TREKKROS
Gokyo Lakes

गोक्यो ताल · Khumbu

Gokyo Lakes

Turquoise lakes beside the longest glacier in the Himalaya, and four eight thousanders from one summit.

Duration

12 to 14 days

Highest point

Gokyo Ri, 5,357 m

Grade

Hard

Best season

Mar to May, Oct to Dec

Total ascent

About 2,700 m

Photograph by Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

The walk

The Gokyo valley branches off the Everest trail above Namche and is far quieter. The path climbs through rhododendron and juniper to summer yak pastures at Dole and Machhermo.

Six main lakes lie between 4,700 and 5,000 metres beside the Ngozumpa glacier. Gokyo village sits on the shore of the third.

Gokyo Ri, climbed before dawn, shows Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu at once. Fit trekkers can cross the Cho La to join the Everest trail.

Starts from Lukla, by air

The route, stage by stage.

Fly it on the 3D map
2,000 m3,000 m4,000 m5,000 m6,000 mLuklaGokyo Ri
  1. ०१Lukla2,860 m
  2. ०२Phakding2,610 m · −250
  3. ०३Namche BazaarTwo nights3,440 m · +830
  4. ०४Dole4,040 m · +600
  5. ०५MachhermoRest day4,470 m · +430
  6. ०६GokyoTwo nights. Walk to the fourth lake4,790 m · +320
  7. ०७Gokyo Ri5,357 m · +567

Adapted from a photograph by Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

Permits

What you pay at the counter.

  • Sagarmatha National Park entryNPR 3,000
  • Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality feeNPR 2,000

Fees as published by the issuing office. Check them again before you travel.

Highlights

  • The third lake at Gokyo

  • Sunrise from Gokyo Ri

  • The Ngozumpa glacier

  • Optional crossing of the Cho La, 5,420 m

Next route

Annapurna Circuitअन्नपूर्ण परिक्रमा