Gokyo Valley Trekking 12 Days

Gokyo Valley is one of the most scenic valleys in the SoluKhumbu District in the Himalaya Mountains. It offers some fantastic views over the Eastern Himalayas and of several 8000 meter plus peaks, such as Mt.Everest (8,848m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8481m) and. Gokyo Ri (5,357m). This is home to the Sherpa people with their rich Tibetan Buddhist culture, architecture, and traditions. Buddhist monasteries, chortens, Mani walls are present on the trek highlighting their devout beliefs. On this trek, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife: musk deer, Himalayan Thar, the colorful pheasant (Nepal’s national bird), and even the very secretive snow leopard. This is also believed to be home to the legendary Yeti who is said to inhabit the Khumbu Valley. Gokyo Valley is located in the west of the Khumbu region. This trek is packed with remarkable features, such as the famous Ngozumpa Glacier and the authentic Sherpa village of Gokyo (4750m) with its huge herds of Yak seen grazing on the hillsides. You will also visit the highest lakes in the world, the Gokyo Lakes at an altitude of 4,700 to 5,000 meters.

The Gokyo Valley 12 day trek starts and ends in Kathmandu, and begins with a scenic 40 minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport where our trek begins. From Lukla we tie up our boot-laces and follow the trail to Phakding passing Mani stones (stones inscribed in Buddhist Sanskrit mantras). Our next destination is Namche Bazaar, a thriving town that looks down over the valley and up to the surrounding snow-covered Himalayan peaks. The Gokyo trail follows the same route of those who are making their way to Everest Base Camp. The trail ascends to Kenjoma and the Dudh Koshi River whose source is at Gokyo Lake and glacier. We will also trek up to Gokyo Ri (5,483m) and then return to Namche Bazaar and to Lukla for our return flight back to Kathmandu.