Gokyo Lakes Renjo La Pass Trek

Accommodation

3 star hotel

Meals

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Phakding Altitude

2,610 meters (8,563 feet)

Difficulty

Moderate

We will depart early morning and fly to the airport on a flight that will be an excellent 30-minute journey to Lukla – it’s really your gateway to Everest. Depending on where you sit on the plane, you could see the entire Himalayan range stretching out in front of you if you want the best views. Try to snag a seat on the left side of the plane! Just in case you don’t know, Lukla airport has the world’s shortest runway, so hold on to your seat for a little rollercoaster landing experience! Once we land, we’ll meet up with our trekking team and head out to Phakding on our trek.

The path takes us through some beautiful Sherpa villages like Cheplung and Ghat. You’ll see these incredible old prayer wheels, mani walls (they’re these Buddhist-inscribed rocks), and stupas. We’ll also walk over some pretty exciting suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River and walk through rhododendron and pine forests.

Keep your camera handy, you’ll get to take some great shots of Kusum Kanguru and Mount Khumbila (the Sherpas consider this one a holy mountain). It’s not so hard a walk to Phakding, where you’ll sleep in a riverside lodge in Phakding.

Accommodation

Teahouse or Lodge

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

5–6 hours

Distance

~8 km (5 miles)

Difficulty

Moderate

We’ll eat breakfast before we start on the trail along the Dudh Koshi River. The path goes through pine forests, and we’ll cross many suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Bridge – the longest in the Everest region. We’ll go through pretty Sherpa villages like Benkar and Monjo. At Monjo, we’ll enter Sagarmatha National Park, where they’ll check our permits.

The path gets really steep from there as we make our way up to Namche. The highlight? It is here that we’ll catch our very first glimpse of Everest, pouring out behind the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge! The climb up to Namche is rather tough, but believe me, it’s all the hassle worth it! The town itself is wonderful – it’s in this natural basin between the mountains.

There are heaps of cafes, bakeries, and shops to meander around. We will overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Accommodation

Teahouse or Lodge

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

5–6 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

On Day 4, you’ll take a much-needed rest day in Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to acclimatize to the high altitude and prepare for the more challenging sections of the trek ahead. Today, you have the option of a beautiful hike to the Everest View Hotel, which offers spectacular panoramic views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse, making it a photographer’s dream.

Along the way, you’ll pass through the charming Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde, where you can visit Khumjung Monastery, home to a legendary “Yeti scalp,” and Kunde Hospital, established with the help of Sir Edmund Hillary to provide healthcare to the local community.

Back in Namche Bazaar, you can explore the lively town, stroll through local markets, enjoy a warm cup of tea at a café, or visit the Sherpa Culture Museum to learn about the heritage and traditions of the Sherpa people.

Staying in a cozy family-run teahouse, you’ll enjoy home-cooked meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while taking the day to rest, hydrate, and absorb the local culture—an essential part of acclimatization before continuing higher into the Himalayas.

Accommodation

Teahouse or Lodge

Meals

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Trek Duration

5–6 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

On Day 5, you continue your trek deeper into the Everest region by leaving Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa hub, and heading toward Dole (4,030m). The trail gradually climbs through rhododendron and pine forests, offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks like Thamserku (6,623m) and Kangtega (6,782m).

You’ll pass through small Sherpa villages and observe mani walls, prayer flags, and traditional stone houses, giving you a glimpse into the local lifestyle. The trail includes suspension bridges over streams, adding a bit of adventure along the way.

Dole is a peaceful hamlet, less crowded than Namche, and serves as a key stop for trekkers before continuing into the higher Gokyo Valley. The combination of natural scenery, quiet villages, and moderate trekking makes this an ideal day to gain altitude gradually and prepare for the more challenging sections ahead.

Accommodation

Teahouses or Lodges

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Difficulty

Moderate

Altitude

4,470m (Machhermo)

Trek Duration

5–6 hours

Today’s trek takes you higher into the stunning Gokyo Valley, leaving Dole behind as the trail gradually ascends through rolling alpine meadows dotted with grazing yaks and horses. As the forest thins, the landscape opens up to reveal panoramic views of surrounding snow-capped peaks, including Thamserku, Kangtega, and the magnificent Cho Oyu (8,188m), the sixth-highest mountain on Earth.

