Duration
15 days
Max. Elevation
5463.00m
Group size
1+
Day
1
Upon arrival you will be picked up at the international airport in Kathmandu and transferred to the hotel by our airport representative. After refreshments your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel for a half day sightseeing tour to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. Later on this evening you will be picked up from your hotel for a cultural dinner. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day
2
Today you have a full day guided sightseeing tour to the Buddhist and Hindu sights in Kathmandu, probably to Durbar Square, then visit “Swyambhunath” a Holy sight of Hinduism and Buddhism also known as “the monkey temple” as a large number of holy monkeys are living in the north-west part of the temple. Next, you will be taken to “Pashupatinath a sacred Hindu temple situated on the bank of the Bagmati River. You will then be driven to “Boddhanath Stupa” one of the biggest and oldest stupas in the world. Later in the afternoon there will be a pre-trip meeting with your trekking guide in your hotel. Our office representative will brief you regarding the trek as well as provide you the opportunity to ask any questions of the upcoming trip. Second overnight in Kathmandu.
Day
3
Today an early morning transfer to the airport for 35min short but scenic fight to the Himalayan foothills where we begin our trek into the Everest region. The views from the plane are stunning, providing dramatic sights of terraced hills and the distant Himalayan giants. After landing at Lukla airport, we walk for 3 hours to the town of Phakding with few up and downs along the Dudh Koshi River. Stay overnight at the tea house in Phakding.
Day
4
Today after breakfast, we continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, crossing this majestic river numerous times on exciting suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags. After entering Sagamartha National Park, from Larja Dobhan the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Everest region. Stay overnight at a tea house In Namche Bazaar.
Day
5
Today is a rest and acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is a colourful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, reward trekkers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, the beautiful Ama Dablam and many more. On the way down, we can visit the Sherpa Museum that houses an exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyle and a fabulous photography display by a local Nepalese naturalist. Stay over night at the tea house.
Day
6
You will climb the Khumjung hill and descend to the east of the village down the broad valley leading the Dudh Koshi from where the route turns to the north. There is a chorten on the ridge top at 3973m which descends from Khumbila (5761m).You will visit Mohang, the birth place of re-incarnate Lama of Rongbuk monastery of Tibet who introduced Buddhism in Khumbu region. The trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dush Koshi. Stay over night at the tea house.
Day
7
You will climb steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests. The trail passes through many Kharkas-the summer settlements used to by Sherpas while bringing herds of yaks to graze. The route passes through the settlements of Tongba (3950m), Gyele (3960m). Stay over night at the tea house.
Day
8
From Dole the trail climbs steadily along the side of the valley, rhododendron forest giving way to scrub Juniper as altitude increases you will pass through many summer settlements, used when Yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of us are excellent views of Cho Oyu while backing down the valley is peaks of Kantiaga and Thamsherku. This is a short day trek and we arrive at Macherma(4410m),around lunch time.
Day
9
Beyond Machhermo the trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kantega and up towards Cho-Oyu (8,153m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangram at 4,390m. The route descends to the river bank before beginning the climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. It is a steep climb on the moraine. Afterwards the trail levels out as it follows the valley past a second lake, known as Longponga at 4,690m, where you can find the Lama Foot prints then finally up a boulder-strewn path to Gokyo at 4,750m, on edge of the third lake. Gokyo a small settlement but slowly growing with about 6-8 lodges at present. Gokyo with its glacial lake and the surrounding high snow capped mountain certainly makes this place one of the gem of Khumbu region. Stay over night at the tea house.
Day
10
Today an early morning your guide will take you to the Gokyo Ri (5463m) for sunrise view. From here you will have chance to full part of Mt Everest and Cho-yu and lake in the valley and biggest glacier of the named Na-Jumpa glacier. Back to hotel for breakfast and after breakfast in the afternoon you will have chance explore up to the fifth lake passing another forth lake and enjoy the view. Stay over night at the tea house.
Day
11
After wonderful time you re-trace back to Dole via Machhermo. Stay over night at the tea house.
Day
12
breakfast, star same trail with big descend till Phortse Tanga than ascend to the Mongla dada from where trail goes slow down all the way to Namche. Stay over night at the tea house.
