Gokyo Lake Trek Distance
Trip Overview
Gokyo Lakes trek is perhaps the best trekking route for those who want to avoid the busy trail of Everest Base Camp. This trek leads you to an elevation of 5345 meters above sea level. It provides you the stunning views of Mount Everest (8848 m), Cho You (8156 m), Mount Makalu (8470 m), and many other mountains, Ngozumpa glacier, and Gokyo Lakes. The views from Gokyo Lakes Trek are no less than the Everest Base Camp trek. This trek also offers you excellent photography opportunities.
Gokyo Ri Lakes Trek begins with a picturesque mountain flight to Lukla followed by a short hike to Phakding. Trek to Gokyo includes strolling through the Sherpa country of Namche, the ethnic villages of Khumjung, Phortse Thanga, and Machhermo. The path of Gokyo Lakes trekking is on a very much trodden way as far as possible however it tends to be rough and lopsided in parts. There is no rock climbing or mountaineering which requires climbing equipment. It is a walk all the way although some of the hills can be steep.
The trek’s highest ascent to Gokyo Ri is not difficult but occasionally slippery underfoot. As a customary climbing pattern, the summit of Gokyo Ri begins promptly toward the beginning of the day before the sun ascends after transforming on headlamps and getting out from the teahouse into the murkiness.
Once you cross the Gokyo Lake inlet to the base of the mountain, the trail starts to be zigzag ascents to the cold slopes. If the weather is clear, the view from the summit is once in a lifetime glimpse with Ngozumpa Glacier on its way through the valley below, Cho Oyu stands nearby and endless lines of mountains stretch away to the horizon. Mount Everest as Viewed from here is fairly tall, rising another 3.5km above the point on which you stand.
GOKYO LAKE TREK ITINERARY WITH DISTANCE
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. You will be met by our Tour officer and he will escort you to the hotel. Night Stay at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Flight to Tenzing and Hillary Airport in Lukla. Trekking from Lukla to Phakding.
Distance: 8 km/ 4.9 miles. Altitude: 2840 meters – 2610 meters. Walking 4 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 03: Trekking from Phakding to Namche Bazaar.
Distance: 11 km/ 6.8 miles. Altitude: 2610 meters – 3440 meters. Walking 6/7 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 04: Acclimatization day.
Option I: Day trip to Shyangboche/ Everest View Hotel and back Namche Bazaar. Distance: 4.6 km/ 2.8 miles. Walking 2/ 3 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Option II: Day trip to Shyangboche/ Everest View Hotel (3440 meters) to Khumjung Village (3780 meters) and back to Namche Bazaar. Distance: 9 km/ 5.5 miles. Walking 5/ 6 hours.
Option III: Trekking from Namche Bazaar to Khumjung, not back to Namche Bazaar. Distance: 5 km/ 3.1 miles. Walking 3 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 05: Trekking from Namche Bazzar to Dole.
Distance: 12 km/ 7.4 miles. Altitude 3440 meters – 4200 meters. Walking 7 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge. OR
If you stay at Khumjung on 4th day, trekking from Khumjung to Dole.
Distance: 9 km/ 6 miles. Altitude: 3780 meters – 4200 meters. Walking 6 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 06: Trekking from Dole to Machhermo. Walking 5 hours.
Distance: 6 km/ 3.7 miles. Altitude: 4200 meters – 4470 meters. Walking 3/4 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 07: Trekking from Machhermo to Gokyo Lake.
Distance: 8 km/ 4.9 miles. Altitude: 4470 meters – 4790 meters. Walking 4/5 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 08: Excursion near Gokyo Lake. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Option I: Hike up to Gokyo Ri (5360 meters) and back to Gokyo Lake (4790 meters). Distance: 4 km/ 2.4 miles. Walking 3/4 hours.
Option II: Hike to 4th Lake (4870 meters) and 5th Lake (4990 meters) and back to Gokyo Lake (4790 meters). Distance: 14 km/ 8.6 miles. Walking 6/7 hours.
Day 09: Trekking from Gokyo Lake to Dole.
Distance: 14 km/ 8.6 miles. Altitude: 4790 meters – 4200 meters. Walking 6/7 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 10: Trekking from Dole to Namche Bazaar.
Distance: 12 km/ 7.4 miles. Altitude: 4200 meters – 3440 meters. Walking 5/6 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 11: Trekking from Namche Bazaar to Lukla.
Distance: 19 km/ 11.8 miles. Altitude: 3440 meters – 2840 meters. Walking 7/8 hours. Night Stay at Mountain Lodge.
Day 12: Flight from Lukla and back to Kathmandu. Night Stay at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 13: Departure to your home country. Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International airport and see you off. End of Service. Or you may take optional side tours.
Updated News please read: From 1st Oct 2022, according to the instruction of Civil Aviation of Nepal, the Lukla Flights are departing from and to Ramechhap Airport instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport & also heavy air traffic. It’s around a 4-hour drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu. So, to catch the Lukla flight, you need to wake up very early morning and at 1:30 am should take a drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Airport. In the same way from Ramechhap Airport to Kathmandu by drive-in sharing. The return drive at the end of the trek is around 6 hours depending on traffic.
