Gokyo Ri Trek

10 days

Duration

Moderate

Trip Level

Group Size

5360 m

Max-altitude

Are you looking for an adventurous trekking experience in the stunning Himalayas? The Gokyo Ri trek takes you through some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth, from lush green valleys to towering snow-capped peaks. In addition, you’ll be able to experience traditional culture, hospitality, and spectacular views that will stay with you forever.

The Gokyo Ri Trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal due to its easy access, stunning views, and diverse landscapes. The trek begins at Lukla Airport before winding its way up through beautiful villages and Sagarmatha National Park towards Namche Bazaar – a bustling, tiny town perched high above sea level with breathtaking mountain vistas all around it. From here, your journey continues until you reach Gokyo Lake – an alpine lake surrounded by soaring mountains where amazing sunrises can be seen each morning over this pristine landscape.

You’ll experience awe-inspiring views of the landscape and opportunities for cultural immersion. In addition, you’ll be able to interact with the locals at various festivals. Enjoy tea houses that serve delicious Nepali cuisine, or meet friendly locals who welcome trekkers into their homes with open arms! This route has much beauty inside and out and will be memorable for travelers! You can also expand Gokyo Lakes Trek via Everest Base Camp if you have a few days.

Join us on our next excursion into the majestic Himalayas while you embark upon an unforgettable journey: The Gokyo Ri Trek!

Gokyo Ri Trek:

Embark your trip with a beautiful flight to Lukla airport.

You are wandering into the Everest region’s less crowded and off-the-beaten trails.

Climb the vantage point of Gokyo Ri (5,357 meters) for the spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.

Stand on the shore of Gokyo Lakes and admire the beautiful scenery.

Return via Renjo – La Pass (5340 meters), one of the most beautiful passes, instead of returning to the same trail.

Possible extension of the trip towards Renjo – La and Everest Base camp via Cho – La pass

Gokyo Ri Trek at Glance

Min. Duration	11 days
Max. Altitude	5357 meters
Trek Starts/Ends	Lukla/Lukla
Accommodation	Lodges/Tea-houses
Trek Difficulty	Moderate

Everest Gokyo Ri Trek Map

11 Days Gokyo Lakes Trek Outline itinerary

Note: Extra days require if the journey expands to trekking to Everest Base Camp or Renjo – La Pass).

Days	Itinerary	Altitude in Meters	Walking Duration
1.	Kathmandu to Luka, then trek to Phakding	2650	3h00
2.	Trek to Namche Bazaar	3440	6h00
3.	Acclimatization day!
4.	Namche Bazaar to Dole	4200	6h00
5.	Trek to Machhermo	4470	5h30
6.	Machermo to Gokyo Lakes	4790	5h00
7.	Acclimatization day! Explore Gokyo Ri
8.	Trek to Dole	4200	6h00
9.	Dole to Namche Bazaar	3440	6h00
10.	Trek to Lukla	2800	7h00
11.	Fly back to Kathmandu.

Best Season to visit

Spring (March-May) is considered by many as the best Season to go on a Gokyo Ri Trek due to its pleasant weather conditions and warmer temperatures compared to other times throughout the year. Furthermore, it makes it easier when tackling higher altitudes along your journey since there are fewer chances of snowfall or strong winds hindering progress up steep slopes.

The trails cover with ice/snow patches during these months more than any other season combined! Additionally, springtime brings out vibrant colors, such as wildflowers blooming near lakeside villages making each day more enjoyable while admiring nature’s beauty around every corner!

Autumn (September-November) is also an ideal choice if you’re looking into doing a Gokyo Ri Trek since visibility tends to be much better during these months due to clear skies being common occurrences across most areas.

Plus, cooler temperatures make hiking less strenuous overall – something worth considering if endurance isn’t quite at 100% yet still wanting that same fantastic experience like everyone else who goes through here annually.

All things said, though, no matter what month you choose, expect plenty of scenic moments filled with awe-inspiring sights from the start till the finish. Regardless of whether you are going alone or group tour alike – because, after all, nothing beats having lived through such adventure firsthand before sharing stories back home afterward!

