Gokyo Ri Trek

Arrive Kathmandu

After having a pleasant flight, you will arrive at Kathmandu for your Gokyo Ri Trek. Upon your arrival, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

You will be free to shop for equipment, snacks, other essentials that you will require for the trek.

Later in the evening, you will get a briefing regarding the trek and other information on topics like acclimatization, your visiting areas, and the culture of the region.

Trek to Toc Toc

On the second day of your Gokyo Ri Trek, you will be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Lukla. Your journey in the flight will be spectacular as the plane will be a twin otter plane that journeys up the Kathmandu valley and into the heart of the Himalayas. After an enthralling journey, you will land at the Lukla airstrip and meet the porters to begin your trek.

You will pass the mani walls (boulders inscribed with Buddhist prayers), prayer wheels, prayer flags, ancestral villages with terrace farming, and yak trains while trekking your way up the undulant Dudh Kosi Valley. After arriving in the valley, you will meet and interact with the locals of the Khumbu, known as Sherpas. The Sherpas migrated from Tibet about 500 years ago and have made these mountains their home.

You will spend your night at Toc Toc.

Namche Bazaar Trek

You will start the day with the brilliant views of Thamserku while heading north and into the Sagarmatha National Park. You will climb up the steep 'Namche Hill' after crossing three breathtaking suspension bridges located high above the Dudh Kosi. The Hill is bordered by beautiful magnolia, rhododendron, and fir forests, and you will get to catch your first sight of Mt. Everest!

Later, you will arrive at Namche Bazaar, which is the de facto capital of the Khumbu. The Namche Bazaar is set in a striking bowl-shaped terraced valley. Bordered by the Thamserku, Kongde, and Kangtega peaks, you will feel as if you have entered the Himalayas. You will spend your evening exploring the captivating town of Namche.

Acclimatisation Day

On day four of your Gokyo Ri Trek, you will aim to follow the adage that says ”climb high, sleep low” by exerting a half-day acclimatization hike. You will start your day by paying a visit to the Namche gompa, which is a 100-year-old monastery. After exploring that, you will climb up to the Sherpa cultural museum at Chhorkung. The museum has a captivating collection of the cultural pieces of Sherpa. You will explore the museum and the photo gallery situated next door, and spend some time gaining the benefits of climbing to the elevated altitude.

Later in the evening, you will have an opportunity to meet Kancha Sherpa, who is the last surviving member of the 1953 excursion to Mt. Everest. You will spend the whole evening listening to his engaging tale about the first ascent of the highest mountain in the world.

Pass through Mong La and Phortse Thenga

On the fifth day, you will leave the Namche Bazaar and trail around a deforested ridge that offers excellent views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Later, you will leave the Everest Base Camp trail at a crossing and climb slowly to the Mong La. The Mong La is a small pass that offers beautiful views of Ama Dablam. Further up, you will get an opportunity to spot the stunning Golden Eagles soaring above in the sky.

You will leave Mong La and descend on a steep switchbacking trail to the banks of the Dudh Kosi. You will spot the tiny hamlet of Phortse Thenga amidst this charming pine forest.

You will stay overnight at Phortse Thenga.

Trek to Dole

On day six of your Gokyo Ri Trek, you will make a late start and enjoy the warmth of Phortse Thenga's low altitude before climbing out of the village. Later, you will walk uphill through a dense forest full of Rhododendron trees and covered in hanging moss and old Pine trees.

You will pass through various small waterfalls and huge boulders on the way up to the settlement of Dole. Dole is set in the wide, densely forested Phule Khola valley.

You will spend your night at Dole.

Trek to Machermo

Because of the increase in altitude, you will have a short day. You will climb over a crest to get above the treeline and into a desolate landscape full of tundra grass and alpine shrubs. The panorama of the mountain is enthralling and shows views from the valley to Cho Oyu (the world's 6th highest mountain).

You will cross the summer yak herding settlements and walk past the remote villages on your way up to Machermo. During the evening, you will attend an informative talk on high altitude by the Himalayan Rescue Association.

You will spend the night at Machermo.

