Gokyo Valley Trek

Gokyo Valley Trek is one of the most popular offbeat treks of Everest Region. Gokyo Valley Trek, unlike Everest Base Camp Trek, highlights less known landmarks of the Everest Region, which are however not less interesting and fascinating natural wonders. In brief Gokyo Valley is a wonderful valley in the shadows of four 8000ers including Everest and the valleys of turquoise glacial lakes.

Like most of the treks in Everest Region, the Gokyo Valley Trek also begins at Lukla after the short scenic flight from Kathmandu. This trek is especially designed to passionate walkers who have desires to see the Everest and its surrounding from a different perspective. This moderate trek in Everest Region also best suits to those trekkers who prefer relatively quiet trails with less fellow trekkers.

Trip Highlights 

• Like every other trekking trail in Nepal, the trail of Gokyo Valley Trek is an amazingly fun-walking trail that goes up and down the rolling hills so many times like the waves in an ocean.
• The landscapes including the Himalayan panorama blended so well with freshwater lakes of Gokyo and the views of deep Dudh Koshi River Valley integrated perfectly with the lush vegetation of Sagarmatha National Park.
• The authentic Sherpa culture in the mountainous villages, those trekkers encounter throughout the treks in Everest Region. Gokyo Valley Trek takes trekkers to several major villages of Khumbu, where the unique Sherpa culture and their lifestyle can be observed to the fullest. Villages like, Khumjung, Kunde and Namche are major highlights where culture prevails over nature.
• The highland monasteries, the sacred mani walls engraved with Buddhist prayers, colorful prayer flags portraying spirituality, the memorials, chortens and every aspect that demonstrates Tantric Buddhism of Nygingma Pa Sect.
• The incredible floral and faunal biodiversities of Sagarmatha National Park.
• The Gokyo Lakes and the Gokyo Ri from where 360 degrees of Himalayan Panorama is seen.
• The closest view of four 8000ers at a time is a highlight of Gokyo Valley Trek, which is quite a rare sight during other treks in Nepal. The four 8000ers visible from Gokyo Valley include Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu.

Basic Requirement of Health and Experiences
In the comparison of the others trek, Gokyo Valley Trek is an easy trek, which is suitable for the passionate walker who can walk around 4-5 hours a day with a light daypack. If you want to enhance your strength, you need to have exercise and jogging regularly for a few weeks prior to the trip. Your Past hiking experiences may be worthy but you need special technical skill for this trek. To accomplish this tour you need a perfect health condition. If you have pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases please kindly inform us before booking the trip. We are highly conscious of your health and safety. We also recommend you to have a medical check-up with your doctor as well.

Customize Your Own Trek! 
This trek itinerary provided here is a standard itinerary prepared to this trip but if you want to customize your own itinerary for this trekking adventure at your timeline and interest, do write us, and we will be very pleased to customize this trek to your need. We are more than happy to customize this trip to your requirements.

Day 01 Arrival day in Kathmandu 
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft  
Meals Plan: Welcome Dinner

On arrival to Kathmandu; we will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Later we meet and take you to our head office, brief you on the upcoming Gokyo Valley camp Trek with us and introduce your trekking guide to Gokyo Valley. Evening, we host welcome dinner at one of the finest local restaurant in Kathmandu with music and ethnic dance. Overnight at Kathmandu Hotel.

Day 02 Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding 
Altitude: Lukla 2800m/9184ft & Phakding 2652m/8698ft 
Activities: 35 mins flight to Lukla and 3 to 4 hrs of walk 
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We drive to the airport early in the morning to take our flight to Lukla. The scenic 35 minutes flight to Lukla caters the panorama of the peaks of Langtang, Rolwaling and Annapurna Himalayan Ranges. Landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla is a thrilling adventure. Instantly, after making the final arrangement for the Gokyo trek, we kick-off. Trekking 200m downhill to Thado Koshi River, we cross the suspension bridge over it. The view of Mt. Kusum Kanguru looming dramatically to the East is wonderful to view from the bridge. Beyond the bridge, the trek begins to gain altitude gradually to Ghat. Ghat is a Buddhist Village with wonderful Black Mani walls engraved with prayers in white. The final push from Ghat through scattered villages and yak herder's camps brings us to Phakding. The first day of Gokyo trek ends at Phakding. Explore remaining with this local village. Overnight at Mt. Lodge.

