Nestled in the highlands encircled by the legendary mountains, the Gokyo Lakes Trek in Nepal takes you to the emerald-like Gokyo Lakes, including 5 other holy lakes that feel as though art itself has been reborn on earth, where every view of mountains, forests, glacial valleys, and landscapes seems like poetry. Experience the off-beaten adventure and isolated route of the Everest region, which ascends to the Gokyo Ri (5357 m), offering an almighty panoramic view of Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse - the eight-thousanders in the world.
Gokyo Lake Trek Overview:
The Gokyo Lake Trek is one of the emerging trails within the Everest region, with less trodden and less crowded trails and ascents to the Gokyo Ri by exploring the Six Gokyo Lakes of Nepal. Unlike the Everest Base Camp route, which shows the unclear views of Mount Everest as it is hidden between the wall of Lhotse and Nuptshe, this trek to Gokyo Lakes stands out and offers a ticket to the closer views of 5 out of 8 highest top 10 peaks in the world including Mt. Everest more closely and prominent way in every step. Not only that, but it also provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the traditional tea house and get a lively experience of the Indigenous community of Sherpa locals at a higher elevation in Gokyo Valley.
Kicking off the journey from Kathmandu with a Lukla Flight - 2380 meters, this Gokyo Lakes Trek navigates the ancient Sherpa villages, and follows the series of five holy lakes, before ascending to one of the best Everest panorama view points - Gokyo Ri (5360 m./17586 ft.).
Starting right from meandering by the "Sagarmatha National Park", it navigates through the dense forest of blooming rhododendrons, pine, bamboo, and orchids, with an insight into langur monkeys, Himalayan Tahr, musk deer, and even the elusive Red Panda, letting you discover the natural ecosystem. The trails slowly start to open up to the highly towering mountains such as Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, and many other Himalayan ranges, and reach the wetland of untamed holy Gokyo Lakes that sits at the highest altitude of 4950 meters/16245 feet, showing the six climatic zones of the Khumbu region.
The Gokyo Lake Trek itinerary starts right with a roller-coaster flight to Lukla, which rewards us with the iconic views of lovely hills and legendary peaks, including Mt. Kanchenjunga and Langtang Lirung. Then, it covers the regular route through famous settlements such as Phakding and Namche Bazaar. While acclimatizing in Namche Bazar, the famous town hub, we'll head up to "Everest View Hotel", the world's highest situated 5-star hotel showing the snowy, frosty peaks. Besides, we'll explore the charming "Khumjung village" that leads us to "THE KHUMJUNG MONASTERY," where there is a display of a YETI SKULL- the snowman, whatever you name it, making our first rest day of the Gokyo Lake Trek truly worth it.
After entering Dole, the Gokyo Lake Trek route begins, which means the serene trail gets started from here onwards after the diversion of the pathway. Passing through many notable Sherpa hamlets such as Phortse Thanga, Machhermo, and reaching the Gokyo valley through Gokyo Lake (Dudh Pokhari)- the highest freshwater in the world, Taboche Tsho, Thonak Tsho, Taujung Tsho, Ngazumpa Tsho (fed by Ngazumpa Glacier), and finally to the Gyazumpa Tsho- the pristine holy Six Gokyo Lakes amid the Himalayas.
Reaching the Gokyo Ri Vantage Point showcases the breathtaking vista of several snowcapped peaks with the gentle flutter of colorful prayer flags showcasing the golden hues of sunrise over the legendary peaks, making our trek of 12 days to Gokyo Lakes an astonishing journey from start to end. The enchanting part is! This Gokyo Trek also connects the popular Three Passes Trek at the same time, so do not miss out on mingling with thrill seekers and having a chat regarding their trip. Maybe your next adventure?
All in all, this Gokyo Lake Trekking is an idyllic odyssey that lets you relish in the heart-throbbing flight, cascading waterfalls, densely forested trails, distinct landscapes, glacial valleys, charming villages, and unspoiled lakes surrounded by majestic peaks. Disconnect yourself from the busy city and connect with the Sherpa communities, discovering the joy, peacefulness, and YES! the emotion of being rewarded by the best possible vista that remains in your heart forever.
Our Sherpa Guides to the Gokyo Valley Trek are all set to accompany you, and the heavenly mountain range is all aligned to befriend you! Are you ready to create a new memento in the Himalayas?
If so, then grab this opportunity by opting for our carefully crafted Everest Gokyo Lake Trek that makes your every dream possible with a great safety net and acclimatization days without missing out on the highlighted corner of this iconic region.
