GOKYO RI TREK 10 DAYS
GOKYO RI TREK 10 DAYS
The Gokyo Ri Trek is a spectacular journey in the Everest region of Nepal, offering a unique and serene alternative to the more crowded Everest Base Camp trek. Over 10 days, trekkers explore picturesque Sherpa villages, cross glaciers, and enjoy breathtaking views of the world’s highest peaks. The trek culminates at Gokyo Ri, where you are rewarded with a panoramic view of Mount Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the sparkling Gokyo Lakes.
Highlights:
🌄 Gokyo Ri Summit - Reach the summit for panoramic views of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, and Makalu.
🏞️ Gokyo Lakes - Explore the stunning turquoise glacial lakes, a major highlight of the trek.
🏔️ Everest View - Enjoy majestic views of Everest and other towering peaks from various vantage points.
🏘️ Sherpa Culture - Immerse yourself in Sherpa culture by visiting local villages like Namche Bazaar and Dole.
❄️ Ngozumpa Glacier - Cross Nepal's largest glacier and witness the dramatic ice formations.
The trek begins with a scenic flight to Lukla followed by a trek to Phakding. The route passes through the bustling Namche Bazaar, a perfect spot for acclimatization, before heading towards Gokyo. After reaching Gokyo, you will ascend to Gokyo Ri, where the unforgettable Himalayan panorama awaits. The return journey retraces your steps, passing through Dole and Namche before heading back to Lukla.
With a moderate level of difficulty and incredible natural beauty, the Gokyo Ri Trek is an ideal choice for those seeking a rewarding and less-crowded trek in the Everest region.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Fly to Lukla (2,804 m) and Trek to Phakding (2,610 m) – Duration: 4-5 hours, 8 km.
Start your adventure with an early flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a scenic mountain airport. From Lukla, trek to Phakding, following the Dudh Koshi River. The trail is relatively gentle and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. After a short day of trekking, you’ll arrive in Phakding to relax and prepare for the next day’s journey.
Day 2 : Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m) – Duration: 7-8 hours, 21 km
Today’s trek is a challenging ascent towards Namche Bazaar, the largest Sherpa village in the Everest region. The trail crosses several suspension bridges and climbs steeply through pine forests. The final stretch offers beautiful views of Mount Everest and Ama Dablam as you approach Namche, a bustling market town and an ideal place for acclimatization.
Day 3 : Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar.
Acclimatization is essential at this altitude to prevent altitude sickness. Spend the day exploring Namche Bazaar, visiting the Sherpa Museum or hiking to the Everest View Hotel for a panoramic view of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Rest and take short walks to aid your acclimatization.
Day 4 : Trek to Dole (4,200 m) – Duration: 5-6 hours, 10 km.
After acclimatizing, continue your trek through Namche and ascend towards Dole. The trail passes through forests of pine and rhododendron, with occasional views of the mountains. Dole is a small village offering stunning vistas of Kangtega and Thamserku, making it a great place to rest for the night.
Day 5 : Trek to Machhermo (4,470 m) – Duration: 3-4 hours, 6 km.
Today's trek is relatively short but steep. The trail takes you to Machhermo, a small settlement known for its clear views of Cho Oyu. As you gain altitude, the landscape becomes more alpine, with fewer trees and more rugged terrain. Machhermo is an ideal place to rest and prepare for the higher altitudes ahead.
Day 6 : Trek to Gokyo (4,790 m) – Duration: 5-6 hours, 7 km.
Today, you’ll trek towards Gokyo, passing the beautiful Ngozumpa Glacier along the way. The journey is relatively moderate, but the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic. As you reach Gokyo, you’ll be greeted by stunning views of the Gokyo Lakes and surrounding peaks, including Mount Cho Oyu and Mount Everest.
Day 7 : Trek to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) and Trek to Dole (4,200 m) – Duration: 6-7 hours, 14 km.
This is the highlight of the trek! Early in the morning, ascend to Gokyo Ri, a peak that offers unparalleled panoramic views of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and other surrounding peaks. After soaking in the views, descend back to Dole for an overnight stay.
