Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trekking: Gokyo Lake Trek

Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trek are among the adventurous treks in the Everest region of Nepal. Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake trek route take you to the less explored, yet most beautiful part of the Everest region.

The wonderful trekking journey begins with an exciting flight to the beautiful Lukla airport. Then following the mighty Dudh Koshi river you’ll pass through several settlements including Jorsalle, Monjo, Namche Bazaar, Phortse, Dole, Macchermo, and finally Gokyo Valley. Passing through these villages, you’ll get a chance to observe the culture and lifestyle of high-altitude Sherpa people.

This amazing trek takes you a wonderful journey to view the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri. Gokyo Lakes are a series of six spectacular glacial lakes. The lakes are at altitudes of between 4,700 m and 5,000 m, making them some of the world’s highest freshwater lakes.

Gokyo Ri is one of the best vantage points for the wonderful panorama of snow-capped mountains. You’ll see the world’s four highest peaks including Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Makalu in one glimpse. Besides the fantastic mountain views, you’ll also enjoy the breathtaking view of Ngozumpa Glacier.

Most of the trekkers prefer to visit Gokyo Lakes as a side trip on the popular Everest Base Camp Trek.

Highlights of Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trek

Experience an adventurous flight to Lukla
Explore Gokyo Valley- one of the highest settlements in the world
Hike to Gokyo Ri, jaw-dropping view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, and Mt. Cho Oyu
Ngozumpa Glacier- one of the largest glaciers in Nepal
Explore Gokyo 5th lake and close up view of Mt. Cho Oyu
Encounter highland Sherpa people’s culture and lifestyle

Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trekking Difficulty

Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake trek is a moderate trek. In an average, you need to walk around 5-6 hours every day with a light bag pack. This trek is somewhat simpler for individuals who’ve done several higher elevations trek.

Further, this Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trek’s difficult sections lie between Gokyo Lake and Peak. Because the trail is a little bit narrow, rocky, icy, and slippery from the Gokyo village. So, this trek demands a regular exercise at least one or two months before the trek.

Best Time for Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trek

Although Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trek is doable all year around, the best time is in autumn season (Sep-Nov) and spring (March-May). During these seasons, the weather is usually stable and the visibility is excellent. Plus, you get to trek in the moderate temperatures with the most pleasant weather conditions and the scenic views.

Outline Itinerary

Detail Itinerary

Cost Included

Cost Excluded

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and drive to your hotel (1300 m/4264 ft)

Day 02: Fly to Lukla from Kathmandu (2,800 m/9,184 ft) and trek to Phakding (2,652 m/8,700 ft) (3 - 4 hours)

Day 03: Phakding to Namche Bazaar trek (3,440 m/11,283 ft) (5 - 6 hours)

Day 04: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization

Day 05: Trek to Phorse (3810 m/ 12,496 ft) (5 - 6 hours)

Day 06: Phorse Village to Machhermo Trek (4,470 m/ 14,663 ft) (5 - 6 hours)

Day 07: Machharmo to Gokyo (4800 m/15,744 ft) (5 - 6 hours)

Day 08: Gokyo Valley, Climb Gokyo Ri (5357 m/17,570 ft) and hike to fifth lakes: 5 - 6 hours

Day 09: Trek to Dole trek (3 - 4 hours)

Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar (4 - 5 hours)

Day 11: Trek to Lukla (6 - 8 hours)

Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu from Lukla

Day 13: Final departure from Tribhuvan International Airport

If you want to extend your trip, please feel free to choose from our DAY TOURS, NEPAL TOURS or Jungle Safaris. here are some trip extensions that might interest you.

Extended Trips

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and drive to your hotel (1300 m/4264 ft)

Once you land at Tribhuvan International Airport our representative will welcome you and escort you to the respective hotel. You can take rest for some time and visit our office for some details about the trek. Later you can stroll around Thamel, the main tourist hub in Kathmandu. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Fly to Lukla from Kathmandu (2,800 m/9,184 ft) and trek to Phakding (2,652 m/8,700 ft) (3 – 4 hours)

Early in the morning, you’ll head towards the airport for flight to Lukla. Enjoying the wonderful Himalayan views you’ll reach the Tenzing/ Hillary airport in Lukla and it’ll totally fascinate you as it actually hangs off the side of a mountain.

Lukla is a small Sherpa village at the altitude of 2,800 meters. After taking some rest at Lukla, you’ll start your Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake trekking journey. Today you’ll head towards Phakding village which lies at an altitude of 2,652 meters above the sea level. It’ll take roughly 3 - 4 hours to reach Phakding. Overnight at a teahouse in Phakding.

Note: Normally, in the morning the weather is clear so flight to Lukla departs early in the morning. If the weather conditions are not favorable then your scheduled flight may delay or cancel.

Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,283 ft) (5 – 6 hours)

After breakfast, you’ll start your trek towards Namche Bazaar. Today’s walk is about 5-6 hours and it is quite pleasant with few uphill and downhill. Enroute you’ll cross several bridges over Dudh Koshi River.

Along the way, you’ll pass through some interesting villages including Benkar, Monjo, and Jorsalle. Once you reach an entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, you need to show your trekking permits.

