Gokyo Valley Trek

Overview

Gokyo valley is one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the entire Himalaya region. It lies in the tallest mountain range on earth just west of Mt. Everest (8848.86m). There are hundreds of sky soaring peaks in the north and down hades gorges in the south. Along with worldÚs tallest mountain peaks, numerous glacial milky lakes, active glacier, moraines, hanging icefalls, rare Himalayan flora and fauna like lophophorous, Himalayan griffin vulture, musk deer, barking deer, Himalayan thar, pica mouse hare, blue sheep, elusive Himalayan shy animal snow leopard, wolf, Himalayan wild yak, yarshagomba (half caterpillar half mushroom; very precious), Himalayan garlic, Himalayan ginger and many more… This trek is ideal to observe the tallest snowy mountains in Everest massif (the highest mountain with several peaks), Gokyo glacial lakes, Ngozumba active glacier, hanging icefalls, narrow river valleys, interesting geomorphology, rhododendron, pine forests, lophophorous, Himalayan vulture, musk deer, blue sheep etc. You will also have experience on culture and lifestyle diversity of Sherpa tribes as well as touristic tradition.

This area is the home of globally well-known mountain tribe Sherpa who are famous for mountaineering. Due to high flow of global tourists and the influence of their regular activities, Sherpa culture and lifestyle along the trekking route seem sophisticated. However you can see some typical culture and lifestyle of Sherpa tribe in and around the villages. There is vast difference in economic status of the Sherpa people among their tribal group. Generally the poor people are following their tradition and rich ones have stylish culture and lifestyle. The main economy of the area is based on tourism (trekking, mountaineering, hospitality, aviation and mountain gear business etc) and animal husbandry. Rich Sherpa have houses and other property in the trekking route and big city like Kathmandu and abroad. Their children have competitive good education in good schools and universities but the children of poor and mid class Sherpa study in the village schools. However comparing the children of this area have better economic and academic status than the other mountainous part of the country.

Package Itineary

(average hike 4 - 6 hour a day)

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu, sightseeing in Kathmandu, hotel

Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, visit medieval era artistic monumental city of Kathmandu and ancient Buddhist stupa, Swoyambhunath- the monkey temple. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 02: Fly to Lukla (2860m) and hike to Phakding (2700m) 9km/4.5 hr

After having breakfast, drive to airport, half hour scenic flight to Lukla. You can see beautiful Kathmandu valley, river valleys, settlements, forested hills and high Himalaya range from the air. Upon arrival in Lukla, meet local porters at the airport, hike to teahouse, have tea/coffee then hike towards Phakding. It is a gentle hike slightly straight and down through forests, villages, farmlands and narrow creeks. You will observe interesting lifestyle of mountain locals hiking along the Dudh Koshi River valley. You can have lunch at any teahouse along the trail. Arrive Phakding, explore beautiful nature and Sherpa culture in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 03: Phakding - Monjo - Namche Bazaar (3440m) 8km / 6 hr

After having breakfast, hike to Monjo village located at the base of Thamserku Himal valley. The valley is famous for foot print of legendary snowman YETI. The village is the borderline of Sagarmatha National Park where we obtain the park permit to enter the national park area. Depending on time, you can have lunch in Monjo or in Namche bazaar. Then you enter the narrow Dudh Koshi valley where is chance to see clouded leopard. After the confluence and crossing suspension bridge, ascend forested mountain up to Namche bazaar. From the half way in the forest, you can view Mt. Everest. It is short distance but takes time to climb to reach Namche -the destination of the day. Namche bazaar is the famous touristic hilly town with lots of facilities where you can observe typical and stylish Sherpa culture. Relax in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 04: Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar

It is always wise to have a rest day here for acclimatization. You will have lots of experience on culture and lifestyle of mountain locals. Hike up to Syangboche before lunch and Namche bazaar tour in the afternoon. You will have wonderful experience of nature and culture.

Day 05: Namche - Sysngboche - Khumjung (3800m) 2.5km / 2.5 hr

After breakfast, hike up towards Khumjung through steep hill, old airport, rocky mountain and forests. You will have wonderful view of majestic Himalaya, rocky landscape and beautiful valleys in the surrounding. You will also have great experience of local culture in the isolated valley surrounded by rocky mountain, forested hill and towering Himalayas. Have lunch then depending on time and interest, you can visit Khunde Hospital, Edmund Hillary school, children school/organization, animal husbandry (yaks, sheep, goats, horse…) and will have great experience of Sherpa culture and unique nature. Dinner and overnight.

