Gokyo Lakes Trek
R39,800
(One tour per person)
Join us on one of the most epic trekking routes in the world!!
The 18 days Gokyo Lakes trek is a popular and picturesque trekking route in the Everest region of Nepal. This trek offers stunning views of the Himalayan mountains, including four of the world’s highest peaks: Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The highlight of the trek is the series of turquoise blue Gokyo Lakes, which are situated at an altitude of over 4,700 meters. The trek also offers a unique cultural experience, as trekkers can interact with the local Sherpa community and explore their way of life. The Gokyo Lakes trek is a challenging yet rewarding adventure that is sure to leave trekkers with unforgettable memories.
Oh key doe key then. As usual let’s start off by sorting the buyers from the spyers, the needy from the greedy, and those who trust me from the ones who don’t, because if you can’t see the value in Our Gokyo Lakes trek today, you’re not on our website shopping……You’re on it shoplifting. Treat the wife. Treat somebody else’s wife. Too late too late, will be the cry, when the man with the bargains passes you by.
What is the Gokyo Lakes trek all about?
Well its pretty easy to explain really. It’s about an epic Himalayan trekking experience to see a purple pie left behind by a climber in 1995. Just like the Kilimanjaro glaciers that will be non-existent in 10 years’ time due to global warming, such is the fate of this poor pie. Experts believe that it will be eaten away into on 13 March 2026 at 2:34pm. So best you book your Gokyo Lakes Trek as soon as you can.
If pies are not your scene, then hang around…..I happen to have a few minutes spare before my next climb. Hopefully I can try and condense the nearly impossible task of explaining what the Gokyo Lakes trek is all about into a few humble sentences. And I say impossible because this mind-blowing experience is a sensory explosion of incredible awesomeness that would take days to explain. Here are a few key points that help illustrate the really cool things about the adventure:
This 18-day trek takes you through the stunning Everest region of Nepal, offering breathtaking views of the world’s highest peaks and turquoise blue Gokyo Lakes. The trek begins with a scenic flight to Lukla, followed by a trek to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Khumbu region. You’ll then trek to the beautiful Gokyo Valley, passing through picturesque Sherpa villages and crossing suspension bridges over rushing rivers. You’ll spend several days exploring the Gokyo Lakes, including a hike up Gokyo Ri for stunning panoramic views. The trek also includes a visit to the iconic Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu Icefall. Our experienced guides will ensure your safety and comfort throughout the trek, and our accommodations in teahouses and lodges will provide a cozy and authentic Himalayan experience. This trek is perfect for adventurous trekkers looking for a unique and challenging trekking experience in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.
Highlights of a Gokyo Lake Trek
- Enjoy 2 thrilling days in the city of Kathmandu. We take a tour to the two hotspots of this interesting town. Namely the Monkey Temple of the Buddhists and then the Pashupatinath Temple of the Hindus. These places are shrouded in history and date back to the 5th century. Its like being part of an Indiana Jones movie. You will learn a lot about the culture and people of Nepal here.
- Spend 15 days in the trekking capital of the world. You will be surrounded by the Himalayan “super star” giants like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Pumori, Nuptse. And don’t worry about getting bored….the scenery changes every day.
- The flight from Kathmandu into Lukla (the starting point of the trek) is one of the most scenic and mind blowing flights you will ever go on. After just 15 minutes you will get to see a panoramic view of the Himalayas.
- Our Gokyo Lakes trekking adventures are fully supported. So there is no need for you to carry heavy backpacks. We have porters and Yaks to assist with that.
- Accommodation is in ‘tea houses’. Although you may occasionally find coffee there. So you don’t have to worry about sleeping in tents on hard icy ground princess. The rooms are equipped with beds and mattresses.
- Not only is the trek a physical undertaking but is also a spiritual journey. You will get to challenge yourself physically in some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world. You will also get challenge yourself spiritually in the most humblest nation in the world.
- We spend some time on the trek visiting the Buddhist monasteries in Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. A truly humbling and incredible experience.
But wait…..there’s more
The Gokyo Lakes trek is a challenging yet rewarding adventure that offers a range of highlights for trekkers. Here are some of the top highlights of this trek:
- The Gokyo Lakes: The series of turquoise blue lakes located at an altitude of over 4,700 meters is the main highlight of the trek. The lakes are stunningly beautiful and offer a serene atmosphere amidst the mountains.
- Views of the Himalayas: The trek offers breathtaking views of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The view of these towering mountains is a surreal experience that leaves trekkers awe-inspired.
