Since 1998 15,000+ Happy Guests Sherpa Owned & Operated Company
*Including healthy meals
*Including healthy meals
based on 5 review(s)
The Gokyo Trek, also known as the Gokyo Ri Trek, promises an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes of the Khumbu region in Nepal. This adventure showcases the grandeur of the Himalayas, including iconic peaks like Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Lhotse. But it's more than just a trek; it's a chance to immerse yourself in the rich Sherpa culture.
Your adventure starts with a heart-pounding mountain flight to Lukla, where the real magic begins. From here, you'll meander through verdant forests and charming Sherpa villages, with Namche Bazaar serving as the perfect acclimatization spot. As you ascend towards Gokyo, the trail gradually takes you higher, winding through rhododendron forests and quaint yak-grazing settlements. The best time for this trek is post-monsoon when the rhododendrons are in full bloom, painting the landscape with vibrant colors.
The crown jewel of the Gokyo Trekking is the ascent of Gokyo Ri, standing tall at an impressive 5,357 meters (17,575 feet). From its summit, you'll be treated to a jaw-dropping panoramic vista that includes Mount Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and a host of other Himalayan giants. As if that weren't enough, the sparkling Gokyo Lake at 4,750 meters offers an enchanting view of the iconic ice slope at the valley's end.
Throughout your journey, you'll encounter notable landmarks of the Everest region, including the bustling Namche Bazaar. This region is not just about towering mountains; it's about the intimate connection between nature and remote villages that embody the soul of Everest. After reaching the pinnacle of Gokyo Peak, you'll retrace your steps through Monjo before catching a flight back to Kathmandu.
The Gokyo Trek is more than a trek; it's a captivating journey that promises breathtaking vistas, cultural immersion, and cherished memories. Book this adventure today and let the Himalayas unfold their majestic beauty before you.
If the sky is clear while you are flying into Kathmandu, you will get a glimpse of your upcoming vacation from the sky itself. The beautiful sights of snow-capped mountains surrounding the Kathmandu Valley from the windows of your jet will give you the first thrills of your just begun vacation, sparking off a whole reaction of unforgettable experiences that stay with us for some time to come.
Mountain Sherpa Trekking office representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the exit terminal of the airport. They will drive you to your designated hotel in a private vehicle arranged by us. Our representative will help you check into your designated hotel, and after going to your rooms, you can get refreshed and rest for some time. Next, you will be briefed about our daily activities.
You can roam around the neighborhood in the remaining time and get familiar with the surrounding. We will have a small meeting with our senior guide in the evening who will brief the details about our upcoming trekking expedition. It's your first night in the ancient city of temples, probably the most beautiful one.
Accommodations: Best 3 Star Or 5 Star Hotel- As Per Your Choices
Meals: Welcome Dinner at Typical Nepali Restaurant with Cultural Show
After having a delicious and healthy breakfast in the morning, we move out for our guided half-day city tour of Kathmandu valley. Our first destination is Boudhanath Stupa which is considered the largest stupa in the world. This place is the significant center for Tibetan culture in Kathmandu. Also, this place is listed as a cultural world heritage site by UNESCO. This giant Buddhist Stupa is an important pilgrimage center for Buddhist people. There are various interesting stories behind the establishment of the Stupa.
Our next destination is Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva and is one of the most important holiest Shiva temples in Nepal. You can roam around the temple and explore the beautiful and sacred areas surrounding the temple. Also, you can witness the Hindus death rituals on the bank of the Bagmati river beside the temple. Pashupatinath temple is an outstanding place to have a close insight into the rich spiritual and cultural life of Nepali people.
We then wrap up our cultural heritage tour and return to our hotel. You can get refreshed, or maybe do some shopping. We will have an early supper and retire to bed to have a proper rest before starting our trekking journey.
