Gokyo Lakes Trek

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,269 ft.

Driving Time: Approx. 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu,, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, who will be holding a “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” sign outside the terminal to greet you.

You will be transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle. After checking in and freshening up, our representative will meet you to give a detailed briefing on the upcoming itinerary, along with important safety guidelines and hygiene practices to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trek.

Altitude above sea level: 1,218 m / 3,996 ft – Ramechhap
Drive Duration: Approx. 4 hrs.
Accommodation: Guest House
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, take the morning to relax and enjoy at your own pace. In the afternoon, a private vehicle will take you to Ramechhap.

Altitude above sea level: 2,610 m / 8,563 ft. – Phakding
Driving Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Flight Duration: Around 25 minutes
Flight Time: 6:15 AM
Hiking Duration: 4–5 hrs. approx. (9 km / 5.6 mi)
Ascent: 280 m / 919 ft
Descent: 510 m / 1,673 ft
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Begin your day with an early breakfast before heading to Ramechhap Airport for a short yet thrilling flight to Lukla (2,840 m / 9,315 ft), renowned for its adventurous mountain runway. During the flight, enjoy stunning views of the majestic Himalayan peaks, including Cho Oyu (8,153 m / 26,781 ft), Lhotse (8,516 m / 27,940 ft), Gauri Shankar (7,145 m / 23,444 ft), and Menlungtse (7,181 m / 23,557 ft).
Upon arrival in Lukla, your Everest Base Camp journey officially begins as you start trekking toward Phakding. The route follows the beautiful Dudh Koshi River, often called the “Milk River” for its milky-blue glacial waters. Along the trail, you’ll pass through traditional Sherpa villages, suspension bridges, and colorful prayer wheels, with Mani stones carved with Buddhist prayers lining the path.
After passing through the quaint villages of Chaurikharka and Ghat, you’ll reach Phakding, a peaceful riverside settlement that serves as your first overnight stop on the remarkable trek to Everest Base Camp.

Altitude above sea level: 3,445 m / 11,302 ft. Namche Bazaar
Hiking Duration: 6–7 hrs. approx.  (11 km / 6.8 mi)
Ascent: 1,150 m / 3,773 ft.
Descent: 320 m / 1,050 ft. 
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a nourishing breakfast, set out on your trek, crossing and re-crossing the Dudh Koshi River, whose milky-blue waters flow from glaciers high in the Himalayas. The trail passes through pine forests, open meadows, and terraced farmlands, offering glimpses of local crops and rural mountain life. Along the way, you’ll likely encounter donkeys and yaks carrying supplies and trekking gear along the narrow paths.

You’ll pass through the picturesque villages of Benkar, Monjo, and Jorsale before tackling a steep ascent of around 600 meters (2,000 ft) leading up to Namche Bazaar—the gateway to the high Himalayas.

Namche Bazaar is the largest and most vibrant town in the Khumbu region, beautifully situated on a natural amphitheater with sweeping views of the Dudh Koshi Valley. This bustling mountain hub offers everything from cafes and bakeries to trekking shops and lodges. Historically, Namche served as a vital trading point where Tibetan yak caravans met Hindu merchants from the lowlands, creating a rich blend of cultures that still thrives today.

Altitude above sea level: 3,790 m / 12,434 ft. Khumjung
Hiking Duration: 4–5 hrs. approx.  ( 7.6 km / 4.7 mi)
Ascent: 520 m / 1,706 ft.
Descent: 520 m / 1,706 ft.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Namche is the perfect spot for acclimatization, offering stunning views and plenty of exciting activities. The surrounding landscape is breathtaking, making it an excellent base for exploration. Start with a short hike above Namche to enjoy panoramic views of Mount Everest. Hiking to the nearby villages not only offers stunning views but also help your body acclimate before you venture higher toward Everest Base Camp.

We hike to the picturesque village of Khumjung, a hidden gem in the Khumbu region. Khumjung is home to a monastery said to house a Yeti scalp, the historic Hillary School founded in 1961, and charming homes with signature green roofs. This cultural stop enriches your Everest journey, blending natural beauty with Sherpa heritage.

After exploring Khumjung, we trek back to Namche Bazaar, completing a rewarding day of acclimatization and cultural discovery.

Altitude above sea level: 3,860 m / 12,664 ft.- Phortse Tenga
Hiking Duration: 5–6 hrs. approx. (5.7 km / 3.5 mi)
Ascent: 530 m / 1,740 ft.
Descent: 290 m / 951 ft.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, the trek starts from Namche at 3,440 m (11,286 ft) and heads first to Mong La, a point of higher elevation. From Mong La, the trail descends toward the Dudh Koshi River at Phunki Tenga, located at around 3,250 m. After crossing a suspension bridge, the path continues with a steep uphill climb to reach Phortse Tenga.

Altitude above sea level: 4,040 m / 13,255 ft.-Dole
Trek Duration: 3–4 hrs. approx.(3.43 km / 2.13 mi)
Ascent: 444 m / 1,457 ft.
Descent: 21 m / 69 ft.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Leaving Phortse Tenga, the trail climbs steeply through lush rhododendron forests, which burst into color during spring. As you gain altitude, the vegetation gradually changes to juniper and conifers, creating a serene alpine atmosphere.

This section of the Gokyo Lakes Trek offers enchanting scenery, with cascading waterfalls, glacier views of Taweche and Cholatse, and your first glimpse of Cho Oyu. Behind you, rugged ridges rise toward Khumblia and other 6,000-meter peaks.