Day 8 : Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) – Duration: 5-6 hours, 12 km.
Today, you’ll retrace your steps back down to Namche Bazaar. The trail is mostly downhill, offering a chance to enjoy the changing landscape as you descend through the valley. Upon arrival in Namche, you can rest and celebrate your successful trek to Gokyo Ri.
Day 9 : Trek to Lukla (2,860 m) – Duration: 6-7 hours, 27.5 km.
The final trekking day takes you back to Lukla. It’s a long day of trekking downhill, passing through villages like Phakding and crossing the Dudh Koshi River. Once in Lukla, enjoy a well-deserved rest after completing the trek.
Day 10 : Fly Back to Kathmandu – Duration: 30-minute flight.
After breakfast, take a flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu. The flight offers a final glimpse of the stunning Himalayas before you return to the bustling capital, marking the end of your unforgettable Gokyo Ri Lake Trek.
SERVICES
What's Included in Your Trekking Package:
- Airport Transfers: Domestic airport pick-up and drop-off by private car/jeep.
- Meals: Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) throughout the trek.
- Fresh Fruit: Fresh fruit provided every evening after dinner.
- Accommodation: Stay in trekking lodges (Tea Houses) during the trek.
- Permits: All necessary paperwork including Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fees.
- Flights: Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu (Ramechhap-Lukla-Ramechhap) flights with private airport transfer and domestic airport taxes.
- Guides and Staff:
- A highly experienced, English-speaking, government-licensed guide, covering their salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport, and insurance.
- Strong, helpful Sherpa porters (one porter per two trekkers), with their salary, food, accommodation, and insurance, along with proper safety and walking equipment.
- Assistant guide for groups of 8 or more.
- Medical Support: Comprehensive medical supplies (first aid kit) and arrangements for emergency helicopter services (paid by your travel insurance).
- Equipment: Use of a sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, and walking poles (to be returned at the end of the trek).
- T-Shirt: A Sherpa Expedition and Trekking T-shirt.
- Government Taxes & Official Fees: All applicable government taxes and official expenses.
- Trip Achievement Certificate: Certificate awarded upon successful completion of the trek.
- Health Monitoring: Oxygen meter to monitor your pulse, oxygen saturation, and heart rate twice daily, ensuring your health and well-being during the trek.
What's Not Included in Your Trekking Package:
- Meals in Kathmandu: Lunch and dinner while you are in Kathmandu.
- Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu: Costs for hotel stay in Kathmandu before and after the trek.
- Nepal Entry Visa: The visa fee for Nepal, which is easy to obtain on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu:
- $30 USD for a 15-day visa
- $50 USD for a 30-day visa
- $125 USD for a 90-day visa
- Personal Travel and Medical Insurance: Travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip (highly recommended for coverage).
- International Airfare: Your international flights to and from Nepal.
- Personal Expenses: Any personal purchases such as souvenirs, snacks, or items not specified in the package.
- Beverages: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including soup, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cocoa, mineral water, and any extra food or drinks you choose to purchase along the trek and in the tea houses.
- Desserts and Sweets: Items like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding, and other sweet treats.
- Hot Showers and Battery Charging: Charges for hot showers and battery charging at the tea houses along the trek.
- Tips: Tipping for the guide, porter, and driver (tipping is expected in Nepal).
- Excess Baggage: Any baggage weight exceeding the 10 kg limit for the Lukla flight.
Note: If you return early from the trek due to sickness or other issues, the fees for flights, hotels, mountain rooms, food, etc., are nonrefundable. You will need to bear any additional expenses for hotel stays, food, etc., in Kathmandu on your own.
EQUIPMENTS
The following information will give you some idea about what you need to bring for the trek. It is important you do not forget the essential items, as this will determine your comfort and safety on the trek. Equally important is that you do not burden yourself with unnecessary equipment on the trek.