Day 03 Trek to Namche Bazaar 
Altitude: 3440m/11283ft 
Activities: 6 to 7 hrs of walk 
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The Gokyo trek today crosses suspension bridges over Dudh Koshi River five times. The first bridge we cross comes after five minutes of walk from our hotel in Namche.  Crossing it we trek through the forested trail on the left bank of the river for 35 minutes to Taktak. Exiting out of Taktak we get to see the magnificent view of Mt. Thameserku 6608m. Almost thirty minutes of gentle walk brings us to Banker. We cross the second bridge over Dudh Koshi River while making our way out of Banker. Trekking on the right bank of the river on the stony trail that goes uphill and down like the waves in the ocean, we arrive in Monjo. Walking through the typical Sherpa Village, we arrive to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. Trek downhill for twenty minutes on the stony trail to the river, cross the third bridge and arrive at Jorsale, where we stop for the lunch. Post lunch, we cross the fourth bridge and trek along the right bank of the river for forty minutes to arrive at Larja Doban. At Larja Doban we sight the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi River. There are two elevated bridges at Larja Doban. We cross the higher one and begin the uphill climb on the stony trail towards Namche. Almost after 1 and a half hour of the trek, we arrive in Top Danda. Savoring the first view of Everest from Top Danda, we trek uphill for the next ninety minutes through pine forest to Namche.

Day 04 Namche Bazaar 
Altitude: 3440m /11283ft
Activities: Rest and Acclimatize explore
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rest day during trek means to hike to higher elevation and trek down back for proper acclimatization. Today we will walk up to the Everest View Hotel, which lies at the altitude of 3880m (440m higher than Namche). 2.5 hours of an uphill hike on the stony trails of the open hill brings us to Everest View Hotel. Savor the views of Thameserku, Kusum Kangru, Kantega, Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam among others from the site. Trekking down back to Namche on the same trail is easy 1.5 hrs walk. Rest of the time you may just explore Namche Bazaar, visit its Sherpa museum- a great place to learn Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering and if this happens to be Saturday, you would have a wonderful local market (Hatt Bazaar) at Namche Bazaar. It is interesting and a wonderful experience to understand how the locals exchange their goods or buy the necessary stuff from the market itself. Namche Bazaar, itself is a tourist shopping hub with all the required trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment. O/N at Namche. 

Day 05 Trek from Namche to Khumjung Village 
Altitude: 3790m/12431ft 
Activities: 3 Hours Walk(Approx. 8 Km)
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today after relaxed breakfast in Namche, we climb up to the famous airstrip at Syangboche (Only occasional flight of Pilatus is coming here), then trekking ahead to the corner valley of the hills to Khumjung. Khumjung is very interesting Sherpa hamlet of Khumbu which is the home to avid Sherpa Mountaineers. The signs of the contribution made by Sir Edmund Hillary can be seen here in Khumjung and its surrounding areas. The valley is ringed by snowy peaks of Kondge and Thamserku and the sacred peak of Sherpas- Mt. Khumbila, it is also believed as a place that houses a yeti scalp. In the afternoon, we will visit Hillary School, colorful Buddhist monasteries, the visit is typical stones trail with lined prayer stones, flags, and prayer wheels, visit Hillary Hospital in Kundel. O/ N at Khumjung at Mt. Lodge.

Day 06 Trek to Dole 
Altitude: 4040m/13251ft
Activities: 6 hrs of walk 
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a stroll around the Namche area, we follow on the gradual trail with few short up and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks at Shanasa. Hiking for around 2 and a half hours we arrive at the top of Mong La Pass. From Mong La Pass we savor the spectacular views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Kantega and Mt. Khumbilla. From the hill-top, an hour downhill trek through the forested region brings us to the riverside village, Phortse Tenga. We stop at Phortse Tenga for lunch. Post lunch, the day’s trek involves a long tiring uphill trek through the forest of pines, oaks, and rhododendrons all the way to Dole.

