Gokyo Pass Trek in Nepal: Scenic Trails, Glacial Lakes & Remote Himalayan Adventure

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23 May 2025

2024

Gokyo Pass is a 5,360-meter (17,585 ft) high-altitude crossing in Nepal’s Everest region. It is one of the three major passes in the area, along with Cho La (5,420m) and Kongma La (5,535m). The route to Gokyo Pass diverges from the Everest Base Camp trail, leading trekkers through the stunning Gokyo Valley, known for its turquoise Glacial lakes and rugged Himalayan landscapes.

The journey to Gokyo Pass begins in Lukla (2,846m), reached via a short flight from Kathmandu. From there, the trail passes through Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the bustling Sherpa trading hub, before ascending into quieter valleys.

Key stops include Dole (4,110m) and Machhermo (4,470m), remote villages with basic teahouses. The trail then reaches the Gokyo Lakes, a series of six glacial lakes, the highest of which sits at 5,000 meters.

The pass itself is a challenging but rewarding climb. The ascent from Gokyo village is steep, taking 4 to 6 hours over rocky moraines and loose scree. At the summit, trekkers are greeted with unmatched panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, as well as the sprawling Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas. The descent on the western side drops sharply into the Rolwaling Valley, a less-traveled region with dramatic landscapes.

What sets Gokyo Pass apart is its relative solitude compared to the busier Everest Base Camp and Cho La routes. The trail sees fewer trekkers, so it is a more peaceful experience.

The best time to cross Gokyo Pass is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons, when the weather is stable and skies are clear. Winter brings extreme cold and snow, while the monsoon season (June to August) risks landslides and poor visibility.

Trekkers must obtain permits, including the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.

Key Information at a Glance: Gokyo Pass Route

Major Attractions Along the Gokyo Pass Trail

The route to Gokyo Pass winds through diverse landscapes and traditional Sherpa settlements, each offering unique experiences. Beginning at Lukla (2,846m), trekkers pass through Cheplung, a small village with the first views of Kusum Kanguru peak, before descending to Phakding along the Dudh Koshi River.

Namche Bazaar (3,440m) is where the trails diverge toward Gokyo Valley. The quieter eastern route passes through Phortse, a traditional Sherpa village with exceptional views of Ama Dablam and opportunities to spot Himalayan wildlife like musk deer.

From here, the trail ascends through rhododendron forests to Dole (4,110m), which is a cluster of teahouses surrounded by summer grazing pastures.

Higher up lies Machhermo (4,470m), notable for its glacial river and the site of a famous 1974 yeti encounter. The village offers the first clear views of Cho Oyu's massive west face. Beyond Machhermo, the trail passes Thanak, a small settlement with basic lodges, before reaching the Gokyo Lakes, six glacial bodies of water including Thonak Tsho (the third and largest lake) and the sacred Gyazumpa Tsho.

The nearby Dragnag serves as a staging point for crossing Cho La Pass, while Chharchung is a seasonal herders’ settlement near the Ngozumpa Glacier. For acclimatization, many trekkers hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,080m) from Dingboche, which offers panoramic views of Makalu and Lhotse.

Alternative starting points include Phaplu and Numthala, used by trekkers opting for the longer, less crowded approach through the Solu region. These trails pass through Buspa, a Sherpa village with traditional architecture, before joining the main route at Namche.

Gokyo Ri (5,357m) is the trek’s major viewpoint, while the actual Gokyo Pass connects the valley to the remote Rolwaling region. The descent passes through Lungden before reaching Thame, home to one of the Khumbu's oldest monasteries.

Trekking Difficulty and Route Overview

The Gokyo Pass trek is a challenging high-altitude route through Nepal’s Everest region, requiring good physical fitness and proper acclimatization. Below is a detailed breakdown of the trail difficulty, terrain, and key route sections based on standard itineraries.

Route Stages and Key Sections

Technical Challenges

Altitude: Above 4,000m, oxygen levels drop significantly, requiring acclimatization days (typically in Namche and Dingboche on longer itineraries).

Weather: Unpredictable; snow (October to April) and rain (June to September) can make trails slippery.

Exposure: Some sections near passes have steep drop-offs (no technical climbing, but caution needed).

Glacial Crossings: Near Gokyo, trails skirt the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is stable but requires careful footing.

Fitness Requirements

Endurance: 5 to 7 hours of daily hiking (some days up to 8 hours).

Strength: Strong legs/knees for descents; core stability helps on uneven terrain.

Altitude Resilience: Prior experience above 3,500m is highly recommended.