Along the way, you’ll pass through small summer settlements, where local herders live seasonally, offering an authentic glimpse of life in the high Himalayas. These villages are scattered with traditional stone houses, mani walls, and colorful prayer flags, giving the trek a spiritual and cultural touch.

The trail gradually winds along the banks of glacial streams, with rocky paths and high meadows creating perfect photo opportunities. As you approach Machhermo, the scenery becomes even more dramatic, with massive peaks towering above and the distant glaciers glinting in the sun. Machhermo is a small but charming village, famous in local legend for a Yeti sighting, adding a bit of mystical allure to your journey.

Here, you’ll stay in a cozy family-run lodge, where you can enjoy warm hospitality, home-cooked Nepali meals, and a restful night preparing for the next stage of the trek.

Accommodation

Teahouse or Lodge

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Difficulty

Moderate

Altitude

4,750m (Gokyo)

Trek Duration

5–6 hours

On Day 7, you’ll continue your journey along the stunning Gokyo Valley, trekking from Machhermo to Gokyo village at 4,750 meters. The trail gradually ascends through high-altitude meadows and moraine paths, offering a mix of alpine terrain, scattered rocks, and glacial streams. Along the way, you’ll see seasonal Sherpa settlements, where local herders live during the summer months, and traditional stone houses adorned with mani walls and prayer flags, giving a glimpse into the region’s rich culture.

The trek offers breathtaking views of towering Himalayan peaks, including Cho Oyu (8,188m), Everest (8,848m), Makalu (8,485m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Ama Dablam (6,812m). You’ll also catch sight of Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal’s largest glacier, stretching below the massive peaks—a dramatic backdrop to this high-altitude trek.

Upon arrival in Gokyo village, set beside the largest of the Gokyo Lakes, Dudh Pokhari, you’ll settle into a family-run teahouse for the night. The lakes are sacred to the Sherpa people, and the view of Cho Oyu reflected in the turquoise water is truly unforgettable. Today is a key day for acclimatization, allowing your body to adjust to the high altitude before climbing Gokyo Ri or tackling the Renjo La Pass in the coming days.

Accommodation

Teahouse or lodge

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Difficulty

Strenuous

Altitude

5,357m (Gokyo Ri)

Trek Duration

6–7 hours

On Day 8, you’ll begin early with the climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357m), one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Everest region. The ascent is gradual but steep in sections, rewarding trekkers with a 360-degree panorama of Himalayan giants, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Ama Dablam.

From the summit, you can also see the vast Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal’s largest, stretching majestically below the peaks. After descending, the day continues with an exploration of the Gokyo Lakes, including Dudh Pokhari, the largest lake beside Gokyo village, Longpongo, a sacred lake revered by the local Sherpas, and Taboche Tsho, set slightly higher in the valley.

The lakes’ turquoise waters reflect the surrounding peaks, creating incredible photographic opportunities and a serene alpine atmosphere. Walking among these sacred lakes, you’ll also observe elements of Sherpa culture, such as prayer flags, mani walls, and seasonal herder settlements.

The day concludes with a return to Gokyo village, where you can rest at a cozy teahouse, enjoy a hearty Nepali meal, and reflect on the breathtaking natural and cultural beauty of this high-altitude adventure.

Accommodation

Teahouses

Meals

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Difficulty

Strenuous

Altitude

5,435m (Renjo La Pass)

Trek Duration

7–9 hours

This day is one of the most spectacular and adventurous stages of the trek as you cross the majestic Renjo La Pass, a high Himalayan crossing that links the Gokyo Valley with the remote Lungden Valley. Starting from Gokyo village, the trail climbs steadily through rocky moraine paths, glacial terrain, and alpine landscapes, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. As you gain height, the scenery opens into wide Himalayan panoramas with towering views of Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Ama Dablam, while the turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes shimmer below.

Reaching the summit of Renjo La (5,435m) is a powerful and rewarding moment. From the top, you are treated to two incredible panoramic vistas—one looking back over Gokyo Lake, Gokyo Village, and the glacier belt, and the other toward the Everest range. The vast Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal’s largest glacier, stretches dramatically beneath the peaks, creating one of the most iconic views in the Everest region. Prayer flags flutter at the pass, adding a spiritual atmosphere to this high-altitude crossing.

