Gokyo Valley Trekking

‘enjoy wonderful adventure around scenic emerald glacial lakes within beautiful Gokyo valley’

Trek at a Glance:

Mode of accommodation: Hotels in Kathmandu- local nice lodge on treks.

Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous walks.

Area of Trekking: North Mid-East around Khumbu, Everest region.

Highest elevation gain: On top Gokyo-Ri 5,357 m high.                

Daily Walks: Minimum 4 hrs to a maximum of 6 hrs.

Trekking duration: 10 Nights and 11 Days (with flight both ways)

Total Trip: 14 Nights and 15 Days (arrival to final departure)

Best Seasons for Gokyo Valley Trekking:

The best times are from March to May, where most of the days are fine and clear for views and walks, with longer sunlight hours but cold in the morning and night time above 3,000 m onward.

Late afternoon can get overcast with snow and rain on higher hills sometimes, next to good times is from mid-September to early December around autumn/fall and pre-winter seasons with crystal clear fine day for excellent views of peaks and pleasant trek with bright starry nights.

From October to December onward, days are much shorter with sun-light hours due to autumn and pre-winter season, expect snow on trails sometimes on higher areas of Khumbu valley.

People and Culture:

Everest and whole of Khumbu region populated by Sherpa people famously known as Highlanders of Himalaya and Everest, interwoven with strong Buddhist religion and culture of Tibetan origin with an interesting ancient custom which you can notice along the walks with religious monuments of stupa and series of prayer wheels and stone slate walls.

Besides incredible views of high mountains and landscapes, trekkers will have a great opportunity to witness Sherpa fascinating cultures and traditional farm life and visiting impressive monasteries of great interest.

Introduction:

Gokyo Valley Trekking is a moderate to adventurous walks due to touch of high altitude but our itinerary is designed to offer the best enjoyable time on these lovely walks in the harmony of local immense Sherpa culture and superb views of high snow mountains.

The adventure takes you on high and scenic Gokyo Valley, at one time a large summer pasture for yaks and other animals where you can still witness yaks and domestic cattle grazing around meadows.

On this wonderful trek, trekkers can have the opportunity to catch views of world four highest peaks at one single look from the highest hilltop of the adventure overlooking from Gokyo-Ri at above 5,357 m facing Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu with Mt. Makalu in the east direction with an array of peaks.

Truly a mesmerizing journey on one of the best picturesque countries around Himalaya destinations, besides amazing scenery of mountains and beautiful landscapes walking into nice traditional Sherpa villages is equally exciting.

The walk starts with a scenic panoramic flight to land at a busy town in Lukla, where the airport named after late Tenzing and Hillary the first conquer of Mt. Everest, as trek progress heading towards high Namche Bazaar, the capital of Khumbu Sherpa.

At Namche, with pleasant stay enjoying rest day and scenic hike around, is an interesting place where once a week on Saturday colorful and busy market takes place a great bazaar to observe the native in their colorful custom.

From Namche Bazaar, our route diverts from the main trail heading towards straight north to reach our destination at Gokyo valley, as the walk takes you much higher within a cool shade of alpine woods with tremendous views of mountains, then slowly green vegetation fades as walk reaches spectacular Gokyo.

At Gokyo valley with ample time to enjoy the hike and climb to Gokyo-Ri for an awesome panorama of world tallest peaks and Gokyo valley with its calm glacial lakes. From Gokyo, after a great experience enjoying marvelous scenery, head back to Lukla last overnight around the Everest region.

Next early morning,board in a smaller aircraft for short sweeping flight to land at Kathmandu after a most remarkable adventure on Gokyo Valley Trekking.

Short Outline Itinerary:

Day 01:      Main arrival in Kathmandu 1,320 m via various airlines.

Day 02:      In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour and trek preparation.

Day 03:      Fly to Lukla 2,820 m, trek to Phakding 2,652 m - 04 hrs.

Day 04:      Trek to Namche Bazaar 3, 440 m - 06 hrs.

Day 05:      Rest Day at Namche Bazaar.

Day 06:      Trek to Dole 4,100 m - 06 hrs.

Day 07:      Trek to Machhermo 4,470 m - 04 hrs.

Day 08:      Trek to Gokyo Lake 4,800 m - 04 hrs.

Day 09:      At Gokyo climb of Gokyo-Ri with afternoon free to enjoy walk and views.

Day 10:      Trek to Dole - 06 hrs.

Day 11:      Trek to Namche Bazaar - 06 hrs.

Day 12:      Trek to Lukla -06 hrs walks.

Day 13:      Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.

Day 14:      Spare and contingency day in Kathmandu.

Day 15:      International departure to respective countries homeward bound.

Trip Extension in Kathmandu:

While in Kathmandu, with more time can extend for other adventure sports activities rafting, mountain biking, Paragliding or just relax and enjoy with individual activities or with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.

Important Information flying to Lukla and back to Kathmandu:

At present most flight to Lukla and back operates from Manthali a small town with an airstrip located in the district of Ramechhap;Kathmandu domestic airport been changed by Nepal Government Civil Aviation Authority.

The changes started from April and October 2019 onward, flights to Lukla resumes from Manthali town airport which is the main headquarter of Ramechhap district Province No: 03 of Nepal.

The drive from Kathmandu to reach Manthali airstrip takes approx.: 5 hrs. which is about 154 k.m. approx. 500 miles distance from the capital Kathmandu. The drive takes you on B.P. Highway (a newly built tarmac road).