Destination
Nepal
Activity
Trekking
Accomodation
Hotel, Lodge and Tea house
Region
Everest Region
Distance
144 Km
Start / End Point
Lukla/Lukla
Duration
13 Nights 14 days
Max. Altitude
5360m
Meals Included
Breakfast
Group Size
2-50
Nature of Trek
Lodge to Lodge Trekking
Best Season
March-May / August-November
Trip Code
ET-G
Activity Per Day
5-6 hrs
Transporation
FLIGHT, JEEP
Grade
Moderate
Overview
Gokyo Lake trek is a beautiful and challenging trek in the Solu-Khumbu region of Nepal. Located at an altitude of 4,700 meters, the trek offers stunning views of the Himalayas, including the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. The trek begins in the town of Lukla, where trekkers catch a flight from Kathmandu. From Lukla, the trek follows the Dudh Koshi river and passes through the villages of Phakding, Namche Bazaar, and Dole.
En route, trekkers have the opportunity to visit the famous Tengboche Monastery, which is home to one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the region. As the trek continues, trekkers will experience the changing landscape and vegetation, from lush forests to alpine meadows. Along the way, they will pass by several small lakes and streams, including the Gokyo Lakes, which are the highlight of the trek. The Gokyo Lakes are a chain of lakes of six crystal-clear bodies of water located in the Ngozumpa Glacier region. The lakes are fed by the melting glaciers and consist of deep blue water making a popular spot for trekkers to rest and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
One of the main attractions of the Gokyo Lake trek is the opportunity to climb Gokyo Ri, a small peak located near the lakes. From the top of Gokyo Ri, trekkers can enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. In addition to the stunning natural beauty, the Gokyo Lake trek is also rich in cultural and historical significance. Trekkers will have the opportunity to visit the local villages and interact with the friendly Sherpa people, who are known for their hospitality and mountaineering skills.
Overall, the Gokyo Lake trek is a challenging yet rewarding journey through the heart of the Himalayas. With its stunning views, rich culture, and friendly locals, the trek is a must-do for any adventure seeker visiting Nepal.
- The trail has more variation as you traverse through different landscapes.
- The lakes of Gokyo are astoundingly beautiful to see.
- You can see a stunning view of Ngozumpa glacier; the longest glacier in the Himalayas.
- You will witness the more spectacular and grander sight of Everest.
Fewer tourists go on the Gokyo Valley Trek compared to the traditional Everest Base Camp Trek. However, this is arguably a better choice for a number of reasons:
The best time to do the Gokyo Lake Trek is during autumn and spring. We make sure that your trek will be adventurous as well as fulfilling. Moreover, we also ensure that you get high-quality service at the best price.
The Grandeur of Gokyo Lakes
Gokyo Lake is not a single lake but a collection of 6 crystal-clear lakes that are situated between the heights of 4700 meters to 5000 meters. There are six clearest lakes comprising the Gokyo Lake. These include are Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Thonak Cho, Ngojumba Cho, Tanjung Cho, Longbanga Cho, and Gyazumpa Cho. These lakes have high hydrological value as they are permanent sources of fresh water. Gokyo lakes mostly feed on the waters from glaciers nearby such as the Ngozumpa glacier, the longest Khumbu glacier. Among these lakes, Gokyo Cho is arguably the most significant one. Not merely a heavenly destination for trekkers, it also has considerable religious significance among Hindus and Buddhists as well. On the occasion of Janai Purnima, Hindus take a holy bath in the crystal clear waters of the lake. Also, the place is worshipped and revered as the residing place of Naag Devata (Snake God). Moreover, there is also a temple of Lord Vishnu and Shiva near the lake. Religious traditions also stop anyone from harming the wildlife that exists here. The weather in this valley is unpredictable so, the viable option is to pay attention to the weather forecast. In case of bad weather, we will halt our exploring or reschedule for the next day. Usually, the average temperature during the daytime reaches 3-7 degrees celsius whereas the temperature dwindles to -5 to -8 degrees celsius. The trek can be extended further to ascend the worldly famed Everest Base Camp sitting at an altitude of 5364m. We can also further ascend to Kala Patthar which is at an altitude of 5550m. The best view of Everest is perceived from the base camp. This trek will traverse you through the blue-green alpine lakes of Gokyo valley as well as Everest base camp, it can be a little more challenging but, the rush of adrenaline and enchanting views of the Himalayas makes it worthwhile.Temperature and Weather of Gokyo Valley.
Extended Gokyo Lake Trek.
Gokyo Lake Trek
Gokyo Lake Trek Itinerary
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day 1
Arrival at Airport and transfer to hotel
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day 2
Kathmandu Sightseeing (Optional)
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day 3
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2860m) and trek to Phakding (2610m)
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day 4
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
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day 5
Rest and Acclimatization at Namche
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day 6
Namche Bazaar to Dhole
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day 7
Dhole to Machhermo
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day 8
Machhermo to Gokyo
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day 9
Explore Gokyo valley/ Hike to Gokyo Ri (5483 m)
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day 10
Trek back from Gokyo (4800m)-Dole (3680m)
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day 11
Dole to Namche Bazaar
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day 12
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
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day 13
Lukla to Kathmandu flight
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day 14
Farewell
Gokyo Lake Trek Map and Altitude Graph
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- All permits such as National park, and TIMS Permit.
- All nights lodge accommodations on the mountain.
