Gokyo Lake Trekking
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Gokyo trekking to the valley of the six sacred lakes (the highlight is the Gokyo Lake, with Mt Cho Oyu looming majestically behind it) and climb up the Gokyo Ri To view beauty of the Mt. Everest and other glorious peaks standing tall and mighty around it.
Beyond the largest glacier of the Himalayan kingdom and in the alpine valley of six lovely lakes, there is a small peak known far and wide as the Gokyo Ri (5357m), from the summit of which you can catch the most exquisite panorama of the snow giants, especially that of Mt Everest (8848m), Cho Oyu (8188m), Lhotse (8414m), Makalu (8463m), Nuptse and Thamserku, standing gracefully behind the shimmering turquoise water surface of the Sacred Lakes.
It’s like a piece of paradise on Earth. Some locals have named it the “Valley of Death” owing to the numerous lives that altitude sickness has taken. All the same, Gokyo Ri trekking is favored more than the traditional Everest Base Camp trail (of course, we won’t be hiking to the base camp since standing on the Gokyo Ri itself will make you feel like you are already on the roof of the world!).
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Destination
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DepartureKathmandu
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IncludedGokyo Lake Trekking
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2: Sightseeing and Shopping in Kathmandu
Day 3: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to Phakding
Day 4: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
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.
Day 5: Rest and acclimatization day at 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.
Day 6: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Dole
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).
Day 7: Trek from Dole to Machchhermo
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.
Day 8: Trek from Machchhermo to Gokyo
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.