Gokyo Valley Trek

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative and guide will welcome you. They will assist with your transfer to the hotel. After a short drive into the heart of Kathmandu, check into your room and take some time to rest and refresh.

Later, join the trek briefing, where your guide and trek leader will provide important information. It will be about the itinerary, trekking conditions, accommodation, meals, and other practical details for the journey ahead.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant. You can experience local cuisine and hospitality.

Enjoy a free day in Kathmandu before beginning the Gokyo Valley Trek. You may choose to take an optional short sightseeing tour of some of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore the cultural and historical highlights of Kathmandu.

The rest of the day is free for final preparations for the Gokyo Valley Trek. Preparing your bagpack and checking your trekking equipment and making any necessary arrangements before departure.

The time for the flight to Lukla in the morning is from 6 to 7 a.m. and gets transferred to Kathmandu domestic airport. After boarding in a small aircraft enjoy grand views of the Himalayas with Mt. Everest.

After landing at Lukla’s Tenzing Hillary Airport, our guide will organize the porters to carry the bigger baggage. Start the walk heading downhill through several Sherpa villages, adorned with impressive cultures of Buddhism. The short nice walk of a few hours reaches you at Phakding for an overnight stop, located by the Dudh Koshi River.

After an overnight stay in Phakding, the trek continues toward the famous Namche Bazaar. It is the main trading and trekking hub of the Khumbu region.

After breakfast, the trail follows a gradual and winding path with a mix of gentle ups and downs. You will then cross a long suspension bridge to reach Monjo, where you enter Sagarmatha National Park. The trail continues across another bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. Then reaching Jorsalle, the last village before Namche Bazaar and a common stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, the trail follows the river through a forest of rhododendron and pine trees. Here you will be crossing the final suspension bridge. From here, the trail climbs steadily along a winding path toward Namche Bazaar. After several hours of ascent, you arrive at Namche Bazaar, where you spend the night at a local lodge and enjoy dinner.

Namche Bazaar is an important stop before continuing toward the higher elevations of the Gokyo Valley. The day provides an opportunity to explore the town. You will take a short hike while allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.

Namche Bazaar is the main trading and trekking hub of the Khumbu region. It is core village with shops, cafés, restaurants, banks, and other essential services. A short hike and you will reach Sagarmatha National Park Museum. There you can learn more about the region, its people, culture, and mountain environment.

From the ridge near the museum, you can enjoy views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, and other Himalayan peaks. But it will depend on weather and visibility.

Another option is to hike toward the Everest View Hotel and continue toward the villages of Khumjung and Khunde. They are situated in a scenic valley surrounded by mountains. After the hike, return to Namche Bazaar and spend the afternoon at leisure. It will be the last rest before continuing toward the higher elevations of the Gokyo Valley.

From Namche Bazaar, the trail follows a scenic and winding path. The views of Mount Everest, Kwangde, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam along the way. After leaving the main trail, the route climbs for about an hour toward Mong La. A scenic ridge offering views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam.

From Mong La, the trail descends toward Phortse Tenga, situated in a gorge along the Dudh Koshi River. This is a suitable place to stop for lunch and take a short break before continuing the trek.

In the afternoon, the trail gradually climbs through a cool forest of rhododendron and other alpine vegetation. After continuing through the forest, the landscape opens up as you reach Dole, where you spend the night at a local teahouse or lodge.

After breakfast in Dole, the trek continues toward Machermo. The morning begins with a short, steep climb to a wide ridge above the Dudh Koshi River. From here, the trail follows a more gradual path toward Luza, with increasingly open views of the surrounding mountains.

The trail then continues toward Machermo, with views of Mount Cho Oyu along the way. After descending into a small river gorge surrounded by vegetation and scattered trees, the route climbs gradually toward Machermo.

Arrive in Machermo around lunchtime and check into a local teahouse or lodge. After lunch, there is time to rest or take a short walk around the village before spending the night at Machermo.

After breakfast in Machermo, the trek begins with a short, steep climb. Continuing along a pleasant and gradual trail toward Panga. From here, the route climbs gently toward the Gokyo Valley.

The trail passes the first and second Gokyo Lakes before reaching the third and main lake, Gokyo Lake, also known as Dudh Pokhari. Several teahouses and lodges are located near the lake, providing accommodation for trekkers.

After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the scenic surroundings of the Gokyo Valley. Take in views of the glorious lake, surrounding landscapes, and Mount Cho Oyu, depending on weather and visibility. Spend the night at a local teahouse or lodge in Gokyo.

Rise early and have breakfast before beginning the hike to Gokyo Ri, one of the highest viewpoints on the trek. The trail climbs steeply for several hours. An early start allows you to reach the viewpoint around sunrise, weather and trail conditions permitting.

From the summit of Gokyo Ri, enjoy a wide panorama of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, along with numerous other snow-covered peaks. The viewpoint offers views across the Gokyo Valley and its lakes, as well as the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal.

After spending some time at the viewpoint, descend to Gokyo for a rest and lunch. In the afternoon, continue along the trail back toward Machermo, where you spend the night at a local teahouse or lodge.

From Machermo, the trail descends along the same route toward Dole, where you can stop for lunch. After lunch, continue downhill through the scenic landscape toward the Dudh Koshi River.

The trail then crosses a bridge and continues toward Phortse, a quiet Sherpa village away from the main trekking route. Upon arrival, check into a local lodge and have time to explore the village and its surroundings.

Phortse offers a quieter experience of the Khumbu region, with traditional houses, mountain scenery. And fewer trekkers compared with the more frequently visited villages along the main trail. Spend the night at a simple local lodge in Phortse.

Today’s trek follows the main trail back toward Namche Bazaar and Monjo. From Phortse, cross the bridge toward Phortse Tenga, then follow the winding trail uphill to Mong La. From the ridge, enjoy views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks before descending toward the  Namche Bazaar.

Arrive in Namche Bazaar around lunchtime and take a break before continuing the descent in the afternoon. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River valley and  a suspension bridge. Followed by a short, steep climb toward the Sagarmatha National Park entry and exit checkpoint.

Continue along the trail to Monjo, where you check into a local lodge and spend the night.

Today marks the final and shortest trekking day of the journey, as you make your way back to Lukla. After breakfast, cross the Dudh Koshi River and continue along the trail through several small villages toward Phakding.

From Phakding, follow the trail along the Dudh Koshi River before beginning the final ascent toward Lukla. After approximately an hour of climbing you will reach Lukla. There you check into a local lodge for your final overnight stay in the Khumbu region.

After lunch, the afternoon is free to relax or explore Lukla town and its local market. In the evening, enjoy your final dinner in the mountains and spend the night at the lodge.

After an early breakfast, walk to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla for your scenic flight back to Kathmandu. Enjoy the aerial views of the Himalayan landscape as you leave the Khumbu region.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for relaxation or exploring the city. You can try shopping for Nepali handicrafts and souvenirs on Thamel.

The final day of your time in Kathmandu and Nepal. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international flight home.

With your Gokyo Valley Trek complete, it is time to say goodbye to Nepal and begin your safe journey to home.