gokyo lakes trek blog

The Gokyo Lakes Trek Itinerary: the ultimate guide

This post offers you the ultimate Gokyo Lakes trek itinerary. The Gokyo Lakes trek in Nepal is a wonderful trek that brings you to a chain of six turquoise, glacial-fed lakes in the Everest region. At around 5000 meters it is the highest freshwater lake system in the world. 

Despite the spectacular views of the deep blue lakes surrounded by the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas, the Gokyo Lakes trek attracts less people than the more famous Everest Base Camp trek. 

Up till Namche bazaar the Gokyo Lakes trek follows the same itinerary following the Dudh Kosi river and the Khumbu valley. Before Tengboche the path branches off climbing over the Monjola pass entering the high altitude Gokyo valley. 

Why choose the Gokyo Lakes Trek

The Gokyo Lakes trek is a great alternative to escape the crowds on the Everest Base Camp trek. For many tourists the idea of making it to Everest Base camp is something romantic. As a result, you will find hundreds of people on the trail in the high season. 

But the Gokyo Lakes trek is not only a more quiet option if you want to escape the crowds. It also offers superb scenery. The sight of the turquoise lakes is mesmerizing and from the top of Gokyo Ri you can see 4 peaks above 8000 meters. First of all Everest, but also Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. 

On top of that you can also see the Ngozumpa glacier. This grey wasteland of rocky debris and ice is one of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas. Due to climate change it is shrinking, causing a lake that could flood Sherpa villages down the mountain if it spills over. Like the other glacial hikes I did, visiting the Chalaadi glacier and Shkhara glacier in Georgia, you can see the sad outcomes of climate change in action. 

The Gokyo Lakes trek is not that difficult. The trails are easy to follow and do not include steep climbs. I am afraid of heights and the only scary part was a high hanging bridge on the way from Lukla to Namche bazaar. 

The biggest challenge on the Gokyo Lakes trek is the altitude. After Namche bazaar you will reach altitudes around 4000 meters with Gokyo village at 4750 meters high. The advice is not to ascend more than 300 meters a day. This means the hiking days after Namche bazaar are relatively short, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. 

The Gokyo Lakes Trek itinerary

Day 1: lukla to phakding (2700 meters).

9 kilometers, 4 hours, – 100 meters

For most people this is the first day on the Gokyo Lakes trek if you decide to fly from Kathmandu into Lukla. I decided to start my hiking adventure into the Everest region by doing the Jiri to Lukla trek . Few people still do this trek, but it’s a great way to see the hills and rural life of Nepal.

From Lukla onwards the trail became very busy compared with the days before. More trekkers, more villages, more restaurants and more lodges to choose from. 

It was also clear that I was now in the Khumbu region where the Sherpa people live. The Sherpa follow Tibetan Buddhism and almost every village I passed by had prayer wheels, mani stones with tibetan inscriptions and white washed religious buildings.

All day I followed the Dudh Kosi river and decided to break up the journey to Namche bazaar in Phakding. A small village next to the river

Day 2: Phakding to Namche (3440 meters)

8 kilometers, 5 hours, +740 meters

On the second day I continued the hike along the Dudh Kosi river and through pine forests. The trail was busy with trekkers and caravans of donkeys and yaks on their way to Namche bazaar. 

I had to cross several suspension bridges over the river. Some at a dizzying height. Soon I reached Jorsale, the last village before the long climb up to Namche bazaar. 

Day 3: Namche bazaar

To give your body time to adjust to the altitude it is important to spend a day in Namche bazaar for acclimatization. In fact, if you fly into Lukla the advice is to spend at least three nights in or around Namche bazaar. It is one of the largest towns in the Khumbu region and there are plenty of things to see and do. 

You can visit the nearby Sherpa villages of Khumjung, Kunde or Thame on a day hike or just relax at the town itself. After days on the Jiri to Lukla trek it was time for some laundry and indulging in delicious pastries at the Herman Helmers bakery.

Day 4: Namche to Kenjoma (3600 meters)

2 kilometers, 1.5 hours, +160 meters

Some people recommend even three days of acclimatization at Namche bazaar. I decided to stay only two nights in Namche, but hiking only a little bit further on the next day. 

Kenjoma is only 2 kilometers from Namche, but it has a nice guesthouse with beautiful views. It is also very close to the Sherpa village of Khumjung that I wanted to explore. 

After I dropped my luggage at the lodge in Kenjoma I took a little day bag and hiked up to Khumjung where I had lunch. Khumjung is a small mountain village worth a visit. The local monastery claims to have the scalp of a yeti. You can see it for a small donation and judge yourself.   

Day 5: Kenjoma to Mong La (3900 meters)

6 kilometers, 3 hours, +300 meters

So far, the trail is the same as the Everest Base Camp trek, but today the paths will differ. Rather than continuing to Tengboche, the path to Gokyo Lakes branches off with a steep and dusty climb to the Mong La pass at 3900 meters.

With my fear of heights there were a few scary parts. Still I enjoyed this day very much. At the start of the trail I encountered a few yak caravans, but later on the day it was very quiet. The views on the Mong La Pass were a great reward for the effort.

Mong La was one of the few places on the Gokyo Lakes trek where I could still see damage from the earthquake in 2015 . There were only two lodges open, but they both had wonderful views.   

Day 6: Mong to Dole (4090 meters)

5 kilometers, 2.5 hours, +190 meters

Today was another short day from Mong to Dole. The path was relatively straight and easy. The fresh morning air was cold and crisp and I passed by several frozen waterfalls that were slowly melting in the rising sun. Probably to freeze over again overnight. 

Way before lunch I already arrived in Dole. I could have hiked much further, but felt a slight headache reminding me to stick to the advice of not going too high too fast.   

Day 7: Dole to Machermo (4410 meters)

5 kilometers, 1.5 hours, +320 meters

Today I would ascend more than yesterday, but it’s a gentle climb and the hike was very easy. The views on the mountains are simply wonderful and you can see and feel the altitude. 

The landscape is more empty and arid with wonderful views all around you. Machermo is a small village. Even with a clear blue sky and a strong sun it was too cold to sit outside for too long. 

I spent the afternoon reading books near the stove of the lodge’s dining room and went to the local health clinic for the free daily information session about altitude sickness. 

Day 8: Machermo to Gokyo (4750 meters)

7 kilometers, 3 hours, +340 meters

I didn’t think the scenery could become more spectacular and moonlike than yesterday, but it could. The climb up to the first Gokyo lake was steep and difficult and I felt the altitude that forced me to take frequent breaks.

Both the altitude as well as the views took my breath away. It felt like I was on a completely different planet. Then finally the first lake came into view. A deep blue turquoise lake surrounded by rocky snow capped mountain peaks.

The lake was half frozen and I was surprised to see that this desolate icy place was still home to colorful Brahminy ducks and playful marmots. The lakes are in fact an important stopover for migratory birds. 

Day 9: Gokyo Ri (5357 meters)

Climbing Gokyo Ri is one of the highlights of the Gokyo Lakes Trek. Unfortunately the mild headache that started the evening before got much worse overnight. At breakfast I didn’t feel like eating anything and all I wanted to do was lay down in my bed again. 

These were symptoms of altitude sickness that I could not ignore. With pain in my heart I knew that climbing up to the top of Gokyo Ri would be foolish. Although I planned two full days in Gokyo I decided to head back to lower altitudes. 

Day 10: Gokyo – Dole

12 kilometers, 5 hours

From Gokyo you have the choice to walk the same way back or cross the Renjo La pass (5435 meters) and walk back through the Sherpa villages of Lungde and Thame. 

Already beforehand I decided not to do the challenging Renjo La Pass and with my symptoms of altitude sickness that was a wise choice. If you are an experienced hiker and well acclimatized it is certainly worth considering though. 

Another option is to cross the Cho La Pass and combine the Gokyo Lakes trek with the Everest Base Camp trek or Three passes trek.

I walked the same way back. By the time I reached Machermo my symptoms of altitude sickness were gone. After a nice lunch of daal baat I continued till Dole.  

Day 11: Dole – Namche

12 kilometers, 4.5 hours

Today was a lucky day on the trail. Because walking down is easier you have more time to look around you. That is maybe why today I spotted the rare monal pheasant bird and the Himalayan Tahr mountain goat. 

Although I was walking the same way back as I came I noticed different things and enjoyed the trail just as much. Back in Namche it was time to treat myself to the comforts that Namche bazaar offers.

Day 12: Namche – Phakding

8 kilometers, 5 hours

It is possible to walk from Namche back to Lukla in one long day, but I decided to break up the journey in Phakding to give me one more day in the mountains.

I got a warm welcome in the guesthouse where I also stayed on my way to Gokyo. The lady still remembered me and I spent the evening in the kitchen watching how she made dal baat adding a local herb jimbu. 

Day 13: Phakding – Lukla

9 kilometers, 4 hours

The last day on my one month hiking adventure. Arriving in Lukla I realized I made it and that I hiked all the way from Jiri to Lukla and then to the Gokyo Lakes. 

From Lukla I would fly back to Kathmandu. The reason I did not fly into Lukla as well was partly because a friend of mine convinced me that the Jiri to Lukla trek was worthwhile, but also because I was a bit nervous about the flight to Lukla. Lukla airport is one of the most dangerous airports. 

In the end it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and I arrived safe and well in Kathmandu. My friend was right though that the Jiri to Lukla trek is certainly worth your time and effort . 

The Gokyo Lakes Trek Travel tips

The gokyo lakes trek permits.

For the Gokyo lakes trek you need several permits.

Khumbu entrance permit : This permit is necessary once you enter the Khumbu region. You can not get this permit beforehand in Kathmandu. You must buy it in Lukla or Monjo (in case you walk in from Jiri) and it costs 2000 npr

Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Permit ; The actual National Park entrance permit costs 3400 npr. You can get it at the Tourism Board office at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu or at the checkpoint in Monjo.

Note : In theory, trekkers need to get a TIMS card for every trek they make in Nepal. A Tims Card costs 2000 npr and you need to get this at the Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu. On Everest they felt that most money stayed in Kathmandu. Therefore they installed their own permit (The Khumbu entrance permit). From 2018 they will no longer check your TIMS card in the Everest region. A controversial topic and therefore this situation might change. Check before getting or not getting your TIMS card.  

Do I need a guide on the Gokyo Lakes Trek

The Gokyo Lakes trek is moderately difficult, but easy to do without a guide. There is one trail to follow and it is hard to get lost and you will meet plenty of other trekkers on the trail

If you are alone and not that experienced you might want to consider joining a guided trek or hiring a guide, porter or porter guide. 

In Nepal there is a clear distinction between a porter and a guide. A guide shows you the way and can tell you more about the history and the culture of the places you visit. A porter will only carry your luggage. Despite their heavy burden they often walk far in front of you and might have reached the lodge when you are only midway. A porterguide is less common, but does both.

If you prefer a female guide I can recommend the 3 sisters adventure trekking that works to empower women and trains women to become trekking guides in Nepal.  

Update April 2023 : The Nepal Tourism Board issued a press release that trekking without a guide is no longer permitted from 1 April 2023 onwards. Trekkers planning to hike in Nepal’s National Parks where you normally need a TIM’s card should have a government licensed guide that is registered with the official Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) . It is unclear yet how this rule will play out in practice. Everest issued a press release stating that they will not enforce it. Other areas do. However, there are no guidelines on how they are going to implement the ban on solo trekking .

Accommodation on the Gokyo Lakes Trek

The lodges on the Gokyo Lakes trek and the Everest Basecamp trek are some of the best in Nepal. They are less basic than on the Annapurna Circuit trek or than those on off the beaten path hikes like the Langtang trek . If you entered the Everest Region by doing the Jiri to Lukla trek, you will also notice a  great improvement. 

In Namche you can now book a small number of guesthouses online, but most are still working on a first come, first serve basis. That said, there are enough lodges to choose from and even in high season it is unlikely you will not find a place. In the worst case they will let you sleep on a mattress in the dining room.  

The prices of accomodation are incredibly cheap, sometimes even free. However, they do expect you to order dinner and breakfast at their establishment.   

Food on the Gokyo Lakes Trek

The good thing about tea house treks in Nepal is that however basic lodges might be, the food is often quite good if you stick to Nepali cuisine . Yes, many lodges try all kinds of international dishes to attract tourists, but in my opinion often not the best choice.

When trekking in Nepal I eat Dahl bath at least once a day. This national dish of rice with lentils knows a huge variety in how it is prepared. Different vegetable curries from fermented spinach to roasted cauliflower and different pickles to spice it up. Not one dahl bath is the same. 

Other Nepali foods to try are Tibetan bread, Thukpa and Momo’s.  

When to hike the Gokyo Lakes Trek

The best time to go trekking in Nepal is spring and autumn. January and February will be cold and foggy. March, April and May are the warmer months before the monsoon. As the rainy season approaches it can become hot, dusty and humid, but the blooming flowers are very beautiful. 

June, July and August are the monsoon months bringing lots of rain and leeches at the lower altitudes. 

September, October and November are the most popular months for trekking. Autumn brings clear blue skies and mild temperatures before the cold sets in in December. Autumn is also a festive season with the celebration of Dashain and Tihar . Nepal’s biggest festivals.

In October you can also witness the Mani Rimdu festival in Tengboche. Tengboche is actually on the Everest Base Camp trek, but it will only add two days if you include it in your Gokyo Lakes Trek itinerary. 

Mani Rimdu is the biggest festival in Nepal for the Sherpa people in the Everest Region. The 3 day festivities include beautiful masked dances and offer a unique insight into Sherpa culture. 

Altitude Sickness on the Gokyo Lakes Trek

The Gokyo lakes trek has a high chance of altitude sickness. The highest point is Gokyo at 4750 meters high. Experts advise to not ascend more than 300 – 400 meters per day once you are above 3000 meters high.

Because of the short distances on the Gokyo Lakes trek it is very easy to go much further than this advice recommends. If you do follow this rule it means that your hiking days after Namche will be short. Unfortunately, places like Mong, Dole and Machermo are very small. There is not much else to do than to enjoy the spectacular views

Yet, it is important to take your time. The key to prevent altitude sickness is to take it slow, give your body enough time to adjust to the height and to drink enough water. Diamox is a medicine that might help your body to acclimatize, but will not cure altitude sickness once you have severe symptoms. In that case, the only remedy is to go down to a lower altitude as soon as possible.

Mild symptoms may include being tired and more easily out of breath. More severe symptoms of high altitude sickness are headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, breathing problems, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. 

Severe symptoms indicate you are developing high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Both conditions are fatal if you do not get to a lower altitude on time.   

Take these symptoms seriously and watch out for symptoms in others, even in your nepali guides or porters. It is a misconception that they cannot get altitude sickness.

With the Gokyo Lakes trek itinerary in this post, it is unlikely you will suffer altitude sickness as you will have an acclimatization day in Namche and ascend slowly. Yet, I did suffer mild symptoms of altitude sickness at Gokyo that prevented me from climbing Gokyo Ri. 

The Gokyo Lakes Trek Books and guides

Cicerone and trailblazer both have excellent and comprehensive guides about treks in Nepal with detailed guides about the Everest region. Another option is the Lonely Planet’s trekking in the Nepal Himalayas guide.

The Gokyo Lakes Trek packing list

If you need to carry your own gear on a multi day trek the advice is to bring as little as possible. The Poon hill trek is not a difficult trail. There is no need to bring a tent or food. Below a few things to consider

Sun protection : no matter what time of the year you will need to bring protection against the sun. Sunscreen and a hat are a must. There are stretches with little shadow

Rain protection : there is always a risk of rain. I brought a poncho along that protected both me and my backpack from the rain.

Sturdy shoes : There is no need for proffesional hiking boots. However, there are some rocky trails so do bring sturdy shoes that fit you well. It’s important you don’t bring brand new shoes. Make sure your shoes are tested and comfortable to prevent blisters.

Hiking socks : Besides good shoes, good hiking socks are key to prevent blisters. Merino wool socks are lightweight and dry quickly. Wrightsocks are specially designed with double layers to prevent blisters. Decathlon has good merino wool socks too.

Layers : there can be a big difference in temperatures during the day and night. The best way to deal with this is to wear layers. As a base layer I bought merino wool tshirts at Decathlon. They are lightweight and dry quickly. I had a fleece vest as a midlayer and as the upper layer I had a windproof jacket.

Backpack : Your shoes and backpack are two things that will have a big influence on the comfort of your multi day trek. I recommend to go to an outdoor store to get some good advice to buy a backpack that fits your torso length and that is comfortable when you wear it. I own the Osprey Fairview trek 50 that I am very happy with.

Reusable water bottle : to prevent plastic waste I always bring a reusable water bottle with me and a water filter or steri pen.  

Sustainable Travel on the Gokyo Lakes Trek

Although the Gokyo Lakes trek is not as crowded as other trails, tourism is increasing. The trails become more crowded and pollution is a growing problem. Traveling sustainably to the Himalayas is essential to minimize your environmental impact and preserve the area’s natural beauty for future generations.

Support the local community : You can support the community by purchasing goods and services from local vendors. It is better to try Nepali Cuisine that uses local ingredients rather than imported foreign foods. Nepali food is vegetarian friendly and it is very easy to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Stay in small scale sustainable hotels : It is also better to stay in locally-owned guesthouses or homestays to support the local economy directly. These accommodations often have a more positive impact on the environment compared to large hotels.

You can try to look for guesthouses or homestays that prioritizes sustainable practices. That said, environmental awareness is still low. It’s up to you to use water sparsely, turn off lights, air conditioning, and heating when leaving your accommodation.

Leave no trace principle : When hiking the Gokyo Lakes Trek, stick to designated trails to protect the fragile alpine ecosystem. Straying off the marked paths can cause soil erosion and damage to plant life. If you are lucky enough to spot wildlife, observe quietly from a distance to prevent disruption to their habitats and help maintain their natural behaviors.

I encourage you to take all your trash back with you and dispose of it responsibly. In other words, leave no trace of your visit. Even better is when you bring something to pick up any of the trash that other people left behind.

To avoid single-use plastics, invest in reusable items. For example, you can bring your own water bottle with a filter. At last, use biodegradable and eco-friendly personal care products to minimize pollution of water sources.

Respect the culture : Besides environmental concerns it is also important to be sensitive of the community’s way of life. Nepal is a multicultural country and on the trail you will encounter different ethnic groups.

People will appreciate it, if you dress modestly. Learning a few basic phrases in Nepali, can go a long way in building meaningful connections and to learn more about the local culture. Not everybody is happy to have their picture taken. When in doubt, ask permission.

Disclaimer : This post with a travel guide about the Gokyo Lakes trek in Nepal contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!

10 thoughts on “The Gokyo Lakes Trek Itinerary: the ultimate guide”

Well crafted article

Never read this kind of guidebook text concerning the Gokyo Lake Trek. Amazing..

Thank you for this very detailed article! I was wondering if you brought a sleeping bag on the trek and if you recommend bringing one?

Thanks a lot!

I did. Most lodges do have blankets, but I prefered my own sleeping bag.

I myself suggest you bring own sleeping bag.

Great Post. Thank you very much for sharing the interesting information, I read it completely. Excellent Explanation.

WOW Gokyo Lakes trek was an amazing trip. I found the destination from your blog. Thank you

Very helpful, thorough and well-written. Thank you!

Hello Elis, Wonderful stuff you got. Enjoyed reading it. I had trekked EBC solo on 2 occasions, in 2019 and 2023. Planning to do the Gokyo trek via Renja La Pass this Sept. Doing solo and will start from Salleri as domestic tickets to Lukla have skyrocketed.

Is there a ruling saying a guide is compulsory for this Gokyo treks? I know the government had made it compulsory for those doing EBC.

I plan to do solo as I don’t prefer to be rushed!

It’s an excellent article for those planning this trek. It is very helpful for planning a trek to Gokyo Ri. I enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work, and keep your fingers crossed!

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A Hikers Guide To Gokyo Lakes In Nepal

By Author Christian L.

Posted on Published: April 6, 2021  - Last updated: April 10, 2021

Categories Adventures , Asia , Hiking , Nepal

The Gokyo Lakes is a great and challenging trek that can be done within two weeks by camping or by teahouse – with guides or independently.

The stunning Gokyo Lakes

It also has incredible additions you can add on to explore Everest Base Camp , Renjo Pass or embark on the Three Passes Trek.

Gokyo Lakes hike just on its own still boasts many highlights and has much less foot traffic to contend with than you’ll find on Everest routes.

Reaching Mount Everest Basecamp

The turquoise Gokyo Lake, which is fed by six glacial lakes, is a major highlight of this route, as is hiking along the largest glacier in the Himalayas, Ngozumpa Glacier.

Prayer flags in front of the Himalayas

The climb up to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), which is at the same altitudes as Everest Base Camp , has spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu – some of the best views you’ll find.

The time range to complete this trek will be 10-18 days, depending on whether you hike to Lukla from Kathmandu or if you fly into Lukla (details below).

The rest of the time will depend on how fast you want to hike, how quickly it takes you to acclimate etc.

A Yak on the grassy hills on the way to Gokyo Lakes

While I’ve done the Mount Everest Basecamp during the colder months already, so is this guide to Gokyo Lakes done during summer.

Hiking Guide To Gokyo Lakes

OVERLAND : This route, the “Pioneer’s Route to Everest”, which was taken by expeditions to Everest in the 1950s, will lengthen a round-trip trek by an additional seven days (give or take) round trip.

The Pioneer’s Route connects to the trailhead at Jiri, passing beneath Lukla and includes crossing several passes (the highest being over 3,500 meters.)

The disadvantages of this route include the extra time and the extra challenge, but if you have the time and you’re up for the challenge, the benefits include better acclimatization and more adventure along the way.

FLYING To Gokyo Lakes: The first part of the Gokyo Lakes hike is the same as heading to Everest Base Camp (splitting off just after Namche Bazaar), in which the most common mode of transportation to the trail is to fly into Lukla (the views are spectacular).

Lukla Airport in Nepal, the gateway to Gokyo Lakes and Mount Everest Basecamp

And the airport, Lukla airport, is often named the most dangerous airport in the world, but it´s really not.

The village boasts a small airport and some guesthouses if you catch a late flight and can’t hike the day you arrive (though it’s best to get a morning flight in the hopes of better weather).

A small aeroplane ready to take off from Lukla airport

There are many flights made daily from Kathmandu , taking around 30-minutes.

We were lucky that our flight left to Lukla was only slightly delayed (by 40-minutes) as many flights were greatly delayed or cancelled due to weather.

That said, if you have the extra time to create buffer days in case of flight problems at the beginning and end of your trek, you’ll be glad you had the built-in flexibility.

What´s The Best Time To Hike To Gokyo Lakes?

The high season for Gokyo Lakes is the months of September, October and November. March and April are very popular months and can be a bit crowded.

A Sherpa carrying heavy on the way to Namche Bazar

That said, I went the first two weeks of August (height of the rainy season to decrease crowds and costs, and it was amazing;) but the month following had awful weather, so you can never be sure what you’re going to get.

My friend and I did this trek in the rainiest month of the year (August), and we lucked out with incredible viewing weather.

On the way to Monjo

From 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM every day, we had a beautiful weather window (and sometimes in the evening) before the rain and fog swept in, so you can never be sure but the best times (and as a result of the busiest times) are in Autumn (September to November) and in Spring (March-May).

When it rains, it rains.

The weather is most likely to be clear and warm during these seasons though the Khumbu region is cold and dry, and you should prepare for cold weather, especially at night.

While December is also an amazing time to do hikes in Nepal, with often blue sky, so is it also the coldest time of the year in Nepal, which means fewer people along the trail, similar to the Annapurna Basecamp trek , which I did in late December.

Along the way from Monjo to Namache Bazaar

What´s The Food And Accommodation Like On The Gokyo Lakes Trek

The food in the teahouses along the trek is as good as you are going to get on a Himalayan trail and but the food gets more expensive the higher you climb as getting supplies there is more and more work.

Food expenses depend on how much you eat at each stop and how much of your own food you’ve brought along. We loved the popcorn and had some at every stop, as well as copious amounts of tea and hot water.

Into The mountains

If coming from the west, excellent items to bring along include dried kiwi, mango and banana, as well as nut mix and electrolyte packets that have extra vitamins and minerals included in them.

Also, bringing a jar of peanut butter is well worth it when you add it to Tibetan bread and other bread-like eats. The best food on the trail is the pizza at Gokyo lake.

They are delicious! Other good eats along the way include rice, curry, noodles, pasta, momos, Thukpa (Tibetan soup)m egg warps, Sherpa Stew, Momos, Tibetan Bread, Chapatti, macaroni and cheese and roasted potatoes and cheese.

There are few fresh vegetables, so get them in when you get a chance or bring vitamin replacements with you. Avoid meats, especially during the game off-season.

Namche Bazaar is by far the largest settlement along the trail.

The Accommodations along the trail are generally comfortable and quite good considering the remoteness, and there is a variety of budget and high-quality tea houses depending on what you are looking for, but guesthouses make their money off of the food you order more so than the room you take so find a place you want to eat and negotiate your stay from there.

Some guesthouses offer hot showers and charge your electronics for a fee, but the fees change from year to year.

I suggest bringing your own jacks with you, and travel solar panels are also good if you get enough sun to charge things along the way.

Like on other hikes in Nepal, so are there not much meat available along the trails; the reasons are because there´s not allowed to slaughter animals inside the national park.

While meat is available in some places, so are the meat rarely fresh since it has to be carried up by sherpas, and very few places have a fridge.

