Gokyo Lake Trekking

Everest Gokyo Trekking is less visited by trekkers in comparison to the trekking route of Everest Base Camp. This trek provides some tremendous high-altitude trekking and a visit to the second-largest glacier in the World.

From the top of Gokyo Ri, there are some spectacular mountain views including Everest. Trekking among the highest mountains of the world, you will feel like walking in the heaven of the world.

If you are interested in the eye-catching scenery of the gorgeous Everest region rather than a tiring walk to Base Camp then the Gokyo trekking route is the right trekking package for you.

Gokyo Lake trekking is ideal for those who like to walk in the Everest region without the physical stress of reaching the base camp of Everest or crossing high passes in the vicinity. It is instead for travelers who wish to try something new in the Everest region.

Being a fairly popular trekking route, the trekkers can enjoy being at a higher altitude and visit the second-largest glacier in the World. This trek is a total mountain adventure journey to the roof of the world, with opportunities for outstanding photography, and many chaotic encounters of typical culture in highlands.

On the way you can experience the unique Sherpa cultures, and hospitalities, visit ancient monasteries, and learn about Buddhism and its impact on Sherpa life are the memorable and unforgettable experiences you will get while traveling this region. You will also be amazed by the stunning views of snow-capped mountains while trekking around this trail.

It offers excellent and rewarding views of Mount Everest in the adjacent range including lovely valleys, lush rivers, and friendly people in quaint villages. From Gokyo village, you can see clearly Mount Everest from a slightly greater distance. The views in the Gokyo region are tremendous. During this trip, you will observe the romantic villages of stone houses and walled pastures on the shores of Gokyo Lake. It offers you the chance to observe the local people's way of life and also you may encounter yaks.

While trekking to Gokyo Lake you will be astounded by the ice ridge between Cho Oyu and Gyanchungkang located in the Khumbu region. Gokyo Lake trekking provides panoramic views of Cho Oyu, Gyanchungkang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Chola Tse, and Tawachee. This trek features the unbelievable scenery of the remote Gokyo Valley and its festival of beautiful turquoise lakes, moonscape-like glaciers, and stunning mountain vistas that include Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu – four of the eight highest peaks on Earth. The 360-degree view from Gokyo Ridge is the best in the Khumbu.

This trek begins at the mountain airstrip at Lukla one one-hour flight from Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Lukla, you will meet all the trekking crew and carry out your trekking to Phakding. The trek features a wide range of spectacular mountain scenery combined with unique cultural encounters with the Sherpa people and the highest Buddhist monastery in the world.

The beginning of this trek is the same as trekking to Everest Base Camp. On the way, we’ll stay two nights in the village of Namche Bazaar to acclimatize. Then we’ll head up the valley leaving the usual Everest trail and following the rivers run off from the Ngozumpa glacier.

After two days we will reach Machhermo from where our next stop will be the Gokyo Valley. The route itself ends at Gokyo Ri, and trekkers typically turn around at this point and retrace their steps back to the trailhead. Your arrival into this high mountain valley called Gokyo is welcomed by a string of cobalt blue lakes that continue for the 3-hour hike to Gokyo Village, which sits at the foot of Gokyo Ri (18,300 ft) a huge black mound of rock and dirt.

The next morning, you’re invited to take the 3-hour hike to the summit of this black, rocky mound to witness the 360-degree Himalayan view offered only from this vantage point. The Himalayas stand like giants guarding the border into Tibet. While the Everest base camp trek is more renowned, the Gokyo Lake trek is a better destination if you are after mountains and alpine scenery.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best months for this trip. Although this trip can be taken during winter, the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone.