Gokyo Trek 13 Days is an exciting trek in the Everest Region of Nepal. The unique off-beaten trail to Gokyo Valley is also an alternative trek to Everest Base Camp Trek. Gokyo Trek’s 13-day itinerary leads you to the highest freshwater lake system in the world. The trek passes through some of the oldest villages of the Khumbu Region. It is also famous as Gokyo Ri Trek or Gokyo Lakes Trek. Dazzling views of turquoise lakes, the largest glacier, and the world’s highest mountains like Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, etc. make this trek famous among adventure seekers.
Just like traditional EBC Trek, Gokyo Trek starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Similarly, from Lukla, you will trek until Namche following the same EBC Trekking trail. However, from Namche, the trail leads you to Dole, Macchermo, and Gokyo. The valley of Gokyo provides amazing lakes like Longponga Tso, Taujung Tso, and Gokyo Tso. Likewise, Hike to Gokyo Ri delivers scenic views of lakes and mountains. Furthermore, Sagarmatha National Park, Glaciers, rivers, monasteries, waterfalls, suspension bridges, etc. are the major attractions of this trek. Moreover, take a close look at the Sherpa villages and their unique lifestyle.
Trekking to Gokyo allows you to discover some of the hidden gems of the Khumbu Region. The series of six glacial Gokyo Lakes at an elevation of 4700-5000 meters. Likewise, the majestic views of the tallest mountains in the world from Gokyo Ri showcase how wonderful this trek is. The Gokyo Ri delivers views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Similarly, during the trek, prepare yourself to encounter a wide variety of flora and fauna. UNESCO World Heritage site Sagarmatha National Park is home to different Himalayan wildlife. Furthermore, the unique Sherpa culture and their hospitality until the end of the trek make your trip unforgettable.
The 13-day Gokyo Trek preparation always becomes crucial for your safe and enjoyable trek. Gokyo Trek traverses challenging terrain, and steep paths, and reaches high elevations. Therefore, the trek demands better preparation and carefulness. Your endurance, strength, mental ability, and flexibility play an important role in your trek preparation. Trek to Gokyo is a moderately difficult trek. However, there are some challenging points where your physical and mental aspects should be strong. Your past hiking experience and ability to walk for 4-5 hours a day also come under your preparation. Therefore, if you are planning to do Gokyo Trek 12 Days, regular exercise or hiking is a bonus.
Choose the best time for your incredible trekking experience to Gokyo Trek 13 Days. Nepal has two specific trekking seasons: – spring and autumn season. The spring season is dry with a moderate climate. Moreover, spring welcomes several flora and vegetation that make the trail more pleasing. Whereas, the autumn season is a bit wet after the monsoon. The weather opens up with a blue sky offering magnificent views. In the months of autumn, you can experience some of the biggest festivals in Nepal.
The flight into Kathmandu with a panoramic view of the valley below and the Himalayan ranges towering above the clouds is stunning. Once you land and check out from the Tribhuvan International Airport our agent will greet and welcome you, and drive you to your hotel, later on, in the evening you’ll be assisted with all of your travel requirements for the trek by your guide and will have typical Nepali Thali as welcome Dinner.
Accommodation Guest House
Welcome Dinner
Lukla Flight from Manathali in Peak season: You have to wake up around 2 a.m. and start your journey to Manthali airport in a shared vehicle. From Kathmandu, you will drive for 4 hours to reach Ramechapp and fly to Lukla within 20 minutes.
Lukla Flight from Kathmandu in the off-season: When there is less air traffic in the off-season of tourism in Nepal, the flight departs from Kathmandu. The scenic flight to Lukla takes around 45 minutes.
After landing at Lukla, we begin our short trek to Phakding today. First, we descend from Lukla and walk along the Dudh Koshi River. Next, we cross several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, enjoy beautiful scenery, and arrive at Phakding.