Hiking Maps To Gokyo Lakes

Region Map For Nepal: by Trekking Nepal

Nepal Region Map

Gokyo Lakes and Mount Everest Basecamp map

Gokyo Lakes and Mount Everest Basecamp map from Lukla

Itinerary To Gokyo Lakes.

See the map below for distance to give you an idea (though so much depends on altitude rather than distance).

There are smaller villages with guesthouses in between some of the villages shown on the map, and if you ask around, you can always get the information you need to find out trekking durations and interesting detours to make your next decision.

A sherpa carrying heavy

Provided on the map is an example itinerary for a beginner to the moderate hiker with acclimatization spots added.

What Permits Do I Need For Gokyo Lakes And What´s The Price

The Khumbu region does not require a TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Managing System) as most treks in Nepal do, nor is it required for Sagarmatha National Park.

You will, however, need two other permits that will cost around 5000 NPR, which is roughly $45 USD (pre-Covid pricing).

Close up with the Himalayas

For Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes and/or Three Passes Treks, you can attain both permits on the route while trekking from Lukla to Namche Bazaar.

Sagarmatha National Park : This permit includes all the fees and costs 3000 NPR (around $25 USD) and can be purchased just after Monjo, just before Jorsall.

If you are going solo or independently, you can arrange the permits yourself, so check your maps and make sure you don’t miss the permit point because if someone checks in Namche Bazaar and you don’t have your permit, you will have to return to the entrance or pay double.

Beautiful mountain scenery

If you are going independently, a photo of yourself is not required, but ensure you have the 3000 NRP in cash.

If going with a guide, the guide permits will be arranged and paid for by your guide from the fees you paid the company.

Beautiful scenery on the way to Everest Basecamp

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality : This permit (which you must purchase before Monjo) of 2000 NPR ($20 USD) is not as closely monitored as the SNP Permit, but it supports the local economy and should be paid.

Do I Need A Guide For Gokyo Lakes?

No, there are many people who hike this independently. However, guides can be well worth it.

My friend insisted we take a guide and due to very foggy weather conditions and her ability to speak Nepalese, our trip went very smoothly having a guide.

Gokyo lakes during summer

They can take a lot of the decision-making and stress away from the hike so you can relax and enjoy.

That said, you run into people fairly often along the trail, even in the rainy season.

The trip is significantly cheaper without a guide, so it depends on what kind of budget you are working with and how much you care about investing in the local economy.

Long way up but beautiful scenery

If you are avoiding the majority of money going to the guiding company instead of the guide themselves, you can ask around and even find a guide once you arrive in Lukla or Namche Bazaar.

Independently, you may meet lots of other people to hike along with – if you do join a group for a couple of days before splitting off, I suggest tipping their guide as a thank you before you set off on your own again.

How Long is the Gokyo Lakes Trek?

Gokyo Lakes: 10-12 days

EBC: 10-12 days

On the way to Everest camp during summer

Gokyo Lakes + EBC via the Cho La Pass: 16-20 days Three Passes:16-18 days minimum, but an extra 3-4 days is best as it allows for rest days, illness and any side hikes or unexpected interruptions that may arise.

Valley from Dhzongla to Cho La Pass-2

How Difficult Is The Gokyo Lakes Trek?

Gokyo Lakes is the easiest of the three from ascension to altitude adjustment.

Everest Base Camp adds more incline and altitude and if joining the two through the Cho La Pass, be prepared for a long (8-11 hours) and an arduous but stunning trip through some of the most spectacular mountains in the world.

Climbing into the Cho L pass from Dhzongla

Three Passes is the most strenuous but combines all three locales and is an incredible hiking opportunity.

The route to Gokyo is the least strenuous and would be considered moderate difficulty – cross the Cho La or Renjo passes would increase the difficulty between moderate-high.

Valley from Chol La to Gokyo

How Expensive Is The Hike To Gokyo Lakes?

Costs depend on whether you take a guide or not as you pay the guide’s food and accommodation as part of your package each day they are with you.

Regardless you will find yourself spending more than you expect on luxuries (especially when you get back down to lower altitudes and are ravenous again).

Green scenery during summer

Per meal, you will spend anywhere from $7-12 depending on what you get and how much you eat, which is $21-36 per day on food.

Accommodation is anywhere from $4-10/night depending on where you are staying and how many are sleeping in a room.

Your accommodation cost is often dependent on how many meals you will eat there as the local economy is most supported by the meals trekkers eat; you can use meals to help you negotiate your price, but please be respectful of the local livelihood.

Mount Everest basecamp view

The average cost of a hot shower is 500 NPR – wet wipes.

For a 17 day trip from Kathmandu to Lukla that includes Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp via the Cho La Pass, you are looking at around $1600/person (including a porter), but again this will then depend on how many of you are splitting the costs of a guide (which generally cost from $20-30/day) and a porter ($15-20/day).

You should ensure you have a registered guide whose insurance is covered by the company or purchase insurance for a guide yourself.

Gokyo Ri Summit

You should purchase hiking insurance for yourself (cost depends on the company used)

Is The Gokyo Lakes Trek Safe?

AMS Altitude Sickness – no more than 600m increase per day.

Diamox may give you some peace of mind, but it may also cause you to constantly have to pee (waking up in the night in which it can be hard to get back to sleep because of the altitude and cold.)

Yak shit is worth its weight in gold up here.

It is likely you will get mild headaches regardless.

In fact, while I took Diamox the entire trip and two days preceding, I still had headaches, nausea and difficulty sleeping, so just stay aware of your bodies response and rest as much as necessary – don’t push yourself too hard or too fast and don’t let your itinerary push the pace, it is extremely easy to rearrange flights and guesthouses if you need to have an extra rest day or two.

The best possible thing to do is add yourself a few flex days to your trip, just in case.

Mountain view

Without a guide or porter, expect to spend $30/day without flights and $60/day with flights.

For general reference, depending on your plan (again, it will fluctuate based on how many people are splitting the costs and how much food of your own you bring along the way etc.)

International Tour Company $1800 Local Tour Company $1650 Independent Trekking w/ guide and porter $1400 Independent Trekking with guide only $1200 Independent Trekking with porter only $1000 Independent Trekking Only $800

Wildlife around Gokyo Lakes?

Trekking Options

Lukla to Gokyo and return the same way You can choose to stay at the same places as you stayed at on your way up, or you may find the descent faster heading down and choose to stay in different villages on the return.

Lukla to Gokyo and return via Renjo Pass Head west just above the village of Gokyo to take the Renjo La pass. It will descend into a picturesque valley that will take you back to Namche Bazaar.

Everest basecamp

This route is a way to get off a well-beaten path to something a little less trodden.

The Sherpa villages of Thame and Thamo are worth admiring along the way.

Lukla to Gokyo – Cho La Pass – Everest Base Camp – Lukla This is well worth it if you have the chance for a variety of stunning landscape and challenging hikes which could including navigating an icy glacier (bring crampons depending on the month you’re travelling).

Mount Everest Basecamp

The valley from the Cho La pass to eastern Dzongla is stunning and well worth the extra miles.

This will lead you to the route to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp , which speaks for

Lukla – Three Sisters Pass – Lukla If you want to combine these treks, it is recommended that you start on the Three Passes trek and join the Gokyo Lakes trek, rather than the other way around, due to the altitudes and acclimatization.

It is one of the most stunning and adventurous routes you can take in the region but is not without its challenges.

The difficulty is high but is well worth it for greater solitude, diversity and beauty.

A complete hiking guide to Gokyo Lakes in Nepal a perfect trek on the way to Mount Everest

Willie Chien

Sunday 16th of June 2024

Hi Christian, enjoyed reading your blog. Just to verify if guide is not compulsory and that permits could be obtained along the tracks ie. at Monjo?

I had been to EBC twice without guide and porter Now planning to just do a loop from Namche via Dole, Gokyo, Renja La Pass and heading southwards to Namche. Appreciate your advice.

Sunday 31st of October 2021

Hi Christian,

Enjoyed reading your posts just to hype myself for a possible 1month trekking to Nepal next year (assuming there's flight to Nepal from Singapore and Nepal is open to welcome trekkers!).

I really miss Nepal since trekking to EBC in 2019 solo. Thankful I went as 2020 was the outbreak of COVID-19 and CB was introduced.

I hope to trek Gokyo and then to EBC before coming down from the east to Namche. Is the Cho La Pass doable for a 60year old? I still very much want to do solo. I love trekking in winter as I did in 2019 in December but I understand CLP may not be opened. If so, I may go end October to November. What do you advise?

Complete guide to Gokyo Lake Trek

Gokyo is a collection of six lakes located in Solukhumbu District’s  Khumbu Pasang Lhyamu Rural Municipality. Gokyo Lake, elevated between 15,400 to 16,400 ft is also known as Dudh Pokhari and is the headwaters of the Dudh Koshi River. 

Gokyo Lake is located in the Sagarmatha National Park, home to Mount Everest. Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) is at the same altitude as Everest Base Camp.

You can see spectacular views of 4 eight-thousanders from Gokyo lake:  Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.

The Gokyo Lake trip follows the same route as the Dudh Kosi River and the Khumbu valley up until Namche market. The path splits just before Tengboche, ascending over the Monjola pass 

The Gokyo Lake trek is an excellent alternative to the Everest Base Camp if you want to avoid the crowds.  

Highlights of Gokyo Lake Trek

The short and exhilarating Flight to Lukla Airport 

Sagarmatha National Park: Distinct flora and wildlife and a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site . 

Explore numerous local Sherpa villages, their culture, and tradition

The six Gokyo lakes in Gokyo Valley

The serene view of four 8 thousanders from Gokyo Ri: breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho-you, Mt. Makalu, and other snow-capped peaks

A chance to visit the Ngozumpa Glacier (the world’s largest)

Gokyo Lake Trek Overview

•  Duration: 12 Days
•  Difficulty: Challenging
•  Highest Elevation: Gokyo Ri – 5,360 m
•  Accommodation: Lodge/ Guest House/ Tea House
•  Walking hours: 4-9 hours per day
•  Maximum Altitude: 5375 m 17643 ft 

Best Time to visit Gokyo Lake

Gokyo Lake Trek is great during the spring and autumn seasons. The walk, however, may be completed at any time of year. Each season has a distinct atmosphere.

The trekking route is coated in a thin layer of melting snow throughout the spring season, one of the busiest seasons of the post-winter season. The lake is still frozen, and you’ll be greeted by gleaming mountains.

The spring season in Nepal lasts from March to May, and the weather is mild and pleasant, ideal for trekking.

Summer/monsoon, on the other hand, is one of the least popular trekking seasons, although it offers spectacular scenery. It turns green in the bottom reaches, and you virtually have the path to yourself. Also, the ice on the lake has fully melted, and you are greeted with a glittering blue azure lake.

September and November are the best months for this trek during the autumn season. Autumn is the best trekking season because of the little rainfall, beautiful blue skies, and spectacular mountain views. The Gokyo Lakes will also greet you.

Finally, winter is a great time to visit; despite the cold, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of snow-covered slopes and hills. The lake, however, will freeze due to the chilly weather.

Gokyo Lake Trek Itinerary

Day 1: fly to lukla then a short trek to phakding (2,610 m) a total of 9 km, 4 hrs  .

The very first day of the Trek to Gokyo Lake for the ones planning to fly will be a flight to Lukla airport. And, for the ones planning to hike, will be an adventurous hike to Lukla starting from Jiri.

When in Lukla, you will have reached the Khumbu region, home to the Sherpa people. There you will be able to enjoy the peaceful sight of Buddhist prayer wheels, Tibetan inscribed mani stones, and religious structures – mostly white-washed. 

You will walk along the Dukh Koshi river and spend a night in the Phakding village adjacent to the river.

Day 2: Phakding to Namche trail trek (3440 meters) A total of 8 Km, 5 hrs

The second day will be a hike on the river bank of the Dudh Koshi river passing the forest of pine trees. The pine forest trail is generally congested with a number of hikers, trekkers, yaks, and donkeys heading their way toward the Namche Bazaar.

Further, you will be crossing numerous suspension bridges, at different heights over the river. The second-day hike will end when you reach Jorsale, the final settlement before the arduous ascent to Namche Bazaar.

Day 3: Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar

After completing a long trail from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, you are recommended to stay for a day at Namche Bazaar to acclimatize your body. 

However, if you plan to fly to Lukla, you are recommended to stay for a minimum of 3 nights in Namche Bazaar.

During your acclimatization period, you can enjoy short day hikes around Khumjung, Thame, or Kunde, the Sherpa communities around Namche Bazaar.

Day 4: Trek from Namche to Kenjoma (3600 meters) A total of 2 Km, 1.5 hrs

On the fourth day, you will be hiking for about 1.5 hrs to reach Kenjoma, a village close to the settlement of Khumjung Sherpas. Kenjoma offers you views from lodges and guesthouses.

Apart from the view visible from the guesthouses, Kenjoma also is home to a local monastery believed to have a yeti’s scalp. 

Day 5: Kenjoma trek to Mong La A total of 6 Km, 3 hrs

The trail to Gokyo Lakes diverges from the path to Tengboche, which goes to Everest through a challenging and dusty ascent to the 3900-meter-high Mong La pass. You’ll see a couple of yak caravans at the beginning of the trek.

The views from the top of the Mong La Pass will also be a treat to watch along with a few sites of 2015’s earthquake damage.

Day 6: Mong La to Dole (4090 meters) A total of 5 Km, 2.5 hrs

The Mong La to Dole is a short day trek with a relatively easy path. You will be passing numerous waterfalls that will be frozen until the sun rises and will be melted with the rise of the sun.

Day 7: Dole to Machermo (4410 meters) A total of 5 Km, 1.5 hrs

Your seventh day will be a 1.5 hrs hike from Dole to a tiny village Machermo. The stay at Machermo will be comparatively cold despite the clear sunny day.

The scenery is barren and dry, however, with breathtaking views all around.

Day 8: Trek from Machermo to Gokyo  (4750 meters) A total of 3 Km, 3 hrs

The ascent to the first Gokyo lake is rather challenging due to its steep landscape and sometimes hitting with the altitude that requires you to stop frequently. 

However, the first view of the lake is worth all the challenge due to its bluish color with the surrounding granite mountain peaks topped with snow.

Migratory birds use the lakes as a rest point and the lake is home to Brahminy ducks and frisky marmots.

Day 9: Trek back from Gokyo to Dole A total of 12 Km, 5 hrs

You can hike back the same route or over the Renjo La pass (with an altitude of 5435 meters) and return passing two Sherpa villages Thame and Lungde.

Taking back the same route will reach you to Dole to spend the night there.

However, the other option could be to hike through the Cho La Pass combining the trek to Gokyo Lakes along with either the Three Passes Trek or the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Day 10: Trek from Dole to Namche

A total of 12 km, 4.5 hrs.

The trek from Dole to Namche Bazaar takes up around 4.5 hours with plenty of time to witness birds of a rare kind and a few Himalayan Tahr mountain goats. 

You will be reaching Namche Bazaar hiking downhill the total distance of 12 Km and will be able to rest and nourish yourself with the comforts offered to you at the lodges and guesthouses of Namche Bazaar.

Day 11: Trek down from Namche to Lukla A total of 17 Km, 5 hrs

On this day you will have a long walk from Namche back to Lukla. You will rest here for the night.

Day 12: Return to Kathmandu by plane

You may either fly back to Kathmandu in four hours or take a day off.

Gokyo Lake – Accommodation and Food Information

During the journey, you will be staying in a teahouse. Luxury hotel chains are available in Phakding, Namche, and Lukla. There are no luxury teahouses in these places.

However, every teahouse strives to provide the most excellent service to its customers. These tea houses are run by locals.

The tea houses provide two single beds in each room to accommodate two hikers at a time.

The trekking trail offers a variety of cuisines. You’ll find everything from traditional Nepalese and Sherpa dishes to foreign fare on their menu. Freshly baked cakes, muffins, and other baked goods are also Namche, Lukla.

You’ll find vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options at the teahouse. However, it is good to let your guide or the tea house owners know your needs ahead of time.

On a hike, there are several options for accessing the internet.

You can either buy a local SIM card or pay extra to utilize the teahouse’s wifi connection. On the other hand, the network connection may not always be reliable.  

Furthermore, as you approach greater altitudes, your internet connection will deteriorate.

Trekking Permits

For trekking in the Khumbu region, a TIMS Card is not needed; instead, you must obtain a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.

The aforementioned permit is not available in the capital city of Kathmandu. So you can only receive this permit in Lukla or Monjo. It Costs US$18/ NPR 2000. This permit covers the Everest region.

The National Park admission permit costs US$28/ NPR 3000. Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Permit. You can buy the permit at the gate of the national park

If you intend to start the Gokyo Ri Trek from the classic Jiri path, you’ll also need a Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project (GCAP) Permit. This will set you back USD 28/NPR 3000 per person.

Travel Insurance for Gokyo Lake Trek

Travel insurance is required for the Gokyo Lake Trek. It is one of the most important documents to have when trekking in Nepal .

The Gokyo Lake Trip is a high-altitude trek, and such excursions can be dangerous. As a result, if hikers encounter any difficulties during their journey, travel insurance comes in helpful.

Ensure emergency helicopter evacuation, medical bills, and a height of 6000 meters are covered by your insurance.

  Conclusion

The Gokyo Lakes consists of six spectacular glacier lakes. With elevations ranging from 4,700m to 5,000m, the lakes are among the world’s highest freshwater lakes. The lakes are located within the beautiful Sagarmatha National Park, which also houses Mount Everest.

On their Mount Everest Base Camp journey, trekkers frequently stop by Gokyo Lakes.

The Gokyo Ri Trek is a fantastic option for trekking to Everest Base Camp.  The breathtaking mountain vistas, high-altitude lakes, and the massive Ngozumpa glacier are all included in this 11-day trip.

Although this is a somewhat difficult journey, some difficult sections are near the end. As a result, trekking requires both physical and mental preparation.

You begin your trip by embarking on a flight – Kathmandu to Lukla. You should also expect long delays at Kathmandu’s airport. If you have more time or want to visit Lower Khumbu, Jiri or Salleri are good places to start your journey.

The trails are simple to navigate and do not involve any high hills. The only terrifying aspect was a high-hanging bridge from Lukla to Namche Bazaar.

The altitude is the most challenging aspect of the Gokyo Lakes hike. You’ll reach roughly 4000 meters after the Namche bazaar, with Gokyo settlement at 4750 meters.

It is wise not to climb more than 300 meters per day. Because of this, the hiking days after the Namche bazaar are relatively short, allowing you to take in the stunning scenery.

Hence we would love to highlight that including Gokyo lake trek in your Nepal itinerary is surely a must for all adventure seekers .

If you are further inclined to try more adventures from across the world, check out my top 3 hikes – Suicide cliff at Kowloon , Mt high west and Bai yun mountain hike .

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6 thoughts on “complete guide to gokyo lake trek”.

This looks amazing, and trekking in Nepal has always been on my bucket list! Honestly, the thing that puts me off it isn’t even the difficult of the trek, it’s the tiny planes and that airport in Lukla 😀

Hey Jen Yeah I totally get that. Plus lately I have started feeling a tad old for adventurous treks haha.

This is awesome, thanks for writing! I was actually looking at hiking EBC for my birthday next year but I definitely am reconsidering it now and maybe visiting Gokyo Lake instead! Looks breathtaking. I love how you broke down the daily hikes. Thanks for sharing!

Oh you must try it then and glad the post helped 🙂

Wow! This much have been an amazing experience. You have added the hike on my bucket list.

Yay 🙂 Great additional to any Nepal itinerary.

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Groovy Mashed Potatoes - Travel Blog

Unique travel experiences, fun itineraries & offbeat places to help you plan your dream trip

Gokyo Lakes Trek Itinerary + What to Know Before You Go

The Gokyo Lakes trek in Nepal leads you to one of the most beautiful views in the world on top of Gokyo Ri at 5,357m altitude. At this height you get to see a 360 degree view of the highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest.

The trek is an alternative to the popular Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek. We decided to book Gokyo Lakes instead of EBC because we heard that the views were nicer and the trail was less busy.

Our hunch to book Gokyo was correct. The trail was less busy and in our opinion, we think the view was the best. On the EBC trek you get to see Mount Everest from Kala Patthar peak. The panorama posters from this peak are all over Kathmandu and we think we got the best from Gokyo Ri because the view is so expansive.  

The memories we made along the way are something we'll never forget. Meeting locals, walking through Himalayan villages, bundling up in -20C sleeping bags, playing Nepali card games and drinking masala tea in cozy tea houses were all a part of this incredible experience.

Here's what we learned, loved, and didn't like.

Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes Trek Guide

Gokyo lakes trek itinerary in a nutshell.

Here is an outline of what the 14 day Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes trek itinerary entails:

• Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
• Day 2: Trek preperation in Kathmandu
• Day 3: Fly to Lukla and trek 3-4 hours to Phakding (2610m)
• Day 4: Hike 5-6 hours to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
• Day 5: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar (2 hour hike up to Hotel Everest View and back down)
• Day 6: Hike 5-6 hours to Phorse (3810m)
• Day 7: Hike 5-6 hours to Machhermo (4470m)
• Day 8: Hike 5-6 hours to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo village (4,750)
• Day 9: 4-6 hour final ascent up Gokyo Ri (5357m) and hike to the fifth lake
• Day 10: Hike 3-4 hours back to Dole (4038m)
• Day 11: Hike 4-5 hours to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
• Day 12: Hike 6-8 hours to Lukla (2800m)
• Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu
• Day 14: Fly home

Best time to trek in Nepal

Nepal has two seasons that are best for trekking: autumn and spring.  This is because the weather is drier and milder. The best time to do the Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes trek is from September - November and from March - May. You will have clearer skies and stabler weather. In spring however, the lakes may not be unfrozen yet, so you would miss the vibrant blue colour.

We did our Gokyo trekking at the beginning of April and they said that they had a longer winter than normal, so it was out of character that we had a snowstorm.

Good vs. Bad Guiding

We saw examples of good and bad guiding on our trip , which we'll touch on in this article along the way. The key to a good guide is experience and wisdom. It's the guide's duty to take care of your well-being during the trek, arrange the accommodation and manage your itinerary.

You can do this route on your own, but there are certain times when a guide is not only nice to have but critical to your safety. We chose Himalayan Glacier because of their long history, amazing reviews and that they are a Nepali run company, not a foreign outfit. Their website explains the trek in detail and we were matched with an awesome guide and porter.

Our Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri trek with Himalayan Glacier cost $2550 USD per person for the 14 days and included meals, accommodation, an English-speaking guide, porters, regional flights, entrance fees, sleeping bag and down jacket rental, a waterproof duffel bag and trekking permits.

Tea houses & accommodation

Tea houses are wonderful little refuges where you eat and stay overnight. They typically consist of private bedrooms and a main common eating area. These buildings are typically not heated so it gets cold in there. The main area may be heated with a central stove, but sometimes not. Bring warm clothes!

In every tea house common area, groups of trekkers all grab tables and drink tea, eat and play games. Guides and porters also hang out by the kitchen to chat, drink tea and play games.

One of the best things we learned on our trek was a card game called "Dhumble" (pronounced toomble). Ask your guide to teach you; we played for hours! This was great because on days with just 3-4 hours of trekking there wasn't much to do. We also brought the game Scrabble with us and were very happy we did.

The tea houses all have menus with different kinds of food. Dumplings called momo, noodle soup, dal bhat (rice with curry and lentil soup), pasta, fried rice and sometimes sandwiches, meat and even pizza!

The thing is, it all starts tasting the same and the higher you ascend the worse it gets. One of the most important things to remember is not to eat meat after Namche Bazaar , the last major town before you head up into the real mountains. After that, our guide forbid us from ordering meat because it's not guaranteed to be fresh. We made the mistake of ordering some awful yak cheese pizza the night before our ascent that made us sick. We recommend eating only plain foods for the days after Namche leading up to your ascent. This includes dal bhat, noodles, fried rice and then for breakfast, chipati and omelet or toast.

That yak cheese pizza with shredded carrots on it almost came out several times as we were hiking up that morning.

Namche Bazaar - The gateway to Everest

In Namche you can get everything you need, from proper espresso to a sauna. We gathered some supplies for the rest of our trek here, such as a buff for warmth, toilet paper, chocolate bars, and some shampoo. The accommodations in Namche are nice and Khumbu Lodge where we stayed had heated blankets!

You pass through Namche on the way up and back on the way down, so coming back feels like a tremendous success. The food is good and the beds are warm. Try to find chicken sizzlers (grilled chicken on a hot plate). We ate them many times and they were our favourite meal on the trek.

This trek takes you to a high altitude and you never know how your body will respond until you're there. Altitude sickness can come on as low as 2500m for some and can be very painful. It is important to understand the symptoms: headache (in the back of the head), vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath. Put your ego aside and communicate with your guide if you start feeling these symptoms. The guide will make the decision if necessary to turn back. Unfortunately your trip ends there and you will have to descend.

When we arrived at the village of Gokyo the night before our ascent to Gokyo Ri, we saw a woman suffering with some potential signs of altitude sickness. A disorderly commotion began when a doctor from the village had seen her in distress and had come to her "rescue". Her guide was trying to treat her and give her oxygen. They got into a big argument with the uninvited doctor saying to the woman, her husband, and their guide "I'm a doctor do you want my help or not" several times.

Did her guide make her ascend too quickly and not take the appropriate steps to turn back early? Did the doctor want money for taking her into his care? We don't know who was in the right or wrong but in those situations it's best to have the wisdom of a good guide that you can trust.

The helicopter rescue finally came in and they were airlifted back to Kathmandu, where they'll have to sort out the $4,500USD rescue cost.