- All meals, during the trek. You can choose dishes from the lodge menu which mostly includes options as follows:
- Breakfast: Cereal, Porridge, rice pudding, egg dish with bread and toast, bread with jam and honey, Pancakes with jam and honey, with tea or coffee.
- Lunch Items: Dal Bhat (mostly recommended), noodles soup, fried noodles, momo, spaghetti chapati, Spring roll, macron, sizzlers, swiss rosti, pizza, veg curry with plain rice,
- Tibetan Momo, Thukpa, Thenthuk, french fry, fry potato, boil potato and much more.
Dinner: Mostly same as lunch items but may vary in some hotels. - Note: The menu also depends on the Teahouse or Hotel, so the food items may vary.
- Trekking gear duffel bag for your trekking stuff.
- Sleeping Bag, Trekking pole ( Return after trekking)
- Medical Kit Bag on every trip. Eco trained English Speaking professionals guide.
- Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu flight tickets.
- Domestic airport Tax.
- Farewell dinner in a famous Nepali restaurant with a Nepali culture dance program.
- Staffs insurance, well-paid salary, equipment, food & Hotel Rescue Arrangements of course, not the rescue bills!
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
- International airfare & Nepal visa fee.
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
- Excluded Hotel cost in Kathmandu.
- Personal Insurance & personal expenses.
- Tips for Guide and Porter (it is expected).
- Cold drinks; coke, mineral water, beer, Fanta, etc.
- Anything not included in the What's included section.
Gokyo Lake Trek Trip Information
Guided Gokyo Lake Trek Package Information
You will be arriving at Tribhuvan international airport in Kathmandu where our company’s representative will receive you. We can arrange hotels for your stay at Kathmandu although our trek package does not cover hotel expenses before we depart for the trek.
Our trekking journey will start with a flight to Lukla the next day which will take approximately 40 minutes.
Accommodation details
Gokyo Lake trek is an 11days trek with 10 nights in lodge-to-lodge accommodation. We select the best available services for your stay.
For solo trekkers, a single private room with an attached bathroom is easily available throughout the journey. You will get standard rooms at Dole, Machhermo, Gokyo, and Phortse.
Meals
As you climb higher the choices of food will get short. But you will get nutritious food as the trek demands. Basic meals for lunch and dinner that we get around the trekking regions are national foods such as Daal, Bhaat, Tarkari, pickles, and curry. For breakfast, you can find bread, fruits, local porridge, sandwiches, noodles, and soft drinks.
We do not recommend meat items because of quality concerns in higher regions. It is best you take fresh vegetables, fruits, hot liquids, green tea, lemon tea, and garlic soup that assists you in your trekking journey.
Mineral water bottles are available in all lodges, you can also fill your water bottle with boiled water which you have to pay extra for.
Electricity for mobile and camera, internet for communication is available throughout the trek in all lodges but comes with an extra service charge.
Trip Difficulty and Best Season to Trek
The Gokyo Lake trek is a moderate trek. Those who can hike for 4 to 6 hours a day with an 8-12 kilogram bag pack can complete the trek easily. In case of any medical conditions such as respiratory, or heart it is best that you consult with your doctor before you decide to go on a trek.
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the two most popular trekking seasons in Nepal as they have moderate climates with warm days and chilly mornings and evenings.
During the winters, the Gokyo lake trek is challenging due to extreme cold and heavy snowfall.
Travel Insurance Policy
This trip comes with high-altitude trekking risks such as potential altitude sickness. Hence, travel insurance is compulsory.
All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy to North Nepal Trek. The policy must cover medical and emergency repartition above 3000 meters- including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses.
Permit Requirements for the Gokyo Lake trek
As the trekking destination is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, it requires a permit from the Nepal government for tourists. You need to have a TIMS card and ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) which you can receive at the Tourism Information Center in Pokhara. For issuing the permit, you need to bring the following documents:
- Passport
- Insurance
- 2 photographs (pp-size)
Written by: Mohan Bhandari
1: When is the best time for Gokyo Lake Trek?
Months from March to May and from October to December are the best time to commence this trek. During March-May, the weather is usually clear and Gokyo Lake along with other lakes is frozen during this time of the year. In addition to that, snowfall is very common at this time of the year. But, the clearest and mind-boggling view of the Himalayas can be seen in October as the skies are very clear with no rainfall and meager fog. However, the trekking routes are usually more crowded from October to December than in any other season
2: What about food and accommodations?
In particular to this trek, the nights are spent on lodges with good facilities and quality food. This trek lies in the Everest region which is famed for its highest peak in the world so, it welcomes many hikers and pilgrims every year, so, the lodges and tea houses are advanced and offers various option for our meal and breakfast. However, these trails and lodges may be crowded and packed during the trekking season.
3: Is this trek possible with children?
This trek is moderately challenging for adults but, tagging children on this expedition may escalate the difficulty. However, with additional care and attention from the guardians, this trek can be easily concluded. Also, the parents may opt to hire an extra guide to look after their children.
4: Do I need any permits for this trek?
Yes, the officials will ask for a permit as well as other documents before entering the Everest region in Namche Bazaar. The trekkers need to pay US$ 20 per person for the first four weeks in the Everest region. Beyond the four weeks, the cost increases to US$ 25 per person.
5: Can we connect this trek with other treks from the Everest region?
Yes, this trek can be connected to other equally famed treks of this region. They are Everest Base Camp Trek and Everest Three Passes Trek.
6: Can we do any activities in Gokyo Lake?
The lake remains frozen during the winter season. Since this lake carries religious significance boating and other activities are not done.
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