Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking – 14 Days

Best Time

The spring season is one of the prime times for Everest Gokyo Ri trekking, spanning from March to May. The weather is generally stable, with cloudless skies and occasional clear ones. You may enjoy the rhododendrons in bloom, particularly in the lower section, while gazing up at the ice-covered Himalayas at a temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold.

Also, the shimmering turquoise lakes are wonderful during spring; however, the trails can be crowded and lively. Furthermore, the season of autumn is as good as spring, with unblemished vistas. As it is post-monsoon, everything around is dry and dusty, making the trekking experience less pleasant.

Additionally, major festivals such as Dashain and Tihar are held at that time. Allowing you to capture the culture and traditions that flourish in the region. This results in a super busy period, especially in October, leading to increased prices for accommodation and flights.

Finally, the summer and winter seasons are the least favorable but have their unique charm. The weather is warm, with lush greenery, and there are challenges like heavy rain, which can conceal the pristine Himalayan vistas under thick clouds; however, the fresh air and clean environment that follows the rain make it a refreshing place.

On the other hand, it’s the opposite of monsoon in winter, as you will witness the pristine Himalayan views, but challenges like heavy snowfall blocking the route may arise. Despite all, if you are a solitary person, this season is ideal, as there are fewer crowds, and you can explore the place in quiet solitude, handling the cold and snowy days with ease. Winter and early summer can give you something truly different.

Elevation and distance

On this thrilling 14-day Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking itinerary adventure, you will start your journey after a flight from either Kathmandu or Manthali to Lukla, which is situated at an elevation of 2860 meters. From here, you will trek to various Sherpa villages, including Phakding (2610 m), Namche Bazaar (3440 m), Dole (4038 m), and Machhermo (4470 m), gaining significant elevation each day.

You will visit Machhermo and Namche Bazaar to get your body used to the higher elevation. You can also side-trip to Hotel Everest View at 3,880 meters or Syangboche at 3,780 meters. Gokyo Ri, at 5,357 meters, is the highest point of this adventurous journey, while Gokyo, at 4,790 meters, is the second.

Aside from this, you will walk, covering a total hiking distance of 92 to 94 kilometers on a round trip, starting and ending your trek journey at Lukla. Similarly, on the other hand, you will cover 43 to 45 kilometers to reach Gokyo Village to explore the beautiful turquoise Gokyo Lakes. Then, when returning, you will trek 25.5 kilometers from Machhermo Village to reach Lukla town to wrap up this hiking excursion in the Solu Khumbu region.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

Trekkers on this 14-day Everest Gokyo Ri itinerary must walk for roughly 5 to 6 hours every day across high passes, rocky slopes, and steep paths, which are both physically and mentally taxing. The elevation, reaching up to 5,357 meters, can be a challenge that requires strong resilience, stoicism, and concentrated mental focus, especially for those who are not accustomed to highland trekking.

Moreover, the pivotal health concern that typically arises is altitude sickness, as trekkers go above 3,000 meters. The risk of AMS, precisely known as Acute Mountain Sickness, where the symptoms include headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness, is common if not adequately managed. If left untreated, these conditions can be inoperable.

Lastly, to avoid all the mishaps, the package includes acclimatization, as it is key to taking rest days seriously on Day 5, with an optional hike to Syangboche or Everest View Hotel (3,800 m), and on Day 8, which is a free day at Machhermo (4,470 m). Ambling, staying hydrated, eating well, and avoiding alcohol are recommended during the 13-day excursion.

Maximum and minimum walks per day

As the Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking Package is a moderate-level trekking adventure, you will walk approximately five to six hours daily. The minimum stretch per day will be on the day you travel from Lukla town to Phakding, which is the first day of the trekking journey, and it will take about three to four hours.

In the same way, the longest hour of stretch will be on day 6 and day 10, lasting almost seven to eight hours when you travel from Namche Bazaar town to Dole village and when you ascend Gokyo Ri from Gokyo Village and then come back by descent to the Machhermo Village for an overnight stay.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

In the context of accommodation, Adventure Walk Way will assist you in reserving rooms during your arrival and trekking in the Everest region, ensuring a hassle-free stay while traveling in Nepal. In Kathmandu, you will be lodged in a three-star hotel for three nights. If you love staying in a luxury hotel, we will upgrade you as per your wish for an additional cost in the Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking Package.

Similarly, you will be accommodated on a twin-sharing basis in teahouses along the trekking trails during the trek in the Everest region. If you prefer private bathroom accommodations for each night, we can also arrange this for you, especially in lower-altitude areas such as Lukla, Namche Bazaar, and Phakding Village. However, this facility is not available in the higher-elevation areas, so you have to adjust to the facilities.

Teahouses in the Everest region include clean bedding and shared bathroom facilities. The dining area is the central hub where you can expect a social, warm, and cozy environment with a fire lit in a yak-dung stove. After a long day of trekking in the mountains, the teahouse will be your haven to melt your tiredness away.