Highlights of the Gokyo Lake Trekking
- Mark your footprint on one of the most popular off-beaten adventures in the Himalayas
- Relish yourself in the unchanged and ancient culture of the Sherpa within Gokyo Valley
- Make your way through the "Nzogumpa Glacier", which stands out to be the largest glacier in the Himalayas
- Pass through the ancient hamlets of Sherpa by settling at Dole, Machermo, Khumjung, and Manjo for a day
- Trail at the less trodden and less crowded trail within the Everest region
- Witness the close-up view of Renjo La Pass - one of the iconic Everest 3 pinnacles
- Stroll around the vibrant market and town hub of Namche Bazaar
- Reach the Gokyo Ri- 5357 meters, and surround yourself with the heavenly panorama vista of iconic peaks
- Take a glance at the Six Lakes of Gokyo with the reflection of the surrounding peaks
- Settle in at the tea houses of the Sherpa community and get a lively experience of their culture and tradition
- Unhindered views of Lhotse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Kanchenjunga, and Mt. Everest itself
What makes this Gokyo Lake Trek special and worthy in 2025 and 2026?
Simply speaking, this Gokyo Valley Trek is much more than just reaching the vantage point of Gokyo Ri; it is every single moment that you spend on the adventure, interacting with Sherpa people, navigating through the rich Himalayan flora and fauna, and befriending many snowy, frosty peaks in every stride.
Within just 12 days, you'll get to learn in-depth about the iconic territory, from starting the trip with a nail-biting Lukla flight to entering the densely forested trails, which slowly open up to varied landscapes and allow you to immerse yourself in the pristine six Gokyo Lakes; that seems like a heavenly green emerald surrounded by mountains. All in all, this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to discover Mother Nature in the northeastern part of Nepal:
Here are the highlighted insights and places to experience that will surely make you add this trip to your bucket lists for 2025 and 2026:
An Enchanting Flight to Lukla- Insights of the World's Tallest Peaks
While catching our 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, we can witness the gradual transition of lovely green hills slowly opening up to the highly towering mountains, including the 5th highest peak amongst the top 10 peaks that exceed the height of 8000 meters. The spectacular views of Langtang Lirung can be witnessed just within 10 minutes of flight, and other Himalayan ranges such as Maklau, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, and even a glimpse of Mt. Everest, can be seen, a perfect way to begin our Gokyo Lake Trekking. Many individuals fly to Lukl, paying thousands of dollars to gaze at the legendary Himalayan peaks.
Do you know that Lukla's flight (2860 meters) is at the highest altitude airport that spans a 527-meter runway, which opens the gateway to every trek and expedition within the Everest region? Many iconic expeditions and adventure journeys, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, Lobuche Peak, and Mera Peak Climbing begin from here, showing how it contributes to being the first step to completing any trip within this territory of Mount Everest.
Besides, Lukla Airport is also popularly by the name as Tenzing-Hillary Airport was named after SIR Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 2008 AD, for their first successful ascent to the world's highest peak. To build this airport, Edmund Hillary made a huge contribution with the help of the Sherpa local communities, so any enthusiastic ones could get easy access to the Everest/Khumbu region. From the breathtaking vista to the motivational and unification of locals that went together to construct this famous airport, it gives us a unique insight and great learning from the start.
Off the Beaten Adventure in the Everest Region: Escape the Crowded Trails
As we know how the Everest Base Camp route is fully crowded and a bit challenging, which isn't anyone's forte. This trek to Gokyo Lake leads us through the less crowded trails within the Everest region, letting us connect with nature and locals more deeply and have a perfect "ME" time, without the chaos of a large number of hikers. Just to let you know, this route is also a pathway to the 3 Passes route, which goes by exploring the Gokyo Lakes via Cho La Pass, so expect to mingle with such hikers en route.
Besides, the amenities, tea houses, and pathways are less developed and remain just like the ancient tea house trek, which stands out to be perfect for knowing about the Himalayan lifestyle and traditional Sherpa in detail by interacting with them, enriching our overall experience of this trek to Gokyo Valley.
To sum up, it lets us relish in the serene environment, leaving the husky and busy lifestyle and streets behind, and takes us on to a more intimate Himalayan expedition at the upper section of the Indigenous community of Sherpas without exceeding more than 2 weeks, which other restricted trails such as Manaslu Circuit and Kanchenjunga Circuit take. So, what would be a better wholesome trip, where the pristineness, budget-friendly yet captivating views all combine?
A wander to the World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park: Where Nature meets Sherpa Hamlets
One of the most highlighted experiences would be trailing along the renowned world heritage site of Sagarmatha National Park, 2,84,000 acres of land that was listed in the year 1979 AD. This Gokyo Valley Trek meanders through this conservation right from the beginning to the end, showcasing the rich biodiversity and ecosystem. Entering the forested trail, the route takes us to the blooming rhododendrons, pines, and oak trees right from the beginning, and steadily transforms into the landscapes on every side along the fascinating rivers then, finally to the alpine valleys of Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Ri to the wetland of Gokyo Lakes showcasing the varied climatic zones of Everest-Khumbu region.
