Gokyo Lake Trek

• Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal

  Kathmandu (1,300m /4,265 ft)

  See for yourself if all that you have read and watched on the internet, about the tranquil beauty of Nepal and warm hospitality of Nepalese. After flying through the beautiful view of this trekkers’ paradise, you will meet our company representative at the airport. You must have an impatient heart for a breathtaking adventure. Get ready to experience Nepal up close and personal. But first, we will transfer you to your hotel.

  If you have an early arrival, you may stroll around the hippest and happening area in Thamel, where you can find restaurants with varieties of cuisine to dine.

  This first night in the country, have a well-rested night at Kathmandu before heading off to the mountains.

  (You can dump the stuff you do not want during the trek at the hotel or our office store.)

  

  

  

• Day 02: Fly to Lukla, and trek to Phakding

  Lukla: (2,850m/9,350 ft) Phakding: (2,650 m/ 8,562 ft)

  An early morning breathtaking Himalayan flight to Lukla. After the flight of about 40 minutes, we will spend about an hour in Lukla and feel the drastic change in the weather from Kathmandu to there. This will help us to cope with the weather there and be ready for the real adventure.

  Then, our porters will carry our belongings and we will start our trekking to Phakding for 3 to 4 hours. We can see many mountain ranges on our way including Mt. Khumbila, a sacred mountain that has never been climbed. After reaching Phakding, we can already find our luggage there.

  

  

  

• Day 03: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar

  Phakding: (2,650 m/ 8,562 ft) Monjo: (2,835m/9,301 ft) Namche Bazaar: (3,440m/11,285 ft)

  Today we will trek for about 6 to 7 hours to Namche Bazaar, a place which is also known as the gateway to Everest. We will walk along the bank of Dudh Koshi River and reach Bengkar in around an hour. We can see the first view of Mt. Thamserku (6,623m), another local divinity. From Bengkar, the walk continues through a long suspension bridge, and then through a beautiful pine forest to Monjo. Soon thereafter, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park for a brief permit check and then descend to Dudh Koshi River.

  We reach Jorsale(2,740 m.), a small village that lies on the west side of the Dudh Koshi river, just north of Monjo and south of Namche Bazaar. Jorsale is also the last settlement before Namche, so after this village, there is a continuous tough walk of around 2 hours before we finally reach Namche.

  

  

  

• Day 04: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar

  Namche (3,440m/11,285 ft) Everest View Hotel: (3,962m/12,998 ft)

  To adjust to high altitude and to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness in the further trial, acclimatization is required. After trekking for two days, we will take a rest at Namche for a day. We will acclimatize ourselves in this largest Sherpa village of Nepal. First, we will visit Sagarmatha National Park and if the weather is clear we can see the first glimpse of Everest.

  We will hike for two hours to Everest View Point and Khumjung Valley and also visit Sherpa Museum and explore Sherpa culture and the history of mountaineering. Have lunch in Khumjung Valley. Furthermore, we will also visit Syangboche Airport, which is the highest airport in Nepal. Rest of the day we can visit the town and go to cafes, shops, and restaurants.

  

  

  

• Day 05: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Dole

  Namche (3,440m/11,285 ft) Dole: (4,038m/ 13,248 ft)

  Today we start our trek and climb upwards to Kyangjuma Village from where we can enjoy outstanding views of Thamserku, Katenga, and Ama Dablam. After an hour we will reach Khunde, where we can find a well-equipped hospital established by Sir Hillary’s Himalayan Trust. We will descend from there to reach Kyangjuma. Kyangjuma is a place that is the meeting point of four trails: the first leading up to Khumjung, the second to Phortse and Gokyo, the third to Tengboche, and the fourth to Namche.

  Then, we trek for another 2 hours to reach Mong. Mong is a place said to be the birthplace of the patron saint of Khumbu and Lama Sanga Dorje, also called The Flying Lama. We can see beautiful Mountains like Taboche, Ama Dablam, Kangtega and Thamserku. We will take a rest for some time here and again walk for another 2 hours to reach Dole, where we will spend our night. There are few lodges here from where we can enjoy the view of Kangtega and Thamserku.

