Experience the stunning beauty of the tranquil Gokyo Lakes firsthand as you embark on a memorable adventure to the Himalayas. The Gokyo Valley trek takes you to the glacial lakes of Gokyo, which comprise six different lakes spread across the valley seated in the foothills of Cho Oyu (8201m), the world’s sixth-highest mountain. Combining the stunning beauty of the glacial lakes with the equally intriguing Sherpa culture of the Everest Region, the Gokyo Valley trek creates a perfect destination for trekkers and adventurers planning to journey around the Everest Region.
The Gokyo Valley trek begins with a thrilling mountain flight heading to the picturesque town of Lukla. On the hilly trail, you make your way alongside the Dudh Koshi River heading past vibrant hamlets to reach Phakding. Then entering Sagarmatha National Park via Jorsalle, you head over to Namche next, enjoying your very first glance at the Himalayas.
Taking a day off to acclimatize to the picture-perfect town, you take a detour from the classic Everest trail and head to Phortse. In and out of the lush green forests, the next stretch of the journey takes you to Machhermo before taking you to the stunning Gokyo Lakes. High amid the Himalayas, you take another day off to explore the beauty of Gokyo Valley and summit the viewpoint Gokyo Ri (5357m) for the most amazing view of Gokyo Lakes as well as the high rising mountain peaks like Cho Oyu (8201m) and Everest (8848m).
Retracing your steps back through Dudh Koshi Valley, you head over to the hamlet of Dhole before trekking back to Monjo, exiting Sagarmatha National Park on the way. The trek comes to an end as you take a flight back from Lukla to Kathmandu whilst bidding farewell to the mountains that you befriended during your Gokyo Valley Trek.
We here at High Route Adventure have been accompanying trekkers and thrill-seekers for more than a decade, fine-tuning ourselves to make sure your journey is one to remember. Please be advised that the itinerary is subject to changes due to weather. The flight heading in and out of Lukla can be sometimes delayed due to bad weather which prevents take-off or touchdown.
Note: We want to recommend you schedule your arrival to Kathmandu within the morning or daytime so as to allow you to attend the pre-trek brief and obtain it over the beginning of your Gokyo Valley trek.
Touching down at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed by our office representatives who will guide you directly to the hotel. Freshening up from the day's journey, you will be further introduced to your guide who will brief you on the day-to-day itinerary for the journey. Wrapping up all the activities scheduled for the day, you are free to head down to the local area to enjoy a pleasant evening. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
We begin the first day of our journey with a thrilling flight to the picturesque town of Lukla. Up above the lush green valleys, the 40-minute flight takes us closer to the Himalayas giving us a first glance at their mesmerizing beauty. Touching down at Lukla, we take a brief rest before setting off on the trail leading toPhakding. The journey heads forward alongside the banks of the stunning Dudh Koshi River heading past vibrant hamlets like Koshiguan and Ghat before reaching Phakding for the night.
Continuing where we left off yesterday, the trail follows Dudh Koshi River as we head out of Phakding. Past the hamlet of Thulo Ghamela, we enter lush green forests to reach Bengkar followed by Monjo. The trail forward takes us to Jorsalle, which marks our entry into Sagarmatha National Park. Through the forested trail adorned with pine, fir, and rhododendron trees, we make a steep ascend to the town of Namche, famous for its Sherpa locals and also for the Himalayan panorama. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
An ideal spot for acclimatization, the Himalayan town of Namche is one of the most populated towns in the Everest Region. With the constant stream of trekkers, mountaineers, and locals, the town is always buzzing. After touring around the town in the morning, we set off for our acclimatization hike to the hilly village of Khumjung, the largest Sherpa village in Khumbu. The journey is a pleasant one on a hillside with the stunning Everest (8848m) on the backdrop. Khumjung boasts the unique Yeti Skull Monastery which is said to host the skull of a real-life Yeti. Overnight in Namche.
