Gokyo Valley Trek-14 Day

Last updated on March 30th, 2023 at 02:29 am

Retrace the footsteps of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, enjoy the hospitality of Sherpa village life and brush against the majesty of Mt. Everest in Solukhumbu region of Nepal. The trek to Everest Base Camp, in the heart of Sagarmatha National Park, has become a rite of passage for many world travelers. The obvious goal is a close-up view of the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest (8848m), from where we may well be able to follow the progress of Everest ascent expedition teams, especially during the prime climbing seasons of spring and fall.

Namche, the most prosperous and largest Sherpa village in Khumbu, offers you an epic view of Everest panorama, unique experience of the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and unparalleled beauty. Afterwards, we will traverse beautiful fir, juniper and rhododendron forests in Sagarmatha National Park on our way to the Gokyo and it’s associated lake.

DAY 01: ARRIVE KATHMANDU
Airport representative of Mountain Climbers Treks & Adventure will receive you and transfer by private vehicle to the hotel. Leisure day to adjust with altitude, weather and time difference as well as to take rest from jetlags. Later part of the rest of the day is for trekking permit (TIMS), national park permit and final packing for the trekking. In the evening, you will get to know about medieval Kathmandu, with its bustling bazaars interspersed with shrines and temples and interesting architecture while we having dinner together. Overnight at hotel

DAY 02: FLY TO LUKLA, TREK TO JORSALLE (2805M) 5-6 HRS
An early departure from the Kathmandu domestic airport will see us landing in Lukla a mere 35 minutes later, at the start of our journey to the Mount Everest Base Camp. This is one of the most spectacular and one of the 10^th extreme flights in the world. As you fly east, the snow line of the Himalayan range to the north, will be on your left, with the rugged foothills of Nepal immediately below and stretching away to the south on your right. Lukla is situated high above the river on a shelf at 2,800m, and arriving there is a one off experience because the runway is on a slope and there is a difference of almost 60 metres between its lower and upper ends which all makes for an interesting landing! On arrival you can have a cup of tea to warm yourself up while your staffs sort out your baggage. Following cup of tea at Lukla, our trek will commence with a moderate walk to the junction of the Jiri trail at Chablung and from here we shall follow the Dudh Koshi River through the village of Ghat, and eventually to Phakding (2610m), three hours to the north. The path leads upstream along the valley, through areas of conifer trees and several more small villages. Another 2-3 hours walking will bring you to Chuma, Monjo and finally to Jorsalle, a picturesque village with several options of lodges, groceries and located below Thamserku Mountain (6,608m) at an altitude of 2805m/9200ft. We are trekking inside Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park the UNESCO listed Natural World Heritage Site already.

DAY 03: TREK TO NAMCHE BAZAAR (3440M5-6 HRS
A principal benefit of walking as far as Jorsalle on the first day is that you can walk up the steep hill to Namche. Shortly after leaving Jorsalle, we walk on alongside the river to arrive at the confluence of the Imja Drangka and the Nangpo Drangpo, which combine to form the Dudh Khosi. Crossing the river on a high bridge you start the steep climb to Namche. Near the halfway point up the hill, we catch our first glimpse of the mighty Mount Everest and Lhotse, away to the northeast. Namche is the largest and most prosperous village in the Khumbu. Thamserku (6,608m) and Kwangde (6,224m) loom to the east and west and the sacred mountain Khumbila (5,707m) dominates the skyline to the north behind the village. The narrow streets at its centre are a mixture of traditional and modern, with Sherpa homes mingled with cafes, handicraft shops and shops selling or renting trekking and climbing equipment, foodstuffs and vegetables, tennis shoes and Tibetan boots. Don’t be surprised if, after the exertion of the climb and the rise in elevation, you feel a little tired and head-ache. You will feel better after a cup of tea and a rest. Overnight lodge

DAY 04: TREK TO KHUMJUNG VILLAGE (3790M) 3-4 HRS
Wake up in the morning to have breakfast as well as stroll around the Namche Bazaar. In the late morning or early afternoon, we start our three to four hours hike to the Khumjung Village. On the way, we’ll pass the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarter, Syangboche Airport and Everest View Hotel, an ideal place to overview some of the outstanding mountains such as Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, Kusum Kangru, Khongde and Khumbi Yu La.