• Day 06: Trek from Dole to Machhermo

  Dole: (4,038m/ 13,248 ft) Machhermo: (4,470m/ 14,665 ft)

  After having breakfast, we start our trek to Machhermo. Machhermo is the last major settlement before reaching Gokyo. We first reach Lopharma, a place that contains few tea houses and magnificent views of Cholatse on the East and Thamserku and Kangtega in the south. We trek for another 45 minutes to reach Luza.

  Luza is just north of Dole and south of Machhermo. This place is also the viewpoint of 7 mountains above 6,000 meters. Here we will spend a short break and if interested you can take time for tea as well. We will continue our trek to reach Machhermo for over-night stay. Although it is only around 3 hours away from Dole, we will stay here as there are no further settlements before Gokyo and we will also have time for preparation for another long trek day.

• Day 07: Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo Valley

  Machhermo: (4,470m/ 14,665 ft) Gokyo Valley: (4,750m/ 15,580 ft)

  Today, we will trek for around 5 to 6 hours to reach Gokyo valley. We will pass from side to side with Pangla through a gentle walk and later we will walk on the messy, risky moraines of Ngozumpa Glacier, one of the major glaciers in Nepal. Passing three lakes, the trail ends in Gokyo. After we cross an iron bridge over a stream the trail levels out and it follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo. Here, we will get to witness the Lama’s footprints on a stone. The second lake is Taboche Tsho where we can take some time to admire Mother Nature at its best.

  After observing the second lake, we will reach the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. Gokyo Valley stands by this third lake and Cho Oyu Mountain as the backdrop sets an amazing view here. We stay overnight here in Gokyo Valley.

• Day 08: Hike to Gokyo Ri and back to Gokyo Valley

  Gokyo Valley: (4,750m/ 15,580 ft) Gokyo Ri:

  Today is the main highlight of our trek. We will hike up to Gokyo Ri or Gokyo peak which will take about 3 to 4 hours. We walked uphill to see Gokyo lake from a bird’s eye view. After reaching the peak, we feel like we are surrounded by the ranges of the Himalayas. We can enjoy the view of Everest (8,848.86m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m), and Cho Oyu (8,188m) along with other peaks, Thamserku (6,623m), Kangtega (6,782m), Taboche (6,542m), Cholatse (6,440m), Nuptse (7,861m), Changtse (7,543m), and Pumori (7,161m).

  After spending time there we will return back to the valley for an overnight stay. Today is the last day of our uphill trek as we will continue to move downwards to return from where we started.

• Day 09: Trek back to Dole from Gokyo Valley

  Gokyo: (4,998m/ 16,400 ft) Machhermo: (4,470m/ 14,665 ft) Dole: (4,038m/ 13,248 ft)

  Walking downwards and decreasing altitude is easier than walking uphill. Therefore, we can skip some places and reach the next destination in no time. Here, we will directly move towards Dole which will take us around 5 to 6 hours, skipping Machhermo where we stayed overnight in the reverse trek.

  We can yet again enjoy the eye-appealing Himalayas and admire the beautiful villages that pass by. We will stop by Machhermo for lunch and spend some time there. Continuous walk for another 3 hours takes us to Dole.

• Day 10: Trek from Dole to Monjo

  Dole: (4,038m/ 13,248 ft) Namche: 3,440m/ 11,286 ft) Monjo: (2,835m/ 9,300 ft)

  We will continue our trek downwards to Monjo. Instead of Namche, we chose Monjo this time so that you can feel the hospitality of yet another village in the Everest Region. Walking side by side along the Dudh Koshi River and crossing the large suspension bridge above might as well back the memories of how we started. We will reach Monjo after they pass all the way through Jorsale.

• Day 11: Trek from Monjo to Lukla

  Monjo: (2,835m/ 9,300 ft) Phakding: (2,650 m/ 8,562 ft) Lukla: (2,850m/9,350 ft)

  Today is the last day of our trek and we will head towards Lukla to fly to Kathmandu the next day. We will trek towards the Hillary Suspension Bridge and along with the pass-through several local villages.

  After reaching Phakding, we can take a rest there for some time. Then we will descend towards Lukla for an overnight stay there.

• Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu

  Lukla: (2,850m/9,350 ft) Kathmandu (1,300m /4,265 ft)

  We will fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla today. This flight sometimes may not be constant because of the difficult weather situations. So we have to wait for the perfect moment.

  We can yet again enjoy the view of beautiful mountain ranges and peaks from the flight. If we reach Kathmandu early we will have plenty of time to rest for the whole day. Even if we reach late, there is nothing to worry about as we will have yet another day in Kathmandu for the whole day to rest.

• Day 13: Rest day at Kathmandu, Sightseeing UNESCO world heritage sites

  Kathmandu (1,400m /4,593 ft)

  Looking at your schedule you can plan your free day in Kathmandu. You can spend a productive day by engaging in outdoor activities like cycling, wall climbing, short hiking, or visit the UNESCO world heritage sites, etc. (Outdoor-activities-in-Kathmandu).

  Later in the evening the all of us associated with this amazing trip will gather for a farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant.

  (If you don’t have time you can departure same day)

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Day 14: Final Departure

  Kathmandu (1,400m /4,593 ft)

  We will drop you at the airport according to your flight schedule.

  Trekkers Paradise hopes to take you on another exciting trek soon !!

• Will someone come after my arrival to pick me up at the airport?

  Yes, Trekkers Paradise representative will be there to greet you outside of Terminal Hall. He will be displaying Trekkers Paradise name card with your name on it. You will be moved to the pre-select Hotel after that.

• Do I need a visa to travel to Nepal?

  All foreign nationals, except Indian Citizens, need visas to enter Nepal.

• What is the cost of the visa application process and Visa? Should we apply for a visa from our home country or will we get it at Nepalese Airport? Which documents are important that I should bring with me?

  After landing, you can obtain a visa at Tribhuwan International Airport, furthermore, it will be easier if you are filling up the visa form online (http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa) before taking the flight to Nepal. Entry Visa fees- at present are $ 30 for 15 days, $ 50 for 30 days, and $ 125 for a three-month visa on entry to Nepal.

  You should bring the following essential documents on the trip:

  • Valid Passport: must be valid for up to 6 months.
  • Travel insurance: you need to provide a copy of the insurance paper to Trekkers Paradise before you start the trek.
  • Flight Tickets.
  • Emergency contact numbers for T/C’s bank, insurance, family contacts.

• When is the best time to travel to Nepal?

  The weather is probably the best guide for deciding when to plan your trip to Nepal. The best time to visit Nepal is between September to November and March to May.

• Do I need permits?

  Yes, all foreign citizens require two permits for this trek. You require Sagarmatha National permit and a Local Government fee

• Are there porters or yaks carrying the luggage or are we supposed to be carrying it alone?

  Our porters, who are honest and experienced, will look after your luggage while on the trek. All you need to carry is your small day bag for your personal belongings like a camera, water bottle, sun cream, money, etc. Normally, we assign one porter to carry the luggage of two trekkers.

• How long does it take to trek Gokyo Lake?

  The trek can be completed within 08 to 10 days however the length of the trek depends on the weather, the trekker’s ability to walk, how long they take to acclimatize, whether they want to take side trips to famous places nearby like Everest Base Camp.

• Is Gokyo Lake safe to trek?

  The only potential hazard during the trek is the possibility of altitude sickness to reduce the chances of it we suggest a single day for acclimatization. You will also be guided by an experienced trekking guide and assisted by local porters, who are there to take care of you during your trek.

• What are the facilities available in case of emergencies during the trek?

  In case you suffer from altitude sickness or any other problems, we will offer you the doctor’s prescribed medicines according to the type of problem facing you. We will descend you and incise of extreme cases, you will get rescued by the helicopter.

• What are some basic Nepali customs that I should know about?

  • Take off your shoes before entering a temple or one’s home
  • Ask for permission before entering a Hindu temple
  • Taking photographs inside most temples are considered illegal
  • Ask for permission before taking photographs of objects, and including Nepali people.
  • Nepali people are friendly by nature. Have a genuine interest in them. Talk to them. Be friendly as you travel

• Are Trekkers Paradise’s staff insured?

  Yes, all the staff of Trekkers Paradise including guides and porters are insured to recover any kinds of casualties.

