Gokyo Lakes Trek - 13 Days

Before we can begin trekking in the Everest region, we have to get there—so we’ll make an early start this morning with a flight to Lukla. This is a short hop in a small plane, but it offers a good look at some of the most fantastic Himalayan scenery in the country. When we arrive in Lukla, we’ll meet up with our trekking team and set off for the mountains of the Khumbu. We’ll pass the small villages of Cheplung and Ghat along the way, coming across many chortens and prayer wheels which speak to the Buddhist culture of the region. Then it’s a gentle hike for a few hours to reach Phakding, where we’ll spend our first night on the trail in the best available guesthouse.

Please note: recent renovations at Tribhuvan International Airport require some Lukla-bound flights to leave from Ramechhap Airport. If this affects your itinerary, we’ll make any necessary arrangements for your flight.

Today’s section of the Gokyo Lakes Trek follows the watercourse of the Dudh Koshi river as it rises into the heights of the Everest region. We’ll trek in the cool shadow of green fir trees interspersed here and there with colorful rhododendron blooms before entering the Sagarmatha National Park, which shares its name with the highest mountain in the world. Along the way, we’ll catch remarkable views of Thamserku, make our way across a gravity-defying suspension bridge, and even get our first peek at Everest itself. After about six hours of trekking, we’ll pull into Namche Bazaar: the historic trading center of the Khumbu.

Trekking in the Everest region involves challenging ascents to high altitudes, and it’s important that we don’t move too quickly. We’ll spend an extra day in Namche Bazaar to help our bodies acclimatize to this elevation—and fortunately, there’s plenty here to keep us busy. We’ll visit the nearby Sherpa Culture Museum, as well as the national park’s visitor center. If you’d like to stay active, we can also make the three-hour acclimatization hike the well-known Hotel Everest View. Himalayan viewpoints don’t get much better than this: you’ll have a front-row ticket to Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Thamserku. Later, we’ll return to our guesthouse for a second night here in Namche.

Our Gokyo Lakes Trek diverges from other treks in the Khumbu today, as we’ll be ascending stark, dramatic ridgelines in the direction of Dole instead of making for Tengboche. That said, you can expect to catch a glimpse of Tengboche during the first half of today’s trek—although you’d be forgiven if your eyes are glued instead to the sheer mountain faces of Ama Dablam, Taboche, and Cholatse. Moving on, we’ll pass through the Buddhist community of Mong La and the village of Phortse Thenga before making the final push along a gentle trail leading through pine forests and wooded hillsides to reach Dole.

Today we’ll continue to climb through the Khumbu, ascending more than 300 meters as we draw closer to the Gokyo Lakes. We’ll leave the forest behind and enter a world where hardy juniper shrubs cling to the steep sides of the valley, passing a local chorten and a few seasonal herders’ huts. We don’t have much ground to cover today, so we’ll take our time to really enjoy the marvelous views of Cho Oyu, Taboche, Cholatse, and Kangtega. These are some of the best views on any trek in Nepal—and we haven’t even reached the Gokyo Lakes yet. This afternoon, we’ll wind our way into the little town of Machhermo, where we’ll select an available teahouse for tonight’s accommodations.

After a week in the Himalayas of Nepal, it’s time to explore the high-altitude Gokyo Lakes. We’ll start by climbing into serious mountain territory, where ice-covered giants like Cho Oyu and Kangtega rise above the barren summits of many smaller nameless peaks. We’ll pass through a small village nestled against the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier before climbing along its rubble-strewn path and arriving at the first of the magnificent Gokyo Lakes: Longponga Tsho. Moving on, we’ll also visit Taujung Tsho before arriving at Gokyo Tsho—and the settlement of Gokyo itself—after about four or five hours of trekking. We’ll select the best teahouse commanding sublime views of the lake’s sapphire waters before settling in for the day to relish our accomplishments and take in the scenery.

