Escape to Gokyo
Set at the foot of Gokyo Ri and located on the eastern shore of Gokyo Cho, Gokyo is a small village located in the Solukhumbu district of Eastern Nepal.
Located at an elevation of 4,750m Gokyo is one of the highest settlements in the world.
The majority of the village operates with tourists and trekkers in mind while the locals leave the village during winter, moving to lower villages such as Namche Bazar.
The stunning reflection of mountain peaks accompanied by the soaring sounds of freshwater lakes leave visitors in awe during the summer and in winter when the lakes are frozen and if the conditions are favorable you even get to skate on them.
However, Gokyo Village is also prone to the risk of avalanches when the weather conditions are not ideal.
Gokyo Valley Trek
Tourists and Mountaineers alike often have a Gokyo Valley Trek set at the top of their itinerary. The trekking route is mostly moderately bedazzled with tons of jaw-dropping scenes along the way.
One will have to walk past several villages and cross suspension bridges, and even glaciers to reach the final destination.
Also along the way, trekkers will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the different cultures and traditions of the communities in the Khumbu region.
You will have to travel through the shaded forests and ascend rugged hills while traversing rocks, and boulders and walking the famed Ngozumpa Glacier.
However, the Ngozumpa Glacier is also the trek's most challenging walk as hikers will have to use crampons and ropes set along the trail.
Trekkers will have to be extremely cautious while on the glacier as it is sheer and slowly sliding. Likewise, there are also a few gorges and debris along the unmarked trial which might prove exhausting for some.
All your hard work will soon be rewarded as when you arrive at the lake, pristine views of the sparkling lakes, epic landscapes, and snow-covered mountains await.
From there you will be greeted by some of the highest peaks in the world such as Lhotse and Cho Oyu. Once there you can also wander around the Gokyo Lakes. Set at an altitude of 4,700 to 5,000 meters they are some of the highest in the world.
The Gokyo Lakes include Thonak Lake, Dudh Pokhari (Gokyo Cho), Gyazumpa Cho, and Ngozumba Cho all spread across 72 acres of land.
However, the piece de resistance of the entire Gokyo Valley Trek has to be the Renjo La Pass. The pass takes a long and deep ascend from where one can get the best views of the surrounding landscapes.
If you’re visiting during the autumn, you’ll also get the opportunity to experience different festivities, religious gatherings, and other social occasions. Similarly, travelers can also feel free to visit the many Buddhist Monasteries along the way and join the locals to perform ritual dances and songs.
