(3 Reviews)
Duration: 13 Days
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Gokyo Valley Trek is one of the best trekking destinations in the Khumbu region that offers you views of picturesque landscapes, stunning Himalayan ranges, and beautiful turquoise lakes along with the unique culture and tradition of Sherpa people. This trek takes you to the breathtaking Gokyo valley, one of the astonishing villages in the region.
The Gokyo Valley Trek starts with a short flight to Lukla and goes through the Himalayan settlement of Phakding and UNESCO’s natural world heritage site Sagarmatha National Park leading to the celebrated town of Namche Bazaar. The trekking trail winds through amazing river valleys and is accompanied by lush deciduous forests, open pastures, and cultivated terrace farms. Each of the settlements and villages of this region is also a great place to get a glimpse of the Sherpa culture. Furthermore, the trail leads to the pristine Gokyo Lakes situated in the lap of Cho Oyu (8188m), the sixth highest mountain in the world. With turquoise blue water and a sacred tenor, the Gokyo Lakes is a great natural component of the Himalayan ecosystem and emits tranquillity in the surrounding environment. Likewise, Gokyo Ri (5360m) offers the best sunrise and sunset views hosting an amazing panorama of snow-clad mountains like Cho Oyu (8188m), Chamar (7287m), Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8414m), etc. A wide view of the gorgeous Gokyo Lakes and the massive Ngozumpa Glacier can also be seen from the viewpoint. The best time to do the Gokyo Valley Trek would be from March to May and September to December. These months present the best-suited temperatures and weather conditions for trekking in the Himalayas.
Join Himalayan Recreation Treks and Expedition for your Gokyo Valley Trek adventure so that your experience is eventful and spectacular. Our professional team members hold more than a decade of experience, making sure that you get the best experience of your life while traveling in Nepal. This is an adventure that you surely do not want to miss out on.
Gokyo lakes are the world’s highest freshwater glacier lakes lying at 4,700m to 5,000m altitude. The trek takes you to the hidden village of the Khumbu region, Gokyo valley, and then leads you to the mystical lakes. If you're looking for a trail distinct from usual Everest treks then, there cannot be a better option than the Gokyo Valley trek.
The Gokyo valley trek lies inside one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, Sagarmatha National park. The national park is well-known for being rich in endangered flora and faunas. Thus, the trek offers you an opportunity to witness several flora and faunas all along the trail.
Similar to other treks of the Everest region, the views of several mountains greet you as soon as you enter the region. And the highest point you'll reach during this trek is Gokyo Ri at an elevation of 5,357m altitude. You can witness the 360-degree view of the giant 8000m snow-capped mountains including the mystical Gokyo lakes. You can catch a glimpse of the Himalayan range like; Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, and many more mountains during the trek.
Trekking in the Khumbu region provides you with an insight into the culture and traditions of the renowned Sherpa people. You get to experience the ancient Sherpa culture, traditions, rituals, and lifestyle of the Sherpa community. As you walk through the villages coming along the trail you can also witness the prayer walls, Flags, spinning wheels, and bells all representing the culture of the ethnic Buddhist communities.
Travellers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities.
Narayan Baniya (nature pathfinder) and Sumir Gyawali (yoga teacher) guide me in this adventure. Actually they manage perfectly my short time and all the noisy burocratic thinks like documents or Covid control. They makes me feel safely and had care of me since the moment I reserved .. now I’m at home and still feel the power of their experience, friendship and good nature. They makes me “enter” in the Nepali lifestyle, from metropolitan Kathmandu until the top of the mountain were the vibes are soo deep. Their good vibes are compatible with all, Sumir had a clinical yogi eye and Narayan the calm you need to arrive over the clouds.. it was like a day dreaming and I never forget this experience out of time. Thank you Antonio
A great & well organised experience. I highly recommend Himalayan recreation to anyone planning to trek to the Annapurna Basecamp. Everything from start to finish was all taken care of, taking away all of the stress of organisation so that I could focus on enjoying the trek. Ashok was very responsive on whatsapp at all times and was able to adapt the tour when circumstances changed. For example, when my flight to Pokhara was cancelled, Ashok arranged for a friendly driver to take me all the way there by private car instead (I did have to wait 1.5 hours for the driver, but traffic in Kathmandu is difficult). My guide Santosh and porter Bal were very friendly and accommodating and were good company during the trek. They have the English skills required to answer the majority of questions, particularly relating to the trek. Overall, a very good experience. The trek itself is very beautiful. It has everything, including rural villages with rice terraces, bamboo forests, and epic mountains. The accommodation is basic but everything you need for a trek (much better than camping). The weather forecast is inaccurate - I enjoyed decent weather despite the forecast being constant rain/thunder. I found the difficulty to be much easier than others state, and could have completed the trek in 5-6 days. Almost anyone with a decent level of fitness would be able to complete this trek (adjusting the duration to accommodate).
