Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri
In Nepali: गोक्यो ताल र गोक्यो री
The Gokyo lakes lie between about 4,700 and 5,000 m in a side valley west of Everest. They are a Ramsar-listed wetland and sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. The small lodge settlement of Gokyo sits beside the third lake, Dudh Pokhari.
An early climb up Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) gives one of the great Himalayan panoramas: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, with the grey rubble of the Ngozumpa, Nepal's longest glacier, below. Many trekkers continue over the Cho La pass to join the Everest Base Camp route.
What to see and do
The first lake (Longpongo) appears just above Machhermo, followed by Taboche Tsho and then Dudh Pokhari, the third lake, where Gokyo village stands. Beyond it are the fourth, fifth and sixth lakes, reachable on day hikes up the valley toward Cho Oyu base camp; the fifth lake's Scoundrel's Viewpoint looks straight at Everest.
Climb Gokyo Ri before sunrise (2–3 hours up) or at sunset. Walking out onto the edge of the Ngozumpa glacier gives a sense of its scale: a vast river of ice covered in rubble and dotted with melt pools.
Good to know
Gokyo is at about 4,790 m; approach slowly via Dole and Machhermo, with a rest day. Combining Gokyo with Everest Base Camp via the Cho La pass needs good weather and experience on snow — the pass can be icy. Lodges in Gokyo are comfortable for the altitude.
Quick answers
- Where is Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri?
- Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri is in Solukhumbu district, Koshi Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri?
- About 4,790 m (15,716 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri?
- For a 12-day trip from Kathmandu, about NPR 124,500 (≈ US$920) per person on a budget, or NPR 141,500 (≈ US$1,050) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food, entry fees, a guide and porter. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 54,500 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri?
- Plan 10 nights there for the trek; with travel from Kathmandu and back, about 12 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri?
- Foreign visitors pay about NPR 5,000 / US$37 to enter Sagarmatha National Park plus the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee (SAARC visitors about half, Nepali citizens a small fee).
- Do I need a guide for Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri?
- Yes, for foreign trekkers: since 2023 a licensed guide is required in Nepal’s national parks and conservation areas. Nepali trekkers may go on their own.
- When is the best time to visit Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri?
- October–November; April–May
- How do I get to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri?
- About 5 days' walk from Lukla via Namche and Dole. It is about 135 km (straight line) from Kathmandu, and usually reached by flight.
- What is Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri called in Nepali?
- गोक्यो ताल र गोक्यो री
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