Apart from that, it is also known as an educational sector for researchers of Cultural organizations, the United Nations Scientific and the Educational Sector, as more than 5000 Sherpa locals reside with more than 100 species of birds and over 30 rare mammals. That simply means we can get a chance to mingle with natives where the chirping sound of birds, a glimpse of wildlife, and the diversity of topography tend to befriend us throughout our 12-day Gokyo Lake Trek in Nepal.
Discovering Six Gokyo Lakes: The Holy Gem Surrounded by Towering Mountains
The Holy Six Lakes of Gokyo show us how cultural and spiritual significance blend perfectly with the natural beauty of such pristine lakes. Before we reach Gokyo Valley via Ngozumpa Glacier- the largest glacier amid the Himalayas- the first lake we'll encounter is Gokyo Tsho (Dudh Pokhari), which shows the alluring vista of Cho Oyu and Gokyo Ri along with many other peaks.
Afterward, it takes us to Taboche Tsho, at a height of 4750 meters, which is slightly larger than the 1st one, with a shade of turquoise blue water with the reflection of mountains. Then, the third lake is Thonak Tsho (4800 meters), which is slightly less crowded than the others, allowing us to create a memento by clicking pictures with the backdrop of mountains. The deepest and largest lake is Thonak Tsho, which spans over 160 acres.
After attaining the fifth lake (main lake) of Ngozumpa Tsho, it shows the unique and splendid vista of the world's tallest mountain, Mount Everest, captivating hikers to do the Gokyo Lakes Trek. It is also listed as a highlight out of the other five, as it is fed by the largest glacier of Ngozumpa.
An Astonishing Ascend to Gokyo Ri (5357 meters)
While the Everest Base Camp serves the disturbed view of Mt. Everest with the highly towering walled of Nuptshe and Lhotse, standing at the vantage point of Gokyo Ri View Point, we'll see the panorama vista of several mountains such as Mount Makalu, Cho Oyu, Tharmseku, Lhotse, Cholatse, and immerse at the 360-degree view of Mount Everest so close that almost feel like we can touch it.
Not only that, but the emerald Gokyo Lakes with the reflection of the surrounding peaks beneath this top point look insanely beautiful with the gentle prayer flags fluttering behind, and the sunrise view just adds colors to the black, brown, and boring landscapes. Taking a glance over it makes us forget all our hardships, challenges, and pennies that were spent on this trek.
A Typical Day in Gokyo Lakes Trek: What does your everyday on the trailhead look like?
Every day along the trailhead, while trekking to Gokyo Valley, brings something best out of the Himalayas, that you'll adore every bit of it, whether it's a majestic mountains, breathtaking diverse landscapes, the untamed flora and fauna, or the rich cultural Sherpa villages, each one of the nature beauty, rewards you with unmatched experience. Even though the Gokyo Trek is a bit challenging, it is a trek that reaches such a high point; this itinerary does a gradual ascent toward Gokyo Ri - 5360 meters, so rather than feeling the heat of altitude gain, you will get to explore the mystic, unexplored land of the Everest region in depth.
Throughout the trek to Gokyo Lakes, our experienced licensed guide is there to assist you through safe navigation, covering every highlighted aspect, so you get to learn more about the scenic mountains and experience the Sherpa culture influenced by the rich Tibetan Buddhism communities. Here is a little glimpse (overview) that you will go through every day along the route:
Every day, the morning begins with fresh air and a delightful breakfast before 7:30 AM, then, packing our gear, and waving a bye (until next time) to the tea house, village, and heart-warming locals, the hike starts soon after. Moving forward, the journey takes us to diverse terrains, the highly towering Himalayan range, open landscapes, and with the blooming rhododendrons and wild flowers, within Sagarmatha National Park, showing the pristine scenic surroundings. The lunch happens between 11 AM to 1 PM, at the local tea house, enjoying the surrounding views, and having some best moments, with local children and seeing a glimpse of their playful nature living at such highlands.
By far, till noon 3:00 to 4:00, we'll reach the destination of the day, and explore the area, the significant mountain village and nearby, highlighted spot, gaining new insight into every stopping point. Till 7:00 PM, the dinner will be served, where we can have a short discussion with the guide about the upcoming trip and also receive some tips for higher altitudes on the very next day. The rest of the evening, enjoy the resting time, mingling with hikers, playing cards, chess, playing local musical instruments, songs, dances, and also learn Nepali language from locals, getting something unique perspective of other parts of the world - truly!
Gokyo Lake Trek Cost for 2025 and 2026
The Gokyo Lake Trekking cost simply varies depending on the total number of pax that your group comprises, depending on several factors like seasonal variations, routes that you are opting for, and luxury lodging that you are looking for. Likewise, our 12-day Gokyo Lake Trek cost starts from USD 1049 and goes up to USD 1249, covering every requirement for your expedition, starting from basic amenities like lodging, food to standard ones, like permit arrangements, flight costings, and experienced licensed guides.
