Gokyo Valley Trek

13 Days

The Gokyo valley is a scenic mountain valley in the majestic Everest region. This unique trekking journey to Gokyo Valley takes you through the diverse foothills of the Himalayas. The trekking route of this trek deviates from the mainstream Everest Base Camp trek. This peaceful trek is less crowded and is thus suitable for a tranquil adventure.

Trekkers can observe spectacular natural vistas and traverse through fantastic Himalayan foothills. The trail of this Gokyo valley trek starts from Lukla where we arrive through a Himalayan flight from Kathmandu. Then, the trekkers trek through regular EBC routes passing through Phakding and Namche Bazar. After acclimatizing at Namche, the path deviates from the traditional EBC trek and leads you to Dole.

We will then trek past various village settlements before arriving at Machermo. After resting for a day, we will leave Machermo to arrive at Gokyo. The trail passes through the left path of Dudh Koshi River and crosses the famous Ngozumpa Glacier. Gokyo village (4750m) is a beautiful settlement where you can see many Yak herding.

After hiking to Gokyo Ri (5360m) and exploring around, you will trek back to Dole. Finally, you will retrace back and return to Namche and Lukla. After an incredible trekking journey, you will fly back to Kathmandu. This fantastic trek takes you through the unbeaten, untraced paths. The Gokyo Lakes are a freshwater group of lakes and a sacred site for locals.

Other glaciers, glacial rivers, and small lakes enchant travelers during their journey. This trek also provides trekkers with an opportunity for cultural exploration. Rural monasteries, chortens, gompas, village settlements are present during these trails. Your trekking guide will help you to interact with locals and work as a translator.

We provide this outstanding trek package at an ideal cost. This article provides you with the Gokyo valley trek itinerary, best time, difficulty level, and others in detail.

Highlights of this Trek

  • Trekking in the beautiful landscapes of the Gokyo Valley
  • Observing the Himalayas and sunrises/sunsets from various viewpoints
  • Excursion around Gokyo lakes and its surrounding village settlement
  • Visiting various landmarks of Namche Bazaar, including Sherpa museum
  • Exploring cultural landscapes, traditional lifestyle, and heritage of the local community
  • Endangered wildlife exploration of the region
  • Hiking to Gokyo Ri summit and observing majestic views
  • Incredible hospitality of local Sherpa people

