Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp Trek
Trip duration:17 Days
Trip type: Tea house / Lodge
Trip Grade: Difficult
Max altitude:18,000 ft
Trip Start: Kathmandu
Trip End: Kathmandu
Best Season: March/April/May/ Oct/Nov/Dec
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Tour Overview
The Gokyo Lake Trek is one of the most spectacular treks in the Everest region. From the Sherpa homeland to the Gokyo valley, this trek follows the Dudh Koshi and Khumbu valleys, providing breath taking views of four 8,000m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu. You’ll also have the chance to climb Gokyo Ri, a mountain that overlooks the tiny Gokyo village, and Nepal’s largest glacier, the Ngozumpa glacier.
The trek follows a well-trodden route the entire way, although it can be rugged in places. It is not precipitous so no climbing or mountaineering experience is required. A complete trip is a walk, but some hills can be steep and seemingly endless! We spend two weeks in the land of the Sherpa people hiking through many small Sherpa villages, discovering remote monastic caves and getting an insight into the lives of the Sherpa people while acclimatizing your body to the altitude of 18,000 ft. See the fabled Khumbu Ice Fall and its towering seracs close by where we hike to an altitude of 18,000 feet to the summit of Kala Pathar for an unobstructed view of Everest's windblown summit.
The Gokyo Lake Trek, the best alternative trail to the normal Everest Base Camp trek provides breath-taking views of Himalayan peaks, lakes, and glaciers.
Itinerary
Arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. You will be greeted by our representative who will take you to your hotel. Overnight Hotel.
Half-day sightseeing in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel (B)
Transfer to airport for mountain flight to Lukla airstrip. Trek along the Dudh Kosi to the village of Phakding have lunch at Phakding and continue on our walk to Monjo which is about 2hrs Walk. Overnight Lodge. (B,L,D)
Today the trail officially enters Sagarmatha National Park. There is an entrance station just beyond the village where trekking permits are checked. Continue along the trail and begin the steep climb up Namche hill to the Sherpa market town of Namche Bazaar. Overnight Lodge. (B,L,D)
Today we will take a day walk to the village of Thame (12,400 ft.). A moderately easy walk to the Sherpa village of Thame, situated at an important junction along the old primary trade route to and from Tibet via the Nangpa La Pass. Then we walk back to Namche. Overnight Lodge. (B,L,D)
Today, we will traverse across for about 1.5 hrs into Kyangjuma village. During this whole traverse we will get to see great views of Thamserku, Kangtega, and Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Most strenuous ascent of the day is obviously to pass the Mong La. An ancient historical Chorten stands at the center of the settlement of Mong La where we will have lunch. After lunch we traverse through forests, some waterfalls and bridges, we then reach at Dole. Overnight Lodge (B,L,D)
We begin our day with a climb steadily up a ridge above Dole and the trail climbs via Lhabarma at 13,840 ft to Luza at 14,300 ft. Walking along the hill side above the Dud Koshi passing through some small sandy spurs we reach Machhermo. Machhermo is the last major settlement on the way up to Gokyo. The beautiful stream flowing down from Kyajo Ri and Phari Lapche mountains runs through the middle of the village before draining into the Dudh Koshi. This is the place where the people of Khumbu first sighted the Yeti in 1974. Overnight Lodge (B,L,D)
From Machhermo to Gokyo the trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down valley to Kangtega and up towards to Cho-Oyu (26,740 ft.). Beyond the ridge, the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at 14,3400 ft. and then descends to the river bank before beginning the climb onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. It is a steep climb up the moraine, switch backing alongside the stream to the first small lake where a family of Brahmin ducks has resided for many years. The trail now becomes almost level as it follows the valley past a second lake known as Longponga. We finally reach Gokyo. Overnight Lodge (B,L,D)
Today walk is a steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri. There are stunning views of the Gokyo valley, with an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas. We get the views of the four 8000-metre peaks - Everest, Cho Oyo, Lhotse and Makalu, including many other peaks including Gyachung Kang, Cholatse, Taweche and Kangchung. Overnight Lodge (B,L,D)
Today is the toughest day. We will have an early (4-6 am) compared to other days on the trip. The pass is not itself difficult but it is steep and involves a glacier traverse on the eastern side. Thought the trail from Phedi climbs through a ravine and a rocky trail we climb up continuously. While trekking through the side of a frozen lake we reach at the top of the pass with prayer flags. Overnight Lodge (B,L,D)
Today's walk will be a bit shorter. We will climb down from Dzongla and cross a bridge and then transverse through grassy trail. We get great view of Lobuche Peak, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku Taboche. Curving round through the wide gravelly river bed, we will be at Lobuche. Overnight Lodge. (B,L,D)
Walk along the boulder fields and glacial debris to the edge of the Khumbu Glacier then continue up to Gorak Shep, nestled under the snow-coned summit of Pumori (23,435 ft.) and the sheer west face of Nuptse (25,560 ft.). The classic day hike to the Base Camp (17,600 ft.) of Mt. Everest. It takes about 3-4 hours to get to base camp and then back to Gorak Shep. Overnight Lodge (B,L,D)
We will start our walk to our high point at Kala Pathar (18,000 ft.) early morning about 5 am to get the greatest views of Everest and its surrounding mountains. After that we come back to Gorakshep and have breakfast. After breakfast we leave for Dingboche. It is all downhill and a beautiful walk into the valley of Dingboche. Overnight Lodge (B,L,D)
One of the most beautiful valleys walk on earth is today's hike to towards Tengboche monastery. This is the largest and most active Monastery in the Khumbu region. Tengboche is a spiritual center of the entire Mount Everest region. With great views of Ama Dablam and Mount Everest in the background, the spirituality and scenic value of the site never fail to impress. The trail drops sharply down the Dudh Kosi and up toward Namche Bazaar, winding in and out high above the river with views north towards the Everest valleys. Overnight Lodge, (B,L,D).
A long day's walk retracing our steps to pass Phakding into Lukla. Overnight Lodge (B.L.D)
Fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel.
On arrival into Kathmandu, you have the morning and afternoon free to do additional lastminute shopping. Overnight Hotel (B,D)
Transfer to Airport.
Inclusions
- All transfers airport/hotel/airport.
- Hotel in Kathmandu on Bed & Breakfast basis.
- Domestic flights Ktm/Lukla/Ktm
- Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu
- Staff transportation Ktm/Luk/Ktm
- Tea House trekking on all Inclusive breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Sherpa guide and porter.
- National Park entrance fees.
Exclusions
- International airfare,
- Nepal Visa Fee,
- Extra hotel nights,
- Lunch & Dinner during KTM stay,
- Personal equipment,
- High risk medical insurance,
- Emergency rescue evacuation if needed,
- Items of any personal nature such as drinks, bottled water, tips, laundry and camera fees.