Gokyo Valley Trek

Open each day to see the route notes, overnight rhythm, altitude cues, and the small details that help you understand how the journey actually flows.

1. Day 1

   Arrival day (1,300m/4,264 ft)

   Day details

   Welcome to Kathmandu – the capital city of Nepal. Today is your first day with Amigo Treks & Expedition. Therefore, we send one of our company representatives to receive you at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), who will further escort you to a tourist standard hotel. If possible, we also schedule a meeting at our office for the briefing regarding the trek followed by an introduction session with other team members (especially Sherpas and guides). Today, we also arrange a welcome dinner in one of the most popular local restaurants, where you can also enjoy the ethnic dance and cultural music along with great Nepali food. If your flight arrives late, both the meeting and the dinner can be scheduled for the following day.  Meals included: Dinner (Highlights of the day: Nepali food, Cultural music and Ethnic dance.)

2. Day 2

   Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

   Day details

   The capital, Kathmandu valley itself, is a big storehouse of exclusive natural, cultural and historical sites. Therefore, today, we take you on a few hour tours to the major attractions of Kathmandu valley. After spending few hours observing these wonderful sites, we again meet for a few hours to finalize your clothing and trekking gears (down jacket, trekking boots, sleeping bags etc.) required during the trek. The night will be spent at a hotel in Kathmandu.  Meals Included: Breakfast (Highlights of the day: World Heritage sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square (a historical structure offering architectural wonders), the Pashupatinath temple (a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva- lord possessing the power of destruction), Swyambhunath and Boudhanath (a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha- Light of Asia. Optional site:Another World Heritage site ‘Patan Durbar Square’ along with other historical masterpieces like Mahabouddha Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and Kumbeshwor Temple.)

3. Day 3

   Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding. (2,652m/8,700ft) 4-5 hrs walk

   Day details

   Today is the first day of the trek. We will be escorted in a private vehicle to the Tribhuvan International Airport to board an early morning flight to Lukla. After 30-35 mins the plane will finally land at the Lukla Airport (Tenzing Hillary Airport). On reaching the airport, we will be introduced to other crew members awaiting our arrival. At the same time luggage will also be prepared for the porters. Once everything is ready, the ultimate trek finally begins towards the destination of the day, Phakding, leaving Lukla behind. After four hours of downhill and flat trail experience, we finally reach Phakding. You can freshen up and rest for some time. Then the team leader you will take you for a short walk in the village of Phakding or even a hike to nearby Gompas for acclimatization purpose. The night will be spent at a lodge in Phakding.  Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Wonderful aerial view of the terrain from the plane, colorful Lukla village, ‘Mani’ prayer rocks, Phakding village and ‘Gompas’ monasteries, downhill and flat trail)

4. Day 4

   Trek to Namche Bazzar. (3440m/11,283ft), 5-6 hrs walk

   Day details

   Today is the second day of the trek. Without wasting a single minute we leave Phakding and move towards Monju walking through across few suspension bridges and small settlements. Monju is popularly recognized as the gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park. On reaching Sagarmatha National Park, your team leaders will take care of the necessary national park formalities at entrance while you enjoy small tea houses and shops. We then enter the national park from where a vertical drop down the hill will bring you across few suspension bridges. On crossing these bridges the trail leads you uphill towards Namche Bazaar that offers the first view of Mt. Everest along with other peaks. The night will be spent at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.  Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: small settlements like Zapute, Toktok, Benkar, Chumoa and Monju, Sagarmatha National Park, small tea houses and shops, suspension bridges, steep trail, Namche Bazaar and the very first view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Mt. Kusum Khangru.)

5. Day 5

   Acclimatize day

   Day details

   Today, the third day of the trek, we get involved in the activities that help us to adapt to the change in altitude and thinning air. Remaining active is the best way to acclimatize. Therefore, instead of resting, we hike to Thame. Thame is an old Sherpa village. We also have an option to visit to Khumjung, Khongde or Khunde which further aids in acclimatization. Namche bazaar offers varieties of options to spend the day. Hence, remaining days can either be spent visiting the National Park Head office, Museum and other nearby monasteries. Or, you can also spend some quality time at cafes and bakeries or talking to your family making internet calls. The night will be spent at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.  Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Thame-an old Sherpa village, Khumjung/Khunde/Khongde, National Park Head office, Museum, monasteries, cafes, bakeries, shops, restaurants, post office, hospital, government health post, 24 hour electricity and water supply and high speed internet access)

6. Day 6

   Trek to Dole. (4,200m/13,779ft)

   Day details

   Today is the fourth day of the trek and our destination is Dole. Starting the walk from Namche Bazaar, we follow the trail along the Dudh Koshi River, making our way through Rhododendron forest until we reach Sanasa. Sanasa is a major trail junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. Here, leaving the Everest Base Camp trail behind we walk up to the Mongla pass (4000m) following the trail that leads us towards Gokyo valley.  From Mongala we walk downwards, cross Phortse Tenga and again hike up through birch and Rhododendron forest to Dole. The night will be spent at a lodge in Dole.  Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Splendid view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt Ama Dablam, close up view of Thamserku, Rhododendron and birch forest hosting Musk Deer, Himalayan Thar, Phesant, view of Khumbi La – a sacred mountain of the patron god of the Khumbu region, Tawache, waterfalls and bridges.)

