Gokyo Lake Trek
The less trodden magnificent trek to Gokyo Lakes provides the best alternative to the popular Everest Base Camp trek. Enjoying the sherpa hospitality, we ascend the Dudh Koshi valley through rhododendron and conifer forest to the yak herders settlement Gokyo Lakes and then Gokyo Ri (5360 meters).
Here one can enjoy the superb views at four of the World's highest mountains, the huge glacier, beautiful lakes among the snow capped mountains. After exploring the famous Thyangboche Monastery and Traditional Sherpa village of Khumjung, we fly out from Lukla to Kathmandu.
This specially designed Everest Base Camp hiking and trekking tour in Nepal Himalayas is a combined effort of a team of certified mountaineers and travel agents in India and Nepal aiming at making travel economical and affordably cheap for the budget trekker walking in Nepal as well as maintaining quality at par with the world-class standards. We feel our job as tour operators and trek guides, is to design treks giving our customers a memorable experience in trekking adventure.
Itinerary (Gokyo Lake Trek):
Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding - Namche Bazzar - Khumjung - Tengboche - Dingboche - Lobuche - Tengbuche - Monjo - Lukla - Kathmandu
Grade: Moderate
Time: March - May, October - December
Duration: 17 days
Average Walking time: 5-6 hours per day
Day 1 (Kathmandu, Nepal):
Arrive Kathmandu. Gokyo Lake Trek begins. Meet Gypsy Feet Representative. Transfer to Hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindi temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time also to explore the city's many charms on your own. We will serve you a welcome delicious traditional Nepali dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 2 (Kathmandu City Tour):
On second day of Gokyo Lake Trek, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then process to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 3 (Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding):
Gokyo Lake Trek continues. This morning we will be transferred from your hotel to Kathmandu Airport for our domestic flight to Lukla. The flight itself is awe-inspiring as we fly parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and Tibetan China. Flying time to Lukla is approximately 40 minutes. Upon arrival in Lukla, we will be met by our local guides and porters. There will be time to explore the village whilst the Sherpa crew sort and load equipment. Lukla lies at an altitude of 2850m ("luk la" = place of sheep). From Lukla we descend on a wide trail northwest to the village of Choblung in the Dudh Kosi Valley. The valley radiates energy through beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. The walking is easy and we follow the river's course, passing through the village of Ghat. Our destination is the small village of Phakding where accommodation is provided in the form of Tea House Lodges.
Day 4 (Phakding - Namche Bazzar):
On Day 4 of Gokyo Lake Trek we head up valley on a busy trail: porters from the lower Solu district in the south ferrying supplies to Namche, Sherpas with their Zopkio (half yak, half cow) taking trekking or climbing expedition equipment to the higher valleys. Continue along beside the Dudh Kosi amongst beautiful alpine scenery, through the fragrant blue pine and fir forest, glimpsing spectacular views of Kusum Kangru (6369m) and Thanserku (6608m) along the way. We again cross the Dudh Kosi, to the western bank at Jorsale prior to trekking through the entrance to the Sagamartha National Park. Continuing upstream along the banks to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi, it is here we begin our first sustained ascent to Namche Bazar after crossing the large suspension bridge. Walking at a slow pace, we have fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8511m), Nuptse (7879m), Arna Dablam (6856m) and Taweche (6542m) come into view for the first time. Climbing again, the path takes us through pine trees to reach the distinctive horse-shoe shaped bowl containing the village of Namche Bazar. Stay in the heart of the village. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 5 (Acclimatize day in Namche Bazaar):
Gokyo Lake Trek continues with a full day at rest to acclimatize. As the name suggest, Namche is famous for its local market or bazaar. Each week, Sherpas from the surrounding villages come to buy food and to socialize. Any food not grown locally, such as rice, corn and some vegetables is brought in from the lowland village, which can be up to a 6-10 day walk from Namche Bazar. Rising early, those who climb to the ridge above Namche will be rewarded with the stunning dawn and sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu peaks. Spend the morning exploring this colourful and lovely spectacle. Perhaps walk along the Thami Valley in the afternoon or visit the National Park Headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture, mountaineering in the park, flora and fauna.