We organized Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) airport pick up and drop service. Upon your arrival, you are welcomed and greeted at your arrival gate (Holding your name on the company pamphlet- Trekkers Paradise) by our representative member from a company, then transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. For departure transfer, we will come to pick you up at your hotel in Kathmandu and take you to the airport for your international flight.

Aside from geographical protection, Trekkers Paradise has taken safety in following things to make travel as safe as possible making the most out of it without any worry!

• Our guides have received extensive wilderness first-aid training.
• Trek leaders and guides have years of trekking experience who can help you if there is any kind of uneasiness and assure happiness & satisfaction are guaranteed.
• We’ll have High-quality masks & Gloves with sanitizers for everyday use throughout the journey for the Trekkers Paradise team assisting you.
• Encouragement and inspiration can be a regular occurrence.
• Food and accommodation in the mountains would be rechecked for additional hygiene.

Our trek takes us to high altitudes near the world’s highest point, which means your body will need enough starch, protein, and nutrition, as food is the body’s fuel for hiking on such massive Himalayan trails.

All the meals including breakfasts, lunch, and dinner are served during your stay in Kathmandu and the trekking journey. Usually, breakfast and dinner are served at the same hotel where we stay overnight and lunch is served en route to our destination during the trek.

The services are basic, with some of the popular western, Asian, or Nepalese menus being the most popular and consumed. The most popular and common menu items include the Dal-Bhat set, which consists of rice, lentils, and vegetables, as well as meat, rice, and noodle items, spaghetti, pasta, momo(dumplings), Tibetan bread, chapatti, local tsampa porridge,  potatoes, sandwiches, macaroni dishes, pizza, Sherpa stew, steaks, vegetable curry and so forth.  The Dessert Items  (Rice Pudding, Apple pie), Hard Drinks Steaks, etc.) are available on the menu as well during the trek.

However, you cannot compare them with the choices available in large cities. Usually, local agricultural products are used to prepare meals. Other ingredients are purchased from the market if they cannot grow at a particular elevation.

Breakfast and dinner orders are taken in advance to save time; breakfast orders are taken the night before and dinner orders are taken as soon as you arrive at the teahouse. Depending on your schedule for the day, your typical day will begin. Breakfast is served in your lodge each morning, after which you leave for the next stop. A guide will notify the next tea house or lodge of your arrival each day. Around noon, you’ll stop for lunch at any nearby lodge on the way. You will arrive at your destination shortly after lunch. You can unwind or explore the nearby attractions when you arrive. You will dine around 7 to 8 pm.

At high altitudes, we strongly advise drinking hot liquid drinks in addition to fresh vegetable foods and fruit drinks. Drink plenty of water, not all a once but regularly on a time intervals.

It is best to avoid smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol, non-vegetarian foods like meat, caffeine-containing foods, hot chocolate, and dairy and cheese products on high-altitude treks. These things increase the chances of getting altitude sickness and diarrhea.

09 days Gokyo trek includes eleven nights’ lodge-to-lodge stay at a mountain and four nights in a Kathmandu hotel, where we use the best available lodge and select the best accommodation in the Everest region. We provide five nights of rooms with attached bathrooms at Lukla, Phakding, Monjo, and Namche, and Five nights of standard rooms at Dole, Machhermo, and Gokyo (Basically twin Sharing rooms).

You can find some teahouses and lodges with good services on the trekking routes during your trekking days. But as you ascend higher they become more basic. Rooms are basic, almost every room consisting twin-bedded with two beds with a mattress, a pillow, and blankets. You can share a room with a fellow trekker with whom you feel at ease.

Although, each lodge has its own set of standards, please do not anticipate luxurious accommodations, particularly in the mountains. Most teahouses offer hot showers, boiled drinking water, extra blankets, charging stations, and WIFI for an additional fee. The price of teahouses is determined by the location and the facilities/services they offered.

Four nights of Hotels in Kathmandu before and after the trek is required which is included in the package.

All foreigners except Indian nationals must have a valid visa to enter Nepal. Visa is available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport upon entry in Kathmandu, Nepal, and at Nepal borders of India and Tibet. Visa can be easily extended to the central immigration office. www.immigration.gov.np Visa application requires a passport with at least 6 months until expiration and one passport size photo.

