A teahouse trek from Lukla up the Dudh Kosi valley to the turquoise Gokyo Lakes beside the Ngozumpa Glacier, with a dawn climb of Gokyo Ri (about 5,357 m) for views of four 8,000 m peaks.
- Days
- 11 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,357 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Dole
A small lodge village in the upper Dudh Kosi valley, the first night above Namche on the way to Gokyo.
This is the lodge village in the Dudh Kosi valley on the way to Gokyo, in Solukhumbu.
- Altitude
- 4,038 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Trek stop
- District
- Solukhumbu, Koshi
- Permit
- Permit required
Higher seasonal exposure: altitude (All year), snow (Dec-Mar), cold (Nov-Mar), seasonal closure (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Dole is a small settlement of lodges at about 4,040 m in the Dudh Kosi valley, north of Khumjung and south of Machhermo. Within the Everest region it is the first overnight stop for most trekkers heading from Namche Bazaar to the Gokyo Lakes, and often a stop again on the way down.
The walk from Namche climbs to the Mong La ridge at about 3,975 m, with views of Ama Dablam and Thamserku, then drops steeply to the river at Phortse Thanga before climbing again through rhododendron and birch forest to Dole. It is a demanding day with around 600 m of net height gain, so some trekkers break it at Mong La or Phortse Thanga. Above Dole the forest gives way to open yak pastures.
History and culture
Dole began as a kharka, a summer pasture where Sherpa herders brought yaks up from lower villages, and its stone huts have mostly been rebuilt as lodges. Musk deer and Himalayan monal are sometimes seen in the forest below the village, which is inside Sagarmatha National Park.
Things to do in Dole
Walk above the village
A short climb behind the lodges helps acclimatisation and opens views of Khumbila and the valley.
Watch for wildlife
In the forest between Phortse Thanga and Dole, look out for musk deer and Himalayan monal.
Weather and the best time to visit Dole
Weather in Dole
Forecast for 4,038 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November usually bring the clearest skies and stable weather, with cold nights well below freezing.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold, with snow possible on the trail; some lodges close and the high passes can be impassable.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is warmer and busy, with more afternoon cloud; late spring brings expedition traffic towards base camp.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August brings cloud and rain, poor mountain views and frequent delays on the Lukla flights; few lodges stay fully open.
Where to stay
LodgesTeahouses
Several simple lodges.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Dole is reached on foot from Namche Bazaar in about 5-6 hours.
Nearest hub: Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport)
- flightKathmandu or Ramechhap (Manthali) to Lukla, roughly 25-40 minutes, weather permitting; in busy seasons many flights leave from Ramechhap.
- trekNamche to Dole via Mong La and Phortse Thanga, about 5-6 hours with a steep descent and climb.
Getting to Dole, by mode
Nearest hub: Lukla. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By airfrom Kathmanduabout 0.4-0.7 hLukla (Tenzing-Hillary)often delayed or cancelled by weather
A 25-40 minute mountain flight to Lukla, weather permitting, then the walk in. In the busy seasons most flights leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) instead of Kathmandu, a 3-4 hour drive east, which means a night-time road transfer. Cancellations for wind and visibility are routine, so spare days belong in the plan.
When to set off: Lukla flights are scheduled at first light, before the south-west wind builds from mid to late morning; Ramechhap departures leave Kathmandu by road around 03:00-04:00
On footfrom Namche Bazaarabout 5-6 h5-6 h from Namche Bazaar via Mong La and Phortse Thanga, with a 300 m descent and a 350 m climb
First night of the Gokyo valley, reached by the up-down day from Namche over the Mong La ridge.
When to set off: teahouse stages start after breakfast, usually by 07:30, to arrive before the afternoon cloud and wind
Where people go next
- Machhermoon foot, about 3-4 hUp the valley to Machhermo via Lhabarma and Luza.
- Namche Bazaaron foot, about 5-6 hBack over Mong La to Namche Bazaar.
- Gokyo Lakeson foot, about 7-9 hTwo stages on to Gokyo, usually with a night at Machhermo.
Permits and fees
Permit required
This stop is inside Sagarmatha National Park; the park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit apply. Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: Issued in Kathmandu or at the park entrance near Monjo; check the latest rules and fees.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit: Local permit collected in the Lukla area.
- Licensed guide: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; the local municipality in Khumbu has disputed this, so check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
On the trail
On the Gokyo Lakes trek.
- Previous stop:
- Namche Bazaar
- Next stop:
- Machhermo
- A typical day:
- From Namche, about 5-6 hours: up to Mong La, down about 300 m to Phortse Thanga, then up about 350 m through forest.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Dole
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
Dole lies at about 4,038 m on the way up the Gokyo valley. Acute mountain sickness is common on fast ascents - it affects roughly 40 per cent of people who go up quickly to 3,000 m, and more above that. General information, not medical advice: gain height slowly, keep sleeping-height gains small (about 300 m a day once high), build in rest days, learn the symptoms - headache, nausea, breathlessness, broken sleep - and descend if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Snowhigh in a typical yearDec-Mar
Deep winter snow can block the trails above Tengboche, and spring storms leave fresh snow on the higher stages; December to March is the usual snow window at this height.
Coldhigh in a typical yearNov-Mar
Nights are far below freezing from November to March at this height, with wind on the open moraine and unheated bedrooms in the teahouses; a winter-rated sleeping bag and down layer are the norm.
Seasonal closurehigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Lukla flights are the weak link in the monsoon: poor visibility stops operations at the airstrip about half the time in that season and about half of flights are cancelled, and waits of several days happen. Any itinerary built on the flight needs spare days at both ends.
Seasonal closuremoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
Above Tengboche many teahouses do not stay open through the deep-winter months, so the high stages are seldom walked in December to February and food and beds are harder to find.
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Aug
June to August is wet: heavy rain hides the mountains, the stone staircases and bridge approaches stay slippery, and leeches are a nuisance in the forest below about 3,000 m.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- This is high altitude: go up slowly, watch for headache, nausea and unusual tiredness, and descend if symptoms get worse. General information, not medical advice.
- The height gain from Namche is about 600 m; if you feel unwell, stop at Mong La or Phortse Thanga.
- There is no ATM; carry enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu, Lukla or Namche.
- Charging, hot showers and Wi-Fi, where available, are paid extras and depend on solar or small hydro power.
Treks through Dole
Questions about Dole
How high is Dole?
About 4,040 m. Some maps show about 4,200 m, which Wikipedia notes is wrong.
How long from Namche to Dole?
Usually 5-6 hours via the Mong La ridge and Phortse Thanga.
Is Dole on the Everest Base Camp route?
No. Dole is on the Gokyo route, which branches north from the base camp trail above Namche.
More in Everest Region (Khumbu)
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Nearby
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Dole, Wikipedia, Dole, OpenStreetMap