Gokyo Ri

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (1,400 m), followed by a pre-trek briefing covering permits, packing, and the acclimatisation schedule ahead. Since this trek skips Everest Base Camp entirely in favour of the Gokyo valley, the guide reviews the Namche-to-Dole turnoff specifically, the point where this route diverges from the standard EBC trail. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla (2,860 m), takes roughly 25-30 minutes from Kathmandu or around 20 minutes plus a pre-dawn drive when operating from Manthali/Ramechhap in peak season. From Lukla, the trail descends gently through Chaurikharka along the Dudh Koshi river to Phakding (2,610 m), passing the trek's first mani walls and prayer wheels.

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi river, crossing the high Hillary Suspension Bridge near Jorsale before entering Sagarmatha National Park at the Monjo checkpoint. A steep switchback climb through pine forest gains 830 m to reach Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the Khumbu's main trading hub and the first mandatory two-night acclimatisation stop.

Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) following the climb-high-sleep-low rule. The morning hike climbs to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) at Syangboche for a first distant look at Everest's summit pyramid alongside Ama Dablam, before descending through Khumjung village. Return to Namche for the second acclimatisation night.

This is where the route leaves the standard Everest Base Camp trail: instead of continuing east to Tengboche, the path forks north from Sanasa toward the Gokyo valley. The trail climbs steadily through rhododendron and juniper forest, with Thamserku and Kongde Ri visible across the valley, reaching the small yak-herding settlement of Dole (4,038 m).

A shorter day by distance but a meaningful elevation gain, deliberately paced slowly for acclimatisation above 4,000 m. The trail climbs above the tree line into open, rocky terrain with views of Cho Oyu (8,188 m) ahead, reaching Machermo (4,470 m), a village with a Himalayan Rescue Association aid post staffed in peak season.

The trail climbs above Machermo and skirts the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal's largest, before reaching the shore of Dudh Pokhari at Gokyo (4,790 m), the fourth of the six Gokyo Lakes. The turquoise lake and glacier views open up gradually over the final hour of walking.

★ Gokyo (4,790 m)

A pre-dawn climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a panorama that takes in four 8,000 m peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, from a single viewpoint, widely regarded as a quieter alternative to Kala Patthar. The afternoon is free to rest beside the lakes or walk to the fifth and sixth lakes for those acclimatising well.

★ Gokyo Ri (5,357 m)

A descending day retracing the route down the Dudh Koshi valley from Gokyo (4,790 m) back to Dole (4,038 m), with the elevation loss making for noticeably easier breathing than the climb up.

The trail rejoins familiar ground, descending from Dole (4,038 m) back through Kyangjuma to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), with a final look back at Thamserku and Kongde Ri before dropping into the Namche bowl.

The final trekking day retraces the route down through Jorsale and Monjo, exiting Sagarmatha National Park, then climbs back up to Lukla (2,860 m) for the last night on the trail before the return flight to Kathmandu.

Morning flight from Lukla (2,860 m) back to Kathmandu (1,400 m), weather permitting, timed early to beat the afternoon cloud build-up typical of the Khumbu valley. Afternoon free for showers and Thamel, followed by a farewell dinner.

International departure from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, or onward travel in Nepal.