Gokyo Trek

Description

Gokyo Trek goes from Lukla to the valley of the awesome Ngozumba glacier, allowing enjoyment of the huge panorama of Gokyo Peak. It is not as snowy as the Everest base camp trek, but it allows one to appreciate the silent grandeur basic to the Himalayas. Gokyo Trek is recommended for those whom have moderate experience in mountain trekking

Itinerary

D1 Arrival Kathmandu

Arrival in Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel, check in. You will have your time free for the rest time of this day

D2 Sightseeing of Kathmandu

You will visit the Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Bhaktapur. Overnight hotel in Kathmandu.

D3 Kathmandu flight to Phakding

Flight to Lukla, which is situated above the DudhKoshi River. Leaving Lukla, the trail descends, gradually passing above the large village of Chaunrikharka (2680m) and on through small villages, fields and forests following a wide well constructed path. After KusumDrargka, a large stream, the trail crosses the DudhKosi River at Phakding. The total walking time between Lukla and Phakding is 3 hours. Overnight lodge at Phakding.

D4 Phakding to Namchebazar

With Thamaserku (6608m) in our view, you will arrive in Manju from here you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park and cross the long suspension bridge to follow the right bank of Dudhkoshi river until we cross the river again, through Hillary Bridge and walk over the moraines. After another long suspension bridge the steady climb begins of about three hours to Namche bazaar at 3400m. This is the main center in Solukhumbu region and has shops, bakeries, restaurant and even lodges with the hot water facilities and bank & police check post.

D5 Namche Bazaar

It is important to stay this night in Namche Bazaar for proper acclimatization. You can hike to Thame or take an excursion to Khumjung Village.

D6 Namche Bazaar to PhortseTanga

You will climb the Khumjung hill and descend to the east of the village down the broad valley leading the DudhKoshi from where the route turns the north. There are 2 trails but we will take the steeper one for exercise. There is a chorten on the ridge top at 3973m which descends from Khumbila (5761m).You will visit Mohang, the birth place of re-incarnate Lama of Rongbuk monastery of Tibet who introduced Buddhism in Khumbu region. The trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the DushKoshi. You will stay overnight in PhortseTanga, near the river at 3500m. It is possible to go much further but it can be dangerous by rapid increase of altitude.

D7 PhortseTanga to Dole

You will climb steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests. The trail passes through many Kharkas-the summer settlements used to by Sherpas while bringing herds of yaks to graze. The route passes through the settlements of Tongba (3950m), Gyele (3960m) and Dole (4200m) where you will stay the overnight.

D8 Dole to Machermo

From Dole the trail climbs steadily along the side of the valley, rhododendron forest giving way to scrub Juniper as altitude increases you will pass through many summer settlements, used when Yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of us are excellent views of Cho Oyu while backing down the valley is peaks of Kantiaga and Thamsherku. This is a short day trek and we arrive at Macherma(4410m),around lunch time.

D9 Machherma to Gokyo

We follow a scenic trail to Pangka (4548m) and slightly, following one of just greathe melt- water rivers which flow down the west side of the Nzojumba glacier. We climb steep rocky incline into the ablation valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lake. We soon arrive at the second one after crossing the pass that leads across the glacier to the Chola- our route to Lobuche, later in the trek on the east shore of the third lake – Dudhpokhari is the summer settlement of Gokyo(4794m), walking by the side of lake the scenery is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachungkang reflected in it’s emerald green water .

D10 Gokyo Peak

We can rest today or those feeling energetic can attempt to climb Gokyo peak (5360m) for a panoramic view of some of the world’s highest mountains; Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.

D11 Gokyo to Machhermo

After breakfast follow the same route back through Pangka and continue walking to Macchermo (4410m) for night is about 4 hours. Overnight at camp.

D12 Machhermo to Phortse

Walk down to PhortseKhola (3500m) passing through the summer settlements of Luza, Gyele and Dole. Walking time is about 5 hours.

D13 Phortse to Namche Bazaar

After breakfast, you will walk down to Namche via Shyangboche for night stop. Every Saturday there is a market day at Namche, so if you were lucky to be here on Saturday it would be interesting to tour the market and do some shopping. Overnight at camp.

D14 Namche Bazaar to Lukla

After breakfast start walking along the DudhKoshi River and descend to Phakding. From here, you will further continue to Lukla (2800m) for overnight stay.

D15 Lukla to Kathmandu

Fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel. Free for rest of the day.

D16 Kathmandu departure

Your journey ends today, you’ll be driven to the airport for your departure