Gokyo Lake Trek 14 Days

Highlights

  • An adventurous venture in the Everest region, home to Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world
  •  Follow a less crowded trekking route and explore the gorgeous Gokyo valley
  • Trek to the alpine Gokyo Lakes, exploring the Sherpa villages and rhododendron forests
  • Offbeat trail perfect for travelers who love challenges
  • Traverse in the Sagarmatha National Park with a chance to come across diverse flora and fauna
  • Get to see the lifestyle and culture of the villagers while spending nights there
  • Two acclimatization days in beautiful villages- Namche Bazaar & Gokyo village
  • Visit ancient monasteries and stupas while trekking
  • Get to see the biggest glacier in Nepal, called Ngozumpa glacier
  • Hike to Gokyo Ri and explore the stunning Gokyo Lakes
  • Gorgeous mountain landscapes throughout the trekking route

Embark on a 13-day adventurous venture in the Everest region. Trek to the alpine Gokyo Lakes, exploring the Sherpa villages and rhododendron forests. Follow a less crowded trekking route and explore the gorgeous Gokyo valley on our Gokyo Lake trek. The tail is a little offbeat and remote than the Everest base camp trek, so perfect for travelers who love challenges. 

Gokyo Lakes trek is a high-altitude trek that ascends up to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), the highest point of the trek. You can make the itinerary even more adventurous by combining the Cho La pass or Renjo La pass in the itinerary. The Gokyo lake trek begins with a scenic flight to Lukla (2,860 m) and goes through the Sagarmatha National Park. 

The Gokyo lake trekking lets you experience the lifestyle of Sherpas and their cultural heritage. You will discover several alpine vegetation and fauna on the way. The Gokyo lake trek route follows the famous trail up to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) and cuts off to Phortse village (3,810 m). We have our first acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Hike to Hotel Everest (3,962 m) View and Khumjung Monastery.

From Phortse village, follow a steep uphill track to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. You will reach Machhermo village (4,470 m) and ascend to Gokyo village (4,800 m), on the way enjoying a glistening view of Ngozumpa glacier and alpine lakes. The Gokyo village is situated at the shore of Dudh Pokhari. There are six Gokyo Lakes ranging from 4,700 meters to 5,000 meters. 

We take another rest day in Gokyo village and use the opportunity to hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) and explore the lakes. Tucked away from the mainstream Everest trail, the Gokyo lake trekking allows travelers to enjoy a tranquil trek. You will not be disturbed by other fellow trekkers. At most yaks and mules may bypass you on the trail.

Mountains like Everest (8,849 m), Cho Oyu (8,188 m), Makalu (8,481 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), and Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) are seen during the Gokyo lake trek 13 days. These are the eight-thousands. Apart from these mountains, you will see Ama Dablam (6,812 m), Thamserku (6,608 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), Pumori (7,161 m), Cholatse (6,440 m), Chamlang (7,319 m), Island Peak (6,160 m), etc, are also seen. And how can we forget about diverse landscapes?

Difficulty

The Gokyo Lakes Trek is considered a moderate to challenging trek. It is recommended for those who are physically fit and have some experience with high-altitude treks. The trek involves several days of hiking at altitudes ranging from 2,800 meters (9,186 feet) to 5,483 meters (17,999 feet) at the Gokyo Ri peak.

The trek involves several long days of hiking, some of which may be strenuous, especially at higher altitudes. The terrain can be challenging, with rocky and uneven trails and some steep inclines. You will also need to be prepared for the possibility of cold and wet weather, as well as the thin air at high altitudes.

That being said, the Gokyo Lakes Trek is a very rewarding experience, and it is suitable for those who are prepared for the physical demands of the trek. It is important to train and build up your endurance before the trek and to listen to your body and acclimatize properly to the altitude.

Altitude Sickness

The chances of experiencing altitude sickness during the Gokyo Lakes Trek will depend on a variety of factors, including your age, physical fitness, and previous experience with high-altitude environments. Anyone can be affected by altitude sickness, and it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and to take steps to prevent them.

To reduce the chances of altitude sickness on the Gokyo Lakes Trek, it is important to acclimatize properly by gradually increasing your altitude. This means taking it easy on the first few days of the trek, allowing your body to adjust to the lower levels of oxygen. 

It is also important to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and other dehydrating beverages. If you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness, it is important to stop ascending and allow your body to acclimatize. Inform your guide and follow his guidance. 

