The classic teahouse trek from Lukla through Sherpa villages to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and the Kala Patthar viewpoint, with acclimatisation days in Namche and Dingboche.
- Days
- 12 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,644 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Everest & Khumbu, Everest Region (Khumbu)
Gokyo Lakes Trek
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
- 10-13
- Max altitude
- 5,357 m
- Distance
- about 92 km
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Start / end
- Lukla / Lukla
- Sleep in
- Teahouses, Lodges
- Permits
- 3 required
Overview
The Gokyo Lakes trek follows the main Everest trail from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, then turns north up the Dudh Kosi valley instead of east towards base camp. Above the forest at Dole the valley opens into yak pastures, and the trail climbs gradually through Machhermo to a chain of glacial lakes on the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier, one of the longest glaciers in the Himalaya.
Gokyo village, a cluster of lodges at about 4,750 m, stands on the shore of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. Above it rises Gokyo Ri, a rocky hill of about 5,357 m whose summit looks over the lakes and the glacier to Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. The lakes and their wetlands were designated a Ramsar site in 2007.
The route is quieter than the base camp trail and suits trekkers who want a high-mountain experience with a gentler daily height gain. The plan below takes 11 days from Kathmandu; it can be linked with Everest Base Camp over the Cho La or with the Thame valley over the Renjo La.
Sunrise from Gokyo Ri over Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho OyuThe turquoise Gokyo Lakes, a Ramsar wetlandThe Ngozumpa GlacierNamche Bazaar and the Mong La ridgeQuieter trails than the base camp route
Why it is rated strenuous
- Daily walks of 4 to 7 hours on rocky trails, with steep sections out of Namche and around Mong La.
- Several nights above 4,000 m, with three at Gokyo-level heights around 4,700 m, and the dawn climb of Gokyo Ri to about 5,357 m.
- Lodges above Dole are basic and nights are very cold; medical help is limited to seasonal aid posts.
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phakding | 2,610 m | 2,860 m |
| 2 | Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | - |
| 3 | Namche Bazaar (rest) | 3,440 m | 3,880 m |
| 4 | Dole | 4,038 m | - |
| 5 | Machhermo | 4,470 m | - |
| 6 | Gokyo | 4,750 m | - |
| 7 | Gokyo (rest) | 4,750 m | 5,357 m |
| 8 | Dole | 4,038 m | - |
| 9 | Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | 3,975 m |
| 10 | Lukla | 2,860 m | - |
| 11 | Kathmandu | 1,400 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1, travel dayFly to Lukla, walk to Phakdingsleep 2,610 m3-4 habout 8 km
A flight of about 25-40 minutes to the hillside airstrip at Lukla (about 2,860 m), then a gentle, mostly downhill walk along the Dudh Kosi. In busy seasons most flights leave from Manthali (Ramechhap), a 4-6 hour drive from Kathmandu, so many trekkers drive there the night before or in the early hours.
Teahouse in PhakdingAbout Phakdinghigh point Lukla, 2,860 m
Day 2Phakding to Namche Bazaarsleep 3,440 m5-7 habout 10 km
Enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where permits are checked, cross the high Hillary suspension bridge and climb steadily for 2-3 hours to Namche. On a clear day there is a first glimpse of Everest from a viewpoint partway up.
Teahouse in Namche BazaarAbout Namche Bazaar
Day 3, acclimatisationAcclimatisation day in Namchesleep 3,440 m3-4 habout 5 km
Climb to the ridge above Namche for views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, or loop through Khumjung and Khunde, then return to sleep at the same height. Namche has the last good gear shops, pharmacies and ATMs on the route.
Teahouse in Namche BazaarAbout Namche Bazaarhigh point Viewpoints above Namche (Syangboche ridge), 3,880 m
Day 4Namche to Dolesleep 4,038 m5-6 habout 10 km
Climb to the Mong La ridge for views of Ama Dablam, descend steeply to the river at Phortse Thanga, then climb through rhododendron and birch forest to Dole. The net gain is about 600 m; to stay nearer the 500 m guideline, some trekkers sleep at Mong La or Phortse Thanga instead.
Teahouse in DoleAbout Dole
Day 5Dole to Machhermosleep 4,470 m3-4 habout 7 km
A short day on an open trail above the river, through the summer settlements of Lhabarma and Luza. In the main seasons a Himalayan Rescue Association aid post usually operates at Machhermo and gives afternoon talks on altitude.
Teahouse in MachhermoAbout Machhermo
Day 6Machhermo to Gokyosleep 4,750 m4-5 habout 7 km
Climb past Pangka and up beside the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier, passing the first and second lakes before reaching Gokyo village on the shore of the third lake.
Teahouse in GokyoAbout Gokyo
Day 7, acclimatisationGokyo Ri at dawn, rest in Gokyosleep 4,750 m3-4 habout 4 km
Cross the lake outlet and climb about 600 m of steep switchbacks to the summit of Gokyo Ri for sunrise on Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. In the afternoon, those who feel well can walk north to the fourth lake, Thonak Tsho.