DAY 05: TREK TO DOLE (4200M) 5-6 HRS
Over the next two days, we will gain quite a height. After leaving Khumjung, we ascent up quite high at 4000M then dropped all the way down to the village of Phortse Tenga which is located in the bank of Dudh Koshi River. After having a lunch at this village, we start climbing another three hours through beautiful rhododendron forest anad large herds of grazing yak. Dole is next town at where you stop for overnight. Overnight lodge.

DAY 06: TREK TO MACHHERMA (4480M) 4-5 HRS
After breakfast, we climb to the view point next to Dole village from where we will have first sight of world’s fifth sixth highest peak Mount Cho Oyu (8201M/26900FT). The trail climbs up through the village of Lapharma and Luza to Machhermu where we are going to sleep tonight. Overnight lodge

DAY 07: TREK TO GOKYO (4790M) 5-6 HRS
Machhermu –Gokyo Village. Our journey is going to be memorable, with spectacular views down the valley to Kangtega and up toward Cho Oyu, passing the Ngozumpa Glacier and taking a steep narrow staircase trail to the simply stunning, turquoise Gokyo Lakes. We spend the night at Gokyo, a picturesque village on the shores of the largest lake known as Dudh Pokhari. Overnight lodge.

DAY 08: AT GOKYO: CLIMB GOKYO RI & EXPLORE AROUND FORTH LAKE: 6-7 HRS
Climb to Gokyo Ri to observe whole panoramic views of Khumbu (Everest) Himalayan range with sun rays. It’s an early start as we climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri (5463m/17920ft) to watch the sunrise over a stunning vista of the regions 8000M peaks including the mighty Everest. Later, we hike up few lakes higher from Gokyo. Overnight lodge.

DAY 09-10: TREK TO DOLE & NAMCHE
Next two days, we descend quickly (with couple of segments of trail gain the altitude too!) with walking seven to eight hours each day. We cover up the days in two days when going down the same trail that we took three days for going up. Overnight lodge

DAY 11: TREK TO LUKLA (2840M) 7-8 HRS
Most people head towards Lukla with a heavy heart. The trail to Lukla follows the upward route as far as Chablung, and then turns off above the village of Chaunrikharka towards Lukla. The trail, leading uphill to the left, climbs steadily past a few Bhattis (small restaurant and local liquor shop) and the school. After a final steep climb there is a collection of houses and Bhattis in Tamang Tole, a new settlement near to Lukla. As you approach the airstrip the houses and hotels rapidly proliferate. On arrival you can finally relax and enjoy a last night in Himalaya with plenty of celebratory beers at one of the several Irish/Scottish pubs in Lukla at the same place at where you had enjoyed cups of Starbucks and/or illy coffe. Overnight Lodge

DAY 12: FLY TO KATHMANDU
Another chance to enjoy this adrenaline flight. Please note that flights into Lukla are sometimes delayed due to weather conditions either in fog-bound Kathmandu or Lukla; be reassured that our staff in Lukla and in Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimize the inconvenience caused if this happens. Your patience in the trying circumstances, which can occur, will be greatly appreciated. On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

DAY 13: FLIGHT RESERVATION DAY. LEISURE IN KATHMANDU ON YOUR OWN. OPTIONAL SIGHTSEEING IN KATHMANDU
A day has been kept if the itinerary doesn’t happen as per our plan due to the Kathmandu –Lukla –Kathmandu flight delays and/or cancellation. If everything goes well, it can be used for exploring the Thamel for souvenirs shopping. You also can use this day for the sightseeing in Kathmandu as we haven’t spent any days in Kathmanud before the trek. After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s cultural heritage sites listed by UNESCO including Pashupati temple, Boudha Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Monkey Temple & local markets towards South of Thamel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14: DEPARTURE
Airport transfer will be provided for the international flight. Trip ends!