Gokyo Valley Trek

Gokyo Valley Trekking is one of the most picturesque countries around the Himalayas. In the early days, it was a grazing pasture for the yaks and livestock, and over the year, it has turned out to be a photographer paradise. Gokyo Valley with serene emerald-coloured lakes and Nepal’s longest the Ngozumpa glaciers, the source of Dudh Koshi River.

It is an exciting and scenic adventure of less than two weeks, where one can enjoy the grand vista of the world’s tallest peaks. In the close harmony of pristine surroundings and warm traditional hospitality of the native Sherpa. The Highlanders of Khumbu and Eastern Himalayas interwoven with a strong heritage custom of Buddhism.

Gokyo Valley Trekking is an alternative adventure around the high Khumbu region, besides popular destinations to Everest Base Camp.

Pleasant and scenic country walks with a touch of high altitude, where magnificent scenery makes the adventure worth visiting. The journey begins from a town of Lukla, the door to various adventures around the Khumbu region. The trail follows through lovely villages within the backdrop of towering snow peaks to enter Sagarmatha National Park. 

The Park, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique features enriched with exotic flora and fauna. Includes the world's highest peaks, the Everest and Mt. Lhotse with Mt. Cho-Oyu and with the famous mountain ranges. As the walk progresses, then head high to the famous Namche Bazaar a major hub of Khumbu villagers. At Namche Bazaar, an extra day for acclimatization, the adventure continues leaving, the main trail towards Gokyo Valley. 

The trail enters the Dudh Koshi River gorge covered in dense tree lines of tall rhododendrons and pines. Then, reaching a high and wide open country above the tree lines at Gokyo Valley. Amidst a stunning views of snow peaks with crystal clear reflection of the world’s 6th highest Mt. Cho-Oyu on Gokyo glacial lakes.      

At Gokyo, with time to explore its beautiful surroundings with a climb to the high Gokyo-Ri. The highest point of the adventure offers the world’s four highest peaks of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, with Cho-Oyu. Includes a series of snow-dusted mountains encircles the high scenic ridge of Gokyo-Ri. 

After a wonderful experience, then head for the return journey towards Namche Bazaar and back to Lukla. Next early morning, a smooth scenic flight brings you to Kathmandu after an exciting adventure to Gokyo Valley Trekking.

Highlights

• Walking on scenic and traditional villages adorned with impressive cultures.
• Sagarmatha National Park a world heritage sites enriched with exotic flora, fauna.
• Within beautiful forested trail covered in tall rhododendrons, firs and pine trees.
• Away from mainstream route, a scenic walks all the way to Gokyo Valley of lakes.
• Capture the breathtaking panorama of world’s four highest peaks from Gokyo-Ri.

Short Trek Summary

Mode of Trekking: In the best available Tea-House and Lodges.
Trekking Grade: Moderate and Adventurous.
Highest point: On top Gokyo-Ri at 5,357 m/17, 575 feet high.Highest overnight stops in Gokyo 4,800 m/15,748 feet. 
Areas of Trekking: Nepal North Mid-East, around district of Solu-Khumbu.    
Start and Ending Point: Lukla to Lukla with flights both ways.
Trekking Duration: 10 Nights and 11 Days with flights both ways.
Total Trekking distance: Approx. 90 km/56 miles, round trip from Lukla to Lukla.(Excluding optional hike in Namche Bazaar, Gokyo-Ri).                                          
Total Trip in Nepal: 14 Nights and 15 Days from arrival to final departures.

Best Seasons For Gokyo Valley Trekking

The best time and seasons for Gokyo Valley Trekking, or other adventures in Nepal Himalayas. Spring and autumn/fall seasons. The spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant walks and scenic views. Most days are fine and clear with enough sunshine hours till late afternoon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It can get overcast in the afternoon sometimes, with chances of light rains and snowfalls. Days are much longer with sunlight hours, but cold morning and late afternoon till nighttime. Depending upon altitude and overnight stops around the high Khumbu and Everest region.

Spring is the best time for nature lovers, when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various species. 

The next best season is autumn/fall, where most days are bright, with sunny days for clear views. Autumn/fall starts from September to November, one of the high seasons in Nepal for trekking. Days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, but it gets dark soon due to limited sunshine hours. Morning and late afternoon until nighttime are cold, and chances of light snowfall above 3,000 m high.

As this is a short moderate adventure, interesting people can enjoy during winter times of Christmas and New Year Holidays. Most days are sunny and clear for views and walks, but gets dark soon by 5:30 a.m. Cold temperatures in the morning and late afternoon until night time. But with bright starry night sky. Can expect snow sometimes on treks en route Gokyo Valley from Lukla onwards.

The Routes And Trails En Route Gokyo Valley Trekking

Trekkers joining for Gokyo Valley or other adventures around Nepal Himalayas must have been aware beforehand. Knowing that Nepal is a country of high land of mid-hill to higher mountainous landscapes and terrains. 

