Everest Gokyo Lake Trek -13 Days

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13 Days

Trip Duration

Difficulty

Moderate

Activities

Trekking

Group Size

Min 1 People

Max. Altitude

5360m./17585ft.

Destination

Nepal

Best season

March to May and Sept to Nov

Meals

13 Breakfast
10 Lunch
10 Dinner

Accommodation

3 star hotel in Kathmandu
Guest house during the trek

Transportation

Private Vehicle
Flight

Highlights of Everest Gokyo Lake Trek -13 Days

Experience one of the world’s most thrilling flights to Lukla
Visiting 6-emerald-colored glacial lakes at a height of 4700 to 5000 meters nestled by awe-inspiring Himalayan peaks
Witnessing Earth’s largest glacier, Ngozumpa Glacier, which provides dramatic and unforgettable landscapes
Hiking to Gokyo Ri at 5360 meters for 360-degree views of Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, and many more
Walking through vibrant Sherpa villages such as Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Dole, and Machhermo, which are rich in culture and hospitality
Enjoying panoramic mountain views from the world’s highest altitude hotel during your acclimatization hike
Traversing the stunning ice ridge between Gyachung and Cho Oyu, adding an adventurous highlight
A must-do adventure in the Himalayas, the Everest Gokyo Lake trek 13-day is a moderately challenging trip with amazing, life-changing views

Trip Overview of Everest Gokyo Lake Trek -13 Days

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day is an unbelievable hiking adventure in the Khumbu region. You will traverse through the unspoiled serene tracks of Gokyo Valley, offering mesmerizing views of snow-capped Himalayas. This journey will lead you to six awe-inspiring emerald-colored glacial lakes.

You will also get to witness the beautiful Ngozumpa Glacier, the biggest glacier in Nepal, which will amaze you with its stunning landscape. Gokyo Ri (5360 meters), located above the Gokyo Lakes, will be one of the highlights of this excursion, where you can see majestic mountains.

From this viewpoint, you can soak in the beauty of wonderful views of some of the world’s famous peaks, namely Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, and many more, in this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day journey. Similarly, you can enjoy observing various fauna and flora along the way.

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day excursion will take you through the ice ridge situated between Gyachung and Cho Oyu, which will surely add another unforgettable highlight to your hiking experience. This will make you feel ridiculously accomplished after exploring the magical Khumbu region of the Himalayas.

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day starts as soon as you land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the country’s capital. You will take a plane to Lukla, a little settlement in the Everest region that serves as the gateway to the expansive snow-capped Himalayas, the next day.

From here, this trail will lead you toward Phakding Village and then to Namche Bazaar, which is the most popular, vibrant trading hub, and developed village in the region. You will hike to Everest View Hotel, the earth’s highest-situated accommodation for visitors as a part of acclimatization where you can relish attractive vistas of landscapes and majestic peaks, and then back to Namche Bazaar.

Similarly, your next stops will continue towards the other famous villages like Dole and Machhermo. After that, you will visit beautiful Gokyo Lakes with crystal-clear water lying at the height of 4700 to 5000 meters above ocean level and sit near the towering mountains, providing a worthy experience to anyone on the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day journey.

Moreover, your hike to Gokyo Ri would be just like placing a cherry on top of the cake. Here you can see 360-degree views surrounded by the grandeur of beautiful, breathtaking mountains. This is a medium-level difficulty trek that will offer you a rewarding experience, although there are some difficulties while trekking.

Throughout the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day excursion, you will experience a warm reception from the Sherpa people, including their unique culture, lifestyle, and traditions. So, don’t miss this thrilling once-in-a-lifetime experience in this upcoming perfect season of trekking time from mid-March to May or September to December.

Trip Photo & Video Gallery

Detail Itinerary of Everest Gokyo Lake Trek -13 Days

Day 1: Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1400 m) and 30 minutes’ drive to the hotel

After your plane lands in Nepal and you disembark, our team will eagerly wait at the international terminal to greet you at the airport. Afterward, they will help with your baggage and take you to the 3-star category hotel located in the Thamel, which takes 30 to 40 minutes to reach there from the airport depending on traffic.

