Trek / Everest Region / Nepal

Gokyo Lakes Trek

11 days

Challenging

USD 1200

Where the highest mountains of the world meet the most beautiful lakes, you are assured nothing short of a spectacular time on Gokyo Lakes Trek.

Group Size	Price per person*
3 -7 people	USD 1200
8 people and above	USD 1050

Valid until Dec 31st, 2023

Prices for expats is less by USD 100

See full price details

Accommodation	Transportation	Food	Crew
10 nights in mountain lodges	Two-way reserved vehicle between Kathmandu to Manthali Airport Manthali to Lukla flight Lukla to Manthali flight	11 breakfasts	Guide, Assistant guide and porter Salary, room, board and insurance for the crew

Accommodation

10 nights in mountain lodges

Transportation

Two-way reserved vehicle between Kathmandu to Manthali Airport
Manthali to Lukla flight
Lukla to Manthali flight

Food

11 breakfasts

Crew

Guide, Assistant guide and porter
Salary, room, board and insurance for the crew

See full price details

Handpicked trails

Impeccable Service

Responsible Travel

Uncompromised Safety

Overview

11 days Total Duration

Lukla Trek Start Point

Lukla Trek Finish Point

5,357m/ 17,575ft (Gokyo Ri) Highest Point

Challenging Difficulty Level

Where the highest mountains of the world meet the most beautiful lakes, you are assured nothing short of a spectacular time on Gokyo Lakes Trek.

What level of fitness do I need for this trek? All our treks, including Gokyo, are carefully designed with proper acclimatization measures - comfortably paced walks and several acclimatization stops on the way. If you are a moderately fit person with a prior multiday trekking experience, Gokyo Lakes Trek is definitely for you! The trails start off wide and eventually dwindle to rocky trails as you gain elevation. The weather can get iffy and cold, esp at elevations over 3,500m (11,482ft). Throughout the trek we stay at standard mountain lodges with clean and comfortable rooms.

Highlights

	Get spellbound with the jaw-dropping beauty of the sacred and tranquil turquoise lakes of Gokyo, the world's highest freshwater lake system.
	Climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for the remarkable panoramic views of including the World’s highest mountains- Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m) and Cho Oyu (8,188m). Witness the burning colors on the horizon as the sun sets golden over these magnificent mountains. An experience of a lifetime!
	Experience Himalayan lifestyle and culture up close in the Sherpa capital. Follow yak caravans, get baffled with Yeti tales, and chant prayers with monks in monasteries.
	Traverse the diverse trails- from coniferous and birch forests alongside blue waters to highland pastures and glacier moraines. Keep an eye out for musk deer and exotic birds as you pass these landscapes.

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Itinerary

Perched on a hillside, Lukla Airpot is as thrilling as it is picturesque

Drive from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport

3.5 to 4.5 hrs

An early morning drive from Kathmandu on winding roads takes us to Manthali, a tiny little town in Ramechhap district. Manthali Airport has been the gateway to Lukla since 2019. We start around 2 or 3 am in the morning following the Sunkoshi and Tamakoshi rivers, and reach Manthali right on time to catch the 6:30 or 7 am flight to Lukla. Note: All the flights to Lukla operate from Manthali Airport, Ramechhap during the months of March, April, May, October, November and December.

Fly from Manthali to Lukla

25 mins

A short, scenic and exhilarating mountain flight takes us from Manthali to Lukla, the gateway of Everest Region.

Trek from Lukla to Monjo

5 to 6 hrs

We meet the rest of our crew, arrange our baggages, have breakfast, and embark on a journey to Monjo, passing exciting suspension bridges and tiny village settlements following the Koshi river.

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

The ampitheatre of Namche Bazaar, often called the gateway to Everest

Trek from Monjo to Namche

3.5 to 4 hrs

We walk northward along the banks of Koshi and reach the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park, from where the gruelling uphill awaits before we reach the amphitheater town of Namche, nestled perfectly atop a hill.

Explore Namche

Spend the rest of the day exploring monasteries, mountain museums, tiny cafes and coffee bars.

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ama Dablam and an old Buddhist structure

Trek from Namche to Khumjung (Acclimatization)

3 to 4 hrs

We take it slow and easy to the peaceful and serene settlement of Khumjung today. We stop by Hotel Everest View for a stunning view of the Everest mountain chain on the way.

Explore Khumjung and Khunde

The green-roofed valley of Khumjung and Khunde offers several options to explore, including a monastery housing a (supposed) yeti scalp and a school established by Edmund Hillary.

