Gokyo Ri Everest View Trek

When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, a TH staff member will be there to welcome you and escort you to your hotel, conveniently located in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Thamel is known for its lively ambience, offering a wide range of restaurants, bars, and shops where you can find exquisite Nepali handicrafts. After refreshing yourself at the hotel, you will have the opportunity to meet your guide. They will provide you with a detailed briefing on the trek, share important information, and answer any questions you may have. You can take some time to explore Thamel and shop for trekking essentials. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

On this day, our journey begins with a thrilling mountain flight offering breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. The flight duration is approximately 35 minutes. After reaching Lukla, we will take some time to relax over morning tea or coffee, and depending on our arrival time, we may also enjoy breakfast. We will begin our trek, strolling through the bustling market of Lukla, passing by various shops and stores in Lukla, and heading downhill for a while, and then with short ups and gradual winding trail passing many farms and villages, Buddhist prayer monument,s and views of snow-capped peaks of Kusum Kanguru and Kwangde. Finally, we will reach our overnight stop at Phakding by the river Dudh Kosi.

Note: Nepal Civil Aviation will not allow flights from KTM-Lukla-KTM, so the flight takes off from Ramechap to Lukla and from Lukla to Ramechap, with airfare and airport transfer included.

On the second day of our trek, we will begin with an easy walk, encountering some uphill sections along the way. We will primarily follow the Dudh Kosi River, crossing it via a suspension bridge before reaching the charming village of Monjo. As we pass through Monjo, we will be treated to views of Thamserku Peak and Khumbu-la Mountain, which is considered the patron god of the Khumbu region. Monjo also marks the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, where we will take a brief rest to obtain the required permits for our journey. After a short break, we will continue our walk, cross another bridge over the Dudh Kosi River, and arrive in Jorsalle village, where we will stop for lunch. Jorsalle is the only village we will encounter for the next 2-3 hours until we reach Namche. 

From Jorsalle, we will initially walk along the river bed before crossing the final bridge over the Imjatse River, which joins the Dudh Kosi. Then, we will embark on an uphill climb through a beautiful alpine forest adorned with rhododendron, pine, and fir trees. Along the way, we will be rewarded with stunning mountain vistas, including Kwangde, Kusum Kanguru, and, if the weather permits, even glimpses of Mount Everest and Lhotse. After a few hours of challenging ascent, we will reach the renowned Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital of the Khumbu region. Namche Bazaar has numerous houses, lodges, hotels, pubs, restaurants with freshly baked goods, a cyber café, a health post, a post office, and banks.

It is important and necessary to take a rest day or spend two nights at Namche Bazaar to adjust and safeguard against Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). During this time, it is advised to drink plenty of fluids, excluding alcoholic beverages, which can lead to dehydration. In Namche, you have the option to take leisurely walks in the surrounding areas. One option is to hike for 2-3 hours to the Everest View Hotel, considered the highest hotel in the world at an altitude of 3,880 meters. This hike offers incredible mountain views, including Mt. Everest and the magnificent Ama Dablam peak. Another option is to hike to the top of Namche Hill, where you can enjoy an aerial view of Namche, along with Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, Tarmasarku, Kwangde, and Ama Dablam peaks.

Additionally, you can visit the interesting museum in Namche, which provides detailed information about the Khumbu area. In the afternoon, you can explore the bazaar, which is crowded with locals and trekkers, particularly during the Saturday market. From Namche, a flight of about an hour takes you to the village of Khunde, which is home to a hospital built and managed by the Sir Edmund Hillary Trust & Foundation.
 

In the morning, we will start our day with a short climb to the ridge above Namche. As we continue our trek, we will be treated to breathtaking views of mountains and the beautiful surrounding landscapes. The trail takes us through pleasant woodland areas, providing a serene atmosphere. After some time, we will divert from the main trail towards Gokyo Lake, embarking on a steep climb to reach the Mong Ridgetop at 3,973 meters. From here, we will descend to Phortse Thanghka, located near the Dudh Kosi River.

After a brief rest at Phortse Thanghka, we will continue our walk towards Dole, where we will spend the night. The trail takes us uphill through enchanting woodlands filled with pine, birch, and rhododendron trees. As we ascend, the vegetation gradually changes to juniper and conifer bushes. Along the way, we will pass through small settlements called Tongba (3,950m) and Gyele (3,960m), before reaching Dole. The final leg of the day's trek offers impressive views of Khumbila and Tawache peaks, creating a stunning backdrop for our overnight stay in Dole. 
 

We start our trek from Dole and continue along the side of the valley. The path is mostly level for about an hour until we reach Lhabarma Kharka at 4,325m. From there, we continue to Luza at 4,390m. As we leave this small settlement behind, we contour along the ridge top, offering magnificent views of Mt. Cho-Oyu and the glacial valley below, where Machermo village is nestled. We then descend from the ridge top and reach Machermo, where we will spend the night. In the afternoon, Machermo is free for leisure activities, allowing a short walk around the area. 