- Unique Sherpa Culture: The trek takes you through several Sherpa villages, where you can experience the unique Sherpa culture and way of life. You can interact with the friendly locals and learn about their traditions, beliefs, and practices.
- Everest Base Camp: The trek includes a visit to the iconic Everest Base Camp, which is a dream destination for many trekkers. Standing at the base of the world’s highest peak is a surreal experience that leaves trekkers with unforgettable memories.
- Gokyo Ri Hike: The trek includes a hike up Gokyo Ri, which offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas, including the Gokyo Lakes, Mount Everest, and other peaks.
Why join Soul Adventures on this trek to Gokyo Lakes?
- Because we know the answer to the first question ever asked before a question was ever thought of. Yip, we have it folks. But we only divulge the answer on day 9 of the trek at 3:18pm.
- We have been climbing and trekking in the Himalayas for over 15 years. Not only have we led over 20 treks to base camp, but have also summited some of the Himalayan giants from Island Peak, Cho Oyu, Lobuche and 89.23% of Everest.
- Because our toaster wants you to
- We offer a 50% discount on our Drakensberg hikes to all our clients. These hikes are the perfect training grounds to get you ready for the trek.
- We conduct and record 2 medical checks daily on clients throughout the trek. This is to determine how you are adapting to the altitude and prevent any problems as we get higher.
- We will come with you to the shops to buy your equipment. Yip, we would rather spend the time with you to make sure that you have the correct equipment as well as the correct quantities. No offence to the hiking stores of South Africa, but a lot of the sales staff have not been on the trek. They will try and sell you more than you need. And there also a lot of brands out there that are not sufficient for the conditions found on the Gokyo lakes trek.
- We are South Africa based. So you can get to know us. Come have a beer with us and see if we are the kind of guides you would be able to spend 2 weeks with. It is obviously pretty important that we bond to enhance the overall experience.
- You will have access to myself prior to the trek for any advice. I can only help with trekking advice. Asking about marital problems and how to get rid of your genital warts is not my department.
- Not only are we mountaineers but have also become mountain psychologists. Yip. We have been guiding in the Himalayas for over 15 years so we have got to know how humans operate mentally. We are going to walk the journey with you. We are going to motivate you. We are going to cry with you. We are going bond with you. Adversity introduces a man to himself. We will be there to help with the introduction process. That process is a vital part of the Everest Base camp adventure. We as a guiding company need to know how you react to adversity. Some people cry. Some people get angry. Some people go quiet. We would rather find out how you react in a controlled environment rather than in a snowstorm at 5000m.
- We are not complete idiots in the mountains. We have a few pieces still missing.
The distance covered on the Everest Base Camp trek?
The distance covered on a Gokyo Lakes trek can vary depending on the itinerary and route chosen by the trekker. On average, the trek covers a distance of around 80-90 kilometers (50-56 miles) over the course of 12-15 days. This includes several days of acclimatization and rest to adjust to the high altitude. The trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, followed by a hike to Phakding and Namche Bazaar. From there, the trek follows a scenic trail through picturesque Sherpa villages, suspension bridges, and dense forests to reach Gokyo Lakes. After exploring the beautiful lakes, the trek descends to Everest Base Camp before returning to Lukla via Namche Bazaar. The trek can be challenging due to the high altitude and rugged terrain, but the stunning views and experiences along the way make it all worthwhile.
How many hours a day do we hike?
Okay kids. So we reckon trekker cover about 11.32456km a day. An easy walk at sea level hey? But alas, we are not at sea level and of course we are in the mighy Himalayan mountain range of Nepal. That means there are going to be a few inclines along the way. So basically the hiking speed is determined by a few factors. Namely: The affects of altitude on your body, the gradient and of course the compounded effects of fatigue. Having said that, we average about 2km per hour.
We know that we cover an average of 11.32456km a day. Divide that by 2km per hour and….tah dah……we have an answer of say 5 hours. But of course we don’t hike that all in one go. We are a kind and compassionate trekking company and don’t want to see our clients suffer. So. Basically we hike for 3 hours. We then stop for lunch at a tea house along the way. The lunch break takes up to 1.5 hours. We then finish with the remaining 2 hour hike.
How fit do you have to be to trek to Everest Base Camp?
