You might also like...
Everest Base Camp Trek with Chola Pass & Gokyo Lakes
Everest Three Passes Trek including Lukla Flights
Call us, we are at your service
Call us, we are at your service
View more photosThis trip is fully customizable
The Gokyo Lakes Budget Trek with Above and Beyond Trekking is a wonderful choice for travellers who want to experience the high Himalayas without the cost of a luxury trekking package. The journey takes you deep into the Gokyo Valley, where quiet mountain trails, traditional Sherpa villages, glacial lakes, and enormous Himalayan peaks gradually replace the busy streets of Kathmandu.
Your adventure starts with a flight to Lukla, the mountain gateway to the Everest region. From Lukla, you walk through the Dudh Koshi Valley, spending your first nights in small villages and family-run teahouses before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail then turns towards the Gokyo Valley, following a less-travelled route through Dole and Machhermo. One of the most important parts of our itinerary is the acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Rather than simply taking a complete day off, your guide will take you on a gradual hike around the area. You can climb towards the Everest View area, visit nearby Sherpa settlements, and return to Namche to spend the night. This gives your body valuable time to adjust before the trail climbs higher.
From Namche, the landscape changes noticeably. The trees become thinner, the villages smaller, and the mountains feel increasingly close. You continue towards Dole and Machhermo, walking past waterfalls, yak pastures, rocky hillsides, and high Himalayan ridges. Your experienced Above and Beyond Trekking guide will set a comfortable pace, monitor how you are feeling, and help you manage the changing altitude. Eventually, the trail reaches Gokyo Village, situated beside the beautiful Gokyo Lakes at around 4,790 metres. Arriving here is one of the memorable moments of the trek. The blue-green water of the lake contrasts with the surrounding moraine and snow-covered mountains, while Gokyo Ri rises prominently above the valley.
The Gokyo Valley is home to a series of high-altitude glacial lakes. Depending on the itinerary and conditions, you can explore several of them, including the lakes around Gokyo and the higher Fourth and Fifth Lakes. The walks around the lakes offer a completely different experience from the main Everest Base Camp trail. The valley feels spacious and remote, with the Ngozumpa Glacier stretching across the landscape. Another major highlight is the climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 metres). The ascent is steep in places, but you take it slowly with your guide. Reaching the viewpoint is well worth the effort. From the top, the surrounding Himalayan range opens up in every direction, with spectacular views towards Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Cholatse, Taboche, and many other peaks. Looking back towards Gokyo, the lakes appear as small turquoise pools beneath the surrounding mountains.
The Gokyo Lakes Trek is considered a moderate to challenging high-altitude trek. You do not need technical climbing experience, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours a day on uneven mountain trails. The altitude is the main challenge, particularly as you approach Gokyo and Gokyo Ri. Regular walking or hiking before the trek will help you prepare.
Yes. Mount Everest is visible from Gokyo Ri, along with several other major Himalayan peaks. On a clear day, you can also see Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Cholatse, Taboche, and surrounding peaks.
Yes. If you prefer a slower trek, we can add extra days for acclimatization or allow more time around Gokyo or in the lower valleys. Just let Above and Beyond Trekking know what kind of experience you’re looking for, and we can adjust the itinerary accordingly.
You should bring warm layers, trekking trousers, comfortable hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a sleeping bag, water bottles, and other personal essentials. Above and Beyond Trekking provides a detailed packing list before your departure.
Day 01: Fly to Lukla, Trek to Phakding
Day 02: Trek to Namche
Day 03: Acclimatisation day in Namche
Day 04: Trek to Dole
Day 05: Trek to Machhermo
Day 06: Trek to Gokyo
Day 07: Trek to Acclimatization day at Gokyo
Day 08: Trek to Dole
Day 09: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Day 10: Trek to Lukla
Day 11: Fly Back to Kathmandu
Flight: 15-35 minutes, Trek time: 3-4 hours
Your adventure begins with an exhilarating early morning scenic flight from Kathmandu (or Ramechhap during peak season) to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. Upon arrival, you will meet your support crew and begin trekking down the Dudh Koshi Valley. The trail is mostly a gentle descent passing through small Sherpa settlements, mani walls, and prayer wheels, offering your first stunning glimpses of the Himalayan peaks.
Note: During the peak trekking seasons, flights to Lukla may be operated from Ramechhap Airport instead of Kathmandu Airport due to high air traffic congestion in Kathmandu. In this case, you will need to leave Kathmandu very early, usually around 2:00–3:00 AM, for the approximately 4-hour drive to Ramechhap. From Ramechhap, you will take a direct flight to Lukla. Although the early departure and road transfer make the day longer, the overall flight schedule and trekking experience remain largely the same.
Overnight: a local teahouse in Phakding
Trek time: 6-7 hours
The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River, crossing several exhilarating suspension bridges—most notably the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge draped in colorful prayer flags. After crossing the bridge, you begin a steep, steady uphill climb through pine forests to Namche Bazaar. On a clear day, you will catch your first breathtaking view of Mount Everest peering over the ridge of Lhotse and Nuptse before arriving at the vibrant gateway town of the Khumbu region.
