Seeking a quiet hike to the Everest region, but hate the hustle of Everest Base Camp? The Gokyo Valley Trek is a perfect choice. On this 11-day trip, you will visit the magnificent Gokyo Lakes, solitary Sherpa villages, and the summit of Gokyo Ri and behold a magnificent view of Mount Everest and other tall peaks.
The Gokyo Trek Nepal is less crowded and serene when compared to the traditional Everest Base Camp trek. You will traverse through alpine valleys, through high suspension bridges, and view the suspended turquoise lakes that render the Gokyo Lake Trekking route very unique.
Your Gokyo Trek itinerary in Everest Delight is designed with consideration for convenience, protection, and the true Himalayan experience. This trek is ideal to explore the Everest region in a more relaxed manner, regardless of whether you are an experienced trekker or a first-time trekker.
Join us on this Gokyo Valley Trek – 11 Days, and have a look at one of the most stunning trekking routes in Nepal.
The Gokyo Valley Trek features spectacular panoramas of four of the eight tallest mountains on earth: Mount Everest (8,848m), Cho Oyu (8,188m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Makalu (8,485m). At the summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357m), trekkers get to view panoramas in a 360-degree direction, which are more spectacular than those at the Everest Base Camp.
There are 6 crystal clear glacial lakes along the trek, where the largest and the most photographed is the third lake (Dudh Pokhari). These lakes are of turquoise color and they have very high spiritual value both to Hindus and Buddhists, making them a very mystical place to be and join on the trek.
Feel the ice creep of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal, spread across a length of 36 kilometers. This huge ice block offers trekkers an exceptional geological experience and magnificent ice formations all through trekking.
The Gokyo Valley Trek passes through traditional Sherpa villages including Namche Bazaar, Dole, and Machhermo. This small rural village offers genuine cultural exchanges, traditional architecture, and warm hospitality that showcase the rich heritage of the Khumbu region.
The Gokyo Valley Trek lies inside Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national park is protected under the Nepal government because it is home to rare animals like snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, and many beautiful birds. When you walk through the Gokyo Valley trekking route, you’ll pass through different types of nature – from rhododendron forests in the lower areas to alpine meadows filled with colorful wildflowers at higher altitudes. The changing landscape makes the trek even more exciting and beautiful.
Duration: Our Everest Gokyo Valley Trek takes 11 Days to complete, so all those who want to participate in this trek must have at least this amount of time available.
Age requirement: There is no age barrier on this trek.
Experience: Best for experience trekkers, and beginners are also welcome to enrol, but they must have a good level of physical fitness.
Fitness Criteria: Trekkers must be able to walk for an average of around 6 hours.
Health conditions: Trekkers must not have a previous history of high-altitude sickness or serious underlying health conditions.
Travel insurance: Highly recommended with a helicopter evacuation plan.
What to expect: The Gokyo Valley trek is a tea house trek, so prepare for basic facilities during the trip.
Island Peak weather: Everest Gokyo Lake trek is possible throughout the year, but due to perfect weather conditions, it is best done during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons.
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to take a Gokyo Valley Trek. In this season, you can expect clear mountain views, moderate daytime temperatures for trekking. Also, the blooming of rhododendron and wildflowers in the Gokyo trek routes adds excitement to the trip. Additionally, in this season, trekkers can take beautiful pictures and videos of beautiful landscapes and the Himalayan mountain peaks.
Autumn is my all-time favourite time to do the Gokyo Valley trek. Due to minimal chances of rainfall and favorable weather conditions, Lukla flights are rarely canceled. Also, the clear view of the sky allows trekkers to enjoy the mountain views without any obstruction. In autumn, both the day and nighttime temperatures favour high-altitude trekking.
Gokyo Valley in winter(December, January, February) experiences cold and freezing temperatures at high altitudes. Also, due to heavy snowfall at high altitudes, such as Renjo La Pass, it may not be easy to navigate. Similarly, in monsoon(June, July, August), the lower altitude of the Gokyo Valley trekking trails becomes muddy due to heavy downpours. Also, there is a risk of floods and landslides in the monsoon season.
| Month | Average High Temperature (°C) | Average Low Temperature (°C) | Weather Description |
| January | -2 | -12 | Cold and snowy |
| February | 0 | -10 | Cold, occasional snow |
| March | 3 | -8 | Cool, clear skies |
| April | 6 | -4 | Mild, mostly sunny |
| May | 10 | 0 | Pleasant, occasional rain |
| June | 13 | 4 | Warm, partly cloudy |
| July | 15 | 6 | Warm, frequent rain |
| August | 14 | 5 | Warm, occasional rain |
| September | 12 | 2 | Cool, clear skies |
| October | 8 | -2 | Mild, crisp air |
| November | 4 | -6 | Chilly, dry |
| December | 0 | -10 | Cold, snowy |
Note: We recommend checking the weather forecast before starting the Gokyo Lake Trek to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
Tips for the Flight: Try to secure a seat on the left-hand side of the plane for the best mountain views.