Gokyo Ri Trek Difficulty

The Gokyo Ri Trek is moderate to challenging, with high altitude and steep ascents and descents. It is recommended for experienced trekkers in good physical condition and with previous experience with high-altitude trekking. Proper acclimatization and preparation are essential to completing this trek.

Tips for Overcoming Difficulties on the Gokyo Ri Trek

Acclimatize precisely.
Stay hydrated.
Take breaks when needed.
Hire a guide or porter to help carry your gear.
Listen to your body and not push yourself too hard, as altitude sickness is a serious concern.

Accommodation and Food

The trek offers a range of accommodation options, from basic teahouses to luxury lodges. The teahouses are simple but comfortable, offering a warm bed and hot meals. The luxury lodges provide more amenities, such as hot showers and Wi-Fi. The tea houses serve traditional Nepali food, including dal bhat (rice and lentils), momos (dumplings), and thukpa (noodle soup).

Getting there & away

Flying to Lukla is the most popular way to begin Gokyo Ri Trek. Unfortunately, it is one of the scariest airports in the world. It takes 40-50 minutes to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. If the airport is closed with harsh weather, it is wise to keep one or two days as buffer days.

If you want to escape from Lukla, you can get from Kathmandu to Jiri and then on foot to Phakding. It will take about eight hours to get to Salleri and another three days to get to Lukla.

So if you’re looking for an unforgettable holiday full of exploration, look no further than The Ultimate Guide To Gokyo Lakes Trek; trust us when we say that after experiencing everything this unique region has to offer, your life won’t be quite the same again!

Day 1: Arrival day (1,300 m)

Upon arrival at Kathmandu, you will greet and welcome by our agency’s representative in front of the Arrival gate with a Display board of Himalayan Exploration Treks then transfer to your Hotel.

Day 2: Free day and trek preparation.

During the free day in Kathmandu, you may have a chance to visit the heritage site of Kathmandu Valley, followed by a pre-trip departure meeting regarding upcoming trekking peak climbing, where you meet the trek guide and other team members. They will brief you about the team formation, equipment, and nature of peak climbing and other necessary information

Day 3: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2652 m) 3h00 walk.

You will be transferred to the airport in the early morning as per the flight schedule. 40-minute thrilling flights to the airstrip at Lukla by plane offer a marvelous view of the Central and Eastern Himalayas and beautiful landscapes and hills. Lukla is a gateway to the Everest Region.

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar. (3440 m) 6h00 walk.

This is the second day of the journey. You will head to Namche after breakfast. The trail leads you to the northern valley of the Dudh Koshi River valley, passing by several beautiful villages with their vibrant culture and peaceful forests and crossing several bridges along the trail. Finally, you will get Namche.

Day 5: Acclimatize day!

This is an exploration day in Namche. Hike till Syangboche, a small regional airport, is considered the world’s highest. Then hike up to 3800 m to see Mt. Everest and other popular peaks. You will have proper acclimatization. In the afternoon, you may explore the village, which is more equipped with modern amenities such as internet, phone, massage, and more.

Day 6: Trek to Dole. (4,200 m) 6h00 walk.

As usual as on other days, after breakfast, the trail brings you to the ridge of Namche, then an easy walk to Sanasa with spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and other peaks. Then the trail leads uphill to Mang-La pass and descends to the river, gradually ascending to Dole.

Day 7: Trek to Machherma. (4,470 m) 5h00 walk.

A short climb from Dole, regularly up towards Machherma, passing by tea shops, beautiful landscape but not much greenery having panoramic views of the mountain to get to Machherma for the night.

Day 8: Trek to Gokyo (4,790 m) 5h00 walk.

As usual, on other days, your journey begins after a short climb and easy walk to the underneath of a rocky hill and continues to climb up, passing by a few lakes along the trail. Finally, we reached Gokyo Lake.

Day 9: Acclimatize day!