General
- All season sleeping bag and down Jacket (we can provide if you need it, but has to be returned after the trek)
- Duffle bag ( Sherpa Expedition & Trekking provide duffle bag during the trek but has to be returned after the trek)
- A wind and waterproof thin layered jacket (a must-have for morning and evenings above 3,000m)
- Daypack
Upper Body- Head / Ears / Eyewear
- A pair of half gloves
- A warmer hat that covers the ears
- Sunglasses
- Neckwarmer
- Sunscreen (35 to 60 SPF)
- Headlamp and an extra set of batteries
Hands
- A pair of half gloves for walking poles(if you prefer)
- Warmer shell gloves and liner
Upper Body
- long sleeve t-shirts
- Thermal tops
- wool jacket or pullover
- Sports bras for women and girls
- Water and windproof shell jacket
Lower Body
- Thermal underwear (especially trousers)
- windproof and waterproof trousers
- warmer trousers
- Comfortable trekking pants
- Extra casual sport pants
Footwear
- A pair of good waterproof trekking boots
- Pair of sandals
- 4-5 pairs of woolen socks
- Sock liners
- Light shoes and sneakers
- First Aid Kits and Medicines
- Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
- Blister treatment cream or similar
- Insect / anti-itch ointment
- Ibuprofen or other pain-relief medication
- Diamox (125mg to 250mg tablets for altitude sickness)
- Warps, splints, and wound coverings butterfly bandage
- Water purifying pills
(Note our company guide will carry the medicines and first aid kits during the trek. However, we recommend you bring your personal first-aid kit as well)
Miscellaneous - but must useful on the trek
- 4 passport size photos with original passport
- Water bottle & filter
- Flight details (please make a copy and leave one pic at our office in KTM because in case you want to change your flight date)
- Bathroom kit (conform, should be included toilet paper, plastic bags, hand wipes, towel, and soap, etc.)
Extra things
- Comfortable trekking poles
- Quality energy dry foods (up to you)
- Power bank and music players
- Camera (memory card, chargers, and extra batteries)
GOOD TO KNOW
🏔️ Good to Know: Gokyo Ri Trek 10 Days
Before embarking on the Gokyo Ri Trek 10 Days, there are several important details to consider. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your adventure:
🛫 Flight to Lukla
Your trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The flight is scenic but can be challenging due to Lukla's short runway and unpredictable weather conditions. Always be prepared for possible delays.
🏞️ Trekking Route and Terrain
The trek follows a steep and challenging route that leads through the Khumbu Valley, passing through Sherpa villages, forests, and rivers. The terrain is a mix of rocky paths, alpine meadows, and challenging ascents, culminating in the summit of Gokyo Ri at 5,483m.
🏥 Altitude and Acclimatization
Altitude sickness is a concern due to the high elevation of the trek. Although this route doesn’t include acclimatization days, it's essential to ascend slowly, stay hydrated, and be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness (headaches, dizziness, nausea). Consider taking necessary precautions such as acetazolamide and avoid overexerting yourself.
🏠 Accommodation
Accommodation during the trek is in teahouses or lodges, which offer basic amenities. Expect simple rooms with shared bathrooms, and meals such as dal bhat, noodles, and rice. The facilities may vary in quality based on the altitude.
🌡️ Weather and Temperature
Weather conditions can vary, but the temperatures generally remain cold, especially at higher altitudes. During the day, temperatures can range from 5°C to 15°C at lower elevations, but drop to -10°C to -15°C at night in higher areas like Gokyo. Always pack warm layers and be prepared for potential snow.
🧳 Packing Essentials
Bring the essentials, including warm clothing, a sleeping bag, trekking boots, and a water bottle. Consider items like sunscreen, gloves, a hat, and trekking poles. Don't forget a first aid kit and personal medications.
🧑🤝🧑 Trekking Team and Guide
A guide is essential for safety, especially since there are no rest days in this trek. You’ll be trekking through remote areas, so a porter can also be hired to carry your gear. Sherpa Expedition ensures professional and experienced staff for your safety.
💸 Cost of the Trek
The cost of the Gokyo Ri Trek typically ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 USD, depending on the services included, such as accommodation, meals, permits, and guides. Be prepared to cover additional costs like tips and extra meals.