Teahouse in GokyoAbout Gokyohigh point Gokyo Ri, 5,357 m
Day 8Gokyo to Dolesleep 4,038 m5-6 habout 14 km
Retrace the route down the valley past Machhermo. The descent is long but mostly gentle; some trekkers continue further to Phortse Thanga.
Teahouse in DoleAbout Dole
Day 9Dole to Namche Bazaarsleep 3,440 m5-6 habout 10 km
Down through the forest to Phortse Thanga, a stiff climb back to Mong La and a contouring trail to Namche.
Teahouse in Namche BazaarAbout Namche Bazaarhigh point Mong La, 3,975 m
Day 10Namche Bazaar to Luklasleep 2,860 m6-7 habout 18 km
A long final day down to the Dudh Kosi, through Monjo and Phakding, and back up to Lukla. Reconfirm your flight in the evening.
Teahouse in LuklaAbout Lukla
Day 11, travel dayFly back to Kathmandusleep 1,400 m
An early morning flight, weather permitting, to Kathmandu or Manthali (Ramechhap). Delays of a day or more are common, so do not book an international flight for the same or next day.
Hotel in KathmanduAbout Kathmandu
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap.
Permits
Sagarmatha National Park entry permitNational park
Issued for the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, in Kathmandu or at the park entrance near Monjo.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permitLocal
A local government permit (trekker card) collected in Lukla or at the checkpost just north of it. In the Khumbu it has taken the place of the TIMS card; check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
Gaurishankar Conservation Area permitConservation area
Only needed if you walk in from Jiri or Shivalaya instead of flying to Lukla.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Guide rule: The Kathmandu Post: Everest region, Nepal Tourism Board dispute over solo trek ban (3 April 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- Late September to November is the main season, with the clearest skies and stable weather; nights above 4,000 m are well below freezing and lodges are busy.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cold and often clear; the lakes freeze over, some lodges at Gokyo close and snow can block the higher trails.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is warmer, with rhododendrons in the forest below Dole and more afternoon cloud; the lakes thaw from May.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August brings cloud, rain lower down and frequent Lukla flight cancellations; views are rare, though the trails are quiet.
Getting there and back
Getting to Phakding, 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
Fly Kathmandu or Ramechhap to Lukla, 25-40 minutes weather permitting, then walk 3-4 h down the valley. In the busy seasons most flights leave from Ramechhap (Manthali), a 3-4 hour drive east of Kathmandu, with a very early start.
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 Luklaabout 3-4 h3-4 h from Lukla, about 7-8 km, mostly descending with a few short climbs and a net loss of roughly 250 m
The first afternoon of the trek, walked straight off the flight.
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
- Namche Bazaaron foot, about 5-7 hThe big climb up to Namche Bazaar.
- Luklaon foot, about 3-4 hBack up to the airstrip for the flight out.
- Khumjungon footVia Namche and the Syangboche ridge.
Seasonal risks
Typical seasonal exposure along the route, merged from the stops that have a place page. Seasonal patterns only, never conditions today.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
The region runs from about 2,600 m at Phakding to about 5,360 m at Everest Base Camp, and most itineraries sleep above 4,000 m for several nights. 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.
Recorded for Everest Region (Khumbu), Namche Bazaar, Dole, Machhermo and 2 more. Altitude sickness - Wikipedia
Snowhigh in a typical yearNov-Apr
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.
Recorded for Everest Region (Khumbu), Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole and 3 more. Everest Base Camp Trek - Wikivoyage
Seasonal closurehigh in a typical yearJun-Sep, Dec-Feb
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.
Recorded for Everest Region (Khumbu), Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole and 3 more. Tenzing-Hillary Airport - Wikipedia
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.
Recorded for Everest Region (Khumbu), Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole and 4 more. Everest Base Camp Trek - Wikivoyage
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The mountain roads into Solukhumbu turn muddy and slippery in the monsoon and landslides are possible, so road journeys from Kathmandu run much slower in June to September.
Recorded for Everest Region (Khumbu), Lukla, Kathmandu. Kathmandu to Dhap Village - Himalayan Masters
Othermoderate in a typical yearAll year
Flights are scheduled in the early morning year-round: the wind usually blows from the north-east at dawn and turns to a strong south-west flow from mid to late morning, when the airstrip regularly stops operating.
Recorded for Everest Region (Khumbu), Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole and 4 more. Tenzing-Hillary Airport - Wikipedia
River crossingsmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The route crosses and recrosses the Dudh Koshi on suspension bridges between Lukla and Namche; the river runs high through the monsoon and the bridge approaches are slippery then.
Recorded for Everest Region (Khumbu), Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Lukla. Everest Base Camp Trek - Wikivoyage
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Glacial lake outburst floods are a real hazard in these valleys: Thame in the Bhote Koshi valley was inundated on 16 August 2024 and at least 15 structures were destroyed. Such floods are most likely in the warm, wet months.