Accommodations: Best 3 Star Or 5 Star Hotel- As Per Your Choices Meals: Healthy Buffet Breakfast at Hotel
Height: 2,800m/9184ft (Lukla) and 2,652m/8,698ft (Phakding) Flight time: 35-minute Trekking Distance: 8km (3-4 hours) *
We wake up early today, get freshen up, and have a delicious and healthy breakfast. Our vehicles will be ready to drive you to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan airport. We take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to the Hillary airport Lukla (2800 m/8698 ft). It takes around 30-35 minutes to reach Lukla by flight.
It is one of the most adventurous and scenic flight journeys which will give you a close view of marvelous peaks covered with white snow. It is one of the most beautiful sky routes in the world which has a thrilling landing on a hillside surrounded by various high mountain peaks.
We meet other crew members upon arrival at Lukla. We do some sorting, packing, and arranging our bags properly before starting our trekking journey to Phakding. We begin our trek on the trail beside the Dudh Koshi river. We walk several up and downhill, through beautiful green forests and charming villages of Lukla until we reach Phakding. We hike for about 3-4 hours today. We hike for a shorter time today to have better acclimatization. If interested, you can take a side trip to a nearby monastery or enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Phakding. We will spend our night at a teahouse or Guesthouse in Phakding.
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Height: 3,440m/11,283ft Approx. Trekking distance: 10 km (5-6 hours)
We start our trek early in the morning after breakfast at Phakding. We hike today for about 5- 6 hours. We walk across a few uphill and downhill, beautiful pine forests and cross multiple suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi river. We enjoy the fantastic views of Thamserku (6618m) at first on our trail.
We reach the check post and entrance of Sagarmatha National park walking through the settlements of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo. We get our trekking permits checked for the record. Next, we have a gradual uphill hike through the last village Jorsale before finally reaching Namche Bazaar.
We walk on the trail through the forests and bridges; we reach the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. As we hike uphill towards the Namche Bazaar, we get our first sight of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. We stop at Chautara to enjoy and admire the close view of Everest and various other mountains. We still need to hike for about 1.5 hours to reach the picturesque village Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mount Everest and the main trading center of this region. Overnight in Namche [Las Vegas of the Khumbu].
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Height: 3790 meters / 12435 feet
This is our first acclimatization day. It is necessary to acclimatize appropriately to allow your body to adjust to the height and environment. For better acclimatization, we hike a few hundred feet upward today. We visit the tourist center near the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters. We can learn about the history of Everest ascenders. Also, we can get a close insight into the beautiful local Sherpa culture and flora and fauna of the Everest region at this museum.
We can also hike up to the Khumjung and Khunde sherpa village and climb up to the famous airstrip at Syangboche. You can locate the famous Everest view hotel just above the airstrip. Everest View Hotel is a Japanese-designed deluxe hotel at the most exotic location with great views of some of the highest peaks of the world from the hotel itself.
The Khumjung valley is located between the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku. We visit Edmund Hillary School which is situated in the Khumjung valley. After enjoying lunch and spending some time in Syangboche, we descend to Namche Bazaar.
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Height: (3,680m/12,073ft) Approx. Trekking Distance: 5.6 km (3-4 hours)
We have our early morning breakfast before we start our trekking journey to Phortse Thanga. We walk on the trail which climbs steeply from the valley and passes through beautiful rhododendron forest. The views of the path go mesmerizing in the spring season with the blooming of rhododendron. The trekking trail passes through some summer settlements and Yak Kharkas before finally reaching the beautiful village Phortse Thanga. We enjoy the incredible and magnificent views of Tawache and Khumbu la throughout the day on the trail.
Phortse Thanga is a beautiful village which is located in the middle of the hills above the river valley and is surrounded by pine and rhododendron forests. Overnight stay at Phortse Thanga.