The current cost of a visa for 15 Days – 30 USD, 30 Days – 50 USD, and 90 Days – 125 (to be paid in cash) Other currencies are also accepted although rates may differ. Other nationalities should check entry requirements. Visitors are requested to specify return flight tickets, time intended to stay in Nepal.

Visa Extension Fee: Tourist visa extension is done for a minimum of 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days. In the case of a delay of less than 150 days additional USD 5 per day as of late fine.

Tipping is not included in the salaries of your guides, porters, or crew, but it is greatly appreciated. In Nepalese culture, tips are the accepted and a lovely way of saying thank you (“Dhanyabada”) for good service. Normally the tips are offered at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the trips the last day of the trek.

Trekkers Paradise is a government authorized, registered, licensed, and bonded trekking and touring operator in Nepal. The company registered number is 221608/076/0677. We are members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Therefore, the book the Trekkers Paradise trip with confidence as we are reliable.10 percent of payment in advance and other necessary documentations like passport copy, passport size photos, travel insurance policy, arrival, and departure flight details can be made later but must not exceed within two weeks’ period from the booking date. Payment is to be made by bank transfer, western union. The remaining trip cost can be paid whether in cash or by bank transfer when you arrive in Nepal. Furthermore, we put forward the necessary modes of payment details as per your convenience by mail.

During the Everest base camp trek, you will be accompanied by our local best trained and well-experienced guides/Sherpa’s to make your journey even more comfortable and memorable. All guides are well trained licensed with prior experience they have spent years trekking / climbing a peak all over the world. Porters will also be assigned to carry your luggage. Two members will be assigned one porter, combined luggage should not exceed more than 20 kgs. We provide basic accommodation for our guides and porters or tents with sleeping gear and we also provided them food and warm drinks.

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid
• Authorized certificate of Trekking Guide Training
• Fluency speaking English and other major Languages
• Rock climbing
• Conservation and biodiversity

• The trekking trail to the Everest Base Camp gets filthy during Monsoon.
• Cancellations of flight following bad weather and heavy snowfall
• Altitude sickness like nausea, breathing difficulties, and headache becomes common
• High-tech facilities like Wi-fi and ATM gets exorbitant at high lands like Namche Bazar
• Peak season gives rise to insufficiency of guest house and lodge in Everest
• Accommodations are of economic with no luxurious items and extra facilities

The availability of drinking water is not an issue.  Bottled mineral water is available in most places for purchase, but there is no provision to dispose of plastic bottles. We encourage guests to do what they can to protect the environment. We do not recommend purchasing single-use plastic bottles. You can buy or bring your own Nalgene bottles on the trek which makes the trail free from bottles and rubbish.

Filling your water bottles in tea houses is another option for getting drinking water. Several guesthouses have the Euro-guard filters water.  Boiled filter water is also available in tea houses that are completely safe to drink but may be inexpensive for the duration of the trek.

River water is generally full of glaciers and sand and may be contaminated with animal urine and toilet run-off, so do not drink it. The tap water in the lodges is piped from high up, away from rivers and clean glaciers, so it is better, but it still must be treated.

Use iodine drops (3 per liter) locally known as Lugols solution, available at Thamel supermarkets in Kathmandu. The chlorine-based tablets are another choice, but they do transmit a taste to the water. Alternatively, you could purchase a Steripen, which uses UV to kill the bacteria but is a bit fragile to carry during the trek.

The best option is the water purification tablet Aquaprove, which uses cutting-edge technology. Most importantly, it works against all pathogens in impure water. It’s light, simple to use, has no taste, and is all-natural.

Leave No Traces, Only the Footprints! Pack out your own waste. We practice responsible eco-tourism and organize eco-friendly trips to support sustainable tourism.

The trekking trail in Nepal has suffered significant damage as a result of not having a strong policy of waste management. Act and travel responsibly. We prefer that all of our clients bring their trash and keep them in a container or bag, and dispose of it properly at a specific spot or dustbin.

• A unique Mountain Flight to Mt. Everest
• White water rafting on Nepal’s famous rivers
• A romantic overnight stay in a mountain resort
• A cultural show, with dinner
• A traditional Nepali Luxury Dinner
• The most spectacular Bungee Jump on the Planet