EBC Treks via Gokyo Lake

Everest Base Camp Treks via Gokyo Lake

The Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lake indeed offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range!!

17 Days
Nepal
Altitude 5,545 m
Region Everest Region
Difficulty Challenging
Group Size 1+
Best Season Spring and Autumn
Inquiry Book Now
Whatsapp +9779860630783
Email info@thesummitforce.com

Overview

The Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lake indeed offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan range. The route through Gokyo Valley provides a less crowded and distinct experience compared to the traditional EBC trek. The acclimatization at Namche Bazaar is crucial for a successful trip. The challenging ascent to Gokyo Ri and crossing Cho La Pass adds adventure to the journey. The glacial lakes, stone cairns, and the turquoise waters of Gokyo make it a memorable experience. The views of Ama Dablam and the trek to Everest Base Camp showcase the majestic beauty of the region. Exploring Sherpa villages, monasteries, and the unique lifestyle enrich the trek. The return journey through Pheriche and Namche Bazaar completes the cultural immersion. Overall, it's an opportunity to embrace the Himalayan landscapes, traditions, and the highest lakes.

 

Know more about Gokyo Lakes? 

Gokyo Lakes are a system of six emerald lakes located in the Gokyo Valley of the Khumbu region in the Himalayas of Nepal. These lakes are known for their striking turquoise color, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and glaciers, creating a picturesque and tranquil setting for trekkers and travelers.

The main lake, Gokyo Cho (also known as Dudh Pokhari), is the largest of the six lakes and holds significant religious importance to the local Sherpa people. The other lakes in the system, namely Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngozumpa Cho, and Longbanga Cho, add to the natural beauty and serene atmosphere of the area.

The Gokyo Lakes trek is a popular alternative to the traditional Everest Base Camp trek, offering trekkers a chance to explore a less crowded region while still enjoying stunning views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu. The trek to Gokyo Lakes also provides opportunities for acclimatization and side trips to Gokyo Ri for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

Overall, Gokyo Lakes present a breathtaking and peaceful destination for nature lovers, photographers, and trekkers seeking a unique Himalayan experience away from the hustle and bustle of busier trekking routes.

 

Trip Highlights

Gokyo Lakes: The trek takes you to the beautiful Gokyo Lakes, a series of turquoise glacial lakes located at high altitudes. The view of these lakes against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains is truly breathtaking.

Gokyo Ri: A popular side trip on this trek is the ascent of Gokyo Ri, a peak that offers panoramic views of some of the world's highest peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.

Everest Base Camp: The trek also includes a visit to the iconic Everest Base Camp, where climbers begin their ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. Standing at the base of the world's highest peak is a truly unforgettable experience.

Khumbu Glacier and Icefall: Along the way, you'll trek through the rugged terrain of the Khumbu Glacier and witness the towering ice pinnacles of the Khumbu Icefall, a challenging section of the route to the summit of Everest.

Sherpa Culture: The trek takes you through traditional Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, where you can experience the unique Sherpa culture and hospitality. Visiting monasteries and learning about the local way of life is a memorable part of the trek.

Sagarmatha National Park: The trek passes through the UNESCO-listed Sagarmatha National Park, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare Himalayan wildlife like the snow leopard and Himalayan tahr.

Overall, the Gokyo Everest Base Camp trek offers a complete Himalayan experience, combining stunning mountain scenery, challenging trekking routes, and insights into the unique culture of the Sherpa people.

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Altitude 5,545 m
Region Everest Region
Difficulty Challenging
Group Size 1+
Best Season Spring and Autumn

Itinerary

Day 1

  • 1,400m.
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the welcoming representatives of Summit Force will assist our guests and arrange for their transportation to the hotel. Today is dedicated as an arrival day with no planned activities, allowing the group to relax or independently explore nearby attractions. An informal gathering is planned for the evening in the hotel lobby. A welcome dinner will be hosted, where our trekking guide will be introduced, and a briefing about the trek will be provided.
Day 2

  • 1,400m.
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, your city tour guide will be ready to accompany you to the renowned world heritage sites, starting with Kathmandu Durbar Square. This historical site is filled with ancient stories and vivid culture, providing a glimpse into the past with its royal durbar square and Hanuman Dhoka. You will also have the opportunity to visit the residence of the Kumari Goddess, a revered living virgin deity who passes her role to another young Kumari after reaching puberty. Following the tour, we will head westward to Swayambhunath Stupa, situated atop a hill, offering panoramic views of Kathmandu city, lush hills surrounding the valley, and majestic snow-capped mountains.
Day 3