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Height: (4,470m/14,665 ft) Approx. Trekking Distance: 7 km (4-5 hours)
We start our trek to Machhermo after having breakfast at Phortse Thanga. The trekking trail begins with a stiff climb and then levels out. We will be able to enjoy the fabulous views of valleys and mountains on all the sides of the trekking trail. It takes about 4 hours to reach Machhermo from Phortse Thanga. We reach Machhermo walking through the hillside above the Dudh Koshi river and passing through sandy spurs and some small hamlets. This village is the last major settlement area on the trail of the Gokyo trek. Overnight at Machhermo.
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have this day as a resting day in Machhermo. Machhermo is a great place to enjoy the beautiful views of high peaks and valleys. It is a small village in the Khumbu region. For better acclimatization, we can hike around the village or a few hundred feet above the village exploring the views of various peaks. It will be helpful for our body to adjust to the elevation and the environment. Also, we can enjoy the local lifestyle and culture of the Sherpa peoples of this village. Overnight at Machhermo.
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Height: (4,790 metres /15,720 ft) Approx. Trekking Distance: 6 km (4-5 hours)
We hike to the beautiful location of Gokyo today. We start our hike with an uphill walk through a ridge enjoying the stunning views of the Himalayas. We walk through a glacial moraine before finally reaching the Gokyo village situated beside the lake. It takes approximately 4 hours to reach Gokyo from Machhermo.
As we climb up, the eye-catching views of peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu slowly come into view. We can explore the beautiful Gokyo village and enjoy the incredible views of the serene lake. Overnight at Gokyo.
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Height: (5,357m /17,575 ft) Approx. Trekking distance: 9 km (7 hours)
We wake up early in the morning and climb up to the Gokyo Ri. It takes around 3-4 hours to climb the Gokyo Ri as it is a steep up climb. The reward of this steep up climb is the stunning and incredible views of beautiful Gokyo valley and the massive Ngozumpa glacier. You can also enjoy the fantastic and panoramic views of the entire Khumbu valley Himalayas such as Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, and many more. It is said the views of the Himalayas from the Gokyo Peak are better than the views of Kala Patthar. Our trip to Gokyo peak will be unforgettable and will be fresh in the memories for a lifetime.
After spending some time on the peak and enjoying the fabulous views, we come down to the Gokyo village. We have our lunch and descend to Machhermo. We will spend overnight at Machhermo.
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Height: (3,440m/11,283ft ) Approx. Trekking Distance: 11 km (6-7hours)
We descend down to Namche Bazaar from Machhermo today. The trekking trail slowly descends to the Dole with the fantastic views of Khumbila and Tawache peaks. The trail goes steeply through the rhododendron and pine forests to Phortse Thanga. Next, the trail ascends steeply to Mongla Danda and then descends to Kyanjoma. We reach our destination Namche Bazaar following several up and downhill hike enjoying the fantastic views of mountains and valleys. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Height: (2,800m/9,184f ft.) Approx. Trekking distance: 13 km (7-8 hours)
We begin our trek down to Lukla after having breakfast at Namche Bazaar. It would be a steep downward walk of about 1 hour through rocky terrain. The trail becomes more comfortable and natural after crossing the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi river. The cold breeze gets us warmed up.
Though we are trekking down the same route, we will be enjoying different views. We walk through beautiful Sherpa villages, open plains, rhododendron, and pine forests with views of snow-covered peaks at a distance.
We take time and walk at our own pace today as this is the last day of our trek. We experience the Sherpa villages' profound faith in Buddhism and the culture of prayer stones and prayer flags while we walk through the villages. Upon arrival in Lukla, we have plenty of time to relax, stretch those aching legs, and recall the experiences of the last couple of days.
We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smiling faces! Upon arrival in Lukla, we stroll around while our leader will re-confirm our flight ticket. In the evening, we enjoy the last dinner with our crew and make it a party night which calls for a celebration. Overnight at our Lodge
Accommodations: Local Sherpa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After having a delicious breakfast, we take our morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu after a long trekking journey in the mountains. Most of the flights are scheduled in the morning at Lukla as the winds can create issues. Sometimes the flight can be delayed or even canceled because of the bad weather.