To undertake a Gokyo Lakes trek, a good level of physical fitness is required. The trek involves long days of walking, with steep ascents and descents, at high altitude. It is recommended that trekkers engage in a regular fitness regime in the lead up to the trek to ensure they are physically prepared for the demands of the trail. This may include cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and hiking with a backpack. It is also important to acclimatize properly to the altitude and take the necessary rest days during the trek. While the trek can be challenging, it is achievable for most people with a good level of fitness and determination. With proper preparation and a positive attitude, the Gokyo Lakes trek can be a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
Is this trek for you?
No.
Why is this trek not for you?
Because you asked the question. If you need to ask that question then it may not really be what you want to do. You need to be 100% dedicated to the dream. I can’t remember ever asking myself if climbing Everest or any other mountain was for me. I just had a calling and I knew it had to be done. If you are not happy with this answer try this: Think of purple flag on top of Everest.
Imagine that flag divided itself into 5 equal parts. Now imagine the pole of the flag just decided to get a job in an accounting firm without letting the various parts of the flag know. What would happen? Well, we are not sure. We are just trying to keep you on this webpage a bit longer so we can increase our ranking with Google. This will result in more potential clients visiting our Gokyo Lakes Trek webpage thus ensuring huge profit margins.
Is you partner suffering from IKIAS? ( I Know It All Syndrome)
We can help with that!!!!
Send them on a Gokyo lakes trek with Soul Adventures and we will help them lose 65,234 brain cells. The high altitude and lack of oxygen are our weapons of mass brain cell destruction. And we will return them not so clever and thus render your relationship a much better one. No charge for this service.
Best time for a Gokyo Lakes Trek?
So basically there are 2 trekking seasons in the Himalayas.
Pre-monsoon from the beginning of April to the end of May
This season is a lot colder than the post-monsoon season. There is also a lot more ice especially on the higher mountains. The air is lot dryer which can cause issues with lungs. This is the season that attracts the high altitude climbers.Because it is basically the end of Winter in the Himalayas, there is a lot more stable ice. This is perfect for Everest summit attempts. This also means you are going to bump into a lot of the mountaineers of Everest.
Post-monsoon from the beginning of September to End of November
A lot warmer in this season. Also a lot greener from all the rain. Hikers also seem to acclimatize way better in this season as the air is not so dry and there is a lot more oxygen from the plants. There is no high altitude climbing in this season due to the lack of good ice conditions on the higher slopes of the mountains. So Everest Base camp will be dead quiet as there is one climbing her.
So pretty easy really. Choose one of these months to go trekking. Both seasons are excellent times to go regardless of the negatives. There are always pros and cons to everything in life.
Things to do before you leave for Everest Base Camp
- Abolish Capitalism
- Avoid global warming
- Say goodbye to your mommy
- Say no to drugs
- Read the first paragraph of this webpage.
Seems expensive? Don’t stress. Just take out a loan. There are many reputable companies out there willing to help. Take these guys for example. They seem super helpful and caring
INCLUDED
- Return fights from Kathmandu to Lukla
- 2 nights accommodation in Kathmandu. We make use of 3 star hotel in the Thamel District called the Avatar Hotel. So…. 1 night before the trek and 1 night on return from the trek. Savvy? Any additional nights accommodation are for your own account sunshine.
- All airport transfers. We take care of the airport pick up when we arrive. The transfer back the next day for the flight to Lukla. The transfer after the trek from Lukla to the hotel. The transfer from the hotel back to the airport for your departure flight back to South Africa. Make sense? I’m glad. If you are not happy with this you can dial 5 now.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trek into Everest Base Camp
- Guide
- Porters
- 12 nights accommodation in tea houses ( mountain lodges) on the trek.
- All trekking permits
- All local taxes
- Includes us putting up with all your crying, blisters and longing for your mommy.
- Medical Kit and Emergency oxygen
- A day tour to the Temples of Kathmandu
NOT INCLUDED
- A bespoke turnkey solution that incorporates a bilateral and systematical deviation to your corporate jargon that us mountaineers refuse to use.
- International Flights
- Dinners and lunches when in Kathmandu
- Extra nights accommodation if we finish the trek early or if you need to come down earlier than scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.
- My wife
- Hiking equipment ( backpacks, sleeping bags and so fifth)
- Travel Insurance. We highly recommend you take out TIC travel insurance that must include helicopter evacuation. Trust us on this one. If you need to get evacuated due to an altitude related illness and you are not covered best you have a spare R50k in your skyrocket.
- Tea/coldrinks/bottled water in the tea houses.