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

Thamsherku mountain

Trek from Khumjung to Dole

5 to 6 hrs

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trek from Dole to Machhermo

4 to 4.5 hrs

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

Gokyo Lakes, Khumbu mountain range and Ngozumpa , the longest glacier in Nepal, seen from Gokyo Ri

Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo

3 to 4 hrs

Explore Gokyo lakes

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

Still waters of Gokyo Lake catch reflection of its rocky surrounding

Sunset hike to Gokyo Ri

3 to 4 hrs

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

Photrse village is a secluded and peaceful village that sits on a small plateau amidst surrounding rugged terrain

Trek from Gokyo to Phortse

6 to 7 hrs

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

From a tiny hamlet, Namche has steady grown in the last couple of decades to become a sizeable and dense town

Trek from Dole to Namche

5 to 6 hrs

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hilary Bridge, just above Jorsalle, at the valley bottom

Trek from Namche to Lukla

6 to 7 hrs

The final trekking day is also a long one. We leave Namche and take the same route back to Lukla. The team will gather to share laughs and maybe raise a glass or two before flying out of Lukla the next morning. We thank porters and assistant guide, and bid them farewell.

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast

Domestic flights are short but have quite a view

Fly from Lukla to Manthali airport

20 mins

Fly from Lukla to Manthali airport

Drive from Manthali to Kathmandu

5 to 6 hrs

With memories to cherish a lifetime, we hop on our car and drive back to Kathmandu on the same roads we took the first day.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Disclaimer:

This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather, local politics, trail/road conditions and other unforeseen factors out of our control. The guide will suggest best possible alternative should such a situation present itself. In this case, the finish date will remain the same, and will change only if absolutely necessary.

Prices

Group Size	Price per person*
3 -7 people	USD 1200
8 people and above	USD 1050

Valid until Dec 31st, 2023

Prices for expats (with a valid work ID and work/student visa) and their dependents is less by USD 100 per person. Prices differ contingent on the rates charged by airlines and hotels.

For people trekking solo or as a duo, kindly inquire for prices. As fixed costs are shared among limited people, prices are slightly higher.

3 Days International Add-on

USD 350 per person

Airport pick up and drop off
3 nights in a four-star hotel in Kathmandu (Hotel Shankar or similar) on bed & breakfast plan and twin-sharing basis
Guide for all three days
2 dinners

Includes

	Accommodation Mountain Lodges on all 10 nights in bed & breakfast plan, on twin-sharing basis
	Transportation Two-way reserved vehicle between Kathmandu to Manthali Airport Manthali to Lukla flight Lukla to Manthali flight
	Food 11 breakfasts in total
	Crew An experienced guide and an assistant guide with medical kit Porters on all trek days (one porter for two trekkers) Salary, room, board, insurance and any expenses for all crew members
	Permits Khumbu Rural Municipality permit Sagarmatha National Park permit
	Misc Government taxes

Excludes

Lunch and dinner throughout the trip (all 11 days)
Soda, tea/coffee and alcoholic beverages
Drinking water
Hot shower (except in Lukla and Namche)
Phone/camera charging and cell phone credit
Additional food
Travel insurance
Any item not mentioned in Price Includes

My Own Room

If you’d like your own room in each hotel, please let us know. An additional expense is applicable. Please note that booking a single room is subject to availability.

Logistics

Accommodation

Accommodation is on twin-sharing basis, which means there will be two people to a room. If you are travelling solo, we can assign a room partner (with someone of the same gender if you so prefer) or if you are travelling with someone you know, you can share the room with them. For families with kids, room allocation depends on your preference and room availability. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge – please find details in Prices section above.

What are mountain lodges?

Mountain lodges are the basic accommodation set up by locals to cater to trekkers in the trails. The common features across all lodges are standard rooms, a spacious and heated dining hall, and a restaurant with an extensive menu. Services like battery charging, Wifi and hot showers (solar/gas heated) are available for an extra fee. Moreover, it is mandatory to have meals in the facility you’re staying at.

Meals

Lunch and dinner are left out from price includes to give you full flexibility on meals, depending on your appetite and preference. Our hotels have a wide selection of food and drink options.

For vegetarians and vegans, or if you have any other dietary requirements, please let us at the time of booking so we can make arrangements.

You can carry some quick snacks and energy bars to munch on during the trek.

Transportation

The baggage limit is 20kgs per passenger, a policy set by the airlines for Lukla flights. Excess weight is allowed at an additional expense. However, we recommend sticking to the weight limit as the porters would need to carry it throughout the trek.

Crew

One lead guide and assistant guides (depending on the number of trekkers) will accompany you on the trek. All our team members are highly experienced in the mountains, with adequate trail knowledge and first aid training. Feel free to reach out to anyone for any kind of queries or emergencies as we leave no stone unturned to give you a great mountain experience.