One of the best ways to combat altitude sickness is to get altitude pills (Acetazolamide) from your travel doctor. We have used these inexpensive pills daily in altitudes higher than 2500m in Peru, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal and have not had problems with altitude.

The second best way to combat altitude sickness is to drink 3L of water a day. That was really difficult, but the higher you get the more important it is to stick to it. Water is your friend. A headache from dehydration at 4900m really hurts and is avoidable.

The Final Ascent up Gokyo Ri

Our guide had noticed that the weather was shifting. The past days had been sunny and bright but the weather was moving in. The day before our ascent up Gokyo Ri, the weather forecast was showing snow and cloud the whole next day. This would mean no expansive view of the highest peaks in the world that we came there for! Luckily our guide had 12 years of experience and told us that our best chance of seeing anything would be to leave for the climb at 4:00 AM.  

We woke up at 3:30 AM, grabbed our head lamps and hiked in the pitch black for an hour straight up the mountain. We were nervous about visibility due to lightning far away in the distance, but welcomed the first signs of sunlight. An hour later we reached the summit and were surprised to see blue skies and visible peaks! We were up there for a whole hour admiring the view. It really was the most incredible view we've ever seen.

During our descent, the valley of clouds started to rise past us. That beautiful view was gone in a matter of minutes. We felt so bad as we made our way down watching people walk up in the fog hoping they would see the view they came there for. If we left just one hour later we would have missed it. The clouds soon turned heavy and there was a huge snow fall! We made it out of Gokyo just in time before the snowfall got too heavy. People were stuck there for a couple days since the trail became too dangerous.

This is an example of why experienced guides are so important. On our way back down we saw inexperienced guides coming up with their clients who did not know the best time to leave that day. And sadly because of this, they did not get to see the view. We passed at least 30 people who would have departed at 6am or later. Make sure you leave for Gokyo Ri by 4am during spring time because clouds roll in early.

The Flight to Lukla

We took a 9 hour 4x4 car ride and hiked an extra 50km over three days to avoid flying into one of the world's most dangerous airports, Lukla Airport (aka Tenzing–Hillary Airport). When you get there you can see why. The inclined runway drops off a cliff, high altitude cloudy conditions make it tough to land and the airlines all have questionable safety ratings.  

It was nice to trek on a less travelled path, however it was very frustrating every time we heard or saw a plane headed to Lukla. We were also sharing the trail with 3000 pack mules in the region.  

We decided to fly out of Lukla because less accidents happen flying out than in. It was a harrowing experience, but we made it. As a crazy twist of fate, just two days later a plane crashed taking off from Lukla, killing 3. There were no passengers on board.

The thing is, hundreds of people fly every clear day to and from Lukla airport, so it's a matter of personal risk tolerance. In the past 10 years, Lukla airport has had 80,000- 124,000 passengers per year. In those 10 years, there have been six accidents resulting in fatalities. Two of those crashes happened before reaching the Lukla area and three of the six flights weren't carrying passengers.

To avoid the flight to Lukla:

If you do not want to fly to/from Lukla, this would be the best route: fly to and from Phablu airport and hike from there and back. You will however add an extra 100km and 6 days to your hike by doing so.

If you want to avoid flights all together , you will need to include a 9 hour drive to Salleri from Kathmandu. The drive gets bumpy/dusty on the dirt road for the last few hours. Adding the drive there and back, you will need an extra 8 days added to your hike.

See what it was like in our Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri vlog!

Nepal Trekking Packing List

We had a day pack and an additional 8kg each of clothes, sleeping bags and other items with the porter in the waterproof duffle bag. Below is our list of what to pack for Nepal.

We hope you enjoyed this Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lakes Trekking guide!

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Gokyo Lakes Trek 2024-2025

• Duration 10 Days
• Difficulty Level Moderate
• Max. Altitude 5357m.
• Trip Start and End Kathmandu - Kathmandu
• Trip Area Everest Region
• Best Season Spring & Autumn
• Spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks like Everest , Cho Oyu, and Lhotse, as well as some of the world’s highest freshwater lakes
• Visit Gokyo Ri highly popular trekking destination in Nepal
• A day hike between Dole and Machhermo, which offers views of five stunning Himalayan peaks
• Explore the unique Sherpa culture of the Khumbu region and visit some of their most sacred monasteries
• See lots of different things like forests with rhododendrons , open meadows, and glacial valleys
• Opportunity to experience a rare glimpse of high-altitude wildlife , including snow leopards and blue sheep
• Enjoy delicious local dishes throughout the journey

Gokyo Lakes Trek is a cool trek in Nepal . The primary trek site ranges between 4,700 and 5,400 meters . You can see some of the tallest mountains like Mt. Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Lhotse from there. Trekking here will be an experience you will never forget!

The Gokyo Lake Trek highlights include stunning views of Everest, a unique landscape, the cultural and natural significance of the Gokyo Lakes, and the opportunity for acclimatization at Namche Bazaar .

The trek starts in Lukla, Nepal. You will pass through some of the most beautiful valleys and forests. You can see glaciers and high-altitude lakes, like Gokyo Lake which is special to both Hindus and Buddhists. The best part of the trek is Gokyo Ri ( 5,357 m ). From there you can see four 8,000-meter mountains! You can also visit the highest monastery in the world at Gokyo and explore Ngozumpa Glacier - it’s the biggest glacier in Nepal.

You will walk through Sherpa villages, forests, and icy glaciers. In the end, you will reach a beautiful lake called Gokyo . On the way, one can witness some of the most amazing mountain views like Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.

Along with a great trekking experience, this trip offers unique cultural insights into the Sherpa life . Additionally, visitors also get to explore several remote monasteries that are scattered throughout the region.

The maximum altitude reached during this trek is 5357 meters at Gokyo Ri and it requires around 11-14 days to complete. September to November and March to May are regarded as the best months for visiting the place. For trekkers who are looking for an alternative to the Everest Base Camp Trek , this can become the best choice.

When you go on the trek, some days will have hills that are hard to climb. Some days will have hills that are hard to go down. But, a well-planned itinerary, proper acclimatization , and fitness are key to having a successful trek.

Gokyo Lakes Trek is a great experience to explore Nepal’s mountains and culture. You can see different landscapes, learn about the culture, and get amazing views. There is something for everyone - even if you have never hiked before or are an experienced climber.

Best Time To Visit Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri

The best time to visit Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri is from September to November and March to May . These months offer clear skies and excellent visibility, making it easier for trekkers to enjoy the magnificent views.

The trek can be done throughout the year, however, trekking in winter (December to February) can be difficult due to snow and low temperatures. During the monsoon (June to August) the region receives a lot of rainfall, making it difficult to enjoy the views of the lake and Gokyo Ri . It is therefore best to plan your trip at either end of the season.

Trekkers need to choose the right time to visit to avoid adverse weather conditions and ensure a safe and enjoyable trek. It is also important to plan the trek carefully, being aware of the altitude and terrain. A good knowledge of the local weather conditions and packing suitable clothing will also go a long way towards ensuring a successful trip. With careful planning and preparation, you can enjoy an amazing journey in Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Ri.

Also, check Best Time To Visit Everest Base Camp In 2024

Is The Gokyo Lakes Trek Right For Me?

This trekking is a physically demanding trek that involves high altitudes and challenging terrains. It may not be suitable for children , seniors , or people with disabilities . However, if you are physically fit and have some trekking experience, you may be able to undertake this trek.

It's essential to consult with a medical professional before embarking on the trek and to ensure that you are adequately prepared physically and mentally. Himalayan Scenery Treks can help assess your capabilities and recommend alternative treks that may be more suitable for you.

There are also several shorter trekking options available in the region that can be less physically demanding. It's essential to consider your capabilities and limitations before deciding to undertake any trekking. With the right preparation and guidance, you can have an enjoyable and rewarding experience trekking in the beautiful Himalayan region.

Day 1 Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding 2840m. (9320 ft.) - Approx. 4 hrs.

The journey to the stunning Gokyo region starts with a scenic flight to Lukla . Our team will take you to the TIA. The 45-minute flight offers spectacular views of the Himalayas and lush green hills.

Once we arrive at Tenzing-Hillary Airport, we'll meet other members of our trekking group and hike to Phakding on the same day.

Day 2 Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440m. (11290ft.) - Approx. 6hrs.

We begin our trekking in this region with a gradual descent to Cheplung village. This village offers a beautiful view of Khumbila Mountain, a sacred mountain that gives its name to the entire region.

We continue along the trail, descending gradually through the settlement of Phakding. We pass through pine and rhododendron forests and cross a couple of suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River to reach Monjo, the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park.

We then cross another suspension bridge to pass through the village of Jorsale before walking along a steep trail up towards the Sherpa hub of Namche Bazaar. We can see the first view of Everest from Larja Dobhan and the view of Everest and Lhotse before reaching Namche.

We will stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 3 Rest day in Namche Bazaar- A Side hike to Hotel Everest View

Today, we have a free day for acclimatization in Namche Bazaar, a culturally rich city popular with trekkers and mountaineers. This bustling city offers a range of government offices, bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, and colourful markets for trekkers to explore.

Trekkers can visit the Sherpa Cultural Museum to learn about various aspects of Sherpa culture and the Everest Summit or opt for a day trek to Khumjung, Kunde, and the Everest View Hotel .

The day trek offers panoramic views of other mountains such as Everest and Ama Dablam and also allows for exploring ancient monasteries, Hillary schools, and hospitals in Khumjung.

Apart from exploring the city, trekkers can also enjoy observing the flora and fauna at various altitudes during the hike. In Namche Bazaar we will spend the night.

Day 4 Namche Bazaar to Dole 4038m. (13250ft.) - Approx. 7 hrs.

As we leave Namche, the trail offers stunning views of mountains such as Ama Dablam, Everest, and Thamserku while passing by stupas.

The trail then descends into pine and rhododendron forests, and at the fork, we take the left route leading to Gokyo Lakes. Along the way, we pass through Mong village, known for its breathtaking views of Tengboche and surrounding areas.

We enjoy waterfalls, rhododendrons, and the challenge of stone stairs before reaching Dole for the night.

Day 5 Dole to Machhermo 4,470m. (14,300ft.) - Approx. 3 hrs.

The trail on this day is a steep ascent, leading through scrub juniper.

After leaving Dole, there is a gradual climb, with a steeper section at the beginning. The trail affords stunning views of the Dudh Koshi River below and Thamserku as you approach the small village of Machhermo.

Day 6 Machhermo to Gokyo 4,790m. (15,700ft.) - Approx. 5 hrs.

A day hike of around 5 hours will lead you to Gokyo Valley today.

After half an hour of the journey’s beginning, the gradient becomes gentle, leading to the ridge above the village of Machhermo. From there, hikers can admire the stunning views of Thamserku while walking through a narrow valley that gradually widens.

Though there are a few short steep sections, the trail isn't too tiring overall. After descending to the Dudh Koshi River, the first Gokyo Lake and Ngozumpa Glacier come into view.

Once we reach the Gokyo Valley we will take a rest here and prepare for a beautiful day tomorrow.

Day 7 Visit Gokyo Ri in the morning and Return to Machhermo 4,470m. (14,300ft.) - Approx. 8 hrs.

Today, early in the morning we will continue toward the North and see the second Gokyo Lake.

As we move further, the third lake and a cluster of teahouses come into sight.

From here you can climb Gokyo Ri, a fantastic experience for more experienced trekkers, offering the best view of Cho Oyu, one of the 8000m peaks. The viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the mountains above and the lakes and glaciers below.

After lunch here, we will return to Machhermo, which will take around 7 hours to complete.

Day 8 Machhermo to Namche Bazaar 3,440m. (11290ft.) - Approx. 6hrs.

Leaving early in the morning, start trekking towards Namche Bazaar.

The lively atmosphere and bustling streets of Namche are a welcome contrast to the tranquillity of smaller villages.

Spend the last night of the trek in Namche Bazaar before heading back to Kathmandu the next day.

Day 9 Namche Bazaar to Lukla 2840m. (9320 ft.) - Approx. 6hrs.

Follow the Dudh Koshi River, cross the suspension bridges you crossed at the beginning of your trek, and you will reach Lukla. Here, we will spend the night and wait for our flight back to Kathmandu early the next morning.

Day 10 Fly to Kathmandu and rest in the Hotel- 35 Mins.

This day wrapping all memories with you of Gokyo, you fly back to Kathmandu.

Rest in your hotel, if you’re not tired then just roam the alleys of the city.

Not satisfied with this regular itinerary?

Are you thinking to plan your custom trip now.

Cost Details

• Pick up from your respective Hotel/ given Location
• Comfortable private vehicles for ground transportation as per itinerary
• Your meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
• Best available twin-sharing room for lodge accommodation during the trek
• Domestic flights (Ramechhap(Manthali) - Lukla – Ramechhap(Manthali) or Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
• Trekking Guide-One highly experienced, helpful, and friendly guide.
• Porters (1 porter for 2 trekkers) and their food, accommodation, salary, and equipment.
• Accident insurance for all staff
• Himalayan Scenery Brand Cap, Duffel bag & trip achievement certificate (Upon completion of the trek)
• First aid kit, oximeter for checking pulse, oxygen saturation, and heart rate at higher altitude
• Entry Permit for Sagarmatha National Park and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) Card Fee (Required: 2 passport size photos)
• $20 - Local Government Tax
• Assistance with rescue and evacuation (Insurance is required for evacuation)
• Personal travel insurance
• Kathmandu stay and other activities
• Snacks/drinks and other personal expenses
• Single Supplement Fee- $200
• Personal trekking gear
• Gratuity for team members

Useful Info

Trekkers should be aware of the potential safety risks associated such as altitude sickness and hypothermia. It’s important to hire a knowledgeable guide, be properly equipped for the trek, conduct adequate research before your journey, and make sure you understand the environment and climate of the area. By being prepared and taking the necessary precautions you can enjoy this unique trek without any worries.

It is also important to note that the Khumbu is a conservation area and therefore, trekkers need to obtain permits before starting the trek. The permits are relatively easy to obtain and the cost is minimal.

Preparing For the Gokyo Lakes Trek

Before embarking on the Gokyo Lakes trekking, it’s important to focus on physical fitness by engaging in regular exercise and training. Learning the local language and cultural values can also enhance the trekking experience.

Acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness, and trekkers should allow time for their bodies to adjust to the higher altitudes. Himalayan Scenery Treks can provide personalized guidance for a successful trek by offering information about the trek and the necessary equipment.

Crystal Mountain Treks provides a sleeping bag for clients at no charge as part of the trekking gear. Additionally, rental gear, including sleeping bags, is available in Kathmandu, but it is advisable to check the condition of any rented items carefully.

Trekkers should also pack appropriate clothing, footwear, and gear for the trek, and carry sufficient water and snacks . It’s essential to stay hydrated and nourished during the trek to maintain energy levels.

With proper preparation and guidance, trekkers can have an enjoyable and rewarding experience while trekking to the beautiful Gokyo Lakes.

Trekking Options

There are several variations of the Gokyo Ri trek, including the different routes. Trekkers can choose the variation that best suits their fitness level and time constraints. There are also alternative trekking routes, such as the Bupsa-Salleri route, that can be taken to reach Gokyo Lake.

For more experienced trekkers, crossing the Cho La Pass offers a challenging yet rewarding option with stunning scenic views. This route can be combined with the Everest Base Camp trek or the Three Passes trek.

Difficulty Of Gokyo Lakes Trek

The route is moderately challenging with risks like altitude sickness, hypothermia, and snow. Proper acclimatization and physical fitness are very important otherwise might result in difficult conditions.

The trek involves a gradual ascent to higher altitudes. Altitude sickness can affect anyone in the mountains, even if they are physically fit. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue.

Hypothermia can occur due to cold temperatures at higher elevations. Snow-covered paths can make trekking more challenging. The trek requires an average of 6-7 hours of walking per day.

The trail is rocky and steep at several points. Trekking poles can be helpful for stability. Overall, the trek to Gokyo Lakes requires good physical fitness , proper acclimatization, and careful planning to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Guide Requirement For Gokyo Lakes Trek

Guides are required during the trek to Gokyo Lakes due to the government's regulation to promote tourism and ensure the safety of trekkers. Unlicensed guides are not allowed to work as they can mislead trekkers or put their lives at risk.

The guides are trained and experienced in handling potential risks such as altitude sickness and changing weather conditions.

Himalayan Scenery Treks provides experienced and friendly guides who have been praised by previous trekkers. Our guides are knowledgeable about the trek and the local culture, making the trek more meaningful. They also ensure that the trek is enjoyable and safe for the trekkers.

Our guides are cost-friendly, making it an affordable option for trekkers. By hiring our guides, trekkers can avoid any legal complications and fully enjoy the trek. With the help of our guides, trekkers can experience the beauty of the Gokyo Lakes and the surrounding Himalayan landscape without any worries.

Permits needed for Gokyo Lake Trek

Foreigners need a Sagarmatha National Park permit and a TIMS card, costing around USD 40-50 . Permits ensure proper tracking and safety measures, and Himalayan Scenery Treks can always assist in obtaining them.

Attractions Of Gokyo Lakes And Gokyo Ri

While trekking on this route, you can experience several aspects of the Khumbu region along with the scenery. You will never forget the hospitality you get from the Sherpa people from this region while you might want to stick in the place forever.

The Gokyo Valley Trek offers a detailed overview of the Gokyo Ri Peak, Gokyo Lake, the Himalayan mountain ranges, and Gokyo Village. It is significant for environmental scientists, ecologists, photographers, and pilgrims.

Scenarist Beauty

The whole of the Khumbu region offers stunning views of the Himalayas and its surrounding landscapes. Trekkers can enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. The trek passes through traditional Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar and Khumjung, offering a glimpse into the local culture. The challenging uphill sections, particularly the steep climb to high-altitude locations such as Namche and Gokyo, are notable features of the trek.

Along the trail, trekkers can witness beautiful forests of rhododendrons and pine trees.

The turquoise-coloured Gokyo Lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks provide a breathtaking sight. The fifth lake is considered sacred by the locals.

The Renjo La Pass offers a spectacular view of the Everest region . The Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in the Himalayas , can also be seen on the trek. The trek offers a diverse range of scenery, from lush forests to rocky terrain, providing trekkers with an unforgettable experience.

Sherpa Culture

This trek offers trekkers the opportunity to experience the Sherpa culture. Sherpas are a community of mountaineers who live in the Himalayan region and are known for their expertise in high-altitude climbing .

Gokyo village is a charming Sherpa settlement on the shore of the third Gokyo Lake, highlighting the traditional Sherpa culture, the population of yaks and yak milk producers, and the unique natural and cultural splendour of the village and its surroundings.

During the trek, you can visit the Sherpa Cultural Museum in Namche Bazaar, which provides information on various aspects of Sherpa culture. Additionally, you can also interact with local Sherpa people , taste their cuisine, and learn about their way of life.

Gokyo Lake Trek Safety

The trek to Gokyo can be safe if proper precautions are taken. These include having travel insurance to cover any medical emergencies, acclimatizing to the altitude, and hiring local guides.

Additionally, swimming in the Gokyo Lake is not recommended due to its freezing temperatures, which can cause hypothermia.

In the past, there have been accidents reported in Gokyo Lake due to swimming. In 2018, a trekker drowned in the lake while attempting to swim. Therefore, it is essential to follow the guidelines and avoid taking unnecessary risks during the trek.

Trekkers should also be prepared for changing weather conditions, carry adequate gear, and stay hydrated. The trail can be slippery and rocky, so it's crucial to be cautious while trekking. By taking the necessary safety measures, trekkers can have a safe and enjoyable experience while exploring the beautiful Gokyo Lakes.

Foods and Accommodation during Gokyo Lake Trek

During your walks, you can find teahouses with meals like dal bhat and momos. Western options like pasta and sandwiches are available too. Food options become limited at higher altitudes. Bring snacks for supplementation.

It is important to note that the food options can become more limited as you ascend higher in altitude. At higher altitudes, it can be more challenging to transport food, and some items may become more expensive. Therefore, it is advisable to bring some snacks like energy bars or nuts to supplement your meals.

As for accommodation, teahouses are available along the route. These are basic lodges with simple amenities like a bed, blanket, and pillow. The rooms are usually shared, and the bathrooms are mostly communal, but they are clean and adequate for trekking needs.

Accommodation becomes more basic at higher altitudes. Food and accommodation are basic but adequate. Resources are limited in remote areas. Be flexible and open-minded about food and accommodation options.

Why Choose Himalayan Scenery Treks For Gokyo Lakes Trek?

We, at Himalayan Scenery Treks and Expedition , are a company in Nepal that takes people on exciting adventures. For the past 17 years , we have always prioritized our clients’ safety, comfort, and satisfaction. This service is the reason why we have a huge number of our clients.

To date, we have completed over 1000 tours of the Everest base camp. More than 8000 trekkers from all over the world have completed the trek with us. We are proud to say that we rank under the top ten companie s from Nepal with more than 500  5 bubble ratings on Trip Advisor .

Q1. How long is Gokyo Lake Trek?

The Gokyo Trek is typically completed in about 11 days. This will cover a total distance of around 44 miles (71 kilometers).

Q2. How hard is the Gokyo Lake Trek?

The Gokyo Lake Trek is considered to be moderately difficult, with a mix of uphill and downhill terrain, as well as altitude-related challenges.

Q3. Is Gokyo Ri difficult?

Gokyo Ri, which is the highest point of the trek, can be quite challenging due to its steep ascent and high altitude. However, it is generally considered achievable with proper acclimatization and preparation.

Q4. Which season is best for Gokyo Lake Trek?

The best time to do the Gokyo Lake Trek is during the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) seasons. These periods offer clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and great views of the surrounding mountains.

Client Reviews

Trekking in Himalayas for the first time

Those 10 days was a something I would remember for years. Thanks Himalayan Scenery Treks and Expedition for your comfortable and warm hospitality and beautiful greetings.

Best Agency for trekking

Was very delighted with the service provided by Trip Advisor. Everything was as expected with no problems arising during our trip. Had an amazing time with friends and trip advisor.

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Beyond Wild Places

Your guide to the wilder side of life

How to Complete the Gokyo Lakes Trek from Salleri

While many trekkers have Everest Base Camp on their mind when heading to the Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal, I had other plans. I wanted to get away from the crowded trails but still wanted to be able to gaze at the roof of the world, otherwise known as Mount Everest. So, what do you do? The answer is the Gokyo Lakes Trek.

Hiking through Gokyo Valley is one of the most underrated trails in the country. The stunning scenery of the glacial lakes and the chance to get up to Gokyo Ri at 5357m allows you to have an unrivalled view of the highest mountains in the world.

Instead of flying into Lukla, I began the trek in Salleri which adds three days onto your itinerary but allows for a more gradual ascent (plus, minus the expensive flight ticket). This guide to the Gokyo Lakes trek will give you all the information that you need, as well as my day by day experience on the trail.

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links which means I get a commission if you buy a product through my link at no extra cost to you. By doing so, I can keep this blog going and continue to create helpful guides for you. Read more:  Privacy Policy

What you need to know about trekking to Gokyo

Here’s some essential information about planning your Gokyo Valley Trek from Kathmandu.

Quick facts about the trek

• Location: Sagarmatha National Park
• Distance: 142km
• Time: 12-16 days
• Highest point: Gokyo Ri at 5357m
• Difficulty: Hard
• Start/end: Lukla (or Salleri if you’re travelling by road)
• Trail: Out and back or can be a loop if taking an alternative route back
• Permits and fees: Khumbu Municipality permit and national park fees
• Accommodation: Teahouses
• Hiking requirements: Anyone can hike this trail, with or without a guide
• Optional add ons: Phortse and Tengboche, Renjo La or Everest Base Camp via Cho La

Best time to hike to Gokyo

As with most other trekking regions in Nepal, the best months are  March-April  and  October-November . These seasons offer the best weather conditions for walking in the Himalayas. However, they’re also the most popular months, meaning that the trails and teahouses will be pretty busy.

The benefit of doing the Gokyo Lakes trek though is that it’s much quieter than the Everest Base Camp trek, even during these months.

The best time to see the Gokyo Lakes at their brightest blue is October-November. During March-April, the lakes can still be frozen over, which was the case when I was there in April after a cold winter. This meant that I only partially saw some of the blue colour around the edges.

Permits and fees

The Everest Region is now a bit different to other popular teahouse trekking regions in Nepal. You don’t need a TIMS card, as the local Khumbu government collects the fees directly from trekkers rather it going through Kathmandu.

What this means is that instead of TIMS there is a Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit for 2000 rupees per foreign trekker. You can get this permit at Lukla or at the National Park counter in Monjo. The latter option is ideal for those starting from Phaplu/Salleri as you can bypass Lukla.

The Sagarmatha National Park fees are 3000 rupees for foreigners + 13% VAT. These fees can be paid at the National Park counter in Monjo. Alternatively, you can pay them in Kathmandu but most people don’t. In saying that, when you arrive in Monjo, there can be a long wait in high season as everyone is trying to pay fees and get permits at the same time.

Read next: What You Need to Know About Trekking in Nepal

I hired a sleeping bag from  Kala Patthar trekking gear , a tiny shop in a corner in Thamel, Kathmandu . I paid 90 rupees per day for a brand new -20deg down  sleeping bag , which was probably the warmest bag I had out of all four treks in Nepal.

I bought an  Everest Region map  from one of the book shops that included the Three Passes, Gokyo and Base Camp all in one, in case I wanted to extend the trek or take an alternative route back. 

I packed everything into a  30L backpack . Considering this trek was going to be double the length compared to the other treks I’d done in Nepal, I thought 30L was realistically not enough but of course I managed it somehow.

