Gokyo Lake

Arrival and transfer to the hotel.  Free day. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your Hotel. In the evening you guide will be introduced to you and a briefing session will be conducted about your trek. A free evening.

Optional Kathmandu Valley sightseeing Tour.

If you opt for it, we can organise a guided "walking tour" of Kathmandu Valley UNESCO Heritage sites: old bazaars and Durbar Squares of Patan and Bhaktapur, stupas and Temples for cultural discoveries of ancient temples and religious shrines of the three medieval kingdoms.

Drive from Kathmandu to Manthali.  Flight to Lukla. Trek to Phakding (2610 m)

Drive from Kathmandu to Manthali by a private vehicle.  A short flight from Manthali will land you in Lukla - the gateway, a Sherpa village. After final preparations in Lukla, the trek begins with a gentle descent of about 200m to the Thado Koshi River. Crossing a suspension bridge, you’ll enjoy a dramatic view of Mt. Kusum Kangru to the east. The trail then climbs gradually to Ghat, a Buddhist village with striking black Mani walls carved with white prayers. Passing scattered villages and yak herders’ camps, the day ends at Phakding, where you can explore the local village before staying overnight at a mountain lodge.

Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m)

Today’s trek crosses the Dudh Koshi River several times on suspension bridges. The first comes just minutes after leaving Phakding. The trail winds through forests and villages, with a viewpoint offering a stunning look at Mt. Thamserku (6,608 m). From Banker, the path continues to Monjo, a typical Sherpa village and the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. After descending to the river and crossing another bridge, you’ll reach Jorsale for lunch.

The trail then leads to Larja Doban, where the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers meet. Crossing the high bridge here, the climb begins toward Namche Bazaar. Along the way, you’ll stop at Top Danda, where you’ll see Everest for the first time. After about 90 minutes of uphill trekking through pine forest, you’ll arrive at Namche Bazaar, the bustling hub of the Khumbu region.

Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar (3440 m)

This day is basically a rest day for acclimatization, and we will take it easy and let our bodies tune to the thin air. The logic is to "trek high and sleep low". It will be interesting to visit the serene Sherpa villages of Khunde (3890 m.) and Khumjung 3790 m. Sir Edmund Hillary established his first school and hospital in these villages.  The Khumbi YulLha (5761 m.) is located in Khumjung and is also the local mountain deity of the Sherpa people. You will find a thriving old Sherpa community and village life in Khumjung, which has schools, monasteries, and also the Yeti’s skull. From Khumjung on a clear day, you can view Mt. Everest (8848 m) in the distance. Khumjung also offers views of Mt. Ama Dablam (6814 m), Thamserku (6608 m), Kang Tega (6783 m) and Tawoche Peak (6542 m).  Overnight at hotel.

Namche to Dole (4200 m)

The trek to Dole (4040 m.) is a rewarding journey, and it takes about five and half hours. The trek is a scenic and moderately challenging section of the Gokyo trail. Starting from Namche Bazaar, the path gradually ascends through rhododendron and pine forests. As you move higher, the vegetation shifts to juniper and alpine scrub, reflecting the change in altitude. Along the way, trekkers are treated to sweeping views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and the surrounding Himalayan ranges. The trail passes through Mong La, a ridge-top village with a stunning panorama, before descending to Phortse Tenga and then climbing steadily into the valley of the Yeti, offering panoramic views as it reaches Dole. This stretch is known for its peaceful atmosphere, birdlife, and the first real taste of high-altitude trekking, as Dole sits at around 4,200 meters. Overnight at Lodge.  

 Dole to Machhermo (4465 m)

Trek from Dole to Machhermo (4150 m), and it takes about five hours. From Dole we climb steadily along the side of the valley, where the rhododendron forests give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements [yersa], which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of us are excellent views of Cho-Oyu, while at the rear are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. Today’s trek is a short one, and we will arrive at Machhermo in time for lunch. Stay overnight at the lodge.