📅 Best Time to Trek
The best seasons to do the Gokyo Ri Trek are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons offer clear skies, moderate temperatures, and the best trekking conditions.
💪 Physical Fitness
This trek is physically demanding, so being in good shape is crucial. The trek involves long daily hours of walking and climbing at high altitudes, so training for endurance and stamina beforehand is highly recommended.
🥾 Safety and Emergency
Trekking at high altitudes can pose risks. Always be prepared for the unexpected by carrying a satellite phone for emergencies. Emergency evacuation may be needed in case of severe altitude sickness or injury. Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation coverage is highly recommended.
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FAQS
How difficult is the Gokyo Ri Trek?
The Gokyo Ri Trek is of moderate difficulty. It involves gradual ascents and high altitudes, but it is less strenuous than the Everest Base Camp trek, making it suitable for trekkers with a good level of fitness.
What is the best time to do the Gokyo Ri Trek?
The best times to trek are during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is clear, and the views are optimal. These seasons also offer mild temperatures and stable weather conditions.
What is the altitude of Gokyo Ri?
The summit of Gokyo Ri is at 5,357 meters (17,575 feet), providing incredible views of Everest and the surrounding peaks.
Do I need to worry about altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is a risk above 3,000 meters. To minimize this, the trek includes acclimatization days (like in Namche Bazaar) and gradual ascents. Staying hydrated and resting when needed is crucial.
How long is the Gokyo Ri Trek?
The Gokyo Ri Trek typically takes 10 days. This includes travel time, acclimatization days, and trekking through the Everest region.
Do I need a guide or porter for the trek?
While it’s not mandatory, hiring a guide is highly recommended for safety, navigation, and cultural insights. A porter can also help carry your heavy backpack, making the trek easier and more enjoyable.
What kind of accommodation can I expect?
Accommodation on the Gokyo Ri Trek consists of teahouses (lodges) along the route. These offer basic but comfortable amenities, including beds, shared bathrooms, and meals.
What should I pack for the trek?
You should pack warm clothing, including a down jacket, thermal layers, gloves, and a hat. Don’t forget sturdy trekking boots, a sleeping bag, and personal items such as a first-aid kit, sunscreen, and a water bottle.
Can beginners do the Gokyo Ri Trek?
While some prior trekking experience is beneficial, the Gokyo Ri Trek is accessible for beginners with a good level of fitness. Acclimatization days and gradual ascents help mitigate the challenges of altitude.
How do I get to Lukla to start the trek?
You will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, a small mountain airport in the Everest region. The flight takes about 30-35 minutes and offers stunning views of the Himalayas.
Latest Traveller’s Reviews
Travel experiences of our clients who recently returned from their trips.
100%
Based On 7 Reviews
Henry Adams
Canada
An Amazing Himalayan Trek with Excellent Service
My Gokyo Ri trek was an unforgettable adventure, and Tenzing Chhiring Sherpa was an exceptional guide. His knowledge of the mountains and the local culture added a special touch to the experience. The views were beyond stunning, and reaching the summit of Gokyo Ri was one of the best moments of my life. The Sherpa Expedition team made sure everything was perfectly organized, from the permits to the accommodation. Highly recommend this trek to anyone looking to explore the Himalayas!
Ella Carter
Netherlands
A Journey to Remember with a Professional Guide
The Gokyo Ri trek was a journey I’ll never forget, made all the more special by Mingma Nuru Sherpa. He was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and supportive. The trek itself was breathtaking, with views of the Gokyo Lakes and the surrounding mountains. The Sherpa Expedition team ensured everything was perfectly organized. I would highly recommend this trek to anyone seeking an unforgettable Himalayan adventure!
Benjamin Turner
Denmark
Epic Trek with Amazing Views
The Gokyo Ri trek was absolutely amazing, and Lobsang Wangchu Sherpa was an excellent guide. His deep knowledge of the region made the trek much more enjoyable. The trek itself was challenging but incredibly rewarding, with stunning views along the way. The views from Gokyo Ri were beyond anything I’ve ever seen before. Sherpa Expedition ensured everything was taken care of, and I felt safe and supported the whole way.
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