Gokyo Valley Trek

After arrival at Kathmandu International Airport an ‘Region Treks’s representative will take you to your hotel in town. You will be briefed about your trek and there will be time to walk around in the vicinity of the hotel. Evening meal. There will also be a chat regarding accommodation and meals during the trip.

After breakfast we offer a guide for a tour of the Kathmandu valley with visits to the Pashupatinath Temples, Durbar Square and the Boudhanath Stupa. If preferred you can have a free day.

After breakfast transfer to Kathmandu Airport for the half hour flight to Lukla: one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in the dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by giant peaks. After a brief rest we start the walk through Lukla with its many shops to the nearby village of Chaurikharka visiting a school and monastery on the way. Meeting staff and porters, evening meal and overnight stay in Buddha Lodge.

After early breakfast we trek along the undulating trail up the marvelous Dudh Kosi valley with a break in Phakding. Onwards mainly uphill through various small settlements, across bridges and past tea houses to Monjo.

Soon after breakfast we enter the Everest National Park (access formalities will be completed by your guide). The trail follows the Dudh Kosi crossing it several times to the Hillary Bridge festooned in prayer flags. There the steep and relentless climb to Namche begins; usually a rest is taken at the spot where Everest can be seen for the first time. Namche Bazar with its many shops, tea houses and hostels is the true heart of the Khumbu district.

You have a choice to rest, stroll through the village or take part in an easy walk to Chor Camp and its museum with views to Everest and many other remarkable peaks.

: Trek from Namche Bazzar to Dole-(4,110m) 5-6 hrs We climb steeply out of Namche Bazzar up to Kyangjuma Village from where we can enjoy outstanding views of Thamserku, Khangtenga, and Ama Dablam. Most exhausting ascent of the day is obviously to pass the Mong La, a very charming place perched on the spur of Mt. Khumbila. An ancient historical Chorten stands at the centre of the settlement of Mong La. We stop at the top of Mong La to admire the grandstand views of surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys while we have our lunch. The most outstanding feature of the trail today is the abundance of plant and animal vegetation including wildflowers and Rhododendrons. Spotting wild lives like pheasants, mountain goats, and the elusive musk deer while on the way is not unusual. Through forests, some waterfalls and bridges, we reach Dole within 5-6 hours; a small place with few teahouses for our overnight full board accommodation (B, L, D).

Trek from Dole to Machhermo (4,470 m) 3-4hrs Firstly, we climb steadily up through a scenic ridge above the Dole and the trail climbs via Lhabarma at 4220m to Luza at 4360m. The path is steep in most places as we pass through thorny bushes up to Lhabarma. Offering us good views of Cho Oyu, Kantega, and Thamserku the trail takes us through many summer settlements and a charming hamlet of Luza. While we ascend from Luza, the Dudh Koshi valley is deep like a canyon with its sheer sides. Walking along the hillside above thundering Dudh Koshi passing through some small hamlets and through sandy spurs, we reach Machherma. Machherma is the last major settlement on the way up to Gokyo. We visit the Himalayan Rescue Hospital here for a lecture regarding the altitude sickness, its precaution, and primary treatment. Our overnight full board accommodation (B, L, D) is set in Machhermo.

Trek from Machharma to Gokyo (4800m) Today, we climb through a ridge Chorten from where we can see fabulous view of both down the valley and of the Mt. Kangtega, Thamserku, and northern part to the Cho-Oyu (8201m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through a Chorten and reaches Pangka (4480m) after some gentle walk. We descend to the riverbank before beginning to climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozamba Glacier. It is a steep climb on the moraine. After crossing an iron bridge over an stream the trial levels out as it follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo at 4690m, where we get chance to observe the Lama footprints on a stone. At the sight of the second lake, Taboche Tsho we become fascinated by the sparkling turquoise blue sheet of water dazzling in the sun. Little ahead of the second lake, we reach the third lake, the two linked by a surging stream. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Choyu Mountain as a backdrop sets an amazing spectacular sight here. After lunch, we explore around the third Lakes, Dudh Pokhari. We spend night in a teahouse with comfortable bedrooms in full board basis.

Explore Gokyo Valley and Acclimatization Today is full day rest or an acclimatization day but we know we should not stay idle. If the weather is good, we grasp the opportunity to climb Gokyo RI today instead of next day to enjoy the scene from the best viewpoint of Everest Region. Or, as we know Gokyo is not only popular for its grand view from Gokyo Peak but also for the six lakes, which it hosts. Certainly we would not miss the chance to see the fourth lake (Thonak Tsho) and fifth lake (Ngozuma Tsho). About 3 km north of Gokyo is the fourth lake with its high cliffs and peaks rising above it. The trail continues to fifth lake. If interested, we climb on a hill at the edge of the Lakes to get outstanding views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Khang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu. Moved by the charm, we may even try to go sixth lake too but depends upon our own interest and time. We will be back at Gokyo Village for overnight as usual.

Hike to Gokyo RI (5357m) and trek to Thaknak (4750m) If Gokyo RI has not been done the day before, we do this today. It is the highlight of this trip. Early morning, we hike up to the Gokyo RI/ Peak. Climb to Gokyo RI is obviously strenuous as it is steep up and takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach on the top, but even from the trial scenery of Gokyo village on the edge of third lake overlooked by Cholatse and the broad Nogzumpa Glacier are mind blowing. We feel like that we are surrounded by panoramic mountains like Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, K 43, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori. Sight of sunrays kissing the Everest that towers over all surrounding peaks is unlike from Kala Patthar (from Kala Patthar Nuptse seems taller). Our Gokyo RI visit will be unforgettable life time memories. We trek down to Gokyo and after breakfast we trek to Thaknak for overnight being by the second Lakes and the Nogzumpa Glacier.

Trek Gokyo to Dole(4100m), 4/5 Hrs walk Back Down. Today we will walk back the same way through the Nazongpa Glacier’s side along with first and second lake . We may see lots of small stone chortens which symbolize the wish made by trekkers. This day will be different then going up because you will saw Mt Thamserku and Kangtega in front of your eye. Day 13: Trek Dole(4100m) to Namche Bazar ,4/5 Hrs walk Back Down. This Day you will back to tree line where you will find greenery which you missed higher up. Gaining more Oxygen back to your body you may feel so strong and fit to walk ups and down .Encountering with some amazing flora and fauna on the side of Mt Khumbila and in the bank of Dudh Koshi river gives you great opportunities to see there life and struggle in mountainous region.At the night you can have western night life in Namche going some coffee shop and bars run at Namche bazaar by local Sherpa people.

Trek Dole(4100m) to Namche Bazar ,4/5 Hrs walk Back Down. This Day you will back to tree line where you will find greenery which you missed higher up. Gaining more Oxygen back to your body you may feel so strong and fit to walk ups and down .Encountering with some amazing flora and fauna on the side of Mt Khumbila and in the bank of Dudh Koshi river gives you great opportunities to see there life and struggle in mountainous region.At the night you can have western night life in Namche going some coffee shop and bars run at Namche bazaar by local Sherpa people.

Initially steeply down - a last view to Everest – and across the Hillary Bridge to gentler downhill trekking all the way to Lukla with some uphill stretches. It may be possible to stay overnight in ‘Buddha Lodge’. It is customary to tip porters & guides.

After breakfast to Lukla Airport for the flight back and transfer to accommodation in town. The rest of the day is free: you either take a break or enjoy the town with its many shops and sights. In the evening we celebrate our successful trek with a farewell dinner.

After breakfast we will take you to Kathmandu International Airport about three hours before your scheduled return flight.