The Gokyo Lakes trek is a quiet route in the Everest region compared to the 'Everest base camp trail.' Suppose you like to trek in a peaceful environment and want to see fantastic mountain views of the Everest Himalayas. In that case, The Gokyo Valley is the best option. On this trek, you 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 (3957m), which provides magnificent views of Mt. Khumbila, Thamserku, Khangteka, Amadablam, and Taboche, with beautiful views of 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, a short day of walking, and the trail is gentler with open views. You can see amazingly standing ahead Mt. Cho-Oyu (5th highest in Nepal and 6th in the world) with other towering white peaks. The town Machchhermo is located in the valley surrounded by the Himalayas.
After Machchhermo, the trail goes to the final destination, Gokyo, another 3-4 hours of walking on a gradually ascending path. The lodges are close to the 3rd Lake. You hike Gokyo Ri the following morning and trek back to Dole. Still, you can visit the Gokyo peak in the evening after lunch if you like to see the beautiful color of the Everest Himalayas with sunset, which is an even better look at the mountains than in the morning.
The 4th and 5th lakes are further ahead from the 3rd one, which takes around 3-4 hours of walk from the Gokyo Lodge. There is no place to sleep after the 3rd Lake, so you must hike back after visiting the fourth and fifth Lakes to near the third one.
It takes 3 days to walk back to Lukla following the same trail where you visited on the way up from Gokyo Lakes and fly out to Kathmandu or Ramechhap.
Frolic Adventure operates trekking trips to the Gokyo Lakes at a reliable cost. We provide experienced and friendly guides with beneficial, 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 around 3 hours to Sanasa from Namche Bazaar and then take a 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 rhododendron bloom in spring. You can also see the massive amount of ice in this area in winter after December when people do ice climbing. Also, there are Himalayan Thar (wild mountain goats), the musk deer, Brahmin ducks, Himalayan Monal, Mountain hawk, and other animals and birds along the way of the Gokyo Valley trek.
Gokyo Lakes - difficulties during the trek
The first and last few days are long with up and downhills in the lower region, so walking is difficult if you are not a usual hiker. But, you walk 3-4 hrs for the last two days before reaching the final destination while trekking to the Gokyo Lakes.
The significant difficulty of the Gokyo Valley trip is the altitude problem. When you cross Dole during the trek after 4th day, there is less oxygen in the air. You may feel hard breathing in these higher elevations. Still, you can make it comfortable by strolling and taking several breaks to catch your breath.
Cold temperature makes you uneasy in the morning and evening while you trek to the Gokyo Lakes in Everest Himalayas. You won't feel freezing while walking on the trail. However, you will have a fire-heating dining hall in every lodge in the evening.
Besides the above difficulties, hiking to Gokyo Ri to see magnificent Everest Himalayan Views and the 5th Lake makes walking more challenging. Still, these are the most highlighted attractions of the Gokyo Valley trek.
Best time to visit Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri
You can trek to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri at any time of the year, but spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November) are the best time. The forests with blooming rhododendron 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 the Gokyo Ri and 5th Lake.
The visibility in autumn in the mountain is transparent so that 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 in 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 wrong. 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 a perfect time to hike to the Gokyo Valley.
Trekking preparation for Gokyo Lakes
The Gokyo Lakes is a moderately strenuous trekking destination. Still, if you have some hiking practices, it will make it easier for this trek. 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 3-5kg daypack on the trek with your daily snack, one warm layer, water, and valuables for a 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 daily, making your body and muscle flexible.
Gokyo Valley – who can go on this trek?
Everyone who loves mountains and hiking can go on the Gokyo Valley trek. Children above ten years, elderly up to 80, and all usual hikers are recommended to trek to the Gokyo Ri. It is a quiet trekking route compared to 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 to pack to trek to Gokyo Lakes?
Main bag for trekking gear
Quality and warm trekking equipment are vital to a thriving mountain trip. Hence, you must pack well hiking gear to trek to Gokyo Lakes. You bring regular warm clothing with you, but we provide a down jacket and sleeping with a duffel bag to pack the gear if you do not have your own.
The trekking equipment for this trek needs the same as the base camp trek because it is in the same region and the temperature also similar, so Cheak This for Gokyo Valley Trek Equipment here.
Explore Tranquil Gokyo Lakes and Magnificent Mountain Views from Gokyo Ri
After knowing a bit 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 very safely, providing experienced, friendly guides and honest, helpful Sherpas for you. Booking the trip to the Gokyo Lakes is easy with us, so you can follow our online payment link and make your seat safe now.