Our vehicle will drop you at the designated hotel from the airport in Kathmandu. You can rest and relax at the hotel for the day or can make your plans. If interested, you could go shopping and buy some gifts to take home from Nepal. You can visit some nearby shops or venture out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods. This short excursion either can be assisted by Mountain Sherpa’s guides, or we can do it yourselves too.
If you wish to explore any other areas in Kathmandu, we have to manage time for this today as well! We will attend an exciting celebration dinner together in the evening to successfully complete our original Gokyo Valley Trek hosted by Mountain Sherpa Trekking and Expeditions! Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodations: Best 3 Star Or 5 Star Hotel- As Per Your Choices Meals: Breakfast
This is more or less a contingency day we keep in hand in the event of a delay in flights from Lukla to Kathmandu, which sometimes happens; so, if this doesn’t happen which is good and fortunate, and then it’s just great. It’s your free day to do whatever you wish, at your cool pace that suits your convenience. You could simply use this day for some shopping for souvenirs or penning a few postcards for the loved ones at home. It’s your day anyways. Overnight in Kathmandu
Accommodations: Best 3 Star Or 5 Star Hotel- As Per Your Choices
Meals: Breakfast
Our office representative and office vehicle will be on standby at your hotel. After breakfast, you will be dropped at Tribhuvan international airport by our representative for your flight back home. It was great serving you for completing your desired trekking journey into the Himalayas.
We at Mountain Sherpa Treks will cherish the bonds of our relationship created over the time you spent with us, and we thank you for choosing us as your travel partner and for visiting this fantastic country Nepal. We are sure that trekking in this beautiful region of the Khumbu [Everest region] will give you lifetime memories of a vacation well enjoyed.
Ciao friends! Till we meet again.
Meals: Breakfast
Please Note: We try to follow the itinerary given above, at certain times local trial or weather conditions may necessitate slight changes if necessary. The trekking itinerary may also vary slightly depending on our trekkers' acclimatization rates. This adventure goes into wild territory above the timberline, so we seek to request maximum flexibility if and when required for the safety of your trip and your life. Thank you so much for your understanding
if you would like to do a private Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Ri Trek with your spouse, you’re family, or a few friends. Choose the travel dates that work for you and send us a request for the private trek. We are ready to arrange the best private trek just for you and the traveling friends of your choice. Explore the beauty of the Gokyo valley of the Everest region with local Sherpa private guides.
Stay in good hotels in Kathmandu before and after the trek, including clean and cozy Sherpa lodges throughout trekking. Just pick your travel dates—we’ll take care of the rest. Please send an Email to us to reserve your date.
Travellers | Pricing From (USD) † |
---|---|
1-1 | $2370 |
2-4 | $1970 |
5-8 | $1770 |
9-16 | $1570 |
† Double occupancy |
* Trip elements may be adjusted on smaller group sizes.
A custom Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Ri Trek is an independent travel plan designed and arranged as per the client’s interest and request. Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Like a tailor making a bespoke suit, it will fit you perfectly.
As a local Sherpa expert, we can craft unforgettable experiences for you or your specific group—and work within your needs and budget. Get in touch with a local expert for your perfect vacation.
Any part of this itinerary can be changed to fit your needs and budget, e.g. hotel accommodation, city tour add/skip, trek length, food… click the below link button to request a quote.
We will craft the best tailor-made program for you.
The team at Mountain Sherpa Trekking and Expeditions took exceptional care of us. They anticipated and met all our needs, providing outstanding lodges and serving delicious food along the way. Our guide, Migmar Sherpa, ensured we had three hot meals a day with a variety of choices from the lodge menu, making our dining experience delightful.
Migmar Sherpa, our guide, was truly amazing. He guided us every step of the way, offering a wealth of information and always ready with answers to our questions. His positive vibes and motivation kept us going at our own pace, and he was a joy to be around for the entire 10 days. We consider ourselves fortunate to have met and had him as our guide.
