Overview

The Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake trek takes us to the beautiful pristine lakes of Gokyo. Located at 5000m, they are some of the highest lakes in the world. Besides that, the route offers spectacular views of some of the mountain ranges of the Himalayas.

Itinerary

Kathmandu to Phakding (2610 m)

Weather permitting, we will take the morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The 20 minutes flight gives you a scenic view of the mountains. While your luggage is being sorted out, feel free to explore the village on your own. Start of the trek takes you on a scenic walk alongside the Dudh Kosi River (River of Milk), through trails lined with Buddhist prayer flags, prayer wheels. Exchange greetings with other trekking teams along the way to the Sherpa village of Phakding.
Phakding to Namche (3340 m)

The route to Namche bazaar leads us through blue pine and rhododendron. Stop at Monjo (2835 m), Sagarmatha National Park, the first point of the trek. The trail further leads to the confluence of two rivers, Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi. Cross over a series of suspension bridges (Jhulunge pul) before arriving at Namche. Enjoy your first sight of Everest. Lhotse, Nuptse, and Taweche (6542m) too can be seen on the horizon.
Acclimatize at Namche

To acclimatize, hike on the route from the Cultural Museum to the airstrip at Syanboche. Drop by the museum to view the collection of Sherpa traditional artifacts. The hike to Syangboche airstrip is steep climb but the views of Everest and Ama Dablam, one of the world's most photographed mountains more than makes up for it.
Namche to Dole (4038 m)

The route from Namche bazaar is steep up until Kyanjuma Village. While you travel, you will be greeted by spectacular views of Thamserku, Ama Dablam and others. We will stop at Mong La before continuing on the trail. Keep a lookout for interesting wildlife. Overnight at Dole.
Dole to Machhermo (4470 m)

Continuing on the trail that leads to Machhermo from Dole. The route is very scenic with views of mountains like Cho Oyo, Thamserku etc. Machhermo is our overnight destination, one of the last settlements on the trail that leads to the lake.
Acclimatize at Machhermo

We will explore the small routes around Macchermo. Feel free to explore the village on your own. The more you hike around the village, the better prepared you will be for the longer hike the next day.
Machhermo to Gokyo(4750 m) (Hike to Gokyo Ri 5357m for sunset)

As you leave behind the village of Macchermo and head out Gokyo, you will be greeted by your first view of mt. Cho-Oyo. Along the way, we will pass the hamlet of Pangka and come across a few lakes. Continuing on the trail, we reach Gokyo. A short rest at the lodge and we will hike to Gokyo Ri to watch the sunset.
Explore Gokyo

Today we will hike to the fourth and fifth Gokyo Lake, a few km away from the north of Gokyo. A short climb atop a hill ( also known as scoundrel viewpoint), next to the lake provides an excellent view of Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu. From here Ngazumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in the world is also visible.
Gokyo to Dole (4038 m)

Most of the trail today is downhill. Descending down the trail along the Dudh Koshi, we'll pass the first of the Gokyo Lake. Along the way, you'll get to see the peaks of Cholatse and Taboche. The trail to the village of Dole further descends downwards, passing through the villages of Macchermo, Luza and Lhafarma.
Dole to Namche (3440 m)

While we descend towards Namche keep a lookout for pheasants and other wildlife. Along the way, you will see the peaks of Taboche, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtega mountains. Before we reach Namche, look back to admire the peaks of Everest one last time.
Namche to Lukla (2860 m)

Explore the village of Namche, finish up on last minute souvenir shopping. After bidding farewell to the peaks of Everest, we will start our trek towards Lukla in the late morning. As soon as we cross the suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River, we reach lower altitudes again. The hike to Lukla through Monjo, Benkar, Phakding is very pleasant. The evening calls for celebratory dinner.
Lukla to Kathmandu

Weather permitting we fly back in the morning. At Kathmandu, you can spend your time at leisure.

