A chain of glacial lakes between about 4,700 m and 5,000 m, set beside the Ngozumpa Glacier and recognised as an important wetland.
A steady climb above the village to a wide panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.
The longest glacier in Nepal, with moraine walls and ice ponds that you walk beside on the way to Gokyo.
A full day to walk past the lakes towards Thonak Tso for more mountain views and fewer people.
After Namche the route leaves the busy Base Camp path and follows the Dudh Koshi valley north.
Market town, monasteries, prayer walls, yak pastures and traditional stone houses.
A traditional farming village high above the river, known for its mountaineers and quiet terraces.
A UNESCO World Heritage area with forest, Himalayan wildlife and some of the highest peaks on earth.
The Gokyo Lakes trek follows the Everest route as far as Namche Bazaar, then turns north up the quieter Dudh Koshi valley. The trail climbs through Phortse and Machhermo to the lakeside village of Gokyo, with views that open wider every day.
There are no technical sections and no passes, so it suits fit walkers who want a high Himalayan trek without the crowds of Base Camp. Altitude is the main challenge. The plan includes a rest day at Namche and gradual days up the valley, with a full day at Gokyo for Gokyo Ri and a second day to explore the lakes.
Coming down, the route follows the valley via Dole and Namche to Lukla. Flights to and from Lukla are weather dependent, so the plan keeps a spare day in Kathmandu before your international flight.
| Duration | 15 days including arrival, departure and a spare day in Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Fly Kathmandu to Lukla; fly back from Lukla |
| Highest point | Gokyo Ri, about 5,357 m |
| Highest sleeping altitude | Gokyo village, about 4,750 to 4,800 m |
| Distance | Roughly 90 to 100 km on foot |
| Walking per day | 3 to 7 hours; the longest days are the climb to Namche and the descent back |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging; the route is non-technical, but several nights are spent above 4,000 m |
| Best seasons | March to May and late September to November |
| Accommodation | Simple teahouse lodges; rooms are basic and cold at Machhermo and Gokyo |
| Group size | Private trips or small groups |
| Permits | Sagarmatha National Park and local municipality permits, usually arranged by the operator; a licensed guide is usually required |
Meet your guide, transfer to the hotel and rest. In the evening we go through the plan, check your gear and sort permits.
Meals: depends on your hotel planA short mountain flight, then an easy walk down the Dudh Koshi valley through small villages.
Walking: 3 to 4 hoursEnter Sagarmatha National Park near Monjo, cross the high suspension bridges and climb steadily to Namche.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursWalk up to the Everest View area or to Khumjung and Khunde, then rest and explore the market town.
Walking: 3 to 4 hours, optionalClimb out of Namche to the high trail above the river with views of Ama Dablam, then descend to the quiet village of Phortse.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursClimb through juniper and rhododendron, pass small yak settlements and enter the open upper valley.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursPass the first lakes and cross the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier to reach Gokyo on the shore of the third lake.
Walking: 4 to 5 hoursAn early climb to the summit for sunrise on Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, then return to the village for breakfast and a quiet afternoon.
Walking: 4 to 5 hoursFollow the glacier edge past the fourth and fifth lakes for more views, or rest if you feel the altitude. A flexible day that can also serve as a weather spare.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursRetrace the valley, dropping quickly into thicker air as the trail returns to the trees.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursA long descent through forest and across high bridges back to the market town.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursThe final walk down through Monjo and Phakding to Lukla. Many groups share a farewell dinner with the crew.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursTake the morning flight and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest and shopping.
Meals: depends on your hotel planKept as a buffer for delayed Lukla flights. If all went to plan, use it for sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley or shopping.
Meals: depends on your hotel planTransfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: breakfast depends on your hotel planLukla flights are often delayed by weather, so the last two days work as a buffer. Altitudes and walking times are approximate and differ a little between sources. Your guide may adjust the plan for weather or health.
Moderate to challenging. There is no technical climbing, but you walk 4 to 7 hours a day and spend several nights above 4,000 m. A good fitness level matters.
It is a similar level of effort, with a gentler altitude profile in the lower part but a high sleeping point at Gokyo. It tends to be quieter, and the Gokyo Ri view is considered by many to be better than the one from Base Camp.
The plan has a rest day at Namche, gradual days up the valley and a flexible day at Gokyo. Drink plenty of water, walk slowly and tell your guide at once about headaches, nausea or breathlessness.
It is a non-technical but steep climb of about 550 m above the village, usually 2 to 3 hours up. Starting early gives better light and calmer weather.
Usually yes. Sagarmatha National Park and local municipality permits are required, and the rules ask trekkers to hire a licensed guide through a registered agency. We arrange permits for you.
March to May and late September to November have the clearest skies and stable weather. Winter is cold and the lakes freeze, and the monsoon brings rain and cloud.
Simple twin rooms with blankets and shared toilets. Higher up, rooms are colder and meals and showers cost more. Dal bhat, noodles, soup and eggs are the staples.
Nights at Machhermo and Gokyo fall well below freezing. Bring a warm down jacket, thermal layers, gloves, a hat and a sleeping bag rated to about minus 15 degrees Celsius.
Yes. Your policy should cover trekking to at least 6,000 m, medical treatment and helicopter evacuation. Send us the details before you travel.
Yes, from Gokyo you can cross Cho La to join the Base Camp route or continue to Renjo La. These add days and effort, and we can plan a longer version on request. See our Three High Passes trek.
Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm dates and details, and a deposit secures your booking.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
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