Day 6 (Namche Bazzar - Khumjung):
On day 6 of Gokyo Lake Trek, breakfast is served in your Tea House Lodge. From Namche, we trek out of the village bowl and follow a small trail high above the Dudh Kosi River, where the views are incredible; behind to the west, the ridge of Nupla and Kwangde Himal (6194m); across the valley to the south, the towering ice-fluted walls of Thamserku (6623m), and to the east at the head of the valley, the Lhotse and Nuptse wall, towering a full three and a half thousand metres above the valley at Dingboche. Everest looms above the ridge, a black, triangular rock; Sagarmatha, "Goddess Mother of Earth", is a truly magnificent sight. On a small ridge across the valley, the monastery of Thyangboche can be seen, a small speck against the gigantic mountain background. We descend to Khumjung, and after staying in the more westernized town of Namche Bazar, these villages make a welcome change. Here tourism has hardly changed the life of the Sherpas. It is possible to take the opportunity to sample the Sherpa speciality, Riki Kur - a type of potato fritter enriched with yak butter. The afternoon has been left free to assist with further acclimatization. Stay overnight in Khunjung.
Day 7 Khumjung - Phortse Thanghka):
In the morning, we descend to the west of the village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Kosi River. The Gokyo route is turn north, climbing above the more frequented route to Tengboche and Everest Base Camp. Here's choice of routes in the beginning: the yak trails which climbs gently or the steep staircase-like trail made of rocks embedded in a narrow cleft in a large bounder, the two trails soon join and continue towards a large Chorten on the top of the ridge at 3973 metres. This ridge descends from Khumbila 5716m), abode the patron god of the Khumbu. From the ridge, the trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Koshi and we'll be spending overnight in Phortse Thanghka.
Day 8 (Phortse Thanghka - Dole):
On day 8 of Gokyo Lake Trek, we start our journey to Dole. The trails climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests which give way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. This trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons are blooming. The trail passes many kharkas, summer settlements used when Sherpas bring herds of yaks to graze in these high pastures. The route passes through the settlement s of Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) to Dole where there're few Hotels. The views of Khumbila and Twachee (6542m) are tremendous throughout the day, and it is possible to climb a ridge behind Dole for an even broader view up and down the valley. Stay overnight in Dole.
Day 9 (Dole - Machhermo):
Gokyo Lake Trek continues. From Dole the trail climbs to Lambara at 4220m and Luza at 4360m. The tails is steep in most places as it climbs through scrub junipers. There're kharkas whenever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. People from Khumjung own all the kharkas on this side of valley. The trails continue to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to Machhermo at 4410 meters. It was in Machhermo in 1974 that YETI killed three yaks and attached a Sherpa woman. This is the most credit yeti incident ever reported, so be watchful as you visit this reason. Stay overnight in Machermo.
Day 10 (Machhermo - Gokyo):
The trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kantega and up towards Cho Oyu (8153m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at 4390m then descends to the river bank before beginning of climb on to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. It's a steep climb up the moraine, switch backing alongside the stream to the first small lake at 4650m, where a family of green brainy ducks resides. The trail now becomes almost level at 4690m and finally Gokyo at 4750m. Stay overnight in Gokyo.
Day 11(Gokyo):
After breakfast, we trek around Gokyo Ri, the views in the Gokyo region are tremendous. For the best view, climb to Gokyo Ri, the small peak above the lake. This peaks of 5318m, it's a 2 hours climb to the top of the peak, providing a panoramic view of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Twachee. Those with more time and energy can make a trip up the valley to another lake marked with the name Ngozumpa on the maps or even beyond to a fifth lake. There're several small peaks in this region that offer vantage points for the surrounding peaks. Stay overnight in Gokyo.
Day 12 (Gokyo - Dole):
Gokyo Lake Trek continues with breakfast served in the morning and followed by a similar trail back to Dole. Stay overnight in Dole.
Day 13 (Dole - Namche Bazzar):
Follow a similar trail through a forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Shanasa. After lunch at Shanasa you make you way back to Namche Bazar. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 14 (Namche Bazzar - Phakding):
On day 14 of Gokyo Lake Trek, we steeply descend passing the Bhote Kosil, crossing the river, follow the bank to Jorsale, then to Monjo for overnight. Stay overnight in Monjo.
Day 15 (Phakding - Lukla):
After breakfast, you will depart from Phakding and continue your descent along the Dudh Kosi, before making a final ascent to reach the Lukla plateau by afternoon. On arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax and celebrate the completion of your trek. Stay overnight in Lukla.
Day 16 (Lukla - Kathmandu):
This morning you will be transferred to Lukla Airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met and conveyed to the Hotel. The remainder of the day has been left free. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 17 (Kathmandu, Nepal):
Sightseeing Nepal depending on the flight schedule for onward journey. Depart Kathmandu. Transfer to airport for flight to onwards journey. Everest Base Camp Trek concludes.
