The Gokyo Lakes Trek is a quieter route in the Everest Region than the Everest Base Camp Trail. Gokyo Valley is the best option if you like to trek in a peaceful environment and want to see fantastic mountain views of the Everest Himalayas. On this trek, you will see tranquil Gokyo Lakes and magnificent views of great mountains, including the four highest mountains above eight thousand meters (Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, and Makalu).
After getting a short flight to Lukla from Kathmandu or Manthali, the trail follows the exact itinerary of the base camp Trek until Namche Bazaar and Kyangjuma. Then it goes left, ascending toward Mong Hill (3957 m), which offers magnificent views of Mt. Khumbila, Thamserku, Khangteka, Amadablam, and Taboche, as well as beautiful views of the Khumbu Valley, Tengboche Monastery, and Phortse Village.
You descend for about half an hour to Phortse-Tenga from Mong Hill and walk through the dense forests on a gradually ascending trail up to Dole. In this forest, you may see rare animals, musk deer, and some ice-climbing spots. After spending a night in Dole, you head forward to Machchhermo for a short day of walking, and the trail is gentler with open views. Mt. Cho-Oyu stands amazingly ahead of you (5th highest in Nepal and 6th in the world) with other towering white peaks. The town of Machchhermo is located in a valley surrounded by the Himalayas.
After Machchhermo, the trail goes to the final destination, Gokyo, after another 3 to 4 hours of walking on a gradually ascending path. The lodges are close to the third Lake. You hike Gokyo Ri the following morning and trek back to Dole. Still, you can visit Gokyo Peak in the evening after lunch if you want to see the beautiful color of the Everest Himalayas at sunset, which is an even better view of the mountains than in the morning.
The 4th and 5th Lakes are farther from the 3rd, which takes around 3–4 hours of walking from the Gokyo Lodge. After the 3rd lake, there is no place to sleep, so you must hike back to near the 3rd lake after visiting the 4th and 5th Lakes.
It takes 3 days to walk back to Lukla, following the same trail you took on the way up from Gokyo Lakes, and then fly out to Kathmandu or Ramechhap.
Frolic Adventure operates Trekking trips to the Gokyo Lakes at a reliable cost. We provide experienced, friendly guides and helpful, honest helpers. We have a special discount for couples, families, and group trekkers for the Gokyo Valley Trek in the Everest Region.
The trail to Gokyo Lakes goes through the Gokyo Valley.
Tranquil Gokyo Lakes and beautiful mountain view from Gokyo Ri on Gokyo Lakes Trek
Leaving behind the Dudhkoshi Valley on the 4th day, the main route to Gokyo Lakes goes through the Gokyo Valley. You walk for about 3 hours from Namche Bazaar to Sanasa, then turn left for the Gokyo Lakes tour, where the Everest Base Camp Trekking Trail goes right.
You see magnificent views of Mt.Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Khangteka, Taboche, Cholatse, Cho-Oyu, Ghyachungkhang, and many other high mountains while trekking in Gokyo Valley in the Everest Region. The Trekking Route right after Mong Hill until Dole looks beautiful when the rhododendrons bloom in spring. You can also see the massive amount of ice in this area in the winter, after December, when people go ice climbing. Also, along the way to the Gokyo Valley Trek, there are Himalayan Thar (wild mountain goats), musk deer, Brahmin ducks, Himalayan Monal, Mountain hawks, and other animals and birds.
Gokyo Lakes: difficulties during the Trek
The first and last few days are long, with ups and downs in the lower region, so walking is difficult if you are not a regular hiker. But you walk 3–4 hours for the last two days before reaching your final destination while Trekking to the Gokyo Lakes.
The significant difficulty of the Gokyo Valley trip is the altitude. After the fourth day, there is less oxygen when you cross the Dole during the Trek. You may find it hard to breathe at these higher elevations. Still, you can make it comfortable by strolling and taking several breaks to catch your breath.
The cold temperature makes you uneasy in the morning and evening while trekking to the Gokyo Lakes in the Everest Himalayas. You won't feel frozen while walking on the trail. However, you will have a fire-heated dining hall in every lodge in the evening.
