Gokyo Lake Trek

Gokyo Lake Trek Overview

The Gokyo Lake Trek begins from Lukla after taking an exciting mountain flight to Lukla. We will follow the classic Everest Base Camp Route from Lukla via the beautiful Sherpa villages of Phakding, Monju, and Namche Bazaar. From Namche, we still follow the main trail until Sanasa and the trail to Gokyo Valley follows the Dudh Koshi River to its source, Ngozumpa Glacier, towards the beautiful hamlet of Gokyo Valley with lakes. Ngojumpa is the longest glacier in Nepal's Himalayas; you will have an amazing view of it from Gokyo Ri, also known as Gokyo Trekking Peak.

Gokyo Ri is a trekking peak in the Khumbu region situated above Gokyo Valley on the west side of the Ngozumpa glacier. Normally it takes about 2 hours to hike up from Gokyo Lake, depending on your fitness and stamina. From Gokyo Ri, it is possible to see four 8,000-meter peaks: Mt. Everest (8848 m), Makalu (8463 m), Lhotse (8516 m), and Cho Oyo (8201 m), with many other small snow-capped peaks. We will have a chance to see and enjoy turquoise, enticing blue high-altitude lakes around Gokyo Valley in the area, which is considered to be holy.

The Gokyo Lake Trek, also known as Gokyo Valley or Gokyo Ri Trek, is a fairly popular trekking trail. The route itself ends at Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake Fifth, and trekkers typically turn around at this point and retrace their steps back to the trailhead. Two alternative trekking routes begin near the southern tip of Ngozumpa Glacier. This alternative route leads east over the Cho La, a pass at 5,420 m (17,782 ft), to meet with the main Everest Base Camp trek route. Many people combine the Gokyo Lake trek with Everest Base Camp

There are many optional excursions to extend the exploration and high-altitude walking; you could add the days by including the crossing of Renjo La Pass, a 5417 m (17,782 ft) high pass that goes to Thame Village and then Namche Bazaar, and trekking through Chola Pass (5420 m) on the east links you to the Everest Base Camp Trek route.

Key Attractions of the Gokyo Lake Trek: 

• Terrifically excellent Mountain View from Gokyo Ri (5357 m) 
• Four of eight eight-thousanders, including Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8510 m), Mt. Makalu (8463 m), and Cho Yu (8153 m).
• Pumori, Amadablam, and several other peaks.
• Unobstructed view of sunrise and sunset from the top.
• Turquoise Mountain Gokyo Lakes, Peaceful tranquil Gokyo Valley with Nepal's longest glacier view of Ngojumpa.  

Lukla Flight Change: Lukla flights are always diverted from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap during high trekking seasons (spring and autumn). This reduces air traffic congestion at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. From Manthali, it's a 130-kilometer drive that takes 4 hours from Kathmandu, followed by a shorter flight to Lukla. This diversion ensures smoother operations and fewer delays for trekkers heading to Everest Base Camp. This diversion caused a change of trekking itinerary and required trekkers to leave very early (2 to 3 AM) to catch a morning to Lukla. We suggest visitors allow an extra day to stay overnight at Manthali to avoid this hassle.