Kathmandu to Phakding (2610 m)

Weather permitting, we will take the morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The 20 minutes flight gives you a scenic view of the mountains. While your luggage is being sorted out, feel free to explore the village on your own. Start of the trek takes you on a scenic walk alongside the Dudh Kosi River (River of Milk), through trails lined with Buddhist prayer flags, prayer wheels. Exchange greetings with other trekking teams along the way to the Sherpa village of Phakding.
Phakding to Namche (3340 m)

The route to Namche bazaar leads us through blue pine and rhododendron. Stop at Monjo (2835 m), Sagarmatha National Park, the first point of the trek. The trail further leads to the confluence of two rivers, Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi. Cross over a series of suspension bridges (Jhulunge pul) before arriving at Namche. Enjoy your first sight of Everest. Lhotse, Nuptse, and Taweche (6542m) too can be seen on the horizon.
Acclimatize at Namche

To acclimatize, hike on the route from the Cultural Museum to the airstrip at Syanboche. Drop by the museum to view the collection of Sherpa traditional artifacts. The hike to Syangboche airstrip is steep climb but the views of Everest and Ama Dablam, one of the world's most photographed mountains more than makes up for it.
Namche to Dole (4038 m)

The route from Namche bazaar is steep up until Kyanjuma Village. While you travel, you will be greeted by spectacular views of Thamserku, Ama Dablam and others. We will stop at Mong La before continuing on the trail. Keep a lookout for interesting wildlife. Overnight at Dole.
Dole to Machhermo (4470 m)

Continuing on the trail that leads to Machhermo from Dole. The route is very scenic with views of mountains like Cho Oyo, Thamserku etc. Machhermo is our overnight destination, one of the last settlements on the trail that leads to the lake.
Acclimatize at Machhermo

We will explore the small routes around Macchermo. Feel free to explore the village on your own. The more you hike around the village, the better prepared you will be for the longer hike the next day.
Machhermo to Gokyo(4750 m) (Hike to Gokyo Ri 5357m for sunset)

As you leave behind the village of Macchermo and head out Gokyo, you will be greeted by your first view of mt. Cho-Oyo. Along the way, we will pass the hamlet of Pangka and come across a few lakes. Continuing on the trail, we reach Gokyo. A short rest at the lodge and we will hike to Gokyo Ri to watch the sunset.
Explore Gokyo

Today we will hike to the fourth and fifth Gokyo Lake, a few km away from the north of Gokyo. A short climb atop a hill ( also known as scoundrel viewpoint), next to the lake provides an excellent view of Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu. From here Ngazumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in the world is also visible.
Gokyo to Dole (4038 m)

Most of the trail today is downhill. Descending down the trail along the Dudh Koshi, we'll pass the first of the Gokyo Lake. Along the way, you'll get to see the peaks of Cholatse and Taboche. The trail to the village of Dole further descends downwards, passing through the villages of Macchermo, Luza and Lhafarma.
Dole to Namche (3440 m)

While we descend towards Namche keep a lookout for pheasants and other wildlife. Along the way, you will see the peaks of Taboche, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtega mountains. Before we reach Namche, look back to admire the peaks of Everest one last time.
Namche to Lukla (2860 m)

Explore the village of Namche, finish up on last minute souvenir shopping. After bidding farewell to the peaks of Everest, we will start our trek towards Lukla in the late morning. As soon as we cross the suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River, we reach lower altitudes again. The hike to Lukla through Monjo, Benkar, Phakding is very pleasant. The evening calls for celebratory dinner.
Lukla to Kathmandu

Weather permitting we fly back in the morning. At Kathmandu, you can spend your time at leisure.

Gokyo Lake Trek

Kathmandu to Phakding (2610 m)

Phakding to Namche (3340 m)

Acclimatize at Namche

Namche to Dole (4038 m)

Dole to Machhermo (4470 m)

Acclimatize at Machhermo

Machhermo to Gokyo(4750 m) (Hike to Gokyo Ri 5357m for sunset)

Explore Gokyo

Gokyo to Dole (4038 m)

Dole to Namche (3440 m)

Namche to Lukla (2860 m)

Lukla to Kathmandu