Booking for 2023 Departure 

The Gokyo Lakes Trek can be done in both the spring and autumn seasons. Both seasons offer their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and the best time for you will depend on your personal preferences and travel style. Our bookings are open for the Gokyo Lakes trek 2023. You can get in touch with us anytime for more information. 

If you are looking for some other similar treks then check out these packages- Mardi Himal trek, Upper Mustang Trek, Langtang Gosaikunda trek, etc. If you have previous trekking experience, then these packages may suit you better- Manaslu circuit trek, Annapurna circuit trek, and Three high passes trek.

Itinerary
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On your arrival, we'll welcome you at the airport and take care of your luggage. Our team will drop you at the hotel and inform you about the program later in the day. We haven't planned much on your arrival day apart from welcome dinner. You will spend the evening mingling with the locals and other travelers in the bustling streets of Thamel.

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Welcome Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 1300m

We have one full day in Kathmandu, enough to prepare for the Everest base camp trekking and explore some monuments in the city. So, the morning begins with a delicious breakfast and later a guided excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The tour guide will tell all about the monuments and their importance. 

Explore the local market called Ason at the end of the tour and come back to Thamel. After lunch, in the late afternoon, we meet in the Nepal Pioneer Treks office. We meet with the guide and discuss the trek. Then we'll proceed with packing and making sure all the documents are ready for the journey.

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Max. Altitude: 1300m

The Gokyo Lake trek begins today. We take a morning flight to Lukla airport, the head of the trail. This flight is very famous because of the scenic view and landing on a short runway. At Lukla, the porters join the team, and we begin descending to Phakding village. Our first night stop is Phakding, located a couple of hundred meters below Lukla, which allows us to acclimatize. 

The trail from Lukla goes along the Dudh Koshi river. We walk through alpine forests and cross a few suspension bridges on the way. We'll also walk past a few small villages before making it to Phakding. Here, we get to see beautiful views of Kongde Ri and Kangtega.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 2840m

The next stop of our trek is the famous Namche Bazaar. From Phakding village, the trail ascends through the lush forests of rhododendron and magnolia all the way up to our destination of the day. We take a small break at Monjo village and register our permits before walking past this village. The Sagarmatha National Park begins from Monjo onwards. We cross a long suspension bridge, known as Hillary bridge, and follow a bit of a steep trail up to Namche Bazaar towards the end.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 3440m

We’ll take a rest day in Namche Bazaar. It is for acclimatization, very important. In the morning, we planned a hike to Hotel Everest View at 3,962 m (13,000 ft). This hike is not so easy but lets you witness the first glimpse of Mount Everest along with several snow-capped mountains like Thamserku, Chamlang, Kwangde, Kongde Ri, Lhotse, Nuptse, etc. 

 

We can continue the hike to one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region, Khumjung monastery if we feel like hiking further. After the hike, we'll return to Namche Bazaar to spend the remaining day and night. Take your time to visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery. Explore the souvenir shops and cafes in the village.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 3962m

From Namche Bazaar, the trail ascends through juniper and rhododendron forests. The trail gradually increases following a less crowded section and pastures. We will be walking past summer settlements and reaching Phortse village. The views of Khumbila and Tawache are fantastic along the way.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 3810m

We leave Phortse village after a big breakfast. The trail ascends to a ridge offering a stunning view of Kangtega and Cho Oyu. Further, we will descend to a rover and follow a steep uphill track to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. It is the biggest glacier in Nepal and finally reaches the beautiful Machhermo village.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 4470m

We ascend to a ridge to witness a breathtaking mountain panorama of snow-clustered mountains. As we trek, the valley opens up, and the trail goes through Pangka (4,390 m). We then descend to a river bank from here and follow a steep uphill trail further that leads to the moraine. We then switch the trail and walk by the first lake at 4,650 m and walk up to Gokyo village, situated at the bank of Dudh Pokhari.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 4800m

Wake up early today and follow your guide to the Gokyo Ri viewpoint to witness a gorgeous sunrise and outstanding view of mountains like Makalu, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Tawache, and Cholatse. Later, we will explore the Gokyo Lakes and enjoy their heavenly views. The remaining day we’ll spend with the villagers and relax.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 5357m

Leaving Gokyo village, we trek down to Dole, relishing beautiful scenery on the way. The trail retraces the path back to Dole. We will walk past Ngozumpa glacier and lateral moraine. The trail also passes through meadows and some remote villages.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 4040m

We walk through villages like Gyele and Tongba. The trail today is dominated by views of Tawache and Khumbila. We will walk past yaks grazing sits and kharkas. Further, trekking through rhododendron forests, we gradually descend to Namche Bazaar.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 3440m

We leave Namche Bazaar early in the morning and trek back to Lukla. We got another long day ahead of us. The trail steeply descends and goes through dense forests, crossing many suspension bridges and remote villages on the way. From Phakding, it is an uphill walk up to Lukla.