- My left nut
- Entry fees into any tourist attractions like the Monkey Temple and the Eiffel Tower.
Day 1
We fly from Johannesburg to Khathmandu. Depending on flight schedules and cost, we usually fly via Doha or Dubai. There will be a layover here.
Day 2
We arrive in Khathmandu. Hopefully by say 2pm if the flights are favourable. Our team leader will be waiting at the airport for us. We then take the 1 hour drive through to the Thamel District to the Avatar Hotel-Our humble abode for the knight who happens to be Sir Lancelot.
We also sleep in the same hotel as him. We check into the hotel, have a shower, go for dinner and indulge in a beer or 10. Please do not trash the hotel upon return from dinner as we need to stay there when we get back. And my mom will get upset.
Day 3
We send a swarm of toasters and a foghorn into your hotel room to entice you from the slumber process. Our aim today is to get to the airport by 6am to catch a flight to Lukla. Why so early you may be asking? Well I have a few minutes spare so let me explain. We cannot book a flight time with the airlines who fly to Lukla. It works on a purely first come, first serve type of system.
And we like to get served first. Our ego wont accept a 5th serving. And of course there may be a few ‘Egyptian handshakes’ involved to ensure a ‘first serve’ passage-If you know what I mean. A necessary budgetary expense I’m afraid. We then hop on the twin engined plane and take the 45 minute flight into Lukla.
What if there is bad weather?
Right. Lets get this topic out of the way shall we. Sometimes the flights are cancelled due to bad weather. This means there is no way to get into Lukla unless you are up for a 200km walk taking over 2 weeks. And no….we are not responsible for the bad weather. We did not bring it on because we didn’t feel like trekking. Weather is something beyond our control and stresses us out as much as it does our clients. If flights are cancelled or delayed we have to adjust the trip itinerary to compensate for the lost day or days. Please bare with us on this. And that does not mean take your clothes off either. We would have said bear with us but that could be a bit grizzly.
Okay, so if everything goes according to plan…we land in Lukla by say 10am. You are gonna love the landing!!!!!! We then meet our Sherpa Team, have a spot of tea and start the Everest Base camp trek by about 11am. The first part of hike meanders through various villages for about 1.5 hours until we reach the the highlight of today. The first sightings of ancient Sanskrit tablets and a small monastery. We then continue for about an hour into Phakding at 2610m. We spend the night here. Dinner is served at 6:30pm. So you have the rest of the afternoon to explore the area. We tuck you into bed with your favourite teddy bear and some warm Yak milk. NOT!!
Hiking distance: 8km
Duration: 3 hours 2 minutes and 14 seconds
Day 4
Cock a doodle do!!! Or don’t. Wake up at 7am. Have a wee, pooh and brush teeth. Breakfast at 8am. Ready to start the hike by 9am. This is basically the daily morning routine on our Everest Base Camp Trek. Today is a challenging day. We basically follow the Dudhi river into the Sagarmartha National park. We cross 3 suspension bridges before we head up a steep and long hill into Namche Bazaar at 3,440m. We may even get to see a tiger that doesn’t exist. One climber didn’t see it back in 2010.
Hiking distance: 10km
Duration: 6 hours 4 minutes and 22 seconds
Day 5
Today is a rest day. Well…sort of. We are going to take you on a 45 minute stroll up the Everest Veiw point where you will a good view of our guides bum, I mean Everest, situated about 40km away. W also spend some time at the old village where Edmund Hillary spend many a day. We also send and hour or so in the local monastery with the local monk. The afternoon is usually spent in the bakery devouring the best black forest cake ever.
Day 6
We Follow the normal morning routine and begin the hike by 9am. Today we trek up through the mysterious heath like vegetation towards our humble abode for the night-the Everest Hotel situated at Tengboche, 3860m. The tea house has some of the most incredible views of Everest from the dining hall. This village is spectacular. It is surrounded by some Himalayan giants as is basically at the base of the iconic Ama Dablam mountain.
Hiking distance: 9km
Duration: 6 hours 10 minutes and 41 seconds
Day 7
Today. Well it may not be today as you might be ready this in the future. But you get what we mean. Today….we head up the village of Dingboche at 4,410m. So the altitude will most likely start to affect you at this point. The trekking speed will be slow so as to allow our bodies to adapt to the tanning air.