Reach Gokyo

On day 8 of your Gokyo Ri Trek, you will arrive at Gokyo. The trail for reaching Gokyo is wedged between the large mountains and the stunning Ngozumpa glacier, which is Nepal's longest glacier. After climbing on to the glacier's parallel moraine, you will reach the first of the six sacred lakes of Gokyo, namely the Longponga Tso, which houses various pairs of Brahminy ducks. Later, you will cross the second lake, the Tanjung Tso, and enjoy beautiful views of Thamserku and Kangtega from there. Soon, you will arrive at Gokyo, which is set along the banks of the third lake, the Gokyo Tso.

The pleasant setting of the Gokyo village is magical. You get to see the reflection of the western peaks on the emerald green surface of the lake during windless days. The town has narrow stone lanes that are overrun with Yaks and Tibetan snow cocks.

You will spend your night at Gokyo.

Explore Gokyo

On the ninth day of your trek, you will head up the Gokyo valley, and pass the steely waters of the fourth lake, the Thonak Tso. The trail lies along Ngozumpa glacier's parallel moraine, and is constantly rising, bending, and twisting. Later, you will arrive at the fifth lake, the Ngozumpa Tso, from where you will climb up the moraine wall to the Scoundrels viewpoint hill. After reaching the hill, you will have an unobstructed view of Mount Everest, Lhotse (the world's 4th highest mountain), Makalu (the world's 5th highest mountain), and various other peaks.

You will spend your night at Gokyo.

Cross the Renjo La go the Bhote Kosi Valley

On the early morning of the tenth day, you will go on top of the Renjo La to experience the beautiful weather. Offering one of the most impressive views in Khumbu, the Renjo La a wide panorama of peaks concealing the horizon.

You will walk along the banks of the Gokyo Tso before climbing a steep ridge to a mountain bowl. You will also cross a frozen stream, and then make another steadfast climb before reaching the final steps of the Renjo La. You will have a snack break on top of the pass for soaking the views before your descent. You will pass through a few peaceful lakes while making your way down the valley.

You will spend your night at Lumbe.

Optional: Reach Phortse

For those of you who do not wish for an easier hike, can choose an easier trail. This trail leads you back down the valley, and you will cross the river and take a peaceful route down, along to the east bank of the Dudh Kosi. You will meet the rest of the group in Namche Bazaar the next day.

The Phortse village is untouched by tourism and houses more than 70 Everest summiteers.

You will spend your night at Phortse.

Back to Namche Bazaar

On day eleven, you will journey towards the ancient Sherpa settlements and timeless monasteries.

You will continue your inclination down from Bhote Kosi to Thame, which is a traditional village home to the legendary Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. After having lunch, you will stop and continue along the valley that is formed high above the river, and return to Namche Bazaar.

You will spend your night at Namche Bazaar.

Optional: Helicopter Ride at Kongde

You will get a thrilling option for your last day in the mountains. You will take a short helicopter ride up to Kongde, which will take you to one of the best viewpoints in Khumbu. You will enjoy your lunch at the boutique lodge with a view of Kongde lake and a panorama of Himalayan peaks that include around 4 of the 5 world's tallest mountains. After having lunch, the helicopter will bring you down to the Lukla valley so that you can catch your flight to Kathmandu the next morning.

Back to Lukla

The twelfth day will be a long day as you will descend down to Lukla. You will make your way down to ‘Namche hill,' cross the suspension bridges above the Dudh Kosi, and pass by the villages that you crossed on your way up.

You will arrive in Lukla by late afternoon or evening and enjoy the last night in the mountains before the flight back to Kathmandu.

Back to Kathmandu

You will fly out of Lukla and arrive at Kathmandu.

Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel where you can relax.

Kathmandu Sightseeing

You can use this day for relaxing or exploring Kathmandu. A sightseeing tour can be arranged around this fascinating ancient city.

In the case of canceled flights out of Lukla on the previous day, you can use this day as a buffer day for flying back to Kathmandu.

Fly back Home

After having a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the Kathmandu airport for your flight back home with all the beautiful memories of your Gokyo Ri Trek.