  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 2840m

The trek ends here, and we fly back to Kathmandu in the morning. The flight will be fabulous, especially the takeoff. Once we reach Kathmandu, the team will escort you to the hotel, and you have the entire day to rest, explore, and shop. In the late evening, for the very last time, we’ll meet again over the farewell celebratory dinner of the group.

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
  • Max. Altitude: 1300m

Our airport representatives will drop you at the international terminal as per your flight departure time. They will bid you our last goodbye! 

Note: If you want to join another trek or tour with us, feel free to let us know. We have a wide range of packages.

  • Meals: Breakfast
Route Map
Gokyo Lake Trek 14 Days Map
Includes/Excludes
Includes
  • Two nights accommodation in Kathmandu with twin sharing at tourist standard hotel (Bed and Breakfast)
  • All Ground and air transportation. Pick up and drop.
  • Full board meal 3 times a day (B+L+D) during the trek days including tea & coffee (served in a cup).
  • English speaking trekking guide who has been authorized by the Nepal government and necessary number of porters (According to the group size) with their insurance, salary, accommodation, and meals.
  • Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu with Cultural show. (Ethnic music and dance)
  • All the necessary official documents, TIMS Permit, Trekking Permit, etc.
  • Sleeping bags and down jackets if necessary.
  • First Aid kit.
  • Trekking Route map.
  • Insurance of Guide and Porters.
  • All required local and government tax.
Excludes
  • Nepal Visa fee and International flight.
  • Meal except for Breakfast in Kathmandu.
  • All personal expenses such as bar bills, water, extra tea/coffee, snacks, battery re-charge, laundry service, hot shower etc.
  • Personal clothing and gears.
  • Tips to guide and porters.
  • Cost raised by flight cancellation, emergency rescue charges, landslide, weather, political unrest, illness, re-routing etc which are not under our control.
  • Monument entrance fees.
Price and Availability
Date AvailabilityPrice 
Start DateApr 23, 2024End DateMay 06, 2024StatusAvailablePriceUS$1350
Start DateApr 28, 2024End DateMay 11, 2024StatusAvailablePriceUS$1350

 Departure date of Gokyo Lake 14 days trek

We ( Nepal Pioneer Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd ) prefer to provide fixed departure trek, tour and expeditions in all himalayan region of Nepal. If you are single and prefering with a group, you can join our fixed departure schedule. If the schedule dates are not comfortable because of your time, please contact and let us know. We always happy to customize our trips to suit your needs. If any individuals or group doesn’t want to join with our other group, we can organizeand provide personalized service as per your need, wish and requirement. We arrange the trip according to our clients need, wish and interest.

Please check our available date.

Additional Information

Gokyo lake trek best time

The best months to trek to the Gokyo Lakes in the Everest region of Nepal are typically considered to be September to November (autumn) and March to May (spring). These months offer the best combination of clear weather and relatively mild temperatures, making them ideal for trekking.

In the autumn season (September to November), the days are generally warm, and the nights can be quite cool. The weather is usually dry and clear, providing excellent visibility of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Everest. This is considered the best time to see Mount Everest, as the clear weather provides excellent visibility.

Spring is another best season to trek to Gokyo lakes because the weather is stable during this time of the year too. You will have a fantastic trek experience in spring because the trail blooms with numerous flowers and vegetation. After a long cold winter, the climate begins to get warmer making the trek lovely. 

Gokyo lake trek accommodation

We use the lodge as our accommodation during the Gokyo valley trek. It is a basic accommodation facility provided by the locals to travelers. Mostly twin shared rooms are offered by the lodges with shared washrooms. If your budget allows you can update to luxury lodges in big villages like Namche Bazaar. Otherwise, the accommodation covered by our Gokyo valley trek cost is pretty basic. 

The rooms are small, with separate beds and blankets. As there is no heating service available in the lodges, it is recommended to carry a sleeping bag during the trek for extra warmth. Other than bed and breakfast, services like charging, hot shower, and Wifi will cost you additional money (not covered in the package cost). 

Meals

The food available on the Everest base camp trail will depend on where you are staying and eating along the route. In general, you can expect to find a variety of Nepali and Tibetan dishes, as well as some international options. 

