Gokyo Ri Everest base camp trek is an amazing alternative to the traditional Everest base camp trek. Besides the gorgeous Gokyo lakes, the views from Gokyo ri are some of the best you could see in entire Everest region. This is the best accessible view point that offers the views of the majestic Himalayas that stand above 8000m likes of Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu along with many others. Besides, the longest glacier of Himalayas, Ngozumpa, the massive ice ridge between Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang and the close range view of the Everest are most impressive.
Like other trekking and expedition itineraries, the route of Gokyo Ri Everest base camp trek up to Namche Bazaar known as Sherpa capital, is the same. From here the trail advances through Dole and Machhermo where you get to know more insight into the lifestyle, culture, tradition and norms & values of the Himalayan highland dwellers. The amazing opportunities of exploration and enjoyment that this trek provides make it one of the most ideal and fascinating journeys to be enjoyed in the great Everest Himalayan region.
This trek can be customized to just include up to Gokyo valley or beyond up to Everest base camp via one of the popular passes Cho-La pass at 5420m. As per your interest and time constraint, a program can be customized and served to you.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu. Welcome and pick-up from airport and transfer to hotel
Day 02: Guided city tour of Kathmandu. Briefing about the trip and preparation.
Day 03: The trek starts. Fly to Lukla, 2804m. Trek to Phakding (2610m), 3 – 4hours.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m), 5 – 6 hours. Namache, also known as , the Sherpa capital, is the gateway to Everest base camp.
Day 05: An acclimatization and exploration day at Namche Bazaar. Day excursion to Syangboche.
Day 06: Trek to Dole (4040m), 5-6 hours
Day 07: Trek to Machhermo (4470m), 5-6 hours
Day 08: Trek to Gokyo (4750m), 4-5 hours
Day 09: Rest day. Acclimatization and exploration at Gokyo
Day 10: Hike to Gokyo Ri ( 5360m) and enjoy the magnificent view. Then trek to Thaknak (4750m), 4-5 hours
Day 11: Trek to Dzongla (4830m) via Cho-La pass (5370m), 7-8 hours
Day 12: Trek to Lobuche (4940m), 2-3 hours
Day 13: Trek to Gorakhshep(5180m) – visit Everet base camp, (5360m) and back to Gorakhshep, 6 – 7 hours
Day 14: Trek to Kalapatthar (5545m) – Gorakhshep – Pheriche (4210m), 6 – 7 hours
Day 15: Trek to Namche Bazaar, 6 – 7 hours
Day 16: Trek to Lukla, 6 – 7 hours
Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel
Day 18: Departure day. Transfer to airport and fly back home
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon arrival you will be greeted and welcomed by our representative at the airport. You will then be transferred to the hotel booked for you. A pre departure meeting will be scheduled as time permits. During the meeting, you will be introduced to the leader/guide who will be guiding you all throughout the trek. You will also be briefed about the program that starts from the next day.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 02: Guided city tour of Kathmandu
Today you will be visiting various cultural, historical and architectural monuments of the Kathmandu. The centuries old monuments are full of legends and beliefs and the Durbar squares of medieval Kathmandu are full of intricate carving and superb collection of architectural riches. The qualified and experienced tour guide will lead you and show you around. The time after tour is for preparation for your trip.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 03: The trek starts. Fly to Lukla, 2804m. Trek to Phakding (2610m), 3 – 4hours.
The trip starts with an early morning flight to Lukla. A scenic and memorable flight of approx 35 minutes will take you to the Lukla, the gateway to Everest. From here the trek starts with an initial descent towards Dudhkoshi River to Cheplung village. The trail then gradually ascends through villages of Chaurikharka and Ghat to reach Phakding where you spend your night.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital (3440m), 5 – 6 hours
Crossing stunning suspension bridges time and again over gorgeous Dudhkoshi River, as you ascends the gorgeous views, beautifully carved Mani walls, colorful prayer flags along the trail will only make your trip more enjoyable and rewarding. It’s not only the mountains and rivers but also the flora and fauna that you come across while walking through the beautiful pine forest in Everest national park are also praiseworthy. The later part of the trek today will make you experience the quite demanding uphill trekking that takes us the Sherpa Capital where you will be spending two nights.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 05: An acclimatization and exploration day at Namche Bazaar with day excursion to Syangboche.
