Gokyo valley Trek - 14 Days

Our airport representative will welcome you and explain the program further. There are no planned activities for the day, so check into the hotel. Enjoy your overnight stay at hotel.

Kathmandu, the capital city, boasts an intense mix of cultures and religions unique to Nepal. Turn the Buddhist prayer wheels at Swoyambhu- the monkey temple and meet the steady gaze of the Buddha’s eyes at the famous Boudhanath stupa. Experience the valley’s olden days at the Kathmandu Durbar Square- which has remained authentic even as modernization has crept in all around it. See Kathmandu, with our trained guide. (or skip this and fly to Lukla)

Early morning, we flight from Kathmandu to Lukla via mountain flight of about 40 minutes scenic flight. With clear weather we get fantastic views of the mountains, including Everest as we enter deep gorge of the Dudh Koshi valley. You begin your trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River. Along the way you will have a view of Mt Nupla (5885m), Kusum Kangaru (6367m) and the Mount Kwongde Range. We then take an easy walk for about two hours to Phakding village for the overnight stay and rest of the time wander around the village for local knowledge.

From Phakding the trail follows the Dudh Koshi valley north, winding through the pines, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo the entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park. Beginning with a slight climb to Jorsalle, the trail passes waterfalls and other culturally and naturally occurring items of interest. Villages are sprinkled with magnificent forests of Rhododendron, Magnolia and fir. Along the way you will be rewarded with your first glimpse of Kusum Kangaru (6369m) Thamserku (6608m), Everest (8848m) and Nuptse (7879 m). A steep climb up to the beautiful village of Namche bazaar (3440m) will afford you further spectacular views and a comfortable place to spend the second night of the trek.

Set in a natural Amphitheatre looking across to the jagged ridge of Kongdi Ri(6187m), Namche Bazar is one of the most attractive settlements in the Khumbu region. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization at a high altitude before heading off. We will have a full day rest so that we won’t face any problem ahead. Today we make a short acclimatization trek up to Khumjung, a delightful Sherpa village above Namche. You have full day leisure for wonderful panoramic view or wander around the market You can also enjoy the splendid views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche, and Kwangde and so on.

Our trek follows on the gradual trail continues overlooking magnificent view of the great Himalaya. Along the way we can enjoy wild lives like pheasant, musk deer, or a herd of Himalayan Thar. The trail goes gradually down up to Khumjung. The trail descends slightly towards the Sanasa and then ascends up to Mongla (4000m) from where glimpses of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawoche and Mt. Khumbila are awesome. Sherpa regard Mt. Khumbila (5761m) as sacred mountain of the patron god of the Khumbu area. Descending to Dudhkosi Khola (3250 m), we cross a bridge and again trek up passing the rhododendron forest, a host for Himalayan wild deer and musk deer. We arrive at Phorse Thanga which is just under the snow dusted peaks of Tawoche and Cholaste. It can be best place for our camping.

The trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens. On our way wild lives like pheasants, mountain goats and the mysterious musk deer are amazing. Offering us good views of Cho Oyu and Thamserku, the trail takes us through many summer settlements and a charming hamlet of Luza (4360 m). We will work across a rocky terrain scattered with a few dwarf rhododendrons also where small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The Dudh Koshi valley feels deep like a canyon with its sheer sides. Walking along the hill side above thundering Dudh koshi passing through few small hamlets and through sandy spurs, we reach Machhermo. The beautiful stream flowing down from the Kyajo RI and Phari Lapche mountains runs through the middle of village before draining into the Dudh Koshi. Most probably we will be here by our lunch.

Today, we climb through a ridge Chorten from where we can see remarkable view of both down the valley and of the Mt. Kangtega, Thamserku, and northern part to the Cho-Oyu (8153m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through a Chorten and reaches Pangka (4480 m) after some gentle walk. After crossing an iron bridge over an stream the trial levels out as it follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo at 4690m, where we get chance to observe the Lama footprints on a stone. The second lake, Taboche Tsho mesmerizes us by the glistening turquoise blue sheet of water sparkling in the sun. Little we reach the third lake, called Dudh Pokhari, linked by a surging stream to the previous one. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Cho-Oyu Mountain. Above the lake provides panoramic views of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Lhotse, Makalu, cholatse and Tawache. Stay overnight in a tea house/ lodge.

Spend a day in Gokyo strolling around the lakes and hiking up to some of the mountain viewpoints nearby. Start your trek in morning and get to steep climb of about 30 min to reach the top with its traditional prayer flags. Gokyo Ri stands at an altitude of 5483 meters to accompany you the views of peaks above 8000 meters such as Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. Gokyo lake is located on the western side of the Ngozumpa Glacier can be another reason for you to travel Gokyo. The best view during this trek is the ice ridge between Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang (7922 meters) is most attractive. From where you will have a magnificent view of highest peaks, from the west to east are Cho you (8,153m), Gyachung Kang (7,922m), Everest ( 8848m),

Lhotse (8,501m) and further way Makalu.

At afternoon trek down to Dole. It is possible to climb a ridge behind Dole for an even greater view of the valley.

The trail first descends steeply out of the valley through beautiful rhododendron forests. We arrive in Phortse Thanga and crossing the river over a suspension bridge. We ascend up a sandy slope to the Dudh Kosi River. The route ascends to the valley of Dudh Koshi and down to Khumjung. Finally, we reach the Namche valley

The descent from Namche to the Dudh Koshi can be the hardest stage of the entire trek. The trail descends over the ridge past rocky cliffs and scattered pines to the tiny village of Tokthok. Although the path is all downhill, the unrelenting slope places massive impact on the knees. Once you cross the high suspension bridge, the path runs mostly level. We will work though rhododendron and pine forests with the view of distance snow covered peak before arriving Phakding. Phakding is a crowed place but better for overnight stay.

It will be just a 3-hr. easy and gentle trail back to Lukla. The trail drops steeply and runs level throughout the day. Enjoying the lush green scenery around and passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa village arrival in Lukla. You’ll have time to stroll around the local areas. In the evening you can enjoy a typical Nepalese dinner and cultural show.

Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu. It is amazing 30 minutes fly with the magnificent views of Himalayas. From TIA to hotel transfer and rest and relax.

Transfer to Airport (TIA) 2 hours before the scheduled flight for departure.