Overview
Gokyo Valley is a far-flung valley in the Everest region that remains hidden from the throng of visitors who mostly make their way to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking takes you to the Gokyo Valley which is famous for its series of crystal blue lakes which are the highest freshwater system of lakes in the world.
Gokyo Valley lies at the foot of the Gokyo Ri (5,387 m) mountain. The valley is surrounded by gigantic Himalayan on all sides. Some of the highest mountains in the world, including the four among the eight highest peaks in the world – Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu – are clearly visible from Gokyo valley.
In this everest hiking trail there are six turquoise blue lakes in the valley with the Tonakh Cho being the largest lake. These lakes are fed from the melt of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal. It is worth remembering that the largest and the longest glaciers in Nepal – the Khumbu Glacier and the Ngozumpa Glacier respectively – both lie in the Khumbu (Everest) region. The Khumbu Glacier is located in the heart of Everest and stretches up and down from the Everest Base Camp.
The beautiful Gokyo Village is located at the heart of the Gokyo Valley and on the shores of the picturesque lakes. The other prominent lake in the valley apart from the Tonak Tsho is the Gokyo Tsho lake, which is also known as Dudh Pokhari. This lake has special religious significance among the people of the Khumbu Region.
Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking starts from Kathmandu with a flight to Lukla airport. We will stay in beautiful Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Phakding, and Dole while on our way up to the Gokyo Valley. Namche Bazaar is a relatively large village that is a popular thoroughfare town for trekkers to all parts of the Khumbu region. Dole and Phakding also provide wonderful experiences of the Sherpa lifestyle and heritage. We will conclude our trip by returning back to the Lukla airstrip via Namche Bazaar and taking a flight back to Kathmandu.