Machhermo to Gokyo Lake (4791 m)

Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo Lake (4750 m), which takes about four and a half hours. Today, we climb up to the ridge and enjoy excellent views both down the valley to Khangtega and to the north, the Cho-Oyu (8153 m/26741 ft). Our route descends to the river bank before beginning the climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa glacier. Afterwards, the trail levels out as it follows the valley past a second lake, known as Longponga at 4690 m./15383 ft. Enjoy the lake view and after an hour walk will reache at Gokyo village on the edge of third lake. Overnight at a lodge.

Visit Gokyo-Ri and return to Gokyo Lake (4971 m)

This is the highlight day of the Gokyo Lake Trek. You will begin early in the morning, often before sunrise, to hike up Gokyo Ri. The climb is steep and challenging due to the altitude, but a slow and steady pace makes it manageable.

After about 2 to 3 hours of ascent, you reach the summit at 5,357 meters. The panoramic view from the top is considered one of the finest in Nepal. From here, you can see four of the world’s highest mountains: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The vast Ngozumpa Glacier stretches below, and the turquoise Gokyo Lakes shimmer in the morning light.

The sunrise view over Everest and the surrounding peaks is truly unforgettable and often regarded as even more rewarding than reaching Everest Base Camp.

After spending time at the summit for photos and rest, you descend back to Gokyo village for breakfast. The remainder of the day is free to relax, explore around the lakes, or simply enjoy the peaceful high-altitude environment.

 Trek from Gokyo Lake to Dole (4200 m)

The trail from Gokyo Lake to Phortse Village begins with a descent from the high glacial valley of Gokyo, passing through alpine meadows and rocky paths with views of Cho Oyu and the Ngozumpa Glacier. The route gradually drops toward Machhermo and Dole, where juniper and rhododendron forests line the trail. Overnight in Dole.

 Dole to Namche Bazaar (3440 m)

The trek from Dole back to Namche Bazaar is a rewarding descent that retraces the trail through lush forests and charming villages. Starting from Dole, at around 4,200 meters, the path drops steadily through rhododendron, pine, and juniper woodlands, offering a refreshing change in scenery as altitude decreases. The route passes Phortse Tenga and climbs briefly to Mong La, a ridge-top settlement with sweeping views of Ama Dablam and Thamserku. From there, the trail continues down toward Khumjung and eventually winds back into the bustling hub of Namche Bazaar. This section is often enjoyed for its mix of natural beauty, cultural encounters, and the comforting sense of returning to a familiar Sherpa town after days in the higher Himalayas.

Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2860 m)

The trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla is the final leg of the Everest journey, often filled with a mix of nostalgia and relief. The trail descends gradually through pine and rhododendron forests, passing charming Sherpa villages such as Jorsalle, Monjo, and Phakding. Along the way, trekkers cross several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, with views of Thamserku and other Himalayan peaks fading into the distance. The path is well-trodden and lively, as it is the main gateway to and from the Everest region. After a steady walk of 6–7 hours, the trail finally leads back to Lukla, where most trekkers spend the night before their flight to Kathmandu.

This section is often remembered as a reflective walk, retracing steps through familiar landscapes while celebrating the completion of the adventure. Making it a quieter alternative. After contouring above the Dudh Koshi River, you will descend through rhododendron and pine forests toward the river valley. Overnight at lodge.

Flight to Manthali and drive to Kathmandu. Hotel in Kathmandu. 

We board our early flight from Lukla to Manthali. Lukla-Manthali is about a 17-minute flight.  From Manthali, we will drive about 5 hours to Kathmandu.  Overnight in Kathmandu. 

A buffer day

This day is set aside just in case the weather in Lukla affects the flight operations in and out of Lukla. This day can be used to explore the back streets, or you can have a walk around the local market to hunt for some last-minute souvenir pick-ups. Overnight hotel.

Departure transfer to the onward journey.