Read next: A Guide to Kathmandu

Acclimatisation on the Gokyo Lakes trek

The trek up through Gokyo Valley is one of the steepest treks you can do in terms of elevation change. From Namche Bazaar to Gokyo, it’s only around 25km of walking, which many assume could be done in one day. However the elevation changes from 3440m in Namche to 4790m at Gokyo Village.

This dramatic increase in elevation over a short distance means you need to break the journey up into multiple days to allow for proper acclimatisation and avoid getting sick. From Namche, most trekkers stop in Dhole and Machermo for the night before getting to Gokyo.

Extending the Gokyo Lakes trek

Gokyo lies between Renjo La and Cho La passes. They are part of the challenging Three Passes Trek , which is considered the ultimate trek in the Everest Region. This means that if you’re doing the Gokyo Lakes trek through Gokyo Valley, you can alternatively head back to Namche on the Three Passes trail by crossing one of these two passes.

Another popular option for those with more time, is to hike up the Gokyo Valley and then cross the Cho La pass which then takes you down to the Everest Base Camp trail. This means you can combine the Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp trek together.

Just ensure that you’re well prepared and aware of weather conditions before setting off to cross one of these passes. At over 5000m, they are challenging and can be dangerous in bad weather.

From Gokyo , the optional day trips are up to Gokyo Ri and further up the valley to the 4th and 5th lakes. The 2km hike up to Gokyo Ri is the pinnacle of this trek and the main reason many people head to Gokyo. However, if you want to spend another day there, you can hike further up the valley to some other lakes, which is best done in October-November season.

Read next: 10 Essential Tips for Trekking in Nepal

Alternative trailheads

You can start the Gokyo Lakes trek and Everest Base Camp from a couple of different trailheads. Of course, the most well known trailhead and main starting point for treks in the Everest region is at Lukla . This town in the Khumbu region has an airport perched on the side of a mountain with flights to and from Kathmandu all morning during the high trekking season.

This airport is known as the most dangerous airport in the world with a short runway on a slope. Tickets can go for US$170 one way, which is quite expensive.

The alternative option (for budget trekkers) is to start the trek from Salleri, which is accessible by road. From Salleri, it’s a three day walk to Lukla, adding on extra time. I still saved a lot of money by doing it that way, even including my accommodation and food for the extra days.

Getting to Salleri/Phaplu

There are jeeps running from Kathmandu to Salleri almost daily in the main trekking seasons, which can be booked through your accommodation or travel agent. They usually do multiple pick ups in Thamel, with an incredibly early departure time of 4am.

The road from Kathmandu to Salleri is in relatively good condition, with most of it being sealed now thanks to investment from the Japanese government. It’s still a windy road, and it took 12 hours with seven of us foreign trekkers squashed in the back.

Salleri  is the main town and transport hub in the area. However, most trekkers prefer to spend the night in  Phaplu  which is quieter and just 2.5km further up the dirt road. While most jeeps terminate in Salleri, our driver offered to take us to Phaplu as there were seven of us. Otherwise, you can jump in another jeep from Salleri to Phaplu or simply walk the 2.5km.

Phaplu has one street with a few lodge choices. I stayed at  Sunshine Hotel , a small and friendly family run place.

Trek report: Gokyo Lakes Trek

Below is my day by day experience on the trail trekking from Salleri to Gokyo to give you an idea of what it’s like.

Day 1: Phaplu to Nunthala

From Phaplu, the trail followed the dirt road through the villages along the way until Ringmu where the trail then headed up a steep climb to Taksindu. It had just started to rain as I reached the top of the hill and I stopped to put my rain gear on. 

From there it was only 5km down to Nunthala, but it was a steep, rocky trail and the rain turned the dirt to mud. I arrived at 2.30pm to find a cluster of quiet lodges. I walked into  Himalaya Trekkers Inn , which was pretty nice and so I didn’t bother to look any further. The rain picked up and soon thunder and lightening rolled in and I was glad that I’d made it, as other trekkers came in much later completely drenched, cold and muddy. 

Distance:  19km   Time:  6.5 hours   Ascended:  615m  Descended:  725m

Day 2: Nunthala to Bupsa

The rain had been falling all night, but I woke up to a clear sky. I could even see some snow capped mountains in the distance marking the Sagarmatha National Park, still a couple of days away.

I left at 8am and followed the trail as it descended steeply. I got stuck behind a mule caravan carrying goods up to higher villages and I had to slow my pace down. I reached the river at the bottom just as I overtook the mules and then the trail began to climb upwards over rocky steps. I climbed and climbed until finally I reached the top of the hill at Kharikola and walked straight into the first lodge asking for lunch at just 11.30am. 

I had a delicious buffalo fried rice and saw the group of four Spanish guys who had been in the same jeep as me to Salleri. I’d only covered 7.5km and it had taken just over 3 hours, it was certainly warming our legs up for what was to come. 

The trail meandered around the slope of the mountain before I faced another climb gaining 400m in elevation in just 1km. By the time I got to the top at Bupsa, I was more than glad the day was done. Again, a small cluster of lodges were huddled on the side of the mountain and I picked the newly rebuilt  International Hotel  where the rooms were actually very nice for a trekking lodge. 

Distance:  11km   Time:  5 hours   Descended:  716m  Ascended:  865m

Day 3: Bupsa to Cheplung

The final day of the trek to Lukla, where the “real” trek would start, was primed to be a killer before I’d even begun. Looking at  Maps.me  on my phone, the elevation map looked like a heart rate monitor, with relentless ascents and descents for 18km. 

I started just after 8am and straight up faced a steep climb for 5km. By the time I’d arrived in Puiya, it had taken me 3 hours to cover just 7km. Even though it was only 11am, I stopped for lunch (my lunches were getting earlier by the day). 

After lunch the trail became a little, dare I say, flat for a while as it passed through villages. There was now a continuous flow of porters and mules carrying goods up to the lodges on the trekking trails ahead and even young local boys who were heading up to Lukla to find work for the season.

The trail then headed steeply down over rocks and a sludge that can only have been a combination of animal shit and mud. It was such a tough trail to walk over; to take your eyes off the ground for one moment meant you could either lose your boot in the mud or roll your ankle on a rock. 

Mule trains were coming and going in both directions and I got more and more frustrated as I got stuck behind them unable to pass. The final kilometre down to Surke took me one hour as I had to constantly wait for the mules to pass on the skinny trail. At Surke, there were two options. One was to take the trail to Lukla, a steep ascent, and the other was to take the lower trail that continued around Lukla to Cheplung. I took the latter option as it would put me ahead for the next day and I could do without the fancy cafes and WiFi found in Lukla for one more day until I got to Namche. 

As I was coming up to Cheplung, I ticked over the 8 hour mark and I was absolutely wrecked. The past three days had certainly been tough, and more than just a “warm up” for the trekking ahead. My thighs were well and truly fit and ready for whatever hills were to come.

Cheplung was on the main trail to Namche and as soon as the minor trail I had been using joined it above Lukla, I suddenly saw all these trekkers in fresh, crisp trekking gear fresh off the plane.

Distance:  18km   Time:  8 hours   Ascended:  558m  Descended:  516m

Day 4: Cheplung to Namche Bazaar

Leaving Cheplung, the trail undulated for most of the morning with a continuous flow of trekking lodges, restaurants and shops along the way. After three hours I made it to Monjo where I stopped to have lunch at Mountain View Lodge. The retired-mountaineer and owner had summited Everest five times along with many other Himalayan peaks. He now has the small lodge in Monjo where he feeds hungry trekkers like me with organic vegetables that he grows in his garden. 

I sat outside and watched the flow of trekkers, guides, mules, yaks and porters up and down the trail. Just five minutes from Monjo was the National Park office where I had to stop and pay the park fees.

I had been anticipating the big climb up to Namche towards the end of the day and I was already stuck behind mules and large trekking groups as the trail started to climb through the forest. Then the dark clouds opened up and it started to rain. It soon became hail followed by loud thunder and flashes of lightening.

The temperature dropped to near zero suddenly and the trail turned into more of a waterfall as the rain came pouring down. I was stuck behind all these people and animals, frustrated and unable to push on quickly. So I trudged on with all the trekking groups, many already struggling to breathe in the altitude having flown in to Lukla directly. 

A small shelter was up ahead and a lot of groups took a break from the ascent, but I took my chance and overtook them. I pushed my legs up and up, just wanting to get to Namche and out of the cold. Then through the rain I could see a wooden structure with a large crowd of people out the front and the sign, “Checkpost”. I couldn’t believe that they were going to seriously make everyone wait in the pouring rain to check every individual permit, but apparently so. 

A guide saw me and said, “Are you alone?”, and he offered to get my permit checked with the rest of his group to save me waiting. I was so appreciative and even more so when I found out later that independent hikers had waited for over an hour to get through!

Just 10 minutes further up I came into the first lodges of Namche Bazaar and boy, was I relieved. I wasn’t in the mood to be too picky but at first I saw signs saying 1000 rupees for a single room and I really didn’t want to pay that. I stumbled upon  Hotel Valley View  and asked the lady how much. When she said 500 for a room, WiFi and charging I was sold.

Distance:  16km   Time:  7 hours   Ascended:  905m

Day 5: Rest day/acclimatisation day

Most people take an extra day in Namche for acclimatisation, but I was more in need of a rest day than anything else. My legs needed 24 hours without endless hills. Yet, for a little acclimatisation, I decided to walk up to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters, 20 minutes above the town. By the time I got there, I realised I was by far not the only one with the same idea and the small plateau was a little crowded. 

I overheard a guide tell his group, “And that’s Everest, over there.” I spun around, where, which mountain? And then I saw it. The triangular peak poking out from behind the mountains in front. Mount Everest, the roof of the world, right in front of my very eyes and a moment I won’t forget anytime soon.

I spent a lot of the day relaxing around Namche. It really is a trekker’s megacity, with absolutely anything and everything you could possibly need. From Snickers bars, to knee braces, to down jackets, to  I climbed Mount Everest  t-shirts, to yak burgers and apple pie, to memory cards and new phones, no matter what you broke or forgot, you could replace it in Namche. 

A little girl sat out the front of her mother’s shop across from my lodge and whenever someone walked past she would say, “Hello!”. She was such a friendly girl and when I stopped to look at some of the jewellery her mum had, she pointed to a necklace with the Buddhist endless knot symbol and said, “For good luck.” So for $2 I bought it off her, put it around my neck and only hoped that she was right, that it would bring me good luck on the trail ahead.

Day 6: Namche to Khumjung

To make sure my body was well acclimatised I decided to keep my first day after Namche short. I spent the night in a traditional Sherpa village not far from Namche. I wasn’t taking any Diamox pills and so I wanted to keep any chance of getting altitude sickness at bay, despite feeling good thus far. 

From Namche, I had to climb up to the Everest viewpoint that I had done the day before and then continue on from there over the hill and down to Khumjung village. There were a few lodges scattered around and I picked  Sherpaland Hotel.  After lunch, I walked around the village to the small monastery until it started snowing and I decided to go back and rest.

Distance:  5km   Time:  2 hours   Ascended:  350m

Day 7: Khumjung to Dhole

And so the ascent up to Gokyo Valley officially began. I left Khumjung behind and passed all the souvenir stalls along the way until the turn off to Gokyo. I was glad to be leaving the main trekking route behind and to get deeper into the mountains away from the crowds.

There was a steep incline for an hour up to Mongo where some trekkers stopped for a tea break. However, I decided to keep going and followed the trail as it descended steeply, losing all the elevation I’d just gained. At the bottom were a couple of lodges at Phortse Thanga and I just stopped to pick up a snack before continuing on. 

The trail climbed up again steeply and I walked with a pack of yaks heading up with supplies. It was a slow final 3km to Dhole and it took me nearly 2 hours as I had to stop and rest from the steep incline. 

Dhole was a cluster of teahouses sitting at just over 4100m. I checked a couple out before settling on  Himalaya Lodge , which was one of my favourite lodges I stayed on the trek. The lady was very nice and the food was excellent, but most importantly, they put the wood fired heater on early in the afternoon before the sun set!

I heard stories from other trekkers on their way back from Gokyo about the danger on the high passes of Cho La and Renjo La either side of Gokyo. With such heavy snowfall this season, the challenging Three Passes Trek had been a very risky option for keen hikers, although some were getting across with the help of crampons.

Distance:  8km   Time:  3.5 hours   Ascended:  300m

Day 8: Dhole to Machermo

I knew it was just a short day on the Gokyo Lakes trek to Machermo and so I didn’t leave until 9am. The day began with a steep climb up the hill behind Dhole but then flattened out as it snaked around the valley and I was able to pick up my pace. I made it in good time to Luza, passing a lot of other trekkers on the way and then I climbed the last 1km up and over to Machermo. 

I arrived in the small trekking village at 11am, a very early end to my day. I could have continued on, however, in order to make sure that I was fully acclimatised for Gokyo it was best to stay the night. 

I stayed at  Peaceful Lodge  as recommended by the lady in Dhole and it was nice and quiet. The manager told me there was a free Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) talk at the medical clinic every day at 3pm so I decided to head over for it. 

A 5 minute walk towards the back of the village was a Sherpa Shelter and Medical Clinic operating as a not-for-profit. They offer free accommodation and medical treatment for all sherpas and rely on donations as well as charging trekkers for medical assistance and evacuations to keep the place running. There were two British volunteer doctors there who gave the 20 minute talk on the prevention, symptoms and treatment for AMS, which was very interesting. You could also get your oxygen levels checked for free.

Distance:  5km   Time:  2 hours   Ascended:  400m

Day 9: Machermo to Gokyo

I surprisingly slept really well considering I was now sleeping at well over 4000m and I woke up eager to get to Gokyo village. I followed a white arrow painted on a rock near my lodge and it took me around the ridge on a fairly flat trail. I noticed other trekkers going up and over the ridge instead and at first I thought I might have been following the wrong trail until I realised the two actually met up on the other side and the way I went was much easier.

The valley slowly opened up and I could see the trail going up into the distance. I was feeling really good and moved at a pretty good pace as I passed trekking groups along the way. At the top of the valley the trail then flattened out as it passed through an amphitheater of snowy mountains, a truly incredible sight despite the grey clouds that had rolled in. As I got closer to Gokyo, I passed more people as the altitude started to take its affect on them.

I made it passed the first couple of Gokyo lakes and then finally the village of Gokyo came into view and I felt a rush of triumph and relief as I had made it to my final destination of the trek. There were around 12 lodges in Gokyo and I first went to a highly recommended place called Gokyo Resort. It was already packed full of trekking groups and so I quickly escaped to find somewhere more peaceful. A guy said to me, “Looking for a room?” and I followed him to a place called  Namaste Lodge . It was a large building and although the rooms were old, the view from the dining room on the top floor had to be one of the best in the village and so I stayed.

Distance:  7km   Time:  2.5 hours   Ascended:  350m

Day 10: Gokyo to Gokyo Ri

I set my alarm for 5am and was down at Gokyo lake by 5.20am, just as the sky was turning pink and the high peaks in the distance were an orange tinge from the rising sun. I began the steep, switchbacked trail up to the top of Gokyo Ri, the highest point on the Gokyo Lakes trek.

I was feeling good but took it easy, slowly but surely. This was the very reason I had hiked for nine days, a chance to see one of the best viewpoints in the Himalayas. Naturally, that put a bit of pressure on myself and I was just hoping that my body could get me to the top.

As Gokyo fell further and further below, the view of the mountains around me became more spectacular. I overheard a guide pointing out the triangular peak of Everest tucked behind the mountains in front; once again seeing the mighty mountain with my own eyes.

After the halfway point, I started to really slow down. I felt a little ill in the stomach but my head and chest were fine, so I kept sipping on water and didn’t eat anything. I kept looking up at how far I had to go but was unable to see the top. It was a constant battle trying to prevent negative thoughts coming into my mind, I had to convince myself that I was going to make it. I stopped to check   and I still had 200m of elevation to gain over 600m, which sounds like nothing but at that altitude it may as well be forever. I kept pushing on, stopping around every 20 steps to recalibrate, catch my breath and get oxygen into my body.

A little further and I could see the top, with prayer flags and cairns marking the summit. 400m to go, I was going to make it. Finally, after two and a half hours of slow going I stepped foot on the icy top of Gokyo Ri and man, the view… the fucking view! It was nothing like I’d ever seen before. Everest, Cho Oyu, Cholatse, Aba Dablam, Lohtse, they were all there, right in front of my face with a perfect blue sky backdrop.

There were a few others up there too and even the four Spanish guys who’d caught the jeep from Kathmandu with me to Phaplu. “We made it!”. I was in tears; it was so beautiful and I was so damn proud of myself for getting there; no guide, no porter, no Diamox, a real triumph.

After an hour of enjoying the view at 5357m (the second highest I’d ever been in my life), I descended back to Gokyo within an hour. I was riding on an absolute high and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the day.

Distance:  4km   Time:  3.5 hours   Ascended:  600m Descended: 600m

Day 11: Gokyo to Phortse

I had originally toyed with the idea of crossing one of the passes, Renjo La or Cho La to go back to Namche a different way. However, hearing some bad stories of deep snow and frost bitten fingers made me think twice, and I decided to just head back down through the Gokyo Valley.

The manager of the teahouse in Gokyo village recommended I take the trail on the other side of the valley instead, so I could at least have a different experience going back. So, after retracing my steps through the valley to the bottom, I came to a junction and decided to turn off left and follow the lesser used trail to Phortse.

It was still a worn track but I could tell that it was far less used than the one I had followed on the way up. It undulated up and down along the valley, certainly not an easy way. I didn’t see a single other trekker and only passed four local porters carrying building supplies the entire day. It was surreal considering how busy I knew other trails were in the region.

I didn’t stop, not even for lunch, and pushed on until I came to a Buddhist Gompa sitting on a hill with a view of Phortse village below. From there, the trail was finally all down hill for the last 3.5km. The village was quiet and at first, I thought I wouldn’t find a place to stay. However, I happened across  Namaste Lodge  with a man sitting out the front who welcomed me inside. He was a trekking guide himself back in the day and him and his wife were lovely hosts for the night.

The village actually has the highest number of Everest summitters in the Khumbu Region, with many believing that there’s something magic in the water coming down from the mountains in the village. There is a climbing school there as well, where many porters learn how to become a guide.

Distance:  18km   Time:  5.5 hours   Descended:  1160m

Day 12: Phortse to Tengboche (optional side trip)

From Phortse, I could have descended down and met up with the same trail I’d used to Gokyo again, or I could divert a little and go to Tengboche (a main stop on the EBC trek). After reading so many books on Everest climbs, I knew how significant the Tengboche Monastery was for Sherpas and the mountaineering community and so I decided to go and see it for myself. 

I left Phortse at 9am and followed a skinny goat track that descended steeply down the valley to a river crossing. From there, I had to ascend all the way back up the other side to Tengboche where I arrived at 10.30am. I went straight to  Trekkers Lodge , an old independent trekkers favourite and found a small room to stay. I relaxed for the afternoon and the lodge soon filled up with groups all completing the EBC trek.

Distance:  3km   Time:  1.5 hours   Descended:  310m   Ascended:  285m

Day 13: Tengboche to Namche Bazaar

I had a rare early start and was ready to leave before 8am. The thought of getting back to Namche where I could have a hot shower, internet and any food I wanted was thrilling. The trail had a steep decline first, before a steep incline to where the trail flattened out and skirted around the mountains back to Namche. 

I was that excited at the thought of Namche that I walked at a blistering pace, covering the distance in 3 hours rather than the 4+ average for other trekkers. As I was coming towards Namche, I kept glancing back at Everest as it slowly disappeared behind other mountains. The constant stream of trekkers beginning their trek to Base Camp was staggering; there must have been hundreds of people, with high season in full swing. 

I went back to the same lodge and the owner remembered me and gave me a nicer room. I dropped my bags and went out to a cafe where I ordered yak steak and fries, exactly what I needed after dal bhat every day for the past 13 days!

Distance:  10km   Time:  3 hours   Descended:  555m   Ascended:  225m

Day 14: Namche to Lukla

I actually started at 8am again, clearly keen to get to Lukla and the end of the trek. I began my descent down the same trail that I’d climbed in the hail over a week before. I went at a quick pace and passed a lot of trekking groups along the way.

After lunch, the trail had short ups and downs until the last 1km where it gained 100m, just in case your legs weren’t tired and fatigued enough already. I arrived at 2pm and walked up and down the main street of Lukla and picked a random lodge for the night.

I’d originally planned to walk back to Salleri and take the jeep back to Kathmandu again. However, after 14 days in the mountains, I was not looking forward to three more days of walking. The lady at the lodge was very nice and tried to get me a plane ticket out for the next day but with flights having been cancelled for 24 hours already, it was unlikely I would get a seat. 

Distance:  18km   Time:  6 hours   Descended:  900m

Getting back to Kathmandu

With flights being cancelled for two days straight due to bad weather, I couldn’t get a seat on a flight to Kathmandu from Lukla.

I wasn’t going to wait for days, so I reluctantly decided to walk back towards Phaplu, to where my trek had began two weeks before. The prospect of another three days hiking was not ideal, particularly knowing that they were not easy, however, my legs were well conditioned by then and I knew I would be able to do it. 

As I was just on the outskirts of Lukla, I had a phone call from an agent in Kathmandu who told me to run back to Lukla airport. He’d somehow managed to get me a seat in a helicopter (!) for just a bit extra than the price of the plane. I hurried back up the hill to the helipad where I was flown back to Kathmandu, what a way to end a trek!

Hint: I later learnt that some trekkers pre-book expensive helicopter flights back to Kathmandu for a more exclusive option than the planes. But of course, pilots and scouts prefer to have more bums in seats, so if the helicopter isn’t full you can potentially score a last minute seat for a much cheaper price. It doesn’t always work, but it’s worth asking in Lukla.

Accommodation on the Gokyo Lakes trek

The accommodation was your standard teahouse trekking lodges . You get a basic room with a bed and a shared bathroom. Room charges were 100 rupees up until Namche and then 200 rupees after Namche, while Namche itself was 500. It’s always worth checking out a few lodges before settling on one.

WiFi  is available in Namche for free and a local SIM works there too. WiFi is also available at Gokyo and is bought depending on GB and valid days. I paid 800 rupees for use in just Gokyo itself, but you can pay more and have it work across the Everest region. 

Most lodges also charge extra for  device charging . Some lodges charge around 200 rupees for a full charge of a phone, but in Gokyo prices were quite steep and I racked up 1000 rupee bill for charging both my phone and power bank.

Food was very standard at basically every lodge, with various combinations of rice, noodles and potato.  Dal bhat , the typical Nepali dish of rice, dal and veg curry was by far the best choice to fill an empty stomach and ranged from 450 rupees lower down to 600 rupees at Gokyo. 

In Lukla, Namche and Gokyo, more fancy meals were on offer, particularly in Lukla and Namche were you could get steak, yak burgers and chicken schnitzel. Gokyo, also has good food options including two German Bakeries.

Trail navigation

Navigating the trails was very simple and it’s hard to go wrong in Sagarmatha National Park. Starting from Phaplu to Lukla, there is really only one way and there are always local people around if you need to ask. Once meeting up with the main trail from Lukla to Namche, it is impossible to get lost as the constant stream of traffic and trekking lodges along the way makes it easy to follow. 

Getting to Gokyo is also fairly straight forward and there are rarely any alternative trails to confuse it with. All intersections have clear signposts and distance/time averages too.

I used the  Maps.Me   app simply because I liked to check during the day how far I’d covered and how long I had to go as well as elevation.

Just a note on yaks and mule trains. Give way to moving yaks and animals on the trail. While they’re not aggressive, they obviously won’t stop to kindly let you pass. Make sure you stand against the mountain side of the trail and allow them to move by you.

Permit and park fees:  5000 rupees or AUD$65

Transport (to Phaplu):  2000 rupees or AUD$26

Transport (helicopter to Kathmandu):  USD$190

Snacks:  1800 rupees or AUD$24

Sleeping bag rental:  1550 rupees or AUD$20

Meals and accommodation:  33,400 rupees or AUD$430

WiFi:  800 rupees or AUD$10

Souvenirs:  1000 rupees or AUD$12

Total: AUD$585 for 14 nights, 15 days

The helicopter flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla was US$180

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• Gokyo Lakes Trek: A Complete Guide
• Destinations
• 18/02/2023 22/07/2024
• Destinations , travels tips

The Gokyo Lakes trek in Nepal is a must-see destination if you’re looking for a breathtaking trekking experience. This trek takes you through the homeland of the Sherpas and into the stunning Gokyo valley, where you’ll be treated to awe-inspiring views of four 8,000m peaks, including Everest, Cho Oyu, and Makalu.

The Gokyo Lakes Trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, where you will start your journey into Sagarmatha National Park. From here, it is approximately eight days of hiking as you ascend toward Gokyo Ri (5357m). It provides stunning views over Mount Everest and four sacred glacial lakes: Dudh Pokhari, Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, and Ngozumpa Tsho. Along this route, there are plenty of opportunities for exploration, including visits to local villages such as Namche Bazaar or Thame Village, where traditional culture can be experienced firsthand. 

Once you arrive in the valley, you’ll have the chance to explore the turquoise Gokyo lakes before ascending to the high-route pass of Cho La (5330m), which connects Khumbu Valley and Mount Everest Base camp. Combine both treks into a single excursion if you have extra days.

For those seeking an adventure like no other, look no further than the Gokyo Lakes Trek. It promises incredible sights and lifelong memories made along its winding trails!