  • 2,661m
Today you wake up early at around 1:30 A.M get read and start your drive from Kathmandu to Manthali airport in Ramechap district at around 2 A.M by private transport to catch a flight to Lukla. It takes around 3.5 hrs to reach Manthali airport. Because of growing traffic congestion at Kathmandu Airport and Lukla also has become the busiest domestic flight sector in Nepal, we avoid the traffic congestion at Kathmandu Airport, and take you directly to Manthali airport for easy flight access to Lukla.
Start a 15-minute flight journey to Lukla experiencing picturesque mountain views and scenery. After landing at Lukla airport, we will take a rapid climb to Phakding (2,661m) by following the path along the bank of the Dudhkoshi River. In the late afternoon, we will visit nearby attractions of Phakding.
Day 4

  • 3,440m
On the second day of the trek, after early breakfast at Phakding, we leave for our next destination, Namche Bazaar. The first section of the trekking route is in comfortable condition. After at least two and a half hours walk is a bit difficult as we ascend all the way uphill until we reach Namche bazaar. We will have a spectacular journey to Namche Bazaar crossing four suspension bridges on the way. Afterward, we pass through narrow trails along with a wide stone trail beside the suspension bridge, enjoying the view of Mt. Kongde (6168 m), Mt. Thamserku (6608 m), and Kusum Kangaru (6367 m) to arrive at Monjo, the final village before entering Sagarmatha National Park.
After showing National Park permit the trail leads further up and down and reaches Jorsalle. Here we stop for lunch. Then, we continue our walk for two and a half hours and cross Hillary Bridge. We enjoy our walk viewing Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Nuptse from Tope Danda, and finally, we reach Namche bazaar. It is a bustling mountain town, the heart of Khumbu. Namche is the largest of all Sherpa settlements in the Everest region. This is the ideal place where we make our overnight stay and acclimatize.
Namche is a prosperous village spread in a horseshoe shape around the valley. In Namche, you may like to spend time looking through the shops in search of a bargain.
Day 5

  • 3,440m
An amazing day planned exploring the breathtaking Sagarmatha National Park and experiencing the rich Sherpa culture in Namche Bazaar. The panoramic views of Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Thamserku must have been truly awe-inspiring. Visiting the Everest Documentary Visitor Center and the Sherpa Culture Museum must have provided valuable insights into the history, culture, and way of life in the Everest region.

The Sherpa Culture Museum sounds like a fascinating place to learn about the traditional Sherpa way of life and see ancient artifacts in their original form. The Tourist Visitor Center must have also been informative, especially regarding the history of Everest Sherpa climbers.

Ending the day with a visit to the Everest View Hotel, situated at such a high altitude with stunning views of Everest and the surrounding mountains, must have been a memorable experience. Namche Bazaar seems like a charming place to spend the night, surrounded by the beauty of the Himalayas.
Day 6

  • 4,085m.
After leaving Namche Bazaar behind, you will climb toward the north and follow a less-traveled path that takes you to Kyangjuma. Mount Ama Dablam is seen clearly from Kyangjuma . Here you will stop for lunch or tea with bakery items as this place has an excellent bakery shop, all of which adds up to make it an excellent spot for a rest and a bite to eat. From Kyangjuma you will again climb up to a spectacularly positioned chorten (a small Buddhist shrine) at a place called the Mon La. In Nepalese “La" means col but the Mon La is not a col, more a notch on a ridge. From the chorten, you will descend to a small village called Phortse Tanga, near the Dudh Kosi River. From Phortse Tanga the trail takes you to Dole passing through a series of beautiful rhododendron woods for about an hour, at which point the trees begin to thin out and you reach a small elevation that gives a glimpse of an excellent view of Cho Oyu’s south face. A short hike from the Cho Oyu viewpoint will take you to Dole, a small settlement nestled among the giant hills.
Day 7

  • 4,465m.
On day sixth, you will resume your trek towards Machhermo, a peaceful pasture village surrounded by majestic peaks, with a close-up view of the fifth tallest mountain, Mt. Cho Oyu. Leaving Dole you will make a steep ascent via. a ridge just above Dole rejoicing with a gift of expansive views over the Dudh Koshi Valley and other majestic snow-clad Mountains like Thamserku and Kantega, in the backdrop throughout the day. When you reach higher altitude, you will notice the landscape changing, with less trees and more alpine vegetation. You’ll reach Marchhermo after 4 hours’ trekking.
While trekking toward Marchhermo, you will be advised by our guide to drink plenty of water, go slowly, and pay attention to any altitude sickness symptoms. Throughout the trek, your guide will be available to help and mentor you. You just savor the tranquillity and stunning vistas of Machhermo Peak. Overnight stay at a lodge.
Day 8