Day 07 Trek to Machharmo 
Altitude: 4400m/14432ft
Activities: 4 to 5 hrs of walk 
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we climb up for thirty minutes on an open hill to the scenic ridge above the Dole. The ridge top offers the first spectacular view of Mt. Cho Oyu. Then we walk over the gentle trail for ten minutes to the village of Lapharma. Beyond Lapharma walking around the hills for almost 2 hours takes us to Luja. Taking a short breather at Luja, we continue the trek that climbs up along the side of the valley high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to reach Machharmo. We reach Machhermo in the afternoon; enjoy the lunch and explore around. O/N at Machhermo.

Day 08 Trek to Gokyo 
Altitude: 4800m 
Activities: 3 to 4 hrs of walk 
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is the big day of Gokyo Lake trek. We get to the land of Gokyo Lakes. One hour trek on the leveled trail that wind passes through elevated grazing lands takes us to Phanga. At Phanga we observe the memorials of people who lost their lives during the landslides in the region. Beyond Phanga, we trek slides down for a short while and then gradually goes up on the stony steps for an hour to the River. We cross the metal bridge over the river and get into the Gokyo-Land. Welcome to Gokyo, we are now facing the first Lake of Gokyo. Continue to walk up along the stony steps for thirty minutes to the Secong Lake of Gokyo. Forty-five minutes of walk along the leveled trail on stony steps finally brings us to the third lake of Gokyo. We will settle down in the Mountain Lodge at Gokyo.

Day 09 Explore day at Gokyo Valley - Hike to Fifth Lake and its surroundings 
Altitude: 5th Lake 5000m/16400ft
Activities: 4-5 hrs of walk 
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we will savor the views around Gokyo, which are truly magnificent. Treading along the stony trail we arrive at Fourth Lake of Gokyo after 45 minutes trek. Another one hour and forty-five minutes trek bring us to the Fifth Lake of Gokyo. From the Fifth Lake, we could savor the spectacular view of Lonely Everest. The fifth lake is also popular for the views of North and South slopes of Everest. We can see the trail that extends towards Cho Oyu Base Camp at the fifth lake and the view of Nogunzpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal is so fascinating from Fifth Lake of Gokyo. We trek back along the retracing trail to the third lake for the overnights stay.

Day 10 Morning hike to Gokyo Ri & trek to Dole 
Altitude: Gokyo Ri 5386m/17666ft and at  Dole 4470m/ 14,663ft 
Activities: 5 to 6 hrs of walk 
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we begin early hiking to Gokyo Ri. Gokyo Ri caters 360-degree sunrise panorama of 8000ers of the Himalayas that include Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. After sunrise, trek back to Gokyo Valley and breakfast. This afternoon, we prepare to descend the same trail to Macchharmo, then to Dole for overnight. This walk is straight downhill so having stick helps for descend. O/N at Dole.

Day 11 Trek from Dole to Namche Bazaar 
Altitude: 3400m/11283ft 
Activities: 5 To 6 Hours Walk(Approx. 10-12 Km)
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we will have an easy walk to Namche Bazaar. After breakfast at the lodge in Dole, walking along the retracing trail the trek today arrives at the bustling Khumbu Town Namche. Even if it is the same trail descend, but the walking is always fun, even on the retracing trails during treks in Everest Region. Free evening in Namche. 

Day 12 Trek from Namche to Lukla 
Altitude: 2840m/9315ft 
Activities: 6 To 7 Hours Walk(Approx. 18-20 Km) 
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we retrace back to Lukla the same way. After breakfast in Namche, steep descend to the Hillary Suspension Bridge, then continue walking to Jorsale village, then to Dudh Kosi surroundings to Manjo and Phakding Village. We will plan to have lunch at Phakding. After lunch we start our trek, the trail descends to Ghat, then gradually ascend for couple off hours will bring you to Lukla for overnight stay. You will have a free evening in Lukla to explore this Himalayan downtown. Lukla has some great Himalayan Bars, and Coffee House (Even a Star Bucks Coffee is available in Lukla). Today is your celebration of the trek with your trek crew, and it is your last night stay in mountain.

Day 13 Lukla to Kathmandu 
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft 
Activities: 35 mins flight to Kathmandu 
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner

Our flights are in the morning for Kathmandu. After breakfast at Lukla hotel, you will check in to the airport and take your board to fly Kathmandu. (Depending on the weather conditions and visibility, the flight may get delayed). Transfer to your hotel. You will have free time to relax, refreshed up and rest. Evening, we will meet you again, take feedback of your trekking and host a farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese restaurants in town. 