In the late afternoon, we gather in our office to meet the guides and show you a short presentation about the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day journey regarding the itinerary and extra information that you need to know. You can also go shopping to buy trekking gear if you have missed to bring with you after the meeting.

Activity & Duration

30 mintues drive

Highest Altitude

1400m. (Kathmandu)

Meals

Breakfast included

Accommodation

3-stra Hotel

Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (30 minutes) and hike to Phakding Village (2652 m)

On this second day of the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day excursion, you will get up early and be ready in the morning for a flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. We will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Tribhuvan airport. It will take us about thirty minutes to reach Lukla.

During this brief flight, you will pass over several breathtaking natural landscapes, including mountains. After meeting our porter and other team members in Lukla, we set off on our journey to Phakding village. Since most of the routes are level, today’s hike will be easy. We will reach Phakding after three hours of travel, where we will spend the night getting ready for the following day.

Activity & Duration

3 hours hike

Highest Altitude

2652m. (Phadking)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 3: Trek from Phakding Village to Namche Bazaar (3440 m), Walking Duration: 6 hours Distance: 10-12 km

Our today’s Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day journey stop will be at Namche Bazaar, also referred to as the “Sherpa Capital.” We start our hike after the delicious morning breakfast. We will walk through the trails of pine and rhododendron jungles following the Dudh Koshi Khola River and also cross many hanging bridges over the river.

We will enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo and our permits will be scrutinized at the gate. You can also observe more plants and animals protected in the park. From there, we continue to climb higher, crossing the village of Jorsale to arrive at Namche Bazaar. When we reach our destination, Namche Bazaar, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the town or relaxing.

Activity & Duration

6 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3440m. (Namche)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 4: Trek from Namche Bazar to Everest View Hotel (3880 m): Walking Duration: 3-4 hours Distance: 3-4 km

This fourth day has been allocated this day, especially for acclimatization in Namche Bazaar, so that you can adjust your body well to the increasing elevation in the upcoming hiking days. You can choose this day as your whole rest day in the hotel or you can explore roaming the vibrant town of Namche Bazaar.

Likewise, we can take a brief hike up to the Everest View Hotel, the world’s highest-altitude hotel. From here, you can enjoy thrilling views of the snow-capped Himalayas including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and others. We will descend back to Namche Bazaar and visit the Everest Photo Gallery and Sherpa Culture Museum before closing day 4 of the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day itinerary

Activity & Duration

3-4 hours hike

Highest Altitude

3880m. (Everest View Hotel)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 5: Trek from Namche to Dole (4200 m): Walking Duration: 5 hours Distance: 11 km

This is the exciting day 5 of the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day itinerary journey as we head to Dole village. We’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast in Namche Bazaar and then begin our walk right away. We will start with Sangnasha, which is easy, and then continue uphill to Mong La, where you can get panoramic views of Ama Dablam and other mountains.

Then, we proceed on our journey towards Phortse Tenga, where we will stop for some time to have lunch in the teahouse. Afterward, we will walk uphill through the lush forest to reach Dole. It will take an hour to reach Dole Village, where we will stay for the night and get ready for the next day’s thrilling hike.

Activity & Duration

5 hours hike

Highest Altitude

4200m. (Dole)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 6: Trek from Dole to Machhermo (4400 m) Walking Duration: 5 hours Distance:6 km

Today marks the sixth day of your Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day itinerary journey. You can get up early to enjoy the breathtaking dawn views to start your beautiful day. Then we will eat breakfast and begin our journey to Machhermo. During the trek, stunning views of Kantega, Kusum Kanguru, Mount Cho Oyu, etc. can be seen clearly.

We will hike following the river valley and stroll through Luza and Lhabarma. After walking for five hours, we will eventually reach Machhermo Village. There are several teahouses and even a hospital for visitors for any kind of normal treatment in this village. Tonight, we will spend the night and rest for tomorrow’s big day.

