Gokyo Valley Trek - 12 Days

Welcome to Nepal. Our airport representative will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. Take some rest. In the evening, you can stroll around the busy tourist area Thamel, where you can shop trekking gear, taste Nepali dishes and explore many more things. Enjoy your first day in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Hotel at Kathmandu
Meals: Not included

Our trek commences with a scenic flight to Lukla, the entry point of the Everest region. You can enjoy the beautiful surrounding views of the Himalayas during the flight. You’ll meet porters at the airport who’ll carry your luggage along the journey.

Starting from Lukla, the first section of the trail continues along the banks of the Dudh Koshi river. As you pass by the village of Chheplung, you’ll behold the sights of Mt. Khumbila, and once you’re at the top of Thado Koshi village, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of Mt. Kusum Kanguru. From there, the route heads to Ghat and continues for half an hour, and you’ll reach Phakding village.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Phakding
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Note: Kathmandu to Lukla flight has been rerouted to nearby Manthali Airport, Ramechhap in the peak season (March, April, May, October, and November) due to congestion in Kathmandu airport. Manthali can be reached within a 5-6 hour drive from Kathmandu.

The trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar is an established trail, the ancient trading route between Tibet and Nepal, where you can witness yaks and mules carrying goods to the higher region. The terrain is mostly covered with coniferous forests and continuing on, you’ll pass by the villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo along the route.

Afterward, you’ll spot the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. From there, head to Tok Tok village followed by Jorsale, where you can see the first view of magnificent Mt. Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. Further, walking for an hour, you’ll arrive at the beautiful Namche town.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Namche Bazaar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Namche is our acclimatization spot. This popular trading hub of the Everest region lies in a spectacular location surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Today, we go for a short hike to Hotel Everest View, one of the highest altitude hotels from where you can enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kongde Ri, Ama Dablam, and many more peaks.

On the way, we pay a visit to Sagarmatha National Park Museum. There you can get to know the culture and lifestyle of native Sherpa people, history of Everest region, and mountaineering. In the evening, you can stroll around Namche and get acquainted with the locals and fellow travelers.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Namche Bazaar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

The trail from Namche is relatively open, and you’ll continue hiking above Dudh Koshi and traveling in the north direction. Upon passing by a memorial Chorten, you’ll be rewarded with the beautiful views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. Continuing on, for an hour, you’ll arrive at Sanasa, near Kyangjoma, where the trail is divided from the main Everest trail that leads to Everest Base Camp.

From there, the route turns west towards Gokyo Valley. We follow the new trail that heads west, then climb along the stone steps before arriving at Mong La. En route, you can enjoy the scenic mountain views and beautiful landscapes overlooking the Gokyo and Kala Patthar Valleys.

Afterward, you make a steep descent through a forest filled with rhododendrons and pines to reach Phortse Tenga. Then, hiking for a few hours on a beautiful trail that leads to Dole, from where you can enjoy the first view of Mt. Choyu.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Dole
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Leaving Dole, the trail initially winds its way through Gokyo Valley along the tundra like terrain and homes of naive Sherpa people. On the way, the view of Mt. Choyu bordering Nepal and Tibet is truly breathtaking. Then walking for a few more hours, you’ll see yak herding settlement as you arrive at Luza. Push on along the switchbacking trails for an hour, you’ll arrive at Machherma where we spend a night there.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Machherma
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Another beautiful trekking day to reach Gokyo Lakes. From Machherma, we hike up on the trail and descend slowly towards Nha village. Continuing on, the trail narrows down as you descend and then gradually climbs on stone steps, you’ll arrive at the confluence of two rivers, Dudh Koshi River and a stream coming from Ngozumpa Glacier.

Then, crossing a metal bridge and heading on you’ll arrive at Gokyo Valley with a sight of the first lake, and a second lake after walking for half an hour. Afterward, you soon find yourself at Gokyo lake where you’re greeted with stunning views of surrounding peaks.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Gokyo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Gokyo Ri is the highest point in our entire trek. It offers stunning panoramic views of the four highest peaks above 8,000 m including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. Getting up early, we hike to Gokyo Ri along the switchbacking trails for 2 hours.

Once you are at the top, be greeted with stunning views of Gokyo Valley, Ngozumpa Glacier, and surrounding Himalayan giants. Enjoy the gorgeous views from the top, and afterward we trek down to Gokyo.

Leaving the tranquil turquoise Gokyo Lakes behind us, we hike through the same familiar trail, past local villages and native forests, before arriving in the village of Machherma.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Machherma
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

After breakfast, we trek back on the trail enjoying the stunning views of Taboche and Cholatse along the way. Continuing on, you’ll soon come across traditional villages of Luza and Kele before arriving in Dole.

Afterward, a long hour descent leads to Phortse Tenga followed by Mong La and then you come across the crossroads that join the Everest trail at Sanasa. From here, you walk past the native forests and several monasteries en route to reach Namche Bazaar.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Namche Bazaar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

After a short descent along the hills, we enter the Jorsale village followed by the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park, which remains home to the diverse flora and fauna in the mountainous region.

Continuing on the trail, we arrive at Monjo and hike through a native forest along the trail before arriving at Phakding. Check out the gorgeous views from suspension bridges over the raging Dudh Koshi river en route.

The trek comes to a close at Lukla, where we spend our free time strolling around this beautiful village and enjoying the surrounding views.

Accommodation: Guesthouse at Lukla
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Today, we get back to Kathmandu from Lukla. The take-off flight from Lukla is as thrilling as the initial on the airstrip landing. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to the hotel. In the evening, you can stroll around Kathmandu streets and have dinner with teammates. Celebrate your recent accomplishment and enjoy your stay in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Hotel at Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast included.

The Gokyo Valley Trek 12 days concludes today. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Our airport representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure. Hope you enjoy traveling with us in the Himalayas. Namaste and have a safe journey.

Meals: Breakfast included.