Gokyo Valley Trek

One of the most alluring treks through Gokyo Valley is offered by Himalaya Darshan Treks. A stunning and well-traveled trekking route lies in the Everest region. Through the distinctively cultural Sherpa communities, it follows the renowned valley of Gokyo. The Everest Gokyo Valley Trek leads to the lovely Gokyo Lake and the 5,360-meter Gokyo Peak.

The trip begins with a scenic flight to Lukla, followed by a hike through the Dudh Koshi River valley. The trail will take you through beautiful pine forests, Sherpa villages, and suspension bridges. You’ll pass through Namche Bazaar, a gateway for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The trip also includes a hike to Gokyo Ri (5,360 m), which offers panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the surrounding views.

Gokyo Valley Trek Highlights

Breathtaking mountain views: The trek offers an incredible Himalayan panorama of the world’s tallest mountains, including Mount Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Cho Oyu (8,201 m), and Makalu (8,463 m). The view from Gokyo Ri, an observation point at 5,360 m above sea level, is popular.

Gokyo Lake: The trek will take you to a series of fascinating lakes known as Gokyo Lakes. These blue lakes are located at high altitudes and are a sight to behold.

Sherpa Culture and Tradition: Along the walking route, you will have a chance to experience the unique Sherpa culture and its warm hospitality. Visit traditional Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar and engage with the locals to understand how Buddhism influences their lifestyle, traditions, and customs.

Sagarmatha National Park: The Gokyo Valley Trek is part of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to various flora and fauna, including rare species such as the snow leopard and the red panda. Walking through the park allows you to appreciate its natural beauty and conservation efforts.

Experience it from afar and cross the beaten path:

While the Everest Base Camp trek attracts a large number of hikers, the Gokyo Valley Trek offers a quieter, less crowded alternative. The trail is relatively quiet, allowing you to enjoy the serenity of the mountains and immerse yourself in nature.

Gokyo Valley Trek: Best Time

The best time to visit the Gokyo Valley Trek is from September to December and from March to May.  November and December, in particular, are among the best times to undertake the Nepal trek. During those months, the weather is very clear, so you can enjoy your trek with incredible mountain views. It gets hot during May, so wait for the time and be prepared for rain just before the monsoon season. Nowadays, the Everest Trek is possible in all seasons.

Lukla Flight Information

Flight Information to/from Lukla: Due to the Kathmandu airport overcrowding, flights to Lukla (Everest Region) depart from Ramechhap Airport during the busiest season. The distance from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Airport is about 130 kilometers. So it takes about 3.5 to 4 hours to drive. We leave Kathmandu at 1 or 1:30 AM to catch our early morning flights from Manthali to Lukla.

Note: The flight will be departing from March 15 to May 15 and from October to November. However, it depends on the decision of the airlines and the civil aviation authority of Nepal.

Lukla Flight Delays or Cancellations

The adverse weather conditions and overtraffic at Kathmandu airports are the main reasons for delaying and canceling flights. The weather in hilly and Himalayan regions will change so quickly. So, we at Himalaya Darshan Treks highly recommend managing a minimum of 1 or 2 extra days for your Everest and Dolpo region treks.

What is the weight limit for Lukla flights?

The airlines have a weight limitation of only 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds) per person, so please try to make your luggage less than 15 kilograms. If the plane is not overweight, you can pay extra. So, the best option is to make your bag light.

Finally, we highly recommend the Gokyo Valley Trek for your holiday in Nepal. If you have enough time and interest, you can continue your trek from the Gokyo Chola Pass EBC Trek or the Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek.

Things You Should Know Before You Book the Gokyo Lake Trek

• The Gokyo Lake Trek is moderate to challenging. Hikers should be ready for long hikes every day, steep climbs, and high-altitude terrain that requires a lot of physical fitness.
• The best times to do the Gokyo Lake Trek are in the fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) when the weather is stable and visibility is excellent.
• Trekking in the monsoon season is not very suitable because it rains a lot, landslides happen, and flights to Lukla are often canceled. You can go trekking in the winter, but you need to be ready for frigid weather, icy trails, and possible route closures.
• Gokyo Ri is 5,360 meters high, so you need to spend at least one or two days acclimatizing to lower your risk of getting sick.
• You will need both a Sagarmatha National Park Permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.
• Depending on your package, there are both basic and luxurious teahouse lodges along the way for your accommodation.

Are you ready to book this trip?

To book this trip or for more inquiries, you can click Book this trip on our web page. Likewise, we have many different trekking and tour packages, so you can choose the most suitable trek with us. We suggest early booking, and then you have enough time to prepare for the trek. We are ready to organize your trek from your travel bucket list. You can also contact us by WhatsApp at +977 9841073239 for quick inquiries.

Booking Procedure

Himalaya Darshan Treks makes it easy and safe to book your trek to Gokyo Valley. HD Treks is a fully government-registered company with more than ten years of experience trekking and mountaineering in the Himalayas. We are also proud members of NMA and TAAN. We guarantee professional service from the beginning to the end of your trip. To confirm your reservation, just send a 20% deposit by bank or wire transfer to our official bank account. Thereafter, we’ll send you an email with the final confirmation.

Please send us a copy of your passport, travel insurance information, and flight information within a week of making your reservation. You can pay the rest of your balance in cash at your hotel in Kathmandu or by bank transfer a week before your flight to Nepal.

Is tipping for the guide and porter necessary?

Tipping is NOT mandatory, but it is highly customary and expected in the trekking industry. Tipping your trekking guide and porter is a crucial way to show appreciation for their hard work—especially on treks in Nepal, where tips constitute a significant portion of their income. The amount depends on the trek length, difficulty, and your satisfaction with their service.

How much tipping should I budget?

The amount of the tip depends on the trek’s length, difficulty, and your satisfaction with their service. Generally, you can tip the guide 12 to 15% and the porter 10 to 12% of your total trekking package payment.

Note: It is just for your idea about tipping your guide and porter, but if you are happy and satisfied with their services, you can tip them more than this. Tipping is always expected in the tourism sector of Nepal.

What do I need to pack for the EBC Trek?

For the trekking gear and packing list, you can visit this: Trekking Gear.