After a week in the Himalayas of Nepal, it’s time to explore the high-altitude Gokyo Lakes. We’ll start by climbing into serious mountain territory, where ice-covered giants like Cho Oyu and Kangtega rise above the barren summits of many smaller nameless peaks. We’ll pass through a small village nestled against the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier before climbing along its rubble-strewn path and arriving at the first of the magnificent Gokyo Lakes: Longponga Tsho. Moving on, we’ll also visit Taujung Tsho before arriving at Gokyo Tsho—and the settlement of Gokyo itself—after about four or five hours of trekking. We’ll select the best teahouse commanding sublime views of the lake’s sapphire waters before settling in for the day to relish our accomplishments and take in the scenery.

Today represents both the figurative and literal height of our Gokyo Lakes Trek. We’ll get an early start this morning, leaving Gokyo from its northern perimeter and making the steep climb to the epic viewpoint known as Gokyo Ri. Himalayan panoramas don’t get much better than this: the shimmering waters of Gokyo Tsho lie far below you, and the frost-wreathed summits of Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, Makalu, and Taboche rise beyond the massive bulk of the Ngozumpa Glacier. After savoring this spectacular view to its utmost, we’ll begin the return leg of our Gokyo Lakes Trek, retracing our steps to Machhermo to spend the night.

After breakfast this morning, we’ll continue to follow the path of the Gokyo Lakes Trek in reverse as it crosses breathtaking alpine scenery on the way back to Namche Bazaar. Although we’ve already covered this ground over the last few days, we can explore additional side routes and alternative trails, following the Dudh Koshi river as it approaches the village of Phortse. From here, the river joins the winding watercourse of the Imja Khola beneath the mighty face of Taboche, and we’ll follow a gentle path through verdant, shaded woodlands to reach Namche Bazaar after about seven or eight hours of trekking.

As we near the end of our Gokyo Lakes Trek, we still have one full day of trekking in the Everest region to enjoy to its fullest. After bidding a fond farewell to historic Namche Bazaar, we’ll catch our final glimpse of Mount Everest and continue downhill alongside the glacial waters of the Dudh Koshi. We’ll cross back and forth over the river on hanging bridges, passing out of the Sagarmatha National Park and through a few small villages before arriving in Lukla. This is where our adventure began, and this is where it will end—but not before a night of celebration, where we’ll dine with our trekking crew and visit one or two of Lukla’s famous bakeries.

After a full week of trekking in Nepal, it’s time to board our flight back to Kathmandu. If you’re lucky enough to get a window seat, you’ll enjoy one last look at the staggering expanse of the Khumbu: one of the best trekking regions in Nepal, and home to the mighty Mount Everest. When we land in Kathmandu and get checked into your hotel, you’ll have most of the day at your leisure. If you’re looking for authentic souvenirs which reflect the Hindu and Buddhist cultures of Nepal, you’ll quickly discover that the Thamel district of Kathmandu is a shopper’s paradise. And when it’s time for dinner, you’ll be spoiled for choice—you can find every cuisine under the sun here in the city, and your guide will help you with some excellent recommendations.

With a full day at our disposal, it’s time to see the best of Kathmandu’s world-famous cultural and architectural attractions. We’ll visit the massive Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath before moving on to explore the enormous Buddhist stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath—the latter is known as the “Monkey Temple” and is particularly popular with visitors. The historic temples at Kathmandu Durbar Square are next on our list, and it’s here that you’ll find some of the most beautiful architecture in Nepal. And whether you prefer street food or fine dining, you’ll discover plenty of options when it comes to lunch and dinner. This evening, you’ll return to your hotel to spend one last night in Nepal.

Now that you’ve successfully completed the Gokyo Lakes Trek and climbed to the breathless heights of Gokyo Ri, it’s time to bid farewell to the mountains of the Himalayas. We hope that you’ve had a fantastic time exploring Nepal with your guide and trekking crew. Thank you for choosing Iconic Himalaya Adventure to arrange your trek in Nepal—we hope to welcome you back when you’re ready for another trek!