The Annupurna Poon Hill Trip is a lovely trek through the lower elevations of the Annupurna range of the Himalayas. Starting from Pokhara, a 90 minute drive in a taxi drops us off at the beginning of the trek and then goes up from there. My guide, Raj, was absolutely awesome and provided a lot of great information about the area during our trek over the several days that this trek takes place. The second day of the climb takes us to the small town of Ghorepani, and then an early climb the next morning to Poon Hill. I went on this trip in the 2nd year of the virus. According to my guide, the number of travelers was still way down from pre-pandemic years. So, in one way, it is a great time to travel since you will have most of the trails to yourself. The tea houses are also pretty empty. The negative side to this is that there are limited menu items and several places didn't have WiFi. There are a few recommendations I would make about this trip. The first is the ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara. I took the bus and regretted it about halfway there. While the distance is only 200 km, it took about 8 hours on the bus. If I were to do this again, I would have opted for a 30 minute flight. It costs more, but is so worth it. Second, make sure you bring toilet paper with you on the trek. The tea houses I stayed in during my trek didn't have any. So, bringing a roll of your own is a huge help. And speaking of bathrooms, most of the toilets along the route are not the western style sit-down toilets. Rather they are the hole in the grounds. So, make sure to use the bathroom before leaving the tea house since the next western-style toilet isn't until the next guest house, which could be a half day hike away. Finally, if you have time after the trek, spend an extra day in Pokhara. It is much more interesting than Kathmandu. Otherwise, the trek was wonderful and the folks at Himalayan Recreation did a great job in staying in touch, picking me up at the airport when I arrived in Nepal, and provided excellent service all the way through.
This trip was the first we took with those guys. It was very nice, guide was interesting and gave us a lot information about Bhaktapur and Nepal itself. After they arranged few more trips for us. First was Chitwan national park and jeep safari. After Pokhara and paragliding. And then return to Kathmandu. It was very helpful to have someone local there who can arrange flights, pick ups, all the activities and return wherever needed. We didn't have more time, but all the time we had, they managed to organize for us, without stressing or worrying. I truly recommend them, because they are very responsible and helpful for any situation. I firstly met them in Kathmandu for our first trip and they helped us with all the others.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representative will pick you up. You will then be transferred to the hotel so that you can have some rest after such a long tiring journey. Then in the evening, you will meet with your guide for further discussion regarding the trek. Stay overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Things to look out for:
Meet and greet at the airport.
Evening briefing about the trek.
Keep in mind:
This is your arrival day at our representative will be there at the airport to welcome you and escort you to the hotel. In the evening you'll have a short briefing session with your guide regarding the detailed plans of the trek.
You will take an early morning flight to Lukla today. The thrilling 30 minutes flight rewards you with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains and lush green hills. On reaching Lukla, you will start your trek to Phakding. You will be walking through small villages with the beautiful view of prayer flags on the way to Phakding. Overnight at the hotel in Phakding.
Thrilling flight to Lukla
Scenic views of snow-capped mountains and green hills.
The trek begins right after the landing of the flight in Lukla. You'll be walking towards Phakding through forests and small settlements.
Leaving Phakding, you will be walking along the side of Dudh Koshi River towards Namche Bazaar. Walking through the dense rhododendron and pine forests, you will arrive in Monjo, which is the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. After crossing the suspension bridge and walking ahead for a while, you will arrive in the famous Sherpa town named Namche Bazaar. Overnight at the hotel in Namche Bazaar.