Hiking distance: 8km
Duration: 6 hours 2 minutes and 11 seconds
Day 8
Rest and acclimatization day. Rest day???? Ha ha ha. Yeah right. We need to get you acclimatized. So we are going to drag your sorry ass up to 4800m. A steady trek that takes about 3 hours up and down. Then you can rest sunshine. So hopefully back by say 11am so you can chill.
Day 9
We start to head into alpine territory. So the vegetation will become sparse as will the ping pong balls. The highlight of the trek today is the time we send at the Everest memorial sight. This is sombre place indeed that is home to all of the climbers who have died in the Himalayas. We then continue up to the village of Lobuche at 4,900m.
Hiking distance: 7km
Duration: 5 hours 45 minutes and 19 seconds
Day 10
An early start as we have a long days trekking ahead today. We start with a 3 hour hike into Gorek Shep at 5,164m. We have lunch and then take the 3 hour trek into Everest Base camp at 5,300m. We spend about 45 minutes here harassing the tiger that doesn’t exist and of course the climbing teams. We may shed a tear or two to commemorate the sense of accomplishment before we head on back to Gorek Shep for the evening. Ginna be a long night I’m afraid. The altitude here is not conducive to good sleep. But you will survive.
Hiking distance: 12km
Duration: 8 hours 12 minutes and 34 seconds
Day 11
Wake up at 3:30am. What???? Did you say 3:30am? Well yes sireeeee…we did. In fact you have 30 minutes to get ready because at 4am we start or climb to the summit of Kala Patar at 5,610m. It is from here you will get THE BEST VIEW EVER of Mount Everest. You cannot see the summit of Everest from the bas camp or even Gorek Shep as the looming mass of Nuptse and the Khumbu Icefall is in the way. Back down for breakfast by say 8am. We give you about 3 hours to chill before we head on down Dzongla (4,830m)
Hiking distance: 11km
Duration: 7 hours 18 minutes and 56 seconds
Day 12
Trek from Dzongla to Gokyo (4790m) via Chola pass (5400m).We get an early start today to traverse the Chola Pass. Mornings almost always provide the best weather for crossing high altitude passes. Later in the day, the wind picks up and also, melting ice is dangerous. After about 5 hours of climbing up the rocky incline, we reach the pass. A sharp downhill brings us to Thaknak, our lunch spot. Two and a half hours from here, we reach Gokyo Village, one of the most beautiful places in the Everest region. Overnight at guest house.
Hiking distance: 9 km
Duration: 7 hours 34 minutes and 02 seconds
Day 13
Early morning hike up to Gokyo Ri (5483m) and trek back to Machhermo (4470m).Again, we get an early start. However, you’ll feel well rested from getting lots of sleep last night. The goal is to reach Gokyo Ri before the sun rises, which provides a spectacular viewpoint to see the glowing peaks. It’s a steep 600 meter climb, where we see four 8,000 meter peaks before our eyes – Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu. We head back to Gokyo village for breakfast and then head to Machhermo, which we reach just in time for lunch. Overnight at guest house.
Hiking distance: 12 km
Duration: 6 hours 37minutes and 22 seconds
Day 14
Trek from Machhermo to Khumjung (3790m). Waking up with views of Thamserku, Cholatse and many other mighty peaks, we have our breakfast and hit the trail. We pass waterfalls and windblown pastures until we reach Phortse Thanga (after about four hours). We stop here for lunch and carry on the gentle path to Khumjung village. Here, there is a monastery on a hilltop with a supposed Yeti scalp that is worth checking out. Overnight at guest house.
Hiking distance: 12 km
Duration: 5 hours 37 minutes and 22 seconds
Day 15
Trek from Khumjung to Phakding. After breakfast, we make our way to Phakding, first passing Namche Bazaar. You can stop for some time and buy any last-minute souvenirs if you’d like. About 2.5 hours after leaving Namche Bazaar, we soon reach Monjo village and take another break, this time for lunch. Phakding is only about 1.5 hours of walking downhill from here. Overnight in guest house.
Day 16
Trek from Phakding to Lukla. After breakfast, we prepare for our final day of the trek. The hike takes about four hours, but sometimes a little longer with extra breaks. We enjoy our last moments with the amazing Everest region scenery and celebrate a successful journey in the evening. Overnight at guest house.
Day 17
Early morning fly back to Kathmandu. Have breakfast and then walk to Tenzing-Hillary airport and fly back to Kathmandu in the morning. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city. We’ll have a farewell dinner for you in the evening. Overnight in hotel.
Day 18
Tear the city of Kathmandu apart. Visit the temples and chill.