This is a rest day for the exploration of Gokyo Valley. Hike up to Gokyo Ri in the early morning, offering rewarding mountain scenery and providing us with another proper acclimatization. Then, descend and explore the lake

Day 10: Trek to Dole (4,200 m) 6h00 walk.

The day starts to retrace the same path from the lakes and across the moraines of the Ngozumba glaciers. You will find some chortens of stone along the way. From Gokyo Valley, the magnificent views of Thamserku and Kangtega will accompany you down the way. You can hit Dole in around 6 to 7 hours of walking time.

Day 11: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 m) 6h00 walk.

The day starts with a steep descent toward Phortse Tenga. It takes about ONE and a half hours from Dole to reach Phortse Tenga. The path then steeply ascends from Phortse Tenga to Mongla village. The trail also descends towards Kyangjuma before arriving at Namche Bazaar’s Sherpa Capital. A gentle walk from Dole to Namche Bazaar takes about 5 to 6 hours.

Day 12: Trek to Lukla (2800 m) 7h00 walk.

You retrace the path back from Namche Bazaar to Lukla on this day. The trail snakes down across the colors of pine trees. You can enter Phakding by walking across the Dudh Koshi River and passing the suspension bridges multiple times across the water. The walk is gentle and pleasant after Phakding village before you reach Lukla.

Day 17: Fly to Kathmandu (1,300 m)

Early morning, 40-minute thrilling flights to the airstrip at Lukla by plane offer a marvelous view of Central Himalayas and as well as beautiful landscape and hills.

Day 18: Free day at Kathmandu.

This is considered a security day in case of flight interruption due to weather. Otherwise, you may have a chance to explore the ancient city of Kathmandu.

Day 19: Final departure.

Today is the last day in Nepal and with us. You will transfer to the airport three hours before your scheduled flight.

DEPARTURE/RETURN

Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu

DEPARTURE TIME

Please enter at least 3 hours before the flight.

INCLUDED

Hotel and Airport transfer

Accommodations in Kathmandu with breakfast

All accommodations and all meals during the treks

All necessary documentation and permits

All ground transportation (as per mention in itinerary)

Professional guide and porters

A First Aid Kits

Applicable Government Taxes

NOT INCLUDED

International Airfare

Nepal Visa fee (advice to take accurate amount)

Meals in Kathmandu (except breakfast)

Personal Expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills & extra porters

Travel Insurance

Tips for Guide and Porter

Rates quoted in (US$ dollars) and payable in any currency. All prices published on our websites are set as low as possible. The prices may vary at any time subject to government actions, currency fluctuation, fuel prices, and unforeseen circumstances. However, we guarantee our prices which have already signed up for your tour. Please consult us for a customized quote.

Is the water at Gokyo Lakes Trek safe to drink?

No, you are not allowed to drink water from the direct tap or streams on the Gokyo Lakes. But you can also use a purifier or SteriPen. It is expensive to buy water (maybe ten times the cost of purchasing water in Kathmandu).

Am I going to be sick on my trek at altitude?

Be conscious. This trek will be over 3500 m in elevation. The possibilities of having an altitude illness usually begin at this altitude. But to prevent this, we have planned the itinerary to give you time to acclimatize as much as possible.

How can I conquer the altitude sickness?

There’s nobody who’s going to suffer from altitude sickness. The younger and fitter people do not experience high altitude illnesses when they feel older and less fit. It’s not related to fitness or age. Speak to your private practitioner. Prescription medicines are available to help avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness. But go gently and listen to the body and be mindful of any changes and listen to your guide if he thinks that you have symptoms (which might not be apparent).

What happens if an emergency evacuation is required while I am trekking?

We will be able to collect your travel insurance policies and details before your trip. In case of emergency, we will be able to coordinate with your insurance company and helicopters company for emergency evacuation.

What about simple medication during the trek?

There is no doubt only be a First aid. We take a first-aid kit on every trip. We always advise you to make your own. Here’s a checklist of items you can bring, recommended. Vaccinations are not compulsory in Nepal; however, we suggest that you keep this checklist if necessary.