Lakes and himalayas – Gokyo Ri trek in Nepal

Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, be met by representatives and transferred to hotel. Free for the rest of the day with a small brief about the trek in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 2: Half Day Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.

A.M.: In the morning, travel through time as you explore Kathmandu Valley. Visit the ancient Durbar Square and glance a peek into Nepal’s rich history. A visit to Swayambhu Stupa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must – observe the city from the hill. P.M.: The rest of the day is purposely left free to pack and purchase any last minute essentials for the trek.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 3: Orive Ramachep & Fly Lukla (2880m) & trek to Phakding (2652m)

tart early in the morning and drive to Ramachep which takes about 4 ½ – 5 hours to catch an early morning amazing flight to Lukla – a trailer to your journey. The short flight will provide you glimpses of the Himalayas – your home for the next few days. Be met by Sherpa team and a short stroll around Lukla. After we are set and porters have been assigned the luggage, we follow the trail towards the north-east. We cross a suspension bridge to leave Lukla behind. Cross small picturesque villages of Chaunrikharka and Ghat and descend to reach Phakding just by the river. Overnight: Phakding Drive Duration: 5 hours. Flight Durations :20 min.

Trek Duration: 3 hours.

Day 4: Namche Bazaar (3,447m)

Purse the trail with the gushing Dudh Kosi on your right – a pleasant walk as we pass through agricultural fields, small villages and a beautiful monastery. Cross Dudh Kosi at Benkar and be greeted with tantalizing glimpses of snow-capped peaks Kusum Kanguru(6369m) and Thamserku (6623m). Steep climb for 20 mins to reach Monjo – our lunch stop.

Enter Sagarmatha National Park after having our permits cleared. A busy trail with several interests – small villages, pine forests. After crossing the river again, we are met with a steady climb, halfway through the climb catch your first glimpse of the mighty three ahead of you – Everest (8848m), Mt. Nuptse (7879m), and Lhotse (8383m). Reach Namche Bazaar – a bustling little prosperous town in the Khumbu region surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks.

Day 5: Khumjung (3780 m)

Set out from Namche Bazar and reach a small pass – a steep ascent awaits you. Reach Syangboche which features an inoperative airport with a stone plowed runway. A pleasant hike through meadows and small remnants of coniferous forests with beautifully scattered rhododendrons. Kongde Ri (6186m) is behind you.

We reach Everest View Hotel which features unspoiled views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse amongst other Himalayan peaks. Head towards towards Khumjung– the largest Sherpa village in Khumbu.

Day 6: Dole (4,040 m)

After a an hour and half to two hours hike we reach Mongdara on top of a ridge, with beautiful views of Ama Dablam (6812m), Thamserku (6623m) and Kang Taiga. From here, a steady downhill walk through a pine and rhododendron forest brings us to Phortse Thenga. Be aware of Yak traffic and keep to the right to avoid being pushed off the hillside. Lunch at Phortse Thenga.

After lunch Catch the main trail after breakfast and head towards Gokyo Valley. A gentle climb as we catch our very first sight of Cho Oyu (The Turquoise Mountain). Observe the change in vegetation as the landscape features more of alpine shrubs. The waterfalls along the trail make the landscape look like postcards. We reach Dole for lunch.

Day 7: Machermo (4,400 m)

A steady climb before the trail contours to Luza, a small grazing spot with potato fields. We walk slowly to reduce the probability of altitude sickness as we are above 4,000 metres above sea level. Take in the surrounding views of the perfect landscape around us. Cho Oyu in the distance encourages our onward journey. Reach Machermo just in time for lunch.

After lunch, hike up the hill above the village and pay a visit to the IPPG (International Porters Progress Group) and receive tips upon the prevention and consequences of altitude sickness. Note: The Porter Shelter was built by Can (Community Action Nepal – Doug Scott’s Charity)
Again, a short day trek to allow acclimatization.

