Gokyo Lakes

The day starts early with a short flight to Lukla, the starting point of your trek. During the journey, you discover the Himalayan reliefs, from the Langtang chains to the Jugal Himal, passing through Rolwaling, Gaurisankar and Menlungtse.

This flight offers you a first glimpse of the landscapes of the Himalaya before your arrival in Lukla.

You start your trek at the gates of Khumbu, at the entrance to the village of Lukla. Throughout the day, several stops punctuate your walk as you meet the locals, take photos and enjoy the landscapes dominated by many snow-capped peaks reaching 6,000 metres. Along the way, you pass near the impressive Thado Kosi mani stone, engraved with prayers, then bypass the many chortens and prayer wheels of Sano. The afternoon is free. Those who wish can continue to a small gompa, a Buddhist temple overlooking the village.

In the evening, you gather around an aperitif by the fireside, followed by dinner.

After breakfast, you head towards the village of Monjo. The trail runs along the right bank of the Dudh Koshi, passes through Phakding and crosses several suspension bridges above the river. You continue through a pine forest and several small villages, before stopping with a view of Thamserku, which peaks at 6,623 meters.

After a few hours of walking and more crossings on suspension bridges, you reach the small village of Monjo.

Shortly after leaving your lodge, you arrive at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. While your guides take care of the trekking permits, you can observe the 3D map and consult the various information panels.

You then continue your walk for about forty minutes along the Dudh Koshi, before crossing its tributary, the Bhote Koshi. Your ascent then begins towards Namche, the dynamic Sherpa capital with its many colorful shops.

The trail gradually moves away from the river and climbs in a zigzag pattern up to the tree line, before opening onto a high-altitude basin where the village of Namche is located.

The beginning of the following day is devoted to a short acclimatization walk at altitude. The afternoon is free to discover Namche's shops and cafés. Accompanied by your guide, you also reach several viewpoints overlooking the Himalayan peaks: Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest and Ama Dablam appear above the valleys.

If you feel fit enough, you can continue to the villages of Khumjung and Kunde, where a school and dispensary were able to open thanks to the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation.

If you have already visited Khumjung the day before, you can head directly to Phortse, without passing through Khumjung village again. The climb is initially easy until the Namche museum. After a steeper section, you reach the village of Mong, from where you enjoy a beautiful view of Thamserku peak, to the southeast. You then descend to the Dudh Koshi Nadi, which you cross via a metal footbridge located at 3,680 meters altitude. A steady climb then leads you to Phortse, at 3,800 meters altitude. The village is set on a completely cultivated plateau, where each plot of land is delimited by dry stone walls.

After breakfast, you leave Phortse and descend back to the footbridge you crossed the day before. You then follow a narrow, dusty and steep path to join the trail coming from Thanga. You progress under imposing rhododendrons, before passing near two waterfalls, whose icy spray brings a little freshness. You then take a break at Dhole.

You continue your hike northward on a mountainside path, without any particular difficulty. Along the way, you observe herds of yaks grazing peacefully. When the sun disappears behind the clouds, the temperature drops rapidly: gloves and fleece become necessary, while the wind blows at your back.

This morning, you set off towards the Gokyo lakes. You reach Panka via a road offering beautiful scenery, then descend slightly by following one of the rivers coming from the Ngozumpa glacier. You then climb back up the valley alongside the glacier to the first sacred lake. A little further on appears the second lake, followed by the third, Dudh Pokhari, located on the east shore of the Gokyo lakes. The Cho Oyu (8,143 m) and Gyachung Kang dominate the landscape and are reflected in the calm waters with emerald green hues of the lakes. You then reach Gokyo, installed near the Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier in Népal. Sherpas manage the lodges there and welcome hikers. You can spend the rest of the day resting in the Gokyo valley or, if you have enough energy left, continue to the fourth and fifth lakes. You can also climb a hill located at the edge of the fifth lake, from where you enjoy a view of the Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Makalu.

You then return near the main lakes to reach your lodge, installed in the heart of a mountain cirque.

The day begins with the ascent of Gokyo Peak. Shortly after sunrise, you make your way up the southern slope, along a route with no particular difficulty. From the summit, you enjoy a vast panorama over the Everest region, a viewpoint that some consider even more remarkable than the one offered from Kala Patar.

The ascent to the summit of Gokyo Ri, at 5,360 meters altitude, is demanding. Allow approximately 3 to 4 hours of climbing to reach the summit. From there, you enjoy a vast panorama over the Gokyo valley, the Ngozumpa glacier and the Khumbu mountain range. The first rays of sunlight illuminating Everest complete this high mountain landscape.

You descend back down to Gokyo, before continuing your trek towards Phanga, passing through Longpongo.

As you descend, you observe the landscapes from a different perspective. The trail winds between various obstacles and offers a magnificent view of Cho Oyu and Cholatse.

You continue your trek towards the village of Khunde, where a clinic was able to be opened thanks to the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. You then continue your descent to Namche, where you take advantage of the rest of the day to rest.

Early in the morning, you begin your descent towards Lukla. This day of hiking takes you through rhododendron and pine forests, following an itinerary with no particular difficulty. You successively cross Monjo, then Phakding, before continuing to Lukla. After approximately 8 hours of trekking, you reach your destination and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

After breakfast, you take the flight to Katmandou. This short flight allows you, in clear weather, to enjoy one last time beautiful mountain views. Upon arrival at Katmandou airport, you are transferred to your hotel, where you can settle in and take some time to rest.