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Gokyo Lakes Trek Itinerary

Turquoise glacial lakes and the view from Gokyo Ri, away from the Base Camp crowds. A 11-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

11 days

8 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

5,357 m

Gokyo Ri

Difficulty

Challenging

Everest (Khumbu)

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k6k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startGokyo Ri: about 5,357 mDay 1: Phakding, about 2,610 mDay 2: Namche Bazaar, about 3,440 mDay 3: Namche Bazaar, about 3,440 mDay 4: Dole, about 4,100 mDay 5: Machhermo, about 4,450 mDay 6: Gokyo, about 4,780 mDay 7: Gokyo, about 4,780 mDay 8: Dole, about 4,100 mDay 9: Namche Bazaar, about 3,440 mDay 10: Lukla, about 2,860 mDay 11: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m1234567891011Day

3 days climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding

    Sleep: Phakding · about 2,610 m (sources: 2,610 to 2,652 m)Walking 3 to 4 hFlight to Lukla about 30 to 35 min, or via Manthali (Ramechhap) in peak seasons

    Fly to Lukla (about 2,860 m) and walk down to Phakding.

  2. Day 2

    Phakding to Namche Bazaar

    Sleep: Namche Bazaar · about 3,440 mWalking 5 to 6 hSleeping altitude +830 m

    Enter Sagarmatha National Park and make the long climb to Namche.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 830 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  3. Day 3 · rest day

    Acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar

    Sleep: Namche Bazaar · about 3,440 mWalking 2 to 3 h

    A short hike toward Khumjung and the Everest View Hotel, then back to Namche.

  4. Day 4

    Namche Bazaar to Dole

    Sleep: Dole · about 4,100 m (sources: 4,040 to 4,200 m)Walking 5 to 7 hSleeping altitude +660 m

    Climb to the Mong La ridge and follow the Dudh Koshi to Dole. A big gain, so go slowly. Some trekkers split it with a night at Phortse Tenga.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 660 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  5. Day 5

    Dole to Machhermo

    Sleep: Machhermo · about 4,450 m (sources: 4,400 to 4,470 m)Walking 3 to 4 hSleeping altitude +350 m

    A short, steady day above the tree line, with views of Cho Oyu.

    You have climbed about 1010 m since your last rest day. Rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.

  6. Day 6

    Machhermo to Gokyo

    Sleep: Gokyo · about 4,780 m (sources: 4,765 to 4,800 m)Walking 3 to 4 hSleeping altitude +330 m

    Cross the moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier, the longest in Nepal, and arrive at the first and second lakes before the third lake and village.

  7. Day 7 · rest day

    Gokyo Ri and the lakes

    Sleep: Gokyo · about 4,780 m (sources: 4,765 to 4,800 m)Walking 3 to 6 hReach Gokyo Ri · about 5,357 m

    Climb Gokyo Ri for sunrise (about 2 to 3 h up), or walk to the fourth and fifth lakes. The fifth lake is about 4,950 m. Return to sleep in Gokyo.

  8. Day 8

    Gokyo to Dole

    Sleep: Dole · about 4,100 m (sources: 4,040 to 4,200 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    Retrace the valley down to Dole.

  9. Day 9

    Dole to Namche Bazaar

    Sleep: Namche Bazaar · about 3,440 mWalking 5 to 6 h

    Down to Namche, with a steep descent near the end.

  10. Day 10

    Namche Bazaar to Lukla

    Sleep: Lukla · about 2,860 mWalking 6 to 7 h

    Back down the Dudh Koshi to Lukla.

  11. Day 11

    Lukla to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 mFlight about 30 to 35 min (or to Manthali in peak seasons, then a 4 to 6 h drive)

    Fly back to Kathmandu. Keep a spare day for weather.

Permits

  • Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
  • Khumbu local-government (Pasang Lhamu) permit
  • Check current requirements and fees at Lukla or Monjo before you go

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Gokyo Lakes Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

The Gokyo Lakes trek follows the Everest route to Namche Bazaar, then turns west up the Dudh Koshi valley to a chain of high glacial lakes. Gokyo village sits at about 4,780 m beside the third lake, and the climb of Gokyo Ri (about 5,357 m) gives a panoramic view of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.

Altitudes of Dole, Machhermo and Gokyo differ by up to 150 m between sources, so treat them as approximate. The climb from Namche to Dole is long and steep, so go slowly and rest as you need.

Day-by-day itinerary (11 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding. Sleep at Phakding (about 2,610 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h. Flight to Lukla about 30 to 35 min, or via Manthali (Ramechhap) in peak seasons.
  2. Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar. Sleep at Namche Bazaar (about 3,440 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  3. Day 3: Acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar. Sleep at Namche Bazaar (about 3,440 m). Walking about 2 to 3 h.
  4. Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Dole. Sleep at Dole (about 4,100 m). Walking about 5 to 7 h.
  5. Day 5: Dole to Machhermo. Sleep at Machhermo (about 4,450 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h.
  6. Day 6: Machhermo to Gokyo. Sleep at Gokyo (about 4,780 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h.
  7. Day 7: Gokyo Ri and the lakes. Sleep at Gokyo (about 4,780 m). Walking about 3 to 6 h. Reach Gokyo Ri (about 5,357 m).
  8. Day 8: Gokyo to Dole. Sleep at Dole (about 4,100 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  9. Day 9: Dole to Namche Bazaar. Sleep at Namche Bazaar (about 3,440 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  10. Day 10: Namche Bazaar to Lukla. Sleep at Lukla (about 2,860 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  11. Day 11: Lukla to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). Flight about 30 to 35 min (or to Manthali in peak seasons, then a 4 to 6 h drive).

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Permits

  • Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
  • Khumbu local-government (Pasang Lhamu) permit
  • Check current requirements and fees at Lukla or Monjo before you go

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Gokyo Lakes Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 11 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 8 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Gokyo Lakes Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Gokyo Ri, at about 5,357 m.

What is the best time for the Gokyo Lakes Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Do I need a permit for the Gokyo Lakes Trek?

Sagarmatha National Park entry permit. Khumbu local-government (Pasang Lhamu) permit. Check current requirements and fees at Lukla or Monjo before you go. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

How high is Gokyo Ri?

About 5,357 m. It is a non-technical climb from Gokyo village that takes roughly 2 to 3 hours up. Some pages round it to 5,400 m.

Is Gokyo easier than Everest Base Camp?

It is quieter and has a similar maximum altitude to Kala Patthar, but it is not easier. The climb to Dole is long, and the altitude is high for several nights, so acclimatisation matters just as much.