Overnight: a local teahouse in Namche
Hike time: 3-4 hours
Today is an important acclimatization day designed to help your body adjust to the increasing altitude. Rather than remaining completely inactive, you will take a short hike around the Namche area, with options to visit the Everest View Hotel or explore nearby viewpoints. From higher vantage points, you can enjoy impressive views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Thamserku. Your Above and Beyond Trekking guide will help you maintain an appropriate pace and can recommend suitable activities based on your fitness level and how you are adapting to the altitude. You will also have time to explore Namche Bazaar, a lively trading center and an important hub of Sherpa culture.
Overnight: a local teahouse in Namche
Trek time: 6 hours
Leaving Namche, the trail contours high above the Dudh Koshi river with magnificent views of the peaks. You will pass through rhododendron forests and small settlements before reaching Sanasa, where the trail splits from the main Everest Base Camp route toward Gokyo. Climb steadily up through Mong La pass—a fantastic vantage point for lunch with views of Ama Dablam—before descending to Phortse Tenga and climbing up through pine and birch forests to the high pasture settlement of Dole.
Overnight: a local teahouse in Dole
Trek time: 5-6 hours
Today’s trek is shorter as you gain higher altitude, allowing your body to adapt safely. The trail climbs steadily along the side of the valley, high above the river, passing through scenic scrub and summer yak grazing pastures. You will enjoy dramatic views of Cho Oyu (the 6th highest mountain in the world), Kantega, and Thamserku. You will arrive at Machhermo by early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to rest and attend the afternoon altitude sickness talk at the local Himalayan Rescue Association post.
Overnight: a local teahouse in Machhermo
Trek time: 4-5 hours
Today you trek into the heart of the Gokyo valley. The trail ascends a ridge providing wonderful views down the valley and across the Ngozumpa Glacier—the longest glacier in the Himalayas. You will pass the first and second holy turquoise lakes (Longpongo and Taujung Tsho) before reaching the third lake, Dudh Pokhari, on the shores of which sits the picturesque settlement of Gokyo.
Overnight: the same teahouse in Gokyo
Hike time: 3-4 hours ascent, 2-3 hours return
An early morning highlight of the trek is the steep climb up to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m). Though challenging due to the altitude, the panoramic summit view is widely considered one of the absolute best in the Everest region. You will gaze upon four 8,000-meter giants: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, towering over the sweeping expanse of the Ngozumpa Glacier and the shimmering Gokyo lakes below. Spend the rest of the day resting or exploring the fourth and fifth lakes further up the valley.
Overnight: the same teahouse in Gokyo
Trek time: 6-7 hours
With the high altitude behind you, today involves a long, scenic descent down the valley. Retracing your steps past Machhermo, you will descend along the hillside above the Dudh Koshi River, enjoying familiar mountain backdrops from a fresh perspective as you head down toward the familiar comfort of Dole.
Overnight: a local teahouse in Dole
Trek time: 6 hours
Continue your descent down the valley, passing through Phortse Tenga and climbing back up to Mong La before winding down through forested trails to Sanasa. From here, follow the easy trail contouring the cliffside back into bustling Namche Bazaar. Celebrate completing the high-altitude portion of your trek with a warm meal and a treat in town.
Overnight: a local teahouse in Namche
Trek time: 6-7 hours
Your final day of trekking is a long descent out of the mountains. You will retrace your steps across the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River and through Monjo and Phakding, before taking on the final uphill push to Lukla. Tonight is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and thank your guides and porters for their incredible support throughout the journey.
Overnight: a local teahouse in Lukla
Flight time: 15-35 minutes
Fly back to Kathmandu (1,350m / 4,428ft) after a memorable trek. You can rest at your hotel or take the opportunity to explore the city's cultural sights, such as Durbar Square or the Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple).
Overnight: your own booked hotel in Kathmandu
April 2, 2025
“We did the Everest Base Camp trek in April with Above & Beyond. The views were breathtaking and our guide made everything so easy and fun. Highly recommend!”
October 10, 2025
“It was a trip of a lifetime! Our guide Sam was incredibly professional, and always ensured we were safe and comfortable. I will never forget this experience”
October 12, 2025
“My trek to Everest Base Camp with Above & Beyond Trekking exceeded all expectations. Everything was well-organized from airport pickup to the final descent.”
April 2, 2023
“The Everest Base Camp trek was an experience of a lifetime! And a knowledgeable guide like Sam was a definite plus. We learned so much about the Nepali culture. He took extra time to answer our questions and explain customs of the wonderful local people. All details were well worked out and logistics went smoothly. Sam was kind and gentle but also made the call when needed to get a horse for me to finish the last leg of the journey”
April, 2023
“Sam is possibly the best trekking guide in Nepal if not the world. Guide, porter, medic, comidian, singer he does it all! Sam is very friendly and so easy to talk too. I found it very easy to bring up any issues I had (not that I had many) which helped to make the trekking experience the best it could possibly be. Sam is very knowledgeable about the mountains and the local culture and thought us so much. Sam also chooses the best local porters. Very friendly and very helpful. Couldn't have asked for any better. I couldn't recommend above and beyond trekking more highly”
