Gokyo Valley Trek – 14 Days

Introduction to Gokyo Valley trek

Nepal, a country of high mountains, is truly blessed by natural assets. Khumbu Region with the highest mountain, Everest is just on the right side of the famous Gokyo Valley trek is recently more popular than Everest Base Camp Trek especially for the beauty of lakes and its serenity.

The trek begins at Lukla and slowly moves towards  Phakding for the first day through some Sherpa villages taking the fresh air of the green forest and the river. We meet local people spinning prayer’s wheels with Om Mani Padme Hum (Buddhist Chants). The flocks of horses and mules might make us wait for photography. Before reaching Top Danda, we cross the suspension bridge which is full of prayer flags. Even the trekkers put the prayer flags to make their journey safe and joyful. Then the trail goes up to the popular town like village called Namche Bazaar (3440m)-(Himalayan Town) crossing the villages Manjo and Jorsalle where we check in with the permit for Everest Region. Our trail goes up just before we reach the double bridge (the highest bridge to this region) then we climb up to greet the first view of Mt. Everest at Top Danda before we arrive at Namche Bazaar. The place Namche Bazaar is like a town where you can have fancy shops to the Iris Pub and the coffee shops.

The next day acclimatization to Everest View Point will feel you like in heaven. When climbing steep up for one hour 30 min, one can feel like in the high mountain. But the view every step you walk will overlap the steep trail. Upon reaching the top, you will take your time to enjoy the Everest view, Lhotse, Amadablam, Taboche, etc. Then we go down to the famous and the biggest Sherpa village, Khumjung. There is a monastery with the mythical Yeti Skull. The Hillary school and the hospital can be visited there. After all, we will be back to Namche Bazaar and spend the night there.

the next day after breakfast, we start the trek with the wide and easy path up to Kenjoma. It is a place for a nice view of Everest with a cup of tea or coffee. Then the trail separates after while for going Gokyo and EBC. We gradually climb up until we reach Mong Lha where we will have lunch. The nice view of Mt. Amadablam is closer from here and the famous village Phortse can be seen just down to the north. Walking down to Phortse Thangna around one hour, we gradually climb up with some steep up to Reach Dole. The Gokyo valley with the Mt. Cho Oyu is really beautiful. The landscape with some yaks and the trekkers walking on will be one of the best parts here. After passing Machhermo Village, the trail to Gokyo is even more exciting. There are three lakes which are crystal blue and the reflection of the mountain can be seen here.

The Gokyo lake is awesome and we stay there in Gokyo looking at the serene lake and the walk to see the Glacier. The next early morning, we climb up to the Gokyo Ri (5357m) taking about 2 hours. The beauty of the high mountain combination with glacier is excellent. The Gokyo lake with the village and Mt. Cholatse is one of the best parts for the photo. The view of Mt. Everest from here is what people can best enjoy. Then we come down to Gokyo and take a good rest. From the next day, we walk down the same trail as we take from the beginning day.