Everest Gokyo Valley Trek – A Rewarding Trek through less visited Gokyo Valley
Everest Gokyo Valley Trek also known as the Gokyo Lakes Trek, takes you buried deep and high up in the mighty Himalayas to a series of fresh water lakes known by the name Gokyo lakes. Immensely sacred and holding huge significance to Hindus and Buddhists alike, the Gokyo Lake Trek blends spirituality and natural beauty with physical exertion perfectly.
Gokyo Lake Trek provides remarkable views of the Ngozumpa Glacier and the four eight thousand meter peaks, like, Everest, Lhotse Shar, Makalu and Cho Oyu. This stunning trek takes you through the Sherpa heart land of the Khumbu Region where elements of the Buddhist religion reverberates everywhere and the trappings of modern society are nowhere to be seen.
Everest Gokyo Valley Trek combined with Everest Base Camp Trek gives you the best of both the world. Less trekked Gokyo Valley and the regular Everest Base Camp Trek. Talking about the Gokyo valley Trek, first the views from Gokyo Ri is amazing compared to the views that you get from Kalapathar. From Gokyo Ri, a small peak in the Gokyo valley, you get to see the four eight thousand metre peaks in addition to the three that you see from Kalapathar. From Gokyo Ri you get a bonus of witnessing Cho oyu, the sixth highest mountain, over and above the sight of Everest, Makalu and Lhotse.
If you do the Everest Gokyo Valley Trek than you have done justice to the Everest Base Camp Trek. Especially for someone who is for the first time trekking in Nepal, than it’s really very fulfilling and at the same time rewarding. Trekking amidst the colossal mountains in the world is what makes trekking in Nepal very interesting.
Surrounded on all sides by big mountains filled with landmarks of the legends who have walked on this path, with mountain tops filled with memorials of eminent climbers who have lost their lives in an attempt to conquer these mountains gives you a sense of legacy.
How hard and how long is the Everest Gokyo Valley Trek ?
Everest Gokyo Valley Trek is a 19Days Strenuous trek that traverses through three passes more than 5000m each. The Renjo La pass(5360m), Chola-La pass(5420m) & Kongma-La Pass(5535m). In addition to the three passes you climb to more than 5000m at Gokyo Ri – 5360m, Kalapathar-5550m & Everest Base Camp-5364m. Therefore, climbing to such height three times is not easy. Moreover crossing over the Chola Pass and Trekking through the Ngozumpa Glacier where the terrain and the trail is bit tricky does not make the trek easy either. That being said the Everest Gokyo Valley Trek is a difficult trek and one must be well prepared and trained to do this Trek.
Highlights of the Everest Gokyo Valley Trek ?
The Three Passes : 1). Chola Pass (5430m). (2). Kongma La (5535m) (3). Ranjula Pass (5345m). And Everest Base Camp 5364m – Kalapatthar 5545m– Gokyo Ri 5480m
While proceeding on to the Everest Base Camp from Gorakshep while traversing through the Khumbu Glacier you will come to a point from where one can get a birds eye view of the Everest Base Camp with the Expedition Tents pitched at the edge of the Khumbu Icefall.
Views of Everest, Nuptse, Makalu and Lhotse from Kalapathar is gorgeous. But the best view is from Gokyo Ri from where you get an additional bonus of viewing Cho Oyu the sixth highest mountain in the world in addition to the other three eight thousand metre peaks. Mt.Everest is not visible from the Base Camp as other peaks in the front obscure the main peak. But Khumbutse, Changtse, Lingtren and Pumori are visible from Everest Base Camp.
Crossing the Chola Pass-5420m
When you cross the chola Pass than you cross over into the Gokyo Valley and leave the Khumbu Region. The pass crossing in itself is very tricky with the ascent track on scree and loose rubble and descent on remnants of the bygone glacier and big boulders. If you happen to cross the Chola Pass in the month of March than expect the pass to be covered with snow. Every moment that you spend trekking from Chola Pass through the Ngozumpa Glacier to Gokyo valley the track is tricky and you cannot let your attention drift away even for a moment. The crossing gives you an adrenaline filled experience.
Is Everest Base Camp Gokyo Valley Trek Risky ?
Every Adventure has it’s own risk to consider and trekking is an adventure that entails certain amount of risk factors. However if proper precautions are taken than these risk can be avoided. Everest Gokyo valley Trek is no exception but not dangerous and risky. With proper acclimatization and having a buffer day to acclimatize will help you get over the risk factors.