I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone considering it. The accommodation, food, Sherpa guide, staff, and the awe-inspiring views - everything exceeded our expectations. I can't think of a single complaint.
Why did you choose Mountain Sherpa Trekking?
We discovered that Mountain Sherpa Trekking is a genuine, locally-owned Sherpa family company. We were highly impressed by the quality of their personalized service. A close friend in the USA recommended them to us, and based on that recommendation,
The Sherpa guides were truly spectacular—friendly, knowledgeable, cautious, and fun. Special thanks to Pasang Sherpa for being so flexible and considerate with our children. The lodges we stayed in were outstanding, and we found it hard to part with them.
We opted for luxury 5-star hotels in Kathmandu before and after the trek, adding a splendid touch to the end of our absolutely perfect trekking holiday in Nepal. The memories we've made, the stunning locations, the excellent food—all enhanced by the warmth of the people we encountered.
A big shout-out to everyone at Mountain Sherpa Trekking! Your attention to detail, every step of the way, made it worth every penny. Thank you for creating a perfect and memorable experience for us.
We booked Mountain Sherpa for the Gokyo trek because of their outstanding reputation for exceptional service, knowledgeable Sherpa guides, and a well-designed itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure and comfort.
Would you recommend Mountain Sherpa Trekking to your friends?Absolutely, I highly recommend Mountain Sherpa Trekking to others for their exceptional service and memorable trekking experiences.
What would you advice other travellers?I would advise fellow travelers to embrace the journey, be prepared for varying weather conditions, stay well-hydrated, and take the time to connect with the local culture and people for a richer experience during their trek.
Most memorable parts this TripThe most memorable part of the Gokyo Trek was standing beside the pristine Gokyo lakes, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, and witnessing the awe-inspiring views of Mount Everest and other majestic peaks from Gokyo Ri.
Opting for a local Sherpa company proved to be a brilliant decision, and we were fortunate to discover Mountain Sherpa through online research. The communication with Mr. Pasang Sherpa via email was excellent, and the booking process was not only effective but also easy and secure.
One of the standout aspects of our trek with Mountain Sherpa was the personalized service and the expertise of our Sherpa guide, Mr. Migmar Sherpa. His guidance was outstanding, ensuring our safety and enhancing our overall trekking experience. The lodges provided by Migmar were top-notch, offering comfortable accommodations and hygienic food. Thanks to his meticulous planning, none of us fell ill, and we successfully completed the trek to Gokyo Valley.
We are immensely satisfied with Mountain Sherpa Trekking and their dedicated Sherpa team. The level of professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for our well-being made our trek unforgettable. We are already planning our next adventure with them – the Tsum Valley trek next year. Kudos to Mountain Sherpa Trekking for an outstanding trekking experience!
I strongly recommend Mountain Sherpa Trekking. It's a true Sherpa family-owned company. We're completely satisfied with their personalized service and wholeheartedly encourage others to use their services.
What would you advice other travellers?I highly recommend choosing a responsible Sherpa company like Mountain Sherpa Trekking. Sherpas are the best guides in Nepal for trekking and climbing, true heroes of the mountains. Their expertise is invaluable.
Most memorable parts this TripThe trek from Machhermo to Gokyo was extraordinarily beautiful, and the pinnacle of my Gokyo adventure was the early morning ascent to Gokyo Ri, providing a breathtaking view that remains etched as the most memorable part of my journey.
Our whole guides & staff are 100% Local Sherpa people from the Everest region. As you know “Sherpa’s are highly regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in their local area. They were immeasurably valuable to early explorers of the Himalayan region, serving as guides at the extreme altitudes of the peaks and passes in the region, particularly for expeditions to climb Mount Everest”
We have extremely professional, reliable, and experienced climbing Sherpa’s working with us. We have four expert Sherpa guides for each group of ten trekkers on the trail in order to make sure all of our teams have the best chance at safe success in their goals. Since we will employ experienced Sherpa guides, they will take care of everything and will make your trip easy and wonderful.
