Gokyo Lakes Trek hiking guide: route map, stages & where to stay

The Gokyo Lakes trek climbs the Dudh Kosi valley in Nepal's Khumbu (Everest) region to a chain of turquoise glacial lakes beside the Ngozumpa glacier, the longest in Nepal. It starts at Lukla airport (2,850 m), follows the main Everest trail to Namche Bazaar, then leaves the crowds for the quieter west branch of the valley, through Dole and Machhermo to the lodges of Gokyo (about 4,750 m) on the shore of the third lake, Gokyo Cho. From Gokyo you climb Gokyo Ri (about 5,357 m) for one of the best views in the Himalaya: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu above the glacier. All nights are in teahouse lodges in Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the lakes are a Ramsar wetland of international importance.

The route

This guide walks the usual way in, from Lukla to Gokyo, and splits it into 5 stages, about 8.4 km each, about 42 km in all. The first day drops gently to Phakding on the Dudh Kosi. The second crosses the river several times on suspension bridges, enters the national park at Monjo and Jorsale, and climbs steeply over the high Hillary Bridge to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). After a rest day in Namche, the trail follows the balcony path to Kyangjuma, climbs to the Mong La ridge (about 3,970 m), drops to the river at Phortse Tenga and climbs through rhododendron forest to Dole (4,050 m). Two short days above the treeline lead to Machhermo (4,470 m) and, past the first two lakes, to Gokyo.

The walk out normally goes back the same way: Gokyo to Dole or Machhermo, then Namche, then Lukla, three to four days. A quieter variant crosses to the east bank and goes down through Na and Phortse to Tengboche or Namche. The lines between stages on this guide's map only show the way in; the climb of Gokyo Ri and the walks to the upper lakes are side trips from Gokyo.

Highlights

• Namche Bazaar: the Sherpa capital, with bakeries, gear shops and a first view of Everest from the ridge above
• Mong La: a ridge-top chorten facing Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtega
• Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari): the third lake, with Gokyo village on its shore
• Gokyo Ri (about 5,357 m): 2 to 3 hours up from the lakeshore for a view of four of the world's 8,000 m peaks; go at dawn for clear skies
• The fourth and fifth lakes: Thonak Cho, the largest lake, and the fifth lake with Scoundrel's Viewpoint; allow most of a day
• The Ngozumpa glacier: a huge field of rubble-covered ice and grey ponds right below Gokyo

When to walk the Gokyo Lakes trek

The best seasons are October to November and March to May. Autumn has the clearest skies and the most trekkers; spring is warmer but hazier. In December and January the lakes freeze, nights in Gokyo fall well below -10 °C and some lodges close, but the skies are often clear. June to September is the monsoon, with cloud, rain and many cancelled flights. Lodges in the upper valley may close outside the main seasons, so ask in Namche before you go up.

How many days do you need?

Allow 10 to 12 days from Lukla back to Lukla, plus at least one spare day for flights. A typical plan is the 5 stages up with a rest day in Namche, a day for Gokyo Ri and the lakes, then three to four days back down. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher each night. Namche to Dole is a jump of about 600 m, so a slower plan sleeps at Kyangjuma, Mong La or Phortse Tenga on the way, or spends a second night in Machhermo.

Gokyo or Everest Base Camp?

The Gokyo trek is quieter than the Everest Base Camp trek, sleeps lower (about 4,750 m against 5,160 m at Gorak Shep) and its viewpoint, Gokyo Ri, gives a wider view of Everest than Kala Patthar. The two share the trail from Lukla to Namche. Strong, acclimatised trekkers can link them over the Cho La (about 5,420 m): from Gokyo across the Ngozumpa glacier to Thangnak, over the pass to Dzongla and on to Lobuche on the Everest Base Camp route. It is a long, steep day with a small glacier on the east side, often icy, so carry microspikes and cross only in good weather, ideally with a guide. Allow three to four extra days. See our Everest Base Camp Trek guide for that route.

Permits and rules

You need two permits, both bought on the trail with cash in Nepali rupees and your passport. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit costs NPR 3,000 (NPR 2,000 for SAARC and Chinese nationals) and is sold in Lukla or Monjo. The Sagarmatha National Park permit costs NPR 3,000 plus 13% VAT and is sold at the park counter in Monjo or at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. No TIMS card is needed. Nepal's 2023 rule says foreign trekkers in national parks must have a licensed guide; in the Khumbu it has not been enforced and independent trekkers still walk to Gokyo in 2026, but check before you go. Drones need a permit. Do not wash or leave rubbish at the sacred lakes.

Getting there and logistics

Most trekkers fly to Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport. In the peak seasons most flights leave from Manthali (Ramechhap), a 4 to 5 hour drive from Kathmandu, very early in the morning. Flights are often delayed or cancelled by cloud, so keep one or two spare days at the end. The baggage limit is small, usually about 15 kg including hand luggage. Without flying, take a jeep to Phaplu or Salleri and walk three days to the Lukla area.

There are ATMs in Lukla and Namche, but none higher up, and lodges take cash only. Take enough rupees for the whole trek: room, food, hot showers, charging and wifi all cost more as you climb. Mobile data works in Lukla and Namche and in places higher up. Lodges sell wifi cards (Everest Link); in Gokyo you may need a separate one.

What to pack

A sleeping bag rated to about -15 °C, a down jacket, hat and gloves, sunglasses and strong sun cream, a headlamp, water treatment, a first-aid kit with blister care, and the cash. Microspikes help on icy paths and on the Cho La.

Difficulty and safety

The paths are good and well used, but the trek is hard because of the altitude. Learn the signs of acute mountain sickness: headache, nausea, poor sleep and breathlessness at rest. If they get worse, do not go higher; if you become confused, unsteady or very breathless, go down at once. There is no public mountain rescue service. Helicopter rescue is arranged through your insurer or lodge, so take insurance that covers helicopter evacuation and trekking up to 5,500 m. Yaks and porters have right of way: let them pass on the mountain side of the path, never on the drop side. In an emergency call 100 (police) or 1144 (Tourist Police).