Recorded for Everest Region (Khumbu), Kathmandu. Thame, Nepal - Wikipedia
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The highways into the valley cross steep hill country, and monsoon landslides typically block sections of the Prithvi Highway and the other approach roads, so overland arrival days are unpredictable in July and August.
Recorded for Kathmandu. 2024 Nepal floods, Wikipedia
Check current conditions before you travel
Nothing here describes the Gokyo Lakes Trek today. Trail, road, pass and flight conditions change with the weather and with roadworks. Check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal and the local authority or your licensed operator before and during the trek.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Phakding, 2,610 m), highest overnight (Gokyo, 4,750 m), end (Kathmandu, 1,400 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Phakding (start)
Forecast for 2,610 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Gokyo (highest overnight)
Forecast for 4,750 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Kathmandu (end)
Forecast for 1,400 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
Above about 3,000 m, a widely used guideline is to raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a day and to take an extra night at the same altitude every 3 to 4 days (CDC Yellow Book; Wilderness Medical Society). This is general information, not medical advice.
Know the signs of acute mountain sickness: headache with nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dizziness or poor sleep. Do not go higher with symptoms, and go down if they get worse. Confusion, stumbling or breathlessness at rest are emergencies: descend at once and get help.
See a doctor before you travel, especially about any medicine for altitude, and buy travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking and helicopter evacuation up to the highest altitude of this trek.
Lukla flights only operate in good visibility. Build one or two spare days into your plans before any international flight.
Give way to yaks, mules and porters and always stand on the uphill side of the trail as they pass.
Above Namche, medical help is limited to the seasonal aid post at Machhermo and small health posts. Carry your insurance details and a way to call for help.
In 1995 an avalanche after an unusual late-autumn storm killed 42 people at a lodge settlement near Gokyo. After heavy snow, ask locally about avalanche risk before moving between villages.
What to pack
- Your own broken-in boots; do not start a high trek in new or rented boots.
- A warm down jacket and a sleeping bag rated for well below freezing; nights above 4,000 m are very cold.
- Thermal base layers, a fleece, a waterproof shell, warm hat and gloves.
- Headlamp, category-4 sunglasses, sun cream and a sun hat.
- Water purification tablets or a filter, to avoid buying plastic bottles.
- A small first-aid kit with blister care and any personal medicines your doctor recommends.
- Microspikes in winter and early spring for icy trails and the Gokyo Ri path.
- A warm hat, gloves and an insulated bottle for the pre-dawn Gokyo Ri climb.
Side trips and alternatives
Fourth and fifth lakes
From Gokyo, walk north along the glacier to Thonak Tsho (fourth lake) and, with more time, Ngozumpa Tsho (fifth lake) and the Scoundrel's viewpoint, a long day of 6-8 hours return.
Cross the Cho La (about 5,420 m) via Thagnak and Dzongla to join the base camp trail at Lobuche, for experienced trekkers in good conditions.
Cross the Renjo La (about 5,360 m) west to Lungden and descend the Bhote Koshi valley to Thame, returning to Namche by a different route.
A Sherpa village above Namche, an easy loop on the acclimatisation day.
Gokyo Lakes questions
How many days is the Gokyo Lakes trek?
About 11 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, including an acclimatisation day in Namche and a day at Gokyo. Add one or two spare days for Lukla flight delays.
Is Gokyo harder than Everest Base Camp?
It is similar in effort. The highest point, Gokyo Ri (about 5,357 m), is a little lower than Kala Patthar, and the daily height gain is usually gentler, but the nights at around 4,700 m are just as cold.
What permits do I need for Gokyo?
The Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit, the same as for Everest Base Camp. Check current rules and fees.
Do I need a guide?
The national rule from April 2023 requires a licensed guide in parks and conservation areas, but the Khumbu municipality has said it does not make guides mandatory there. Check the current position before you go.
Can I combine Gokyo with Everest Base Camp?
Yes, by crossing the Cho La between Gokyo and Lobuche. It adds about 4-6 days and a glaciated pass of about 5,420 m, so it suits experienced trekkers in good weather.
Similar treks
A long, demanding circuit of the Khumbu over the Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, all above 5,300 m, taking in Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, the Gokyo Lakes and the Thame valley.
- Days
- 19 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,644 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
A short, lower trek in Solu, the southern part of Solukhumbu, to the grassy summit of Pikey Peak (about 4,065 m) for a long Himalayan panorama including Everest, then down to Junbesi and Phaplu.
- Days
- 7 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,065 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Nepal Tourism Board, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, The Kathmandu Post: Everest region, Nepal Tourism Board dispute over solo trek ban (3 April 2023), Wikipedia: Gokyo Lakes, Wikipedia: Gokyo Ri, Wikipedia: Gokyo, Wikipedia: Dole, Wikipedia: Machhermo, CDC Yellow Book: High-Elevation Travel and Altitude Illness, Wilderness Medical Society clinical practice guidelines (acute altitude illness)
Gokyo Lakes · 11 days