Gokyo Lake Trekking

Your international flight to Nepal will be a scenic one, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent vista of the majestic Himalayas from a bird’s viewpoint. You will be landing in Kathmandu, where our team representative shall shower you with a warm welcome and then escort you to your hotel room. Leisure for the remainder of the day.

Kathmandu is a traveler’s dream, and we have reserved this day to acquaint you with the city’s world heritage sites like the Durbar Square, the Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath, and innumerable such other religious monuments which express the excellence of Nepali art and culture. And, of course, you may also wish to go shopping and buy souvenirs befitting the image of Nepal.

Provided that you don’t take a nap on your 40-minutes flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, you will catch a spectacular view of the snowcapped Himalayan peaks dazzling beautifully under the light of the morning sun. Then, after landing on the soil of Lukla, we will begin our first hike to Phakding. It’s only about 3 hours further. Just stick to the path alongside the Dudh Koshi river, make some ups and downs over the hillside, cross over suspension bridges whenever the path turns too difficult, and in a while you will ultimately reach Phakding.

Now we march off to the prosperous Sherpa settlement known widely as the Namche Bazaar. It’s actually a marketplace, the main trading hub of the Khumbu region (no wonder, it’s always teeming with native traders and yak caravans of Tibetan merchants).

The path from Phakding, as we head upstream by Dudh Koshi, is lined with pretty rhododendron flowers and blue pine forest. A short climb will bring us to the Benkar village (great spot to check out the majestic Mt. Thamserku, 6,608m), then to Monjo (an awesome place to lodge at) and at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park (where our trekking permits will be checked). Further up, there’s the Jorsale (2830m) village, beyond which is our destination for the night – the Namche Bazaar.

Altitude sickness can ruin our trek. Hence, we dedicate this day for you to acclimatize yourself with the Himalayan terrain. You can witness the lifestyle of the mountain people, check out the infrastructures here and pay a visit to the Tourist Visitor Center to gain some knowledge of the Everest region.

We will even make a short trek to the nearby Khumjung valley or we can also climb up to Syangboche (the famous airstrip), and make way to Everest View Hotel so as to capture some stunning pictures of Mt Everest and other exotic peaks, like Mt Ama Dablam and Lhotse. Linger a while to catch the sunset over these majestic Khumbu peaks, and then return to your guesthouse at Namche Bazaar.

We will make a pleasant hike through the lovely Khumjung village, admiring the incredible views of Mt. Thamserku, Ama Dablam and Kantega peaks. After passing the village, the trail moves up to towards the large Buddhist shrine (a Chorten) standing on the top of a ridge, which descents down from the sacred Khumbila peak (5734m) – where the patron deity of the Khumbu-ians is supposed to have its abode.

Next comes a descent through Kayangjuma to Sanasa, then an ascent up to Mongla Pass (with awesome views of My Khumbila, Ama Dablam, Tawoche and Thamserku). Descent down to Dudh Koshi river, cross over a bridge, and make way across a thick rhododendron & birch forest (watch out for lichens as well as for exotic wildlife like the musk deer, Himalayan Thar or the lovely pheasant). In a while, you will reach the Phorse Tenga and then a little bit further up is Dole (lodge at a teahouse).

There’s a ridge above Dole, and it’s through that scenic ridge that we will make our way to Lhabarma, and then pass numerous summer settlements on our way to Luza, enjoying the grand vistas of the Mt Cho Oyu, Thamserku and Kantega peak. Further up is the Dudh Koshi valley, and we walk through the hillside, walking across little lovely villages and sandy paths, towards Machchhermo.

A stream, originating from Phari Lapche abd Kyajo Ri peaks, runs through the middle of this beautiful Machchhermo village. More over, this hamlet is even famous as the place where the Yeti was first sighted at in 1974.

First, a steady climb through this ridge with a Chorten/Buddhist Shrine on it, then walking a bit further on, we will come up at Pangka (the infamous spot where an avalanche swept by and took the lives of 40 people). Next, we make our way across the steep moraine of Ngozamba Glacier, which opens up to Gokyo valley. The first holy lake, Longpongo, will welcome you into Gokyo, and you might stumble upon the Lama footprints carved in the stone. Further up is Taboche Tsho, the second lake that is connected to the third lake by a stream.

It’s on the shore of Dudh Pokhari, the third lake that the charming hamlet of Gokyo dwells (it’s nothing more than a cluster of weather-beaten lodges). Ready your camera as you lay your eyes on the turquoise lake, made even prettier by the Cho Oyu peak looming behind it and the sun hanging above them (the view is incredible especially during sunset and sunrise). For the moment, you will rest for a while in the village, drinking in the beauty of the lake and the exquisite landscape surrounding it.

Rise up early to climb to the Gokyo Ri, which hangs above the Gokyo village at the northern edge of the lake. From this spot, you will catch the most exquisite view ever of the Himalayas, especially that of the Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Cho Oyu and other neighboring snow peaks. Later on, we can hike up to the Scoundrel’s Viewpoint, exploring the fourth, fifth and even the sixth lake of Gokyo if time permits. After Gokyo, it’s around 3 hours hike back through Pangka and Machcchermo village on your way to the lovely settlement at Luza.

From Luza, then we descend back to the beautiful Khumjung valley surrounded by exotic peaks. Next we follow the Dudh Koshi river, streaming down from Ngozamba Glacier, and then walk through the rhododendron forests all the way back to Khumjung village.

Today we hike back to the familiar neighborhood of Namche Bazaar, and then make way back through rhododendron and birch forests to Phakding.

Retrace the way alongside the Dudh Koshi river to the small town of Lukla. You can explore the area if you like or just rest for the day replaying the beautiful vistas of the snow peaks and the turquoise lakes of Gokyo in your mind.

Board a domestic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, enjoying the incredible sight of the Himalayas from the air. Land on the soil of Kathmandu, the city of temples, and then you may go on to catch your international flight back to your home country. Namaste!

This day is left open and you can choose from several additional activities such as Sightseeing, rafting, tour to Chitwan National Park or Pokhara.

Fly back home or Tour another part of Nepal or India with us.