Gokyo Lake Trek Overview
Gokyo Lake Trek is a popular trekking route in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It is notable for its pristine views, cultural diversity, and proximity to Mount Everest. Trekkers will pass through remote communities, woodlands, and high-altitude lakes along the way, including the iconic Gokyo Lakes, a chain of blue glacial lakes encircled by soaring peaks.
Gokyo Lake is located at an altitude of 4700-5000m in, Solukhumbu district, Sagarmatha Zone. Comprising the 6 main lakes, these lakes are the world’s highest freshwater lakes. Gokyo Cho, also known as Dudh Pokhari, is the main lake with an area of 106 acres. While Thonak Cho Lake is the largest among all with an area of 160.8 acres.
Besides them, the other lakes are Gyazumpa Cho Lake (72 acres), Tanjung Cho (41.9 acres), Ngojumba Cho (35.6 acres), and Kyajumba Cho. Gokyo Lakes is highly believed to be a sacred lake for both Hindus and Buddhists. Every year at Janai Purnima Festival, about 500 Hindus take a holy bath in this lake. There is also a temple of Hindu deities Vishnu and Shiva. It is located at the western corner of the lake making this place the holiest.
The trail passes through Sagarmatha National Park where you can see many endangered animals like red panda, Himalayan Tahr, snow leopard, wild boar, etc. There is no doubt, Gokyo Lakes is a very popular destination leading toward the Everest base camp. Gokyo village at 4790m, is another major attraction of this trek which includes climbing Gokyo Ri.
Additionally, the Gokyo Lake trek offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, as well as other peaks like Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu, and more.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1- Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding, 40 minutes flight, 4 hours walk
Day 2- Phakding - Namche Bazar, 6 hours walk
Day 3- Namche Bazar - Dole, 4 hours walk
Day 4- Dole - Macchermo, 4 hours walk
Day 5- Macchermo - Gokyo, 4-5 hours walk
Day 6- Gokyo - Gokyo Ri, back to Macchermo, 5-6 hours walk
Day 7- Macchermo - Namche ,7 hours walk
Day 8- Namche - Lukla, 8-9 hours walk
Day 9- Lukla - Kathmandu, 40 minutes flight
PHOTOS (1)