Exiting Namche, we begin our ascending hike to the hamlet of Phortse for the night. The forested trail takes us to the village of Sanasa before veering off from the classic Everest trail to ascend high above Dudh Koshi River to reach Phortse. All along the way, we come across many Mani walls, monasteries, and Chortens that hold sacred values for the Sherpa locals. A splendid mountain view awaits us in Phortse. Overnight in Phortse.
Two trekking routes can take us to the hamlet of Machhermo from Phortse. The first involves us crossing Dudh Koshi River to its western bank and following the hilly trail to Dhole and Luza which then brings us to Machhermo. The second route involves us taking the eastern bank of Dudh Koshi River heading to Throe and then crossing the river at Nha, to its western bank, which leads us to Machhermo. No matter which route we take, the gorgeous Himalayan landscape makes up for the rough trek. Overnight in Machhermo.
Today is one of the shorter days of the journey where we make our way to the quaint settlement of Gokyo following the trail heading north? Past Machhermo the rugged Himalayan trail is guided by the mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas. Climbing the ridgeline above the hamlet of Chyamtang, we continue our trek to the second of the six Gokyo Lakes. Admiring the stunning beauty of the glacial lake, we continue our journey to reach Gokyo village situated on the banks of the third Gokyo Lake. Overnight in Gokyo.
Today we spend our time exploring Gokyo Valley and enjoying the mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas. Ascending on a rather icy and stony path, we hike up to Gokyo Ri (5357m) which boasts an amazing view of the Gokyo Lakes along with a stunning Himalayan panorama comprising of the snowy summits of Cho Oyu (8021m), Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Changtse (7543m), and Lhotse (8516m) amongst many others. We also make rounds around the 4th and 5th Gokyo Lakes before returning to the village of Gokyo for an overnight stay.
At the beginning of our descending journey, we exit the beautiful Gokyo village retracing our steps past the third and second glacial lakes. Relishing the stunning beauty of the Himalayas, we make our way down to Machhermo with the rushing Dudh Koshi River as our constant companion. Along the western banks of the river, we make our way over to Luza which then brings us to the settlement of Dole for the night.
One of the longer days of the trek, today we make our way to the hamlet of Monjo. The descending journey takes us to Phortse crossing the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River to then reach the small village of Sanasa. Back in the classic Everest Base Camp Trail, the journey takes us back to the picturesque town of Namche for a brief rest. Following the lush green forests out of the valley, we exit Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsalle beyond which lies the Buddhist village of Monjo. Overnight in Monjo.
Today is the final of our trekking days where we make our way back to Lukla. Past Monjo, the trail follows the banks of Dudh Koshi River leading toBengkar and Thulo Ghamela before ascending to the hamlet of Phakding. From Phakding, we descend to the hamlet of Ghat and then Koshi Gaun leaving the riverbank before ascending to reach Lukla. Overnight in Lukla.
An early start to the day, today we make our way over to the capital city of Kathmandu, ending our travel in the Himalayas. Reliving the thrill of taking off from the Lukla airstrip, we bid goodbye to the Himalayas. Touching down at Kathmandu, we make our way directly to the hotel wrapping up all the scheduled activities for the trip. For the rest of the day, you are free to head around to the local areas to enjoy your successful trip. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Our representatives will drop you back at Tribhuvan International Airport for your scheduled flight back home. We hope you had a lovely time with us and we look forward to seeing you again.
The two Night in Kathmandu is in a deluxe hotel and ten-night teahouse accommodation on the trek
In Kathmandu, we usually occupy a 3-star hotel located within walking distance of the Thamel. All rooms have suite facilities and there are a restaurant, a bar, and an outside courtyard. there's complimentary Wi-Fi within the hotel lobby and Wi-Fi throughout.
