Gokyo Valley Trekking

Overview

The Gokyo Valley trek is a popular trek in the Khumbu region. Gokyo Valley is a spectacular alpine valley. Beside the valley, there is a blue glacial lake that is the prime attraction of the trek. An exciting hike to the Gokyo Ri offers the eye catching panoramas of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Gokyo Peak and other trekking peaks of Everest. Make sure you are acclimatized enough to trek in the high Himalayan zone with confidence.

You will begin the trek from the tiny airstrip of Lukla. Then, you will go over the Dudh Koshi valley and through the rhododendron and birch forest of the Sagarmatha National Park, which is the highest national park in the world. After you explore the Sherpa culture, traditions and heritages at Namche Bazaar and Khumjung, your trip moves to Dole and Machhermo, and this ultimately leads you to the Gokyo Valley. During this trek, you the get chance to see some of the isolated valleys and meet people with great hospitality. The views around the Gokyo Valley are stunning and hiking to Gokyo Ri and viewing the fascination of the Ngozumba glacier and the airborne peaks is something you will remember for the rest of your life. We will hike early in the morning to enjoy the beautiful sunrise views over the white peaks. Also, the views of five Lakes are spectacular.

Malaika Travel will operate the Gokyo Valley trek with the best trekking itinerary. We have designed this itinerary for the tea house/lodge based accommodation. Our staff are all professionals and they are always dedicated to fulfil your specific needs and interests.

Day to day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu from your designated destination, you will be greeted at the arrival gate by a representative of the travel company who will then transfer you to your hotel. If you have any spare time, you can explore the city or relax at the hotel to overcome your jet lag. O/N at Hotel.

Day 2: Familiarisation walk & trek preparation day

Today after breakfast, you will meet with the guide and walk around Thamel to familiarise yourself with it. Today, we will also examine your trekking gear and help you pack for the trek. In the evening, there will be a group discussion for you to attend to discuss the upcoming trekking plans. O/N at Hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Lukla (35 min) and trek to Phakding (2652m) [3-4 hrs]

Ideally, we will arrive in Lukla between 7–9 am, so that you can have breakfast and start walking mostly downhill for a relaxed walk on your first day. The hike should take 3-5 hours, depending on if you’re travelling to Phakding or Monjo. If you go to Phakding (2,650m/8,694ft) it will be about 3 hours and if you are going to Monjo (2,850m/9,350ft) it will take approximately 5 hours. If you are going to Monjo, you will have lunch in Phakding and then continue going to Monjo until you arrive in the afternoon. When you arrive, you will check into your room and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and starting the acclimatization process. Make sure you stay well hydrated; drinking 3 to 4 litres of water a day is essential all the way throughout the trek. 9km/5.6 miles to Phakding or 13km/8.8 miles to Monjo.

Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m) [6-7 hrs]

For the first couple of hours, you will get to cross some of the famous suspension bridges, while gradually moving uphill towards the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, the official entrance to the Everest Region. You then continue downhill for a short time before it levels out to flat ground and mixed terrain. The trail then follows the river to the final high suspension bridge before you begin the long ‘Namche Hill’ trek, which can take 2 hours, to reach the Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. Today’s trek is usually 6 hours long with plenty of breaks and time to rest along the way. The distance from Phakding to Namche is 11.3 km/7.02 miles.

Day 5: Acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar

Today is one of your acclimatization trek days. When you trek behind Namche Bazaar, the trail is quite steep and you can feel the lack of oxygen as you ascend 460m/1,509ft to Shangbouche Airport, then cross the runway and head another 100m/328ft up to Shangbouche Hill at 3,900m/12,795ft. We will enjoy the stunning views and relax for 30-45 minutes before returning back to Namche. This trek is an essential part of the acclimatisation process and usually takes approximately 4 hours. 3km/1.8 miles.

Day 6: Namche Bazaar to Phortse Thanga (3680m) [5-6 hrs]

We climb the Khumjung hill and descend to the east of the village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Koshi from where the route turns north. There are two trails and our guide will choose the best option for us to follow. There is a chorten on the ridge top at 3,973m which descends from Mt.  Khumbila (5,761m). We visit Mohang, the birthplace of the re-incarnated Lama of Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet who is believed to have introduced Buddhism in the Khumbu region of Nepal.  The trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dush Koshi. We stay overnight in Phortse Tanga, near the river. 6km/3.72 miles.

