Gokyo Valley Trek

A Sherpa Expedition & Trekking representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Once you are settled in we will brief you on all aspects of the trek and answer any questions you may have about the Gokyo Valley trek. We will also provide you with a duffel bag and a sleeping bag. At this briefing, you will need to have your passport, three passport size photos and a copy of your travel insurance policy. This is also the time to clear up the balance owing for the trek.

A 30-minute early morning flight from Kathmandu domestic airport will take us to where our trek begins at Lukla. After landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport we will spend some time preparing our packs for the trek. Porters will also be available from this point. There will be one porter for every two clients. Now is the time to hit the trail and we at first descend down to the Dudh Kosi River where we connect with the trail that leads to Namche Bazaar. The trek today is relaxing and not too physically taxing. We will pass through the small village of Ghat (2,550 m) and then keep on going until we reach Phakding where we will stay overnight.

With breakfast out of the way, we will grab our packs and head to Namche Bazaar (3440m), which happens to be the largest Sherpa village in Nepal. Prior to arriving at Namche Bazaar, we will pass through a number of small villages, such as Jorsale (2804m) and Monjo (2835m). Monjo is located just north of Phakding and is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. We will stay overnight in a guesthouse.

We will spend a very important day at Namche Bazaar in order to acclimatize before we head to higher altitudes. Altitude sickness can be minimized by stopping at lower altitudes. It is recommended by health officials that you stay active during the day. This will help in avoiding altitude sickness. We can take a short trek to a local museum that houses Sherpa artifacts and other cultural items, and also head up to Syangboche Airport near the Everest View Hotel where the views of the Himalayas and Khumbu peaks will take your breath away.

A short 90-minute trek takes us to a cross-road, with one trail heading to Everest Base Camp, and the other heading to Mung Danda, a known viewpoint located at the top of a hill from where you can take in the views of various mountains. From here we ascend a steep trail, passing through birch and rhododendron forest until we reach Dole.

Today you will notice a distinct change in the terrain as we head to higher altitudes. For about three to four hours we will trek through the valley where the vegetation is more like short scrub and sparse. We will pass through several small settlements and villages on the way to Machhermo. This area is where the villagers graze their yak in the summer.

Today we head a little higher to Gokyo Village (4,790m). The trail to Gokyo is beautiful and initially leads us to We follow a very scenic path to Pangka Village at which point we head down to a river that has its origin at the Ngozumpa Glacier. Climbing up from the river we cross a rugged stony area next to the glacier and then come to the first of the holy lakes, and then one more lake and then cross the glacier to Cho La Pass (5420m). The third lake, Dudh Pokhari, has Gokyo Village situated on the eastern side of the lake. We will stay here overnight in a guesthouse.

To the north of the lake, Gokyo Ri towers above us in the north. We will leave the lodge in the morning when the air is fresh and crisp which enhances the views of the nearby mountains. We head up a steep track to the summit and have extraordinary views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. After taking in the sights we will head back to Machhermo for the night.

Today we follow the trail leading back to Namche Bazaar via Dole, Pangla, Luza, and Lhabarma and then ascend a steep track to Mongla Danda (4000m). From here we head down again to Kyanjoma Village (3500m) until we reach tonight’s destination, Namche Bazaar where we will stay in a guesthouse.

The final day of our trek takes us back to our starting point at Lukla. We can relax and unwind while reflecting back on the last 10 days of this immensely rewarding trek. With time to spare, you can explore the town and catch up on emails and arrange your photos. Tonight we will stay at a guesthouse.

Our early morning flight will take us back to Kathmandu. The Flight will enable you to better reflect on what lies below, for you have already trodden this path and will have a better understanding of the terrain and vastness of the Himalayan Mountains. The flight will take around 30 to 35 minutes. On your journey back to Kathmandu you may wish to consider other Nepal adventures, such as Chitwan National Park and its wildlife, rafting, or a guided tour of Kathmandu Valley. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, we will take you back to your hotels.

Today is your last day in Nepal. Sherpa Expedition & Trekking staff will take you to the airport at least three hours prior to your departure. On your flight home, you can start planning your next Nepal adventure. Breakfast included today.