The teahouse is that the dining room, typically decorated with colorful established mat, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to place the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials like tissues, soap, and toilet tissue. Most lodges have electricity but it's not wholly reliable and lighting might not be bright enough to read by – a torch is important. Electrical charging is generally offered only within the dining room (charged at approx. Rs130-400 per hour per device). Most of the lodges use solar energy so sometimes there's not sufficient electricity for charging. Many lodges have Wi-Fi not long – in some areas it works well but in others, it's slow and unreliable. We offer twin-share bedrooms all through the trek. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets, and a pillow are providing on the teahouse. Bedrooms are unheated and may get cold in the dark so you'll get to bring or hire a sleeping bag. Most lodges have just one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are located outside the most lodge building. Most of the teahouse has hot 'showers' now a day. (They charged at approx. Rs200-500 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is just a bucket of predicament and not a showerhead.
The Best season for the Everest region is autumn (September-November) and spring (March-May). It is considered to be the best time of the year for any kind of traveling in Nepal. This season is a perfect atmosphere and the temperature is cool. This autumn season is Clear skies and stunning mountain views are Breathtaking. In the spring season is wildflower will be blooming. The spring is flowering rhododendron blooming entire the trekking trail and hills. It is a combination of blooming rhododendron, clear skies, and the white mountain is a wonderful experience in your lifetime. In both seasons is the best time to explore any kind of mountain activity.
Altitude Sickness and acclimatization are the main major topics that all trekkers and adventurers should know, which is very necessary when traveling on high altitude Himalayan destinations. Altitude Sickness is also known as AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), can occur to some people on the higher altitude from above 2,000 m to 3,000 m, trekkers who are well acclimatized sometimes catch AMS above 3,000 m to 5,000 m high.
To avoid AMS, a rest day is very necessary at a certain height like around 2,800 m or above 3,000 m spending few days to support acclimatization. Enough rest and taking a short hike around, as well as drinking much fluid like water, a light cup of black or green tea, lemonade can overcome high altitude sickness or AMS.
Where some can take protective measures using Diamox or Acetazolamide tablets this prevent and reduce symptoms of AMS can lower headache in high altitude walks and climb. The common symptoms are mild headache, lack of appetite, feeling nausea, and dehydration as well lack of sound sleeps. Critical and severe cases when one gets the symptoms of HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) which is water in a brain and HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), a symptom with some water in lungs.
Where the victim should be brought down to safe and secure places with a medical team or doctors to attend, the fastest means is emergency evacuation by any means of immediate and fast transportation where available. In Nepal Himalaya the quickest emergency evacuation by Helicopter services to bring the victims back to Kathmandu for further treatments.
For emergency evacuation where trekkers should be well insured with a good Insurance policy that covers all medical sides and the use of a Helicopter or other means of transportation.
Safe drinking water, most important part of daily life as well as trekking or taking exercise. Drinking water available in every place, while you are on a trek in Everest or any other Himalayas destinations.
Three types of safe drinking water available while on the trek, which is fresh from the creek or spring, but one needs to have a good water filter to be on the safe side, as Himalayan water contains heavy minerals like iron, magnesium, and bicarbonate. Where travelers are not used to liking the local people.
Mineral or bottled water is available in every store, shops, and restaurants of the lodge on route trekking, one can buy bottled water, but can be very expensive as you go to higher areas the price will be double or triple the amount that you pay in Kathmandu.
As Nobel Holidays, very much involved in Responsible Tourism and Eco-Trekking, we try to discourage trekkers from buying bottled water, as it is a plastic bottle that adds more garbage for the country to cope with and as well much expensive. Unless you are very desperate and sick, you can buy the bottled water, to keep fit as per medical advice on high altitude, one needs to consume a minimum of 2 liters per day.
The best safe drinking water, buying a liter or more from the lodge or on a route around local lodge and restaurants, where you will be served with boiled and filtered water which is very safe.