After certain descends, the trail lead you to Jorsalle village, the last settlement before Namche Bazaar. Enjoying the surrounding view and walking through the river bed you’ll reach Hillary Suspension Bridge.

Now as you climb uphill towards Namche Bazaar you’ll get a close-up view of Kwangde Peak and its sister peaks including Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Tawache, and many other surrounding peaks. Finally, after, admiring these views you’ll reach the colorful Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) for an overnight stay.

Day 04: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization

This is the first acclimatization day of the trek. Instead of sitting idle you can stay active during the rest day too. So, you’ll have lots of options like you can either spend the day hike to Thame or visit Khunde or you can explore Namche Bazaar itself.

Namche Bazaar is famous as the main gateway of the Khumbu region. This place is the main center of the Everest region. It has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, a bakery, and restaurants. Overnight stay at the teahouse in Namche Bazaar.

Day 05: Trek to Phortse (3810 m/ 12,496 ft) (5 – 6 hours)

Early in the morning, you’ll head towards Phortse village. It is a beautiful farming village at 3,950 meters above sea level. It will take around 5 - 6 hours to reach Phortse from Namche Bazaar. Namche to Phortse walking distance is 5.7 kilometers.

On the way to Phortse, you’ll pass through Mong La and then trek to downhill to Phortse Tenga. And, after crossing Dudh Koshi River you’ll walk uphill and reach the Phortse village for overnight stay.

Day 06: Phortse Village to Machhermo (4,470 m/ 14,663 ft) (5 – 6 hours)

After having breakfast you’ll walk towards Machhermo village. This village lies south of Gokyo and north of Dole and at an altitude of 4,470 meters. It is an important point for all trekkers who are going to Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Valley, Cho La Pass, and Renjo La Pass route.

Phortse to Machhermo walking distance is 7.2 km and it takes about 5 - 6 hours to reach there. The trail passes through the side of the Dudh Koshi Valley, forests, and waterfalls. You’ll also get a chance to spot wildlife like pheasants, musk deer, and mountain goats.

Finally, after crossing the Dole and Luza village you’ll reach Machhermo village. Here you can visit the Himalayan Rescue Hospital where you can learn about altitude sickness. You’ll spend a night at teahouse of Machhermo village.

Day 07: Machharmo to Gokyo (4800 m/15,744 ft) (5 – 6 hours)

Today you’ll walk about 5.7km from Machhermo to Gokyo valley and it takes about 5 to 6 hours. The trail is little steep so you should walk in your own pace. The elevation of the Gokyo village is 4,800 meters above the sea level.

On the trail, you’ll get the wonderful view of Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Cholatse, and other surrounding peaks. Once you reach the beautiful Gokyo Valley you can explore Gokyo lakes and Ngozumpa Glacier. Overnight stay at Gokyo Valley.

Day 08: Gokyo Valley: Climb Gokyo Ri (5357 m/17,570 ft) and hike to fifth lakes (5 – 6 hours)

Today early in the morning you’ll hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for the breathtaking view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Cho Oyu. You’ll see the majestic view of Gokyo valley.

After enjoying the great mountain views you’ll walk down to Gokyo Valley. The total hiking time to Gokyo Ri is about 4 hours. In the afternoon, you’ll explore around 5th lakes for another close and nice view of Mt. Cho Oyu. Overnight stay at Gokyo Valley.

Day 09: Gokyo to Dole (3 – 4 hours)

After having early morning breakfast, you’ll trek back to Dole which takes about 3-4 hours. It lies at 4,200 elevations. On the way back, you’ll get the fantastic mountain views. Today the trail is mostly downhill so it’s quite easy. Overnight stay at a teahouse of Dole.

Day 10: Dole to Namche Bazaar (4 – 5 hours)

Today after breakfast you’ll start your trek from Dole to Namche Bazaar which will take around 4-5 hours. Today’s hike is also mostly downhills like the previous day. First, you’ll descend to Phorstse Tenga.

Once again, you’ll reach Mong La Pass where you’ll see the great view of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Taboche, and Mt. Khumbila with the distant view of Tengboche village. Further, descending down to Sansa village you’ll reach the point where two paths to go to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo valley separates.

Before you reach Namche Bazaar, you’ll come across small Kyanjuma village and Namche army camp hill. Once you reach Namche Bazaar, you can take a hot shower and relax. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.

Day 11: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (6 – 8 hours)

Today you’ll start your trek from Namche Bazaar with steep descend crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi river. All the way to Lukla, you’ll pass through Jorasalle, Monjo, and Benkar village.

You’ll capture some last picture of various far distant mountains, chortens, mani walls, suspension bridges, and rivers. Finally, after 6 to 8 hours walk, you’ll reach Lukla for an overnight stay.

Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu from Lukla

Today after 45 minutes of amazing flight, you land in the domestic terminal of the airport. Then we’ll transfer you to the hotel. After taking some rest you can stroll around Thamel, a popular tourist hub. Overnight stay at Kathmandu.

Day 13: Final departure from Tribhuvan International Airport

Here comes the official end to your adventurous Gokyo trip. Our representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule. We wish you a safe and happy journey ahead.

Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trekking - 13 Days

Highlights of Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trek

Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Trekking Difficulty