Activity & Duration

5 hours hike

Highest Altitude

4400m. (Machhermo)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 7: Trek to Gokyo Lake from Machhermo ; Walking Duration: 4 hours Distance: 7 km

On this seventh day of the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day itinerary excursion, we will explore Gokyo Lakes. We will begin our hike right after having breakfast in Machhermo. Then, we will climb up a ridge where we can see the gorgeous views of Cho Oyu and Kanga peaks.

When you get closer to the lakes, you will also see the Ngozumpa Glacier, the biggest glacier in Nepal, and you will be showered with awe-inspiring vistas of nearby mountains. After reaching here, you can explore Gokyo’s six lakes, namely Longpongo Lake (the first lake), Taboche Tsho (the second lake), Dudh Pokhari (the third lake), Ngozumpa Tsho (the fourth lake), Gyazumpa Cho (the fifth lake), and Thonak Cho (the largest and sixth lake).

You will see a strange setting that combines natural beauty with spiritual and religious importance. When you return to your native country, you can capture memories through images and films. We’ll spend the night here in Gokyo before heading to Gokyo.

Activity & Duration

4 hours hike

Highest Altitude

4700m. (Gokyo Lake)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 8: Trek to Gokyo RI (5360 m) : Walking Duration: 4 hours Distance: 5 km

Today, we will hike up toward Gokyo Ri, which is also one of the most highlighted destinations on this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day. Gokyo Ri will be the highest altitude place that you are going to trek on this entire trip. It will take us 5 hours to reach here.

After breakfast, we will commence our hike, which is going to be quite challenging. After reaching the top, you can savor the heavenly beauty of snow-capped white mountains like Mt. Everest, Bancharo Peak, Gokyo Peak, Thamserku, and others. Then, we will return to Gokyo village to spend the night.

Activity & Duration

4 hours Hike

Highest Altitude

5360m. (Gokyo Ri )

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 9: Trek back to Dole (4200 m) from Gokyo , Walking Duration: 6 hours Distance: 12 km

After having the best time in Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Ri, we will walk back for our return journey starting from this ninth day of the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day itinerary. The trek will be easy today as we have to walk downhill following the Dudh Koshi Khola River, flowing from the Ngozumpa Glacier.

Along the way, you can see Taboche and Cholatse peaks, which are truly breathtaking. We will walk downhill past Pangka and then make our way down to the Machhermo Village, passing through the very villages of Luza and Lhabarma before reaching Dole. We will reach Dole after hiking for 6 hours, where we will settle for the overnight.

Activity & Duration

6 hours hike

Highest Altitude

4200m. (Dole)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 10: Trek back to Namche Bazaar (3440 m) from Dole, Walking Duration: 5-6 hours Distance: 11 km

We will begin our hike by descending steeply to Phortse Tenga. You can enjoy wildflowers and lush rhododendron forests along the way. If lucky, you may spot wild animals, viz., musk deer, pheasants, and goats. After reaching Mong La, we will trek further, where we will see the junction in which one leads to Sanasa and the other to Namche Bazaar.

We will take the path of Namche Bazaar, following the Dudh Koshi Hola River. You can see wonderful views of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and others at the Namche army camp hill. Then, we continue our trek towards Namche Bazaar and settle in the teahouse for an overnight stay.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hour hike

Highest Altitude

3440m. (namche)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 11: Trek back from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2880 m), Walking Duration: 7 hours Distance: 19 km

On this eleventh day of the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day itinerary, we retrace our steps back to Lukla, where we initially started our amazing trekking journey. It would be an easy walk as we have to walk downhill following the same trail passing through the villages of Monjo, Jorsale, and Phakding.

On the way, you can see many peaceful Mani walls and prayer flags, which add charm to our trip, making it more memorable and exciting. We will reach Lukla from Namche Bazaar after trekking for almost seven hours. Then, you can unwind in the teahouse. Later in the evening, we will gather and celebrate our successful journey.

Activity & Duration

7 hours hike

Highest Altitude

2880m. (Lukla)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Guesthouse

Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu (1400 m) from Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla Flight, Duration: 30 minutes

We’ll catch an early flight to Kathmandu. After breakfast, we will walk to Tenzing Hillary Airport and say a final goodbye to the Khumbu region. You can enjoy the 30-minute picturesque flight back to Tribhuvan International Airport.