You will arrive at the peaceful village of Dole, nestled in the Dudh Koshi Valley and surrounded by mountains and forest . It is a quiet, scenic stop on this less-crowded Everest region trek.

Altitude above sea level: 4,465 m / 14,652 ft.-Machhermo
Trek Duration: 5–6 hrs. approx. (5.43 km / 3.37 mi)
Ascent: 513 m / 1,683 ft.
Descent: 146 m / 479 ft.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, the trail leads toward Gokyo Valley with a steep climb through lush juniper forests. Along the way, you’ll cross suspension bridges and walk along cliff edges, enjoying stunning panoramic views.

You then leave the main trail to follow a rocky path toward the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas. Your day concludes in the peaceful village of Machhermo, where you will stay overnight.

Spend a restful afternoon relaxing or exploring the village, allowing your body to acclimatize to the altitude before the next day’s trek.

Altitude above sea level: 4,750 m / 15,584 ft.-Gokyo
Trek Duration: 4–5 hrs (7.1 km / 4.41 mi)
Ascent: 461 m / 1,512 ft.
Descent: 113 m / 371 ft.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you ascend toward the Gokyo Valley, passing a cluster of farm buildings at Pangka (4,548 m). The trail then descends slightly to a river fed by the Ngozumpa Glacier, following its scenic course along the glacier’s west side.

The highlight of the day is the breathtaking view of Cholatse’s towering ice face and the shimmering glacial lakes. You’ll climb steeply to the first of the three sacred lakes, marking the transition from the lower to the more remote upper Gokyo Valley.

A gentle walk leads to the second lake, while the summer settlement of Gokyo sits on the east shore of Dudh Pokhari. Here, the emerald green waters perfectly reflect the peaks of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang, making the Gokyo Valley one of the world’s most spectacular high-altitude lake systems.

Altitude above sea level: 5,486 m / 18,007 ft — Gokyo Ri
Hiking duration: 2 km / 1.2 mi to Gokyo Ri (approx. 2 hours), 9 km / 5.6 mi to Gokyo 5th Lake (approx. 4 hours)
Ascent: 560 m / 1,837 ft
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, start your day with a hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m / 17,575 ft), beginning with a short walk from the village. The ascent is steep, so it’s best to go slowly to enjoy the views and allow your body to acclimatize.

From the summit of Gokyo Ri, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and surrounding peaks, along with the Ngozumpa Glacier and the Gokyo Lakes below.

After descending from Gokyo Ri, continue trekking north to visit the 4th and 5th Gokyo Lakes. The 4th lake is located north of Gokyo, framed by high cliffs and Himalayan peaks. Proceed further to reach the 5th lake, the farthest point of this part of the hike.

On the return journey, hike back to the 4th lake, then follow the trail to Gokyo Village. This path runs along the northern edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the world. Along the way, enjoy stunning mountain scenery and capture the glacial landscape in photos.

Altitude above sea level: 3,796 m / 12,454 ft.-Phortse
Hiking Duration: 7–8 hrs. approx. (16.84 km / 10.46 mi)
Ascent: 506 m / 1,660 ft.
Descent: 1,181 m / 3,874 ft.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you retrace your steps back toward Phortse Village. The trail descends past the 2nd and 1st Gokyo Lakes, then continues downhill to Pangka before climbing a hill. Along the way, you pass through Machhermo, Luza Lhafarma, and Dole villages, enjoying the scenic and less-crowded paths of the Gokyo Lakes Trek.

Altitude above sea level: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft.- Monjo
Hiking Duration: 6–7 hrs. (16 km / 9.94 mi)
Ascent: 540 m / 1,772 ft.
Descent: 1,485 m / 4,869 ft.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Leaving Phortse, the trail descends steeply through birch and rhododendron forests to the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing, you continue past the villages of Mong La (3,980 m), Sanasa, and Khumjung (3,970 m), before arriving at the bustling Namche Bazaar (3,340 m).

From Namche, the trek passes through dense forests, crosses suspension bridges, and goes by small settlements on the way to today’s stop at Monjo Village. It is a charming, less-crowded spot on the Everest region trail.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,272 ft — Kathmandu
Flight time: Approximately 25 minutes
Driving duration: Approximately 4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar
Meals: Breakfast

After an early breakfast, you’ll take a flight from Lukla back to Ramechhap airport. Upon arrival, you will drive for about four hours back to Kathmandu, completing your journey.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,272 ft. – Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar
Meal: Breakfast
It’s also a spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla if we could not fly on the scheduled date and time, or we can organize a guided day tour in or around Kathmandu.

9:00 AM: Guided Cultural Tour of Kathmandu Valley
Start your day with a guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. Explore the vibrant Kathmandu with our expert guides, who will share insights into the area’s rich history.

Kathmandu Durbar Square
Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka Durbar), a historical royal complex with temples, palaces, and shrines dating back to the 15th century. Key attractions include Kumari Ghar (the house of the living goddess) and Kasthamandap, built from a single tree.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Next, head to Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, a sacred site for both Hinduism and Buddhism. Admire the stunning white dome and golden spire, while soaking in the serene atmosphere filled with incense and prayer wheels.

PM: Boudhanath Stupa
Visit the massive Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a spiritual center for Tibetan culture, surrounded by prayer flags, monks, and devotees chanting ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’.

Pashupatinath Temple
Conclude your tour at the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples, located along the Bagmati River. Here, you can witness profound spiritual rituals, including the moving sight of open-air cremations, which hold deep cultural significance. After immersing yourself in this sacred experience, you will transfer back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the incredible experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check in 3 hours before your scheduled flight.