Internet facilities and Wi-Fi available on route trek to Gokyo Valley, but not in all villages or at some small settlements. Internet and Wi-Fi available in major hotels, lodge-like at Lukla, Phakding, Monjo, Namche Bazaar, and Dole including Macherma and Gokyo.
Sometimes the internet network is slow, and disturbing in some areas due to weather with overcast conditions, as well as in places that are located on deep valley and gorge. Nearly, Below Dole where you can get cell phone services and even with a re-charge card the main popular and widely used in Nepal is Ncell and NTC or Namaste. Sometimes the network of internet communication is much slower.
The other SIM card, one can buy is the local one used by the Khumbu Sherpa, the main station and service are at Namche Bazaar, the problem with internet service will be the same as mentioned above. The other problem related is electric power, beyond Dole and machhermo most lodges have their solar power that might be weak due to bad weather condition.
When you book for the trek to Gokyo Valley with other reputed trekking company of Nepal or with us. Where all arrangements will be organized by Nobel Holidays, with the guide, field staff including porters.
All trekkers in groups or solo / single travelers must be accompanied by an expert guide, the guide should have a proper license authorized and registered by Nepal Government related to tourism and trekking.
Trekking with local expert guides, field staff, and porters entirely depends upon your budget and the way you book as per the Government Regisrated Company’s rules and regulations. Some companies can provide only guide cum porters, or with a guide with strong healthy porter.
On booking a trip with us all expenses of the guide, porters and some field staff will be covered by the local company. Like daily wages, meals, accommodation, transportation, and medical insurance. Trekkers can have options as well, where few young trekkers require only a guide to accompany them throughout the trip.
For the Gokyo Valley trek where porters are picked from Lukla, including a local guide who will meet and receives you at Kathmandu airport on your arrival or Either in Katmandu Hotel. Your guide will take care of you from the main arrival to final departure.
Most guides of Nobel Holidays, are honest and friendly with a wide knowledge of Everest region from culture, flora/fauna as well with basic medical trained. All porters and guide we provide are friendly and has worked with us for many years and most reliable to make your trek enjoyable and memorable.
The permit requirement is much important and necessary, where all visitors and adventurers require entry permits, in all Himalaya region including Gokyo Valley Trek. Around the Everest region, past few years TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) card had to be obtained, issued by TAAN (Trekking Agent Association of Nepal) in Kathmandu by all visitors to Everest Area. For the past few years, the local Sherpa communities issue entry permit passes/tickets to enter the high Khumbu area and to Gokyo Valley Trek.
Where all trekkers need to pay the entry fee, which will be done by your guide of the Nobel Holidays. Besides, the entry fees for the trek to Gokyo Valley, other permits required is of Sagarmatha National Park (Sagarmatha name for Mt. Everest in Nepal). Where all trekkers and mountaineers are charged with some fee of a little amount of rupees 3000 per person and communities fee of a little amount of Rupees 2000. All trekking permits and park fees help to maintain the trail condition and welfare of local villagers, as well as to protect and conserve the fragile beautiful environment.
All trekkers and adventurers require Travel and Medical Insurance to travel around Nepal high Himalaya, including Gokyo Valley Trek.
It is very important and necessary to obtain travel and medical insurance for their own safety purposes. One can never know what befalls ahead like you might get very sick from diarrhea or altitude sickness known as AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), or other illness as well as sudden unavoidable accidents.
Where the victims need to be evacuated immediately by any means of quick transport like on Helicopter, where all your medical bills including service of Helicopter, which will be reimbursed by your insurance company, depending upon the nature of insurance policy.
Another reason for travel insurance, just in case the trip can be obstructed by bad weather, where the trek needs to be re-routed to another destination or might get canceled.
Most important is the flight to Lukla or flying back to Kathmandu, which operates only in good and fine weather condition, sometimes the flight can get delayed or canceled, which will affect the whole itinerary days or you might be stuck in Lukla for many days till the flight resumes. In this situation where you’re insurance can cover most of your expenses.
