- Length
- 12 days
- Highest point
- 5,357 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Starts
- Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)
- Group size
- 2–12 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House
<p>Gokyo Ri and its emerald glacial lakes offer some of the finest panoramic views in the Himalayas — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu all visible from a single summit.</p>
- Gokyo Lakes — five sacred turquoise glacial lakes at 4,700–5,000 m
- Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) — widely rated the finest Everest panorama in the Khumbu
- Ngozumpa Glacier — Nepal's longest glacier at 36 km
- Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu all visible from Gokyo Ri
- Renjo La Pass option (5,360 m) — high-pass crossing to Thame valley
- Peaceful Gokyo village — far fewer trekkers than the EBC route
- Pre-acclimatisation day at Machermo (4,470 m) before the high-altitude ascent
- Namche Bazaar Sherpa capital with Saturday market and mountain museum
The climb, day by day
Day 1Arrive Kathmandu (1,400 m)1,400 m
Welcome to Nepal. Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. Evening briefing with your guide — review itinerary, gear check, and permit paperwork. Welcome dinner in Kathmandu.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 2Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m) · Trek to Phakding (2,610 m)2,610 m
Morning flight to Lukla through stunning Himalayan scenery. Begin trekking south along the Dudh Koshi river through Sherpa villages and pine forest to Phakding.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge and enter Sagarmatha National Park. A 600 m steep climb brings you to the lively Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar, buzzing with trekkers and yak caravans.
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Namche Bazaar — Acclimatisation Day3,440 m
Essential rest day to prevent altitude sickness. Morning hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,962 m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Afternoon explore the Sherpa museum and market.
- Distance
- 4 km
- Walking
- 3 hours hike
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Namche Bazaar to Dole (4,200 m)4,200 m
Branch off the EBC route and head northwest up the Gokyo valley. The trail climbs through forest and high pastures to Dole — first views of Cho Oyu begin to emerge over the ridgeline.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Dole to Machhermo (4,470 m)4,470 m
Continue up the glacially carved valley past seasonal yak herder camps. Machhermo sits on a wide moraine shelf with commanding views of Cho Oyu (8,188 m) and the upper Gokyo valley.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Machhermo to Gokyo (4,790 m)4,790 m
Approach the sacred Gokyo Lakes — a series of turquoise glacial lakes beneath the enormous Ngozumpa Glacier. Arrive at Gokyo village on the shore of the third lake, the largest in the chain.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) · Explore the Lakes4,790 m
Pre-dawn ascent of Gokyo Ri for an extraordinary sunrise panorama featuring Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu — four of the world six highest peaks. Afternoon free to explore the nearby lakes and glacial viewpoints.
- Distance
- 7 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Gokyo to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Long descent back down the valley through Machhermo, Dole, and Phortse Thanga to Namche Bazaar. Enjoy the rapidly descending altitude and thickening air as forest returns.
- Distance
- 22 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 10Gokyo — Rest Day at Gokyo (4,790 m)4,790 m
Rest and explore around Gokyo — walk to the fourth lake or simply rest and absorb the incredible high-altitude scenery. This buffer day also allows for weather flexibility on Gokyo Ri.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Rest Day
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 11Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,860 m)2,860 m
Final trekking day. Descend through Jorsalle and Phakding along the Dudh Koshi to Lukla. Farewell dinner with your team at a Lukla restaurant.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 12Fly Lukla to Kathmandu · Departure1,400 m
Morning flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel or international airport. Your Gokyo Valley and Lakes trek concludes — a journey through one of Nepal most pristine high-altitude regions.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Flight
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
The price includes
- Government-certified English-speaking senior trek guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers; 18 kg max)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu round-trip flights (scheduled)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Altitude illness kit and pulse oximeter
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
- Meals not listed in daily itinerary
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Tips for guides and porters
- Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure
The Gokyo Valley & Lakes Trek takes you into the heart of the Khumbu region via a less-crowded route than the classic Everest Base Camp trail. You’ll pass through the world’s largest glacier — the Ngozumpa — and reach the turquoise Gokyo Lakes at 4,700m before summiting Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for a 360° panorama of four 8,000m peaks.
Highlights
- Gokyo Ri summit: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu & Cho Oyu in one frame
- Five sacred Gokyo Lakes (4,700–5,000m)
- Ngozumpa Glacier — longest glacier in Nepal
- Namche Bazaar Saturday market
- Tengboche Monastery with Ama Dablam backdrop
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Fly Kathmandu–Lukla, trek to Phakding. Day 2: Namche Bazaar (3,440m). Day 3: Acclimatisation day in Namche. Day 4: Dole (4,200m). Day 5: Machhermo (4,470m). Day 6: Gokyo (4,790m). Day 7: Gokyo Ri summit (5,357m). Day 8: Descend via Dole. Day 9: Back to Namche. Day 10: Lukla. Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu. Day 12: Departure.