Gokyo Lake Trek

Overview

Holiday Mountain Treks is recommended as the best trekking company in Nepal to organise Everest Gokyo Lake trek l Gokyo trek itinerary l package cost l trail map l difficulty and altitude l entry permits fee l meals and tea-house accommodation I recommended equipment l best seasons l trip organizing company/guide in Nepal

12 days Everest area Gokyo Lake trek in Nepal

Gokyo Lake trek is a second popular trekking destination in the Everest area located in the west of the Everest (Khumbu) valley and is far less developed and crowded than its better-known neighbor to the east. The the trail to this high glacier lake separates climbing up the hillside to a pass at Mong La before dropping steeply back down to the banks of the Dudh Koshi. Just above the trees line are the teahouses of dole, a convenient stopping place for the first night.

The following day must be very short if you are to avoid altitude problems. It only takes around for hours to reach Machherma but this is as far as most trekkers should travel that day. The final push up to Gokyo takes you past the teahouses at Pangkha and up the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal. Just above the moraine is the first of the glacial lakes for which Gokyo is renowned. If it isn't frozen, look for migrating ducks on the lake surface. The trail passes two more lakes to reach the teahouses of Gokyo about four to five hours after leaving Machherma.

The Gokyo valley is dominated at its head by the massive form of Cho Oyu, at 8153 meters the eight highest peaks on earth. Many options are available in the upper Gokyo valley. The most common destination is the rock hill above the third lake known as Gokyo Ri. This hill, which takes at least two hours to climb, provides an even better panorama than the one seen from the more famous Kala Pattar. To get the most out of a climb of Gokyo Ri, leave the teahouses at least two hours before dawn in order to have a sunrise view of the Himalaya.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu airport. You'll be met at the airport by our representative and transfer to hotel.

Day 2 : Half day guided sightseeing tour. Afternoon, meet the guide and trip briefing and final preparation of the trek.

Day 3 : Katmandu-Lukla-Phakding: 35 min flight; 4 hours trek

Transfer to Airport and fly to Lukla 2,800m by small twin otter 35 mins. Start trekking passing some of the beautiful Sherpa villages aside the Dudhkosi River until Phakding 2,652m is reached.

Day 4 : Phakding-Namche Bazaar 3440m. 5 hours trek

The trail follows the Dudhkoshi River passing the villages and crossing few Hilary's Suspension Bridge then the trail further climbs from here to Namche Bazaar.

Day 5 : Rest Day

A day is spent here for hiking around to acclimatise. Namche Bazaar is the main center in the Khumbu region and has shops, restaurants, a bakery, hotel with hot showers and electric power.

Day 6 : Namche Bazaar- Dole 4,090m. 6 hours trek

A short climbs to the top the village then walk through the forest of birch and junipers and beautiful views of Ama Dablam on the right. After Mungla the trail first descends to Phortse Thanga and ascends further to the village of Dole.

Day 7 : Dole –Machhermo 4460. 5 hours trek

The trail climbs all the way to Luza through scrub junipers long side of the valley high above the river and then crosses the sandy slopes until reaching the village of Machhermo where it is believed that a Yeti killed several yaks and attacked Sherpa women earlier.

Day 8 : Machhermo- Gokyo lake 4750m. 5 hours trek

The trail climbs up to the moraine following small stream which comes to a small lake then to the Fangka settlement. From here the trail climbs to the Ngozumpa glaciers then reach to the second lake and finally up to the isolated Gokyo lake through the jumble of rocks and boulder.

Day 9 : Climb Gokyo RI 5357m. 3 hours trek

Early morning climb to Gokyo Ri for the tremendous mountain views around Gokyo including Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawachee etc.

Day 10 : Gokyo - Dole 7 hour trek

After great exploration around Gokyo Lage trek back to Dole via same trail. The scenery are great along the way.

Day 11 : Dole – Khumjung 3780m. 6 hour trek

The trail descends with view of Tengboche monastry at the left side and great view views of mountain including Mt Ama Dablam, Thamsherju to the south-east.

Day 12 : Khumjung – Manjoo 2780m. 7 hours trek

The trail descends to Namche Bazaar and then further steep down to suspension bridge and reach to manjoo for the over night.

Day 13 : Manjoo – Lukla 2810m. 5 hours trek

An easy walk along the river and beautiful Sherpa villages then ascends through the forest to get the Lukla.

Day 14 : Lukla- Kathmandu

Morning fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. The rest of day is at leisure to rest, souvenir shopping or explore any sights you want to see and evening enjoy Farewell dinner hosted by the company.

Day 15 : Kathmandu

A free day for your own activities including a souvenir shopping. Evening Join the farewell dinner with live Nepali cultural program hosted by the company.

Day 16 : Departure

If you have time and are interested for other adventure like white water rating, wild life safari or any other activities can extend your holiday or transfer to airport and fly back to sweet home.

Inclusions

What is included?