Table of contents

Gokyo lakes trek outline itinerary, when is the best time to go trek to gokyo lakes, gokyo lakes trek difficulty, permits & regulations, food and accommodation, what does the gokyo lake trek cost, packing a trekker’s kit , getting there and back home, some frequently asked questions, final words.

Highlights of Gokyo Lakes Trek

• Take a scenic flight to Lukla Airport to begin your adventure.
• Explore the Everest region’s less-traveled, off-the-beaten-path trails.
• Hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for a spectacular view of Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.
• Experience the pristine ambiance of the turquoise Gokyo Lakes.
• Lodge-based accommodation. 

Gokyo Lake Trek Trip Facts

Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) are Nepal’s best trekking seasons, and the Gokyo Lake Trek is no exception. The weather in Autumn and Spring is moderately warm and stable, making it ideal for trekking. During these seasons, the skies remain clear, providing stunning views of the mountains.

The average temperature in Nepal during autumn ranges from 16 to 24 degrees Celsius, and in the spring, it ranges from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius.

It covered the trail with snow during winter (December to February). Excess snow can also interrupt the route in extreme conditions. The Gokyo Lakes can be frozen entirely when you visit in late February or early March. Similarly, the trail can be challenging and impassable in winter.

Featured Trips

Gokyo lake ebc trek, gokyo ri trek, everest three pass trek.

Unlike most Nepal treks, Gokyo Lake Trek is not a year-long trekking destination. The trails are slippery during the Monsoon (June-August), so we do not recommend it to hike this season.

The trek starts in Lukla, at 2800 meters above sea level. Lukla is the gateway to the Everest region and a busy town. Most tourists fly to Lukla and start the trek from there. The hike is not recommended for those unfamiliar with high altitudes or those with heart or lung conditions.

The Gokyo Lakes Trek is moderately strenuous but does not involve technical skills. This itinerary takes ten days to complete the entire circuit from Lukla to Gokyo Lakes and back. On average, the trek requires 5 to 6 hours of walking daily. 

Despite being less traveled than Everest Base Camp, the trail is well-marked and easily navigable. However, if you plan on embarking on the Gokyo Lakes trek, it’s crucial to remember the altitude. This trek will take you above 4,000 meters, so you’ll be at risk for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of the symptoms and take necessary precautions to avoid AMS while enjoying the stunning views of Gokyo Ri.

Although the Gokyo Ri Trek is considered a moderate trek, it allows you to walk through steep uphills and downhills in the rugged terrains of the Himalayas. In addition, some trails on steep slopes are physically demanding.

As a result, you must approach these routes with adequate planning and physical fitness. To prepare for the trek, engage in cardio exercises such as hiking, jogging, cycling, and swimming.

The local government of the Khumbu region has implemented a new permit that replaces the TIMS Card since 2018. As a result, a TIMS Card is no longer needed for trekking in the Khumbu region; instead, you require getting a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.

This permit is not available in Kathmandu. You can get it only in Lukla or Monjo. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit costs approximately US$28 per individual and is valid for the entire Everest region.

You’ll also need a Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project (GCAP) Permit to start the Gokyo Lakes Trek from the classic Jiri route. The permit cost is similar to the Sagarmatha National Park fee and is available from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.

Keep in mind that all permit fees are payable in Nepalese rupees. Therefore, before trekking in this region, ensure you exchange sufficient local money.

There are many lodges and hotels on the trek. The tea houses are generally on the route and run by a government or private entity. Many of the tea houses have restaurants and are excellent places to stay.

The Gokyo Lake Trek is a popular trekking route in the Khumbu region, known for its stunning views of the Himalayas and serene lakes. Along the way, trekkers can find a range of teahouses to stay in, from basic accommodations to more luxurious options with hot showers.

Despite the remote location, the teahouses are relatively comfortable and well-developed, making the trek an excellent option for those looking to experience the beauty of the Himalayas without sacrificing comfort.

Though not luxurious, most teahouses will provide the requisite amenities such as rooms, food, charging stations, Wi-Fi, and a hot shower. It furnished the rooms with twin beds, a thin mattress, a pillow, and a set of bed sheets.

Most teahouses do not generally have attached bathrooms. Remember that if you use Wi-Fi, charging stations, and a hot shower, the teahouse will charge you an additional fee!

The teahouses offer Nepali and Western cuisines on their menus. Despite the minimal food choices, the meal portions are very substantial.

Customize Your Holiday?

Tailor your holiday with help from a local travel specialist that matches your requirements.

The total cost of the Gokyo Ri Trek can vary greatly depending on the route, the number of people, and the length of the stay. It can range from $1250 to $2400, but many reputable operators have their own fixed prices. 

However, the total cost of the Gokyo Lakes trek is USD 1350.00. This covers all the essential services, from transportation to accommodation, food, and other miscellaneous expenses, such as entrance fees and park fees.

Please email us if you have any questions about the Gokyo Ri Trek .

It is the ultimate pack for carrying gear for a high-altitude trekking adventure. The goal is to give you the tools to survive and thrive in the mountains.

This pack is ideal for any adventure where carrying weight is a concern, but more importantly, it’s suitable for trekkers who wish to have their gear rather than using porters.

This pack is ideal for trekking, mountaineering, hiking, and backpacking. Packing is easy, and it takes time. What you need to consider is what you will need during your trip.

I recommend packing for at least a week if not longer, to ensure you have everything you need. There are many variations in how a trekker packs for a trip, but most agree on the following:

• A comfortable, light backpack.
• The clothes will light up and dry out quickly.
• Waterproof items (rain jacket, poncho, etc.)
• Hiking shoes
• Tripod and camera straps
• First aid kit
• Warm clothing
• Other essential things that can help make the trek easier (like a headlamp)
• Always check with your guide regarding the best equipment to bring.

The Gokyo Lake Trek is one of the highlights of any itinerary in Nepal. It is a fantastic adventure in the Himalayas. The hike starts at Lukla airport and ends at Lukla in the Everest region of Nepal. The trek takes approximately seven days and six nights and passes through spectacular scenic landscapes.

It is one of the most popular treks in Nepal, attracting tourists from around the world.

The trek usually begins and ends in Lukla, a great way to see the Himalayas. The views are spectacular, and you can see Mount Everest and nearby mountains.

The trek offers the chance to visit local communities, villages, and the region’s natural wonders. Gokyo Ri Trek also has plenty of places to take pictures, and the views of the mountain ranges are spectacular.

In addition, the expedition has several beautiful places that are great to photograph, and the trails around the falls are often busy with tourists.

The Gokyo Lakes Trek is also a great spot to learn about the culture of the Himalayas. The people are fascinating and friendly. The expedition allows you to meet them, know their customs, and see some unique things in the region.

Lukla is the nearest airport to Gokyo Lakes. 

To help you plan your trip, here are some frequently asked questions about the trek to Gokyo Lakes.

Gokyo Lakes is a set of six stunning glacial lakes. The lakes are among the world’s highest freshwater lakes, with altitudes ranging from 4,700m to 5,000m. The lakes lie in the stunning Sagarmatha National Park , also home to Mount Everest. Trekkers often visit Gokyo Lakes as a side trip to Mount Everest Base Camp. 

The Gokyo Lakes are breathtakingly beautiful. This expedition provides some of the most breathtaking views of Mount Everest and Cho Oyu. The pictures are even better than those of Kalapathar, the most prominent viewpoint along the classic EBC trek route.

Your adventure will begin with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. You should also expect significant delays at the Kathmandu airport. If you have more time or wish to explore Lower Khumbu, you may start your expedition at Jiri or Salleri.

The Gokyo Ri Trek is a perfect alternative to the Everest Base Camp Trek . The 11-day itinerary includes everything from spectacular mountain scenery to high-altitude turquoise lakes to the immense Ngozumpa glacier.

What better place to go hiking than the stunning Gokyo Valley in the heart of the Nepalese Himalayas? It’s one of the best hikes in the world.

It’s well-known for its breathtaking views and mountain scenery, but be aware. While this trek is considered moderately difficult, some hard places are in the higher reaches of the trek. As a result, you need physical fitness and mental preparation for trekking in this region.

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Classic EBC Trek

• EBC + Gokyo Trek
• Jiri to EBC
• 3 Passes Trek to EBC
• Island Peak and EBC
• Acclimatisation
• Packing List

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Gokyo lakes trek to everest base camp (expert guide)  .

The Gokyo Lakes Trek to Everest Base Camp is a variation of the  traditional trek to Base Camp  that offers additional sights and the wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of the highest freshwater lake system in the world. This is all in addition to visiting the Everest Base Camp and high-point of  Kala Patthar  – two of the highlights of the standard base camp trek.

The route parts with the classic Everest Base Camp Trek at Namche Bazaar and heads west up the Dudh Koshi valley towards Gokyo Lakes and the trekking peak of Gokyo Ri. Expect quiet trails that allow you to focus on the sheer natural beauty of your surrounds – a much more varied and verdant landscape than on the classic trek.

Because of the route’s circular nature, you will not have to retrace your footsteps on the return leg of the trip as you would have done on the standard base camp trek. After spending some time relaxing at the turquoise glacial lakes you will summit Gokyo Ri only to be blown away by some of the most stunning views of Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m) and Cho Oyu (8,201m).

From there you will ascend one of the iconic ‘Three Passes’ in the region – Cho La pass – over which you will re-join with the main trek up to Gorak Shep. You will have the opportunity to visit the trekker’s photo point at Everest Base Camp before setting out on the trek up Kala Patthar the next day – another iconic viewpoint in the region.

This article covers the Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base Camp Trek by providing a detailed, day-to-day itinerary, map and by answering various questions on when to go, what to pack and how much it will cost.

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Gokyo Lakes Trek

Regional map.

The trek takes place in the Everest or Khumbu region of Nepal as shown by the orange block on the map below. After flying into the capital, Kathmandu, you will take a  short flight into Lukla where the classic Everest Base Camp Trek as well as the Gokyo Lakes Trek begins.

For an alternative to flying into Lukla airport, consider the  Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek – a variation which starts with a bus ride before trekking most of the way in a fashion similar to the early pioneers of the region.

Goyko Lakes Trek Map

This map provides a schematic representation of the trek to Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes. After flying into Lukla, the trek starts along with the classic trek heading north through Phadking. At Namche Bazaar, the route forks left and passes through the small town of Dole and Machhermo before reaching the Gokyo Lakes in the north-west.

After the summit of Gokyo Ri is completed, the route heads east over the Cho La pass towards Tengboche and Pheriche, where it joins up with the main Everest route. From here you follow the Khumbu Glacier up to Gorak Shep and eventually Everest Base Camp. After climbing up Kala Patthar, the route descends through Dingboche on the classic trail before reaching Namche Bazaar and finally Lukla.

Recommended Guidebooks

Taking a guide on the Gokyo Lakes Trek is a great way of ensuring you make the most of your time spent in the Khumbu region. The Gokyo Lakes variation is also much quieter than the classic trek, so an easy-to-read map can come in handy when navigating through the valley.

The Lonely Planet Trekking in Nepal Himalaya guide is updated regularly and is a well-known, trusted resource used by many trekkers worldwide. The guide is very detailed and contains information for many treks, meaning you can use it more than once!

For an excellent trekking map we recommend:  Nepa Maps 1:50,000 Gokyo and Everest Region Map .

Detailed Goyko Lakes Trek Itinerary

As with the popular classic trek, the Gokyo Lakes Trek also starts in Lukla after a short, yet memorable flight from Kathmandu. The outward leg of the trek takes you north-west through the Dudh Koshi valley before looping around after Gokyo and returning along the classic route.

The entire trips lasts around 17 days, of which 2/3 days will be spent in Kathmandu pre and post the trek. This is a few days longer than the traditional Everest trek – accommodating the countless extra sights you will come across as you make your way to the base camp.

Day 1: Kathmandu, baby!

Arrive in the capital city of Kathmandu. If you have booked your trip with a tour operator they will usually provide airport transfers and will have arranged your hotel. If you are travelling independently there are loads of taxis at Kathmandu airport (just make sure you agree a price before you get in the taxi) and we recommend staying in the Thamel district.

Vibrant streets of Thamel, Kathmandu

Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. Trek to Phadking

A short morning flight will take you to Lukla Airport. The flight is quite an experience itself so be sure to bring your camera with! After touching down in Lukla, the trek begins with a short descent to Phadking, passing various Buddhist sights along the way. Find our more about the  flight to Lukla here .

Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar

A full day’s trekking will take you into the start of the Sagarmatha National Park . A steep finish to the day will bring you to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the central trading outpost of the region. Explore the village and stock up on some much-needed snacks for the next few days. Be sure to check out the weekly market if you happen to be there on a Saturday! Please note: many people split day 3 into two parts, stopping for the night in Phakding before continuing onto Namche on day 4.

Day 4: Acclimatisation Day

Spend the day acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar by exploring the area steeped in tradition. A short hike to the Everest View Hotel will give you a chance to catch your first glimpse of the famous mountain, as well as the imposing Ama Dablam.

Day 5: Trek to Dole

The trek now separates from the main Everest route and heads north-west up the Dudh Koshi valley towards Dole. You should be able to snap some amazing pics of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam as you cross one of the early ridges.

Day 6: Trek to Machhermo

A fairly steep day of trekking will take you up 500m in altitude towards Machhermo. Keep your eyes peeled to see some of the yaks during the summer months. Once again, you will be treated with some of the best views of Cho Oyu and the surrounding peaks as you trek. Try to keep your head up to take in some of the beauty!

Day 7: Acclimatisation Day

Your second acclimatization day will be spent at Machhermo. Use the time to seek out the views of the Ngozumpa Glacier – the largest glacier in the Himalayas.

Day 8: Trek to Gokyo

After a good day’s rest, make your way to the first of the lakes – you won’t be able to miss them with their striking turquoise water standing in stark contrast to the landscape of the region. After the third lake, you will reach the village of Gokyo where you will be staying for the night.

Day 9: Gokyo Ri and then hike to Dragnag

An early start to the day is needed for the summit of Gokyo Ri. At just below 5,500m, the summit offers wonderful views of Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather! Descend later that morning and then cross the Ngozumpa glacier before heading to Dragnag for the night.

Day 10: Over the Cho La Pass and onto Dzongla

Be prepared for a long day as you traverse one of the ‘Three Passes’ – Cho La. Take your time as you tackle the rocky trail over the pass, reaching 5,420 at its highest point. From here you will cross the glacier on the other side of the Cho La and descend to Dzongla.

Day 11: Rejoin the classic trail and hike to Lobuche

Rejoin with the main Everest route as you pass through Pheriche and Tengboche, where you will find the largest monastery in the area. The trek from Pheriche to Lobuche passes many memorials to Sherpas and climbers who have died climbing Everest. You will spend the night in Lobuche.

Day 12: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (hike to EBC and back to Gorak Shep)

The day is spent hugging the Khumbu Glacier as you make your way up to Gorak Shep and eventually Everest Base Camp. Tour groups are not typically allowed to stay in base camp for long, so take the opportunity to get a feeling of the buzz and excitement of potential summiteers of Everest (if you visit during the climbing season – April / May). Descend back to Gorak Shep for the night, passing great views of the infamous Khumbu icefall.

Day 13: Ascend Kala Patthar and then hike to Dingboche

Ascend the trekking peak of Kala Patthar for more breath-taking views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. Descend that afternoon to Dingboche, following the classic route.

View from Kala Patthar with EBC, the Khumbu Glacier, Nuptse and Mount Everest in the background

Day 14: Return to Namche

Descend back to Namche Bazaar via Tengboche. Keep your camera on you as you pass through the rhododendron covered slopes – making for a great photo.

Day 15: Hike to Lukla

Finish the trek with the descent to Lukla, through the Dudh Koshi valley. Catch up on some much-needed rest and possibly a few drinks to celebrate what is sure to have been a memorable trip!

Day 16: Fly back to Kathmandu

Fly back to Kathmandu early in the morning.

Altitude Profile

This chart shows the altitude profile of the typical Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base Camp Trek, starting in Lukla and reaching the high-points of Gokyo Ri, Cho La Pass and Kala Patthar.

A significantly greater part of the trek is spent above 4,000m when compared to the traditional Everest Base Camp Trek. The ascent profile is also steeper than the traditional trek – contributing to the increased difficulty of this variation.

Gokyo Lakes Trek FAQ

How much does the gokyo lakes trek cost.

The Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base Camp Trek tour package tends to cost £400-£500 more than the classic Everest Base Camp Trek – mainly because the trek is longer, therefore requiring more accommodation, food and guides.

Trekking independently is not recommended for this variation because the routes are much less busy and the trek in general is more challenging. A tour operator will organise all accommodation, food, permits and communal equipment as well as provide well-trained guides. Packages will cost in the region of £1,200 to £2,500.

Read our detailed article on the breakdown of  costs for the classic Everest Base Camp Trek here .

When is the best time to trek the Gokyo Lakes route?

As with most treks in the region, it is best to avoid the peak of summer when the monsoon season is at its zenith by trekking in the shoulder months either side of it. During these months, the weather tends to be stable and dry – making for good trekking and sightseeing conditions.

The pre-monsoon months of February to May are a popular time when the mountain is at its greenest. September to October are considered the best months to trek on the other side of summer.

Trekking during peak season should not be much of an issue on the Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base Camp trek as the route avoids the crowds of people tackling the classic trek.

Find out more information on  weather and the best time to trek in the Everest region .

How difficult is the Goyko Lakes trek?

If the classic Everest trek is considered an easy trek, then the Gokyo Lakes variation may be considered moderate. While no previous trekking experience is required, the trek does involve 5-7 hours of trekking per day on hilly/rocky terrain at high altitudes. Much of the trek is spent above 4,000m and altitudes of over 5,500m are reached when traversing passes and trekking peaks.

We do recommend training a few weeks to months beforehand so that you will be comfortable walking similar distances on the trek. Here is our  EBC trek training guide .

Will I get altitude sickness?

The itinerary of the trek is designed to provide enough time for the body to acclimatize to the high altitudes. If you follow the guide and don’t rush the ascents, you should be fine. Most high-points on the trek are peaks or passes which will be descended shortly after reaching the top – following the principle of ‘climb high, sleep low’.

Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness or age, so it is still vital to read up on the symptoms and different variations of the condition. Our detailed article on  acclimatization and altitude sickness is sufficient reading preparation for the trek.

What gear should I pack for the Gokyo Lakes Trek?

The packing list for a trip of this length is quite extensive, so we have compiled an article that details what you should bring and which brands offer the best value for money.

Read the  Everest Base Camp packing list for our recommendations based on past experience of trekking in Everest.

What insurance do I need?

The short answer is yes. Trekking in Nepal at high altitudes comes along with various risks that are not covered by typical travel insurance. We recommend taking out insurance that covers trekking to altitudes up to 6,000m as well as medical evacuation from the mountain.

We have a  detailed article to help to find the best policy that will suit your needs. Alternatively, use the quote calculator below from our recommended partner, World Nomads. They offer insurance that covers guided hikes up to 6000m and include a premium for Helicopter Evacuation in Nepal.

Route Variations

The most popular trek in the region, the classic Everest Base Camp Trek starts after a flight into Lukla. From there the hike begins with gradual ascents each day through various villages and small towns as you head north through the Khumbu Valley.

The trek takes you through the villages of Phadking, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Pheriche and Gorak Shep before reaching the Everest Base Camp. You then retrace your footsteps as you head back down the valley, using the same route.

The trek is very popular during peak trekking season with over 30,000 people completing it annually. It typically lasts 14 days and covers 130km of trekking that involves covering an average of 15km per day over 5/6 hours.

Three Passes Trek

The Three Passes Trek is a tougher variation than the classic Everest Base Camp Trek because it involves crossing three very high passes as well as summiting some walking peaks which are not included on the classic trek.

The variation starts by following the classic trek from Lukla to Namche Bazar before veering west towards Thame and the remote Nangpa Valley. The first of the three passes encountered is the Renjo La, where you will be afforded magnificent views of Everest before descending to the idyllic Gokyo lakes.

The next pass, Cho La, involves walking up a fairly steep and icy trail before reaching a small glacier at the top. From here, you descend and re-join the main base camp trek where you summit Kala Patthar – the iconic viewpoint. You continue onto base camp itself before descending to Lobuche.

You then head east over the third pass of Kongma La and continue onwards to summit the third peak of Chukking Ri. Once again you will have amazing views of the surrounding peaks that you would not get to see on the classic trek. The circuit is completed by returning to Lukla through the main Everest trail.

Jiri to Everest Base Camp

This variation of the classic trek offers an alternative to flying into to Lukla from Kathmandu to start the trek. The Jiri variation starts with an 8-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Jiri, where the trek begins.

The variation adds an extra 5/6 days onto the trip as you trek through the Solu-Khumbu region and make your way past Lukla, where the trek then follows the same route as the classic Everest Base Camp Trek.

It involves a scenic, yet very long, bus ride as well as a lot more exposure to the Tibetan and Sherpa cultures. Expect to trek through more forests and streams as you start at the relatively low altitude of 1,800m and work your way up to Lukla and beyond.

Island Peak Climb

The variation trek that involves summiting Island Peak is significantly harder than the classic Everest Base Camp Trek. The climb to the peak is somewhat technical although and requires basic knowledge of using crampons and ice axes. Standing at just under 6,200m, however, altitude can be the real challenge.

Most climbers of Island Peak use the traditional base camp trek as a means of acclimatising before heading to the Island Peak Base Camp via Dingboche on the main trail, or by traversing the Chongma La pass. Summiting from the base camp typically takes two days and the whole variation will add around 4 days onto the classic trek.

Tags: Gokyo Lakes Trek, Trek to Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Lakes Trek to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes Trek Map

Mark Whitman

Hi, I'm Mark! Welcome to EBC Trek Guide - the Web's No.1 Trekking Guide to Everest Base Camp. I have trekked all over Nepal, but the Everest region remains my favourite. I hope you find all the answers you are looking for on this site. If you have any questions don't hesitate to drop a comment below! Happy Trekking!

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mark you are pictured with a guide, he was my guide to Gokyo Ri in 2016, but Ive lost his contact details can you remember his name please. I lives with is family in a tea shop about half way between Lukla and Phadping

Hi Ray, his name is Pimba. All the best!

Hi Mark, lots of good info on your site. Thank you. I am 53 and planning to do the Gokyo Valley Trek returning down the Eastern side of the valley in November with my 17 year old son. We have done hikes of up to 7 days in NZ but never at altitude. I have starting a training program but a little concerned about the difficulty of this trek. We will take it slow and have lots of rest days however and get to Gokyo in 7 or 8 days before returning. Any other tips ?

Hi Emma, you both sound fit and more experienced than the average trekker in Nepal. As long as you take a slow ascend to Gokyo you should be absolutely fine and have a blast. My only tip would be to take yak tracks for the Cho La pass. It can get quite snowy in November so additional grip is never a bad thing.

Hello Mark,

We are planning to do Jiri to Ebc with the Gokyo Ri and Cho la pass. We would like to start from Jiri around the last week of february. Do you think the Gokyo ri and Cho la pass will be open and safe when we will be there? Also, we want to buy or rent a third layer in Katmandu. Do you have any shop you would recommand?

Thank you very much for all the informations and the advice,

Hi Cedrik, Gokyo Ri and Cho La should be open around this time – as long as there isn’t a late massive snowfall in late Feb / early March. In terms of gear, there are loads of gear shops in the Thamel district of Kathmandu – just make sure you avoid bad ripoffs – these will fail on the trek.

Hey Mark, Great web site! My son and I are considering the Gokyo Lakes route. We went up Kilimanjaro last year and the only altitude effect I experienced was loss of appetite. Although the quality of food was not the issue, I’d like to take food quality out as a factor I have to worry about. Hence I’m leaning toward trekking companies that cook their own food and provide boiled water. Am I being too squeamish?

Hi Jim, most trek operators use teahouses, where food is prepared by the teahouse proprietors for trekkers. teahouses on all Everest trails are pretty good nowadays. Most offer a wide and varied menus. Trek companies arrange your stays at each teahouse and will provide purified water. To find our more about teahouses see here: https://ebctrekguide.com/teahouses-on-the-everest-base-camp-trek . Cheers!

HI There. I was thinking of taking the Gokyo Lakes trek from Lukla to Dhole and Gokyo and then take the extra step ChoLa Lobuche and Everett Base Camp. When you say hug the Khumbu Glacier – is this a dangerous hike or if we are fit and have hiked before, is this something that is doable or do we need to be experts in hiking glaciers. Also how many extra days should I be thinking of if we decide to do the extra route? Thanks!

Hi Donna, the hike is not particularly dangerous, apart from altitude sickness risks, but there are areas where more caution should be taken. For example, crossing the Ngozumba glacier and the Cho La Pass comes with more risk than other areas of the hike. I would recommend taking 3-4 days more to do the Gokyo Lakes trek (i.e. 17-18 days in total).

Whether is it advisable to do first EBC and then Go Kyo Ri i.e. anti-clockwise instead of conventional Go Kyo Ri first and then EBC later?

Hi Hermant, I prefer the anti-clockwise approach as their is more time to acclimatise, but many people follow a clockwise route too. My advise would be to do an anti-clockwise route though.