The walk leads ups and downhill with few gradual sections to enjoy.The only flatland is the low sub-tropical Terai belt around southern Nepal. En route to Gokyo Valley, starts with pleasant gradual path with few short steep ups till Jorsalle. After crossing the high bridge on leaving Jorsalle village and Dudh Koshi River Valley. A steep undulating climb for few hours to Namche Bazaar, from Namche onwards on wide scenic winding gradual ups. Few hours climb into lovely forested path to Dole, and then with short steeps ups to Gokyo Valley. 

Culture And Religion En Route Gokyo Valley Trek

Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around the high Khumbu of North Mid-East Nepal, populated by the Sherpa. The highlanders of eastern Himalayas, the Sherpa menfolk are famous and renowned, as the world’s best mountaineers and guides.

The Sherpa’s follows strong Buddhism religion, similar to their early Tibetan predecessors. The walk leads across many Buddhist monuments and shrines. The religious monuments include a series of prayer walls, spinning wheels with impressive monasteries of great religious and cultural interest. 

Foods, Accommodation And Lodges Facilities

The food and lodge accommodations around Khumbu region and Gokyo Valley,
at designated overnight stops. Overnights accommodation and meals, as per the itinerary set by the Woman Adventures, providing accommodation in the best lodge, where possible. The foods are as listed on the menu, from breakfast, lunch, dinner or main courses. Including side snacks with warm and cold refreshment drinks, served in a nice and cozy dining room, with a fireplace. 

In Nepal, the most favorite and popular national food and meal is Nepali Dal Bhat, boiled or steamed rice. Served with mild curry of seasonal vegetables, includes Dal, a lentil bean soup with pickles, and hot sauce as options. Breakfast from oats porridge, and cereals to cornflakes with toast/ chapattis, and pancakes includes a choice of egg variation. 

Lunch and Dinner from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Nepali and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups. The lodge accommodation and food are best in the Khumbu areas en route to Tengboche.

The lodge accommodations from Namche Bazaar onwards, are simple and nice rooms. From Namche Bazaar to Gokyo Valley, most lodges provide common bathrooms and toilets. But with a good food menu of limited varieties, some villages offer fresh homemade bakery items. In most places, the rooms are on a shared basis with common bathrooms and toilets due to harsh terrain conditions. 

The plumbing systems for running water freeze in the morning, evening, and nighttime. Due to freezing temperatures from Namche Bazaar onward, using hot showers is at an extra cost. 

All lodges have electricity to light the large dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. For charging electronic items, at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available, but it is slow and disturbing in some places due to weather conditions.   

In a large group with more than 4 people, it is best to order a set meal for all.
It saves time and fuels energy, which is important around remote areas of the Himalayas. Following the norms and rules as Responsible Trekkers is a good practice for Eco-Tourism. As well as taking care of garbage and litter during the whole trek.

Trekkers must be aware that the Khumbu region from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, offers various standard of Lodge accommodations. From budget to tourist standard and luxury lodges, interested people can upgrade the standard of accommodation on booking; with Woman Adventure (P) Ltd. 

Important to know that alcohol drinks are not healthy and good while going up to higher altitude. But can enjoy after completing the main highlights, on return journey to Lukla, and losing altitude to safe heights. 

Physical Fitness Requirement And Insurance

For Gokyo Valley Treks, trekkers should be physically fit and in a sound health. For a person with a medical history and special dietary, please inform Woman Adventures. So that the company can make necessary arrangements, on booking for this adventures. All age groups can join, a minimum of below 10 to a maximum of 70 years old. For minimum age of under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians, as well for elderly persons. All needs to obtain Travel and Medical Insurance in case of unfortunate incidents and accidents. 

Sometimes, treks might have to be re-routed to other safe destinations due to broken trails by avalanches and rock falls. As well with the unfavorable bad weather, which will obstruct the schedule flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. As well on return flight to Kathmandu also, if some members get seriously ill, needs immediate evacuation. By fastest means of transportation or using a Helicopter service to the nearest hospital. 

In this condition, the trekker has to bear all the extra expenses as well as for accompanying staff. Should be claimed from the insurance company for the extra expenses incurred. The company and medical doctors will provide a supporting letter so that you can claim the reimbursement from your insurance. 

To stay physically fit, one needs to exercise, like walking, jogging, or any other good physical exercise to keep fitness level. It is best to check up with your doctor on booking the trip for Gokyo Valley Trekking.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 02: In Kathmandu with sightseeing tour and trek preparations.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,860 m and trek to Phakding 2,610 m-04 hrs. 

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m-06 hrs. 12 km

Day 05: Rest day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization with short hike.

Day 06: Trek to Dole 4,110 m- 06 hrs.

Day 07: Trek to Machermo 4, 470 m - 04 hrs.

Day 08: Trek to Gokyo Valley 4,800 m - 04 hrs.

Day 09: Morning climb Gokyo-Ri, afternoon free at leisure.

Day 10: Trek to Dole past Machermo-06 hrs.

Day 11: Trek to Monjo 2,880 m via Namche Bazaar-05 hrs.

Day 12: Trek to Lukla and transfer to a lodge-04 hrs.

Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. 

Day 14: In Kathmandu free day for individual activities with options for tours.

Day 15: International departure for homeward bound.

Please note: Woman Adventures (P) Ltd. Encourages women as guide, porters and staff. In all our treks and tours, a new step and concept in Nepal, to uplift the women empowerment.