Trekking

Gokyo Lakes And Gokyo Ri Trek

This trek takes you in the heart of the Everest Region, or Khumbu, as it is locally known. Flying into the famous high altitude airport at Lukla your adventure is all about mountains and lakes! Gokyo Valley falls within the Sagarmatha National Park area, and is the world’s highest freshwater lake system.  Designated as a Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance), the lakes are sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. This is a high altitude trek, with the highest point as you climb Gokyo Ri at 5,357m/ 17,570ft. But by going slowly and staying well hydrated under the watchful eye of your guide, the feelings of exhaustion will be overtaken by a sense of awe. You will also visit Namche Bazaar and have the chance to visit the village where Sir Edmund Hillary set up a school and hospital as thanks to his friendship with the Sherpa people.

Note: This trip can be somewhat shortened, or adapted as necessary to fit your timetable.  Please contact us regarding this.  Below follows the standard itinerary for the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek.

Want to Know More?

If you would like to know more about this trip, or any other trip in Nepal, please do not hesitate to contact Sherpa and Swiss Adventures. Basically, the itineraries on our websites are for the most popular destinations. You can contact us and let us know your requirements: your intended length of stay, your hotels of preference, your choice of route for a trek, the places you would like to visit, or any kind of customization. We would love to hear your unique choices and travel ideas; based on which we can curate a blend of our ideas and come up with the most suitable trip itinerary for you as an individual or a group.

TOUR MAP AND ITINERARY

Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu

It all starts here.  But first, the formalities…

Our airport representative will be there to meet you outside the terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.  You will recognise her/him from the Sherpa and Swiss Adventures signboard they will be holding. You will then be transferred to your hotel by our private tourist vehicle.

Later that day there will be a pre-trip meeting in our office.  If your flight arrives after 4pm you will be briefed when you reach your hotel.  Please ensure to ask any questions you may still have about the trip regardless as to when or where your briefing meeting takes place. 

Please bring to the meeting: your original passport, three passport-sized photos and your travel insurance policy (hard copy please). During the meeting we request you to clear any outstanding payment and sign the legally binding trip form and a non-liability disclaimer.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Day 2 : Today there are two options, as below.

Option 1:

Morning Sightseeing to Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. Then Drive to Ramechhap: 4 hours drive at 2.00 AM in the morning of Day 3

Today your Nepal adventure begins!  After breakfast, at around 9.30am, our tour guide and private vehicle will collect you from your hotel to take you to some of the most historical and interesting heritage sites in Kathmandu.  Kathmandu Valley has no less than seven world heritage sites; today we will cover two of them:

Pashupatinath: Pashupati Temple is the most holy and significant temple among worshipers of Lord Shiva.  Non-Hindus are not allowed into Pashupatinath Temple itself but by standing on the opposite banks of the Bagmati River visitors can view the ghats where worship and ritual bathing takes place.  A few metres downstream the burning ghats often present a horrific fascination. If that is too intimate, there are plenty of small shrines and trails to explore.

 

Boudhanath Stupa:  Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most revered Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.  Here in the early morning and late afternoon, hundreds of Tibetan and Nepali Buddhists come to circumnavigate the stupa in prayer with the sound of spinning prayer wheels and the ringing of bells filling the air. It is possible to eat in one of the many good restaurants around the stupa. 

Note: The rest of this afternoon is at your leisure.  We will leave from Kathmandu at 2am in the morning to reach Ramechhap for the flight to Lukla for the following reason:

The Government of Nepal has announced that until further notice most flights to and from Lukla will be from Ramechhap (Manthali Airport).  This will avoid heavy traffic congestion in Kathmandu airport.  The airport in Ramechhap is located 130km from Kathmandu (approximately 3-4 hours drive).  As Ramechhap is a very small town and off the usual tourist route, accommodation facilities are basic and limited.  It is likely that given this new situation, accommodation will be hard to find.  Thus driving direct from Kathmandu to Ramechhap in the early morning is the most realistic option.