Day 14 Final Departure from Kathmandu 
Activities: Departure 
Meals Plan: Breakfast

Today the journey comes to an end. There's nothing to do but organize all your photos and finally depart from Nepal. As per your flight departing, we will transfer the group to the airport.

 End of the Trip!

Cost Includes:

• All ground transportation in Kathmandu by private vehicle (Including airport pick and drop) 
• 02 Nights twin sharing Deluxe accommodation in Kathmandu on BB plan
• Welcome dinner at one of the typical Nepalese restaurant- Traditional Dance & Music & Farewell Dinner at one of the finest restaurant in main down town
• Everest Trekking Permit (Officially Known as Sagarmatha National Park Permit), Khumbu Village Ruralcipality Permit & TIMs Card( From TAAN)
• Kathmandu- Lukla- Kathmandu flight, airport tax and transfer
• 11 Nights/12 Days Gokyo Valley Trek on full board of meals plan (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, tea or coffes in a cups only, seasonal fruits)
• Trekking accommodation at comfortable & clean Mt. Lodge & Guest Houses (Nights staying in Phakding, Namche, Monjo & Lukla will be in attahced bathroom)- Rooms on twin share
• One Advanced Adventures Trekking Leader (Experienced, Fluent English Speaking, Gov. Licensed, first aid and eco trained), required assistance Leader/s as per the group size, their entire expenses, equipment and insurance
• One trek sherpa porter for every two trekkers for carrying their trek luggages (2 Trekkers: 1 Porter), all the payment, trek equipment and insurance
• AA Trek Duffle Bag, Trek T- shirt, Trekking Map, Adventure Certificate
• Down Jacket and Sleeping Bags while on trekking (To be returned after trek use)- rated to -15 Degree Celsius
• Group medicine Kit Box (First Aid Medicine)
• All the Gov. and Local taxes as per applicable
• Final departure tranfer from Kathmandu

Cost not Includes:

• Nepal Visa Fee( US$- 30 for 15 days and US$- 50 for 30 days)
• International flight in/out Nepal 
• Your meals at Kathmandu (Except provided welcome/Farewell dinner and breakfast)
• Cost of beverages (Such as mineral water, beer etc), Battery recharge, Phone Calls, WIFI use, extra porter etc. while on trek
• Travel Insurance (Must includes Medical expenses, Helicopter evacuation and Trip Cancellation)
• Personal nature expenses
• Tips to Guide, Assistance Guide/s and Sherpa Porters
• Any extending trips

Important Trip Notes & Activities
Pleased acknowledge that you are joining us for the adventure trip in remote Himalayan region, where weather conditions, health and fitness of the member or unexpected natural disaster can compel us to change the itinerary and if so you have to understand it but we would try our best to keep the suggested itinerary as per the original schedule.

Your safety and satisfaction of the trip is our prime concern while travelling with us and we ensure you our best team, logistics, professional services to make sure that you would have an amazing trip of lifetime with us. Also note that our trip leader deserved the final decision if the trip has to amend, change the route or cancel due to the extreme conditions for the safety precaution. However, he will try his best to ensure that the trip runs as according to the stated plan but be prepared for flexibility if necessary.

Experience & Fitness Required
This trip is not a difficult. No previous trekking experienced is required but if you have, it is a great plus point. This trek is a non technical walk. The highest height you would reach on this trip is 5340m at Gokyo Ri from sea level. The walk involves a lots of ups and downs, takes you through local villages, farming lands, terraces, and river side but as long as you have strength of walking for 4 to 6 hours a day, you are qualified for the trek however you should be having a moderate health and fitness.

We strongly suggest travelers to consult with your medical doctor before travelling and do the regular check up of your health and report us while booking a trip with us. A part of the health and fitness, participant must be having a positive attitude and strong determination for the successful trip.

Passport & Visa Information
Nepal Visa is the easiest visa to obtain; you may buy your Nepal visa at your nearest Nepalese Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad or buy this upon on arrival to Kathmandu international airport as per your convenient. You have to have 2 passport size photographs, Visa fees in US cash & valid passport at least for 6 months valid at the starting of the trip.

Nationals of SAARC countries and China do not need visa when visiting Nepal. As per this rule, Indian nationals do not require visa.