Gokyo Valley Trek Altitude Chart

Gokyo Valley Trek Altitude Chart

  • Everest Region
  • 5483 M
  • 2
  • Minimum 1

Itinerary

Maximum altitude: Kathmandu (1400m) After you arrive in Kathmandu on an international flight, we will take you to the hotel. Our staff will transfer you to a hotel in a private vehicle. You will get proper welcome reception from the hotel staff. Then, you will get briefed about this Gokyo valley trek itinerary in detail. You can also explore the beautiful landmarks of this city, including temples, palaces, alleyways, etc., before returning to your hotel. Moreover, you can also rest in the hotel and prepare for your trek.
Maximum altitude: Phakding (2610 m) Flight hours: 35-40 minutes Walking duration: 3-4 hrs We will start our journey on this day with a mountain flight that takes you above beautiful landscapes to Lukla. The incredible flight provides you with stunning views of the Himalayas. It takes around 40-45 minutes to complete this flight. After arriving at Lukla, we will rest for some time before trekking to Phakding. You will pass through various Sherpa settlements of the region before arriving at your destination. The trails on the foothills of the Himalayas will enchant you along this trail. It is a short duration trek that only takes around 3-4 hrs. After arriving at Phakding, you can stay in a local teahouse or a guesthouse.
Maximum altitude: Namche Bazaar (3500m) Walking duration: 6-7 Hours The trail to arrive at Namche from Phakding passes through outstanding landscapes. This incredible section of the trek takes you to Namche Bazaar passing alongside the Dudh Koshi River. There are rhododendron, juniper, and forested magnolia trails that will lead you to your destination. Trekkers will get their permits at the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint at Monjo. You can observe beautiful snow-capped mountain views from various viewpoints along these trails, including Mt Everest (8848 m). We will then cross the beautiful Dudh Koshi River through wooden bridges. There are other suspension bridges that you need to cross to arrive at Namche Bazaar. After an excursion to these places for some time, we will come back to our tea house and rest for a night.
On this day, you will rest and acclimatize at Namche Bazaar. Various landmarks in this region provide trekkers with ideal acclimatization points. Everest View hotel is a perfect viewpoint to observe the stunning snow-capped mountains. This highest placed hotel provides you with a spectacular 360-degree panorama view of the Mahalangur Himalayas. Namche has a vibrant atmosphere full of tourists and travelers arriving for their trekking journey. Besides that, there is a significant Sherpa Museum in Namche. The museum remains dedicated to the traditional lifestyle of the Sherpa community. If you want, you can go hiking to Khunde and Khumjung near Namche. It is a hilltop with incredible views of the entire mountain vista of the region. There is a Syangboche airstrip that probably provides the best view of the region. These hiking destinations are of short duration ranging 1-2 hours. Staying idle on acclimatization days is not recommended. Hence, covering some distance and hiking short hills is essential to keep your body fit. It helps you to tackle altitude sickness along these trails. After exploring, we will return to rest in the Namche guesthouse and prepare for our trek the next day.
Maximum altitude: Dole (4038m) Walking duration: 6-7 Hours After breakfast in the teahouse, we will start our trek to Dole from Namche. This section passes through the side of Dudh Koshi River. It then climbs uphill, ascending on a colorful trail with Buddhist landmarks. The track then arrives at Dole after a few hours’ treks, providing outstanding views of mountains. You can explore several Sherpa settlements and rural monasteries along these trails. We will rest at Dole teahouse.
Maximum altitude: Machhermo (4470m) Walking duration: 5-6 Hours The Dole to Machhermo trail is our next route in this trekking journey. There are beautiful snow-capped mountain views of lesser-known peaks like Cholatse (6335m), Taboche (6367m), and Cho Oyu (8188m) in this section of the trek. You will climb alongside the Dudh Koshi River and pass various village settlements. We will finally arrive at Machhermo after a hike of a few hours. Then, we will rest and prepare for our next day trek at Machhermo teahouse.
Maximum altitude: Gokyo (4750m) Walking duration: 4-5 Hours The trail from Machermo to Gokyo has unique landscapes. You will start your trek climbing gradually on the banks of serene rivers like Dudh Koshi. You will pass through multiple settlements of locals and monasteries to reach Gokyo Lakes. The trail then leads you through Ngozumpa Glacier moraines to reach the second Gokyo lake. There is a third Gokyo lake a few meters away. Moreover, you can find a beautiful Sherpa village in the surrounding of the Gokyo lake. We will end our day in Gokyo.
Maximum altitude: Gokyo Ri (5357m) Walking duration: 2-3 Hours You will wake up early in the morning as it is your excursion and acclimatization day. You will explore these beautiful lake areas in Gokyo. You can also take a short day hike to Gokyo Ri (5357m) trekking peak. From the summit of this incredible trekking peak, you can observe Everest (8848 m), Cho Oyu (8188m), and other mountains. The Gokyo Valley looks unbelievably awe-inspiring from the summit. Gokyo lakes, Ngozumpa glaciers, and other landmarks are also observable from Gokyo Ri. After exploring further and capturing memories in your camera, you will return to Gokyo village. You can also interact with the locals with the help of your guide. You will rest and prepare for this trek at Gokyo.
Maximum altitude: Gokyo (4750m) Walking duration: 4-5 Hours An early morning rise will provide you with an opportunity to observe the scenic sunrise. We trek through the stunning geographical landscapes of the valley. You will pass through the Gokyo Lakes, passing through Phangan and Machhermo village settlements to arrive in Dole. Taboche (6367m) and Cholatse (6335m) are the two mountain peaks you can observe in this trek route. Finally, we will arrive at Dole after a trek of a few hours. We will then explore, interact with locals and rest in local accommodation.
Maximum altitude: Dole (4038m) Walking duration: 5-6 Hours We will leave Dole early in the morning to start our trekking adventure on this day. There are various forested trails and village settlements that you need to pass to arrive at Namche Bazaar. You will first descend to the village of Sanasa, passing them through Phortse Thanga and Mong to arrive at Namche. You will also pass through small monasteries to reach Namche Bazaar. There are various scenic points and places to visit in Namche. After exploring these villages, we will spend the night at a teahouse and prepare for the final day of the trek.
Maximum altitude: Namche Bazaar (3500m) Walking duration: 7-8 Hours You will start your trek on this day by following the Dudh Koshi River trails from Namche Bazaar to Lukla. The tracks of this trek then pass through forested trails with rhododendron trees and other ancient settlements. Many local Sherpa villages, Mani walls, and Buddhist monasteries are present along this trail. After arriving at Lukla, you can rest for the evening and interact with locals. Our trekking journey comes to an end in Lukla.
Maximum altitude: Lukla (2860m) Flight duration: 35-40 minutes You will finally take the mountain flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. We can observe various landscapes, including slow-clad mountains, for the last time on this journey. You will then have the option to tour around various local landmarks of Kathmandu valley or rest in your hotel.
You will get transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport with the help of our representative staff. You can then proceed to your home or your next destination.