Overnight (until 2am) at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast.

 

Option 2:

Entire day sightseeing to Swayambhunath ,Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu and fly next day from Kathmandu directly to Lukla via helicopter.

Today your Nepal adventure begins!  After breakfast, at around 10.00 am, our tour guide and private vehicle will collect you from your hotel to take you to some of the most historical and interesting heritage sites in Kathmandu.  Kathmandu Valley has no less than seven world heritage sites, today we will cover three of them:

Swayambhunath: Swayambhunath Stupa (or Monkey Temple as its often know) has great importance to the Valley’s indigenous Newar population whose religion is a unique blend of Buddhism and Hinduism.  We reach the top by a long staircase from the east. In addition to devotees, visitors can see many monkeys on the climb up to the stupa (please do not feed or pet them), and have a wonderful view over Kathmandu.

Boudhanath Stupa:  Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most revered Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.  Here in the early morning and late afternoon, hundreds of Tibetan and Nepali Buddhists come to circumnavigate the stupa in prayer with the sound of spinning prayer wheels and the ringing of bells filling the air. It is possible to eat in one of the many good restaurants around the stupa. 

Pashupatinath: Pashupati Temple is the most holy and significant temple among worshipers of Lord Shiva.  Non-Hindus are not allowed into Pashupatinath Temple itself but by standing on the opposite banks of the Bagmati River, visitors can view the ghats where worship and ritual bathing takes place.  A few metres downstream the burning ghats often present a horrific fascination. If that is too intimate, there are plenty of small shrines and trails to explore.

There will be time for exploring the tourist hub of Thamel and doing last minute shopping for essential trekking snacks etc before dinner. 

Note: With this option you will avoid the middle of the night drive to Ramecchap and will fly directly by helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla on the morning of Day 03.

Day 3 : Drive to Ramechhap and Fly from Ramechhap to Lukla via fixed wing flight OR Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800m/ 9,184ft) via helicopter. Trek to Phakding (2,651m/ 8,697ft): 20 minutes flight OR 45 minutes helicopter ride. 3-4 hours trek

Depending on your choice, today we fly from Ramechhap or from Kathmandu to Lukla. Estimated arrival time in Lukla is the same for either option. After your arrival in Lukla, your guide and porters will meet you and from here we trek to Phakding. The trail starts by descending to Cheplung village.  We may be able to catch sight of Mt Khumbila from here.  This is a sacred mountain which, as such, has never been climbed.  From here the trail descents till Phakding where you overnight.  This is where your climbing adventure begins!

Day 4 : Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Today the trail takes you upwards over steep inclines, through pine forests, and across high suspension bridges overhanging icy cold water flowing off the mountains. Crossing the Dudh Koshi River towards Monjo you are now entering Sagarmatha National Park.  Tonight sleep in the famous town of Namche Bazaar.

Day 5 : Acclimatization Day - Namche Bazaar

Today’s acclimatization day is designed to allow your body to get used to the altitude.  You can either simply explore Namche or hike to Khumjung Village to visit the school and hospital set up by Sir Edmund Hillary for the Sherpa people.  As you know, Sir Edmund, along with Tenzin Norgay Sherpa, was the first person to summit Everest. You can also visit Khumjung Monastery.  Returning to Namche you might want to take a last opportunity to pick up any snacks or chocolate for the trip.  Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 6 : Trek Namche Bazaar to Phortse Thanga

The day starts by climbing up the Khumjung hill to descend by the east side of the village to a valley which leads to the Dudh Koshi River.  Evidence of Buddhist lifestyle is all around with chortens and prayer flag. Something you will see many times on your trek. But on this part of the trek there is something very interesting.  Here is the birthplace of the Tibetan Lama who is reputed to have introduced Buddhism to the Khumbu (Everest) Region.  The trail continues, heading downwards, through steep switchback tracks to the Dudh Koshi where we find the village of Phortse Thanga where you will spend the night.

