Gokyo Valley – 15 Days - 15 Days
Gokyo Valley Trek is a fine alternative to the Everest Base Camp Trek which climbs the valley to the west of Everest to the village of Gokyo and five sacred lakes on the moraine beside the Ngozumpa Glacier. This two-week spectacular climb almost as high as the Everest Base Camp Trek offers similarly jaw-dropping Everest views, but the trails are less crowded and quieter with traditional Sherpa villages serving local meals to legions of hungry trekkers. The trail follows the Dudhkoshi River to its source – a series of emerald green lakes. Gokyo is a Sherpa village that lies beside the largest of these lakes. From Gokyo, we climb to Gokyo Ri (5360m) for a heart-stopping view over Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu, Cholatse, and Taboche.
As Everest Base Camp Trek has Kala Patthar at an elevation of 5545m, Gokyo Valley Trek has Gokyo Ri at an elevation of 5360m on the north side of Dudh Pokhari which is an epic vantage point, offering the kind of view over Everest that is normally reserved for balloonists or mountaineers.
In this trek as well, we fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and start our trek onwards to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the trading center of the Khumbu Region. We take a day’s rest for acclimatization in Namche. From Namche Bazaar, 3 days trek will take us to Gokyo, where we take another day of rest for acclimatization and exploring around. The next day we climb Gokyo Ri (5360m) for the superb views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse, and Taboche, with the Ngozumpa Glacier cutting across in front like a massive tear in the landscape. We then walk downhill to Gokyo (4750m).
The Gokyo Valley Trek is specially designed for those who prefer a less crowded trail with only basic lodge facilities and in this trail, one will miss out most of the famous monasteries of Khumbu region.
Day 1 Arrival KATHMANDU (1300m/4265ft)
Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city. Meals: NO
Day 2 Acclimatize KATHMANDU
After breakfast, we depart the hotel for a full-day guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, the “city of glory.” We visit Durbar (Palace) Square, the epicenter of religious and cultural life, an area filled with old temples and historical significance with old glorious Newari architecture. Some of the sights include Kal Bhairav, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kasthamandap, and Kumari Ghar; home to the Living Goddess. Afterward we visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, said to be one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world, which is majestically set high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. We proceed towards Pashupatinath Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This massive temple complex sits alongside the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the courtyard of the temple, whereas tourists can see the temple from the eastern side of the Bagmati River. Later we visit Boudhanath, a Buddhist Stupa said to be one of the largest in the world. This massive structure stands tall with four pairs of eyes each facing the four cardinal directions, watching for righteous behavior of mankind and for human prosperity. Welcome to dinner in the evening. Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 Fly to LUKLA (2800m/9187ft); trek to PHAKDING (2610m/8563 ft)- 4 Hrs trek; 200m descent, 50m ascent
Early morning flight from Kathmandu International Airport to Lukla Airport and trek to Phakding. Descending above farmlands we pass through Sherpa villages of Chheplung, Ghat, and Sano and Thulo Gumela and shrines and monasteries of Drangdrak Gompa and Pema Choling Gompa with breathtaking views of sacred mountain Kumbila and sister summits Kusum Kanguru peaks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Trek to NAMCHE (3420m/11221ft) 5-6 hours/1000m ascent, 100m descent-7 Hrs
Heading for the Namche Bazar, we cross through the hamlet of Zamphute and Tok Tok to see dazzling Thamserku glistening in the sun that stays all the way with us in most of our trek. Passing through the scenic Sherpa villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo, we reach Utche Choling Gompa on a bluff abutting the Dudhkoshi river and further we make our way between the bluff to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO declared a world heritage site. Completing halfway to Namche Bazar, we head for the second half of the march that would likely take more time due to the steep climb at the end. Crossing through the last village of Jorsale, a steep stepped path leads us to an amazing high bridge over the Dudhkoshi River gorge, and just before this bridge, the Dudhkoshi is met by its tributary, the Bhote Koshi. Beginning the final steps uphill slowly we reach heights of Namche from where we can have first look at Mt. Everest, peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge and finally after about 1.5km/0.9mile) we reach Namche Bazar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Acclimatize at NAMCHE