Simply put, you do not have to bear anything extra on your account until and unless it's expenses that you are spending on extra services. Please check the include and exclude sections for a detailed overview. Hence, here are the costs for the trek to Gokyo Lakes depending on the number. of hikers:
| No. of Pax | Standard Price |
| 1-1 | USD 1495/person |
| 2-4 | USD 1299/person |
| 5-7 | USD 1245/person |
| 8-12 | USD 1199/person |
Is this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek right for you?
The trek to Gokyo Lake suits all paces of hikers, from beginners to experienced explorers, matching every age group, from families with kids and senior citizens. However, it highly depends on how prepared you are and what you are looking forward to but if you are someone who loves to wander around the mountain areas, explore something new rather than just gazing at the untamed nature, exploring the ancient cultural sherpa villages, with the diverse panorama Himalayan range, and up for challenge with safe ascent then, this Gokyo Trek, fits perfectly for you.
Frankly speaking, this Himalayan adventure demands a hike of 5 to 6 hours, covering the daily distance of 9 to 12 kilometers per day, with the rapid changes in the terrain and massive changes in the altitude, which is what makes the trip a bit challenging. That is why it is suggested to head to the trailhead, being fully prepared in terms of packing, weather considerations, mentally and physically prepared. With these preparations, this trek can surely be passed with ease.
On the other hand, this Gokyo Lake Trekking is incredibly for those who seek solitude and also acts as an alternative to the hugely crowded route to Everest Base Camp or other treks within the Everest region, and carries a passion and willingness for adventure and nature. However, with that, one must keep in mind, to acclimatize and ascend the greater heights slowly and steadily, to adopt the rising elevation, which is why this 12 days Gokyo Lake Trek itinerary is set accordingly with 500 to 600 meters, per day, ensuring that the high altitudes won't be a drastic change to your body in a quick way, leading you to the risk of altitude sickness.
However, as the days pass by, every day unravels the magnificent beauty of the highlands, showcasing something rewarding and worth taking a glance and surrounded by, after a long duration and days of hiking.
Additional Benefits of Making your Adventure with Destination Himalayan Treks and Expedition
- More than 15 years of Experienced pro-expert guidance to craft your packages as per your budget and timeframe
- Licensed and Professional English-Speaking Fluency Trekking Guide and Porter
- Free UNESCO World Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu and Patan Valley
- 1-2 day free staycation at our own "Hotel Bihani" at Thamel if you are extending your days here in Kathmandu
- Sovenuir DHT duffle bag, sleeping bag (must be returned), Caps, T-shirts, Trip Mag
- Basic First Aid Kit: Oximeter to check your pulse rate, and a water purification tablet to purify the water
- Online Trip Briefing before the trip and Person Briefing in Nepal
- Discount Coupon Code up to 10% for further treks in Nepal with us
- Complimentary Welcome and Farewell Dinner at a Nepalese Fine Dining restaurant with a cultural performance
- 24-hour communication at mail info@destinationhimalayatreks.com or WhatsApp, Viber, IMO, or call at +977 9851016814
How to make a booking for the Gokyo Valley Trek?
Are you looking forward to joining us for your upcoming adventure? WELL, do not settle back. Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition offers this one-in-a-kind Gokyo Lake Trek package, making sure that your trip to the Himalayas becomes a hassle-free journey. We are a local registered trekking agency that has been serving many hikers for more than 2 decades. So, we know that a safe booking process is crucial. For the trek, you just have to pay 20% of the total cost, and the remaining amount can be paid after you arrive in Nepal (Kathmandu).
If you are quite late for booking, then YES! The last booking can be made. We'll manage everything soon after your booking is made with us, ensuring everything goes smoothly.
For more queries, email us at info@destinationhimalayatreks.com and WhatsApp us at +977 9851016814, or you can even give us a call 24/7.
Quick Information about Lukla Flight: To reach the trailhead
Just to let you know that, if you are willing to do this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek, in peak seasons - Spring and Autumn, then there is a high chance of Lukla Flight delay and cancellation, due to the huge air traffic congestion. If such a thing happens, then, still, there's nothing to panic about, as the flight to Lukla gets diverted to Manthali Airport - Ramechhap, which is just 145 kilometers in distance from Kathmandu, where we must head to reach there, early in the morning, 3 AM, to take the flight on time, with 5 to 6 hours of driving. Our package includes the air transfer, from and to Lukla. This info is provided to you, so you get prepared mentally for such a situation.
To know more about the air transfer, you can check our recently updated blog: Lukla Flight Detailed Information
