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Gokyo Lakes Trekking (and Everest Base Camp)
Trekking to the Gokyo Lakes is stunning. Changing colour with the light, these glacial lakes are very special and when viewed from above they enhance the spectacular Himalayan background perfectly. The Gokyo Lakes trekking experience is the nearest thing that the Khumbu region has to a circuit. Whilst the beginning and the Everest Base Camp ends are the same as other trips, the middle sections are different adding a good feeling of not retracing your steps.
Join our Gokyo Lakes trek departing UK Fri 27 Apr; guaranteed to go.
This trek can also be done without EBC (reducing it to 16 days); please call Travel and Trek to discuss.
Download Gokyo Lakes Trekking itinerary and information.
This trip follows the EBC trekking trail through the Sherpa capital Namche Bazaar and after a days acclimatisation, treks up into the Gokyo Lakes valley after just 2 hours of leaving Namche. It is at this junction that you will split from most if not all of the other trekkers on the trail.
It will take 3 days of trekking to reach the upper valley, increasing in altitude all of the time until you reach the Ngozumpha glacier. This area is between 4500m and 4700m and therefore further acclimatisation will take place but you will also take time to savour this stunning area. Cho Oyu (8153m) is directly above you and a ‘must do’ side trip up to Gokyo Ri (5360m) will ensure that you can see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu too. When you leave the Gokyo Lakes, you will head up over the Cho La (5330m) to re-join the main Everest trekking trail towards the Base Camp. As the two trails join, you will already be trekking along side the Khumbu glacier upon which the Everest Base Camp sits. In just one more day you will reach Gorak Shep, the final tea house village before the Base Camp itself (you cannot stay at the Base Camp without tents).
You will stay in Gorak Shep for two nights during which time you will visit Everest Base Camp (it is a 6 - 7 hr return trek) and also trek up to Kala Patthar (5500m) to view the Base Camp from above. Make sure you get a good look at the Khumbu ice fall (you can’t really miss it!) as it is a difficult and dangerous section for climbers heading to the summit. Climbers have to cross this numerous times in their acclimatisation period prior to the final summit attempt and it is a constantly moving enormous mass of ice blocks.
It is soon time to descend and with a predominantly downhill leg, you will easily pass the point at which you joined the trail from the Gokyo Lakes and reach Dingbouche in a day. Your next overnight stop is Tengbouche; the prime Buddhist centre for this region. It has a large monastery that is well worth seeing. Namche Bazaar beckons the following day and you are now back on familiar territory as you retrace your steps to Lukla and await your flight back down to Kathmandu.
This Gokyo Lakes trek has the added advantage of acclimatisation prior to reaching Everest Base Camp (you go up to the Gokyo Ri and over the Cho La first; it is the same altitude as Everest Base Camp) thus avoiding any potential set backs there.
Other associated Everest treks: Everest for Softies!, Everest Base Camp, Island Peak and Everest Base Camp, Everest High Passes Trek.