After landing at the airport, we will transfer to your 3-star category hotel located in the vibrant streets of Thamel. You can enjoy the nightlife in Thamel to end the thrilling journey in Nepal before heading to your native homeland. In the evening you will enjoy the farewell dinner hosted by Hike Holiday Treks.

Activity & Duration

30 mintues flight

Highest Altitude

1400m. (Kathmandu)

Meals

Breakfast and Dinner included

Accommodation

Overnight at Hotel

Day 13: Departure from Nepal

Today is the day your Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day journey comes to an end with a final day in Nepal. We hope that we have matched our services as you expected when you first came to Nepal. If your schedule lets you spend more time in Nepal before the flight, you can browse souvenirs to take back for your loved ones in local shops.

Activity & Duration

30 mintues drive

Highest Altitude

1400m. (Kathmandu)

Meals

Breakfast included

Includes and Excludes

What is included?

All ground transports in private vehicles, including airport transfers
Two nights accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek; we provide private bathrooms with hot showers at Phakding, Namche, and Lukla
Seasonal fruits during the trek
One highly experienced, helpful, and friendly guide, porters (1 porter for 2 people), and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accidental insurance for all staff
Round trip flight Kathmandu – Lukla and Lukla – Kathmandu including departure taxes
Hike Holiday Treks Duffle bag for the trekking
Hike Holiday Treks Down jacket and sleeping bag during the trek
A farewell dinner after completion of trek
Trek map and trip achievement certificate
First aid medical kit
All trek permits.
Government taxes & office service charge

What is excluded?

Meals not specified in the ‘Meal Inclusions’ in the itinerary’
Travel Insurance
International airfare
Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
Cold drinks Inc. Coke, water, Fanta, etc.
Snacks and other personal expenses
Hot showers during the trek except in Phakding, Namche, and Lukla
Personal trekking equipment
Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers

Trip Information

Best Time

The opportune times for the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day are spring (March to May) and fall or autumn (September to November). During this season, the weather will be very sunny with moderate temperatures, providing outstanding natural views at their peak. In the spring, the scenery will be awash with blossoming flowers, adding to the enjoyment of hiking. You also get to experience the largest festivities in Nepal, such as Dashain and Tihar, which take place in the fall. During these seasons, you will have an experience of a lifetime.

Elevation and distance

In this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day excursion, you will be covering a total distance of 92 to 95 kilometers on foot in a round trip. You will walk around 45 to 48 kilometers from Lukla to Gokyo Lake. This trek will involve a total of ten days of walking. You will be above 4000 meters high altitude when you are at the Dole, Machhermo, Gokyo Lake, and Gokyo Ri, respectively. The highest point of your journey is Gokyo Ri, which is located at an elevation of 5360 meters or 17585 feet. You will acclimatize in Namche Bazaar at an altitude of 3440 meters with a short hike to Everest View Hotel at 3880 meters.

Difficulty level

Even though the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day journey is much less difficult than the classical Everest Base Camp Trek, the trail still involves steep uphill and downhills, high elevations, remote terrain, long-distance walking, and rarely bad weather. So, it is considered a moderate-level hard trekking trip. If you have prior experience, it will be a plus point for you while hiking.

Altitude sickness

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness has been a major problem for centuries while trekking in higher altitude destinations in Nepal. You are going to trek more than 4000 meters high in this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day, so necessary precautions must be taken where oxygen levels are low to prevent altitude sickness that causes nausea, headache, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite. However, our guides are trained in safety first aid and will monitor your oxygen level daily to make sure you complete this thrilling adventure successfully.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

The maximum and minimum walk per day completely depend on the pace of the trekkers. If you are an experienced trekker, you might walk fast, but if you are a rookie, then you might have some difficulty due to tiredness. You have to walk an average of five hours regularly. The minimum walk per day will be on day 2 when you trek from Lukla to Phakding village. Similarly, the maximum hike per day will be on the eleventh day, which is also the last day of your hiking when you head back to Lukla from the vibrant town of Namche Bazaar.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

In this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day package, you are staying 3 nights of accommodation with morning breakfast at a three-star category hotel while you are in Kathmandu. Similarly, you are staying in a twin-sharing room in a mountain teahouse or lodge while you are trekking in the Khumbu region. You will have private facilities with hot showers in Lukla, Namche Bazaar, and Phakding Village. In terms of food, you’ll be offered daal bhat, Sherpa stew, noodles, Tibetan bread, pancakes, and oatmeal, all of which are heavy in protein and carbs and provide the energy you need for long excursions.