7. Day 7

   Trek to Machherma. (4,470m/14,665), 5-6 hrs walk

   Day details

   Today is the fifth day of the trek and our destination is Machherma. First, we climb a short scenic ridge and head towards north enjoying the view of the few peaks while resting at teashops en route. The vegetation is sparse, but the view of the peaks is magnificent. We walk down till the river and then a steep climb will take us to the terminal moraine of Ngozumpa glacier. From here we head towards Machherma, which is the last major settlement on the way to Gokyo. The night will be spent at a lodge in Machherma.  Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Small summer settlement and hamlets, teashops, Ngozumpa glacier, view of Cho Oyu, Kantenga and Thamserku)

8. Day 8

   Trek to Gokyo (4,790m/15,715ft), 4 hrs walk

   Day details

   Today is the sixth day of the trek and this day will finally take us to the actual destination of this trek – Gokyo Valley. Firstly, we climb up till the ridge and then an easy flat walk to the bottom of the small rocky mountain. Then we again take a short climb, cross bridge to get to the first lake - Longpongo. We continue the walk towards the second lake – Taboche Cho and finally following the stream we reach the Third Lake – Gokyo Lake. We walk towards Gokyo village on the east bank of Third Lake. The remaining days will be spent exploring the lakes and glacier. The night will be spent at a lodge in Gokyo.  Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: First lake where we get to observe the footprints of ancient Lamas, splendid turquoise blue Second Lake and third lakes, splendid view of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori and Thamserku and Gokyo village that offers all the required facilities to customers)

9. Day 9

   Explore day

   Day details

   Today is the seventh day of the trek. We spend our day exploring the valley. First, we climb the Gokyo RI (5,630m) that is above the village on the northern edge of the lake. We spend some time taking photographs and walk down to the lodge, have lunch and then hike around the glacier. The night is spent at a lodge in Gokyo.  Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Gokyo RI – best view point of Everest region offering the view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu and a famous vantage point of series of six Gokyo lakes, view of Ngozumpa glacier-longest glacier in the Himalayas)

10. Day 10

    Trek to Dole (4,200m/13,779ft), 4-5 hrs walk

    Day details

    Today is the eighth day of the trek and we return from Gokyo to Dole. It’s an easy downhill walk passing the second and the first lake, the bridge, terminal moraine, Machherma vertical descend till the river and then up to the ridge and finally reach Dole. The night will be spent at a lodge in Dole.  Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Splendid turquoise blue first and  second Gokyo lakes, splendid view of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori and Thamserku, small summer settlement and hamlets, teashops, Ngozumpa glacier, view of Cho Oyu, Kantenga and Thamserku)

11. Day 11

    Trek to Khumjung (3,580m/11,780ft), 5-6 hrs walk

    Day details

    Today is the ninth day of the trek and our destination is Khumjung. We first walk down through the rhododendron and birch forest to Phortse Tenga and then a steep climb up to Mong La hill. Then we walk up to Khumjung commonly known as the green valleys. The night will be spent at a lodge in Khumjung  Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Rhododendron and birch forest featuring wildflowers, mountain goat, musk deer and pheasants, waterfall, a distant view of Tengboche, and the Khumjung Valley.)

12. Day 12

    Trek to Monju (2,850m/9,348ft), 6-7 hrs walk

    Day details

    Today is the tenth day of the trek and our destination is Monju. We first walk up to Lhunde village, explore the village of Khumjung and walk towards Namche Bazaar via Syangboche airstrip. We stop for lunch at Namche. Now, the trail drops from Namche Hill to the suspension bridge crossing the DudhKoshi River near the confluence of DudhKoshi and BhoteKoshi rivers. Then we reach Monjo. The night is spent at a lodge in Monjo.  Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Khumjung and Namche Bazaar, modern facilities like restaurants, cafes and bakeries at Namche Bazaar, suspension bridge)

13. Day 13

    Trek to Lukla(2,652m/8,700ft) 4-5 hrs walk

    Day details

    Today is the last day of the trek and second last day in the Khumbu region as our destination is Lukla. After some formalities at the check post of National park at Monjo the trail drops down hill through the pine forest walk towards Phakding and then towards Lukla. On reaching Lukla, you can either spend your time with other crew members or opt for some alone time to recollect the memories made during the past few days. The night will be spent at a lodge in Lukla.  Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Flat trail, open plains, Rhododendrons and Pine forest, Sherpa villages, prayer stones, and flapping prayer flags.)

14. Day 14

    Fly to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

    Day details

    Today is the last day in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Our Sherpas will carry your luggage to the airport while other formalities will be taken care by your team leader. Once the plane lands at the airport, we will directly board the plane and fly back to Kathmandu early in the morning enjoying the scenic view once again from the sky. A comfortable private vehicle will be awaiting your arrival at Kathmandu Airport, which will safely escort you to the hotel. In the evening we meet for some time to discuss your trek and get feedback. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu.  Meals included: Breakfast/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Wonderful aerial view of the terrain from the plane, tourist standard hotel)

15. Day 15

    Final departure.

    Day details

    Today is the last day of your trip in Nepal with Amigo Treks and Expedition. If your flight is scheduled early morning, then one of our company representatives will escort you to the airport as per your flight departure time. But, if the flight is scheduled later in the evening, you can go shopping and collect a few mementos or simply hang around shopping areas in Kathmandu. However, if you are planning to spend some extra days in Nepal, Amigo Treks and Expedition can also make the arrangements for some other top adventurous activities that you can attend while you are in Nepal. (The usual day for a trek: Every day, our guides will come to wake you up at around 7:00-7:30am. Western breakfast like porridge, oats, toasts, etc. will be served at around 8:00-8:30am. The lunch will be served from a teahouse menu at about 12-1pm. However, the lunch time can also be postponed on request. The dinner will be served at around 8:30-9:00pm. After dinner and before going to bed your team leader will brief you regarding the next day’s schedule. Your accommodation is arranged at a lodge, or also in a tourist standard hotel (subject to availability) where we stop for overnight. While you are walking, you can also request your guide to slow down and stop at the places where you want to take some snaps.)