In the case that you have a tight schedule and the flights out of Lukla are delayed, it is possible to take a helicopter flight back to Kathmandu for an additional cost.  Again, we recommend adding an extra day to your departure dates to prevent any problems.

    Short Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes Trek - 10 Days FAQs

    • Yes, you can see the Everest summit and other 8000M peaks including Makalu, ChoOyo, and Lhotse from the Gokyo Lakes viewpoint. With a little diversion, the Everest base camp with the Gokyo Lake trek is also possible on this journey.

    • Gokyo lakes and EBC is about 17.6 km away at aerial distance. But it’s about 25 km of road hike in total.

    • The Gokyo Lake trek costs about $1150 ($420 for the flight to Lukla alone). Then you have EBC with Gokyo Lake trek that costs around $1600 to $1700.

    • Gokyo Ri is regarded as a moderately difficult trek in the mountains. It’s a big challenge as you get to a height of 5,300 meters. Each walking day is 6 hours long and it’s quite an easy journey as there are no difficult high passes on the way via Dole. EBC and Gokyo trek in a single trip can be more challenging as you hike for almost 15 days and also need to cross a Chola Pass.

    • From Kathmandu, it takes at least 5 days to climb Gokyo Ri. If you want to travel slowly, it can take up to 7 days. From Gokyo village, it takes about 3 hours to climb to Gokyo Ri.

    • Gokyo Pass or Gokyo Peak is at a height of 5,357 m (17,575 ft) meters above sea level. Gokyo village is 4,750 m above sea level and the pass is about 500m above the village.

    • Start with flying from Kathmandu to Gokyo and then head for North. Trekking for about 5 days is the only way for you to get to Gokyo. For further addition, you can also fly from Kathmandu to Gokyo. Flight from Kathmandu to Gokyo takes around 30 minutes only.

    • The short trek to the lakes of Gokyo is about 8 days. But the recommended trek duration is about 10 days if you want to rest for a couple of days in the Gokyo area. Another great way is to explore EBC and then head to Gokyo which takes about 15 days in total.

    • The route from Gokyo Ri starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The flight is about 25 minutes. Then, you walk from Lukla to Namche and then take a less-known route to Dole and Machhermo before you reach Gokyo village. This takes around 5 days. Then on the 6th day, you can hike from Gokyo village to Gokyo Ri which takes around 4 hours.

    • The 5th Gokyo Lake, the highest one among all lakes in Gokyo is at the height of 5357m. Other lakes in Gokyo are mostly at a height of around 4500 to 5000 meters.

    • Let’s start from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. From Kathmandu, you fly on a domestic plane to Lukla and then hike to Namche for 2 days. From Namche, you can hike to Dole and Machhermo for two more days to reach Gokyo. Another route is from Lobuche by crossing the Cho La pass.

    • There are many routes to get to Gokyo, almost all of them starting from Lukla and diverted from Namche Bazaar. The shortest route to Gokyo is from Namche Bazaar to Machhermo via Dole. It only takes 4 days to reach Gokyo from this route. Another route is to first visit Everest base camp and then get to Dzongla via the Cho La pass. It takes around 10 days to reach Gokyo via this route, but the perk is, you get to visit Everest on the same route.

    • Gokyo Lakes is about 14kms away from Dole. The distance can be covered in around 10 hours of walking by a person with average fitness. Although it’s possible to get from Dole to Gokyo in just one day, it’s recommended that you take one more day in Machhermo so that your body has enough rest and acclimatization.

    • Although only five bigger lakes in Gokyo are known among travelers, there are 19 water lake systems in the Gokyo trekking zone. All these lakes are spread randomly over an area of 196.2 ha (485 acres).

    • The highest freshwater lake system in the world is the Gokyo Lakes which lies at the top of the Khumbu region, all lakes at a height above 5,000m.

    • Gokyo Peak in the west of Ngozumpa Glacier lies at the height of 5,357 m, which is almost similar to the height of EBC.

    Clients Reviews

    • Gokyo Lakes short trek with helicopter Return

      I did the Short Gokyo Lakes trek and flew down to Lukla from Gokyo Lakes with a helicopter. What an arrangement! Everything was there for our whole trip. The guide and porter were so friendly and knowledgeable. Please go through Breeze Adventure Company for your trek and tour in Nepal for your successful trip. You would be happy with them. Thank you Kishwor and team for an amazing trip.

      A
      Alex DUnited States,March 27, 2023
      TripAdvisor
    • Wonderful Trekking to Gokyo Lakes

      My Mum and I finished the Gokyo Lakes short trek last month. The trek was an absolutely wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every single day was so well planned with a very experienced guide and porter. Kishwor went out of his way to make our trip successful and enjoyable.

      Our Guide Lakpa and proter Dorje were extremely friendly and had great knowledge of the mountains and the local culture. See you guys for the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek in 2025!

      J
      Jordan PNorway,March 22, 2023
      TrustPilot
    Price Per PersonUS$1199US$1450(All-Inclusive Price)
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