Gokyo Lakes Trek

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,269 ft.

Driving Time: Approx. 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu,, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, who will be holding a “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” sign outside the terminal to greet you.

You will be transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle. After checking in and freshening up, our representative will meet you to give a detailed briefing on the upcoming itinerary, along with important safety guidelines and hygiene practices to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trek.

Altitude above sea level: 493 m/1,617 ft.- Mulkot
Accommodation: Hotel
Drive Duration: Approx. 3 hrs.

After breakfast, spend a leisurely morning preparing for your upcoming trek. In the afternoon, drive to Mulkot, just 37 km from Manthali Airport.

Altitude above sea level:

• Lukla: 2,840m /9,315ft.

• Phakding: 2,610m/8,563ft.

Driving Duration: Approx. 1 hour (Mulkot to Ramechhap)
Flight Duration: Approx. 25 minutes
Flight Time: 6:15 AM
Hiking Duration: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Start your day with an early breakfast, then head to Ramechhap Airport for an unforgettable scenic flight to Lukla, renowned for its thrilling mountain airstrip. During the flight, enjoy breathtaking views of towering Himalayan peaks like Cho Oyu (8,153m/26,781ft), Lhotse (8,516m/27,940ft), Gauri Shankar (7,145m/23,444ft), and Menlungtse (7,181m/23,557ft).

Upon your arrival in Lukla, the real adventure begins as you trek toward Phakding. The trail follows the picturesque Dudh Koshi River (Milk River), known for its milky-blue waters that flow from glaciers high above. As you walk, you’ll pass through traditional Sherpa villages, suspension bridges, prayer wheels, and carved Mani stones, immersing yourself in the local culture and breathtaking scenery.

After passing through charming villages like Chaurikharka and Ghat, you’ll reach Phakding, a serene village by the Dudh Koshi River. This is the first stop on your epic journey to Everest Base Camp.

Altitude above sea level: 3,445m/11,302ft.-Namche
Hiking Duration: 6-7 hours approx.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, your trek today will involve crossing and re-crossing the powerful Dudh Koshi River, famously known for its milky color, which originates from glaciers. The trail takes you through lush pine forests and open clearings that reveal stunning terraced fields and diverse crops. Along the way, you will encounter groups of donkeys and yaks transporting goods and trekking gear.

You will pass through the villages of Benkar, Monjo, and Jorsale, before beginning the steep ascent of 2,000 feet to the bustling town of Namche Bazaar.

Namche is the largest town in the Khumbu region, nestled between mountain ranges, with views opening towards the Dudh Koshi River. This lively town is the central hub for the region, where you can find everything from food and supplies to mountain climbing gear. Historically, Namche has served as a crucial meeting point for Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans, making it a vibrant cultural melting pot in the heart of the Himalayas.

Altitude above sea level: 3,790 m /12,434 ft.-Khumjung
Hiking Duration: 4-5 hours approx.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Namche is the perfect spot for acclimatization, offering stunning views and plenty of exciting activities. The surrounding landscape is breathtaking, making it an excellent base for exploration. Start with a short hike above Namche to enjoy panoramic views of Mount Everest. Hiking to the nearby villages not only offers stunning views but also help your body acclimate before you venture higher toward Everest Base Camp.

We hike to the picturesque village of Khumjung, a hidden gem in the Khumbu region. Khumjung is home to a monastery said to house a Yeti scalp, the historic Hillary School founded in 1961, and charming homes with signature green roofs. This cultural stop enriches your Everest journey, blending natural beauty with Sherpa heritage.

After exploring Khumjung, we trek back to Namche Bazaar, completing a rewarding day of acclimatization and cultural discovery.

Altitude above sea level: 3,601 m / 11,814 ft.
Hiking Duration: 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast in Namche, the trail gently climbs above the Imja River, offering stunning views of Thamserku and Ama Dablam. You’ll pass a memorial chorten for Tenzing Norgay before reaching Kyangjuma. From here, the route leaves the busy Everest Base Camp trail and ascends to Mong La Pass, one of the best viewpoints in the Everest region, with breathtaking vistas of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Taboche, and Cholatse. A short descent leads to Phortse Tenga, a peaceful village on the valley floor beside the Dudh Koshi River, surrounded by forests and towering peaks. It’s a quiet stop on the less crowded Gokyo Lakes trek.

Altitude above sea level: 4,040 m / 13,255 ft.
Trek Duration: 3–4 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Leaving Phortse Tenga, the trail climbs steeply through lush rhododendron forests, which bloom beautifully in spring. As you gain altitude, the forest changes to juniper and conifers, creating a magical alpine atmosphere.

This stretch of the Gokyo Lakes Trek offers fairy-tale scenery — with cascading waterfalls, glacier views from Taweche and Cholatse, and the first glimpse of Cho Oyu. Behind you, rugged ridges rise toward Khumblia and other 6,000-meter peaks.

You’ll reach the peaceful village of Dole, nestled in the Dudh Koshi Valley, surrounded by mountains and forest — a quiet and scenic stop on this less-crowded Everest region trek.