We are both retired .age 71( male) n we intend to trek in sept 2022 when Cov 19 is expected to be over to the Gokyo lakes to EBC then back to Lukla.WE are regular Hills n Mtns hikers 2-3 times per week since 2018 n we r good walkers n fairly fit.Which route do U suggest is a better n easier route:1) Namche Bz to Dole,Machhermo,Gokyo Lakes,Gokyo Ri,Chola pass,Dzongla,Lobuche,Gorakshep-EBC then Kala Patthar to Pheriche,Tengboche n back to Namche Bazar or 2) Nche Bz -Tengboche,Lobuche-EBC then Kala Patthar -Dzongla,Chola Pass,Gokyo Ri & Lakes,Machhermo,Dole backtoNamch Bzr. What is the difference in terms of Days N cost? our Group :2 persons aged 72 & 2 persons below 50 years ( regular hills hikers & fairly fit)T.Q

Hi, I have only done the clockwise route from Namche to Dole etc. Personally, I think this is a better route as you get lots of acclimatisation in before getting to EBC (i.e. hiking Gokyo Ri and Cho La). There is no difference in terms of days and cost. Hope this helps!

Hi Mark, its pretty much a year to the day when I'm going (along with my wife). I want to record the hike (Strava). Is this fairly straight forward (with a phone), rather than using anything too expensive? I cannot find that much information about recording via Strava. Perhaps others aren't as sad as me..! Thanks, John

Hi John, I’ve never used Strava. But in principle if you can maintain an internet connection or a way to track offline when there is no internet, I don’t see why it wouldn’t track. Hope you’re able to do it!

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Gokyo Valley: A Complete Guide (Gokyo Lakes + Gokyo Ri)

Gokyo is a small village located at the foothills of Goyo Ri. Here, most homes are tea houses that host guests and trekkers. The valley resides just beside the Gokyo Cho Lake, overlooking Mount Machhermo. What’s fascinating is that the village is one of the highest settlements in the world at 4750 m/15580 ft. and is dotted by the largest glacier in Nepal – Ngozumpa Glacier. During winter, people move to lower altitudes from Gokyo and return when the season starts. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, you’ll be glad to find several yaks in this village.

Visiting Gokyo was one of the highlights of our trip. You shouldn’t miss Gokyo if you’re around. This guide is all about Gokyo and what you should know to get the most out of your visit.

Things To Do In Gokyo

Table of Contents

3 Reasons Why You Should Trek Via Gokyo

• Witness 4 of the 14 tallest and the most majestic peaks in the world. These are Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyo, all above 8000m.
• Encounter 6 beautiful high-altitude alpine lakes.
• Trek along the scenic route, which has a smaller crowd than the popular classic EBC route .

How To Reach Gokyo?

There are three ways to reach Gokyo, of which two require you to climb mountain passes. You would have to pass the Renjo La Pass or the Chola Pass. The third route to reach Gokyo via Dole and Machhermo is the easiest. If you trek on this trail, you can reach Gokyo in 2 days from Namche Bazaar . 

We did the Everest Base Camp (EBC) and three passes trek and stumbled upon Gokyo. The sheer beauty and serenity captivated our hearts, and we instantly fell in love with how life was led in this village. Since we were short on time, we had time to explore only the first 4 out of 6 lakes.

The Best Time To Visit Gokyo

Gokyo can be visited during the two trekking windows – Late April to Early June and September to December. The best months to visit Gokyo are May, October, and November because, during this period, you can enjoy the clear mountain views.

Where To Eat & Stay?

At the Gokyo village, you’ll find tea houses that provide food and shelter. We stayed at Gokyo Namaste Lodge and Restaurant, which was pretty comfortable.

Network Availability

We didn’t get any signal at Gokyo. But a few of the co-trekkers got intermittent signals from NCell and EverestLink. However, no signal was observed while hiking Gokyo Ri and the lakes.

ATM Availability

No ATMs are available at Gokyo, and few tea houses accept card payments. Cash payments are widely accepted. 

Languages Spoken

Many people speak Nepalese, Sherpa, Hindi, and English.

Top 3 Things To Do At Gokyo

Trek to the 6 alpine lakes of gokyo.

The 6 alpine lakes of Gokyo are the highest freshwater lakes in the world, located at around 5000 m. These form the source of the Dudh Koshi River. The river flows South to Namche Bazaar, exits Sagarmatha National Park, passes West of Lukla, and continues downward. Another mesmerizing facet of this trek is that you will encounter Mount Cho Oyo, and it’ll overlook the trail from the third lake onwards. Swimming, bathing, diving, and washing clothes are prohibited.

Trekking to the turquoise blue lakes is easy and has no steep climbs on the trail. You can do the trek independently without a guide or porter by downloading the offline maps and following the trail.

1. Langponga Tsho/ Lake One (4668 m)

The first lake you’ll reach from Namche Bazaar to Gokyo is Langpong Tsho, the smallest of all.

2. Taujung Tsho/ Lake Two (4720 m)

From Lake One, Lake Two (Taujung Tsho) is a Km away, and the terrain on this trail is almost flat. The water flowing beside the trail creates numerous little waterfalls. The second lake is relatively larger, and you will walk across the entire length of Taujung Tsho and further to reach Lake Three (Dudh Pokhari).

3. Dudh Pokhari/ Lake Three (4750 m)

Walk for about 2 Km to reach Lake Three or Dudh Pokhari. Popularly known as Gokyo Cho, it is the main lake where you find the settlements. You can see the majestic reflection of Mt. Machhermo and gaze at the still water for hours.

4. Thoonak Tsho/ Lake Four (4850 m)

The deepest and largest lake of all six is the Thoonak Tsho or Lake Four. Located 4 Km from Lake Three, you get to see the aerial view of the lake from a distant viewpoint. Get closer to the lake to enjoy the serene surroundings with the mountains’ backdrop.

5. Ngozumpa Lake/ Lake Five (4950 m)

Lake Five or Ngozumpa Lake is 4 Km away and takes about 2 hours to reach from Lake Four. Near Lake Five, you can see Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyo, and the Ngozumpa Glacier, after which the lake is named. You can hire horses from Gokyo tea houses to reach Ngozumpa Lake. They’ll charge you around $100 for a round trip.

6. Gyazumpa Tsho (5150 m)

Gyazumpa Tsho resides 3.5 Km away from Lake Five and takes another 2 hours to reach. Unlike the others, Gyazumpa Tsho is a group of many lakes where the water bodies connect if the water flow is high. Cho Oyo Base Camp is located close by on the opposite end.

Reach The Cho Oyo Base Camp

You can extend your trek from the 6th Lake and reach the Cho Oyo Base camp (Nepal side), just 10 minutes away. However, no climbers have successfully summited Cho Oyo from Nepal as it is prone to avalanches, unpredictable weather, and steepness. So, unlike the other base camps, this one will be pretty much empty even during the climbing season – August to October.

Summit Gokyo Ri

Gokyo Ri is one of the beautiful peaks from where you can see 4 of the 14 highest mountain peaks – Mt. Everest, Cho Oyo, Makalu, and Lhotse. A guide is not required. As visitors frequent it, the trail is pretty much visible from start to end. You can download offline maps, just in case. The prayer flags at the top mark the summit. Hike Gokyo Ri in the morning for the clear and best views. In the later half of the day, the peak might be covered by mist or clouds blocking your view.

• Hike distance: 1.8 Km (one way)
• Duration: 3 – 4 hours for ascending and 1 – 2 hours for descending
• Highest Altitude: 5344 m
• Hike Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult, dependent on your fitness level

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the gokyo lakes visible from the summit of gokyo ri.

Gokyo Cho or Lake Three is visible from the summit of Gokyo Ri, while the other lakes are not visible.

Can I do the Gokyo Valley trek?

You can do the Gokyo Valley trek alone or combine it with the Everest Base Camp and the three passes. Separate packages cover Gokyo Village, Gokyo Ri, and the lakes. 

Is a guide mandatory for the Gokyo Ri and Gokyo lakes treks?

Although the Nepal Government announced that guides are compulsory to trek in the Khumbu region, it is not strictly practiced. We did EBC, Kalapathar, and the three passes trek in September’23 and were allowed to trek independently. We were not questioned at the checkpoints along the trail. You can also trek solo, and a guide is not mandatory.

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• DIY hiking guide to Kala Patthar
• Read about our glacier crossing experience while doing the EBC and 3 passes trek
• What to pack for your EBC trek?

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Twins - Agalya and Atchaya

Agalya and Atchaya are the owners and authors of TwinsOnToes, a travel blog that helps travelers explore smarter, longer, and more affordably. With a wealth of experience from traveling since 2017 and writing over 350 blog posts, their tips and insights reflect a deep passion for the great outdoors. When not blogging about their favorite destinations, they are often found hiking remote trails or seeking out thrilling adventures.

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When did you do the your Goyko trek. Everything I read states that a guide is required in the region? I hope to do the hike starting May 23, 2024. Being a bit older than you I will most likely hire at least a porter to support the local economy

Jeff, we did the trek in September’23. It is not mandatory to have a guide or porter in the Khumbu region. Hiring a guide or porter definitely helps the local community. It is totally up for you to decide.

Enjoy your trek. Good luck 🙂

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• Travel Guide & Tips

The Complete Guidebook for Gokyo Lakes Trek

• Modified on Aug 14, 2024

Discover the majestic Himalayan wonders of Gokyo Valley and experience the highly affluent Sherpa culture along with excellent views of the highest mountains on earth including Mt. Everest and gateway to the world’s most popular trekking trail - Everest Base Camp Trek . Gokyo Lake Trek is the second most popular and visited trekking trail in the Everest Region It offers stunning mountain views, rich Sherpa culture, Tibetan Buddhism, exotic biodiversity along with beautiful landscapes and nature exploring the largest glacier in Nepal, Ngozumpa Glacier, exploring the beauty of the highest freshwater lake system in the world, and witnessing the magical hour from Gokyo Ri (sunset and sunrise above the mountain). The extremely beautiful Gokyo Lakes trekking is a must-do trip in your lifetime.

Sherpa People are the inhabitants of the Khumbu region and they are popular and recognized as the pioneers in climbing the highest mountains, we know the fact that Tenzing Norge was the first person to climb the world’s highest mountain along with Sir Edmund Hillary. The local lodges and tea houses are available in the entire Everest Region trekking. Especially on the Gokyo Lakes side, it’s less crowded than the popular Everest Base Camp trekking route. Footprint Adventure keeps no stones to explore the beautiful Gokyo lakes trail and makes you visit a wonderland of Nepal offering you a lifetime memorable experience. In this blog, “The Comprehensive Guidebook for Gokyo Lakes Trek” we’ve tried to explain most of the essential things that you must know before planning for the Gokyo Lakes trek.

Table of Content

Introduction of gokyo lakes trek .

Gokyo Lakes Trek is the second most popular and visited trekking trail in the Everest region where you can explore the world’s highest freshwater lake system along with the giant snow-capped mountains, stunning landscapes, rich Sherpa culture, traditions, and natural beauties of the Gokyo valley. For a close encounter with the highest peak on earth Mt. Everest, the Gokyo Lakes trek offers the best view from Gokyo Ri and Renjola Pass. 

The trip began with the 30-minute thrilling and scenic flight to the most extreme airport in the world called Lukla Airport and hiking alongside the beautiful Sherpa villages, a dense alpine forest of Rhododendron, and the pristine Dudh Koshi river. The popular Namche Bazaar offers warm hospitality from the popular Sherpa community along with the town and amazes you with a service that is not less than a city. Exploring the nearby Khumjung villages, the first glimpse of the highest mountain of the world - Mt. Everest 8,848.86m from Everest viewpoint would be the highlights of the Gokyo Lakes trek. Encountering with Yaks, Dzho, donkeys, trekkers, porters, and climbers while trekking and sharing the experience with them makes your trip even more memorable.

Highlights of Gokyo Lakes Trek

• You can explore so many things on the Gokyo Lakes trek. Some of the major highlights of the Gokyo Lakes trek are: 
• Short and scenic flight from Kathmandu to the most extreme airport in the world - Lukla Airport. 
• Get a chance to witness the Sherpa people, community, culture, festivals, and rituals of the Everest Region. 
• A royal walk in the world’s most popular trekking trail - Everest Base Camp trek 
• Get a chance to know more about Tibetan Buddhism, its practices along its correspondence such as prayers flags, mani walls, chortens, monasteries, and stupas.
• Explore the most popular and famous tourist capital - Namche Bazaar. 
• Witness the exquisite views of the world’s highest peaks such as Mt. Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu including the iconic Ama Dablam . 
• Explore the natural beauty of the UNESCO Natural Heritage Site of Sagarmatha National Park. 
• Wide range of exotic flora and fauna. 
• Ancient monasteries in Phakding, Namche, Dole, and Khumjung. 
• Encounter with exotic wildlife such as Musk Deer, Himalayan Monal, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr, and Blood Pleasant.
• Explore the longest glacier of Nepal - Ngozumpa Glacier.
• Explore the pristine world’s highest freshwater lake system in Gokyo Lakes.
• Witnessing the sunset/sunrise from the popular Gokyo Ri viewpoint. 

How long is the Gokyo lakes trek?

Normally, the Gokyo lakes trek is similar to the popular Everest Base Camp trek . It takes 12 days to complete an approximately 110 km round-trip i.e Lukla to Gokyo to back to Lukla. It takes 8 days to get to the Gokyo Lakes and coming back to Lukla would be a four days trek. In between the trek, there will be a few days of acclimatization and a few days are shorter hikes.

Normal Itinerary for Gokyo lakes trek

Gokyo lake's trek can be customized and planned according to the needs and requirements of the clients. But, we are offering the normal itinerary for the Gokyo lakes trek.

• Day 1: Fly to Lukla Airport & Trek to Phakding 
• Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar 
• Day 3: Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar 
• Day 4: Trek to Dole Village 
• Day 5: Trek to Machhermo
• Day 6: Trek to Gokyo Village 
• Day 7: Hike to Gokyo Ri 
• Day 8: Trek to Lungden via Renjola Pass 
• Day 9: Trek to Thame
• Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar 
• Day 11: Trek to Lukla 
• Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu  

Are the Gokyo lake treks difficult?

The amazing Gokyo lakes trek is moderately difficult without any hard technical skills. The entire 12-day trek starting from Lukla to Gokyo Ri and back to Lukla includes a normal 5-7 hour average hike per day. The trek is slightly challenging as well as the most rewarding trek in the Everest Region . The trail is well-marked, easy to navigate and there is a tea house and hotels on the way. The important thing that you must know about the Gokyo lakes trek is, it’s less crowded than the popular Everest Base Camp trek and you’ll have fewer people on the way. You’ll go to stay a few days above the 4,000m above, so you must know about the consequences of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

The trail includes steep uphills, downhills in the rugged terrain of the high Himalayas. Sometimes, the trails are physically demanding and challenging as well. So, normal cardio exercise, running, and jogging before the few weeks of your trek help you to build stamina and enhance your confidence to trek at a high altitude. Besides this, past hiking & trekking experience would be the plus point for you but you don’t need technical experience and knowledge for the Gokyo lakes trek. Also, if you have any irregular medical conditions such as problems in the lungs, hurt, joints, and blood, please consult with your doctor before preparing for the Gokyo Lakes trek.

How much does it cost to do the Gokyo Lakes trek? 

On average, the beautiful journey to Gokyo Lakes itself is around two weeks treks and the normal price of the “ Gokyo Lakes Trek” would cost around 1200 USD to 1600 USD which includes Lukla flights, all the necessary permits, full board meals, the best available accommodations, professional trekking guide, porter and other small expenses during the trekking. The above-mentioned price for the Gokyo Lakes trek is for regular trekking packers, it may vary depending on your requirements and customization of packages. Huge discounts are made if you are traveling on a fixed departure or joining the group.

Besides this, Gokyo Lakes' trek cost and price depend upon whether you are traveling privately or joining a group and what kind of other services you want to add or remove. Traveling in a group can be cheaper as you’ll share the trekking guide, and porters, whereas the private treks are tailored as per your requirements.

Is the trek to Gokyo Lakes dangerous?

Every year thousands of people trek to the Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Lakes. This is one of the most rewarding and beautiful trekking trails in the Everest region however high altitude, rugged terrain, and massive uphill and downhills make this trek quite difficult for normal people. Getting to the Gokyo Lakes is a slow and steady walk with a strategic time ascent into altitude. A few questions may arise in your mind: has anyone died trekking to the Everest Region and Gokyo lakes? The fact remains that while there are no official figures, any statistics reported have been less than  0.5% of the overall trekking number and usually because of natural disasters. The other case is if you walk without proper guidance and information then it would be dangerous.

What are the best seasons to do the Gokyo Lakes trek?

Weather in the mountain region is always unpredictable and variable. But, it’s not always unpredictable, as we know spring and summer is the best season for trekking in high mountains. In order to avoid extreme weather conditions and unpredictable climates, most hikers love to travel during the spring ( which occurs between March to May) and autumn (Sept to November). In the spring season, forests are filled with colorful Rhododendron flowers, the temperature is warm and the weather looks more clear so you can experience the beautiful views of the mountains. Likewise, autumn is the best time of the year for crisp days, clear mountain views, and a green environment. Besides this, monsoon and winter treks in Gokyo lakes are also possible with proper guidance and safety. Hence, for the regular trekkers, autumn and spring are the best seasons for trekking in Gokyo lakes. Learn more about the seasons in Nepal .

How cold is the Gokyo Lakes trek? 

The first few days of Gokyo Lakes trekking in the low altitude are warm and humid along with the cool and vibrant temperatures. The second phase of the trek which normally starts from Namche Bazaar to Machhermo would be slightly more cold and rugged terrain. Sometimes it’s often freezing. On the Gokyo lakes and Gokyo Ri, the temperature can vary from 2to -15 degrees Celsius on average. So, be prepared with base layers, mid-layers, and a proper down jacket along with warm socks, gloves, and a hat that can cover above mentioned temperature.

What are the accommodations in the Gokyo Lakes trek?

During the Gokyo Lakes trek, we can experience the two different categories of accommodation in your entire trek. Up to Namche, the rooms are quite nice with an attached bathroom, nice furniture, and amenities along with hot showers. They have charging facilities and wifi as well.

From Namche to Gokyo lakes, there will be a common room with two single beds and less furniture. Their attached bathroom will be limited and only a few hotels offer limited rooms with an attached bathroom. So, it's generally called a teahouse in Nepal. But, every teahouse offers the best service per altitude and remoteness. The window view will be amazing in high altitudes and a cozy room with excellent service would be the memorable part of your Gokyo lakes trekking. The bed has good mattresses, bedsheets, warm blankets, and a pillow for your comfort. Once you leave Namche and head towards the Gokyo lakes crossing Dole and Machhermo villages, you will see the number of tea houses is reportedly less. So, it will be fully occupied during the peak season.

How is the food in the Gokyo Lakes trek? 

The hotels and tea houses of Gokyo Lakes Trek offer both Nepali and Western cuisine on their menu. Despite the limited choice of foods as compared to the city, the portion of each meal is substantial. The menu starts from the traditional Nepalese cuisine and local Sherpa dishes to the popular international dishes, you can easily find all of them in the given menu. Besides this, you can also get fresh bakeries, coffees, cakes, and some other renowned foods. The hotel also serves vegetarian, vegan meals, and gluten-free meals as per your requirements. For those irregular foods, you must inform your local travel agency before the trek, so that they can ask hotels to prepare accordingly.

Entrance and trek permits for the Gokyo Lakes trek

You have to get the respective permit to enter the Everest Region along with the Gokyo Lakes trek. If you are traveling through the local travel agency, they will get all the necessary permits and access to the Everest Region. But for solo travelers, once you reach Lukla, you have to find first the office of Rural Municipality for the one permit, and the next day, you have to get the permit from the Sagarmatha National Park office (a popular national park in Nepal ), which is on the way (Manjo). 

Permit for SAARC

• Rural Municipality Fee: Rs 2,000 (~18$)
• Sagarmatha National Park Fee: Rs 1,500 (~13$)

Permit for Remaining Countries

• Rural Municipality Fee: Rs 2,000(~18$)
• Sagarmatha National Park Fee: Rs 3,000 (~26$)

Before starting your entire trek, it’s important to gather all the necessary permits and access documents. Keep in mind that, all the permit fees are payable in Nepalese rupees.

Travel insurance for the Gokyo Lakes trek

When you are hiking or traveling in high altitudes, travel insurance is very essential. It is one of the most critical documents for trekking in high mountains all over Nepal. Gokyo Lakes Trek is a high-altitude trek, and such a hike can be pretty hazardous. Therefore, if travelers, unfortunately, face any kind of consequences during trekking, travel insurance might be the best for you. It saves you from paying a huge amount at once, so we request all travelers to get travel insurance before heading to Nepal for trekking and any kind of activities. Furthermore, make sure your insurance policy covers emergency helicopter evacuation and medical expenses, and also make sure the policy covers 6,000m altitude.

Is a solo trek possible for the Gokyo Lakes trek? 

Solo trekking in Gokyo Lakes is possible but not recommended. It is easy to navigate until Namche Bazaar, but afterward, the trail gets less busy and chances of losing the trail will be possible. The village becomes less, several diverse paths will come and if anything happens on the way, you might feel helpless. So, we highly recommend doing this trek in a group or with a guide. Group trek might be hectic for some trekkers but this is the best and safest option for high altitude trek. You might face the problems of altitude sickness, normal injuries, and other consequences. For such situations, local guides will help you to take you to the necessary destinations and guide you safely until you reach your destination. Guides will show you the way, and pass on the necessary information regarding the trekking routes, mountains, peoples, languages, cultures, and practices and they will take care of your needs and well-being. So, do a solo trek in the Everest region , if you are well known about the routes and future consequences. For more details about the solo female treks in Nepal .

Internet, Electricity, and Mobile network in Gokyo Lakes Trek 

Everest Region Trek is a popular and renowned trek in the world. So, the facility of internet, electricity, and mobile network is quite good as compared to the other trekking parts in Nepal. There are different ways to use the internet on this trek. Either you can buy the local SIM card or you can get the wifi facility inside the teahouse which they will charge extra for you. Also, you can buy an Everest Link card that can also help you to access the internet. However, the network connections may not be fast and reliable. Furthermore, as you start reaching higher altitudes, the internet and network connection will be weaker. About electricity, you can get electricity until Pangboche, and from there they use solar power as regular electricity but they will charge a certain amount for it as well.

Safe drinking water in Gokyo Lakes Trek 

Water is very essential for high mountain trekking as it’s the best option to avoid acute mountain sickness. There are few options for a safe drinking water facility in the Gokyo Lake trek. The first one is, that you can get the normal glacier water in each hotel or get some water purifying tablets or water filters before the trek. The second option would be mineral water which costs like 1$ to 2.5$, the more you gain altitude, the price of things will increase. Another option would be boiled water, which is best for mountains as well. They charge little for the boiled water as well. 

Packing list for Gokyo Lakes trek 

Gokyo lake trek is a high mountain trek and a packing list is the other most important thing to do before planning for this trek. Normally, from the head to the feet, you must bring warm, light, and comfortable things. For wearing, a down jacket, warm trekking pants, thermals, a good hiking boot, gloves, hat, socks, and shirts. Besides this, headlights, necessary medicines, a power bank, cables, dry snacks, and private things if you use some. For the detailed packing list, please click here .

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and Preventive measures during Gokyo lakes trek 

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is not a regular situation, it only occurs when your body is not able to adjust to the high-altitude climate and environment. So, the sickness differs from person to person according to the age of people, health status, physical fitness, and experience of hiking at high altitudes. On the Gokyo Lakes trek, many people feel the symptoms of AMS. If the symptoms of the illness are not taken care of properly, the situation can even turn critical. That’s why we always suggest travelers trek with guides and local travel agencies. 

Some Common Symptoms of AMS

• Headache ( Bilateral or Unilateral)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting. 
• Tiredness and dizziness. 
• Feel discomfort while sleeping. 
• Increase in heart rate and shortness of breath. 

Common Prevention

• Keep your body hydrated and drink at least 4-5 liters of water every day when you cross above 3,000m
• Take plenty of rest after finishing your daily hike. 
• Consume enough food and calories while trekking. 
• Wear enough and make your body warm. 
• When you feel most of the AMS symptoms, descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible. 
• Ascend slowly and acclimatize properly according to the needs of your body. 
• Travel with a local guide and travel agency so that they will help you to trail for all the possible consequences. 

Few medicines like Diamox help to prevent sickness. But, remember one thing, before taking any drugs related to AMS consult with related doctors or medical experts. 

Conclusion 

These are the essential aspects for one who is planning a trip to Gokyo Lakes. This complete guidebook for Gokyo Lakes will give you an idea that many do not precisely fit when you find yourself on the trek. However, this guidebook is just a fraction of what the Gokyo Lakes trek entails. In general, you will have exceptional times, although some aspects might be off-putting. The breathtaking views of snowy mountains, valleys, landscapes, and glacial scenery along with the freshness of pristine Gokyo lakes will be a lifetime experience. For the detailed itinerary and package of the Gokyo Lakes trek. Please contact us anytime.

Sharan Karki

Sharna Karki, a travel blogger and passionate mountain guide working in this travel industry for the last 8 years. He is originally from the beautiful village of Dhading, Phulkharka lies in the lap of the stunning mountains and majestic hills. He spends his childhood in such an amazing place where mountains, nature, and culture was the focal subject to learn. Later, he finished his Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from Tribhuvan University. Previously, he dreamed to study in the field of medicine however, things changed when he realized that he had no greater passion than traveling and exploring. This motivation pushed him into the travel and tourism industry.

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Gokyo Lakes Trek - 15 Days

Note: The price is based on minimum 2 people group.

Trek Route Summary

Trip highlight.