Day 7 : Trek Phortse Thanga to Machhermo

After breakfast climb uphill to where the trail goes through a rhododendron forest and passed a cascading waterfall. The trail passes Tongba Village, tongba being the name of a hot millet wine that you may have the opportunity to sample on the trek!   Overnight in Machhermo.

Day 8 : Trek Machhermo to Gokyo

One of today’s highlights is looking down the valley from atop a ridge.  From here you can see Kangtega (6,782m) and Cho Oyu (8,163m). As the valley widens out, the trail descends to the river before climbing up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Here the trail is quite steep. Following the valley, you will pass Lake Longpongo (4,690m). This is the first of the Gokyo Lake system. The Gokyo Lakes are actually six lakes, located in the Gokyo Valley within the Sagarmatha National Park area.  Gokyo village is located on the third lake, with Mt Cho Oyu as a backdrop.  Overnight at Gokyo village.

Day 9 : Gokyo Valley: Climb Gokyo Ri and hike to the fifth lake:

Today climb up Gokyo Ri (5,357m).  From here the view is of the whole Khumbu Region.  Four of the seven highest peaks in Nepal are on view - Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. And also on view are the blue tranquil lakes (not yet named), collectively known as the Gokyo Lakes. Then the trail takes you to the fourth lake and on to the fifth.  From the fifth lake take in the views of Ngozumba Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas (approx 36km).  This is truly a sight not many people witness. Descend slowly from the high altitude to  overnight at Gokyo village.

Day 10 : Trek Gokyo to Dole

Today’s trek is much shorter and at a lower altitude than the last couple of days. A welcome relief perhaps. Again you descend to the Dudh Koshi River and pass the first Gokyo Lake.  Climbing up, you come to a chorten from where the views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu and Kangtenga provide another visual feast while you take a few minutes rest.  Overnight at Dole.

Day 11 : Trek Dole to Namche Bazaar

Back in amongst the greenery and colour (in the spring) of rhododendrons and wildflowers, today there is the likelihood of coming across mountain goats. Perhaps, even pheasants and musk deer if you are lucky.  Although you are in Sagarmatha National Park, home of the beautiful Snow Leopard, because of the geographical location, less wildlife is spotted here. Easy to spot, however, are the mountains! They are still on view as you walk through more forested slopes to eventually reach Namche Bazaar where you will overnight. 

Day 12 : Trek Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Today say goodbye to the Sherpa community at Namche and make your way homewards across the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River for the final time.  You will overnight in Lukla in order to catch the early morning flight.

Day 13 : Fly to Kathmandu

After breakfast fly out of Lukla. Take in your final views of the mountains from your plane window. You can either fly to Ramechhap and drive (3-4 hours) to Kathmandu or take a helicopter from Lukla to Kathmandu.  Please ask us about the helicopter option.

Day 14 : Final Departure

Depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to the airport three hours prior to the departure time. In case your flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel which will incur extra charges as the check out time is usually 12 pm. Your airport representative will pick you from your hotel accordingly and take you to the international airport for your onward flight.

Bon voyage and pheri bhetaula!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT'S Not INCLUDED

Accommodation

You will be staying in your choice of hotel in Kathmandu. All accommodation is on a twin-share basis. Single supplement charge will be added for single rooms and will cost an additional USD 400 or more (depending on your hotel selection in Kathmandu). Also, please be clear that you will be trekking in remote village areas; services in the teahouses will be basic. We will try our best to arrange rooms with attached bathrooms; however, teahouses in some places do not have attached bathrooms. Paying single room supplement will get you a single room in Kathmandu but it might not be feasible on the trekking route. 

Meals

During our trek, we can enjoy authentic Nepalese food as well as more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served from the teahouse or from the lodge where we spend the night whereas lunch will be served on the trail, on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided during trekking period (breakfast, lunch and dinner) while only breakfast will be available in Kathmandu. There are many restaurant options in Kathmandu that you can explore on your own. There will be a welcome and a farewell dinner for our guests.