Gokyo Lakes Trek
Also known as Gokyo Ri / Gokyo Valley Trek.
Gokyo Lakes Trek is a difficult 10-12-day teahouse trek in the Everest (Khumbu) region of Nepal, reaching 5,357 m. It starts at Lukla and ends at Lukla.
Key facts
- Region
- Everest (Khumbu) (Solukhumbu)
- Duration
- 10-12 days, 4-6 hours walking per day
- Distance
- 95 km
- Maximum altitude
- 5,357 m
- Difficulty
- Difficult — Similar altitude profile to EBC (sleeping at 4,790m, summit hike to Gokyo Ri 5,357m) but a quieter valley with slightly fewer acclimatization villages and simpler lodges above Namche. Non-technical, yet sustained days above 4,000m and cold demand solid fitness.
- Trek type
- Teahouse, out-and-back route
- Best season
- Autumn (Oct-Nov) and Spring (Mar-May)
- Guide
- Not mandatory
- Restricted area
- No
- Budget cost
- NPR 120,000–170,000
- Comfortable cost
- NPR 170,000–230,000
- Guided cost
- NPR 185,000–280,000
- Getting there
- Kathmandu → Lukla (flight 30-40 min) off-season; peak season (approx. Oct 1-Nov 15, Apr 1-May 15) from Ramechhap: Kathmandu → Manthali (4-5h drive) → Lukla (15-20 min flight). Flight-free: shared jeep Kathmandu → Salleri/Thamdanda (12-14h) then 1-2 days walking to the main trail.
- Altitude sickness
- High — sleeping altitude reaches 4,790m at Gokyo with a 5,357m summit hike; the Dole-Machhermo-Gokyo ascent gains height quickly and AMS is common among trekkers skipping the Namche rest day.
Weather
The turquoise lakes are most vivid Oct-Nov after the monsoon; they freeze Dec-Mar (still beautiful, very cold, some Gokyo lodges close). Spring is excellent for views. The upper valley is windier and feels colder than the EBC trail. Monsoon hides views and raises stream-crossing levels near Machhermo.
Permits
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit — NPR 3,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: Nepal Tourism Board office (Kathmandu) or park gate at Monjo
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Fee (Trek Card) — NPR 3,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: Lukla or Monjo checkpoint — not sold in Kathmandu
Itinerary
- Day 1: Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Phakding, 3 h, 2,610 m — Lukla landing; Dudh Koshi trail
- Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar, 5-6 h, 3,440 m — Monjo park gate; Hillary Bridge
- Day 3: Namche Bazaar to Namche (acclimatization), 3-4 h, 3,440 m — Everest View Hotel (3,880m) or Khumjung loop
- Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Dole, 5-6 h, 4,200 m — Mong La pass (3,975m) with Ama Dablam views; leave the EBC crowds at Sanasa; Phortse Thanga river crossing
- Day 5: Dole to Machhermo, 3-4 h, 4,470 m — Yak pastures above the treeline; Cho Oyu appearing ahead; HRA aid post altitude talk (3 PM in season)
- Day 6: Machhermo to Gokyo, 4 h, 4,790 m — First, second and third (Gokyo/Dudh Pokhari) sacred lakes beside the Ngozumpa Glacier — Nepal's longest
- Day 7: Gokyo to Gokyo (Gokyo Ri + lakes day), 4-5 h, 4,790 m — Dawn climb of Gokyo Ri (5,357m): Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu — four 8,000ers in one sweep; optional afternoon walk toward 4th lake (Thonak Tsho)
- Day 8: Gokyo to Phortse or Dole, 5-6 h, 3,810 m — Descent with Cho Oyu at your back; traditional Phortse village (option) or retrace to Dole
- Day 9: Phortse to Namche Bazaar, 5-6 h, 3,440 m — High balcony trail Phortse-Mong La; back to Namche comforts
- Day 10: Namche Bazaar to Lukla, 6-7 h, 2,860 m — Final Dudh Koshi day
- Day 11: Lukla to Kathmandu/Ramechhap, 0 h, 1,400 m — Morning flight out