We have an acclimatization day at Namche Bazar. To help our body better adapt to the high altitude, we can take short walks or climb a few hundred feet during the day to have a look in the villages, houses, terraced fields, and snowy mountains of Kwangde, Khumbu peak, Thamserku, Kusum Kanguru, and the village’s big weekly event, the Saturday market to have fun mingling with the crowds and watching men and women in traditional attire. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Trek to PHORTSE THENGA (3680m/12074ft ) -6 hours
Today, the trail climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forest, juniper and large conifers start to appear as the elevation increases making trekking beautiful in spring. The trail passes through Yak Kharka and summer settlements. The views of Khumbi La and Tawache are magnificent throughout the day. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Trek to MACHHERMO (4410m/14469ft)- 6 hours
The trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kangtega and up towards Cho Oyu and descend to a river and again climbs steeply to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. We reach at Machherma by early noon. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Trek to GOKYO (4750m/15585ft)- 7 hours
Today the trek takes us at one of our final destination, Gokyo. We will make this camp our base for 2 nights as we will have couple of hiking and sightseeing trips around Gokyo. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Explore Around GOKYO
We spend this day in Gokyo strolling around the lake and hike north to other sacred lakes and return back to Gokyo for night stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Trek to GOKYO RI (5360m/17586ft) & Back to GOKYO -6 hours
Gokyo Ri is the highlight of the Gokyo valley Trek and is an epic vantage point for the mountain views. We start the climb early in the morning. The path to the peak crosses the stream at the north end of the village and climbs for two hours to a cat’s cradle of prayer flags at the top of the hill. From the summit, there are panoramic views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse, and Taboche, with the Ngozumpa Glacier cutting across in front like a massive tear in the landscape. We walk down to Gokyo for the night stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Trek to DOLE (4090m/13419ft)- 6 hours
Following the same trail down, we make a descent to Dole. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 Trek to NAMCHE via KHUMJUNG- 5 hours
Descend to Namche Bazaar via typical Sherpa village of Khumjung. Leaving the mountains behind our descent continues back to the town of Namche Bazaar.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 Trek to LUKLA – 6 hours
Finally, we return to Lukla following the Dudhkoshi River, where the trek ends. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 Fly back KATHMANDU
From Lukla Airport we fly back to Kathmandu. This is a leisure day that can be utilized by buying gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family. In the evening you will be invited to join FAREWELL reviewing great photos and share experiences of the trip. Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 15 Fly back HOME or extend your HOLIDAYS
If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, mountain biking, Tibet, India or Bhutan tours, etc. Meals: Breakfast
Cost Include
All airport/hotel pick up and drop in private car/van
3 Nights Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast
11 Nights stay in Tea House during the trek. It means, sharing the Bathroom.
An experienced English speaking Trekking Guide and a Porter during the trek.
Salary, food, insurance, and lodging cost for guide and porter ( 2 Trekkers-1 Porter )
During the Trek, we will have Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Tea/Coffee each time only.
Welcome and Farewell Meals and Breakfasts while in Kathmandu.
National Park Permit and TIMS for Everest.
Airfare from Kathmandu to Lukla and return flight to Kathmandu and domestic flight departure taxes.
Down Jacket and Sleeping Bag that needs to be returned to the office after trek completion.
ACH Kitbag and T- shirt for you
Cost Exclude
Nepal entry visa fees.
International airfare and departure tax.
Bar bills, laundry, and other expenses of personal nature.
Travel insurance including evacuation.
1 Lunch in Kathmandu
Tips for local staff, guides, and porters.
Desserts, Hot Shower, Hot Water, Wi-Fi, Mineral Water.
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