Cost Include(s):

  • Airport pick up and drop-off by private car / van.
  • Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
  • 2 Night Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu.
  • 11 Night guest houses accommodation during the trek (mainly in twin sharing).
  • A local government licensed English speaking trekking guide during the trek.
  • The required number of porters to carry your luggage during the trek (1 porter for 2 trekkers).
  • Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, medicine and transportation for all trekking guide and porter.
  • All necessary trekking permits, National Park permits and entry fees.
  • Down Jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag by Base Camp Adventure.
  • First aid medical kits.
  • Oxymeter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate.
  • Gokyo Vallley and EBC trek route map.
  • Domestic airfare and airport tax.

Cost Exclude(s):

  • Lunch and dinner whilst in Kathmandu.
  • Your travel insurance (compulsory).
  • International airfare and airport departure tax.
  • Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks, laundry.
  • Personal trekking Equipments.
  • Tips for trekking staffs.
  • Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section.

When is the Ideal Time for Gokyo Valley Trek?

Trekking in peak seasons will provide a safe and comfortable experience. Besides, there are multiple challenges that you need to tackle in the off-seasons. Hence, peak season reduces the difficulty in this trek significantly. The two peak seasons for Everest region treks include Autumn and Spring.

Weather in Autumn

Autumn is a beautiful season and a lovely time to trek in the area. There are good weather conditions, with bright skies and minimal precipitation. Trekkers can also observe snow-clad mountains throughout their trekking journey.

One unique aspect of trekking in this season is that there are various festivities. Local people remain busy in a festive atmosphere which allows cultural exploration in the region. Autumn brings perfect temperatures that are ideal for trekking in rugged landscapes. These reasons make it suitable for trekking in the area.

Weather in Spring

Trekkers will get to observe pleasant weather with flowers blooming all over in Spring. They can enjoy an excellent time trekking with fellow trekkers. There is less rainfall which means lesser challenges like slippery trails, avalanches, and landslides. Trekkers can also get to explore various wildlife as they remain active in this season.

Off-season weather

Off-season treks are pretty popular for the Gokyo valley trek Nepal as well. However, there are various challenges related to weather in the off-season. At the same time, cold weather with heavy snowfall can cause difficulties in winter. Hence, this off-season weather can get tackled through rigorous preparation.

Difficulties Factors in the Trek to Gokyo Valley

This Gokyo valley trek itinerary has remote and off-the-beaten trails as compared to a regular EBC trek. Hence, travelers need to be more careful while trekking in these terrains. There are many uphill and downhills in this trek which makes it quite challenging.

Trekkers will have to stay in local tea houses and accommodations. These facilities do not have fancy services. Hence, getting used to these facilities during your stay is a challenge. You will also not have a variety of food as these trails lie in remote regions. Everything, including food ingredients, needs to get transported.

Weather in these high-altitude regions is unpredictable. Trekkers can get stuck as the weather can turn from sunshine to overcast quite quickly. Hence, weather protection through waterproof clothing and weather forecasts is a must. Hence, these are the various challenges that you must tackle to complete this trek.

Food and Accommodation in Gokyo Valley Trek

This outstanding Gokyo valley trek Nepal is ideal for travelers of all skill levels. You will get to stay in local teahouses and guesthouses along these trails. These accommodation facilities might be basic but provide you with everything you need for this trek.

