This is the 6th part of my epic 19-day trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Gokyo Lake, perched on the Himalayan mountains in Nepal.

Highlights

Scroll down to see photos from my trip, a trail map, itinerary & more travel tips.

See also: Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary.

View prices online: Everest trek packages, Where to stay in Kathmandu

Gokyo Lake

Gokyo village (4,750 m)

Gokyo village

Yak at the lakeside in Gokyo

Gokyo Ri

View at the start of the trail to Gokyo Ri

Gokyo Ri view of Gokoy Lake and Ngozumpa Glacier

Gokyo Ri summit view

Mount Everest view from Gokyo Ri

From Gokyo Ri summit, you can get a panoramic view of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, and 6 out of the Top 20 tallest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest (8848 m; 1st), Lhotse (8516 m; 4th), Makalu (8,485 m; 5th), Cho Oyu (8,201 m; 6th), Gyachung Kang (7,952 m; 15th), and Nuptse (7,864 m; 20th).

Above the sea of clouds

A sea of clouds forms over Gokyo Lake and the Ngozumpa Glacier.

Above the clouds at Gokyo Ri.

Unbelievable view at the roof of the world. Snow-capped peaks rising over a sea of white fluffy clouds.

Trekkers on the trail down from Gokyo Ri.

Gokyo village located beside Gokyo Lake

Gokyo Lake was well worth the detour from the popular EBC trail. 101% recommended if you can spare an extra week on top of the typical 12-day itinerary.

Gokyo IV Lake

Gokyo IV Lake (4,845 meters).

A yak standing imposingly on top of a hill.

Gokyo II Lake to Dole

Gokyo II Lake, seen on the way to Macchermo village.

A scenic view of cotton-like shrubs on my way back to Dole.

Stone-walled village near Dole

A scenic stone village surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape, near Dole.

Alpine lodge in Dole. The best teahouse/lodge I found in the whole EBC-Gokyo trail! Well recommended!

Dole to Namche Bazaar/Lukla

The wooded trail from Dole to Mongla.

Trekking from Dole to Mongla.

EBC Trek Map

Array

EBC Trek Itinerary

See full itinerary & highlights: EBC-Gokyo Circuit Trek (19 days)

Day 13 – Gokyo Ri Summit

Distance hiked: 7.3 km

Starting elevation: 4,750 meters

Ending elevation: 5,357 meters

Elevation change: 607 meters (681 meters up, 757 meters down)

Hike duration: 5 hours and 20 minutes (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
1030 Start trek from Gokyo village (4,750 meters)
1200 OTW to Gokyo Ri (5,055 meters)
1310 Gokyo Ri Summit (5,357 meters)
1610 Back to Gokyo village
Sleep: Gokyo Lakeside Lodge and Restaurant

Day 14 – Gokyo IV Lake

Time
1130 Start trek from Gokyo village (4,750 meters)
1230 Gokyo IV Lake (4,845 meters)

Day 15 – Gokyo to Dole

Distance hiked: 11.9 km

Starting elevation: 4,750 meters

Ending elevation: 4,038 meters

Elevation change: 712 meters (206 meters up, 926 meters down)

Hike duration: 5 hours (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
0815 Start trek from Gokyo (4,750 meters)
0840 Gokyo II Lake (4,723 meters)
1100 Machhermo (4,400 meters)
1135 Luza (4,344 meters)
1220 Scenic stone village (4,287 meters)
1300 Dole (4,038 meters)
Sleet at Yeti Inn. Highly Recommended! It’s the best teahouse lodge of the whole trek!

Day 16 – Dole to Namche Bazaar

Distance hiked: 11.2 km

Starting elevation: 4,038 meters

Ending elevation: 3,440  meters

Elevation change: 598 meters (548 meters up, 1160 meters down)

Hike duration: 8 hours (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
0845 Start trek from Dole (4,038 meters)
0930 OTW to Phortse Tenga (3,712  meters)
1020 OTW to Mongla (3,607  meters). Before a steep climb uphill.
1140 Mongla (3,960  meters)
1310 Approaching Kyangjuma (3,675 meters)
1700 Namche Bazaar (3,440  meters)

Day 17 – Namche Bazaar to Phakding

Distance hiked: 10.5 km

Starting elevation: 3,440  meters

Ending elevation: 2,610 meters

Elevation change: 830 meters (365 meters up, 1,130 meters down)

Hike duration: 5 hours and 30 minutes (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
0830 Start trek from Namche Bazaar (3,440  meters)
1045 Monjo (2,835 m). Lunch at Mount Kailesh Lodge and Restaurant.
1400 Phakding (2,610 m)

Day 18 – Phakding to Lukla

Distance hiked: 8 km

Starting elevation: 2,610 meters

Ending elevation: 2,860 meters

Elevation change: 250 meters (478 meters up, 258 meters down)

Hike duration: 5 hours and 30 minutes (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
0830 Start trek from Phakding (2,610 meters)
1100 Koshigaun (2,554 meters)
1220 OTW to Chheplung (2,699 meters)
1400 Lukla (2.860 meters)
Sleep at Alpine Lodge. Recommended!

Day 19 – Lukla to Kathmandu

Time
0850 Lukla to Kathmandu flight

EBC-Gokyo trek series

Itinerary & Highlights: EBC-Gokyo Circuit Trek (19 days)

Day 1 to 2: Lukla Airport to Namche Bazaar

Day 3: Namche Bazaar & Mt Everest View

Day 4 to 6: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche & Dingboche

Day 7 to 9: Dingboche to Everest Base Camp via Lobuche & Gorak Shep

Day 10 to 12: Chola Pass & Gokyo

Day 13 to 19: Gokyo Lakes & the circuit trail back to Lukla

Before you go

See also: Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary.

View prices online: Everest trek packages, Where to stay in Kathmandu