Besides this, breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in local teahouses are very fresh and nourishing. The most common food found in each teahouse is Dal Bhat, consisting of rice, lentil soup, curry, and vegetable soup. Some lower-altitude tea houses or lodges in Lukla and Namche Bazaar also offer international dishes.

Other options include fried rice, momos, omelets, soups, noodles, pasta, and many other healthy foods that will provide you with enough energy for trekking in the Khumbu region. For drinks, teahouses serve black tea, herbal tea, instant coffee, and hot lemon.

However, we strongly advise you to avoid alcoholic beverages, at least when trekking, as drinking and smoking are dangerous at higher altitudes, which can affect your health directly.

A typical day in the Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking journey

Each day on the Everest Gokyo Ri Trek 14-day trek sets off with an early start and a warming breakfast at a teahouse, all while surrounded by fresh air and stunning views. At 7:30 AM, you’ll be walking through the trail, fascinated by the sight of the hilltop Sherpa villages and colorful prayer flags, crossing suspension bridges suspended over deep gorges, as well as walking beside glacial streams.

At the end of the afternoon, while it remains bright, you will have reached the lodge, where a good meal and the warm atmosphere of the place will be available to you. The evening is typically a calm time to write in your diary, look at the stars, or talk to other trekkers, and soon go to bed to take some rest for the next day’s journey.

Can a beginner join this trip?

Everyone who has a good fitness level is welcome to the Everest Gokyo Ri Trek 14-day. Whether you are an experienced trekker or a first-time trekker, you can join this adventure without any hesitation if you have good mental and physical health. However, it is better to train your body before embarking on the trek so that you can complete this trip without breaking a sweat.

Our Adventure Walk Way company has assisted numerous trekkers, from young children to older adults, in completing this 14-day adventure successfully. Our professional guides will aid you in navigating the trails of the mountains at ease, ensuring your well-being.

Preparation and fitness

Before embarking on this almost fortnight-long journey, you need some significant preparation, such as practical planning, that will ease your mind while trekking. First of all, researching the route, climate, and altitude profile is helpful, as you’ll know what you are stepping into.

Then, gather all your gear, including hiking boots, thermal layers, a dependable down jacket, a robust trekking backpack, and other essentials such as a first-aid kit and water purification tablets.

Trekking in the Himalayas is not a stroll in the park. To prepare your physical fitness for any unexpected conditions and complex duties, start strengthening your stamina and resilience at least one and a half months before the trip.

Using basic bodyweight exercises, concentrate mostly on strengthening your legs and core. If you are unfamiliar with the higher elevation hike, which involves long walks and significant elevation gain, as well as stair climbing with a loaded backpack, get accustomed to the strain.

On the contrary, training well, smart backpacking, and being mentally fit are the key points of preparation and fitness, so take your time and listen to your body. This Everest Gokyo Ri trekking package is advantageous and unforgettable.

Transportation

Adventure Walk Way provides a pick-up service from Kathmandu International Airport Terminal. Similarly, your domestic flight to Lukla from the capital is also included in the Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking Package. You don’t have to pay any extra charges regarding transportation, except for the international flight from your country to Nepal.

Additionally, after completing this amazing 14-day Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking itinerary adventure, if you wish to extend your trip to other destinations in Nepal, such as Pokhara and Chitwan, we will be happy to arrange it for you for an extra charge within the package.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that all travelers buy comprehensive travel insurance before embarking on the 14-day Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking itinerary adventure. The trek is well-planned and guided by professional Sherpas. However, the mountain environment is unpredictable, and if you are correctly insured, you will feel at ease all the time.

Even if not very probable, falling and getting injured by accidents, developing altitude-related diseases such as severe mountain sickness, or needing a helicopter to leave the place alive, are not impossible. Travel insurance is necessary to be insured against such accidents.

Your insurance policy should include rescue operations, cancellations of the travel plan, and Medicare at high altitudes (above 5,000 meters). The protection from lost or stolen items, delayed travel and luggage, and other disturbances should be taken into account.

What to expect from this trip?

During this 14-day Everest Gokyo Ri trekking tour, you will fly to the Khumbu region in the picturesque Lukla flight, then proceed on foot through dense pine forests to the bustling mountain town of Namche Bazaar, taking up acclimatization as well as a side hike to the legendary Everest View Hotel.

On the way, you’ll pass through local villages like Dole and Machhermo and then reach the emerald waters of the Gokyo Lakes, which bring you to the venue where Nepal’s largest glacier flows. The main attraction is the early morning ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), from where you can spot the entire Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu massif.

Moreover, savor delicious and warming teahouse meals, friendly Sherpa service, and clear skies, which are ideal in spring or fall when the air is fresh and the mountain views are at their best. So, without a doubt, your expectations on this journey will be surpassed easily with tons of incredible moments and memories that you will never forget in your life.