Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek | Unforgettable Journey to Everest Region

After landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, you'll be welcomed by a representative from Himalayan Dream Team who will escort us to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, you’ll check in, freshen up, and have some time to rest. In the evening, Himalayan Dream Team will host a welcome dinner for us. We will spend the night in Kathmandu

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple): Our first stop is the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa, perched on a hilltop, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Kathmandu. This sacred site is a beautiful symbol of faith for both Buddhists and Hindus.
• Pashupatinath Temple: Next, we visit Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and cremation site. Here, you can witness and photograph traditional Hindu rituals along the Bagmati River, immersing yourself in the local spiritual life.
• Kathmandu Durbar Square: After a delicious lunch, we head to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a historic site showcasing stunning Newari architecture. Enjoy a photo session with locals in traditional attire or Hindu holy men (Sadhus), perfect for capturing unique and memorable portraits.
• Vegetable and Spice Markets: End the day with a visit to the bustling vegetable and spice markets. Capture dynamic street photography of vibrant colors, energetic atmosphere, and diverse faces, providing a glimpse into everyday life in Kathmandu.

Today, our adventure begins at Kathmandu Domestic Airport, where we will take a 45-minute flight to Lukla. The flight offers stunning views of the fertile middle hills, scattered villages, terraced fields, and the majestic high Himalayas in the background. Upon arrival in Lukla, we meet the rest of our trekking team, take a break for tea or coffee, and commence our trek to Phakding. The trail initially descends gradually to Cheplung village, providing us with a glimpse of Mt. Khumbila, a sacred mountain that remains unclimbed.

After breakfast from Phakding the trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley, staying 100m above the river on its west bank. The trail leads us to Jorsale (2810m) where we enter the Sagarmatha National Park, and submit our trekking permits for checking. From here we continue on an ever-steepening trail to Namche Bazaar (3440m), known simply as Namche. En route we cross the spectacular suspension bridge high above the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and the Dudh Kosi, and shortly after glimpse our first view of Everest, way off to the north-east. The trail to Namche is steep and long, but eventually we reach the remarkable Sherpa capital perched high on the hillside and dominated to the east by the immense bulk of Kwangde

Since we are fast gaining altitude, this is the first of the two scheduled “acclimatization” days. Health experts always recommend to stay active and moving during the rest days instead of being idle. We either spend the day taking a day hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or relaxing and exploring Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazzar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we climb a few hundred feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. Our guides will take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region.

We'll start walking from Namche Bazaar to Dole and see beautiful sights like Dudh Koshi, stupas, and famous peaks like Ama Dablam and Everest. Keep an eye out for Musk Deer and Himalayan Tahrs. After about two hours, we'll rest at Mong La Pass, then walk through rhododendron forests and Sherpa villages. The path goes up and down, passing Phortse Thanga, until we reach Dole, where we'll stay for the night.

The trek from Dole starts with a tricky downhill walk on a slippery, snow-covered slope. Then, we steadily climb along a path with great views of mountains like Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Kantega, and Mt. Thamserku. As we go uphill, we'll see fewer plants and more rocky areas. We pass by a small place called Lhafarma, then reach Luza village in a side valley. After Luza, we cross the Dudh Koshi River and walk on sandy paths until we get to Machhermo, the last big village before Gokyo. In Machhermo, we can visit the Himalayan Rescue Hospital to learn about altitude sickness. We'll spend the night there.

 Today, we start by climbing a ridge for a great view of Kangtaiga and Cho Oyu. Then, the trail goes through Phangkha, where an avalanche happened in 1995. We descend to the riverbank, then climb steeply onto the Ngazumpa Glacier's terminal moraine. Crossing an iron bridge, the trail flattens as we pass the first lake, Longpongo. We might see lama footprints there. At the second lake, Taboche Tsho, we'll be amazed by its turquoise blue water. Nearby is the third lake, connected by a stream. Gokyo village by the third lake, with Cho-Oyu Mountain behind it, is an incredible sight. After lunch, we'll explore around the third lake, Dudh Pokhari.

During acclimatization, we'll climb Gokyo Ri Viewpoint for stunning views of the Everest region, including Thonak Tsho Lake and Ngozuma Tsho Lake.
Three kilometers north of Gokyo is Ngozumpa Tsho glacier (5,000m), and a short walk from there is Scoundrel's Viewpoint. You can see Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu from there.
To the north of the fifth Gokyo Lake, you'll see amazing views of Cho Oyu Base Camp and the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the longest glacier in the Himalayas. It's incredibly fascinating!

Today, we'll walk down a path by the Dudh Koshi River, passing a couple of Gokyo lakes. Along the way, we'll see Cholatse and Taboche peaks. The path goes down first, then up a hill. When we reach the chorten at the top, we'll have amazing views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu, and Kangtega mountains. After that, we'll go through Machhermo, Luza, and Lhafarma villages before arriving at Dole.

The return trail to Namche took a bit of time but proved much easier, mostly descending. The journey was highlighted by expansive views of the valley and a delightful stroll through the enchanting Rhododendron Forest once more.

You will notice that walking is easier because our bodies have adjusted to the high altitudes. The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our (shaky) legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast following Dud Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. By today we start to get warmed up by the light breeze. Any remaining sore throats and colds will be gone by today as we pass through this charming mountain air. Although we are travelling the same route down, we feel completely different views. We snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. On arrival in Lukla, we have plenty of time to relax, stretch those sore legs, and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smile on their faces! 

After our mountain journey, we take an early flight to Kathmandu. When we get there, we can relax or shop for souvenirs. If we feel like it, we can also explore other parts of Kathmandu today with the help of our guides, who can assist with both shopping and sightseeing.
 

Today is reserved in case of any flight delays or cancellations between Kathmandu -Lukla - Kathmandu. If all flights operate on schedule, this day offers an excellent opportunity for additional sightseeing. We can arrange an optional tour to the historic cities of Bhaktapur and Patan.

Optional Sightseeing Tour:

Bhaktapur: Explore the ancient city of Bhaktapur, renowned for its rich culture, temples, and intricate wood, metal, and stone artworks. Highlights include Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the 55-Window Palace, Nyatapola Temple, and the Pottery Square.

Patan: Visit the historic city of Patan, also known as Lalitpur, famous for its architectural heritage and vibrant arts scene. Key attractions include Patan Durbar Square, the Krishna Mandir, and the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar).

This optional tour provides a deeper insight into the cultural and historical richness of the Kathmandu Valley, making your trek experience even more memorable.

On your final day after completing the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek with the Himalayan Dream Team, it's time to bid farewell. With hearts filled with cherished memories and a deeper understanding of Nepal's rich culture and breathtaking landscapes, our dedicated representative will ensure a smooth and comfortable transfer to the international airport.

As you board your flight, take a moment to reflect on the enriching experiences and knowledge gained during your trek. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures with the Himalayan Dream Team. Safe travels and best wishes for your future endeavors!