We believe that we all must give back to our society, as a responsible Sherpa Company, we know the importance of giving and supporting those in need. Hence, Mountain Sherpa Foundation has been established to help address the basic needs problems of the deprived people and low-income families of a remote part of Nepal. We work directly with the local communities to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. We seek to help and to be helped to ensure that poor people can improve their lives and livelihoods.
We continue to help the local community and have helped our Sherpa guides, porters, and staff. As things get worse for tourism workers amid covid-19 pandemic, Mountain Sherpa Trekking director Mr. Pasang Sherpa distributed relief packages to more than 450 Sherpa trekking guides, porters, and climbing guides on 25 May 2020, Similarly, He supported to Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) that has established a food bank for the tourism workers in Nepal during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Mountain Sherpa Trekking donates up to 15% of its annual revenue to Mountain Sherpa Foundation (MSF) Nepal’s projects, which cover regular maintenance of school buildings, Suitable-learning supplies for children in remote areas, providing necessary medical equipment to health posts of the lower part of Everest and so on.
Unlike most companies, the Mountain Sherpa Trekking guide will not control the food menu during your trek in Nepal, which means you can select any food from the lodge menu as per your taste. Our guides will provide you with enough meals on their trek as part of the trip price. A lot of times people are only given the same food each day for every meal, and we don’t do this. You are allowed to pick what you eat for each meal in all the lodges we stay in.
Most people would not be able to handle the challenges of these treks if it wasn’t for the porters helping with all the lifting, preparing, and cheering. They are the backbone of our company and the reason why Pasang Sherpa created Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions, to begin with. He began in this industry as a porter and understands their needs better than anyone. We are dedicated and promise a better life to every member of our staff. This involves a better salary, providing all their gear including warm clothes, proper hiking shoes for high altitude treks, and lodging.
And we help their families by helping their village schools, providing school materials for their kids, and medicine to the health clinic of their villages.
Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Ri Trek include 3 Nights Deluxe accommodations in Kathmandu at a comfortable and luxurious hotel. As we know, the best accommodation is a crucial part of your trip planning, our hand-selected best hotel accommodations are clean, in a good location, and give you value for your money. Our selected luxury 5-star hotels provide a wide array of excellent services and modern amenities. Our handpicked hotels offer a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, privacy when preferred, and attentive service. You can treat yourself to a relaxing spa day at our 5-star hotel in Kathmandu after your trek. Or rest and relax in a tranquil and peaceful garden resort. We have two different package options available as outlined below. Book your perfect dream holiday trek package with a local Sherpa expert and get exceptional service.
During your trek, we are committed to providing you with the best possible accommodation, ensuring a comfortable and rejuvenating experience amidst the breathtaking Himalayan landscapes. Over the course of 10 nights, you will be staying in Sherpa mountain lodges, each offering a cozy room for your restful nights.
Among these 10 nights, you can look forward to 9 nights of accommodation featuring rooms with attached bathrooms. Here's a detailed breakdown of the locations where you'll have the convenience of an attached bathroom:
This thoughtful arrangement ensures that the majority of your trekking journey will be spent in lodges with attached bathroom facilities, offering you the convenience and comfort you need to fully enjoy the awe-inspiring trekking experience.
For the 4 Nights hotel in Kathmandu, single rooms are available at a supplementary cost.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD I CAN EXPECT DURING TREK?
For many of us, the perfect choice may be to go for mineral water. After all, it’s sealed and safe to drink, plus it provides an income for the local traders – right? Regrettably, things are never quite that simple. Mineral water produces a vast number of knock-on problems for mountain societies.