After enjoying the summit views, the trail descends toward the remote village of Lungden, following a steep route with long stone steps and rocky sections. Along the way, you pass seasonal Sherpa settlements, mani walls, and prayer flags, offering a glimpse into the traditional mountain lifestyle and deep-rooted Sherpa culture. The descent is demanding but scenic, gradually leading into the peaceful valley where Lungden sits surrounded by rugged Himalayan landscapes.

This crossing is physically challenging but deeply rewarding, ideal for trekkers seeking a less crowded alternative to the Everest Base Camp route. With its combination of turquoise glacial lakes, massive glaciers, panoramic mountain views, and cultural richness, the trek from Gokyo Valley to Lungden via Renjo La Pass stands as one of the most memorable and beautiful days of the entire journey.

Accommodation

Teahouses

Meals

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Trek Duration

4–6 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

After breakfast in Lungden, the trek continues toward Thame along a mostly downhill trail, making for a relaxed and enjoyable walking day after the high pass crossing. The route follows the beautiful Bhote Koshi Valley, passing through wide alpine landscapes, yak pastures, mani walls, and prayer flags, with peaceful mountain scenery all around.

Thame is a charming and traditional Sherpa village, known for its calm atmosphere and deep spiritual heritage. Above the village sits the Thame Monastery (Thame Gompa), one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region, beautifully positioned on a ridge overlooking the valley. Here, you can observe Buddhist rituals, learn about local religious traditions, and gain insight into the daily life and culture of the Sherpa people. The day ends with an overnight stay in a cozy teahouse in Thame, surrounded by serenity and mountain silence.

Accommodation

Teahouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

5–6 hours

Today’s trek takes you downhill from Thame through the serene Bhote Koshi Valley, crossing bridges and passing through Samdo, where the views of snow-capped peaks and glacial landscapes are simply breathtaking. The trail continues to Thamo village and the historic Khari Gompa Monastery, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Sherpa people.

Along the way, you cross a check post and encounter a unique sight, the world’s highest hydroelectric power station, a remarkable feat in the heart of the Himalayas. The trail then descends toward Namche Bazaar, now bustling with trekkers and vibrant market life, providing a chance to rest, shop, and explore. Overnight is spent in a teahouse in Namche, surrounded by stunning Himalayan vistas.

Accommodation

Teahouse or lodge

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

6–7 hours

The trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla marks the final leg of the Gokyo Lakes via Renjo La Pass Trek and is a perfect conclusion to your high-altitude trekking adventure in Nepal. This mostly downhill route passes through Sagarmatha National Park, allowing trekkers to enjoy panoramic Himalayan vistas, alpine forests, and glacial streams along the way.

You’ll walk past traditional Sherpa villages, cross suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, and witness authentic Sherpa culture, with glimpses of mani walls, prayer flags, and local mountain life. The descent offers a chance to reflect on the entire Gokyo Lakes Renjo La Trek, soaking in the stunning landscapes of the Everest Himalayas one last time.

Arriving in Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region, concludes your journey, leaving you with unforgettable memories of high-altitude trekking in Nepal, the serenity of the Gokyo Valley, and the thrill of crossing Renjo La Pass. This route is ideal for trekkers seeking a less crowded Everest region trek combined with spectacular mountain vistas, glacier views, and cultural immersion.

Accommodation

3 star hotel

Meals

Breakfast | Dinner

We return to Kathmandu early morning by flight. The day is then free on return to the city. Feel like Shopping? Take the shopping-lined streets of Thamel. Want Culture? Head for the lovely durbar squares and temples. Or just relax – you deserve it! On the last night, there is a special farewell dinner to mark our incredible trek. You overnight in Kathmandu.

Meals

Breakfast

After breakfast, we drop you to the airport where you return back home by air. Also, we can arrange alternative tours if you want to stay back for a few more days. We can allow you to have Kathmandu’s culture tour, jungle stay for Chitwan, or just relax in Pokhara. Your tour can be further improvised.