GOKYO RI TREK(11 DAYS)
An off the beaten track trek with spectacular views of Everest and the turquoise glacier lakes of Goyko
Maximum elevation 5,340m
Difficulty: Difficult
Accommodation -: Hotels and Tea houses
Start /End point :- Kathmandu and Lukla
Season: March to May and September to December
Culture: Sherpa
This trek takes you through the Everest region of the beautiful Sagamatha National Park, visiting the glacier-fed, turquoise lakes of Gokyo. It has some of the most spectacular views of Mt Everest, as well the other 8,000m peaks of the region: Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyu and many other snow-capped mountains. The Gokyo trek has the advantage of being quieter than the main Everest Base Camp trekking route. The trail traverses many suspension bridges, passes through yak pastures and by the Ngozumba glacier, one of the longest in Nepal, as well as ancient Buddhist monasteries. Although most stops on route are based at Tea Houses, in Gokyo itself hotel/lodge accommodation is available for some relative luxury!
ITINERARY
Day 01 Fly from KTM or Ramechhap to Lukla (45 mins) and trek to Phakding at 2610m (3 hrs)
Day 02 Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar at 3440m (5-6 hrs)
Day 03 Acclimatization day - hiking to Everest view point (2 hrs)
Day 04 Trek from Namche Bazaar to Thame at 3820m (5-6 hrs)
Day 05 Trek from Thame to Lungden at 4370m (5-6 hrs)
Day 06 Trek from Lungden to Renjo-La pass at 5360m to Gokyo at 4790m (6-7 hrs)
Day 07 Acclimatization day hiking - spectacular views of Mt Everest, Makalu and Gokyo Ri
Day 08 Trek from Gokyo to Phortse Thanga at 3680m (6-7 hrs)
Day 09 Trek from Phortse Thanga to Namche Bazaar at 3440m (5-6 hrs)
Day 10 Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla at 2840m (5-6 hrs)
Day 11 Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (45 mins)
This is just an example itinerary - there are many options to vary the itinerary and visit other villages of the Khumbu valley, including adding a trip to Everest Base camp, according to the time available.
See detailed itinerary below.
DAY 01
DAY 02
DAY 03
DETAILED ITINERARY
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Day 1 - Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to Phakding at 2610m
5-9 hrs, 8km, altitude gain -250m
We leave our hotel early for the flight to Lukla. Ramechhap has more flights to Lukla so is usually a better option. Its a 4 hr drive by private jeep to Ramchhap and the flight to Lukla takes 45mins in a small plane. The airport of Lukla is amongst the highest in the world (2,860m) and considered to be the most dangerous one as well – the airport is prone to closure in bad weather so we have to be prepared for delays. If the weather permits, it will be a very scenic flight.
Once we land, we will trek for about 3hrs to get to our first accommodation at Phakding. This is a gentle and pleasant start to our trek through the valley, until we meet the Dudh Khosi river and then shortly afterwards we reach Phakding where we find our first tea house.
Day 2 - Phakding to Namche Bazaar at 3440m
5-6 hrs, 11km, altitude gain 830m
In the morning after breakfast we start early from our tea house, following the river and crossing many suspension bridges. We will reach Monjo, the gateway to the Sagarmantha National Park where we check our permits in, after 3 hours walk. There are good views of Mt Thamserku from here.
We will have lunch in Jorsalle and then we start to climb steeply, crossing the Hillary suspension bridge and finally reaching Namche Bazaar after about 2 and half hours. We’ll find our teahouse and stay for two nights here.
Day 3 - Acclimatization day – Hike to Everest View Point Hotel (3880m) and Khumjung village
5-6 hrs, ~9km
Today we will hike to Everest View Point hotel for panoramic and spectacular view of mountains and to help us acclimatise to the altitude. It takes 2 hours to reach and after enjoying the mountain views at the top, we climb down to Khumjung village to visit the ancient monastery and the Khumjung Hillary School (1 hour). This is the biggest Sherpa village in Khumbu region. We’ll see the fabled Skull of Yeti inside the monastery. Afterwards we continue our trek to Khunde village which takes about 1 hour, where we have lunch and visit the old monastery before heading back to Namche Bazaar village (1.5 hours). There will be time to explore this historic and prosperous town and experience the atmosphere and ambiance.
Day 4 - Namche Bazaar to Thame at 3820m
5-6 hrs, 9km, 380m altitude gain
After breakfast we follow the trail past the Namche Gompa and through rhododendron and pine forests until we reach Gangla (about 1 and half hours). The trail then descends for an hour to Phurte and then through a Yak pasture for a further hour until we reach Thamo village where we’ll stop for lunch.
