Gokyo Lakes Trek - 13 Days

Gokyo Lakes Trek - 13 Days
Duration
13 Days
Trip Grade
Moderate
Country
Nepal
Maximum Altitude
5,357 m
Group Size
1-20 People
Starts/Ends
Kathmandu - Kathmandu
Communication
Phone & Wi-Fi
Activities
Trekking
Best Time
Autumn and Spring

Everest, Sagarmatha, or Chomolungma—however you know it, the tallest mountain in the world is a lure that many trekkers simply can’t resist. This sacred peak sits in the high-altitude Khumbu region of the Himalayas, and it’s here that we’ll find some of the best treks in Nepal: the Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest View Trek, and Three Passes Trek. These world-famous hiking itineraries will bring you well above 5,000 meters in elevation to explore the very heart of the Himalayas, and for that reason they represent some of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal. Thousands of travelers visit the Khumbu each year, seeking high adventure in the shadow of Nepal’s most scenic mountains. But what if you want to enjoy the spectacle of the Khumbu without the crowds?

That’s where the Gokyo Lakes Trek comes in. This alternative trek in the Everest region offers all the stunning views of the world’s highest mountain that your heart could desire, and it visits the most important historic settlements of the Khumbu. From scenic villages like Namche Bazaar, you’ll enjoy first-rate panoramas of Everest, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and other Himalayan giants. But you’ll also ascend to the high-altitude waters of the six Gokyo Lakes, where few travelers tread. Under the guidance of the professionals at Iconic Himalaya Adventure, you’ll diverge from the crowded route of the Everest Base Camp Trek and ascend west into an unblemished natural environment where forests still cling to steep mountainsides and hardy villagers pursue timeless ways of life in villages of surpassing beauty.

These villages are populated by Nepali locals of Sherpa heritage: the very same ethnic group that’s achieved worldwide fame as mountaineers, guides, and porters on high-altitude Himalayan expeditions. While you won’t be doing any technical climbing on the Gokyo Lakes Trek, you’ll quickly come to appreciate the skill and knowledge of these friendly folk. The Sherpa people also have rich cultural traditions, and your guide from Iconic Himalaya Adventure will help you to learn about them. From the Sherpa Culture Museum at Namche Bazaar to the chortens and Mani walls you’ll find along the mountain trails of the Gokyo Lakes Trek, you’ll discover a world of tradition and beauty here in the Khumbu: one of the best trekking regions in Nepal.

Route Overview

At Iconic Himalaya Adventure, we’ve spent years in these mountains—and we know all the best treks in the Everest region. That’s how we’ve curated the perfect itinerary to explore the heart of the Khumbu. Your own adventure will begin in the little town of Lukla, where you’ll follow the storied route of the Everest Base Camp Trek for about three days before splitting off to explore lesser-known stretches of the Himalayas. Your path will lead to the authentic villages of Dole and Machhermo before arriving at the spectacular Gokyo Lakes themselves: six alpine reservoirs situated amongst mountains and glaciers of astonishing beauty. Your experienced trekking guide will help you to understand the cultural and ecological significance of these high-altitude lakes before taking you on an exciting journey to summit the 5360-meter viewpoint of Gokyo Ri. There are few treks in Nepal which can rival the sheer natural splendor of this incredible Himalayan environment.

After reaching Gokyo, we’ll retrace our steps through the Khumbu to reach Namche Bazaar and eventually return to Lukla. Your guide will be able to pick out fresh trails to explore along the way, ensuring that each day of the Gokyo Lakes Trek is fresh and exciting. And when your trek in Nepal is over, you’ll still have a few days in Kathmandu to explore the scenic and cultural wonders of our capital city. Did you know that the Kathmandu Valley is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites? With the help of Iconic Himalaya Adventure, you’ll get to explore the best of them.