Overnight: Machermo Trek Duration: 4 hours

Day 8: Gokyo (4,795 m)

We are greeted with a broader trail as we pass through Lapharma – a small settlement with green pastures for Yaks and Dzopkios. Approach the end of the valley, and after a short climb we arrive at the snout of the Ngozungpa Glacier – the glacial source of Dudh Koshi. We reach the first of the Gokyo Lakes. The trail becomes gentle as we walk along the moraines, we reach a second lake, so blue and pristine, and then the third along whose banks lies Gokyo – a spellbinding place with the majestic Cho Oyu in the background.

After lunch, head towards the Ngozungpa Glacier – the longest glacier in the Himalayas. (36kms) Advised to carry head lamps and warm clothes due to the ice cold winds.

Overnight: Gokyo – Trek Duration: 4 ½ -5 hours.

Day 9: Excursion to Gokyo RI (5,483 m) and back to Gokyo

Today we summit a peak in the Himalayas – the Gokyo Ri to watch unparalleled views of three of the world’s top ten mountains – the world’s tallest, Everest, the elusive Makalu, and the pristine Cho Oyu.

We start early, and halfway through as we get our first glimpses of Everest, the sun begins to rise – the beauty of the view is no less than paradise.

Atop the Gokyo Ri, we are surrounded by the Himalayas – for we are in the heart of it. The turquoise lakes shimmer below us and words do not do justice to the view atop the Gokyo Ri. After basking in the glory and taking in all of the view, we make our way back to Gokyo. In the afternoon, we could visit the 5th lake.

Overnight: Gokyo – Trek Duration: 4 – 4 ½ hours.

Day 10: Back track to Dole (4,040 m)

Heading away from Gokyo village, we weave our way away from Thagnak. The trail meanders through a section of Nzogungpa Glacier. Magnificent views of the Cho Oyu and Cholatse en route as we make our way towards Cho La. We also sight the Himalayan Thar along the way on the rocky slopes.

Overnight: Dole – Trek Duration: 3 – 4 hours.

Day 11: Kyanjuma

After breakfast start the steep descend to the valley to reach the village of Phortse Drenga which takes about an hour and half. Here we start of about an hour brigs us to the village of Mongla. On our way the view of, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtega mountains are fantastic. After walking for a while, we reach an intersection where the trail from Sanasa meets our trail. We walk on a trail that clings to a forested slope to arrive at Kyangjuma.

Overnight: Kyanjuma – Trek Duration: 4 ½ hours.

Day 12: Monjo via Namche Bazaar

After breakfast its an easy winding walk to Namche Bazaar. WE spend some time at Namche Bazaar to have tea and do shopping. Later we descend towards Monjo crossing some spectacular hanging bridge and later following the Dudh Koshi river to arrive at Monjo.

Overnight: Monjo – Trek Duration: 4 ½ -5 hours.

Day 13: Lukla

We exit the Sagarmatha National Park at the same point we had entered a few days ago. Follow the same footsteps, take in the views of the mountains – our abode for the past few days and make way to Lukla (passing through the village of Phakding and Chheplung) – where we officially finish our trek. In the evening, a farewell dinner, and may be followed by a few celebratory drinks and dance with our Sherpa companions.

Overnight: Lukla – Overnight: Lukla

Day 14: Lukla / Ramachep & drive to Kathmandu by Flight

A hearty breakfast – our last meal in the lap of the Himalayas and take a short flight to Ramachep Upon arrival, board the vehicle and take the 5 ½ hours’ drive back to Kathmandu. The remainder of the day is free.
Overnight: Hotel, Kathmandu. Flight Durations :15 min. Drive Duration: 5 ½ hours.

Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu to shop, rest or go for sightseeing

Take the day to explore Kathmandu – a city where the modern meets the traditional. Note: If you wish to go sightseeing, please contact our representative for tour options. Overnight: Hotel

Day 16: Final departure

Last minute shopping of souvenirs and transfer to TIA, Kathmandu for onward journey. Watch the Himalayas pass by as you relive the memories spent only days ago in the heart of the mountains. Relish on the achievement of a lifetime experience.

For this trip a 1000 Euro deposit is essential.