While it does provide an income to local people it also generates an extraordinary, heart-breaking amount of waste and spoiling. Most places simply do not have the resources to do anything with the empty plastic bottles – and they burn them, releasing toxic gases into the air, or leave them in piles just out of sight of travelers, where they take more than 450 years to decompose.
Take, for example, Everest Base Camp. The recommended amount of water intake on a high-altitude trek like this is 3-4 litters a day. The trek is 10 days long. That’s more than 40 litter and 40 plastic bottles, which won’t decompose until the year 2466 – per person.
For a full MST group of 12 people, just one trip will result in more than 480 mineral water bottles. And the salt in the wound is that plastic doesn’t decompose at high altitudes, so those 480 or more bottles will be up there forever. But what can you do? You have to drink, so how can you get around the problem?
The Alternatives: The great news is that there are really various options that will help you out of the bottled water trap. Here are just four of the best. All you have to do is pick which one is right for you.
Striped- Steripen is the most trusted model on the market. This technique uses exactly the same process as most mineral water undergoes before it is bottled. It’s UV filtering, exactly the same treatment as the majority of bottled water undergoes to be purified, but on the go. The technology has been around for much longer than you think, but it’s only recently been competitively priced enough to be on the market. SteriPen is an American company; other UV filters are also available.
Boiled water– This isn’t always an option if you’re out and about, but boiled water is an excellent option for safe drinking water on the trek. Boiling the water kills any nastiness lurking there. It is the safest and most convenient option. Most lodges serve it, and it is great to ward off the cold. Prices range anywhere between NPR 50 and 120 per liter. This means the cost of drinking water will be around $40-$60 for 10 day Gokyo valley trek.
Purification tablets– Water refining tablets or chemicals like chlorine dioxide are frequently used. They are easy to carry and cheap to buy. However, they are not as effective as UV filters or boiled water and need a few hours to act. Besides these, LifeStraw and iodine-based treatments are also available but have their drawbacks.
Twin Otter aircraft is the usual mode of transport to and from Lukla. This service is fairly dependable, however in case the flights are canceled due to mountain weather conditions, Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions will charter a helicopter to ensure you are on schedule for your international flight connections.
The helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500m, while the Twin Otter can fly if the visibility is 5000m as per the Civil Aviation Rules. The cost of the helicopter is payable directly to our Kathmandu office in the event that this service is utilized. US cash, traveler’s cheque, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard & American Express only) are accepted. You will be given a receipt upon payment so that you may claim the amount from your travel insurance. The minimum cost will be US$350 and the maximum US$650 depending on the number of group members.
The maximum allowance for checked luggage on these flights is 15kg per person and 5kg for hand luggage. These limits are strictly adhered to so please pack carefully. Please note that approx. 5.5kgs of this weight will be taken up by the sleeping bag (2.5kg), down jacket (1.5kg), kit bag (1kg), and sleeping bag liner (0.5kg) that you are provided.
EXTRA COSTS:
Our Everest base camp trek packages are all-inclusive but we advise that you budget between $300 and $400 for additional expenses on your trek including tips. We also suggest you plan on having extra money available in cash or on a credit card in case you require to book a helicopter in the event your flight is canceled.
Unforeseen cost due to flight cancellation, weather conditions, etc. You are responsible for extra hotel nights and meals in Kathmandu or Lukla that are a result of flight delays.
Nepal entry visa ($40 USD).
Meals:
All the meals are included on the trek however we only include breakfast while you are in the city. you can budget $10-15 per day for lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
Gratuities:
Tipping is always appreciated and should be based totally on your satisfaction. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your trips.
Wifi, Batteries Charging, and hot Shower are also not included in the trek package. Wifi is available in some teahouses for $3 to $5 an hour. Hot Showers are also available in a few of the teahouses for between $4 and $6. You can also charge your electronic devices in the lodges and charging costs between $1 and $3 an hour.
Travel insurance is necessary for any trip but is mainly important when undertaking activities such as high-altitude trekking in remote regions where medical facilities or assistance may not be close at hand. You’ll enjoy your adventure better with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have the right insurance cover in place should a mishap occur.