There are warm rooms with proper beds, pillows, and blankets in these teahouses. Trekkers need to carry their toiletries and other sanitary items. However, you should take your sleeping bag to protect yourself from extreme cold conditions. These teahouses also provide meals which are generally Nepalese diet of “Dal Bhaat” twice a day.

You will experience a variety of cuisine in lower region teahouses. However, as you move higher, the food items get reduced. You can carry your tea bags, coffee powder to save costs. Protein bars fill your stomach and provide you instant energy during this trek.

Why go on the Gokyo Valley Trek?

Scenic natural beauty

The beautiful trails and viewpoints of this trek are incredible. There are various Gokyo lakes that you can visit in this region. There are multiple viewpoints of this trek from where you can observe the mountains of the Everest Mahalangur range. Besides, serene rivers, waterfalls, glacial rivers, icy glaciers, and others are significant landmarks in this region. Hence, this trek route is ideal for trekking.

Off the beaten trails

This unique Gokyo valley trek takes you through remote and untraversed terrains. It is ideal for those who love to tour in a quiet and peaceful environment. Various diverse landscapes in this region will make you fall in love with the area. These off-the-beaten trails make it quite appealing among trekkers.

Moderate trails

The Gokyo Valley Trek has moderate trails. This trail does not require technical skills. You do not pass through the challenging routes of Everest base camp and Kalapathar. These relatively easy trails are doable by all skill levels. Hence, this moderately challenging trail is therefore perfect for all.

Cultural exploration

This trek traverses through various cultural settlements of the region. There are majestic ancient monasteries, chorten, mani walls, and others. Besides that, there are various local cultural settlements in this region. Trekking guides will help you with interacting with locals and translating the local language. Besides that, if you travel in the Autumn season, you will experience and celebrate festivals with locals.

Things to consider for Gokyo Valley Trek

Trekking guides and Porters

One significant aspect of this trekking adventure is that of guides and porters. These professional guides work in navigating these trails and provide accurate information about the region. They will help you with food, accommodation, and other logistics. Besides, if you carry a lot of luggage, you can hire porters as well.

Acclimatization

Acclimatization is essential to tackle altitude sickness along the trails of Gokyo Lake Trek. There are various acclimatization points in this itinerary. You can hike for some duration and then explore around in your acclimatization days. This way, your body will adapt to changing high-altitude conditions.

Trekking gear and equipment

Trekkers must carry their basic trekking clothes. These include waterproof pants, trousers, shirts, and boots. There are no technical sections, so you don’t have to get mountaineering equipment. However, you must make sure that you only carry necessary items.

Trek permits

Trek permits are an essential aspect of trekking in the Himalayan nation. There are various trekking permits, including Local area rural permits. Besides that, Sagarmatha National Park Permits are also essential to traverse in these terrains.

Travel Insurance

Trekkers must have travel insurance coverage before starting this trek. Travel insurance will cover medical injuries, accidents, flight delays, cancellations, loss or theft, and others. This travel insurance will also cover evacuation if necessary. Hence, it is essential to consider these things to consider before this trek.

Packing List – Gokyo Valley Trek

Clothing

  • Trekking shirts
  • Trekking pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Down jacket
  • Fleece jackets
  • Thermal wears
  • Windproof jacket
  • Trekking boots
  • Warm woolen cap
  • Woolen gloves
  • Woolen hiking socks
  • Raincoat

First Aid and Toiletries

  • Anti-nauseant medication
  • Water purifying tablets
  • Shampoo
  • Mosquito and insect repellent
  • Sanitizer
  • Soap
  • Sunscreen
  • Toothpaste
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush

Others

  • Phone
  • Power Banks
  • Solar Charges
  • Extra Batteries
  • Local SIM card
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Gokyo Valley Trek Map
  • Camera

Documents

  • Passport
  • Trekking Permits
  • Travel insurance

Final Say

This trek to Gokyo Valley is a unique adventure in this Everest region. This outstanding trek takes place in remarkable landscapes. There are various nature trails and cultural settlements in the area. We hope you learned about this Gokyo Valley Trek in detail. Contact us for a complete itinerary and information, and book your trip now. Happy traveling!

Gokyo Valley Trek Map

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Gokyo Valley Trek
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