Day 06: Khumjung - Mong La (3973m) 6km / 5 hr

After having breakfast, descend to Sangnasa through beautiful rhododendron forest where you often see the national bird of Nepal DANFE; the Himalayan monal pheasant, partridge, barking deer and occasionally musk deer. Hiking is down, straight and up today but good trail with thrilling view of majestic mountains, hanging icefalls, glaciers, Imja valley, monastery and settlements. Today, there is not much choice in teahouse but the place is great with wonderful view of the landscape. Have lunch. Relax in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 07: Mong La - Dole (4100m), 5km / 3.5 hr

Have breakfast, then start hiking along the beautiful Dudh Koshi valley. You see beautiful landscape, magical mountains and settlements. You may see herds of blue sheep, Himalayan griffin vulture, partridge, pica etc. Have lunch, explore and enjoy the wonderful nature and culture. Dinner and overnight.

Day 08: Dole - Machhermo (4410m), 5km /2.5 hr

After breakfast, hike to Machhermo along the Dudh Khola valley. You will see beautiful view of rocky mountains, glaciers and river valley. We reach Machhermo - the destination of the day little early but we can enjoy with unique nature and lifestyle of locals in the valley. After lunch relax and enjoy the pristine nature in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 09: Machhermo - Gokyo (4750m), 7km / 3.5 hr

After having breakfast, hike up to Gokyo; the ultimate destination of the trek along the Ngozumba Glacier and heart alluring pristine milky glacial lakes. Have lunch, explore and enjoy wonderful milky lakes valley of beautiful glaciers surrounded by serene Himalayas. Dinner and overnight.

Day10: Gokyo - Gokyo Ri (5357m) - Gokyo,

After having early breakfast, hike to Gokyo Ri; the point of the best view of the surrounding Himalaya; the tallest mountain range on earth. The distance is short but takes time to reach the view point. You can see beautiful moraines, glaciers, hanging icefalls, milky lakes and numerous sky soaring peaks including the top of the world MT. EVEREST. Descend to the hotel, have lunch and enjoy and relax the afternoon. Depending on guests preference, we can hike back to lower valley to avoid the affect of high altitude climate. Dinner and overnight.

Day11-14: Gokyo - Dole - Namche - Phakding - Lukla

Hike back to Lukla on the same way with the night stops in Dole, Namche and Phakding. Reach Lukla, relax with nature and culture.

Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu, sightseeing in Kathmandu, hotel

Fly back to Kathmandu in the morning. On the way to hotel, visit one of the most interesting cultural heritage sites- Lord Pashupatinath area where you see many devotees of Lord Shiv around the main temple, hundreds of lingums representing lord Shiv and goddess Parvati, cremations along the holy Bagmati river, many temples, colorful Babas; the spiritual teacher and Hindu sage strong devoteed of Lord Shiv, red monkeys and many more interesting things. Visit ancient large stupa Bouddhanath, have lunch then drive back to hotel. Afternoon is free for refreshment and shopping. Dinner and overnight.

Day 16: Cultural heritage tour and shopping in Kathmandu valley

The day is dedicated to explore the medieval era artistic cities of Bhaktapur and Patan where we see very interesting and age old temples, stupas, palaces, bells, statues, clay dung plastered traditional colorful houses, traditional water well and fountains, traditional artwork of metal, wood, clay and paper. We will also see there classic culture and typical lifestyle of Newar tribe. We will have typical Nepal lunch in Raniban with host family. Return to hotel dinner and overnight.

Day 17: Fly back home.

Have breakfast, program over, time for next program or transfer to airport, fly back home.

Detailed Trip Cost

Entire trip cost per person (USD): $2,799 // 1pax complimentary for above 10 paid guests group

Trip cost includes:
All accommodation (twin sharing basis) & food; three meals a day -breakfast, lunch and dinner (except bar bill), insured crew (guide, porters, donkeys, dzopa, yaks), all essential permits, all domestic transportation as per the itinerary, service charge and government taxes.

Trip cost does not include:
Personal expenses (like laundry, communication, alcohol, cold drinks and bottled water during trekking), gratuity to serving crew, emergency evacuation, international airfare, visa, your travel insurance and any kind of gifts and donation.

Payment system

80% of total trip budget must be paid in advance (the amount should be appeared to our account just two weeks before the trips) for domestic transportation, permits, hotel bookings reconfirmation and essential preparations.
Balance can be paid before or during/after the trip.

Refund system
In case of trip cancellation in the last 10 days of group arrival, 50% of the deposited amount will be deducted. If the trip cancels 10 days before the group arrival, we settle the full amount in next trip.

Special Feature

Everest massif, glacier and glacial lakes, high country flora, fauna and Sherpa culture, and medieval era interesting artistic monuments in Kathmandu valley