Altitude above sea level: 4,465 m / 14,652 ft.
Trek Duration: 5–6 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, the trail leads you toward Gokyo Valley with a steep climb through lush juniper forests. Along the way, you’ll cross suspension bridges and walk along cliff edges offering stunning views.

You then leave the main trail to follow a rocky path toward the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier—the longest glacier in the Himalayas. Your day ends in the peaceful village of Machhermo, where you’ll stay overnight.

Enjoy a restful afternoon to relax or explore the village, helping your body acclimatize to the altitude before the next day’s trek.

Altitude above sea level: 4,750 m / 15,584 ft.
Trek Duration: 4–5 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you ascend toward the Gokyo Valley, passing a cluster of farm buildings at Pangka (4,548 m). The trail then descends slightly to a river fed by the Ngozumpa Glacier, following its picturesque course along the glacier’s west side.

The highlight is the stunning view of the towering ice face of Cholatse and the shimmering glacial lakes. You’ll climb steeply to the first of the three sacred lakes, marking the shift from the lower to the more remote upper Gokyo Valley.

A flat walk leads you to the second lake, while the summer settlement of Gokyo lies on the east shore of Dudh Pokhari. Here, the emerald green waters beautifully reflect the peaks of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang, making Gokyo Valley one of the most spectacular high-altitude lake systems in the world.

Altitude above sea level: 5,357 m / 17,580 ft
Hiking Duration: 2–3 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, explore the stunning Gokyo region by hiking up to Gokyo Ri, a small peak overlooking the lake. From the summit, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Ngozumpa Glacier and the entire Khumbu Himalayas, including iconic peaks like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Gyachung Kang.

For those with extra energy, continue to the 4th and 5th Gokyo Lakes. The 4th lake is framed by towering cliffs and majestic Himalayan peaks, while the 5th lake features the famous Scoundrel’s Viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the Ngozumpa Glacier and Cho Oyu Base Camp.

After a day of exploration, return to Gokyo Valley to rest overnight.

Altitude above sea level: 3,796 m / 12,454 ft
Hiking Duration: 7–8 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you retrace your steps back to Phortse Village. The trail descends past the 2nd and 1st Gokyo Lakes, then continues downhill to Pangka before ascending a hill. Along the way, you pass through Machhermo, Luza Lhafarma, and Dole villages, enjoying the scenic, less-crowded paths of the Gokyo Lakes Trek.

Altitude above sea level: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft.
Hiking Duration: 6–7 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Leaving Phortse, the trail descends steeply through birch and rhododendron forests to the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing, you continue past the villages of Mong La (3,980 m), Sanasa, and Khumjung (3,970 m), before reaching the bustling Namche Bazaar (3,340 m).

From Namche, you trek through dense forests, cross suspension bridges, and pass small settlements en route to today’s stop at Monjo Village—a charming, less-crowded spot on the Everest region trail.

Altitude above sea level: 2,840 m / 9,318 ft.
Hiking Duration: 5–6 hrs.
Accommodation: Tea House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you start the trek along a pleasant trail descending through vibrant rhododendron forests to Phakding Village. Cross the suspension bridge at Thado Koshi and continue hiking to Chheplung (2,700 m). Following the mountainside along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, you finally arrive at Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,272 ft.-Kathmandu

Flight Duration: 25 minutes

Drive Duration: 4 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Meal: Breakfast and Lunch

After a scenic flight from Lukla, you’ll return to Kathmandu where you’ll have time to reflect on your incredible journey. Enjoy the final moments of your adventure by shopping for souvenirs, exploring the vibrant streets, or simply soaking in the energy of Nepal’s bustling capital. This marks the end of your unforgettable trek, with memories that will last a lifetime.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,272 ft.-Kathmandu

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Meal: Breakfast 

It’s also a spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla if we could not fly on the scheduled date and time, or we can organize a guided day tour in or around Kathmandu.

9:00 AM: Guided Cultural Tour of Kathmandu Valley

Start your day with a guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. Explore the vibrant Kathmandu with our expert guides, who will share insights into the area’s rich history.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka Durbar), a historical royal complex with temples, palaces, and shrines dating back to the 15th century. Key attractions include Kumari Ghar (the house of the living goddess) and Kasthamandap, built from a single tree.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Next, head to Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, a sacred site for both Hinduism and Buddhism. Admire the stunning white dome and golden spire, while soaking in the serene atmosphere filled with incense and prayer wheels.

PM: Boudhanath Stupa

Visit the massive Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a spiritual center for Tibetan culture, surrounded by prayer flags, monks, and devotees chanting ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’.

Pashupatinath Temple

Conclude your tour at the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples, located along the Bagmati River. Here, you can witness profound spiritual rituals, including the moving sight of open-air cremations, which hold deep cultural significance. After immersing yourself in this sacred experience, you will transfer back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

As your unforgettable journey comes to an end, it’s time to fly back home, cherishing all the incredible memories of Nepal. A representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Please make sure to check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight for a smooth departure.