Day
13
Today after breakfast you will re-trace back to Lukla with few up and down. Stay over night at the tea house.
Day
14
Today an early morning your guide will take you to the airport for short but scenic flight back to Kathmandu. Up on arrival you will be picked up and transfer to the hotel by our airport representative. Stay over night at the hotel.
Day
15
Transfer to the international airport for next destination flight.
Can you provide me more information about the teahouses on Gokyo Trekking?
According to the location the tea houses vary on their quality and style on this Trek. Basically they have communal room downstairs with one or two bed bedroom above them. You have to use share toilet and some have hot shower facilities but some will have stand pipe. Tea houses use a type of burning stove in main communal area and other room are unheated. Tea houses do not have money exchange facilities. Trekking Planner recommend you to exchange cash in Kathmandu.
At the lower altitudes there is electricity facilities whereas as we go higher tea houses become more basic. As cooler temperature drain battery life, ensure your batteries last a little longer by putting it inside pocket of your coat or under your pillow.
Do a guides or porter carry oxygen tanks on Gokyo Trek?
No, As there is enough time to acclimatise while trekking it felt there is no need for them. If someone feels the affects of altitude then there are facilities along the trek at various point and its easy to get.
How many guides and porters will be there in our group?
A group will have a group leader or a guide who will lead you on the trek. Porters will be there to carry your baggage packs and all the camping gear. One porter will carry two trekkers baggages. A number of supporting staff will depend upon your group size.
At one time how many liter of water I have to carry in Gokyo Trek?
Mostly 3-4 liters is sufficient. You will be able to refill bottles at lunch time. When you are in high altitude you have to drink more water to get rid of altitude diseases.
Is it pessary to carry Trekking poles?
Yes, Trekking Poles make you easy to walk in the rough ways. Trekking poles makes your body and leg to move more safely. So, we suggest you to use it.
Is bottled water available everywhere in Gokyo Trek?
Mainly tea houses on the way have stores which sells bottled water and other supplies that may be needed for you on the trek. There is no any plastic recyclable facilities in Nepal, we encourage you to bring chlorine tablets and use filter water in the teahouses.
Should I have to bring iodine tablets for purifying the water?
You have to bring iodine tablet with you. Chlorine tablets are widely available. The most effective and commonly used version of chlorine is chlorine dioxide, which is tasteless and odorless. Tablets can be bought cheaply and usually 1 tablet is sufficient to purify 1 litter of water. Neutralizing tablets can also be bought to get rid of the smell and taste of chlorine or iodine. This will need to be done for water obtained using hand pumps or streams in the trek.
What are the effects of going so high?
Altitude produces physical changes in the body. Higher you go, more pronounced those changes. If after gaining a lot of elevation in a hurry, you experience dizziness, nausea, headaches, and dehydration, you are probably suffering from altitude sickness. In rare cases this may worsen, so a close watch is kept on all trekkers by the Group Leader who is trained to recognize Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). If trekkers shows any signs of AMS they will be evacuated to a lower, safe altitude immediately. To minimize effects of altitude you ascend slowly which allows safe acclimatization.
What if I get ill while on Gokyo Trek?
It depends on the nature of your illness. If you suddenly feels dizzy or weak, you have to sit or lie down. If you still feel sick, keep a warm and quiet until you can get medical help. You will carried down if no progress we advise travellers to take a personal kit too.
In serious cases, you need helicopter rescue. Our guide will suggest you to use it if its very serious. So, helicopter rescue insurance is necessary for every trekkers before you come to trek in this trek.
Would you recommend to take a Down Jacket?
The weather is changeable in the Himalaya so you can expect to experience four seasons in one day. Make sure you have plenty of warm layers which you can shed or add as required. While even in winter it can be as warm as 19C during the day, the higher the altitude, the colder the temperature and when high up the temperature drops significantly at night to around -10C in October/November, and to around -20C from December to February.
Is alcohol permitted on Gokyo Trek?
Alcohol is consumed in Nepal. You can buy it in tea houses in the trek. Local alcohol is also available. However we suggest you not to drink alcohol at high altitude.