Highlights

  • Feast your eyes upon the spectacle of the tallest mountain in the world: Mount Everest
  • Leave the tourist trail behind to visit the sapphire waters of the six alpine Gokyo Lakes
  • Climb to 5360m in elevation to reach the jaw-dropping viewpoint of Gokyo Ri
  • Acquaint yourself with the time-honored traditions of the Sherpa people
Gokyo Lakes Trek - 13 Days Itinerary
Kathmandu - KathmanduExpand all
Max Altitude: 1,455 m.|4,776 ft. Accommodation: 2-3 Star hotelMode of Travel: Pickup by private car/vanDuration: 20 to 30 MinutesDistance: 5 kilometer
Max Altitude: 2,610 m.|9,199 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: Flight and WalkingDuration: 4 to 5 HoursDistance: 7.5 Kilometer
Max Altitude: 3,440 m.|11,286 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: WalkingDuration: 7 to 8 hoursDistance: 10.8 Kilometer
Max Altitude: 3,880 m.|12,729 ft. back to 3,440 m.|11,286 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: WalkingDuration: 3 to 4 hoursDistance: 4/ 5 Kilometers
Max Altitude: 4,038 m.|13,248 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: WalkingDuration: 6 to 7 HoursDistance: 12 Kilometers
Max Altitude: 4,470 m.|14,665 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: WalkingDuration: 4 to 5 HoursDistance: 7 Kilometers
Max Altitude: 4,790 m.|15,715 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: WalkingDuration: 4 to 5hoursDistance: 7.5 Kilometers
Max Altitude: 5,357 m.|17,575 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: WalkingDuration: 7 to 8 HoursDistance: 11 Kilometers total
Max Altitude: 3,440 m.|11,286 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: WalkingDuration: 6/7 hoursDistance: 19 Kilometers
Max Altitude: 2,804 m.|9,199 ft. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Guest house or lodgeMode of Travel: WalkingDuration: 6 to 7 HoursDistance: 17.5
Max Altitude: 1,455 m.|4,776 ft. Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: 2-3 Star hotelMode of Travel: Flight and car/vanDuration: 1 Hours total
Max Altitude: 1,455 m.|4,776 ft. Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: 2-3 Star hotelMode of Travel: Private car/van with tour guideDuration: 5 to 6 Hours
Max Altitude: 1,455 m.|4,776 ft. Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Check out from the hotelMode of Travel: Drop to the airport by car/ vanDuration: 20 to 30 MinutesDistance: 5/6 Kilometers
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Cost Details
Includes
  • In-country Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle.
  • Standard accommodation at a hotel in Kathmandu, including breakfast.
  • Heritage side or city tourist area tour guided in Kathmandu by private car.
  • Internal Surface transfer to the trip destination, Start and End, or Kathmandu to Kathmandu.
  • One professional, experienced, government-licensed, English-speaking Local Guide during the trek.
  • Porters to carry your luggage up to 25 kg (per 2 trekkers, 1 porter).
  • All your standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, main courses).
  • The best available accommodations are in lodges (Guest houses) during the trek.
  • Staff salary, insurance, equipment, domestic travel fare, food, and accommodation during the trek.
  • All necessary paperwork, Sagarmatha National Park entry permit (SNPP), and Pashanglhamu rural municipality permit (PRMP).
  • Flight fare (Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu) with domestic airport taxes.
  • Water purification tablets to purify your water during the trek for safe drinking water.
  • Medical first aid kit for all (carried by your guide).
  • All our government, local taxes/VAT, and office expenses.
  • Seasonal fresh fruit desserts are available every evening after dinner.
  • Appreciation of ART’s certificate after your successful trek.
  • Sleeping bag, down jackets, and a duffel bag – if Necessary (return after the trek).
  • Complimentary free company T-shirt and trek route map.
  • Emergency rescue operation assistance will be arranged in case of complex health conditions, which is funded by your travel insurance.
Excludes
  • Nepal entry visa fee, you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Kathmandu airport.
  • Your travel insurance (compulsory) has to cover emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation.
  • Meals (lunch & dinner in Kathmandu) before and after the trek.
  • Your personal expenses, drink water, hot and cold drinks, bar bills, Laundry, telephone, hot shower & internet charges.
  • Personnel trekking and climbing equipment.
  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
  • Excess baggage charges during a domestic flight.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
  • Optional trips and sightseeing if extended.
  • Gratitude to the guides, porters, and other staff.
  • Any other services that are not listed in the price “included section” of this package.

Note:

-The schedule of travel itinerary will be changeable if travelers are required before booking confirmation.

-For the trip booking confirmation, travelers should be paid in advance 25% of the total amount 2 months before.

Dates & Availability

We welcome travelers at Iconic Himalaya Adventure from all over the world, offering fixed departure-oriented services and customized private tours and trekking packages as your convenience. Once more, we inform you, individuals, families, friends, students, and adventure-seeking groups that we strive to meet the expectations of everyone to ensure a personalized travel experience.

Essential Information

Major Attractions of the Gokyo Lakes Trek

When it comes to trekking in Nepal, you’ve got a lot of options. So, how will you know if the Gokyo Lakes Trek is right for you? Consider what you might want to see when you visit Nepal: the mighty Himalayan Mountains, the fascinating culture of the Sherpa people, and the tallest mountain in the world. The Gokyo Lakes Trek will deliver on all of these points, rewarding you with some of the most spectacular sights in the entirety of the Himalayas. When you first set foot in the Everest region, you’ll trek towards the historic trading center of Namche Bazaar before continuing to the high-altitude Gokyo Lakes. From here, you’ll climb to the breathless viewpoint of Gokyo Ri to catch jaw-dropping views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, and other mountain peaks.

How difficult is the Gokyo Lakes Trek?

Most treks in Nepal don’t require any specific mountaineering experience, and the Gokyo Lakes Trek is no exception. You won’t be summiting any mountains on this 100-kilometer trek in the Everest region, and our hiking itinerary is less than two weeks long, making it the perfect choice for travelers who want to see the highlights of the Khumbu without spending weeks and weeks on the trail. But while the Gokyo Lakes Trek is easy to access, this is still a high-altitude trek that climbs to heights of more than 5,000 meters in elevation. You can expect some long and challenging days on the trail, and you’ll want to stick to a reasonable pace to avoid contracting any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Altitude sickness is also known as acute mountain sickness, and it’s caused by ascending into the mountains too quickly. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue—if you experience any of these effects, make sure to tell your guide, who will determine whether you need to descend from high altitudes temporarily. You can also speak with your doctor about bringing some prophylactic medication on your trek to Nepal. And while exercise won’t prevent altitude sickness, regular cardiovascular exercise is still a great way to prepare for the challenge of the high-altitude Gokyo Lakes Trek.

