Gokyo Valley Trek

Gokyo Valley trek offers sights of the incredible mountain scenery and visions into Sherpa lifestyle and culture as well as the enthralling panoramas of Everest and surrounding mountains. Gokyo Ri will be our highpoint, with remarkable views of the HimalayasThe amazing Gokyo Valley has everything you could want from a high mountain trek. Walking through deep ravines and alpine valleys to wonderful lakes underneath Chu Oyu and getting outstanding views from passes and trekking peaks is worthwhile.

The unlimited views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu are visible from this site. During the journey you can sight many other great mountains, flora and fauna, village landscape and lush green forests.  This Himalayan landscape is inhabited by the renowned high mountain people named the Sherpa succeeding a regular way of life. The expedition will offer a chance to observe the land of the Sherpa and visit imperial Buddhist monasteries. Rare sightings of rare wildlife comprise the Himalayan Thar, snow leopard, snow cocks, pheasant and legendary yeti is somewhere in the Khumbu,some people even claimed. Stunning scenery all around is the absolute heart of the Himalayas, with many variations.

Hiking around Gokyo Valley is taken as a traditional trek that offers splendid views of the mountain peaks and the Ngozumpa Glacier- the biggest in the Nepal Himalayas. The image of this section is linked with the rising views of the most well-known mountains in Nepal, at an elevation of 8000m such as Cho Oyu, Everest, Makalu and Lhotse which are obviously noticeable from Gokyo Ri above Gokyo Lake. The most amazing features is the view of the marvelous ice ridge between Cho Oyu and Gyachung) sited in Khumbu region. Gokyo valley trek is not only famous for Mountain View; it is celebrated route for flower and fauna as well. Especially in spring season, Gokyo valley will bloom the voluminous species flower with green valley.For flower lover trekker’s Gokyo valley trek is best trekking route. From our experience we offer trekking in this route in September – December for mountain views lover & February – July flower lover.

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1,345 m).

Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu and s/he will be displaying signboard outside the airport terminal. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle.

Day 2: Pre-trip Meeting and Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.

After a hearty breakfast, at 8.30 am your sightseeing trip will start. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal. Today we will visit some heritages listed below:

Pashupatinath: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River.Though you are not allowed to go inside the temple as it is strictly for Hindus only, you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River.It is a square two tiered pagoda temple built on a single tier pinth which is famous all over the world.

Boudhanath: Boudhananath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.It was built in 5th century with four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings.You will find Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Royal Residential Quarter of Bhupatindra Malla, famous five-storied temple of Nyatapola in Pagoda style Batsala temple, Bhairavnath temple, Duttatraya temple, Pujari Muth and Palace of 55 windows.

The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area near your hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Lukla (2,804 m) - 35 mins. Trek to Phakding (2,610 m) - 3 hrs

An early morning start takes us to the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu for the 35-minute scenic flight to Tenzing and Hillary Airport at Lukla (2,804 m). On arrival at the airport guide will brief you and introduce your porters before we begin our trek towards Phakding.

After landing we have time to explore the village while our Sherpa crew sort and load our trekking equipment. Then we begin our trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunrikharka (2,713 m). The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat (2,550 m) it is a short walk to Phakding.

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m) - 5.5 hrs

We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing the majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering the Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar (considered the Gateway to Everest) is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange services, internet cafes and bakeries. Namche is the biggest town along the Everest trail.

Day 5: Namche Bazaar acclimatization day

We spend a day in Namche Bazaar in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning air. We will trek a short distance to a museum that is celebrated for its exhibits of the traditional customs of the Sherpa people. We also hike up the Syangboche Airport near the Everest View Hotel. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas with a stunning sunrise and sunset over the panorama of Khumbu peaks.

Day 6: Trek to Phorste Thanga (3,680 m) - 5 hrs

The trail climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forest, juniper and large conifers start to appear as the elevation increases making the trekking very pristine in springtime. The trail passes through Yak Kharkas and summer settlements. The views of Khumbi La and Tawache are magnificent throughout the day.

Day 7: Trek to Machherma (4,470 m) - 5 hrs

We climb a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kengtega and up towards Cho Oyu and descend to a river and again climbs steep to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpz glacier. We will reach Machherma by early noon.

Day 8: Trek to Gokyo (4,790 m) - 5.5 hrs

The trek today takes us at one of our main destinations, Gokyo (4,790m). We will make this camp our base for 2 nights as we will have couple of sightseeing and hiking trips around Gokyo.

Day 9: Trek to Gokyo Ri (5,483 m) and back to Gokyo - 5 hrs

Early in the morning, we have a steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri at an elevation of 5,483m. There are ample rewards for those who attempt this trip – you get stunning views of the super Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, including the giants Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Gychung Kang.

Day 10: Trek to Dole (4,200 m ) - 6 hrs

Following the trail, we make our descent to Dole.

Day 11: Trek to Namche Bazaar via Khumjung village (3,780 m) - 5 hrs

We continue walking through a typical Sherpa village of Khumjung, leaving the mountains behind us as we descend back to Namche Bazaar.

Day 12: Trek to Lukla (2,804 m) - 6 hrs

Finally, we return to Lukla where we started our trek, which might seem like a lifetime ago. We’ll spend some time enjoying and reflecting on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. We also have some spare time to explore the town some more.

Day 13: Morning flight back to Kathmandu

On your flight back to Kathmandu as you leave Lukla, you can enjoy some last-minute glimpses of the mountains you just recently visited. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our airport representative will transfer you to your hotel from the airport.

Day 14: Leisure day and farewell dinner in Kathmandu

This will be a spare day in Kathmandu after the tiring trekking program. You have the option to extend your trip to continue onto Chitwan jungle safari, rafting adventure, Kathmandu valley shopping tour, scenic Everest flight, mountain biking and other activities. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. (Your guide(s) and an office staff will accompany you).

Day 15: Transfer for your final flight departure

The trip concludes – our airport representative will drop you to Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.