A trek to Everest region is generally not considered to be complete if one misses to explore the beautiful Sherpa town of Namche. And it’s also important for you to get acclimatized to higher altitudes that you are reaching. A day excursion to Syangboche is a very good option to enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam, Nupse, Thamserku and more. It offers equally great opportunity to experience Sherpa lifestyle and culture more closely. And visits to Everest photo gallery and Sherpa cultural museum can be included.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 06: Trek to Dole (4040m), 5-6 hours
Ascending to the village of Khumjung (3790m) and exploring the village the trail drops to valley before ascending to Dole. Dole is a beautiful village offering mesmerizing views. Agriculture and cattle herding is still the main occupation of the village although many are involved in hospitality and adventure tourism.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Machhermo (4470m), 5-6 hours
The trail steeply climbs up through juniper forest to Lhabarma 4330m. Passing through a small beautiful settlement of Luza the trail goes further along the side of the valley to reach Machhermo. The majestic views of Cho-Oyu (6th highest mountain at 8188m), Gyachung Kang as well as the Tawache and Cholatse peaks are simply stunning. Explore around and visit Himalayan Rescue Center.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 08: Trek to Gokyo (4750m), 4-5 hours
From Machhermo the trail climbs on a ridge which offers a great view down the valley. After the ridge, the valley widens and the trail goes through the small village of Panga (4390m) and slightly drops to riverbank before climbing onto the terminal moraine of Ngozumpa glacier. After crossing a stream the trail goes ahead along the valley to pass by the first lake called Longpongo and further to second lake called Taboche Tso where we can enjoy the sight of sparkling water in shimmering turquoise blue color. The beautiful Gokyo village lies by the third lake with great and beautiful Cho Oyu mountain as a backdrop that sets an amazingly stunning sight. Explore abound.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 09: Acclimatization and exploration day
The day is useful to get acclimatized to higher elevation. Besides it also offers some grand opportunities of exploring, specially to the lakes of the area. The amazing views of Himalayan giants like Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Gyachung Kang as well the largest glacier of Ngozumpa are highlights of the day.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Hike to Gokyo Ri ( 5360m) and trek to Thaknak (4750m), 4-5 hours
Climbing the stunning Gokyo Ri offers some mesmerizing panoramic view of entire Mahalangur range. This is one of the best view points in Everest region. The panoramic view from here includes Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse, Tawache and many more with the view of the largest glacier of Nepalese Himalaya Ngozumpa. Trekking through the glacier to the mountain on the other side and passing along edge of the mountain we head towards to Thaknak village.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Trek to Dzongla (4830m) via Cho-La pass (5370m), 7-8 hours
Today is one of the highlight days and toughest days of the trip. The climb steeply to Cho-La pass that involves walking along glacier and rocky trail, it’s a beautiful adventure. The legendary Chola-pass decorated in colourful prayer flag offers stunning sceneries. The views of Amadablam, Cholatse, Baruntse, Lobuche East with others appear stunningly. The trail further to Dzongla also involves some walking through crevasses too. The village of Dzongla also offers some delightful mountain views.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Trek to Lobuche (4940m), 2-3 hours
An easier day with less walking time, today gives you more time to relax and enjoy the beauty of Himalayan grandeurs. The trail from Dzongla descends and passes through grassy land. The view along the entire trail is spectacular. Time to exploration in Lobuche.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Trek to Gorakhshep(5180m) – visit Everet base camp, (5360m) and back to Gorakhshep, 6 – 7 hours
Here comes the most awaited day of the trip, the majestic experience of stepping on the base of the world’s highest mountain. Walking gently for around 2 hours along the Khumbu glacier and crossing Changri glacier, you will be at Gorakhshep. You will then head to realize your dream of reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. The stunning views along the way won’t make you feel exhausted. Once you reach the base camp, you simply soak in the majestic beauty of the place. The views of Khumbu icefall, Khumbutse, Lingtren, Nuptse and Pumori are awesome. The fluttering sounds of innumerous prayer flags and the equally uncountable arrays of stones built to mark the visits make it a sight of different world. After reveling in the most cherished moment, trek back to Gorakhshep for overnight stay.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Trek to Kalapatthar (5545m) – Gorakhshep – Pheriche (4210m), 6 – 7 hours
Early morning hike to Kalapatthar for the most spectacular view of the Everest and other gigantic mountains. The trail is pretty steep but you will be walking at a comfortable pace and your effort is greatly paid off when you can’t help yourself from appreciating the most impressive Himalayan Panorama. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Chagatse, Pumori are a few to name among many others. Trek back to Gorakhshep and further to Pheriche.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Trek to Namche Bazaar, 6 – 7 hours
The trail passes by a lot of ups and downs. We walk through the villages of Pangboche where there is the oldest monastery of the region where it’s said to have the bones of legendary Yeti. Through rhododendron, junipers and pine forest when you come across many wild animals like mountain goats like Ghoral, Tharal and pheasants. The trail further goes through Tyangboche to Namche Bazaar.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 16: Trek to Lukla, 6 – 7 hours
The trail today is mostly downhill on a rocky terrain that goes alongside Dudhkoshi river. As we did while going up, we will pass by many monasteries and cross several suspension bridges. Along the way you will still admire the views of plains, rhododendron and pine forest as well as the snow capped mountains. Upon reaching Lukla everyone will have a sense of victory that is achieving the goal of reaching the base camp. Enjoy and celebrate in your own style and relax and stretch your tired legs.
Overnight: Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel
By the early flight, you will flight back to Kathmandu. Upon landing at Kathmandu airport, you will then be transferred to hotel. The afternoon is for you to explore and relax. If you have further planning, we can make the arrangement. In the evening enjoy farewell dinner hosted by Grande Adventures.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 18: Departure day
After your successful trip, it’s time to go back home. You will be transferred to airport and bid farewell.
Services included:
Services not included:
Equipment list of Trekking
Here is a recommended Equipment List for trekking in Nepal Himalayas. You could bring the ones you already have and rest can be bought or hired in Kathmandu or other cities.
Clothing
Equipment and Accessories
Reading materials, camera, game items (optional), note book, rubber band, pen and pencil, envelopes, a diary, a calendar, a pocket knife, binoculars (optional), a small pillow or headrest (optional). Thermoses (optional)- an inflatable sleeping mat etc.
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