Gokyo Valley Trek - 15 Days

we will be there to meet you on your arrival at the Kathmandu airport (KTM) for your transfer to your confirmed Hotel for overnight BB Plan. After check in and time to relax the rest of the day is free. One of our representatives can help you if needed.

Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek PreparationToday after breakfast there is a guided tour to several of the main historical and spiritual sites around Kathmandu, many are World Heritage Sites; including the historic Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and the Buddhists shrine Bouddhanath one of the largest Stupas in the world. In the evening we meet up with our guide and tour leader for a briefing and a two way question answer session. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast we transfer to the domestic airport for the flight to Lukla.The flight is very scenic and takes around 35 minutes through breathtaking green hills and white mountains, we finally reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. The Lukla flight is one of the most scenic and thrilling air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. At the airport our crew members are there to meet us. Whilst the guide divides and manages baggage to be carried by porters we have time to explore. Today is quite an easy one, leaving the prosperous village of Lukla we head towards Phakding our overnight destination,it takes about 3-4 hours. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if interested in additional activities we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery.Our overnight accommodation is pre arranged at Guest House in Phakding.

Our walk today is a pleasant one around 5-6 hours it entails a few short uphills and downhills with multiple crossings over the Dudh Koshi River. On the way there is a magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m) from Benkar village. We reach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where our trekking permits are recorded. A descent and a gradual walk brings us to Jorsale, the last village until Namche Bazaar. The walk is an enjoyable one as we skirt along the river bed before reaching Hillary Suspension Bridge. From here we ascend uphill towards Namche Bazaar. Kwangde Peak along with other peaks, Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, and many other fabulous mountains come into view, we must stop at the Chautara nearby to admire their magnificence. Finally, we reach the colorful bustling trade post of Namche Bazaar, the main gateway of Khumbu region.Overnight at a pre arranged Guest House/Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Our journey to the highest Mountain in the world is a long one at extremes of altitude so it is necessary to minimize the risk of the affects of high altitude later on our journey. This will be our first scheduled 'acclimatization' day. Staying active this day is always recommend. We have choices to either spend the day on a day hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or exploring around Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazzar is set in a natural amphitheater and is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region. It is like a small mountain town with government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants. There is also a bakery and a very colorful market on Friday evenings and Saturday where traders as far away as Tibet come to haggle and barter.. A second night is pent here.

We start today with a steep climb leaving Namche behind us up to Kyangjuma Village, here there are outstanding views of Thamserku, Katenga, and Ama Dablam. The most demanding part of the day is the pass we have to negotiate, Mong La a fascinating old settlement perched on the spur of Mt. Khumbila. An ancient historical Chorten stands at the centre of the settlement..We rest and take lunch at the top of Mong La to admire the inspiring views of the snow-capped mountains and valleys. The Bio diversity found especially around here is noticeable with an abundance of plants and animals including wildflowers and Rhododendrons along with pheasants, mountain goats, and the elusive musk deer. We walk through forests, past streaming waterfalls and we need to cross bridges on our way to Dole where we rest for the night in a guest house.

Firstly, we climb steadily up to a scenic ridge above Dole and continue upwards via Lhabarma at 4220m to Luza at 4360m. The path is steep and we need to negotiate some thorny bushes up to Lhabarma.From here there are good views of Cho Oyu, Kantega, and Thamserku. We continue through many summer settlements to the hamlet of Luza and onwards.Below us the sheer sided Dudh Koshi Valley canyon is daunting to say the least.Walking along the hill side above thundering river below and on through some small hamlets and sandy spurs, we reach Machherma. Machherma is the last major settlement on the way up to Gokyo.Here we visit the Himalayan Rescue Hospital for a lecture regarding altitude sickness, its precaution, and primary treatment center. We overnight at a lodge here.