After enjoying the lovely surroundings of Machermo, we continue our trek towards the highlight of our trip: Gokyo Lake. The trail gradually gains altitude, offering magnificent views of towering mountains. We reach Pangka, a small place with a few lodges, and then proceed on a rocky trail that leads us into an open valley. Along the way, we encounter the first glacial lake and continue toward the second lake. Finally, we arrive at Gokyo, situated near the shore of the third lake, also known as Dudh Pokhari.

At an altitude of 4,790 meters, Gokyo was once a summer settlement for cattle and yak herders before trekking became popular in the Khumbu region. Upon reaching Gokyo, we will have lunch and spend the night there. The afternoon is free for acclimatisation, and you may take a short walk to explore the area. From Gokyo, you can witness breathtaking views of the world's sixth-highest mountain, Mt. Cho Oyo, and Gyachung Kang, as their reflections shimmer on the emerald waters of Gokyo Lake. 

We will start our day very early in the morning to witness the mesmerising sunrise over the majestic snow-capped mountains from Gokyo Ri, situated at an altitude of 5,357 meters, making it the highest point of this remarkable journey. The ascent to the top of Gokyo Ri is steep and challenging, but the effort is well worth it. Once we reach the summit, we will be rewarded with an awe-inspiring panorama of the world's highest mountains. From the mighty Mt. Cho Oyo at 8,201 meters, which spans the border with Tibet, to Gyachung Kang, the impressive Mt. Everest standing tall at 8,848 meters as the highest peak in the world, and the fourth-highest Mt. Lhotse at 8,516 meters. We will also behold the grandeur of Cholatse and Taweche, and, to the east, the fifth-highest peak in the world, Mt. Makalu, towering at 8,463 meters.

After spending a memorable time at the summit of Gokyo Ri, we will begin a steep descent back to Gokyo. From there, we will continue our trek downwards and reach Dole, where we will spend the night. It will be a rewarding and fulfilling day of both breathtaking views and challenging trekking.  

We begin our morning walk down a winding path that leads us to the other side of the Dudh Kosi River. Along the way, we are greeted with mesmerising views of snow-capped mountains. After an enjoyable walk, we arrive in Phortse village, a traditional Sherpa village less visited by trekkers. It offers a unique and authentic experience.

Leaving behind the charming Phortse village, we continue our trek along a winding trail, surrounded by panoramic views of peaks including Kwangde, Thamsarkhu, Kangtenga, and Ama Dablam. This part of the trail is less frequented by trekkers, allowing for a serene and peaceful experience. After a few hours of good trekking, we reach Upper Pangboche village at 4,050 meters, where an old monastery is located. We take a lunch break here before continuing our afternoon walk towards the famous Thyangboche monastery.

The trail descends easily for about an hour, leading us to a bridge over the Imjatse River. Once we cross the bridge, we find ourselves back in a lush green forest adorned with pine, birch, and rhododendron trees. From Deoboche, we embark on a steep climb for approximately an hour to reach Thyangboche Monastery, our overnight stop. Thyangboche is an astonishing and magnificent location, offering grand views of Ama Dablam, Kangtenga, Thamserku, Kwangde, and Mt. Everest. This place holds immense religious significance because it is where the monastery's head lama (Rinpoche) resides. Many mountaineers seek blessings from the high lama priest here for success and a safe expedition.

After having the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of Tengboche Monastery, accompanied by the resonant chanting of the monks and lamas during their Morning Prayer. Crossing the Imja Tse River, we embark on a steep climb lasting about an hour. Following this, our journey retraces the path we took earlier, leading us back to Namche Bazaar and Monjo. After a rest and lunch stop, we continue our afternoon trek downhill towards Monjo. We once again cross the Dudh Kosi River, traversing its waters multiple times as we make our way through the scenic Dudh Kosi valley. Finally, we arrive at the entrance/exit gate of the Sagarmatha National Park and continue our journey to Monjo, where we will spend the night. 

On the final day of our trek, we embarked on a pleasant walk, retracing our steps along the same trail we had taken earlier. We pass through the charming villages of Phakding, Benkar, Ghat, and Choplung, immersing ourselves in the familiar surroundings. As we approach the end of our journey, we face one last climb, lasting about an hour, that takes us to Lukla. Upon reaching Lukla, usually by afternoon or around lunchtime, we have sufficient time to enjoy and stroll around the Lukla bazaar. This bustling market area offers a chance to soak up the local atmosphere, interact with fellow trekkers, and perhaps even find some souvenirs to remember our incredible adventure. It's a moment to reflect on the journey and appreciate the beauty of the Himalayan region.

In the morning, we will be transferred to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla to catch our flight. Depending on the scheduled departure time, we will board a small plane such as a Dornier or Twin Otter. This short, scenic flight lasts approximately 35 minutes and takes us back to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu, we will be transferred to our respective hotels. The rest of the afternoon is free for leisure activities, allowing us to unwind and relax after the trek. It's also an excellent opportunity to shop for souvenirs and explore the local markets in Nepal.

Today is your last day in Nepal, after the most incredible memories and experiences you had in the majestic Himalayas, thanks to the services provided by Team Himalaya guides and staff. As your journey comes to an end, you will be transferred to the Kathmandu International Airport terminal for your onward flight to your respective countries.