Gokyo Ri Trek – NGOR14
Explore Gokyo Valley, in Sagarmatha National Park, on this Gokyo Ri Trek Itinerary. Gokyo Ri sits at 5357m/17,575ft., and affords stunning and unforgettable views of Mount Everest and the Khumbu region mountain peaks.
Begin the trek following a flight to Lukla, and continue through the Khumbu (Everest) Region to Gokyo Ri. At the base of Gokyo Ri is the highest settlement in the world, Gokyo, at 4,750m/15,583ft. At Gokyo village, one can explore the upper valley, providing majestic vistas of Everest and other surrounding mountains. Gokyo valley, undoubtedly, is one of the most popular trekking destinations for adventure enthusiasts around the globe.
Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One can have a chance of observing and mingling with Sherpa, the local inhabitants of Everest region. Musk dear, mountain goats, colorful pheasants, Red Panda and Snow Leopard are common sightings in the region. Being predominantly Buddhist, the region consists of monasteries, many of which are aesthetically influenced by the neighboring Tibetan culture. Tengboche Monastery is one of the famous monasteries in the region.
Itinerary
Day 1 Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
Arrival day in Kathmandu, Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will transfer you to your hotel. During the evening, there will be a welcome dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant for a briefing about your trekking itinerary.
Day 2 Fly to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft) and trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), 3-4 hrs walk
Take a short flight to the tiny airstrip at Lukla. Have time to stroll around, while the guide sorts and divides the load baggage to be carried by porters. Enjoy lunch before starting out on the easy walk to Phakding village.
Day 3 Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft), 5-6 hrs walk
After breakfast we will continue up the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo, the entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park. Descend for a bit and then a gradual walk brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river to Jorsalle village, the last village before Namche Bazaar. Namche is the capital of the Khumbu Region.
Day 4 Namche Bazaar
We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. You have a full day of leisure to visit Everest View Point hotel for wonderful panoramic view or stroll around the market. There is a Sherpa Museum as well, a great place to learn Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering.
Day 5 Dole (4200m/13,776ft), 5-6 hrs walk
Following a gradual trail with a few short ups and downs, we will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks at Shanasa. Ascend to Mongla hill and continue down to Phortse Thanga. After lunch, a further few hours ascent will take us to Dole.
Day 6 Machhermo (4470m/ 14,663ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Today we climb to the scenic ridge above Dole. The trail continues to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river, where we reach Machhermo. Later in the afternoon, we will visit Himalayan Rescue Association.
Day 7 Gokyo (4800m/15,744ft), 3-4 hrs walk
Trekking up to a ridge allows excellent views both down the valley to Khangtega and to the northern part and Cho-Oyu (8153m/26741ft). Our route descends to the river bank before beginning the climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa glacier. Afterwards the trail levels out as it follows the valley past a second lake, known as Longponga at 4690m/15383ft. Another hour’s walk will take us to Gokyo village on the edge of third lake.
Day 8 Explore day at Gokyo
Take a full rest day rest at Gokyo or choose to explore the fourth and fifth lakes. The Gokyo lakes comprise the world’s highest fresh water system. This is great place to view part of Mt. Everest and Cho-Oyu. You can see the northern part of Cho-Oyu base camp and the biggest glacier in the world, Ngazumpa glacier.
Day 9 To Gokyo Ri (5357m/17,575ft), Gokyo to Phorse Village/ Phorste Thanga (3680m/12,070ft), 5 to 6 hrs walk
Early in the morning, we hike up to Gokyo Ri for the breathtaking view of a mountain sunrise, which includes Mt. Everest. You will have unforgettable memories of many of the famous Himalayan mountains and glaciers. After breakfast in the village, we start our walk back through the same valley. We cross a valley and carry on uphill to Phorse village for overnight. Phorse Village is interesting as it is situated at the middle of the hills above the river valley with pine and Rhododendron forest surroundings. You may also see the Himalayan pheasant and some other Himalayan animals.