Food and Accommodations on the Gokyo Lakes Trek

During the course of the Gokyo Lakes Trek, you’ll cover approximately 100 kilometers of mountain trails, and all this hard work is sure to make you hungry. Fortunately, there’s lots of great food to discover on this first-rate trek in Nepal. Don’t pass up the opportunity to try some local Nepali fare: steamed or fried dumplings called momos, noodle soup known as thukpa, and a famous rice-and-lentil dish called dal bhat. The talented cooks in the Himalayas of Nepal can also prepare some unexpected delights at high altitude, including tasty pizza and warm apple pie.

Most of the food you’ll find while trekking in Nepal is served at family-owned guesthouses and teahouses in little villages scattered about the length and breadth of the Himalayas. These same guesthouses will also serve as your accommodations during the Gokyo Lakes Trek. You can expect simple, clean rooms and spectacular views right from your doorstep.

Best Time to Embark upon the Gokyo Lakes Trek

When you go trekking in Nepal, you’ll want to consider which season will provide you with the most rewarding travel experience. Spring typically falls between February and May, and this is a popular season to go trekking in the Everest region. You’ll enjoy long days and pleasant weather, although you’ll have to share the trail with some other travelers. If you wait until summer (June through August), you’ll find fewer crowds, but this is monsoon season, and you may also encounter slippery trails and intermittent rainfall that obscures the best Himalayan views.

In many ways, autumn is the best season for the Gokyo Lakes Trek. The months of September and November offer comfortable days and cold nights, along with some of the best Himalayan views all year long. Winter trekking in December or January is also possible, but it does come with a few caveats: the extremes of winter weather may impact the high-altitude trails of the Everest region. However, winter also brings clear skies and uncrowded trails—just be prepared for cold temperatures and make sure you’re adequately equipped to handle snow-covered mountain paths.

Conclusion

If you want to explore the frozen heart of the Himalayas, there’s nothing better than trekking in the Everest region. From the mountain town of Lukla to the frozen heights of Gokyo Ri, the Khumbu represents the ultimate destination for high-altitude thrill seekers, as well as curious travelers who want to learn more about the fascinating culture of the Sherpa people. For our money, there are few itineraries that capture this spirit of exploration better than the Gokyo Lakes Trek. Are you ready to answer the call to adventure? Reach out to Iconic Himalaya Adventure today to start planning your own unforgettable trek in Nepal.

Gokyo Lakes Trek - 13 Days FAQs

Yes! At Iconic Himalaya Adventure, all of our trekking itineraries are developed hand-in-hand with our clients. Maybe you’d like to hike beyond the Gokyo Lakes, ascending to the high-altitude mountain pass of Cho La—or maybe you’d like to combine the Gokyo Lakes Trek with a stop at the world-famous Everest Base Camp. We’ll chat with you about what you’d like to see when you visit Nepal, working cooperatively to craft a bespoke trekking experience that exceeds your wildest imagination.

We can accommodate a variety of dietary requirements concerning both health and lifestyle choices. Vegetarian food is plentiful and delicious in Nepal—and it’s widely available amongst the Hindu and Buddhist communities of the high Himalaya. Likewise, we can accommodate vegan diets and many allergies with a little planning. Gluten-free meals can also generally be arranged, although there is some risk of cross-contamination when your meals are cooked in local teahouses. Reach out to us today with any questions!

With friendly locals and a robust tourist infrastructure, Nepal is one of the safest trekking destinations in the world. Exercise normal precautions while in Kathmandu and other urban environments, and listen to your guide’s advice when it comes to the steep mountain trails of the Gokyo Lakes Trek—you’re sure to have an unforgettable time.

Tap water is not generally safe for foreign visitors, and we strongly recommend that you stick to bottled water in restaurants and boiled water in the mountains. You might also consider purchasing chlorine or iodine tablets to treat your own bottled water and reduce unnecessary plastic waste. Make sure to drink plenty of water during your long days on the trail!

The first thing to know about altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness, is that it can affect anyone. Symptoms generally appear at elevations of 2,500 meters or more, and they include headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and vomiting. Talk to your doctor about considering preventative medicine which you can take during your trek, such as acetazolamide. But there’s only one cure for altitude sickness: descending from the mountains. For this reason, it’s important to keep your trekking guide informed if you experience any symptoms.

You can expect some challenging, sweaty days when you’re trekking in the Everest Region—even when the weather turns cold. If you’re wondering about shower facilities, you’ll be able to shower at your guesthouses on some nights of the trek. Shower facilities may involve either running water or a bucket of heated water, and they may cost a few Nepali rupees to access. As for toilet facilities, most toilets in the mountains are Asian-style squat toilets, which are comprised of a porcelain fixture set into the floor. Remember to pack your own toilet paper!

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