Some of the common foods that are available include:

Dal bhat: This is a traditional Nepali dish that consists of lentil soup (daal), rice (bhat), and a variety of vegetables and meats.

Tibetan bread: This is a type of flatbread that is often served with tea or used as a base for other dishes.

Momos: These are steamed dumplings that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including meat, vegetables, and cheese.

Fried rice: This is a popular dish that is made with rice, vegetables, and sometimes meat.

Pasta: Pasta dishes, such as spaghetti and macaroni and cheese, are often available on the trail.

Soup: Soup is a common dish on the trail, and you may be able to find options such as vegetable, chicken, and noodle soup.

Snacks: Snacks such as cookies, crackers, and fruit are often available for purchase along the trail.

Group/private joining

It is possible to join a group or go on a private trek to the Gokyo Lakes in Nepal. The decision to go on a group or private trek will depend on your preferences and budget.

A group trek involves joining a group of trekkers who are all traveling together and sharing the costs of the trek. Group treks can be a good option for those who are looking to meet new people, save money, and have a more social experience. 

A private trek involves hiring a guide and/or porter and customizing the trek to your specific preferences. This can be a good option for those who want more control over their itinerary, or for those who prefer a more personalized experience. Private treks are generally more expensive than group treks, but they offer more flexibility and the opportunity to customize the trek to your specific needs and interests.

Child Policy

You can trek to Gokyo lakes with a child, but it is important to consider the physical demands of the trek and the suitability of the experience for your child. The Gokyo lakes trek 13 days is a physically challenging journey that involves hiking for several hours each day at a high altitude. Children should be in good physical condition and able to handle the physical demands of the trek.

Additionally, it is important to consider the age and maturity of your child, as well as their ability to handle the potential challenges of the trek, such as altitude sickness, cold weather, and long days of hiking. Children under the age of 12 may have a harder time completing the trek, but it is ultimately up to the individual child and their abilities.

Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance in your home country for the Gokyo lakes trek. Make sure the travel insurance covers emergency air evacuation. Double-check all the clauses before buying them, and bring the documents with you. Gokyo lake trek, or also known as the Gokyo Ri trek, is a very remote trek and leads to high altitude. 

In case of medical assistance that requires more than first aid, we have no other option than providing you with emergency air evacuation to Kathmandu. And for that travel insurance is necessary.

FAQs
  • The Gokyo lake trek is 13 days to 14 days long. You can add a helicopter return at the end of the trek to make it shorter or combine Everest base camp to make the trek long.

  • To reach Gokyo Lake, you have to trek for 4 to 5 days from Lukla airport. To reach Lukla, you can, either fly or take an 8-9 hours long ride to either Phaplu or Jiri. You also have the alternative to fly in a helicopter from Kathmandu to Gokyo Lake if you do not have ample time to trek. We can help you arrange a helicopter flight, so get in touch with us anytime for more information.

  • Yes, you can see Mt. Everest during the Gokyo lake trek. The best sight is from Gokyo Ri. You will also get to see other tall mountains like Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.

  • Yes, Gokyo lake trekking is worth doing. It is an adventurous two weeks trek in the beautiful Everest region that follows a less crowded trail and presents outstanding mountain landscapes. You will get to learn and experience the mountain lifestyle.

  • The fourth Gokyo lake, Thonak Cho, is the deepest one among all the Gokyo Lakes. It is 62.4 meters deep, followed by the Gokyo Lake, which is 43 m deep.

  • It is better to trek with a guide for a hassle-free and safe trek. However, you can do the Gokyo lake trek on your own. Our company has the best reliable guides that will support you during the trek. 

  • There is a chance the lake will be frozen in April. We advise you to check the weather and talk with us for accurate information.

  • Gokyo Ri is located in the Khumbu region of Nepal, west of the Ngozumpa glacier. The height of Gokyo Ri is 5,357 meters (17,575 ft).

  • A sleeping bag will keep you extra warm and tucked. You get clean blankets in the lodges along the trail, but that may not be enough to keep you warm.

Client Reviews
  • C
    Char LSingaporeDec 14, 2018

    Fantastic experience!

    Nov 2018 • Friends

    It was a fantastic experience! Our guide Eaklal took care of us really well and he made the arduous treks manageable. He is really experienced and he knows the trekking conditions well. Choose Nepal Pioneer if you want someone reliable.

    Google
  • R
    René SPolandOct 31, 2018

    Everest base camp/Gokyo trek

    Sep 2018 • Solo

    I highly recommend this company, they took care of everything from the moment of the first contact. I really enjoyed the tour and it was perfect organized.

    TrustPilot
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