Our Itinerary is prepared in just the way so that trekkers does not face any problems while trekking up to the Everest Base Camp. In worst case scenario there are helicopter services for evacuation. Moreover our guides are trained to help you and treat you if you face any problems.
What is the best time to embark on Everest Gokyo Valley Trek ?
March to May and September to November are the best time to proceed on the Everest Gokyo Valley Trek. Though trekking can be done even in December if you can withstand the winter chill of sub zero temperature.
Getting to Know the Sherpa Culture
The Everest Gokyo Valley Trek is a Tea House Trek with accommodation provided in lodges run by local Sherpa families. Each lodge can accommodate about thirty to forty people at a time while some lodges and hotels especially in Lukla and Namche are bigger. Local Nepali Food Dal, Rice and Vegetable is the staple diet and is served widely, though other food Items are also available on order. On interacting with the owners of these lodges, porters and the staff will give you an insight into the Sherpa culture of the Khumbu Region of Nepal.
Participants carry their day pack only with their personal items in them. Main baggage will be carried by the Porters. Baggage of each person should not weigh more than 15Kgs.
Trek Facts :
- Trek starts: Lukla.
- Ending Point: Lukla.
- Trek duration: 19Days.
- Trek Grade: Moderate to strenuous.
- Maximum altitude: Kalapatthar (5550m).
- Maximum Sleeping Altitude: Gorakshep (5164m).
- Minimum group size: 2pax.
- Trek style: Tea House/Lodge Trek.
Everest Three Passes Gokyo Valley Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2800m).
30 Minutes Flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. Trek to Phakding (2652m/8km-3hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar(3440m/12Km-5hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 03: Rest Day at Namche Bazaar for Acclimatization.
Side Trek to Khunde – Khumjung(3780m/4Km-2hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 04: Trek to Thyangboche Monastery(3860m/12Km-6hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 05: Trek to Dingboche (4410m/11Km-5hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 06: Rest and acclimatization day at Dingboche(4410m).
Optional hike around Dingboche. Overnight Lodge.
Day 07: Early Morning Trek to Chukung(4730m/4Km-2Hours). Trek upto Chukung – Ri for views of Everest and other Peaks. Return to Chukung.Overnight Lodge.
Day 08: Chukung to Kongma – La-Pass(5535m) to Lobuche (4910m/9Km-6Hours). Overnight Lodge.
Day 09: Lobuche to Gorakshep (5140m/3.7Km-2Hours). Afternoon Trek up the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp (5364m/11Km). Return to Gorakshep (5140m). Overnight Lodge. Total Time 7-8Hrs.
Day 10: Trek up to Kalapathar (5550m/4.2Km-3Hrs.round trip)for Panaromic views of Mt.Everest, Khumbu Glacier and many other Peaks. Return to Gorakshep. After Breakfast Trek to Dzongla (4830m/12Km-6Hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 11: Trek Dzongla – Chola pass(5330m) to Dragnag (4790m/9.5Km-6-7Hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 12: Trek Dragnag to Gokyo (4790m/5Km-3Hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 13: Morning climb Gokyo-Ri (5360m/6Km-3Hrs.round trip). Return to Gokyo. Visit 5th.Lake. Overnight Lodge.
Day 14: Trek Gokyo-Renjo-la Pass (5345m) to Lungdeng (4300m/13Km-7-8Hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 15: Trek Lungdeng to Thame (3820m/8Km-4Hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 16: Trek Thame to Namche (3Hrs). Overnight Lodge.
Day 17: Trek Namche to Phakding. Overnight Lodge.
Day 18: Trek Phakding to Lukla. Overnight Lodge.
Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu. End of Everest Three Passes Trek.
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- NEPAL TOURIST VISA
- Nepal visa is readily available on arrival at the International Airport in Kathmandu and all other entry points to Nepal.
- 2 passport photos will be required.
- Single Entry visa: US$ 30 per visa (valid for 60 days).
- Multiple Entry visa: US$ 80 per visa (valid for 150 days).
- Nepal Visas are also available in all Nepalese Embassies and Consulates.
- No Visa is required for Indian Citizens to Travel in Nepal
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- Recommendation : The Trek is relatively strenuous and demands top physical form. Physical fitness check-up is a must. Even the experienced trekker should prepare for 2-3 months prior to the Trek.
- Note: The above itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participant’s safety, comfort and general well being.
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