Day 7: Phortse Thanga to Machhermo (4470m) [4-5 hrs]

From Phortse Thanga, you will climb uphill to reach Machhermo. We will walk on a trail alongside a rhododendron forest and we’ll pass through a waterfall before reaching Tongba Village. As we continue our trek, we will pass through the villages Dhole, Labarma and Luza before reaching Machhermo. There is a Chhorten right near the Luza village. Throughout today’s journey we will be walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River. Overnight stay in Machhermo. 10km/6.21 miles.

Day 8: Machhermo to Gokyo (4800m) [4-5 hrs]

We begin today by climbing a ridge to get up towards Cho Oyu from where you have an excellent view down the valley to Kangtaiga. The valley then widens as the trail passes through Phangkha. We will then descend down to the riverbank before climbing onto the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa Glacier on a steep trail. After crossing an iron bridge over a stream, the trail levels out as it follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo, at 4690 m. At this juncture, we get a chance to observe llama footprints on a stone. At the sight of the second lake, Taboche Tsho, we become mesmerized by the shimmering turquoise blue sheet of water sparkling in the sun. Just a little ahead of the second lake, we reach the third lake. The two lakes are linked by a surging stream. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and the Cho-Oyu Mountain is there as a backdrop. After lunch, we will explore around the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. Overnight stay in Gokyo. 7km/4.34miles.

Day 9: Explore Gokyo Valley, Optional Hike to Gokyo Ri (5357m) [3-4 hrs]

Today we will hike to Gokyo Ri (a small peak above Gokyo village) in the morning and savour the fantastic views of the entire Khumbu region. As we ascend, the views become even more fantastic and we can see four of the seven highest peaks of Nepal- Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. When we reach the fourth lake, Thonak Tsho, we will take pleasure in the lake’s serene beauty after which we’ll retrace our trail back to the third lake. We may take an additional hike up to the fifth lake, Ngozumba Tsho Depending on time and our physical conditions; we may take an additional hike up to the fifth lake, Ngozumba Tsho. From here, the view of Ngozumba Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, is amazing. Overnight stay in Gokyo.  3km/1.86miles.

Day 10: Gokyo to Marlung (4210m) via Renjo La Pass (5360m) [7-8 hrs]

We start early in the morning so that we are able to complete the long day’s trek ahead. Our trail goes alongside Dudh Pokhari  (a lake) for a while. We walk for about two hours before descending towards the Renjo La pass. On the way, we are rewarded with extravagant views of the Himalayan and Rolwaling ranges. Views from the Renjo La pass are much like the ones from Gokyo Ri. The third Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Village are beneath the Ngozumpa Glacier. We also get outstanding views of Mt. Everest from the top of the pass.  Continuing on from the pass, our trail winds down a stone staircase and then moves over a loose scree to reach the south bank of Angladumba Tsho Lake. The presence of ice on the trail while descending down can make our descent a bit hazardous. Along the way we can see Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake. We walk down a narrow valley clogged with giant boulders to reach Lumde where there is a support lodge, but it is often closed. We walk almost an hour away from Lumde to get to Marlung on the east bank of the Bhote Koshi River. 11km/7miles.

Day 11: Marlung to Namche Bazaar (3440m) [6 – 7 hrs]

The descent from Marulung to Thame follows a traditional route used for centuries by the Tibetan traders. We cross the Bhote Koshi River and descend to Taranga. The trail continues to descend and we cross two bridges before reaching Thame. Overlooking Thame is its famous Gompa situated on a hill to the west. From here, we descend gradually down a trail that passes through a few small villages before reaching Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is probably the biggest town in the Everest region. 15km/9 miles. 

Day 12: Namche Bazar to Lukla (2652m) [7-8 hrs]

This long day can be one of the hardest as your body is tired after the trek. You start the day going back down Namche Hill and then you’ll do the long journey back to Lukla. You will pass Phakding before starting the last part of the hike into Lukla where we will sleep for one more night. 20km/13 miles.

Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu (1300m). 35 minutes flight

Today your legs get a break as you only have to trek to Lukla Airport and fly back to Kathmandu, which is only about 10 minutes of walking. In the evening, we will have dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant. 

Day 14: Departure to the Airport

Today, we will send you to the Airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.