In addition to the above difficulties, hiking to Gokyo Ri to see the magnificent Everest Himalayan Views and the 5th Lake makes the trek more challenging. Still, these are the most highlighted attractions of the Gokyo Valley Trek.
The best time to visit Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri
You can trek to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri at any time, but spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November) are the Best times. The forests with blooming rhododendrons look beautiful, and the temperature will be warm in spring. Still, the Lakes are frozen at this time. Although you can see stunning mountain views from Gokyo Ri and 5th Lake,
Visibility in the mountains in autumn is clear, so you can see bright mountains and darker green vegetation. However, the temperature is colder at this time compared to spring. The Lakes look amazing and unfrozen on the autumn trek to the Gokyo Lakes. Winter starts in December and ends in February. The winter months are freezing, but the views of the mountains are not to be missed. Winter can be the best if you do not mind cold temperatures and love to Trek in a quiet environment. On the other hand, summer is not the perfect time to hike to the Gokyo Valley.
Trekking preparation for Gokyo Lakes
Gokyo Ri is a moderately strenuous Trekking destination. Still, if you have some hiking experience, it will make this trek easier. Suppose you have done short hikes above 3000m of elevation earlier. In that case, it makes you more comfortable being at the altitude of the Everest Himalayas.
You carry a 3-5 kg daypack on the Trek with your daily snack, one warm layer, water, and valuables for the whole day, so try to carry that much weight when you have some hiking before Trekking to the Gokyo Lakes. Besides hiking and short treks, you can run a few kilometers at home each day to keep your body and muscles flexible.
Gokyo Valley—who can go on this trek?
Anyone who loves the mountains and hiking can take the Gokyo Valley trek. Children over 10 years, the elderly up to 80, and all other typical hikers are recommended to trek to Gokyo Ri. It is a quieter trekking route than the base camp, so we recommend this trek in the Everest Region if you prefer to avoid crowds.
Panoramic 360° Everest Himalayan views, including the world's 5th highest (Makalu) from Gokyo Ri, tranquil Lakes, the biggest Glacier, Ngozumpa, and a whole body of Mt.Everest from 5th Lake, are the most highlighted attractions of this Trekking trip.
What do you pack to trek to Gokyo Lakes?
Main bag for trekking gear
High-quality, warm Trekking equipment is vital to a thriving mountain trip. Hence, you must pack your hiking gear properly to trek to the Gokyo Lakes. You bring regular warm clothing, but we provide a down jacket and a sleeping bag to pack the gear if you do not have your own.
The trekking equipment for this trek should be the same as for the base camp trek, since it is in the same region and the temperatures are similar. Check out Gokyo Valley Trek Equipment here.
Gokyo Lakes Trek Map
Gokyo Lakes Trek Map with altitude detail
Here, you can see the 15-day Gokyo Lakes Trek Map, which goes through the Gokyo Valley in the Everest Region to see pristine Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Peak. However, we can shorten or extend it based on your time and fitness level. You can combine this Trek with Everest Base Camp or Renjo La Pass.
Our Trip Map of the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri begins with a welcome at the International Airport in Kathmandu on the first day and a full-day Kathmandu City Tour on the second. On the third day, you depart for the mountain and stay until the 12th. This Trekking Map of the Gokyo Lakes does not include the fifth Lake, so if you would like to visit that one, we can create a different itinerary for the Gokyo Valley Trek.
Please feel free to ask anything about this Trek Map if you are confused.
Explore Tranquil Gokyo Lakes and Magnificent Mountain Views from Gokyo Ri.
After learning about trekking to Gokyo Lakes from above, of course! You love the views of the Everest Himalayas, including the four highest mountains above 8000m (Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, and Makalu) from the Gokyo peak, the biggest glacier in the Everest Region (Ngozumpa), and beautiful glacial Lakes on this Trek.
Frolic Adventure makes your Gokyo Valley Trekking memorable, operates the trip safely, and provides experienced, friendly guides and honest, helpful Sherpas. Booking the trip to the Gokyo Lakes is easy with us, so you can follow our online payment link and secure your seat now.