Checklist

Required Gear

•	Backpack/ Duffel bag (for porters to carry)
•	Day bag (to carry while hiking)
•	Hiking Boots with a good grip
•	Extra pair of shoes (preferably, slip-ons)
•	Comfortable hiking pants or shorts (2 pairs)
•	Quick dry, breathable T-shirts (2-4)
•	Windproof Jacket
•	Downjacket
•	Thermals (top and bottom)
•	Fleece jacket
•	Sleepwear
•	Sleeping bag
•	Trekking Socks (thick, 3-4 pairs)
•	Underwear
•	Neck buff/ gaiter
•	Gloves

•	Rain gear
•	Bag cover
•	Water bottle or camel bladder (1.5 litres)
•	Flask (for hot water)
•	Walking Poles
•	Sunglasses (Polarized, with good UV protection)
•	Sun hat/ cap
•	Woolen hat
•	Sunscreen (SPF 30 or above)
•	Lipbalm (SPF 30 or above)
•	Locks for your backpack/luggage
•	Personal first aid kit
•	Mask
•	Sanitizer
•	Head lamp (with extra batteries)
•	Personal toiletries
•	High spirits

Recommended Gear

•	Waist belt
•	Ziplock bags
•	Trail mix/ Energy bars
•	Camera with charger and extra batteries
•	Power bank
•	Binocular
•	Prescription Medications (if any)
•	Playing cards, games or books

Important Details

Health and Safety

On the trails: We require everybody to respect and follow health guidelines issued by the local destinations if any.

Service providers: We’ve handpicked hotels that specialize in quality service and prioritize health and safety of their clients.

Airlines protocol: Most domestic airlines have suspended their in-flight services and require the passengers to wear a mask.

You must obtain travel insurance for the trek. This should cover emergency evacuation and medical expenses. Make sure that the policy also covers you for height up to 5000m (16405ft) above sea level prior to purchase as the majority only cover up to 4000m (13124ft).

The guide will have a well-equipped first-aid kit at all times. It’s best to avoid common problems like foot blisters and knee pain with proper packing. Please go through our equipment and medical checklist for better preparedness. If you have any pre-existing health conditions please let us know when booking.

Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t leave them in the vehicle. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewellery etc or a large sum of cash while travelling for security reasons.

You can refill your water bottle with boiled or bottled drinking water available at lunch spots and hotels. Your guide will carry plenty of drinking water, so please ask him/her if you need a refill. We highly discourage buying plastic water bottles during the trek for environmental reasons.

If you’re looking to purify untreated water, steriPEN, LifeStraw, or purification tablets can be good alternatives.

If you have any issues or emergencies while trekking, please contact the lead guide or anyone from the team. They will help you contact the nearby hospitals, transport, ambulance, police office, army checkpoints, embassy, and even facilitate rescue operations.

We will also send you a list of relevant emergency contacts before the trip starts.

Responsible Travel

Please don’t litter, and also dispose any trash properly (you can hand them to your guide). Plucking flowers and vandalizing trails is off limits. We’ll leave the beautiful trails as we found them.

Any form of physical violence or verbal abuse, harassment, solicitation of prostitution, or possession or use of illegal drugs or illicit materials is strictly prohibited.

Heavy alcohol consumption dehydrates your body and doesn’t pair well with trekking for obvious safety reasons. We recommend you limit your alcohol intake to a minimal amount during day time. Let’s wait till the evening to raise a glass or two.

Giving money or handouts of any kind to beggars and children is strictly prohibited, as it only promotes begging culture.

It’s advisable to ask permission of the locals before taking their photos, although by experience we can tell that they love being photographed. Strict drone policies are enforced throughout Nepal – so please don’t fly drones on the trip.

What makes group travel fun is the diversity. This also means that there will be people of all different ages, physical fitness, and walking pace. Please be mindful and respect the time allocated by your lead guide to avoid any inconvenience to the group.

Money and Tipping

Possible expenses, other than meals, could be drinks, laundry, tipping, and shopping. Please make sure you have read the inclusions thoroughly so you know what you might need to pay for while traveling.

Our trips are planned to the last detail. However, there might be unforeseen circumstances arising from factors beyond our control (like political unrest, strikes, bad weather, natural calamities, bad road condition, airport closure, flight cancellations, etc). For this reason, please set aside Rs. 20,000 as reserve fund.

A service charge with tips are included by most hotels and eateries in their bills.

You are welcome to give some gratuities to the trekking crew if you like their service.

In case of flight delays/cancellations due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will reschedule at no extra cost. However, any extra cost incurred and extra charges because of the changes, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation and food, will be the responsibility of the traveler.

Sign Up

1. Fill up the Booking Form

Please print and fill up the Booking Form. It’s pretty simple and short, please let us know if we can help you with it.

Required Documents

•	Passport
•	Visa
•	Work ID (for flights and hotels)
•	Insurance papers
•	PCR Negative Report (72hrs before departure) or Proof of Vaccination

2. Pay to confirm

We’ll send terms and conditions, along with payment details. To confirm your spot, please pay 50% of the trip cost in advance.

Note: Full payment to be made at least 7 days before trip departure.

A few days before the trip, the lead guide will host a small briefing to discuss logistics and safety matters, and also answer any questions you have.