Nima Adventure Trek & Expedition P. Ltd.
Boudha-06, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977-9851114058 · info@nimaadventure.com
Boudha-06, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977-9851114058 · info@nimaadventure.com
A quieter alternative to the base camp trail: follow the Dudh Koshi valley to the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and climb Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a superb Everest panorama.
The Everest Gokyo Ri Trek is a rewarding alternative to the main Everest Base Camp trail, following the Dudh Koshi valley north to the Gokyo Lakes and the viewpoint of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m). From the top of Gokyo Ri, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang rise above the vast Ngozumpa Glacier, one of the longest glaciers in the Himalaya, while the turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes lie directly below. It is one of the great panoramas of the Khumbu, reached on a quieter trail than the route to base camp.
The 14-day trek begins with the flight to Lukla and the walk to Namche Bazaar, where you spend an acclimatisation day with a hike to the Everest View Hotel and the traditional village of Khumjung. At Sanasa you leave the base camp trail and climb to the ridge-top viewpoint of Mong La before descending to the river at Phortse Thanga and continuing up the valley through Dole and Machhermo. These are smaller, quieter settlements than those on the main trail, surrounded by summer yak pastures, with Cho Oyu ahead and Thamserku and Kangtega behind you.
A second acclimatisation day at Machhermo prepares you for the higher ground. The trail then climbs alongside the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier, past the first and second lakes, to Gokyo village on the shore of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. The Gokyo Lakes form a high-altitude wetland protected under the Ramsar Convention and are considered sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. The next morning you climb Gokyo Ri before sunrise, and later you can walk further up the valley to the fourth and fifth lakes and Scoundrel's Viewpoint, where Everest and Cho Oyu appear across the glacier. The return follows the same valley down to Namche and Lukla, giving you a second chance to enjoy the views.
This trek suits fit walkers without technical experience who are happy with 4-6 hours a day on hilly trails, and it is a good choice if you prefer quieter paths and lakeside scenery to the busier base camp route. Nima Adventure, led by Managing Director Kanchha Sherpa, plans the itinerary around safe acclimatisation, and your government-licensed guide and porters look after the details so that you can concentrate on the mountains.
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a Nima Adventure representative meets you and transfers you to your hotel. After settling in, you meet your guide for a briefing on the Gokyo trek, a check of your clothing and equipment, and a chance to ask any questions. If anything is missing, the trekking shops of Thamel are close at hand. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Depending on the season, you fly to Lukla directly from Kathmandu or drive 4-5 hours to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap for the flight. The approach to Lukla, with terraced hills giving way to snow peaks, is a dramatic start. After meeting your porters, an easy, mostly downhill walk through Chaurikharka and small villages brings you to Phakding beside the Dudh Koshi. Walking time 3-4 hours. Overnight in Phakding.
The trail heads upstream along the Dudh Koshi, crossing the river on several suspension bridges, with the peak of Thamserku rising to the east. At Monjo you enter Sagarmatha National Park. After Jorsale, the high Hillary Suspension Bridge marks the start of the long climb to Namche Bazaar, the horseshoe-shaped market town that is the gateway to the high Khumbu. Walking time 6-7 hours. Overnight in Namche.
Today you acclimatise by hiking high and returning to sleep in Namche. A morning walk of about 1.5 hours leads to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m), with views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, and continues to Khumjung, a traditional Sherpa village whose monastery keeps a famous yeti scalp. You return to Namche along the hillside path in the afternoon. Walking time 4-5 hours. Overnight in Namche.
From Namche the trail contours to Kyangjuma and Sanasa, where you leave the Everest Base Camp route and climb to the ridge-top stupa of Mong La (3,975 m), a superb viewpoint for Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtega. The path then drops steeply to the river at Phortse Thanga before climbing through rhododendron and birch forest, where musk deer and Himalayan monal are often seen, to Dole. Walking time 5-6 hours. Overnight in Dole.
Above Dole the trees thin out, and the trail climbs steadily along the side of the valley through the summer settlements of Lhabarma and Luza, with Cho Oyu appearing at the head of the valley. The walk is relatively short, which helps acclimatisation, and you reach Machhermo, a sheltered settlement in a side valley, in time for lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Walking time about 4 hours. Overnight in Machhermo.
A rest day at this altitude prepares you for Gokyo and Gokyo Ri. In the morning you hike up the ridge above Machhermo, gaining a few hundred metres for views of Cho Oyu, Kangtega, Thamserku and Cholatse, before returning to the village for lunch. The afternoon is free to rest, read and drink plenty of fluids, and your guide uses the day to check that everyone is acclimatising well. Overnight in Machhermo.
The trail climbs to a ridge with views back down the valley, then descends to the riverside at Phangka before climbing alongside the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Soon you reach the first of the Gokyo Lakes, followed by the second, and finally Gokyo village on the shore of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari, its turquoise water framed by peaks. Walking time 4-5 hours. Overnight in Gokyo.
Leaving before dawn, you climb the steep trail up Gokyo Ri in about 2 hours. From the summit, sunrise lights up Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang, with the Ngozumpa Glacier and Gokyo Lakes spread out below. After breakfast you can rest or, if you have the energy, walk further up the valley to the fourth and fifth lakes and Scoundrel's Viewpoint, a round trip of 5-6 hours. Overnight in Gokyo.
After a final look at the lakes, you descend past the second and first lakes and along the Ngozumpa moraine, then back through Machhermo and Luza to Dole. The descent is gentle, and with more oxygen in the air the walking feels easy, giving you time to enjoy views you may have missed on the way up. Walking time 5-6 hours. Overnight in Dole.
The trail descends through forest to Phortse Thanga, then climbs back up to Mong La for a final view of Ama Dablam and Everest before the traverse to Namche Bazaar. Arriving in the afternoon gives you time to relax in a bakery, browse the shops for souvenirs or simply enjoy the bustle of the Sherpa capital. Walking time 5-6 hours. Overnight in Namche.
Descend the long Namche hill to the Hillary Suspension Bridge, then retrace your route along the Dudh Koshi through Jorsale, Monjo and Phakding. A gentle final climb brings you back to Lukla. Spend the evening celebrating with your guide and porters, the team who have looked after you throughout the trek. Walking time 6-7 hours. Overnight in Lukla.
Flights leave Lukla early in the morning, when the weather is usually calmest. You fly to Kathmandu directly or to Ramechhap, followed by the drive back to the capital. Delays are possible if the weather closes in. The rest of the day is free to rest, shop or visit one of Kathmandu's UNESCO-listed sites, such as Boudhanath Stupa or Pashupatinath. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Your Gokyo trek comes to an end today. Depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours for a last walk around Thamel or a coffee in one of its garden cafes. A Nima Adventure representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in good time for your flight home. If you would like to stay longer in Nepal, we can help arrange tours, safaris or another trek.