Traveler's Tip: Photograph the Bridges. The suspension bridges offer perfect photo opportunities with the backdrop of rivers, deep gorges, and distant snow-capped peaks.
Travellers note: Namche offers a variety of shops where you can stock up on necessities like gloves, water purification tablets, or snacks for the next leg of your trek.
Early Morning: Hike to Gokyo Ri
Highlights:
Tips:
Late Morning to Early Afternoon: Explore Gokyo Valley
Activities:
Late Afternoon to Evening
Travelers' note: Arrive at least an hour before your scheduled flight to allow time for check-in and security processes.
The Gokyo Valley Trek is considered a moderately challenging adventure in the Everest Region. The main key factors that add challenge to the Gokyo Valley trek are high altitude, long duration of walk, unpredictable weather and difficult terrain conditions.
Trekkers who have previous trekking experience will not find it hard but for the first time trekker it can be difficult for them. Trekking everyday for 5-6 hours on the mix trail like gradual ascents, steep climbs, and rocky pathways for continuous 11 days is not easy.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or trekking for the first time. What really matters is how well you prepare in advance. With proper physical training and by trekking under the guidance of a licensed trekking agency like us, this trek is absolutely manageable.
The Gokyo Valley Trek is a rewarding adventure, but when we follow proper trekking preparation.
Building your fitness level is essential, as the trek involves steep climbs, descents, and extended periods of walking at high altitudes. Incorporate a mix of cardio exercises, like running or cycling, and strength training to enhance your endurance and mobility.
Additionally, practice long hikes with a backpack to replicate real trekking conditions. Equally important is planning for altitude acclimatization to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Packing all the essentials for the Gokyo Valley Trek helps you to prepare for the challenges ahead. Along with the physical and mental fitness you should also focus on building a positive mindset. It helps to overcome obstacles during tough times.
During the Gokyo Valley Trek you will enjoy the home cooked food in traditional tea houses along the Gokyo route. You can expect the menu features staples like dal bhat (a lentil soup served with rice, vegetables, and sometimes pickles), noodles, momos (Nepali-style dumplings), and roti or chapati breads.
Also some western options such as pancakes, pasta, and fried rice are also available in many teahouses. For breakfasts, you’ll often find porridge, eggs (boiled, fried, or scrambled), and Tibetan bread.
You will have the option to choose veg and non veg from the tea house menu. In drinks you can find a variety of tea options, energy drink, soft drink, cold drink and alcoholic beverage as well.
The most common lodging option during the Gokyo Lake trek is staying in the tea house( mountain Guest house). This lodge is often run by the local family so you will get the opportunity to enjoy warm Sherpa hospitality.
Inside the tea house you will find small, modest rooms with twin beds, often outfitted with simple mattresses, pillows, and blankets. Shared bathrooms are common.
Electricity, Hot shower and Wi-Fi are available but you need to pay certain fees and in some places this service is limited due to the remoteness of the region. Expect simple living and authentic mountain experience on this Gokyo trek.
Altitude sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), occurs when your body struggles to adapt to lower oxygen levels at high altitudes.
The Gokyo Valley Trek, which reaches elevations above 5,000 meters, poses a real risk, making awareness and prevention vital for a successful trek.
Prevention Tips for Altitude Sickness
Effective Acclimatization Tips
Emergency Actions to Manage Altitude Sickness
The flight distance from Kathmandu to Lukla is approximately 138 kilometers (86 miles) and flight duration is around 30 to 35 minutes. During the peak trekking season(spring and autumn) the flights to Lukla shift from Kathmandu Airport to Ramechhap Airport.This adjustment is made to manage air traffic congestion as per Nepal's civil aviation regulations.
Ramechhap Airport, also known as Manthali Airport, is located approximately 132 kilometers (82 miles) from Kathmandu. To reach Ramechhap Airport from Kathmandu you need to drive for around 4-5 hours.
To make this transition seamless, Everest Delight will arrange transportation from Kathmandu to Ramechhap for our trekkers.
Do you want to customize your trekking itinerary by adding Everest base camp on your trip to the Gokyo Valley trek? Then it is also possible with Everest Delight. Everest base camp Gokyo Lake Trek will be an amazing adventure for those who want to make the trip more adventurous and memorable. On this combined trip you will get the opportunity to visit the world's highest base camp and visit Gokyo Lake in a single trip. To know more in details about the Everest base camp with the Gokyo Lake trek itinerary, cost, etc, you can contact us.
Note: If you prefer not to buy gear, items like trekking poles, down jackets, sleeping bags, and more can be rented from gear shops in Thamel before the trek. This is a convenient and budget-friendly option for many trekkers.