Comparing Gokyo Pass to Other Everest Treks

The trek is best for experienced trekkers seeking solitude and high-altitude challenges. It is not recommended for beginners or those with severe altitude sensitivity

Local Culture and Food on the Gokyo Pass Trek

The trail passes through traditional Sherpa villages where daily life follows centuries-old routines. Most residents practice Tibetan Buddhism which is evident from the many mani walls (stone prayer tablets), prayer wheels, and prayer flags along the route.

Villages feature stone houses with wood-framed windows, often painted with Buddhist symbols. The Thame Monastery, founded in the 17th century, is an active religious center.

Food options become more limited with altitude. The staple meal is dal bhat (rice with lentil soup and vegetable curry), which offers unlimited refills. Other common dishes include Sherpa stew, Thukpa, Rikikur and Tsampa, and beverages include Butter tea (suja), Chhang, Black tea and Instant coffee.

Cultural Practices

Religious practices are deeply woven into daily life along the Gokyo Pass route. Villagers observe traditional Buddhist customs, including walking clockwise around religious stupas and chortens as a form of respect and spiritual practice.

Many teahouses and lodges maintain small Buddhist altars, typically featuring statues of Buddha alongside offering bowls filled with water, rice, or flowers. These altars serve as focal points for morning prayers and meditation.

Two major annual festivals punctuate the cultural calendar: the Mani Rimdu festival in October/November, when Tengboche monastery host elaborate masked dances depicting Buddhist teachings, and Losar (Sherpa New Year) in February/March, marked by family gatherings, special meals, and community celebrations.

Markets and Supplies

Namche Bazaar has the largest Saturday market, selling fresh produce and trekking gear, and many more things. Smaller villages like Phortse and Dole have basic shops with snacks and drinks. Above Machhermo, all supplies arrive by yak caravan or porters. 

Food prices increase with altitude, and menus shrink above 4,500m to mostly noodles, rice, and simple soups. Most lodges use solar power, and charging devices often cost extra. 

Wildlife Along the Gokyo Pass Trek

The Sagarmatha National Park, where the Gokyo Pass trail lies, hosts a remarkable variety of Himalayan flora and fauna across different altitude zones. This UNESCO World Heritage Site protects endangered species and fragile ecosystems that change dramatically as elevation increases.

Between 2,800-3,500 meters, dense rhododendron and blue pine forests can be found in the landscape. These wooded areas shelter Himalayan monals (Nepal’s colorful national bird) and even the elusive red panda. More commonly seen are musk deer, which move quietly in forest clearings, and troops of Himalayan langurs near villages.

As the trail ascends to 3,500-4,500 meters, the vegetation transitions to alpine shrubs and juniper. This zone provides habitat for Himalayan tahr, shaggy, goat-like animals often seen grazing on steep slopes. Himalayan marmots are a frequent sight in summer. Birdlife includes blood pheasants scratching in the undergrowth and golden eagles soaring on thermal currents.

Above 4,500 meters, near the Ngozumpa Glacier and Renjo La Pass, only the hardiest species survive. Snow leopards occasionally move through these highest elevations, though sightings are extremely rare. More visible are yellow-billed choughs that follow trekkers, hoping for scraps near rest stops. Vegetation becomes limited to lichens and mosses clinging to rocks in this harsh environment.

The best wildlife viewing occurs in spring (April to May) when animals descend to lower elevations after winter, and autumn (October to November) when clear weather improves visibility. Dawn and dusk offer the highest chances to spot mammals.

While the park's protected status helps conserve these species, challenges like climate change and grazing pressures continue to impact fragile high-altitude ecosystems. Trekkers should maintain a distance from wildlife and avoid feeding animals to help preserve natural behaviors.

Final Note

At Trek Me Nepal, the Gokyo Pass trek holds a special place in our Everest region offerings, not just for its serene beauty and solitude, but also for how it connects with the broader high-altitude experience of the Khumbu. Many of our Everest Base Camp (EBC) packages thoughtfully include the Gokyo Pass as part of an extended circuit.

These routes allow trekkers to experience the grandeur of Everest Base Camp while also exploring the quieter, glacial landscapes of the Gokyo Valley. Rather than following a single trail in and out, these combined itineraries traverse Cho La or Renjo La Pass, creating a loop that enriches the journey with variety and deeper acclimatization.

For those drawn to the road less traveled, this blend of the iconic and the hidden offers a more immersive window into the Himalayas, both in terrain and culture. Whether it’s the tranquility of the Gokyo Lakes or the panoramic rewards from Gokyo Ri, we’ve found that including Gokyo Pass in our treks often becomes a highlight for those who venture there.

It’s a natural complement to the classic EBC journey and resonates deeply with travelers seeking adventure and connection.