Arrival/departure transfers
3 night 2-3 star category hotels with breakfast in Kathmandu.
Sightseeing tours by private vehicle with tour guide, entrance fees
Domestic flight/ground transportation as per the program, airport transfer
Lodge accommodations and all meals during the trek, Down jacket, sleeping bag
Cost for a first Aid and Eco trained English speaking guide and Porter
Emergency rescue arrangements, medical kit bag
All necessary paper works and trekking /entry permits
All government and local taxes where applicable.
Welcome or farewell dinner

What isn't included?

International airfare and Nepal visa fee
Excess baggage charges with domestic flight
Lunch / dinner in Kathmandu
Emergency rescue and medical expenses
Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills personal porters
Tips for the trekking crew
Other optional trips/activities and sightseeing if required

Complimentary

Introduction and trip briefing: We give a short brief about the trip in Kathmandu on the same day of your arrival and introduce your trip guide and team members. At the mean time, we provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions if any about the trip.

Accommodation: Lodges in the mountains are not as comfortable and clean as in the city but not the very basic. The lodges we use normally have combination of dormitories, twin, triple room and beds have foam mattress. There are few factors that affect our choice of a particular lodge which may not always be immediately obvious but the great looking lodges from outside may not be the cleanest and may not provide the best service or food. Please note that we also do not use lodges that will not provide accommodation for porters and guides as we believe that we have a duty to look after all our staffs. Some of the lodges now have attached bathrooms but we do not include this in the price of your trips. However due to availability issue you may be given a room with a bathroom and we will not charge extra.

Meals: Three meals as per your choice are provided in a day. Every lodge has a food menu and ordering book and you should write down in it everything you order under you name and room number. Guide will assist it actually and check at kitchen how busy they are. However it is good to order the food in one hour advance. Lunch is normally taken in a lodge along the way and we suggest the group tries to order similar dishes to make easier and shorter time. Nepali, Tibetan, Continental etc. dishes are available though. However local food like vegetables, potatoes, soups are fresh, hygiene and healthy.

Guide: English speaking, well experienced and knowledgeable holding license from government institutions. They are well trained about the high altitude problem, eco tourism, social responsibilities and sincerely dedicated on their duty. Actually our guides play an invaluable role in ensuring that our clients have the best opportunity to experience, learn about, and enjoy their trip presenting them whenever you need any help.

Porters: Normally we use only regular porters working for the company. Our porters are fully equipped and insured having knowledge of walking on snow and high altitude passes. They are very honest, reliable, strong and of curse get good pay. They can speak English and will be referred to take the guide training after they are well experience and confident.

Travel Insurance: We suggest and t is a condition of traveling with us that you must be fully insured, including air rescue services and all medical expenses. You decide and choose what amount and types of is insurance is suitable for your trip nature as some does buy cancellation and only for certain period of time.

Itinerary: Given itinerary is flexible so if needed there is often there will be possibility on the trek to extend or shorten the walking days. In the special case if the trips is ended a week or more earlier, there will be given an optional for a short trip. Please discuss this with your trek guide and express your wishes.

Washing and Toilet: Most of lodges offer hot shower now. Some times a hot shower means a bucket of hot water and ask your trek guide about the availability. For ecological reasons please try and limit your use of hot water if the water is not solar-heated. Please note that higher place and cold time there is very little chance to have enough and hot water. Every lodge will have some kind of hand washing facility but ask your trek guide about the place where you can wash and clean your teeth. In any event it is good idea to carry a bar of soap with you. If the water frozen then ask your guide to get warm bowl of water which does not cost money.

Toilets are usually Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are out side the lodge but now some lodge are have inside the room or lodge. They tent to be cleaner in the lower and Annapurna region than the Everest or other remote and high region because of water shortage and temperature. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.

Drinking water: Most of the stomach problems are faced from drinking water in the mountain so you should really care of it. Bottle of mineral water is normally available but environmentally unfriendly options so we recommend filtered and boiled water that should be treated with iodine / purifying tablet before you drink it. The lodge people charge minimum for boiled water as fuel is used to boil the water and wait about half an hour before adding any fruit powder etc.

Transportation: Deluxe private vehicle are provided while on city tour, airport transfers and round trip flight.

Electricity: Small scale electricity schemes are running is several mountain communities but as they by definition small the light may not be strong enough to read by and is not always guaranteed to be working. Kerosene lamps, candles or solar light bulbs are often used is the dining room where there is no electricity. A touch light, with extra batteries is essential. Some lodges have recharging facilities for which there is a small charge. Nepal use voltages, 220-240 volts to power your appliances. The sockets are fit both round and flat.

Trip code
Package name	Gokyo Lake Trek
Duration	16
Max. elevation	5350 m
Level	Moderate
Transportation	All ground transportation and domestic flight as per itinerary
Accomodation	3*** Hotel in Kathmandu and Lodge / Tea house during the trek
Starts at	Kathmandu
Ends at	Kathmandu
Trip route	Lukla-Namche-Dole-Gokyo Lake-Cho-La pass-Mt. Everest Base Camp-Tengboche-Lukla
Cost	USD 1,760 per person