Day 10 Tengboche (3,867m/12684ft), 5-6 hrs walk
This morning we will mostly be heading down, following a narrow trail to reach to the river valley. Then, a gradually steep walk up hills through the forested hills of pine and rhododendron reach to Tengboche, situated at the top of the hill. From Tengboche you have a great view of Mt. Ama Dablam, as well as Thamserku, the top of Mt. Everest, and Nuptse. Tengboche has the biggest Buddhist Monastery called Tengboche Monastery where you may get to witness the monks’ evening prayer ceremony.
Day 11 Namche Bazaar via Khumjung (3,790m/12,431ft), 6 – 7 hours walk
The trail today leads down to the forested hills called Phungithanka, across the Dudh Koshi River cross with local suspension bridge, and then a long walk uphill to the Kyanjuma junction. Another 30-40 minute gradual walk brings you to the Khumjung Valley. We will spend some time here, visiting the Khunde Hospital, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary, The Hillary school and the old Monastery with the legendry Yeti scalps. Enjoy the mountains’ panorama, then carry on to Syangboche airstrip, which at 3700m, which is the highest airport in the world. We will then continue on down to Namche Bazaar for overnight.
Day 12 Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Continue descent to Lukla, quite an easy trek, although there are small up and down hills. The route retraces the same one that we trekked on our first day. It will approx take 4 to 5 hours to reach Lukla. While you will freshen up with a hot shower, the guide will re-confirm the flights to Kathmandu for the following day. Celebrate your success of the trek in Lukla’s bars, restaurants and pubs.
Day 13 Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)
After an early morning flight to Kathmandu, our guide will transfer you to your hotel. Spend the day resting and we will then meet up for a celebration and farewell dinner at one of the fine Nepalese restaurants in Thamel area.
Day 14 Departure from Kathmandu
Today is free for last minute souvenir shopping until your transfer to the International Airport for your departing flight.
High Altitude Climbing and Altitude Sickness
Climate and Weather
Nepal has two distinct seasons, a dry one, which lasts from October to May, and a wet monsoonal one from June to September. The traditional trekking season is October to May. During the trekking season the nights can be very cold in the mountains, but the bright sun makes for pleasant daytime temperatures up to about 25 degree Celsius, falling to 5 degree Celsius, at night, between 1000m and 3500m. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 20 degree Celsius down to – 10 degrees Celsius. Mornings are usually clear, and then clouds can build up during the afternoon, disappearing at night to reveal spectacular starry skies. After May, summer (Jun, Jul and Aug) is monsoon so visibility and rain are an issue. Mornings are usually clear with cloud build-up occasionally bringing afternoon rain. Treks can last from two days to a month or more, and the first consideration will be to choose a trek that fits into your available time and physical condition. You’ll also need to strike a balance between trekking in the best weather for the area you wish to trek in and avoiding the crowds the good weather attracts.
Social Conventions & Customs of Nepal:
Be careful to respect local customs:
- Never step over the feet of a person, always walk around.
- Never offer food and drink that you have tasted or bitten; never offer or accept anything with the left hand, use the right or both hands.
- It is considered rude to point at a person or statue with a finger (or even with a foot).
Often when people shake their head, it means ‘yes’. Footwear should be removed when entering houses, especially kitchens, or shrines. Do not stand in front of a person who is eating. Shaking hands is not a common form of greeting; instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture (Namaste).
Casual wear is suitable except for the most formal meetings or social occasions. However, bikinis, shorts, bare shoulders and backs may not be appreciated. Men only remove their shirts when bathing. Overt public displays of affection, especially near religious places, are inappropriate. Seek permission before entering a temple, and do not take leather articles inside them.
Photography: Always ask permission first. In general, it is allowed outside temples and at festivals, but not at religious ceremonies or inside temples; however, there is no hard and fast rule and the only way to be sure of not giving offense is to ask first and accept the answer.
A number of faiths and religions have merged in Nepal and exist simultaneously. Nepal is a country with “Unity in Diversity”. This diverseness in culture makes Nepal a unique country in the world with a lot of different customs and traditions. Traditions and rituals in Nepal have become an integral part of everyday life. Customs of Nepal are a major attraction for the tourists coming here.
Right from birth to death, a Nepalese keeps on performing various customs and traditions. Almost every occasion in Nepal (birth, engagement, marriage, death and so on) has a ceremony attached to it.