After lunch the trail continues down crossing a bridge and then climbing up gently until we reach Thame village (about an 1 hour) and our teahouse for the night. Thame village is one of the largest villages in the Gokyo valley. From here there are superb views of Mt Shar (6093m), Lho (6187m), Nup (6035m), Thyangmochen (6500m), Paniyo Tapa (6696m), Kangpoche and Kwangde peaks. In the evening we can have a guided visit of the Thame Gompa.
Day 5 - Thame to Lungden at 4370m
5-6 hrs, 9.6km, 550m altitude gain
The trail starts through the village and then climbs to reach Thameteng which takes about 30 minutes; it is a popular tea shop and has great views Mt Kyajo-Ri (6186m), Shar (6093m), Nup (6035m), Khatang (6353m), and Thyangmochen (6500m). We then continue our trek until Hungmo which takes 30 minutes. Then our trek continues along the bank of Thame Khola for another hour till Marlung village, one of the largest villages in the Gokyo Ri Valley, where we have our lunch break.
After lunch we cross a bridge then continue to climb gradually up to Lungden which is our destination for the night (about 1 and half hours).
Day 8 - Gokyo to Phortse Thanga at 3680m
6-7hrs, 15 km, altitude gain -1,110m
In the morning after breakfast we start our trek along the bank of the river, descending until we reach Nillbuk which takes about 1 hour, then through Yak pastures until Pangka, a small hamlet (a further hour) where we can get a drink if needed. We’ll continue on down to Machhermo (1 and half hour) where we’ll stop for lunch break.
After lunch the trail continues passing through Yak pasture and rhododendron forest till Phortse Thanga which takes about 3 hours.
Day 9 - Phortse Thanga to Namche Bazaar 3440m
5-6 hrs, 9.5km, altitude gain -240m
We start our trek after breakfast, the trail ascending gradually up and we will climb zigzag up through the Rhododendron forests until you reach Mong which takes about 1 and half hour. From here we have an amazing panorama view of Mt Taboche (6501m), Amadablam (6814m), Kangtega (6685m), Thamserku (6608m). We continue climb downhill until reaching Kyanjuma village which takes about 2 hrs where we stop for lunch.
After lunch the trail continues flat/down till Namche Bazaar which takes about 2 hours.
Day 10 - Namche Bazaar to Lukla at 2840m
5-6 hrs, 9.5km, altitude gain -240m
In the morning we leave Namche Bazaar and the trail descends through pine trees and across a high suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River, retracing our steps of a week earlier. We follow the path along the river until we arrive in Jorsalle (about 2 and half hours) and on to Phakding, crossing several bridges (a further 1 and half hours) where we stop for lunch.
After lunch our trail continues along the river and through pine trees until we reach Lukla which takes about 2 hours. We stay in a lodge close to the airport ready for an early flight the next day.
Day 11 - Lukla to Kathmandu
Early in the morning we take a flight back to Kathmandu which takes approximately 45 minutes, and then a taxi back to your hotel. Its the end of an epic trip and time to take a well earned rest and celebrate your achievements!
DAY 04
DAY 05
Day 6 - Lungden to Renjo-La pass at 5360m to Gokyo 4790m
6-7 hrs, ~12km, 990m altitude gain
Today is a big day and we will get up very early to start our trek. The trail ascends gradually up and then more steeply, zigzagging up through the rocky terrain until we reach Renjo-La pass (5360m) which takes about 2-3 hours. From here there are spectacular views of many snowcapped mountains … Mt Taboche (6501m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8481m), Everest (8848m), Pumori (7138m), Chakung (7029m), Gyachung kang (7952m), Pharilapche (6017m), Dragkya (5657m), Pamalka (6344m), Langmuche Ri (6611m), Cho-Oyu (8188m) and Gokyo Ri (5483m). We will also have our first sight of the Gokyo lake and the Ngozumpa glacier, the longest glacier of the Nepal.
We’ll have a packed lunch on the top admiring the view and celebrating our achievement. After Renjo-La pass we climb down a rocky path to reach our teahouse at Gokyo which takes about 2 hours. We will stay here for two nights.
DAY 06
Day 7 - Acclimatization day - hike Gokyo Ri at 5483m
3-4 hrs, 4 km
Today we spend the day at Gokyo for rest and acclimatization – but not a complete day off! We will climb Gokyo Ri which takes about 3 hrs. From the top we will have a close view of Cho-Oyu 8188m, Kusum Kangaru 6367m, Thamserku 6608m, Kangtega 6685m, Taboche 6501m, Cholatse 6440m, Kangchung 6203m, Chola 6060m, Gyachung Kang 7952m, and other peaks. Then we return back to our teahouse in Gokyo by the same route.
DAY 07
DAY 08
DAY 09
DAY 10
DAY 11