Gokyo Valley Trek

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.

A short, dramatic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla announces the start of the trek: the plane threads between mountains, and the runway appears like a small shelf on a green slope. From Lukla, a gently descending trail follows the rushing Dudh Koshi River, passing mani walls and tiny settlements. Cross your first suspension bridge and feel the rhythm of walking settle in as you reach Phakding, a riverside village with friendly teahouses and sweeping valley views.

Note: In very busy seasons, flights to Lukla may depart from Manthali (Ramechhap) with an early morning road transfer; our team will organise whichever flight pattern is current for your departure.

Today’s walk is a steady introduction to Sherpa country. You’ll cross several suspension bridges and walk through pine and rhododendron forests before the final steep climb into Namche Bazaar. As you gain the ridge, the first view of the high Himalaya often appears. Namche is the social heart of the Khumbu: bakeries, teahouses and markets framed by an amphitheatre of peaks. Spend the night in a welcoming teahouse and enjoy the bustling mountain town atmosphere.

Namche is a perfect spot for acclimatisation. After breakfast we take a short hike to the Everest View Hotel, where panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam unfold before you. A wonderful spot for photography and gentle exercise. In the afternoon, explore Namche’s alleyways, visit the Sherpa Museum or simply sip tea while watching mountain light shift across the ridgelines. The extra rest helps your body adapt and prepares you for higher valleys.

Leaving Namche, the trail climbs through open slopes and rhododendron thickets toward the ridge above Phortse Thanga, then continues to the quiet village of Dole. The air thins and the vegetation changes; terraced fields give way to yak pastures and wind-toughened stone walls. Dole’s teahouses are modest but warm, and the evening light here — long and cool — perfectly frames the peaks beyond.

A day of steady ascent brings you to Machhermo, a compact settlement with panoramic views across the valley. The terrain is open, and the path passes summer grazing areas where yaks and horses bed down. Machhermo has a calm, unhurried rhythm and is an ideal place to rest before moving higher into the Gokyo basin. Take an afternoon walk to nearby vantage points to watch the shadows lengthen over the ridges.

Today you enter the sacred lake basin. The trail weaves over stone moraines and opens at once to the radiant blue of the Gokyo Lakes. The first glint of Dudh Pokhari and the cluster of teahouses at Gokyo Village are unforgettable. Turquoise water, prayer flags, and a silence that feels intentionally preserved. The village sits at the foot of towering snow faces and offers one of the most peaceful high-altitude settings in the Khumbu.

Rise before dawn for the climb to Gokyo Ri, a steep but immensely rewarding ascent. At the summit, a 360° panorama unfurls: Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu stand in noble alignment, and the vast Ngozumpa Glacier stretches below like an ancient frozen river. After savoring the sunrise, descend back to Gokyo and spend the afternoon exploring the upper lakes, the small gompa and the moraine ridges that frame this sacred landscape.

Begin the descent back through Machhermo and Dole. Returning downhill allows you to notice details missed on the way up. The wildflowers clinging to rocky ledges, small gompas tucked into the slope, and the way sun and shadow sculpt the valley are one of many to remember. The afternoon in Dole is restful: a chance to read, write, or simply watch distant yaks moving like slow punctuation across the alpine pastures.

Continue your descent toward Namche, re-entering fragrant rhododendron and pine. The final approach into Namche feels like coming home: familiar cafes, bakeries with fresh bread, and the lively market. Spend the evening enjoying a hot shower, chatting with your guides, and celebrating the mountains you’ve walked through.

Retrace the trail along the Dudh Koshi, crossing suspension bridges and passing the villages you first encountered. The walk down seems quicker but is no less beautiful; the light is softer and conversations more reflective. Arrive in Lukla in the late afternoon and relax over a farewell dinner with your trekking team, sharing stories from the trail.

Take the short, scenic flight back to Kathmandu. On a clear morning you will have a final, sweeping mountain panorama from the plane before the bustle of the city returns. Transfer to your hotel in Thamel where you can rest, shop, or reflect on the quiet grandeur of the Gokyo Valley. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your team and new friends — a gentle close to a luminous journey.

It is the end day of your Nepal tour vacation. An Iconic Himalaya representative will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Kathmandu International Airport for your home flight. 

Safe travels, and Namaste!