Gokyo Trek - 14 days

After arriving in Kathmandu, you will be picked up from the international airport and driven to your hotel. You can freshen up and catch some sleep. Later in the day, there will be a trip briefing where your trek guide from Third Rock Adventures will brief you about the trail you will take and share some tips on safety.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

You head to the domestic airport and catch one of the earliest flights to Lukla. The mountain flight offers a splendid opportunity to enjoy an aerial view of the Himalayan Range.

Lukla is perched high up on the side of the mountains, and the landing at the narrow Tenzing Hillary Airport is an unforgettable experience. The porters and assistant guides will be waiting for you at the airport. After a brief introduction, the luggage will be sorted, and the porters will carry your heavier luggage.

You start your trek and head to Phakding. After following an up and down trail, you cross the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and arrive at your destination.

Overnight in Phakding.

Leaving Phakding, you proceed towards Namche. The trek is long and grueling. But the sights more than make up for the tiring hike. At Monjo, you enter the Sagarmatha National Park. The scenery en route is breathtaking. Mani stones, waterfalls, and forests of pine and rhododendron cover the landscape.

After crossing the Hillary Suspension Bridge, you arrive at a resting spot from where you get your first glimpse of Mount Everest. Namche Bazaar lies only a few steps away from this spot. Known as the Sherpa capital, Namche is a beautiful town carved on the side of a mountain. On reaching the Sherpa town, you make your way to a teahouse where you spend the night.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

As this is a high-altitude trek, acclimatization is essential. You spend an extra day in Namche, letting your body adapt to thin air. Your guide will take you on an acclimatization hike to the Hotel Everest View, which lies above Namche Bazaar. Amazing views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega, Khumbila, etc., can be enjoyed from the hotel's porch.

Later you can hike to the Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde or return to Namche Bazaar.

Khumjung has the first school and one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region. Kunde has a health center founded by Sir Edmund Hillary to serve the locals of the Khumbu region. 

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

From Namche, you take the trail to the west and head towards Khumjung. After crossing the village, the path divides, and you take the one leading to Mong. The views are fantastic, and you enjoy the panoramic sights. There are few steep ascents before reaching Mong, the native village of a revered Buddhist saint, Lama Sangwa Dorje. After resting for a while at Mong, you descend to Phortse Thanga, where you stay overnight at a local teahouse.

Overnight in Phortse Thanga.

For the first part, you hike up a steep section and later on walk on level ground. Enjoy the views of the valley before descending to Dole. You take a steep ascent again to an exposed ridge. Walk past the settlements of Lhabarma and Luza before finally arriving at Machhermo.

Like many highland settlements in the Khumbu, Machhermo also lies in a valley surrounded by mountains.

Overnight in Machhermo.

You are very close to Gokyo, and the prospect of setting eyes on the beautiful Gokyo Lake is enough to motivate you. Leaving the village, you make a steep ascent to a ridge from where Kantega appears quite close. Far in the distance Cho Oyu the sixth tallest mountain in the world, rears its head.

 You cross Pangka and Nilibuk and later climb a stone staircase. After crossing a bridge, you arrive at the first lake. The trail is flat and level at this point. Cross the second lake and, after walking for a while, arrive at the third lake where the settlement of Gokyo is located. There are six Gokyo lakes in total. Together they make up the world’s highest freshwater lake system.

Head to a teahouse and spend the remainder of the day blissfully by the lakeside.

Overnight in Gokyo.

Wake up early before dawn and ascend Gokyo Ri, a small hill standing close to Gokyo Lake. It takes around two or two and a half hours to reach the top of the hill. It's not an easy climb, and the cold makes it more challenging. Watch your footing and stay clear of loose stones while walking on the steep path.

Once you reach the top of Gokyo Ri, you can enjoy a spectacular sunrise over four of the highest mountains in the world – Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Mount Everest, and Makalu. The three-sixty-degree view of the mountains, the Gokyo Valley, and the Gokyo Lakes appear stunning. Nzogumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, is also visible from the top. After taking pictures and savoring the view, you descend slowly and head back to your lodge.

You can spend the rest of the day lounging by the lakeside or exploring the nearby area.

Overnight in Gokyo.

After spending two nights at Gokyo, you head down to Phortse, a charming Sherpa village set in a valley covered by rhododendron and juniper forest. The forest is home to some of the endangered wildlife found in the Khumbu Region – snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan monal, etc.

The mountain views en route and from the village are mesmerizing. Have a good rest at a local teahouse after reaching Phortse.

Overnight in Phortse.

Today's destination is Tengboche, a Sherpa village with the most important Buddhist Monastery in Khumbu.

You walk along a forested trail filled with rhododendron, juniper, and pine trees. Compared to Gokyo valley, there is a stark difference in the landscape. There is more greenery and lush vegetation which is a welcome change. Views of Ama Dablam and other mountains keep you inspired.

On reaching Tengboche, you can explore the Tengboche Gompa(monastery) and observe the monks praying at the assembly hall. Enjoy the panoramic sunset over the snowcapped mountains from the village.

Overnight in Tengboche.

Leaving Tengboche, you head down to Monjo via Namche. The walk is tedious but nonetheless filled with amazing sights and sounds of nature. After a long descent and crossings over metal suspension bridges, you rest at Jorsale briefly before finally arriving at Monjo.

Overnight in Monjo.

Leaving Monjo, you exit the gate of the Sagarmatha National Park and walk down to Lukla. It is a short and blissful walk to the bustling settlement. Celebrate the completion of your trip with the Nepalese crew.

Overnight in Lukla.

You leave Lukla and fly to Kathmandu. Enjoy the views of the Khumbu mountains for one last time. After arriving in Kathmandu, you will be driven to your hotel. You can rest at your hotel or explore the city on your own.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

We will drop you off at the international airport for your scheduled departure on time. Please let us know if you want to explore more of Nepal. Our team at Third Rock Adventures will help you plan your next big adventure.