• Reach: Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,570ft) for the spectacular views of the Himalayas, lakes systems, glaciers, an entire Gokyo Valley, and the Khumbu area.
• Walk: Following well-established and marked route of Gokyo Lakes initially following the trail of Everest Base Camp trek till Namche Bazaar inside Sagarmatha National Park through Sherpa settlements, deep backwoods, airy suspension bridges, on the bank of Dudh Koshi River.
• Explore: Ethnic Sherpa cultures, traditions, and lifestyles, colorful Himalayan flora and fauna, Buddhist (specially dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism) shrines as monasteries, chortens, gompas, alleys, mane walls (mane stones), prayer wheels and flags, cultural museums, glacial lake system of Gokyo, Gokyo valley.
• Have: Delightful sceneries of four of the six tallest peaks of the world, including Everest (8848m) –the tallest peak, Mt Lhotse (8516m) – fourth tallest, Mt. Makalu (8485m) – fifth-tallest,  Mt. Cho Oyu (8188m) –sixth-tallest, Mt. Nuptse (7855m), Mt. Pumori (7161m), Mt. Changaste (7550m), Mt. Amadablam (6856m), Mt. Thamserku(6723m), Mt. Kantega( 6685m), Mt. Kusum Khagaru (6367m), Mt. Kongde (6011m), Mt. Khumbila(5761m), Mt. Twache peak(6367m), Mt. Lingterin (6679m), Mt. Cholaste (6335m), Island peak (6179m), Honku south peak (6119m), Lobuche peak(6145m), Pokalde peak (5806m), and many more with a blossoming Himalayan ecosystem that comprises of lush forests merged with diverse terrains.
• Get: An astonishing sunrise and sunset views over Everest range standing at different viewpoints. Among them, Gokyo Ri is the best viewpoint of the Gokyo Lakes trek.  
• Immerse: Yourself in the natural setting of the Khumbu region, especially in the Gokyo valley
• Doable side-trips: Everest Base Camp, Cho La Pass Trek, Renjo La pass trek, Ama Dablam Base Camp trek, Everest Three Passes trek

Trip Overview

Gokyo Lakes Trek is the best alternative to the classic Everest Base Camp Trek . It is a spectacular lodge-to-lodge hike that leads us to some of the breathtakingly beautiful lands of the Khumbu region of the Solukhumbu district. Trekkers will amaze seeing the glacial lakes systems of Gokyo lakes consisting mainly of six lakes: Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngojumba Cho, and Kyajumba Cho. Standing at Gokyo Ri (5357m / 17570ft), trekkers will witness the most amazing views of panoramic mountain views, including four of the six tallest peaks of the world: Mt. Everest (8848m) –the tallest peak, Mt Lhotse (8516m) – fourth tallest, Mt. Makalu (8485m) – fifth-tallest, and Mt. Cho Oyu (8188m) –sixth-tallest, and numerous other peaks of the Everest region, and entire Gokyo valley.

Exploration of Sherpa ethnic culture getting warm hospitality from the ever-smiling locals is another part of the trek. The religious shrines (monasteries, chortens, alleys, and mane walls), cultural monuments (museum), and the way of living exhibit that people are preserving the centuries-old cultures and traditions.

Inside the  Sagarmatha National Park (the highest elevated national park of the world that extends from 2835 m to 8848.86 m above sea level.), we can see diverse Himalayan wildlife, including Himalayas Tahr, Ghoral, Musk deer, Pikka (mouse hare), Weasel and occasionally Jackal. On the other hand, Himalayan Black bears, Wolf, Lynx, and Snow Leopard have rarely seen animals here.

A short but scenic flight to and from Lukla, villages of Lukla, Phakding, Monjo, Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Dole, Machherma, and Gokyo valley are some of the most popular towns to explore in this 15 days' Gokyo Lakes walk, which will be a blend of adventure and delight.

An Introduction to Gokyo lakes

Gokyo lakes, the uppermost pristine water lakes, elevate around 5,000m above sea level. Glaciers surround these lakes, passes, and the snowcapped Himalayas situated at the Khumjung area of Solukhumbu district of northeast Nepal.

Gokyo lakes combine five holy lakes where Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari) is the main lake, Thonak Cho is the largest lake, and Ngojumba Cho is the smallest one.

Not only the natural, Gokyo lakes carry religious significance as well. On the special commemoration of  the Janai Purnima festival.

During this, hundreds of Hindus reach Gokyo to bathe in the ancient waters of the sanctified lakes. People worship the Nag Devata (snake god) and have built a temple for the Hindu deities Vishnu and Shiva.

Benefits of Gokyo Lakes Hike

This trek leads to the less crowded and quieter valley, one of the perfect alternatives to Everest Base Camp Trek. Then, following the Dudh Koshi river, the journey ascends to its source Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari). Then, walking along Ngozumpa Glacier , the largest glacier in the Himalayas, trekkers get an unforgettable experience.

Enjoying the gleaming, primeval, and blue waters of the Gokyo Lakes, trekkers can capture 360-degree panoramic mountain views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Cholatse, Taboche several other peaks.

Along with the sunrise and sunset over giant peaks, trekkers explore diverse flora and fauna in the journey. Reconnoitering the Sherpa culture, lifestyle, festivals, and living is another affirmative aspect of this journey.

Gokyo Lakes Trek Route

We kick-start our journey to Gokyo Lakes begins with an enthralling morning flight to Lukla(2840m) from Kathmandu (1350m) airport. It takes approximately 40 minutes to land Lukla from Kathmandu, and the flight goes between the hills, snow-capped peaks, valleys with the magnified view of the Himalayas. On the same day, we take a short hike to Phakding (2610m). Phakding is a small village with numerous hotels, teahouses, and small teashops.

On the next day's trip, we ascend to Namche Bazaar, a village with numerous surprises. Famous as a gateway to Everest, Namche Bazaar is a tourist hub where every nitty-gritty needed for the trek is available. Gear shops, restaurants, cafes, banks, ATMs, bakeries are commonly found throughout.

Before ascending further to Dole, Maccherma (commonly known as Macchermo), and Gokyo Valley, we halt at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization purposes. We finally landed at Gokyo (4790m/15715ft), our ultimate destination. We travel around the Gokyo valley and immerse ourselves in the beauty of it. Beautiful snowcapped lands surround the Gokyo Lakes. The melting snow forms the pristine waters of the lakes.

The following day, awaking early, we hike to a challenging yet rewarding ascend to Gokyo Ri (5350m / 17562 ft), the highest point of the entire trek. Gokyo Ri is famous for its unobstructed views. The closest possible view of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks look breathtaking. Likewise, the Gokyo Lakes, the entire Gokyo valley, Ngozumpa glacier, and the icy surroundings look awe from this point.

Exploring all, we hike back to Lukla using the same way of ascent. From Lukla, we take a morning flight to Kathmandu and conclude our epic travel to Gokyo Lakes.

 Contact us today and experience a surreal trek to Gokyo Lakes with us.

Brief Itinerary

Detailed itinerary, day 1 - arrive kathmandu (1350m / 4429ft).

Hello!! Warm greeting!! Brace yourself for the excitement you are about to experience in this Himalayan nation of Nepal. Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Airport ; we’ll meet, exchange goodwill with each other then you’ll be escorted to your hotel via a private vehicle.

Here, you can take a break and loosen up your stressed muscles after a tiresome flight. In the evening, you may wander around the delightful Thamel market. There you can feel a unique aroma in its atmosphere while observing its vibrant colors.

Day 2 - Trek preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour

Today, you’ll be invited to our workplace where we’ll discuss your upcoming adventure. At the very moment, you’ll be introduced to your trekking guide with whom you can exchange views about the trek you are about to initiate.

After that, we’ll set off for a guided sightseeing tour and explore magnificent buildings and monuments which are declared a UNESCO world heritage sites located around Kathmandu Valley. At the beginning of the sightseeing tour; we’ll visit the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.

Devoted to the mighty Hindu deity Lord Shiva, the Pashupatinath Temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River. You can feel an essence of spirituality and peace in your mind within its vicinity.

Then, you’ll explore the Buddhist stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath , which are considered ancient architectural marvels. Adorned with prayer flags, the surroundings of these two grand stupas will bestow you a sense of tranquillity.

At the end of the day, you’ll drop round to see spectacular Patan Durbar Square . The durbar square complex comprises a royal palace and many temples within its premises that flaunt imposing fine arts through sculptures as well as carvings in wood and stone.

Day 3 - Fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,184ft) and Trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)

We’ll board a scenic flight today, which utilizes about 30 minutes to reach Lukla from Kathmandu. En route, we’ll be greeted by the aerial view of irresistible snow-clad mountains within the Himalayan range.

Once, we set our foot on land, we pursue the trail that advances the mountainside positioned on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi river.

Along the way, we come across the settlement of Chaurikharka then to Chhelpung, where we can gaze Mt. Khumbu-Yul-Iha (5761m), which the local Sherpas believe to be resident of God of Khumbu. Subsequently, we proceed to Ghat (2,530m).

The Ghat Village comprises Mani walls, small Gompa, man-sized prayer wheels, and a jungle of prayer flags. Eventually, we make it to Phakding (2,652m).

Day 4 - Phakding to Namche Bazar (3,440m/11,283ft)

With the break of day, we’ll commence our trek on the trail progressing across Dudhkoshi River via a long suspension bridge. Thereafter, the trail makes its way beyond the enchanting woodland of rhododendron and fir to Monjo.

Shortly, we’ll arrive at the entry point of the Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979A.D.), where we are required to show our trekking permits. Succeeding the check of the permits, we move along the trekking trail to Jorsale.

On the way, we catch the sight of beautiful Mani walls. Finally, we now ascend 600m uphill to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the Sherpa capital of the Khumbu region.

Generally, the initial sight of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Nuptse (7,861m), and Lhotse (8,414m) can be spotted upon arriving at Toap Hill.

Surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges; the Sherpa settlement of Namche Bazaar opens out towards Dudh Koshi River, and functions as a center of commercial as well as the administrative activity of the entire region. 

Day 5 - Acclimatization Day in Namche bazaar – Hike to Everest View Hotel

Namche Bazaar bestows the window of opportunity to observe the sublime vistas, chiefly. Today is our first acclimatization day.

We accommodate our bodies according to higher elevations where the surroundings contain a lower level of life-saving oxygen. In order to acclimatize properly and speedily, we hike along a path beyond the hill to Everest View Hotel .

On the way, we may get a glance of Himalayan Tahr grazing nearby. Here, we can witness the awe-inspiring view of the Everest range.

Afterward, we return to Namche Bazaar and explore the National Park Museum that renders the facts relating to the Himalayas, traditions of Sherpas, and the native flora and fauna. 

Day 6 - Trek to Dole (4,200m/ 13,780ft)

This very day, we make our way to Khumjung Village (3,790m) renowned for the monastery with a purported Yeti scalp. Then, we continue to follow the trail which now descends out of the valley across rhododendron woodland.

Thereupon, the trekking trail advances to Sanasa and ascends to Mongla Danda (3,975m). From here, the trail plummets to Phortse Thanga.

Climbing uphill past the alluring forest of rhododendron, we trek past a handful of summer settlements utilized by Sherpas and end up at Dole (4,200m).

From this village, we can take pleasure from the wonderful vistas highlighting Mt. Khumbila (5,761m) and Mt. Tawache (6,542m) throughout the clear day.

Day 7 - Trek to Machhermo (4,470m/ 14,663ft)

It’s day seven of our journey and we resume our trekking journey. We now make a climb along the side of the valley and stay on the trail, which progresses across summer settlements of Sherpas such as Lhabarma (4,330m) and Luza (4,390m).

Along the trail, we can witness the striking outlook comprising Dudh Koshi valley alongside some villages on the horizon. Adjacent to that, we can also take pleasure in the snow-capped mountaintops such as Cho Oyu (8,818m), Kantega (6,782m), and Thamserku (6,608m) functioning as the backdrop.

Utilizing just a few hours; today’s trek is relatively short and pleasant. Therefore, we reach the village of Machhermo (4,150m) in the middle of the day.

In order to make use of our remaining time, we visit the Himalayan Rescue Association aid post situated in the village.

This aid post specializes in cases related to altitude sickness and volunteer doctors stationed here extend professional lectures and advice related to  Acute Altitude Sickness (AMS).

Day 8 - Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800m/15,744ft)

Accompanied by the alluring outlooks of snow-covered Kangtega and Thamserku mountains above the lovely valleys; today, we’ll make an ascent to the higher elevations.

Along the trekking trail, we can observe Mt. Cho Oyu and its majesty from a close distance. Also, we can catch a glimpse of Himalayan snow pheasant and other high Himalayan birds. The trail now proceeds through the settlement of Phang (4,550m).

From this point onwards, few stretches of trail harbor multiple layers of ice; thus, it’s highly recommended to be cautious of this hazard.

Subsequently, we progress beyond the various lakes of the Gokyo Lake System and make it to Gokyo Village i.e. positioned on the west side of the Ngozumpa glacier: the largest glacier in the Himalayas.

Day 9 - Gokyo Valley: Acclimatization Day –4th and 5th Gokyo Lakes Hike

With the Gokyo Ri above, Gokyo Village showcases jaw-dropping Himalayan panoramas that trekkers and travel enthusiasts cannot have enough of in their entire lifetime.

It’s the second acclimatization day and we adapt to the surroundings while watching spell-binding vistas. On top of that, to speed up the acclimatization process and see more of the Gokyo Lake System, we hike to the 4th and 5th Gokyo Lakes located to the north of Gokyo Village.

After a hike of nearly 2 hours, we arrive at 4th Gokyo Lake aka Thonak Tsho (4,840m). Eventually, we continue our hike to 5th Gokyo Lake known as Ngozumpa Tso (4,980m). A small hill adorned with prayer flags is situated on verge of the moraine to the east of this very lake.

From this point, breathtaking vistas including snow-clad peaks like Everest, Nuptse Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, and Ngozumpa glacier can be sighted. After gazing at nature’s splendor, we trek down to Gokyo (4,800m).

Day 10 - Hike Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,570ft) and trek back to Dole

This morning, we go ahead with our trek to Gokyo Ri (5,357m), which overlooks Gokyo Village situated eastern shore of the Dudh Pokhari (third Gokyo Lake).

It takes about three hours to conquer the summit where we can lay our eyes on the grandeur of snow-covered massifs. This phenomenal vista embraces the more of Everest gracefully surrounded by Makalu (8,485m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Cho Oyu (8,188m).

Besides these, you can also spot other magnificent peaks like Nuptse (7,861m), Changtse (7,543m), and many more. Few speculate that the finest Everest view observed from here is even better than that from Kala Patthar .

Eventually, we climb down to Goyko then continue down to the Machhermo. At the end of the day, we arrive in Dole village (4,200m).

Day 11 - Dole to Namche Bazaar

This day, we’ll eventually trek downhill to Phortse Thanga via an abrupt trail that traverses rhododendron woodland.

Afterward, the trail quickly ascends abruptly to Mongla Danda then makes a descent to Khumjung Village (3,790m). Confronting some rise and falls along the trail, we ultimately reach Namche Bazaar.

Day 12 - Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Today is the last day of our Gokyo trekking. We tighten our shoelaces and commence our journey back to Lukla. Other than some bumpy stretches, the trekking trail is smooth and the trek on this section is pleasant.

Following this, we trek beyond Bhote Koshi River multiple times through suspension bridges. Finally, we’ll make a final descent to Lukla.

Day 13 - Fly Lukla to Kathmandu

This time, we’ll fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla. The 30 minutes quaint flight takes you beyond the Himalayas, above the limitless sky; thus extending prepossessing aerial views of the amazing snowscapes.

At Kathmandu, you can make use of your remaining time by visiting the other landmarks of the city. Or, you can perform some last-minute shopping for souvenirs for your family and loved ones. If you had enough action, you may rest and relax in your hotel room.

Day 14 - Contingency Day

As the weather condition in the Himalayan region is unforeseeable, the domestic Kathmandu-Lukla flight can be canceled or delayed with/without prior notice due to poor weather conditions.

Therefore, we had added this day in case that any such hold-up could not set you back behind the schedule. If everything goes well then you will have a free day in Kathmandu, which you may utilize accordingly or you can pick one of our tour packages and enjoy!

Day 15 - Final Departure

Day fifteen marks the end of your entire adventure. We hope you are happy and fully satisfied with our services and expertise. Either you may choose the next package and initiate a new escapade or you can fly back home.

We’ll drop you at the Kathmandu Airport ; three hours prior to flight time so that, you don’t have to confront any troubles during your final moments in Nepal.

Altitude Chart

Price Includes

• Every airport pickup/drops via private vehicle according to itinerary
• Four nights’ twin sharing accommodation with breakfast in deluxe Kathmandu Sunny Hotel or identical hotel in Kathmandu
• Sightseeing tour accompanied by a professional guide in Kathmandu via private vehicle incorporating temple/monument entry fees
• Domestic flights: Kathmandu – Lukla– Kathmandu incorporating departure taxes
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
• Standard Teahouse accommodation in possible finest local lodges throughout the trek; accommodation with private bathrooms and hot shower at Phakding, Namche and Lukla
• Crew includes one professional and seasoned trekking leader proficient in English along with assistant guide (6 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porters (2 trekkers: 1 porter) incorporating their salary, equipment, transportation, food, accommodation, and accidental insurance
• Duffle bag, sleeping bag, and down jacket to utilize throughout the trek
• Holy Mountain Treks T – shirt, trekking map and certificate to mark the achievement of the trip
• First aid medical kit
• TIMS, National Park Permits (Please bring 2 passport size photos for permit)
• All government taxes and office service charge

Price Excludes

• Charges for tourist visa (find out more on Nepal Visa Information)
• International airfares, travel and rescue insurance
• Surplus baggage charges (domestic flight allows 15 kgs per person and for extra luggage cargo charge is USD 1 per kg)
• Trekking equipments and clothing for personal use
• Additional night/s accommodation in Kathmandu or Lukla caused by early arrival, deferred departure, early return to Kathmandu from the trip than the scheduled itinerary
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu or Lukla (and also in the case of early return from trek than the scheduled itinerary)
• All kind of beverages (water, alcoholic or non alcoholic hot/cold drinks)
• Personal expenses including phone calls, internet usage/data, laundry, battery recharge, hot shower, extra porters, etc
• Altitude chamber (PAC) or additional oxygen
• Tips for guides and porters (tips are expected but not mandatory)

Best time for Gokyo Lakes Tour

Gokyo lakes trek is a high elevated trek where trekkers should pass some high passes, rugged terrains, and steeper trials in a few areas. Autumn (September – November) and Spring (March-May) welcome most of the trekkers in Nepal, and so does Gokyo.  

In winter, the upper part of the journey is fully covered with the snow heaps, and the trekking trail is blocked in a few areas. Next, trekkers should encounter the subzero atmosphere, which is riskier. Finally, in the monsoon season (June-August), rain may affect the trek. The trail becomes muddy, and there are chances of a flood, the landslide in this season.

Therefore, trekking in Autumn and Spring, trekkers can trek more contentedly. As the skies are more precise, the mountains are uncovered, which offer breathtaking, spectacular views. The landscapes are magnificent and fewer chances of flight cancelation trekkers broaden their trip more comfortable.

A Typical Day on the Gokyo Lakes Trek

Each day, trekkers will taste new experiences of trekking; from the bustling city of Kathmandu to Sherpa town Namche and further pristine lakes of Gokyo, exploring multi-cultural, multi-religious shrines of Kathmandu valley to the Tibetan monasteries, chortens, mane walls, and prayer flags, hurried lifestyle of the city to the traditional way of living in the Himalayas, blacktopped roads with numerous vehicles to peaceful trekking trails with occasional view of Himalayan fauna. What a wonderful vacation!

During your Gokyo Lakes expedition, you will be accompanied by a well-experienced, ever-smiling, kind, hospitable, and qualified trekking leader of Holy Mountain Treks and other supporting crews. You will have a porter to carry your duffle bags (usually a porter for two trekkers). You will take only your essential items (such as passport, photos, money, etc.) in your day pack.

The day breaks with a sip of tea/coffee at your hotel/lodge/teahouse. Then, with the beautiful first rays of the sun, you will pack your bag and proceed for breakfast. Generally, between 7 – 8 am, you begin your hike depending on the distance, duration, and nature of the day’s walk.

After the three to four hours’ walk, lunch will be served at around midday. Then, getting rest for a while, you will continue your tour for your daily destination. Upon reaching the desired place, you will check in, get refreshed with some drinks. Now, you will have free time to explore the shrines nearby. Finally, visit religious, historical, and ethnic monuments of the Everest region before dusk.

Dinner will be ready somewhere around 6–7 pm. After dinner, your trip leader will explain a further plan for an upcoming day. After this briefing, you can enjoy board games like chess, cards, read books or watch available mountaineering documentaries before heading off to bed.

Wifi and Mobile Network Availability in Gokyo Treks

There are two ways to use the internet during your Gokyo Lakes expedition; one purchases a data pack through SIM cards, and another uses direct internet services (WIFI) at lodges. Mobile data through SIM cards are the most convenient way of using the internet where they can choose the volume of data according to their needs.

Travelers can buy SIM cards from nearby shops. The SIM cards provided by Nepal Telecom (Namaste) and Axiata (NCELL) are used throughout. While trekking to the Everest region, both SIM cards work correctly. Personally saying, NCELL is faster and easier for this trek. To obtain a SIM, you need to have:

• Two passports sized photos
• The original passport with its copy
• NPR 100 cash (approx. US$ 1)

In the shop, you need to fill a form provided by telecommunication keeping your detail. Then the shopkeeper gives you a SIM card, and it will be activated after half an hour. After adding the amount to the respective number, you can buy the desired data pack.

Next, most of the lodges now are facilitated with WIFI. Some of them offer it free, and some charge a certain amount to use it. The speed of the internet in the Himalayas is not as fast as in the cities, but they are helpful to communicate, share your stories, and be updated.

Electricity and Battery Recharge

During your Gokyo Trek, most of the lodges have electricity (either hydroelectricity or solar electricity) to recharge your camera and other electronics. They may charge a certain amount of the recharge. In some areas especially in the lower areas, charging ports are kept in every room and they are completely free.

Accommodation in Gokyo Lakes Trek

Our Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri trek package completes in 15 days, including arrival and departure dates. Trekkers will spend 11 days on the trek, a day in Kathmandu (for sightseeing, tour preparation, and acclimatization), a day is scheduled as contingency day (this is because the flight to and from Lukla might get delayed or even canceled due to the weather conditions), two days for International arrival and departure.

In Kathmandu, we will offer you hotel accommodation (four nights including contingency day) (in Kathmandu Sunny Hotel or similar). During the trek, we use the best available lodge and teahouses for accommodation. During five nights at Lukla, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar (three nights), we will offer you rooms with a private attached bathroom, five nights in standard twin sharing rooms at Dole (two nights) Machhermo and Gokyo valley (two nights).

Note: Extra night accommodations in the hotels of Kathmandu (if trekkers wish to extend their trip), luxurious accommodations during the trek (Luxury lodges are available in Lukla, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar) is excluded in the package.

Food in Gokyo Lakes Trek

Gokyo Lakes trek, a journey to high elevations, leads you to near the world's highest peaks, and your body demands enough nutrition, carbohydrate, protein, and other food fuel for the body to ascend on such Himalayan lands. Food is sufficiently available throughout the trek, but you may not find varieties as in cities. 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners will be provided for this trek.

Some of the popular menu items include:-

Breakfast: The most popular breakfast items are toast with jam/butter/honey, Tibetan bread or Chapati, local tsampa porridge, egg items (boiled, fried, omelet (plain, vegetable), scrambled, sunny side up), pancakes, noodles, muesli, seasonable fruits, vegetable (grilled), rice pudding, oat porridge, potato items (steamed, fried, chips), etc.

Lunch: Dal Bhat (a set of rice, lentils, vegetables, pickles – the most popular food item), Tibetan bread / local chapatti, momo (dumplings), spring roll, spaghetti, macaroni, cake items, sandwiches, burgers, potato dishes, noodles items (soup, fried), thukpa, pasta, Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), rice pudding, porridges and more.

Dinner: Dal Bhat Tarkari (a set of rice, lentils, vegetables, pickles, and salads), various soup items (noodle, chicken, tomato, egg drop, potato, daal, onion, garlic (highly recommended), mixed vegetable), pizza (mushroom cheese, tomato cheese, and mixed), noodle items (soup, fried), spaghetti, salad items, Thukpa, rice puddings, apple pie, pancakes, Korean Raman and many more.

The menu is set, combining the traditional, local, national, and international cuisines. However, as we go up (higher elevations above Namche Bazaar), the menu list will be shortened.  

Note: Although the meat items are available even in the Gokyo valley, we highly recommend avoiding them. The meat in the higher elevations is not guaranteed to be fresh, healthy, and hygienic. We also encourage you to get rid of dairy and cheesy items while trekking. Smoking or consuming tobacco items are strongly suggested not to drink.

Drinks During Gokyo Lakes Walk

Water is the best liquid for drinking. You should drink at least 4-5 liters of water every day. You should consume if you are not thirsty. Dehydration is the leading cause of altitude sickness. Purified drinking water bottles are available in the small teashops, teahouses throughout the trek. Boiled water is open in the teahouses at extra costs. But, it is ideal for carrying water purification tablets/systems and a refillable water bottle. You can refill (from the taps or streams) and purify water whenever you are thirsty.

Green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, soup items (tomato, mushroom, mixed vegetables, garlic soup (highly advised)), ginger tea are other drinking items for your Gokyo trek.

Note: Highly caffeinated items (strong coffee), hot chocolates, alcoholic drinks, cold drinks are not recommended while in the trek. They help to cause Altitude Sickness.