This can be anything from medical emergencies, trip cancellation, trip interruption, delays, lost or stolen luggage to a full helicopter rescue of a mountain. For high altitude trek, you need to confirm that your travel insurance covers Helicopter Rescue with a height limit of no less than 5,5000m. Most standard policies provide cover for walking up to a maximum of 2,500 meters.
The Nepal Trekking Activity Pack add-on extends cover to include trekking between 4,600m and up to 7,000m within Nepal and also includes all activities in the Extreme Activity and Activity packs.
Obtaining travel insurance before you leave home is strongly recommended. This way, if something happens, and this is rare, you will not be out of pocket a tremendous amount of money. Mountain Sherpa trekking will provide a letter and your invoice to submit to your insurance, in this case, to help expedite your processing.
When we hike above 8,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level our bodies need to acclimatize to the decreasing amount of oxygen available. You may have symptoms if you travel to a high altitude without giving your body time to adjust to less oxygen. Even if you’re physically fit, you can still experience altitude sickness.
Mountain Sherpa Annapurna sanctuary trek itinerary is carefully designed to avoid altitude sickness. Over the years we have come up with the best itinerary to aid in the acclimatization process. Our trek itinerary is fully flexible & can modify on the spot if required.
Remember the trek to the Himalayas is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness when they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slowly, it will give your body time to adjust to the mountain. However, during the acclimatization process, you may experience some of the following symptoms.
Each Person acclimatizes at different rates. Our best suggestion is to take your time and drink plenty of water. These symptoms may not indicate the onset of A.M.S. and if you experience them it does not necessarily mean that you should not continue. All our Sherpa guides have extensive first aid training and we request you to talk with the Sherpa guide at all times should you believe you have any symptoms in order that we can efficiently monitor your symptoms. The only cure for Acute Mountain Sickness is to descend.
You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly. Drink lots of water. And enjoy the Himalaya's views. If anything does happen and you, unfortunately, get sick, let your guide know right away –Please note that your guide has ultimate responsibility and may ask you to descend if symptoms persist.
Packing List Gokyo Valley Trek
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your kit bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG/33Lbs. Please note that this gear list is only a guide. Those are basic to bring the listed items, but you can decide from your desired brands using your expertise. Plus, you can shop the trekking gear and clothing at a good price at stores in Thamel, Kathmandu.
Additional Supplies
Basic First Aid Kit including antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL:
The Nepalese are still traditional and conservative in the way they dress. Hence to avoid discomfiture on both sides we advise that you respect this and do not wear revealing clothing or sleeveless tops while visiting Nepal. Shorts are acceptable, but they should reach just above the knee and be modest and for women, it is better to wear trousers or a long skirt.
As you pack for Gokyo Valley Trek, remember that your gear will be separated into two packs: your daypack that you will carry each day as you trek, and your duffle bag which will be carried between tea houses by porters. All extra baggage (non- trekking items) can be stored at the hotel before you start your trek. We provide you with a free duffel bag in Kathmandu. You can use it to pack your essential trekking equipment. We provide one-porter services for two people. Porters will carry up to 25 kg - 30 Kg or 55-66 pounds of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and down jackets. Therefore your duffel bag should not weigh more than 12 kg-15 kg or 26 pounds to 33 pounds.
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Around the 25l to 30l size is good for the EBC trek. You need to carry your own backpack (with waterproof cover) where you can carry your daily needed items in your own backpack. For instance: Water bottle, Extra money for drinks, souvenirs & tips, sunhat, camera, important documents, toiletries, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, rain gear, music (iPhone), etc.
If you don’t have your own down jacket & sleeping bag, don’t worry. We will provide you with 4 season sleeping bags and a good down jacket with a hood for complementary use. Good quality sleeping bag and down jacket are most important for high altitude trek.