Duration: 14 days
Cost: USD 1350
Destination: Nepal
Grade: Moderate
Best Months: March to May and September to December
Trip Type: Tea house
Altitude: 5,357 m
The Gokyo trek starts from Lukla which is a half hour flight from Kathmandu. We trek to Phakding then the following day we start the trek towards the Namche Bazaar where we will get the first glimpse of Mount Everest along with natural habitats around Sagarmatha National Park. Then we will trek to Machhermo via Dole where the Mountains appear to be more spectacular views. Similarly, you will return back to Namche Bazaar then to Lukla from where you will take a short flight back to Kathmandu. Contact us for more details.
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Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival
Representatives from our office will welcome you at the Tribhuvan International Airport and take you at the hotel. You can visit our office if you are interested, if not you can spend the rest of the day resting at the hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
After breakfast, staff from our office along with our tour guide will meet you up at the hotel lobby and discuss briefly about the trek. Then you will proceed for sightseeing around Kathmandu valley. Our tour guide will take you around some of the famous cultural, religious and historical places around the city. You will be taken around Pashupatinath Temple, Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath and Patan Durbar Square. After returning in the later afternoon, prepare yourself for the trekking which starts the following day.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla then hike to Phakding
Flight Time: 35 Minutes
Walking Time: 3 Hours 30 minutes
Depending on your departure time to Lukla, get ready and wait for your guide at the hotel lobby. Your trekking guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to the airport from where you will catch a plane to Lukla. When you get to Lukla catch your porter then walk slightly uphill and downhill which is lower than lukla elevation, This is easy day, you need to follow Dhudkosi River where you see nice mountain view, Serpa remote village, farming land & pine forest on your way.
Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Walking time: 5 to 6 Hours
After early breakfast, follow the bank of the Bhote Koshi River where you need to cross many bridges and also have to pass local Sherpa villages till Joursalle. When you will get there, you will stop for lunch because it’s still 3 hours more trek to Namche Bazaar. Continuously you need to follow the bank of the river until the meeting point of Dudha Koshi and Bhote Koshi River, which is relatively easy hike. Now you need to follow steep uphill all the way to Namche through pine forest where there is a chance to see some wild life. If the weather remains clear, you will get the first sight of Mount Everest from Durbin Danda.
Day 05: Acclimatization day
This day is allocated as a rest day but we recommend you to keep moving in order to acclimatize with the altitude. You can take a hike to Everest View Hotel (3900 m) which is a steep uphill. Along the way you will pass world’s highest altitude airport – Syangboche and twin village Khumjung and Khunde where you can visit Hillary school and Hillary Hospital. From the hotel you can get better panoramic view of the mighty Himalayas.
Day 06: Namche Bazaar to Dole (4090 m)
Walking time: 5 hours and 30 minutes
There is also option to go via upper trail through Khumjung or lower Everest Base Camp (EBC) trail which is easy trail until Kenjoma then left EBC trail behind and follow left trail which is uphill .You will see nice mountain view, Mountain goat, Nepali national bird - Lopophorous, Yak grazing on pasture & tea houses. Until "Mong Danda” you will pass by beautiful alpine grassy lands and pass through forest all the way to Dole gradually uphill.
Day 07: Dole to Machhermo (4410 m)
Walking time: 4 Hours
Trail goes again slightly uphill all the way to Machhermo, no more tree line only shrub juniper & alpine land where you see yak grazing. You will trek alongside of valley passing yak Kharka (yak keeping place), pretty windy valley and nice Mountain View. You will have easy short day trip today and if you feel good, you can continue to Gokyo which is another 3 hour walk and make buffer next day.
Day 08: Machhermo to Gokyo (4750 m)
Walking time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Ascend uphill along the side of Dudhkoshi river bank. You get nice Mountain View, meadows, glacier view & 1st, 2nd lake where you see mountain duck and cool air from mountains will turn your mood on. Take your time enjoy the scenery and follow the left side Ngozumpa glacier until Gokyo, then rest of time - roam around Gokyo lake or hike to ridge close to Ngozumpa glacier for glacier view & mountain view.
Day 09: Exploration day around Gokyo Valley
Hike Gokyo-Ri (5360m) early morning which takes 4 to 5 hour both way, right next to Gokyo lake you need to hike to the top of the small hill to see the panoramic view of mountains. This viewpoint are incredible where you see 5 mountains above 8000m like Mt. Cho Oyo, Mt. Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Lhotse Shar, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cholatse,Mt. Tawachee, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumari, Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Thamserku, biggest glacier Ngozumpa and lakes. After 360 degree panoramic view, return back to hotel and visit 5th Lake where you see huge Glacier Ngozumpa very closely, view of Mt. Everest facing Tibet, Close view of Mt. Cho Oyu close, big Lake view, Icefall & other mountain views. You should not miss those opportunities.
Day 10: Gokyo to Dole (4090 m)
Walking time: 5 Hours
Today you will descend along the previously used trail. Along the way you can see meadows where yaks are grazing. The hike is easy all the way to Dole where you will stay overnight.
Day 11: Dole to Namche
Walking time: 5 Hours
Today we have to follow bank of the Bhotekosi River which is easy downhill. We need to pass Monastery, river gorge; Suspension bridge, Yak pasture & impressive Mountain View. Finally we get back to different landscape & view like trees and forest and traditional Sherpa village along with the famous Thame Monastery. When you arrive at Namche you can chill out.
Day 12: Namche to Lukla
Walking time: 6 Hours
Steeply descend through the pine forest all the way to high suspension bridge on Dhudh Kosi River. Rest you will walk through the bumpy trial. You need to check out your trekking permit & pass many Sherpa local village. When you arrive to Lukla you can make your guide & porter happy by providing tips as per your wish. Today is your last day in Himalaya, enjoy and make it memorable.
Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu
We will recommend you to take one day buffer in case the flight from Lukla to Kathmandu gets postponed due to bad weather condition. You will fly back to Kathmandu in normal condition. Today your guide will drop you to your hotel where you get free accommodation just for one night except food. If you stay longer please arrange by yourself. This is your last day in Nepal; try to buy some souvenir to your friends or Family. Hope you get good time with our company & don't forget to comment about our service. Remind us about your airport time next day.
Day 14: Departure
End of a memorable trip, we will drop you at the airport for final departure.