Notes:
I. The above is a popular itinerary of Gokyo Lake. It can be customized by the return from Gokyo Lake via Thangnag, Phortse Village, or via Renjo La Pass, Thame Village. If you want a customized itinerary including any mentioned places, please contact us.
II. The walking hour mentioned above may be different according to the pace of trekkers and distance may be different according to the various navigation devices.
When to go for Gokyo Lake Trek?
Gokyo Lake Trek is possible any time and month of the year. The below months have traditionally been used as a guide for preferred times of the year to visit Gokyo Lake Trek.
October-November-till mid-December: this is Nepal’s peak and best time to go trekking.
March-April-May: this is the end of the dry season and is also the best time to go trekking.
After mid of mid-December-January-February: the skies are clear but it can get very cold.
June-July-August: this is monsoon season and the least popular time to go trekking in Nepal.
September: the post-monsoon effect may disturb the views of the Himalayas and Lukla flights.
Are you in search of a direct local operator for the Gokyo Lake Trek?
Excellent Himalaya Trek and Expedition Pvt. Ltd. is a leading and also one of the best organizers of Gokyo Lake in terms of reviews of many trekkers, services, and success rates. This company is run by local tourism experts and Sherpas who have more than eighteen years of experience. Further, this company is authorized by the Tourism Ministry of the Nepal Government, for organizing Everest Base Camp Trek for all people from around the world.
If you are planning to Gokyo Lake Trek, for any information about this trek, you can freely contact this company by email at [email protected] or WhatsApp at +977 9851203181.
What things are required to pack for the Gokyo Lake Trek?
This is a basic checklist of the essential items that you should not forget to bring with you during your Everest Base Camp Trek:
• A sturdy pair of trekking boots with good ankle support
• Rucksack or daypack (50 to 65 liters) with waterproof cover
• Trekking pants and waterproof trousers
• T-shirts or shirts
• Down jacket*
• Wind/ waterproof light jacket
• Fleece jumper or jacket
• Inner Thermal (top and trousers)
• 4 to 6 pairs of Socks and underwear
• Sunglasses, sun hat, woolen cap, or balaclava
• Inner and outer gloves
• Headlamp, power bank, and extra batteries
• Sun protection cream, lip balm, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
• Towel, flip-flop or rubber sandal, toiletries
• One-litre water bottle and water purification tablets
• 4 Season sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); *
• Hiking poles, if you need
• Your daily medicine if any, small personal first aid kit, aspirin, plasters (band-aids), anti-diarrhea pills, anti-headache pills, cough or cold medicine, anti-altitude sickness pills (Diamox or Acetazolamide), etc.
• A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables
*Down jacket and sleeping bag you can rent/hire from Trekking gear shops in Kathmandu.
OTHER POPULAR TREKKING ROUTES IN THE EVEREST AREA
1. Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC Trek)
Duration: 12–14 days
Highlights:
Reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
Stunning sunrise view from Kala Patthar (5,545m)
Visit Tengboche Monastery
Experience Sherpa culture in Namche Bazaar
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
2. Everest View Trek (Short & Easy Trek)
Duration: 5–7 days
Highlights:
Best for those who want a short and scenic trek
Visit Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku
Visit Tengboche Monastery
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
3. Everest Base Camp Trek by road
Duration: 16–18 days
Highlights:
Follows the traditional route taken by Sir Edmund Hillary & Tenzing Norgay in 1953
Passes through lower Solu villages, rich in culture and diversity
Avoids Lukla flight, starting from Surke or Salleri
Difficulty: Moderate
4. Gokyo Renjo La Pass (EBC + Gokyo + Renjo La)
Duration: 15–16 days
Highlights:
Combines Gokyo Lakes, and Renjo La Pass (5,360m)
Offers fewer crowds than Three Passes Trek
Ideal for trekkers wanting a challenge with a less strenuous alternative to the full Three Passes Trek
Difficulty: Challenging
5. Pikey Peak Trek (Less Crowded & Short)
Duration: 5–8 days
Highlights:
Offers one of the best panoramic views of Everest
Can be done without a flight to Lukla
Less crowded and rich in Sherpa culture
Sir Edmund Hillary called it his favorite Everest viewpoint
Difficulty: Moderate
6. Gokyo Lakes & Everest Base Camp Trek
Highlights: Combines EBC with the scenic Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass
Duration: 15–18 days
Difficulty: Challenging
Best For: Those who want the best of both EBC and Gokyo
7. Island Peak Climbing & EBC Trek
Highlights: Climbing Island Peak (6,189m), ideal for beginner mountaineers
Duration: 18–20 days
Difficulty: Challenging
Best For: Those who want trekking + climbing experience
8. Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek
Highlights: Trek to the base of one of the most iconic Himalayan peaks, less crowded
Duration: 7–12 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Those wanting a quieter but scenic trek
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Why travel with us?
- Run by local experts, guide & Sherpa.
- Focus on your needs.
- Good value for money.
- Real cared services.
- Government recognized company.
- Best reasonable rate.