Transit visa is provided for foreign nationality for 3 days. Visa must be obtained for staying over the initial period of three days. Currently, foreign national can obtain Nepalese visa from the following border.

• Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
• Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
• Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
• Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
• Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
• Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
• Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
• Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)

Tourist Visa Fees: 3 days transit visa - Free of Cost
Multiple entry 15 days - US$ 30 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30 days - US$ 50 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days - US$ 125 or equivalent convertible currency

Download visa form-: www.nepalimmigration.gov.np

Group Size:
In this Gokyo Valley Trek, the minimum group size would be two and maximum group size is ten or more on request. We can also organize private trip to solo person with single supplement cost. Else, join our estimated group departure dates available online or ask us with your personal dates, we will open group date on the same date.

Our Guides, Trip & Safety
Because these hikes take you on the remote Himalayan region, it is very essential that you are accompanied with the very experienced and qualified & equipped leader for the safe and successful trip. We Advanced Adventure employee the local trek guide and stuff who are trained and qualified on the trip we worked on. Our guides are trained and licensed from Nepal Gov, certify from TAAN & Nepal Mountaineering Association. All of our leading Trekking and Climbing Guide are experience from last 8 to 10 years. We have train them specially for your trip, to cater the flexible needs of our peoples in the group joining from different countries, this double assure you that your trip is at the right and professional hands.

At every trip, there would be our one Trek leader and one assistance leader on each additional 2 peoples on the trek- this arrangement would ensure that even if any of our guide/ assistance guides get sick or if any travelers gets sick and need to be back or delay the days of walking, it would still works smoothly and there would not be any impact on our original trek plan. Also each two trekker would have one Sherpa helper for carrying your trekking bags.

Meals and Accommodations:
While in Kathmandu, your accommodation is at 3 star deluxe hotel that has all the modern amenities to ensure you comfort stay and while in trek, your accommodation is at Mt. Lodge and Guest Houses. Mt. Lodges are clean and have comfortable beds. Our entire accommodation is at twin share unless stated but single supplement accommodation is also available on personal request at the additional cost of US$- 200.

In city, only breakfast is included on the offered trip itinerary but while in trek full board of meals is included (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, and Tea- Coffee). We provide you food from the local tea- house/ Mt. Lodge from en route. Breakfast and dinner is to be provided from the same tea- house/ guest house we would overnight but lunch would be en route in between.

Foods provided are depends on the availability of the Mt. lodges we would be staying but in general, you can have Nepalese foods (Dal Bhat), Tibetan fried bread, various soups, Momo’s (steamed dumplings), potatoes, pastas and even a version of pizza! So, over all you have a different choice of food on trek.

Trekking Seasons:
We do have two best seasons to attempt this trek to Gokyo Valley Trek. As this trip is a big trip to you, we always suggest you to come at the right time of the year as far as possible.

Spring: - (March, April, May) - Best warmest time to trek. Rhododendron flowers in bloom- excellent trails and clear skies, best visibility. Good Temperature, warmest weather of the year.

Autumn:- (Mid September, October and November) - Excellent trails, clear blue skies, best visibility. Best Time to Trek

Winter Months: - (December, January and February) are also good, but it’s obviously colder. You have to be prepared for this. It is up to you to plan this trek at this cold time or not.

Summer: - Monsoon, so rain and visibility can be a big issue (from Mid June, July and August). We do not suggest you this time for the trek.

Caring Porter:
Our porter are fully equipped and insured for each trip they are undertaking with us. As you know that we are very sincere with the porter issues and their situation while on trek thus we make sure that our porter are fully prepared for the trip. We are closely working with International Porter Progress Association for the welfare and befit for the touristic porters. The maximum load carried by our porter is 20 to 25 KG maximum so be sure that your trekking bag so not load more than 12 KG.

To Book
Once you would choose which trip you would like to book with us, write us with the information or phone us on our phone number for the trip booking confirmation. We have online trip booking option, you may go on that link, choose your trip and date and follow the instruction with information required and summit us.

Once your trip booking request would be received, we would suggest you the final trip booking procedure with advance payment of the trip. Non-refundable deposit of 20% (per person) is required to confirm a place on your selected adventure.

Please do not hesitate to contact us in relation to any questions you may have regarding our trip booking Process.