The trail alongside Dudh Koshi River.
Entrance to Sagarmatha National Park.
Today will be spent in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. The town is also amazing for experiencing the Sherpa culture, and you can also visit the Everest Photo Gallery and the Sherpa Culture Museum here. Moreover, you can visit the Everest View Hotel from where you can get an amazing view of snow-capped mountains, including Everest (8848m). You can also take a leisurely hike to Syangboche Airstrip which is located above Namche. Stay overnight at the guesthouse in Namche.
Authentic culture and lifestyle of Sherpa people.
Exploration of Namche Bazaar.
Panoramic views of snow-capped mountains.
Today is the first acclimatization day of your trek. You can explore the Namche Bazaar today as there are many things to look around in this village from the old museum to the authentic Sherpa culture and lifestyle.
From Namche, the trail continues steadily towards Khyangjuma and goes through amazing rhododendron forests. The trail passes many pastures and summer settlements used by Sherpas while bringing herds of yaks to graze in the high pastures of the Himalayas. The route also passes through the settlements of Tongba and Tangwa Kharka to finally reach Dhole. The views of Mount Khumbila (5761m) and Taboche Peak (6367m) are incredible throughout the journey. Overnight at guesthouse in Dhole.
Rhododendron filled trails.
Several small Sherpa settlements are on the way.
The trekking trail continues steeply upward to the settlement of Kele and Luza. The trail continues to climb along the side of Dudh Koshi River, crossing rocky hills to finally arrive in Machhermo village. On reaching Machhermo, you will have some rest and then roam around the village. You can visit some of the small Buddhist stupas which are beautifully decorated with prayer flags. Stay overnight at the guesthouse in Machhermo.
The uphill trail alongside the river.
Stroll around the Machhermo village.
Today, you will climb on a steep ridge above Machhermo from where you will get a beautiful view of Cholatse (6335m) and Toboche (6367m). Then you will walk ahead towards Phangga with the beautiful view of Cho Oyu (8188m). The trail continues to ascend towards the moraine of Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the longest glacier in Nepal. Then, you will continue walking towards the first Gokyo Lake, Longponga (4710m), and the second Lake, Taujung Tsho (4740m), and finally arrive at the third lake named Dudh Pokhari, beside which the old village of Gokyo is situated. Stay overnight at the guesthouse in Gokyo.
Spectacular views of Mount Cho Oyu.
Ngozumpa Glacier.
Today the trail leads you to Gokyo valley which is considered to be one of the most stunning villages in the region. On the way, you can get mesmerizing views of several mountains.
Today, you will take a short hike to Gokyo Ri (5360m). It is a popular viewpoint from where you will have an excellent view of Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Makalu (8463m), and other mountains along with all of the Gokyo Lakes and the massive Ngozumpa Glacier. Then you will return to Gokyo and enjoy the beautiful view of turquoise Dudh Pokhari. After enjoying the best time here, you will return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Hike to Gokyo Ri.
Panoramic view of different ranges of mountains.
The mesmerizing view of Gokyo lakes.
Today is your second acclimatization day of the trek. It is also the highlight day of the trek as you'll be hiking to Gokyo Ri which is the highest point of the trek.
Taking a similar route back, we will make our way back to Dhole. It is a downward trail, which takes you under the shadowy mountains along the beautiful landscape. You will pass by the small picturesque villages of Machhermo, Luza, Kele, and finally reach Dhole. Stay overnight in a guesthouse.
Downhill walk to Dhole.
Walking slowly back towards the Dudh Koshi River Valley, you will trek down to Namche again. Following the trail embedded onto the side of verdant hills, you will be trekking on dainty paths passing by Sherpa caravans along the way. The trek down to Namche is quite beautiful, and since you will be making your way back, the journey also seems relatively easy. Upon reaching Namche, you can just relax. Overnight stay in Namche.
Descent through forests and tiny settlements.