  • 4,750m.
After breakfast, your trek will lead to your next destination- Gokyo Lake. After an hour of hike from Machhermo you will arrive at Phanga. This place is dedicated to those people who lost their lives in landslides. As you move ahead, take several breaks en- route just to immerse in some stunning mountain vistas. Then, you will cross an iron bridge to reach Longpongo Lake, located at an elevation of 4,690 meters
You will keep continuing your hike through the bumpy terrain over the Ngozumpa Glaciers. Once you reach the Gokyo village, take a few moments and immerse yourselves in the beautiful vistas of Gokyo lakes and the surrounding Himalayan Mountains. This magnificent sight cannot be explained in words. Six of the highest freshwater lakes in the world are found in Gokyo Lakes. The third lake is the most beautiful of the six and also the most explored in the Everest region.
Day 9

  • 4,750m.
After breakfast, you will walk over the challenging path of the moraine and reach the first lake of Gokyo. Then, you will explore the second lake, Taboche Tsho, situated a little ahead of the first one. Moreover, the third lake glittering with sunlight lies slightly ahead of the second lake. The Gokyo valley stands on the shore of the third lake with Cho Oyu looming magnificently in the background. A side trip to the fourth and fifth lakes is recommended for passionate trekkers.
Day 10

  • 4,750m
If the weather permits in the morning, you will start your ascent to Gokyo Ri and continue your trek towards Thangnak (Dragnag). Once you reach a point beyond the southern end of Lake Taboche Tsho, you will come across a cairn marking a fork in the trail. To continue your journey, you will branch left, make an easy rise across the slope, and reach the top of the moraine wall at a saddle. From this point, you will have an excellent view of the Ngozumpa Glacier towards Cho Oyu in the north, as well as Cholatse and Taboche in the southeast.

After enjoying the stunning views, you will make your descent to the glacier, weaving around ice cliffs, rocky humps, skirting small lakes, and crossing flats of glacial sand. The views from here are breathtaking in every direction. Finally, the trail will lead you to the ablation valley below Thangnak, where you will spend the night after passing the glaciers. Here, three simple lodges and a couple of huts are available for an overnight stay.

It sounds like a challenging yet incredibly rewarding journey with stunning views and unique experiences along the way. Enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas and the peaceful serenity of the surroundings as you continue your trek.
Day 11

  • 4,820m.
Today, we will start by climbing the trail steadily to a cairn on the crest of a moraine ridge. Then, we will descend into a valley and arrive at an area of rocks and boulders known as Cho La Base Camp or Phedi (4,930m/16,175ft), which means “at the foot of the hill”. To continue our journey, we will stay close to the right-hand rock wall, where cairns indicate the way down. The views ahead will be magnificent.
We will make a steep descent down rocky "steps" until we reach an easy path, which will lead us to the bed of the valley. The rest of the trek to our overnight stop, Dzongla, will be through this beautiful valley, and we will be able to enjoy the stunning views. Dzongla is a walled enclosure that consists of a few simple lodges and camping grounds. From there, we can see a terrific close-up view of Cholatse's northeast face (6,335m)To the south lies Chola Tsho Lake (4,590m). We will stay overnight at Dzongla. The trekking time for today is 6-7 hours.
Day 12

  • 4,910m.
Today it will be relatively a shorter trek than the previous days. Leaving Dzongla you will descend for a while to cross a small stream and then walk through a grass-covered trail while immersing in the delightful vista of Cholatse, Taboche, and Lobuche Peaks. The trail winds through the wide stream bed before arriving at Lobuche. Being a short trek, you will get time for a rest and enjoy the surrounding beauty. Overnight at lodge in Lobuche.
Day 13

  • 5,164m.
We will begin our trek towards Gorakshep after having breakfast at Lobuche. Gorakshep is located at an altitude of 5,170 meters near Mount Everest and remains uninhabited for most of the year. We will walk through rocky dunes, moraines, and streams before finally reaching Mt. Everest Base Camp from Gorakshep. It is important to note that the thin air at such a high altitude can be exhausting. However, once you reach the Everest Base Camp, you'll witness some of the world's highest peaks, which stand in stark contrast to the grey surroundings, especially during the spring season.
It's important to note that two trekking groups are not allowed to stay in the base camp for very long. However, during your visit, you will have the opportunity to feel the buzz and excitement of potential summiteers of Everest (if you visit during the climbing season - April/May). After spending some time at the base camp, we will descend back to Gorak Shep for the overnight stay, passing great views of the Khumbu icefall. It will take approximately 3 to 4 hours to walk back to Gorakshep.
Day 14

  • 4,371m.
Today, you will begin your 1.2km walk towards Kala Patthar, also known as the Black Rock, where you will witness a breathtaking sunrise and get a close-up view of Mount Everest. It usually takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours to reach Kala Patthar. The steep terrain and high altitude may pose challenges, but the stunning views that await you at the top will make it all worth it. Standing at Kala Patthar, you'll feel like you're on top of the world, and you'll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. As you make your way back to Pheriche, you will notice the landscape transforming around you, from rocky terrain to lush alpine vegetation. The descent will be easier, mostly downhill all the way, allowing you to enjoy the changing scenery and relive the memories of the majestic peaks you beheld.
Day 15

