Everest's quieter valley. A chain of turquoise glacial lakes, the huge Ngozumpa Glacier, and a summit view many say beats Base Camp.
11–12 daysDuration
5,357 mGokyo Ri
ChallengingDifficulty
Mar–May · Sep–NovBest seasons
Overview
About this journey
One valley west of the Base Camp highway, the Gokyo trail feels like the Khumbu of thirty years ago. You follow the Dudh Koshi to a string of impossibly turquoise lakes, walk beside Nepal's longest glacier, and share teahouses with yaks rather than crowds.
The crown of the trip is Gokyo Ri at dawn: four 8,000-metre peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, over a chain of frozen lakes. Many of our guides quietly call it the best viewpoint in the Everest region, and it is hard to argue at sunrise.
Trek highlights
The sacred turquoise lakes of Gokyo, up to the hidden fifth lake
Sunrise on Gokyo Ri: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu together
Walk beside the vast Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal's longest
Far quieter trails and teahouses than the Base Camp route
The same great Sherpa culture of Namche and beyond
Day by day
Your itinerary
This is our tried-and-tested general plan. After our first chat we fine-tune every day around your dates, group, pace and fitness, and send you a dedicated, real-time itinerary that matches your trip exactly.
Airport pickup, hotel transfer and a relaxed briefing with your guide over masala tea.
The famous mountain hop, then an easy riverside afternoon to start slow.
Suspension bridges, pine forest and the long Namche hill to the amphitheatre town.
Everest View Hotel loop and bakery rewards. Sleep low, dream high.
We leave the Base Camp trail behind, instantly quieter, with Kantega and Thamserku for company.
A short high-altitude day along yak pastures. Afternoon altitude talk at the rescue post.
Past the first and second lakes to the third, and the little lakeside village of Gokyo. Unreal water colours all day.
Pre-dawn climb to 5,357 m for the four-giants panorama, then an optional walk toward the fourth and fifth lakes.
Retrace the high valley with the hard work behind you and the views in front.
Back to civilisation, hot showers and apple pie.
Last river crossings, farewell dinner with the crew.
Morning flight back, free afternoon in the city, onward transfers arranged.
Cost details
What's included
Included in your price
Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu flights with airport transfers
Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu municipality fee
Airport pickups, drop-offs and all listed transfers
Licensed, experienced English-speaking guide
Porter support (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
Guide & porter wages, insurance, meals and lodging
Teahouse accommodation for every trek night
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on trekking days
First aid kit and pulse-oximeter monitoring
All government taxes and service charges
Not included
International flights and Nepal visa
Travel insurance with high-altitude helicopter rescue (mandatory)
Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (welcome dinner is on us)
Drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi and device charging on the trail
Personal trekking gear (rental help available)
Tips for your guide and porter
Good to know.
Gokyo shares the EBC trail as far as Namche, so it combines beautifully with Base Camp via the Cho La pass. Ask us about the crossover version if you have two extra days.