From Namche, you will retrace your trail along the Imja River all the way to Phakding. The captivating landscape and the beguiling Himalayas make the journey back even more pleasant. The villages also tend to be living with people, and you can witness them working on their terrace farms of barley and potatoes. Crossing suspension bridges over Dudh Koshi River, you will then make your way back to Lukla. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Lukla.
Bidding goodbye to the mountains, you will take a morning flight back to Kathmandu. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you can spend your time at your convenience. Enjoy a fun evening in the vibrant streets and the bustling restaurants of Thamel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Scenic thrilling flight to Kathmandu.
Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
After the scenic flight back to Kathmandu, you can rest at the hotel in Kathmandu for rest of the day or choose to go for a short excursion around the city. In the evening you'll have a farewell dinner with our team.
Today you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight back home.
All ground transport in a private vehicle, including airport transfers
Two nights' accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
Best available twin sharing lodge for accommodation during the trek. We provide private bathrooms with hot showers in Lukla, Phakding and Namche.
3 standard meals a day (Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners) during the trek
Snacks of seasonal fruits during the trek
Domestic flights (From Kathmandu - Lukla or Manthali - Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu or Lukla to Manthali) including airport departure tax and transfers. (Note: If you want to take a shared helicopter, it will cost you an extra amount.)
Himalayan Recreation’s experienced, government licensed, English speaking trekking guide during the Gokyo trip.
Porter services (1 porter = 2 trekkers).
All costs of staff which includes food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment’s and medicines.
Duffel bag use while trekking, Trekking map and trip achievement certificate
Required Sagarmatha National Park Permit fee and TIMS Fee
First aid medicine Kit
Farewell dinner with Cultural show in a fine restaurant on second last day.
Government taxes & office service charge
Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the above itinerary
Personal Travel insurance, which covers emergency Rescue and Evacuation.
Travel insurance
Personal trekking equipment or expenses
Tips for trekking guides, porters and drivers (tipping is expected)
Any other expenses that are not mentioned in the 'Price Includes' section.
Best season to trek Gokyo valley
Before you commence on any trek, it is important to research the weather conditions of the destination. In the case of Nepal, although it is possible to trek throughout the year, there are different uniqueness and beauty of trekking in different seasons. Spring and autumn are the two seasons considered best to trek in Nepal as these are the seasons offering comparatively more favors than other seasons.
Spring and autumn seasons are the two best seasons to trek Gokyo valley as you can enjoy the diverse range of scenery that the region offers without much trouble during these seasons. In the spring season, you can enjoy very delightful weather with clear skies and the temperature is average with several plants & flowers along with rhododendrons starting to bloom. Similar to the spring season, autumn is another perfect season to commence on a trek to the Everest region. The weather is very clear with moderate temperatures in the autumn as well. It is also possible to complete the trek in other seasons like; winter and monsoon but you should be extra prepared and aware if you want to trek in these seasons.
Food during Gokyo Valley Trek
As the Gokyo valley trek lies in the Everest region which is one of the developed trekking regions of Nepal. You can enjoy the menu with a wide range of foods during the beginning of the trek in lower elevation. But as you move to the higher elevation, the choice gets limited. The menu generally includes traditional village foods that consist of traditional bread, eggs, potatoes, and soup for breakfast, while lunch and dinner items include Dal Bhat (lentil soup, rice, and veggies), fried rice, noodles, etc depending on the lodge and destination.
Accommodation during Gokyo Valley Trek
In the first few days of the Gokyo Valley trek, you can enjoy the hotel rooms with in-room showers, western-style flush toilets, a Free WIFI connection, and in-room plugs to charge your stuff. But as you ascend to a higher elevation, electricity is scarce and there won't be the availability of Wifi connections, and hot water showers or you'll have to pay extra for these services. The rooms in higher elevation come with general facilities like warm Beds and washrooms, etc.
Gokyo Valley Trek difficulty
The Gokyo Valley trek is moderately difficult. This level of trekking generally includes treks of one to two weeks long and requires previous trekking or hiking experience. You need to be in good shape and have the stamina for this trek as it requires walking for about 5 to 6 hours. The trek also involves the walk above 4000 m with the uphill and downhill on rugged terrain. The trek is suitable for trekkers looking for a new and unique adventure in the Himalayas.
US $1369