  • 3,440m
Following breakfast, you will walk down the steep trail which is quite hard-hitting. The trail is not just steep, but also dusty and rugged. You will be trekking to the lower altitudes; the walk will be easier. The air is getting warmer walking downhill steadily. During your downhill walk, you will be able to relish the breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. Moreover, you can see many trekkers and locals on the trail. Finally, you will reach Namche Bazaar. In the evening in Namche bazaar, you can have a great experience, going to a coffee shop and staying there listening to relaxing music.
Day 16

  • 2,800m
Following breakfast, we continue walking from Namche downwards to the Dudh Koshi River bridge, which is close to the spot where the Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi rivers converge. Next, we stroll in the direction of Monjo, from which we will go to Phakding after completing the requirements at the National Park checkpoint. We make our lunch break in Phakding, and shortly afterward we continue our journey towards Lukla along the path. Prayer flags, prayer stones, a rhododendron and pine forest, a Sherpa settlement, and vast plains can all be seen along this level path. Today is the last day of Everest Base Camp -Gokyo Valley Trekking. When you reach Lukla, you will celebrate your accomplishments with the other trekking crew members or find some lonely time to summon up the amazing moments of the previous few days.
Day 17

  • 1,400m
We have already booked your earliest flight back to Kathmandu. After breakfast, you will leave Lukla to catch your early flight to Ramechap. Many flights will fly every hour because the flight from Lukla to Ramechap is shorter. From Ramechap you will be driven to Kathmandu and drop you in hotel. You can relax and stay in the hotel or you may explore the Thamel, a tourist hub, for shopping for souvenirs or massage. The guide will leave after dropping you off at the hotel. You may also invite your guide for a dinner together if you wish. Overnight stay in the hotel
Day 18

  • 1,400m
Your long holiday in Nepal is going to an end today. You will get picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours before your international flight schedule.

Service Includes

  • Meet and greet at Tribhuvan International Airport by Summit Force’s representative and transfer to the hotel.
  • 3 nights of standard accommodation at a hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis with breakfast (Single rooms available at an extra cost).
  • Land transport from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport and back.
  • Best available clean and neat hotels/teahouse accommodation during the trek.
  • A licensed and experienced English-speaking trekking guide.
  • An assistant guide will be provided for support if the group size exceeds 5 people.
  • Experienced mountain porters (1 porter for 2 people) including all their expenses, salary, and insurance.
  • Medical/Emergency rescue insurance for the guide and porters.
  • Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during trekking. In Kathmandu, only breakfast is included.
  • Medical kit box during the trek.
  • Sagarmatha National Park Permit.
  • Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.
  • All other applicable taxes as per Nepal government rules and regulations.
  • In case of emergency, facilitation of rescue and evacuation by helicopter (guests must have their insurance).
  • Sleeping bags and duffel bags will be provided if required by guests (need to be returned after the trekking trip is completed).
  • A farewell dinner in Kathmandu (Alcoholic beverages are excluded).

Service Excludes

  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Personal Trekking gears
  • Drone and special filming permits
  • Travel insurance (since Nepali agencies cannot insure international guests, we suggest you get an insurance policy that covers helicopter rescue as well)
  • Alcoholic beverages, internet, phone calls, bottled or canned beverages, laundry, tips and battery recharge during the treks

Trip Notes

Preparation

Physical Fitness: Start a training regimen at least 2 weeks before the trek. Focus on cardiovascular fitness, strength training, and hiking with a backpack.

 

Permits

Sagarmatha National Park Entry  and Permit

Travel Insurance: Ensure it covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation.

 

Health and Safety

Acclimatization: Follow the "climb high, sleep low" principle and take rest days as needed.

Hydration and Nutrition: Drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, and avoid alcohol.

Altitude Sickness: Be aware of symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness) and descend if severe.

Weather: Be prepared for sudden weather changes; always carry extra layers and waterproof gear.

 

Cultural Considerations

Respect Local Customs: Greet with "Namaste," ask permission before taking photos, and dress modestly.

Environmental Responsibility: Follow Leave No Trace principles; do not litter and minimize waste.

 

Tips

Pacing: Trek at a steady, comfortable pace to conserve energy and prevent altitude sickness.

Hydration: Use purification methods for water from streams or lodges; carry a hydration bladder or bottles.

Charging Electronics: Carry extra batteries or a solar charger; charging facilities are limited and often at a cost.

Cash: ATMs are scarce; bring sufficient cash for the trek (Nepalese Rupees).

These notes should help in preparing for and enjoying a successful Everest Base Camp trek.

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