Overnight in Phakding
B/L/D
Once again, today, we will cross several suspension bridges while moving to Namche Bazaar. The pine forests and small charming Sherpa villages give us company throughout the trek. In addition, you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park from the Monjo checkpoint. If the weather is perfect, the trek offers a glimpse of Mt. Everest, Mt. Thamserku, and Kusum Kanguru. After reaching Namche Bazaar, you will check in at the lodge and take a rest or just roam around the Bazaar. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
B/L/D
On the 3rd day, you will have a rest day or acclimatization day in Namche. Rest means, we do not trek further ahead, rather we acclimatize our bodies by staying here one more night. However, you have several options for doing a day hike. Everest View Hotel, the world’s highest altitude hotel delivers breathtaking views of Mt. Everest. Likewise, a hike to Khumjung village provides an opportunity to learn about Buddhism and monasteries. Otherwise, you can just explore the Namche Bazaar.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
B/L/D
After acclimatizing at Namche, we move ahead to Dole. We leave the classic trek Everest Base Camp Trail behind and move to an isolated region of Everest. Passing through a rhododendron forests, we arrive at Kyanjuma and Sansa Village. The uneven trail just above Dudh Koshi Gorge makes the trek quite tricky. Trekking through Mong La pass gives you the beautiful sight of Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Thamserku. Next, passing the Phortse Village you reach Dole to stay overnight.
Overnight in Dole
B/L/D
Today we will start our trek with a pleasant ascend. Likewise, you can see many prayer flags along the way. Next, the captivating scenery, mountain peaks, shrines, Yak pastures, and landscapes make today’s trekking enthralling. Macchermo is a small village that lies just below the terminal moraine of Ngozumpa Glacier.
Overnight in Machhermo
B/L/D
We are heading to our final destination of the whole trek. The trek continues through the Phanga and further ahead we cross an iron bridge. Outstanding views of mountains, glaciers, and lakes give a wholesome experience throughout the day. After reaching Gokyo Village, we take lunch and explore the lakes. Overnight stay at Gokyo.
Overnight in Gokyo
B/L/D
Today we have a whole day to explore the Gokyo Valley. Hike to Gokyo Ri offers stunning views of Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, and many other towering peaks. The Hiking might be a bit challenging as it lies in the high elevation of 5400 meters. So, maintain your own pace and walk slowly. After returning from Gokyo Ri, you can just roam around the lakes and villages. Overnight stay at Gokyo Valley.
Overnight in Gokyo
B/L/D
While returning, we will follow or retrace the same route we used before and descend to Phortse Thanga. It is a small village situated between Dole and Namche Bazaar. Enjoy the splendid views of mountain views from Phortse. Overnight stay at Phortse Thanga.
Overnight in Phortse Thanga
B/L/D
From Phortse we trek down to Namche Bazaar via Sansa and Khumjung Village. You will be familiar with the trail that goes through pine and fir forests. We stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
B/L/D
We will say goodbye to most of the mountains today. The trail starts through the cool and shaded forests, passing several villages like Phakding and Cheplung. In addition, we will cross the suspension bridges for the last time today. Overnight stay at Lukla.
Overnight in Lukla.
B/L/D
Another scenic flight awaits us while returning to Kathmandu from Lukla. However, your flight may depart to Manthali airport, if air traffic in Kathmandu airport is busy. From Manthali airport, you will take on sharing vehicle back to Kathmandu. You will arrive around 2-3 pm at Kathmandu. Rest of the day you can relax or just roam around to buy some presents for your family.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
B/L/D
Your trip to Gokyo Valley ends today. One of our representatives will drop you at the airport in a private vehicle. If would like to extend your stay in Nepal you Can also.
NOTE: All of the trekking hours and distances mentioned above are estimates and should only be used as a general guideline.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November) are the best times to trek to Gokyo Lake Trek. In spring, the foothills are ablaze with wildflowers, rhododendron blossoms, and orchids hanging from branches, the weather is dry and clear during this season, making it ideal for trekking and exploring the breathtaking scenery of the mountains. In autumn after the end of the heavy monsoon season, with a clear atmosphere and the days are warm though the evenings are quite chilly trekking to Gokyo Lake Trek is extremely popular.
The trails, however, become crowded and busy during these peak seasons. During the climbing season, the Base Camp is transformed into a tented city, with climbers and Sherpa guides.
If you travel during October, you’ll be able to attend Mani Rimdu, the Everest region’s most important festival, which brings together pilgrimage from Tengboche, Chiwong, and Thame monasteries.
In popular trekking regions such as Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, and Manaslu, there is a menu system with various ethnic cuisines foods as well as western meals, but some locations provide you with typical Nepali meals which are different from international meals, and these meals are prepared by the local supplement, every tourist lodge and tea house has a well-trained cook who focuses on clean, hygienic, fresh, and delicious foods, and every lodge has safe drinking water or mineral water.
If you buy a water purification tablet in Kathmandu, you can take water tap water and purify it yourself, saving money and reducing plastic pollution.
Equipment lists:
