1 daysEasy5,364 mEverest Base Camp Helicopter Tour — 1 Day
From / person
$1,680
TrekChallenging
Gokyo Ri Trek — 11 Days
11 days5,357 mFrom Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)Best: Oct–Nov, Mar–May
01 / 09
Duration
11 days
From
$1,620/person
Max Altitude
5,357 m
Difficulty
Challenging
Starts
Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)
Group Size
2–12 People
Stay
Tea House
Meals
Breakfast & Dinner
Best Season
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later
Trip Highlights
Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) — widely rated the finest Everest viewpoint in the region
Five sacred Gokyo Lakes — turquoise gems strung at 4,700–5,000 m altitude
Ngozumpa Glacier — Nepal's longest glacier at 36 km end-to-end
Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu visible from a single summit
Renjo La Pass option (5,360 m) — dramatic high-pass crossing into the Khumbu
Pre-acclimatisation day at Machermo (4,470 m) — safest approach to Gokyo Ri
Peaceful Gokyo village — far fewer trekkers than the classic EBC route
Namche Bazaar Sherpa market, museum, and cultural hub
Porter teams trained in altitude safety by NMA-certified senior guides
Summit Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for a rare simultaneous view of four 8,000m peaks — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu — framed by the turquoise glacial lakes of Gokyo Valley.
Day-by-Day Itinerary(11 days)
Altitude Profile
Peak: 4,790 m · Day 6Early morning 30-minute flight to Lukla with jaw-dropping Himalayan views. Begin trekking south along the Dudh Koshi river through pine and rhododendron forest to the riverside village of Phakding.
2,610 m3–4 hours8 kmB, DTea House
The Gokyo Valley and Lakes trek is the Everest region's best-kept secret: an 11-day journey to the turquoise glacial lakes of Gokyo and the summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) — a viewpoint that many experienced trekkers rank above Kala Patthar for sheer mountain spectacle. From Gokyo Ri's summit, four 8,000 m peaks are visible simultaneously — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu — arranged across the horizon in a 180-degree panorama that no photograph quite captures.
The approach follows the classic Namche–Khumjung route before branching west at Dole into the quieter Gokyo valley, following the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier — the longest glacier in the Himalaya outside the polar regions — northward through the string of five sacred Gokyo Lakes. The largest, Dudh Pokhari (4,750 m), sits at the foot of Gokyo village with the entire Gokyo Ri rising behind it. On a still morning, the lake mirror-reflects the surrounding peaks in a scene that appears staged for a travel magazine.
The itinerary includes two nights at Gokyo (4,750 m) for acclimatisation and the optional extension to Scoundrel's View (5,000 m) for the day panorama across the icefall to Everest. The return via Namche follows the high trail through Khumjung and the Hillary school, one of the most historic walking routes in Nepal.
Gokyo vs Everest Base Camp: Which to Choose?
EBC is more famous; Gokyo is more beautiful. At EBC you see the back of Everest and the Khumbu Icefall up close — dramatic and historic, but not a visual mountain panorama. At Gokyo Ri you see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu spread across the horizon — four 8,000 m peaks in one frame. EBC reaches 5,364 m; Gokyo Ri reaches 5,357 m. The effort is comparable; the experience is different. For trekkers who want mountain views over mountain history, Gokyo is the answer.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Flights: Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu included. Max altitude: Gokyo Ri 5,357 m.
What's Included
Included
- Government-certified English-speaking senior trek guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers; 18 kg max)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- TIMS card
- Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu round-trip flights (scheduled)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Kathmandu airport and hotel transfers
- Altitude sickness prevention kit and pulse oximeter
- Duffel bag and sleeping bag (loan)
- All government taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Lunches
- Personal gear
- Tips
Best Time to Go
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Prime season. October is perfect — clear skies, stable weather, 4–6 week dry window. November gets cold at altitude but still excellent. EBC trail at its busiest.
Low: -10°C at EBC High: 15°C Namche October: minimal. November: possible above 5,000 m
Spring (Mar–May)
Climbing season — expeditions on Everest. Good trekking weather. Rhododendrons in Namche area. Pre-monsoon cloud builds in afternoon from May. Slightly warmer than autumn.
Low: -8°C at EBC High: 18°C Namche March: possible at pass level. May: mostly clear
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Very cold. Khumbu trails remain open but temperatures extreme at EBC (-20°C+). Experienced cold-weather trekkers only. Fewer crowds. Lodges may be closed above Namche.
Low: -25°C at EBC High: 5°C Namche Heavy above 5,000 m
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Not recommended. Trails wet and unstable. Cloud cover obscures mountain views. Risk of landslides on lower sections.
Low: 5°C High: 20°C Namche None at low altitude
Permits Required
Sagarmatha National Park Permit
USD 30Required for all trekkers. Checked at Monjo gate.
TIMS Card
USD 20Trekkers Information Management System — required for all Nepal treks
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Fee
NPR 2,000 (approx USD 15)Local municipality entry fee introduced in 2023
All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.
What to Pack
Moisture-wicking base layers (top + bottom)
Fleece mid-layer jacket
Down jacket (800+ fill power — essential above 4,000 m)
Waterproof shell jacket and pants
Trekking trousers (2 pairs)
Merino wool socks (5–6 pairs)
Liner socks (3 pairs)
Warm hat / beanie
Balaclava for Kala Patthar and EBC
Sun hat or cap
Lightweight gloves
Insulated waterproof gloves or mittens
Neck gaiter or buff (2×)
Thermal underwear set
A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the trail · Gokyo Ri Trek
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