Destinations

An alternative, or even better, an addition, to the Everest Base Camp trek is the trek up to the Gokyo valley. Gokyo is located in the valley immediately west of the Everest (Khumbu) valley and is far less developed and crowded than its better-known neighbor to the east. In fact, the Gokyo valley only has one traditional permanent settlement, the rest being summer pastures now catering to the passing trekkers.

If Gokyo is visited after trek to Everest base camp the extra distance only adds a another five days to the itinerary. If Gokyo is visited independently of Everest then care needs to be taken on the upward leg of the trek, as the altitude gain is much greater, leading to many unwary trekkers having problems with AMS. Both options will be described here.

If Gokyo is the ultimate destination rather than Everest then the Everest trail is followed as far as the teahouses at Kenjoma (where the trail from Khumjung joins the main trail). From here the Gokyo trail climbs up the hillside to a pass at Mong La before dropping steeply back down to the banks of the Dudh Koshi. The next two hours of trekking, through beech, rhododendron and oak forest, past waterfalls, which are often frozen, and ultimately through pine forests before breaking out above the tree line is one of the best sections of any trail in the area. Just above the trees line are the teahouses of dole, a convenient stopping place for the first night.
The following day must be very short if you are to avoid altitude problems. it only takes around for hours to reach Machherma but this is as far as most trekkers should travel that day. The valley that leads west above Manchherma is well worth an afternoon visit. it is here that the last reported sighting of a yeti was made. A yeti sighting unlikely but the valley is stunning none the less. The rocky bulk of Kyajo Ri, an unclimbed and impressive peak, dominates the head of the valley.

The final push up to Gokyo takes you past the teahouses at Pangkha and up the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal. Just above the moraine is the first of the glacial lakes for which Gokyo is renowned. If it isn't frozen, look for migrating ducks on the lake surface. The trail passes two more lakes to reach the teahouses of Gokyo about four to five hours after leaving Machherma.

The Gokyo valley is dominated at its head by the massive form of Cho Oyu, at 8153 meters the eight highest peaks on earth. Many options are available in the upper Gokyo valley. The most common destination is the rock hill above the third lake known as Gokyo Ri or Gokyo Kala Pattar. This hill, which takes at least two hours to climb, provides an even better panorama than the one seen from the more famous Kala Pattar at Gorak Shep (see Everest base camp trek description). To get the most out of a climb of Gokyo Ri, leave the teahouses at least two hours before dawn in order to have a sunrise view of the Himalaya. Other options include an additional day spent trekking further up the valley past the fourth and fifth lakes to Cho Oyu base camp. It must be remembered that there are no facilities beyond Gokyo and all trekkers must be self-sufficient.

There are two high passes leading out of the Gokyo valley. The most traveled in Cho la pass which connects with the khumbu valley near Lobuche and the other is the renjo la pass that joins the trail between Thame and Nangpa la. Both of these are serious undertakings that require some basic mountaineering skills and equipment depending on weather conditions. Teahouse trekkers have successfully crossed Cho la but the risk of sudden storm, which could trap unprepared trekkers, is always possible. Neither pass should be attempted without a competent guide.

if you are visiting the Gokyo valley in addition to Everest base camp it is as far better to trek to Gokyo after visiting Everest ,for acclimatization reasons. Follow the Everest trek route described previously and take the alternative exit route as far as Phortse. From here, follow the eastern side of the valley through some isolated settlements, which include the village of Konar, the only permanent settlement above Phortse. The trail climbs, mostly gently, up the valley with some superb view of Cho Oyu in front and Thamserku and Kangtega behind. There are no facilities available on the side of the valley until the small teahouse at nah is reached after about six hours walking from Phortse. Trekkers should therefore carry their supplies for the day. Nah is a good place to camp but for teahouse accommodation Pangkha, another hour further on, has far better facilities. From here the previously described trail is followed to Gokyo.

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»	Gokyo Valley Trek	»	Hinkhu & Hongu Valley Trek
»	Jiri to Lukla Trek	»	Everest to Arun Valley Trek
»	Trek Around Salleri

• Annapurna Region Trek
• Everest Region Trek
• Langtang Region Trek

• Annapurna Base Camp Trek
• Round Annapurna Trek
• Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
• Gandruk Village Trek
• Kaligandaki Muktinath Trek
• Annapurna Base Camp & Muktinath Trek
• Everest Base Camp Kalapather Trek
• Jiri Everest Base Camp Kalapather Trek
• Everest Base Camp Gokyo Trek
• Gokyo Chola Pass EBC Trek
• Gokyo Trek
• Langtang Valley Trek
• Langtang Helambu Trek
• Langtang Gosaikunda Trek

• Round Dhaulagiri Trekking - 22 Days
• Mustang Lo-manthang Trek - 19 Days
• Arun Valley Trekking - 17 Days
• Pike Dudhkunda Taksindu - 16 Days
• Kanchenjunga Trekking - 24 Days
• Makalu Base Camp Trekking - 13 Days
• Limi Valley Simikot Hilsa Simikot Trek
• Renjo Pass Trekking - 13 Days
• Round Manaslu Trekking - 20 Days
• Dhorpatan Jaljala Pass Trek - 16 Days

• Mera Peak Climbing - 20 Days
• Island Peak Climbing - 19 Days
• Pisang Peak Climbing - 23 Days
• Lobuche Peak Climbing - 25 Days
• Yala Peak Climbing - 16 Days