Gokyo Lakes Trek Difficulty

Gokyo Lakes trekking is a high-altitude trek where trekkers should reach above 5,000m sea level a couple of times. This trek comes under the moderately complex walk, which passes uneven trails, steep terrains, and high passes in some places.

With good physical and mental preparation, trekkers need to walk about 5 to 6 hours per day. As trekkers need to stay above 3,000m for some days, Acute Mountain Sickness can be a threat.

However, following the proper instruction of your trekking leader, if you trekked maintaining a comfortable pace, you can afford this trek. You must acclimatize properly in different places to be adjusted in the environment therearound.

Most of the trekkers stop in Namche Bazzar and Gokyo Valley for a day before marching ahead. Trekkers can practice cardio-oriented activities like hiking, swimming, cycling to escape the hazards above.

Required Fitness Level for Gokyo Lakes Trek

Graded as Moderate to Demanding, Gokyo Lakes Trek is a challenging yet rewarding journey. Trekkers need to walk 5-7 hours each day (depending on the destination) following the Himalayan trekking trail, with the regular breaks witnessing the giant mountain vistas, amazing landscapes, glacial lakes, torrential rivers, and waterfalls, pocket-sized small but gorgeous settlements, diverse flora and fauna inside the Sagarmatha National Park.

There are long and steep climbs and descents, rocky paths, and forested routes before reaching our ultimate destination – Gokyo Valley. The fitter the trek is, the more comfortable and enjoyable the expedition will be for such a trek. Trekkers having previous hiking experience will be advantageous. However, advanced technical climbing skill is not required for this trek. Trekkers having good physical conditions and mental preparation can complete this trek efficiently.

Note: Trekkers suffering from acute medical conditions such as heart and lung are not recommended for this trek.

Travel insurance for Gokyo Lakes trek

Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Ri trip is a high elevated trek that takes you to the 5357 m / 17570 ft above sea level. Being high altitude trek, there might be the potential risk of high altitude sickness or any other unforeseen events due to sudden climate changes, landslides, avalanches, etc. Therefore, travelers must have an insurance policy covering medical and emergency helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes (up to 6000m) for trekking members.

Travelers must send a copy of insurance with other details while booking “THE GOKYO LAKES TREK.” In case of emergency, we will use the insurance policy and other informational documents you sent us to arrange a quick and effective rescue operation, shift to the hospital for emergency medical support, etc. So please be sure that your insurance company includes the cost spent for mountain rescue at the highest elevation of the trek.

Nepal Tourist Visa Information

Every foreigner except Indian nationals must obtain a Visa to enter Nepal. Visa is available on arrival at Immigration Office, TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport). Travelers can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad before their arrival. For Visa, one must have a passport having at least six months validity, a passport-sized photo, and cash. The fee for On Arrival Visa is US$ 30 for 15 days, US$ 50 for 30 days, and US$ 125 for 90 days. The visa fee must be paid in cash on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. However, SAARC citizens (expect Afghans) and Chinese people get a free visas.

The nationals of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria, and the Refugees with travel documents are requested to acquire visas before they arrive from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of Nepal Government.

Head and Face

• Wool/fleece hat
• Sunglass with UV protection
• Sun cream with a high factor.
• Lip balm, preferably with sun protection
• Headlight with extra batteries
• Face/body wipes
• Moisturizers
• Light / outdoor gloves (day)
• Warm winter gloves, fleece or woolen gloves (night)
• T-shirts (preferably quick-dry and breathable) (day)
• Parka/windbreaker (day)
• Rain gear / Poncho
• Thermal inner (night)
• Fleece T-shirts (night)
• Fleece jacket
• Down jacket (night)
• Undergarments
• Trekking pants (preferable stretchable, quick-dry, water-resistant) (day)
• Fleece / wool pants (night)
• Warm woolen socks
• Hiking boots
• Floaters/sandals

Essential gear

• Water bottle (Refillable)
• Daypack or Backpack (30L with waterproof is recommended)
• Water purification tablets
• Sleeping bag (-15 bag is best in the high altitude trekking)
• Trekking poles
• Trekking map
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Facial wash, soap & shampoo
• Tissues / wet wipes
• Toilet rolls
• Hand sanitizer
• Quick-dry towel

Personal accessories

• Passport and its extra copies
• Photos (passport sized)
• Personal Medicine
• Cell Phone and charger

Extra but Recommended

• First aid kit
• Universal adaptor

Where do Gokyo Lakes lie?

Gokyo Lakes sit in the Gokyo valley, the upper part of Solukhumbu district, province no 1, eastern Nepal. The chain of Gokyo Lakes has 19 lakes but there are six major ones; Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngojumba Cho, and Kyajumba Cho.

How long does it take to hike to Gokyo Lakes?

Our Gokyo Lakes Trek completes in 15 days including arrival and departure days. If trekkers wished to extend their journey to Everest Base Camp, it takes 19 days to be completed. Trekkers can expand their trip days if they wished to explore more the Khumbu region.

When to trek Gokyo Lakes?

Spring – February to mid-June

Spring is the busiest season in Nepal for trekking in Gokyo Lakes. The colorful hill with the rhododendron blooms, favorable weather conditions, and the magnificent views of the Himalayas makes this journey special. The temperature during this season is 10-15°C as lowest and with a maximum of 18-25°C during sunny days, Minimum of -15°C in the morning and at night normally for areas above 4000 meters.

Autumn – Mid September to Mid-December

Autumn is the second busiest month for trekking Gokyo Lakes trek. A stable weather atmosphere with occasional chances of precipitation may affect the journey in the early days. However, the greatest festivals, lustrous landscapes or greeneries, clear mountain views, and stable weather conditions attract visitors to Gokyo Lakes.  

The temperature during the fall is 15°C with a maximum temp of 20°C during sunny days and a minimum of 05°C in the morning and at night. The Autumn season is the best trekking season in Gokyo Lakes Region.

Winter – December to February and Monsoon season

The temperature during the winter is freezing cold during the morning and the nights to -15°C but the temperature during the sunny day might be 10°C. The views are magnificent during winter. In the higher elevations, trekking may be affected by the heavy snowfall.  The rainy season will be a lot of raining and the trails are slippery, muddy, and sometimes landslide too.

What food do we get during the trek?

In the Gokyo Lakes trek, you normally get fresh and hygienic local cuisine with some western menus. Increasing the altitude may reduce the choices of food. Nepalese Dal Bhat , egg items, Tibetan bread, and pancakes are easily available. You can see different types of cuisines but local food is recommended and fresh. Our guide will help you to serve fresh food and drinks.

Do we get bottle of water in mountain?

Yes, it is possible to buy a bottle of mineral water during the trek. At every stop, there are some teashops that sell bottled water, snacks, chocolates, etc. However, the price of everything goes on increasing with the increase in height.

Even if you don’t want to buy the water; there are abundant sources of water on the trail and tea houses where you can fill up your bottles and drink after purification. You can even fill your bottles from water filters or boiled water from the lodge which is safe to drink.

Do I need to have Travel Insurance?

Yes, Trekking insurance is obligatory before trekking Gokyo Lakes. During booking your trip, we may ask for a copy of your insurance to make your journey secure and comfortable. It would be great to trek an adventure without having any risk.

You should purchase medical and mountain evacuation insurance for trekking up to 5500m. We admire you to buy an insurance policy in your country make sure that your insurance cover helicopter evacuation and medical services in case when you are on the trek up to 5500m.

How long do we have to walk every day?

Normally as per our itinerary, we walk about 6-7 hours a day. But it all depends on the destination to cover, fitness level, it can be change this expected walking hour. Walking downhill is much easier at high altitudes. Above the height of 4000m is always tough and your pace will be slower than expected than lower height.

Do we get hot shower in Mountain?

Yes, hot showers are available in most of the places; somewhere free of cost and some teahouses take a minimal charge. However, taking shower in the high altitudes (especially above 4500m) should be careful as you might get caught a cold or get sick.

How fit do we need to be for Gokyo Lakes trekking?

Well, Gokyo Lakes Trek is a long trek that leads you up to 5,357m/17,570ft above the sea level spending 15-19 days. You would better to have a standard fitness level with some hiking or other cardiovascular activities beforehand. Cycling, swimming, walking with backpacks, or joining fitness classes ahead of time makes your journey enjoyable and comfortable.

What sorts of accommodations are available for Gokyo Lakes trek?

Trekkers can choose both teahouse and camping trek to reach Gokyo. As plenty of the lodges and accommodation facilities are available, the teahouse trek is most popular in this trek. Teahouses on the way offer you a twin sharing bedroom, a blanket, pillowcase, and a mattress. Bathrooms are in common and toilets are mostly squatty. Camping trek is a bit costly and it needs a lot of preparations but is enjoyable.

Are there any internet/mobile phone facilities in Gokyo Lakes trekking?

Most of the teahouses offer WIFI services connecting with Everest Link. In certain places like Namche Bazaar, you will find some internet cafes as well. You can buy a sim card in Kathmandu or Lukla and purchase different packages according to your requirement. Nepal Telecom and NCELL have widely used sim cards in Nepal.

They are widely available in the different shops of Kathmandu, Lukla, and even in Namche Bazaar. After filling your form and giving 2 photos and a copy of your passport, you can receive a sim card easily.

What do I need to carry on trek?

If you are walking with a porter, you need not carry anything except your daypack with personal belongings. Otherwise, you need to carry all the gear, clothing, and other equipment yourself. Trekking in the higher elevations with your backpack may increase difficulties.

What is altitude sickness?

An effect of high altitude-Altitude sickness is caused by hypoxia (low oxygen) at high elevation. It happens most often when people who are not used to high altitudes go quickly from lower altitudes to 8,000 feet or higher. Symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, problem sleeping, and giddiness. Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) which can be life-threatening.

How can I avoid altitude sickness?

You can avoid altitude-related problems following these instructions;

• Avoid alcoholic drinks, smoking, and sleeping pills during the journey.
• Do not ascend more than 1000m a day.
• Stay hydrated; eat plenty of snacks and drink soup during the trek.
• Trek high and sleep low
• Ascend less than 300m a day above 3.000m of altitude
• Wear proper warm cloth while you are in high altitude
• If you have mild symptoms, do not proceed higher. Take aspirin tablets.
• If you have worsening symptoms, go down immediately

What do we do if in case of altitude sickness?

As you already are in the higher elevations, you should be careful enough. Stay calm but immediately inform your trip leader or friends. Do not ascend, take plenty of water, and get rest wherever you are. If the condition worsens, please descend immediately. If you are unable to hike downward, you can use a horse. Then inform your company and they will process for helicopter evacuation.

What currency should I carry to Gokyo Lakes Trekking?

Well, you are recommended to carry Nepalese currency to pay the bills of bar, accommodation, and eateries. Most of the currencies are exchanged in the exchange counters situating in the airport, Thamel, Pokhara, and other major cities.

How early should I book my trip?

You can book your trip a few months ago before your journey. According to your booking, we need to manage other necessaries as transport, trekking guides, hotel bookings, and other our field staffs. You can book in the last hour as well but it becomes a bit rustic. So we highly recommend the earliest is the best possible

What are your payment terms?

In advance, you need to pay at least 25% of your total trip cost to be confirmed about the trip. The remaining amount of the payments can be paid after landing in Kathmandu.

How much extra cash should I bring on trekking?

If you trek Gokyo Lakes trek on full board, should pay for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a hot shower, and tipping only. So, you need to consider it accordingly. Nepali currency can be withdrawn in the ATM lounges in Kathmandu.

How much should I tip to my guide and porters?

Well, tips are expected Guide and porters but are not mandatory. It is also a nice way of saying thank-you to someone who will accompany you during the trek as well as prove invaluable services to you. Just for an idea, we suggest you to tip 15% of the total trip cost would be okay.

Gokyo Lakes Trek

Emma s, united states, pre-trip information, accomodation, transportation, value for money.

Pristine lakes, fresh waters, beautiful views of the Himalayan peaks, less awash trail, the heavenly site made our journey special. I and my four other friends booked this trip after some queries with Ram. We began our journey from Lukla airstrip where our guide Krishna was leading us with a complacent pace. Upon reaching Gokyo valley, we passed several rhododendron woodlands, assorted landscapes, and more... Standing at Gokyo Ri-5,357m/17,570ft, we could see mind-boggling views of Everest and its adjacent peaks. All of them were pointed and described by Ram. The views of the 4th and 5th lakes were magnificent. How can I forget the caring, devoting, and responsible behavior of the whole team? Extremely recommended.

Mind-blowing Experience

Sarah j, portugal.

We were eagerly searching for an alternative trial of EBC. Then we found this trek is perfect for us. Me and my husband completed this trek with Puja, a guide, and Jay, a porter. We completed this trip in two weeks which became a lifetime experience. Unforgettable views of valleys, icing lakes, and Everest from Gokyo-Ri made our journey special. Puja informed all about the peaks, and surroundings confidently. Trekkers who want a less crowded journey, beautiful sceneries, perfect mountain views are highly recommended.

A journey to pristine Lakes

Maksim, russian federation.

This April, I completed 11 days of Gokyo Lakes Trek organized by Holy Mountain Treks. My guide Krishna was very cooperative and caring who checked me in every 2 hours if I was okay. The flight to Lukla was a thrilling experience and hiking to Gokyo Ri was magnificent. The views from the top were marvelous. Although only a limited number of teahouses were in operation due to the covid-19, Krishna chose the best one for me. The views of pristine Gokyo Lakes were breathtaking. Surrounded by the mighty peaks and snow heaps, the lakes were half-opened. I recommend all to Holy Mountain Treks for your next trip to Nepal.

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Gokyo Lake Trek

11 Days 10 Nights

English, Nepali

About this tour

The Gokyo Lake Trek is a captivating journey that takes you to the heart of the Everest region in Nepal. This trek offers an alternative route to the popular Everest Base Camp trek , taking you through picturesque valleys, Sherpa villages, and the stunning Gokyo Lakes.

The trek begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla , where you’ll embark on a trail that leads you through charming Sherpa settlements like Namche Bazaar, Dhole, and Machhermo. Along the way, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of towering Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest , Lhotse , Makalu , and Cho Oyu .

The highlight of the trek is the exploration of the beautiful Gokyo Lakes , a series of glacial lakes with crystal-clear waters. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the lakes create a tranquil and awe-inspiring atmosphere that is simply unforgettable.

To enhance your experience, you’ll have the opportunity to hike to Gokyo Ri , a viewpoint that offers panoramic vistas of the entire Everest region . From here, you can witness the sunrise or sunset casting a golden glow upon the majestic Himalayas.

Essential Tips for a Successful Gokyo Lake Trek

• Ensure proper acclimatization by ascending gradually and including rest days in your itinerary.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the trek.
• Pack appropriate clothing layers and gear to adapt to changing weather conditions.
• Train and prepare physically before the trek to build endurance and stamina.
• Hire a local guide or join a guided trek for safety and navigation expertise.
• Obtain the necessary permits, including the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and TIMS Card.
• Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and take necessary precautions.
• Respect the local culture and customs, and be mindful of environmental conservation.
• Carry basic first aid supplies and medications for common ailments.
• Stay connected with your trekking group and communicate any concerns or issues promptly.

Gokyo Lake Trek Safety Considerations

• Acclimatize properly to the high altitude by following a gradual ascent and taking rest days.
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
• Follow the instructions and guidance of your guide or trekking agency.
• Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and notify your guide if you experience any discomfort.
• Listen to your body and take breaks as needed during the trek.
• Dress appropriately for the weather conditions and carry necessary gear, including warm clothing, a rain jacket, and sturdy hiking boots.
• Carry a comprehensive first aid kit and any personal medications you may require.
• Avoid drinking untreated water and opt for purified or bottled water.
• Respect local customs, traditions, and wildlife. Follow guidelines for waste management and environmental conservation.
• Stay on designated trails and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
• Maintain a good level of physical fitness and consult a healthcare professional before undertaking the trek.
• Stay updated on weather conditions and be prepared for changes in the mountain environment.
• Purchase travel insurance that covers trekking activities and emergency medical evacuation if needed.
• Communicate any concerns or issues to your guide or trekking agency promptly.

About Gokyo Lake And Gokyo Ri

Gokyo Lakes are six beautiful glacial lakes in the Nepalese Himalayas, specifically in the Solu-Khumbu region. These lakes are very high up and surrounded by big mountains, like Cho Oyu. The lakes are a peaceful and amazing place for people who love trekking and nature. There’s also a special spot called Gokyo Ri View Point nearby, where you can see a wide and beautiful view of the area. Gokyo Ri is like a high hill that lets you look down at the Gokyo Lakes and the mountains all around. People who go there not only get to enjoy an exciting trek but also see the stunning nature from this high spot. You can see how the sunlight creates patterns on the calm lakes and how big and majestic the peaks are on the horizon. The journey to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri is a mix of exploring nature and having an adventure.

Best time for Gokyo Lake Trek

The best time for the Gokyo Lake Trek is during the pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons. Specifically, the ideal months for this trek are:

• During spring, the weather is relatively stable, with mild temperatures.
• The trail is adorned with blooming rhododendron flowers, adding color to the landscape.
• Clear skies offer excellent visibility of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
• Autumn is another optimal time for the Gokyo Lake Trek, featuring stable weather conditions.
• The skies are generally clear, providing stunning views of the mountains.
• Moderate temperatures during the day make trekking comfortable.

Both of these seasons offer favorable conditions for trekking, with less chance of precipitation and better visibility. Winter (December to February) brings extremely cold temperatures, snow, and challenging trekking conditions, while the monsoon season (June to August) brings heavy rainfall, making trails slippery and challenging. It’s crucial to plan your trek during the recommended seasons to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Gokyo Lake Trek Cost

In planning for the Gokyo Lake Trek, understanding the cost breakdown is essential. In General this gokyo lake trek cost you around USD 1200$ – USD 1400$ per person include most of the service. Our Company typically offer packages ranging from basic to more comprehensive options. The Package total cost covers services like a knowledgeable guide to navigate the trail, assistance from porters to carry equipment, accommodations in tea houses along the route, and meals. Additionally,Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu, permits such as the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the TIMS card are also included. However, trekkers should be aware of potential additional costs, including fees for travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances, international flights to and from Nepal, tips for guides and porters, and personal expenses. We recommended to communicate openly with our trekking agency to clarify what is included in the cost and what may incur extra charges. This communication ensures a smoother and more transparent trekking experience.

• Breathtaking views of the Everest region, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and other magnificent peaks.
• Gokyo Lakes, a series of stunning glacial lakes with turquoise blue waters, set against a backdrop of snowy mountains.
• Gokyo Ri, a panoramic viewpoint offering a 360-degree view of the Himalayan range and the Gokyo Lakes below.
• Exploring the traditional Sherpa villages of Namche Bazaar, Dhole, and Machhermo, experiencing the rich Sherpa culture and hospitality.
• Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing diverse flora, fauna, and alpine landscapes.
• The vibrant town of Namche Bazaar, a bustling hub of trade and culture in the Everest region.
• Walking along the Dudh Koshi River, passing through rhododendron forests, suspension bridges, and charming Sherpa settlements.
• Opportunities for wildlife sightings, including Himalayan Thar, musk deer, colorful birds, and elusive snow leopards.

Included/Excluded

• International and Domestic Airport Pick Up and Drop.
• Kathmandu Lukla , Lukla Kathmandu Flight.
• Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner from the Teahouses menu during the treks.
• Overnight Sleep at Standard tea house with basic facility during the treks.
• Government licensed holder trekking guide including all his meals, accommodation, salary, transportation, insurance.
• One porter for two person who carry only two trekking member’s bags, including all his meals, accommodation, salary, transportation, insurance.
• If single trekker booked then guide will help you to carry some of your stuffs.
• Equipment like sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags, trekking poles, and Crampons will be provided (Returned after the trip is complete).
• First aid kid box included and carry by guide.
• Emergency helicopter rescue services provided, Pay By your Insurance or By Your Self.
• All needed Trekking Permit and National park Entry fees.
• All needed ground transportation mention on the itinerary.
• Government Tax and Company service charge.
• Personal expenses as like the Phone Bill, Camera Charging, Hot Shower, Wifi.
• All kind of drinks as like Mineral Water, Tea, Coffee, Juice, Coke, Fanta, Beer and Bar Bills.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during your stay in city like Pokhara, Kathmandu.
• Extra Nights’ Accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, in case if you return earlier from the Treks.
• Tips to your Guide and Porter. (It is expected)
• Travel insurance.

Day 1 Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport (2840m) & trek to Monjo (2830m) - 5-6 Hrs Trek

• Take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a scenic mountain flight.
• Meet your trekking crew in Lukla and start the trek.
• Trek through picturesque Sherpa villages, lush forests, and suspension bridges.
• Reach Monjo, a small village near the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park.
• Overnight stay in Monjo.
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at the teahouse.

Day 2 Trek from Monjo to Namche Bazaar (3440m) - 4-5 Hrs Trek

• Enter Sagarmatha National Park and trek along the Dudh Koshi River.
• Cross suspension bridges and ascend gradually to Namche Bazaar.
• Enjoy the stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, and other surrounding peaks.
• Explore Namche Bazaar, the vibrant trading hub of the Everest region.
• Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

Day 3 Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

• Rest and acclimatize to the high altitude in Namche Bazaar.
• Take a short hike to Everest View Hotel or explore the surrounding areas.
• Visit the Sherpa Cultural Museum and learn about the local Sherpa culture.

Day 4 Trek from Namche Bazaar to Dhole (4110m) - 5-6 Hrs Trek

• Resume the trek and follow the trail towards Dhole.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and other peaks along the way.
• Trek through rhododendron forests and pass through the villages of Sanasa and Mongla.
• Reach Dhole, a small settlement surrounded by stunning mountain vistas.
• Overnight stay in Dhole.

Day 5 Trek from Dhole to Machhermo (4470m) - 4-5 Hrs Trek

• Continue the trek through alpine landscapes and gradual ascents.
• Pass through scenic ridges and enjoy views of the Himalayan peaks.
• Arrive in Machhermo, a small village nestled in the mountains.
• Learn about the Yeti legends associated with this area.
• Overnight stay in Machhermo.

Day 6 Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo Lake (4750m) - 4-5 Hrs Trek

• Trek alongside the Dudh Koshi River and ascend towards Gokyo.
• Pass by stunning glacial lakes and enjoy the pristine mountain scenery.
• Reach Gokyo, a beautiful lakeside village with panoramic views of Cho Oyu and other peaks.
• Overnight stay in Gokyo.

Day 7 Early Morning Hike to Gokyo Ri (5360 m) for a Sunrise View and Explore Gokyo Lake (4790 m)

• Start early in the morning for the hike to Gokyo Ri.
• Witness a breathtaking sunrise view over the Everest region from the summit.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and other peaks.
• Descend back to Gokyo and explore the turquoise Gokyo Lake.

Day 8 Trek from Gokyo to Dhole (4200m) - 5-6 Hrs Trek

• Descend from Gokyo and retrace your steps towards Dhole.
• Enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes.
• Pass through Machhermo and continue trekking to Dhole.

Day 9 Trek from Dhole to Namche Bazaar (3440m) - 5-6 Hrs Trek

• Trek back to Namche Bazaar through familiar trails.
• Descend through rhododendron forests and Sherpa villages.
• Arrive in Namche Bazaar and spend the evening exploring the town.

Day 10 Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2840 m) - 6-7 Hrs Trek

• Begin the final day of trekking, descending from Namche Bazaar to Lukla.
• Pass through Phakding and enjoy the last views of the Everest region.
• Reach Lukla and celebrate the successful completion of your trek.
• Overnight stay in Lukla.

Day 11 Fly back to Kathmandu

• Take an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.
• Transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.
• Rest and relax or explore the vibrant city.
• Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
• Breakfast and Lunch at the teahouse.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to do the gokyo lake trek without prior trekking experience.

While prior trekking experience is not mandatory, it is recommended to have some level of hiking experience, especially at high altitudes. Adequate physical fitness, preparation, and acclimatization are crucial for a successful and enjoyable trek.

What is the maximum altitude reached during the Gokyo Lake Trek?

The highest point reached during the Gokyo Lake Trek is the summit of Gokyo Ri, which stands at an altitude of 5,360 meters (17,585 feet).

How difficult is the Gokyo Lake Trek?

The Gokyo Lake Trek is considered a moderately challenging trek. It involves several days of trekking at high altitude, with some steep ascents and descents. Good physical fitness and prior hiking experience are recommended.

What is the best time to do the Gokyo Lake Trek?

The best time to do the Gokyo Lake Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These months offer stable weather, clear skies, and moderate temperatures, making for comfortable trekking conditions.

Are permits required for the Gokyo Lake Trek?

Yes, you will need to obtain permits for the Gokyo Lake Trek. This includes the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) Card. Your trekking agency can assist you in obtaining these permits.

Is it necessary to hire a guide for the Gokyo Lake Trek?

While it is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to hire a guide for the Gokyo Lake Trek. A guide can provide valuable assistance, navigate the trail, offer insights into the local culture, and ensure your safety throughout the trek.

What kind of accommodation can I expect during the trek?

Accommodation during the trek is in teahouses or lodges along the trail. These basic yet comfortable accommodations offer private or shared rooms with twin beds, blankets, and simple toilet facilities. Please note that the higher you go, the more basic the facilities may become.

How is the food and water situation during the trek?

Meals during the trek are provided at teahouses and lodges along the trail. The menu typically includes a variety of Nepali, Tibetan, and international dishes. It is recommended to consume bottled or purified water to prevent any waterborne illnesses.

Is it safe to drink the water from the streams and rivers?

It is not recommended to drink water directly from streams or rivers during the trek. It is best to carry a water purification method or purchase bottled water from teahouses along the trail.

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