Gokyo Valley Trek
- Duration
- 13 days
- Max altitude
- 5,360 m
- Difficulty
-
Strenuous
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Spring (Mar–May)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $1,385.00
Overview
The quieter side of the Khumbu. Instead of the Base Camp trail, this one turns north-west up the Dudh Koshi to the six turquoise lakes at Gokyo, with the Ngozumpa glacier, the largest in Nepal, grinding along beside them.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- Six glacial lakes at 4,700 m
- Gokyo Ri at dawn, four eight-thousanders in one view
- The Ngozumpa glacier
- Far fewer trekkers than the Base Camp trail
Day by day
The itinerary
-
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and transfer to your hotel 1,400 m Hotel
One of our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drives you to your hotel in a private vehicle. In the afternoon, the pre-trip meeting at our office with your trekking guide.
-
Day 2: Fly to Lukla (2,840 m), trek to Phakding (2,610 m) 2,840 m 3-4 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
In March to May and September to November the Lukla flight usually operates from Ramechhap (Manthali), so we leave Kathmandu between 1 and 3 am for the four to five hour drive in a shared tourist vehicle and a 20-minute flight. In the other months it usually flies direct from Kathmandu in about 35 minutes; the airline decides. From Lukla, three to four hours down the Dudh Koshi to Phakding.
-
Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) 3,440 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Along the Dudh Koshi, crossing it several times on suspension bridges hung with prayer flags, into Sagarmatha National Park and then a steep climb to Namche Bazaar, the biggest town on the Everest trails, with bakeries, shops, money exchange and internet.
-
Day 4: Acclimatisation day in Namche. Hike to Hotel Everest View (3,880 m) 3,880 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A day to adjust to the thinner air. A short walk to the Sherpa museum, then a hike up past Syangboche airstrip to the Everest View Hotel for the panorama of Khumbu peaks, and back down to sleep in Namche.
-
Day 5: Trek to Dole (4,040 m) 4,040 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Up over Mong La with views of Ama Dablam, down to the river at Phortse Thanga (3,680 m), then a steep climb out of the valley through rhododendron, juniper and large conifers, beautiful in spring, past yak pastures and summer settlements to Dole. Khumbi La and Tawache stand above you most of the day.
-
Day 6: Trek to Machhermo (4,470 m) 4,470 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A shorter day, which helps with the altitude. The trail climbs a ridge with views down the valley to Kangtega and up towards Cho Oyu, then contours past summer yak pastures to Machhermo, reached by early afternoon.
-
Day 7: Trek to Gokyo (4,790 m) 4,790 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Down to the river, then a steep climb onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier and on past the first and second lakes to Gokyo village beside the third. Two nights here.
-
Day 8: Climb Gokyo Ri (5,360 m) and back to Gokyo 5,360 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
An early, steep climb to the top of Gokyo Ri, one of the best viewpoints in the Everest region: the lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier below, and Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang along the skyline. Back to Gokyo, with time for a walk along the lakeshore.
-
Day 9: Trek back down to Dole (4,040 m) 4,040 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Retracing the trail down the valley past Machhermo to Dole, with the mountains behind you and the air getting thicker.
-
Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) via Khumjung (3,780 m) 3,440 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Down to Phortse Thanga and up over Mong La, then through the Sherpa village of Khumjung and down to Namche Bazaar.
-
Day 11: Trek to Lukla (2,840 m) 2,840 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
The last walking day, down to the Hillary bridge and back along the Dudh Koshi through Monjo and Phakding to Lukla, where the trek began. Time in the evening to celebrate with your crew.
-
Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m Hotel B/D
A morning flight, weather permitting: 35 minutes direct to Kathmandu, or 20 minutes to Manthali and a four to five hour drive in a shared tourist vehicle, depending on the month. Lukla flights are weather-dependent, so keep a buffer day in Kathmandu before your international flight. In the evening, a farewell dinner.
-
Day 13: Departure 1,400 m B
Our airport representative takes you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $1,660.00 | Comfortfrom $1,958.80 | Luxuryfrom $2,407.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: In Kathmandu: two nights in a three-star hotel with twin-sharing rooms and breakfast (single rooms at extra cost)
- Included: Teahouse accommodation for 10 nights on the trek, with attached toilets in Lukla, Phakding and Namche
- Included: Full board on the trek: breakfast, lunch and dinner, each with tea or coffee
- Included: Fresh seasonal fruit after dinner on the trek
- Included: A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal
- Included: Purified drinking water on the trek, by filter or purification tablets
- Included: All international and domestic airport transfers in a tourist vehicle
- Included: Round-trip airfare between Kathmandu or Manthali and Lukla
- Included: Kathmandu to Manthali and back by shared tourist vehicle when flights operate from Manthali
- Included: Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park permit
- Included: Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit
- Included: Experienced, wilderness first-aid trained, government-licensed, English-speaking local guide (two guides for groups of more than seven)
- Included: Porters to carry your luggage, one porter for every two trekkers
- Included: Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance and medication for all staff
- Included: Duffel bag, trekking map, sun hat and neck gaiter
- Included: First aid kit with an oximeter to check pulse and oxygen levels daily
- Included: Trip completion certificate
- Included: All government taxes, permits and service charges
Not included
- Not included: Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Not included: International flight fare and airport departure tax
- Not included: Nepal Entry Visa (Visa can be acquired easily after your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu with a fee of USD 30 for 15 days visa, USD 50 for 30 days visa and USD 125 for 90 days visa)
- Not included: Travel insurance along with high-altitude emergency evacuation coverage
- Not included: Any beverages including bottled and boiled water
- Not included: Tips to trekking staff and driver
- Not included: Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Not included: Any expenses other than the Price Include section
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $1,660.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $1,385.00 | $275.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $1,300.00 | $360.00 |
| 7 or more | $1,220.00 | $440.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
Traveller reviews
What travellers say
Why book with us
