Gokyo Valley Trek

A Himalaya Heart Treks representative will be at the airport to welcome you and take you to the hotel. After you have settled you will meet your tour guide for a briefing on the tour.This is an ideal opportunity to ask any questions you may have. If we need to complete any details we can do this today or alternatively at our office after sightseeing on day 2.

Today, after breakfast a full day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley is scheduled. You will visit the centers of pilgrimage Pashupatinath Temple and Swyambhunath along with ancient and enlisted UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Largest Buddhist Stupa in Asia at Boudhnath and witness the fine arts and historical architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square . Evening is free to explore the local areas, gullies, and lifestyle.

In the early morning we take the spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m), flying parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and Tibet. Flight time is about 40 minutes to the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing we will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load the trekking equipment. In the afternoon, we begin the trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River, where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, just above Chaunrikharka (2713m). The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat (2550m), it is a short walk to Phakding. Overnight Lodge.

From Phakding, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi Valley northwards, meandering through the beautiful pines, crossing the river twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo, the entrance gate to Sagarmatha National Park. From here we begin with a slight climb to Jhorsalle, the trail passes waterfalls and villages are interspersed with magnificent forests of Rhododendron, Magnolia, and fir. Along the way to we are rewarded with our first glimpse of Kusum Kanguru (6369m), Thamserku (6608m), Everest (8848m), and Nuptse (7879 m). A steep climb up to the beautiful village of Namche Bazaar (3440m) afford us further spectacular views and this bustling trading post is a comfortable place to spend the second night of the trek. Overnight Lodge.

As we are going to be at over 5000 metrs in a few days we need to spend a day here allowing our systems to get used to the higher altitude. Set in a beautiful natural amphitheater, Namche Bazaar is one of the most attractive settlements in the Khumbu region. This is a good opportunity to make short acclimatization treks. One is the hike up to Khumjung, a lovely Sherpa village above Namche visit The Everest View Hotel from where there are wonderful panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche, and Kwangde . Then back down to soak up the atmosphere Namche provides. Overnight Lodge

The walk from today onward leaves the Everest Base Camp Trekking trail and heads towards the Gokyo valley. Our destination today is Dole.It is a peaceful trail with some good views along the way with nature and mountains to soak up as we go. Trekkers are few here allowing you to fully appreciate the wilderness. Dole is a small settlement set within beautiful surroundings.Great views of Cho Oyu, one of the 8,000-meter peaks and the world’s 5th highest at 26,864 feet. We have an opportunity to hike higher and back to help with acclimatisation. Overnight Lodge.

The route to Machhermo today is fairly short and straightforward. It is basically a gentle climb that gains a net 1,200 feet; a half day of walking that allows for a little rest and acclimatisation.The village sits in a little cove,with a beautiful mountains rising just above it. Machermo is essentially a summer farming and pasture village for the Sherpas, remade now as a trekking stop through the season.

From Macchermo, the trail leads us up to a scenic ridge,from here there is a majestic view of Kangtega.The valley is narrow to begin with before widening out as we make are way up it. We reach Pangkha before a descent down to the riverbank of Dudh Kosi.

From here it is a stiff climb to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We get our first view of the first Gokyo lake. Ahead, there are some amazing pastoral landscapes with small summer houses of the shepherds dotted along the way. Gokyo appears at last,a beautiful small village situated on the shore Gokyo’s third lake, Dudh Pokhari. From the hill close to Gokyo village, Ngozumpa glacier is visible. The hill is the most beautiful viewpoint of Ngozumpa glacier. Overnight Lodge.

This is a special day a hike to Gokyo Ri (5,360m). We start walking towards the base of Gokyo Ri after breakfast the only kind of trekking peak in Khumbu region.It takes around three hours of steady push. Once at the top there are some superb views of Mt. Everest, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and the whole of Khumbu Himalayan Range including Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nutse, Mt. Makalu (8481m), Mt. Cho-Oyu (8153m) and Mt. Gychung Kang (7922m). If there is enough time, we can take a walk around Gokyo Lake before heading back to our lodge. Overnight Lodge.

Today the trek back to Dole is an easy downhill walk along the Dudh Koshi River.The river itself is formed out of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We pass by the second and then the first of the Gokyo Lakes and continue our trek as we descend to Pangka (4390m).There is a beautiful view of Cholaste (6335m) and Tabuche (6495m) peaks that rear up to the right of us. The trail goes below Pangka, and across a level terrace on a slope before a climb to a rib where there is a chorten on the far side of the hill side. Upon reaching the Chorten at the edge, we have great views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu, and Kangtega. We then have an easy walk down to the sprawling village of Machhermo. Again, through the charming settlement of Luza and Lhabarma to finally reach Dole (4090m). Overnight Lodge.

We set out fairly early today after breakfast. It is a harder day than the easy one of yesterday as we head towards Namche Bazaar. We start by following the DudhKoshi river upstream, crossing it five times over suspension bridges. We trek on past a series of mani walls and stupas, before arriving at the village of Banker. Here we get a first glimpse our first snow mountain Thamserku (6608m). We continue to the village of Manjo where we reach the office of Sagarmartha National Park where our trekking permits are checked. We continue on through a beautiful forest rich in animal and Bird life to Jorsale where we take lunch. After lunch be prepared for a three hour ascent to reach Namche. Good lodges good food and time to catch up on things in what is a fascinating trading center in the Khumbu region. Overnight Lodge.

Our last day on the trail as we head back to Lukla for the flight the following day.We begin with a descent to Larja dobhan where two river meettwo rivers through the pine forests. We cross the bridge at Larja Dobhan where the trail descends for while before a walk along the Dudh Koshi River. We need to re-cross the Dudh Koshi and then continue on the level to Jorsale. We continue on an up and down route crossing the river before a short steep climb to Monjo (2835m). From Monjo the trail descends for a while back ove the Dudh Koshi over the suspension bridge then a short easy level walk to Benkar. There is a lot of the same before reaching Phakding.The rest of the day is similar as we pass through samall settlements on the way to Lukla.Time to celebrate with our trekking crew. Overnight Lodge.

Time to leave this wonderful part of the world,at least for the time being.In the morning we take an early flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu you will be transfered to the hotel. The afternoon is free and in the evening we often arrange a farewell meal. Overnight Hotel.

Today its time to move on we hope you have had a great time with us and we would like to meet again in the future. If you are flying today.we will drop you at the airport as per your flight schedule or assist you with any other move.