We start with a climb today up to a ridge Chorten from here there is a fabulous view of both down the valley to Mt. Kangtega, Thamserku, and up to Cho-Oyu (8153m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens , soon after we pass a Chorten we reach Pangka (4480m). We need to descend to the river bank before beginning to climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozamba Glacier. It is a steep and a somewhat difficult climb on the moraine. After crossing an iron bridge over a small stream the trail levels out as and follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo at 4690m. Soon we catch sight of the second lake, Taboche Tsho with its sparkling turquoise blue dazzling in the sun. A little further on we reach the third lake as the two are linked by a surging stream. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and with Cho-Oyu Mountain as a backdrop it is an amazing, spectacular experience. After lunch, we are free to explore and soak up this compelling place. We spend night here in comfortable bedrooms.

Today is our second full day of rest for acclimatization day. If the Gods give us good weather our climb of Gokyo RI will be even more spectacular. Some people say the views from the top are the best to be had, not only in the Everest region but when it comes to mountains, anywhere on this planet.There are in fact six lakes in the region around Ghokyo we have come this far and would notwant to miss the chance to observe the fourth lake (Thonak Tsho) and the fifth lake (Ngozuma Tsho) which lie north of Gokyo. The fourth lake with its high cliffs and peaks rising above it is a little surreal then onward to the fifth lake.A climb to the edge of the lakes provides outstanding views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makulu.We may decide five is enough for one day or we may venture on to the sixth if motivated it may depend on time as we need to be back at Ghokyo village for our second nights stay.

From Gokyo, the trail leads gradually downhill we move along the Ngozumba Glacier shortly within an hour we reach Raboche Tsho (the second lake). A junction appears here, the path crossing the glacier reaches Tagnak while the one along the glacier reaches Machherma. In about half an hour we pass lake Longponga Pokhari can be seen which is also known as the first lake. From here we have an easy trail reaching Machherma in about an hour and a half.From Machehermo, a short climb uphill awaits us as we head towards Luza. The climb will be a worthy one as Cho-Oyu stands magnificent from the top.It is then a short hike to reach Luza .It a great day for walking surrounded by views of Chola, Cholatse, Kangchung, Thamsekru and Kangtega.From Luza, the track towards Lopharma is gradually downhill. Half an hour's walk from Luza we arrive at Lopharma which again provides a great mountain backdrop as we are accompanied by sights of the peaks of Cho Oyu, Kantega, and Thamserku mountains.The trail descends towards Dole from Lopharma with the view of Thamserku straight ahead.We reach Dole in about 20 minutes from Lopharma where we spend the night.

Our first destination today is Phortse Tenga which means a steep down from Dole. The sounds of the raging Dudh Koshi accompanies us as we make our way towards Phortse Tenga which is about an hour and a half away. We may spot Himalayan Thar (Ghorals) on the way as they are quite common in this area. No rest for the wicked as we now have a steep climb to Mong from Phortse Tenga so it makes sense to get some refreshments at Phortse Tenga. Whilst steep the reward is the beautiful mixed forests we travel through on our way to Mong, the birthplace of Lama Sanga Dorje.Shortly after leaving Mong there is a fork in the trail, we avoid the trail to the left staying straight to follow a rather easy and beautiful trail through alpine pastures for about half an hour then drop suddenly into pine forests. On reaching Sanasa Junction a short walk brings us to Kyangjuma.The wide and well maintained trail to Namche from Kyangjuma is straightforward. Here we Say goodbye to the high mountains as we head down to Namche and our overnight accommodation.

The descent from Namche to the Dudh Koshi can be the hardest stage of the entire trek if you are not keen on downhills especially on the knees. Once we have crossed the suspension bridge high over the river, the path runs mostly level. A lovely trail through rhododendron and pine forests with distant views of snow covered peaks before we reach Phakding. We are now very close to our destination passing through local Sherpa villages to finally arrive in Lukla to celebrate with the team before the flight back to Kathmandu the following morning. Overnight Lodge

After breakfast, we say goodbye to the mountains for the flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival one of our reps will be waiting for the transfer back to the hotel.An evening meal is often arranged on the last day.Overnight Hotel.

A free day to relax,do some shopping or just chill out.If you need any help or you would like to arrange something for this day please let us know.

We hope you enjoyed your time with us.Our representatives will once again drop you back at Tribhuvan International Airport with best wishes for your next journey.