Can beginner join this trip?

Yes, beginners are welcome to join the incredible Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day adventure. However, this walk requires average fitness and good health. Even if you carry light back since porters will handle your heavier baggage, you must trek steep ascents at higher altitudes, which can exhaust you quickly. To enhance your strength and stamina when trekking, it is recommended that you train every day and engage in regular workouts such as running, swimming, push-ups, and others.

Insurance

Travel insurance is a must when you embark on the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day. Travel insurance is the essential backup for unnecessary expenses when you travel to any place in the world. This will help you cover your helicopter evacuation, medical costs, personal injury, loss, theft, repatriation, and many more while you are traveling in the higher altitudes of Nepal. However, you must make sure your insurance covers the rescue operation above 3500 meters high altitude. So, it is very necessary to choose the right insurance company to make sure you are all covered.

What to expect from this trip

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day is one of the most thrilling and adventurous treks in Nepal’s Khumbu region, presenting magnificent views of snow-covered peaks including Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu. Prepare to hike through blissful trails, see six gorgeous glacial lakes, and marvel at the Ngozumpa Glacier. The nature hike to Gokyo Ri (5,360 m) provides a 360-degree view of notable peaks. In the way, you will explore colorful settlements such as Namche Bazaar and experience the Sherpa people’s rich culture and warm hospitality. You can anticipate a journey packed with natural delights that will leave you filled with joy and enthusiasm.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days does the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek take?

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek usually spans 10 to 14 days, including the hike to Gokyo Lakes, climbing Gokyo Ri, and the return to Lukla.

Is a permit required for the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day?

Permits are indeed required for the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek. You will require the Gokyo Lakes Restricted Area Permit and the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, which you may get in Kathmandu or from your trekking agency.

Is there internet and electricity during the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek 13-day?

While some teahouses along the walk do have internet and electricity, connectivity can be spotty, particularly at higher elevations. Since cell networks can only be available in lower-altitude places, it is essential to purchase a local SIM card in Kathmandu for communication.

What happens if the weather is bad in Lukla?

If the weather in Lukla is bad, such as heavy rain or clouds, flights may be delayed until conditions improve. Alternatively, you can opt for a helicopter charter as a backup to reach your destination.

How much additional money should I budget per day?

Smaller things like bottled water, snacks, souvenirs, and a few beverages should cost you about $15 to $20 per day. Along the journey, certain villages offer these goods.

Is there any means of communication and Internet access while trekking to Everest?

You can find various ways to access the internet. If you have purchased SIM card, then you can use data to access the internet. However, the network connection for both communication and internet access may not be consistently good. As you move higher, the connection may get weak. You may be able to get Wi-Fi service from the teahouse, but please expect to be charged for this.

And last but not the least, you can purchase an Everest Link Card which is quite popular in the Everest region for its fast and reliable internet service. You can purchase these cards in Kathmandu as well as in Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Dingboche and Gokyo Valley.

Which one is better: Group or Solo (private) trek?

Hike Holiday Treks offers both group and solo trek to Everest Gokyo Lake Trek However, to choose to join which tour style completely depends upon the traveller itself.

If you are happy to meet people from other parts of the world and join in an experience of a lifetime with fellow travellers, then going for a group trek is also best.

However, if you prefer freedom and flexibility, trekking solo (private) will give you the independence to set your own pace and choose your itinerary. You will have the flexibility to make spontaneous decisions. You will not be bound by a group schedule and choose to lead your journey as you wish and even modify the plan if needed.