The short version
- 117 days, about 138 km on foot, topping out at 5,357m. Rated Moderate on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in Mar–May, Oct.
- 3Starts from Kathmandu / Lukla, reached via Kathmandu.
- 42 nights gain more than 500 m above 3,000 m. That's common on Himalayan treks, but it's where altitude sickness tends to show up: go slowly the day before and drink well.
- 5Operators charge ₹97,000 per person; 1 listed, 1 verified.
The trek
Overview
The Gokyo Lakes trek crosses the Khumbu to a string of turquoise glacial lakes above 4,700m below the Ngozumpa Glacier — one of Nepal's most photographed high-altitude scenes. It culminates on Gokyo Ri (5,357m), where sunrise puts four 8,000m peaks — Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu — in one panorama.
Right for you if
- You can hike 6 hours with 1,000m of climbing, two days running
- You've slept above 3,500m (Leh, Spiti) without getting properly sick
- You can take 17–18 days off, with spare days for Lukla flights
- You want Everest views with fewer people than the Base Camp trail
- Basic lodges are fine: shared toilets, unheated rooms, nights of −10°C at Gokyo
Think twice if
- You have a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition without a doctor's OK for 5,300m
- You've had HAPE or HACE (fluid on the lungs or brain) at altitude before
- Your dates can't move: weather cancels Lukla flights often, sometimes for days
- Small planes scare you: the only quick way in is a flight to Lukla's mountain airstrip
Season
When to go
Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
Autumn: the clearest skies and steadiest weather of the year. Nights get cold quickly from October, and early snow is possible in November.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Kathmandu
Nearest airport
Kathmandu, then a flight to Lukla
Nearest railway
No railway; Indian trekkers often fly or drive to Kathmandu
Most operators run a shared pickup from Kathmandu early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 41 km with about 2,650 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 4, climbing 940 m. Operators vary it a little.
- Day1
Lukla → Phakding
Fly into Lukla in the morning and walk down the Dudh Kosi valley
7.4 km90 m320 msleep at 2,610 m
- Day2
Phakding → Namche Bazaar
The big climb of the trek: the Namche hill, with a first view of Everest
10.4 km840 m70 msleep at 3,440 m
- Day3
Rest day at Namche Bazaar
Acclimatisation day: a short climb above Namche and back to sleep low
- Day4
Namche Bazaar → Dole
Off the Everest trail, up the Gokyo valley past Mong La
11.6 km940 m330 msleep at 4,036 m
- Day5
Dole → Machhermo
A short day, to keep the height gain slow
5.1 km390 m20 msleep at 4,386 m
- Day6
Machhermo → Gokyo
Beside the Ngozumpa glacier past the first lakes to Gokyo, on the third
6.9 km360 m0 msleep at 4,750 m
- Day7
Gokyo → Gokyo
via Gokyo Ri
Gokyo Ri at dawn for Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, and back down
4 km600 m600 msleep at 4,750 m
- Day8
Gokyo → Dole
Down the valley
12 km20 m740 msleep at 4,036 m
- Day9
Dole → Namche Bazaar
Back to Namche
11.6 km330 m940 msleep at 3,440 m
- Day10
Namche Bazaar → Lukla
Back to the airstrip. Flights out are early the next morning: keep a spare day, as weather cancels them
17.7 km360 m930 msleep at 2,850 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
2,850 m
Highest night
4,750 m
Highest point
4,765 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Moderate. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu local area fee.
- National park or conservation area permits, plus any trekker registration. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID; no visa.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Gokyo Lakes Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- Warm layers for a high camp well below freezing, even in summer, and glacier glasses for snow
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
1 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹97,000 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Trek The Himalayas4.8₹97,000
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
It's rated Moderate on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack. The highest point is 5,357m, so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Mar–May, Oct. Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
How many days does the Gokyo Lakes Trek take?
17 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 9 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Most groups meet in Kathmandu. Nearest airport: Kathmandu, then a flight to Lukla. Nearest railway: No railway; Indian trekkers often fly or drive to Kathmandu.
How much does the Gokyo Lakes Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹97,000 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu local area fee. National park or conservation area permits, plus any trekker registration. Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID; no visa.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.