Gokyo Ri Sagarmatha National Park Trekking Route – Free Guide

Gokyo Ri Sagarmatha National Park Trekking Route – Free Guide

The hike to the summit of Gokyo Ri in Sagarmatha National Park offers one of the best panoramic views in the entire Khumbu. This is a complete guide to find out what to expect on the Gokyo Ri Trek.

The hike to the summit of Gokyo Ri in Sagarmatha National Park offers one of the best panoramic views in the entire Khumbu. From the top, hikers get sweeping views of the world's highest mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Gokyo Valley and lakes, as well as the largest Himalayan glacier: Ngzumpa Glacier.

I wrote this guide to Gokyo Ri, Sagarmatha National Park as part of a trip to Mount Everest Base Camp and Three High Passes Trek. Therefore, this guide picks up from Gokyo Village. If you are looking for a detailed trekking blog and guide for the Three Passes, you can read Days 13-15 of the trek to Gokyo or start from the beginning.

About Gokyo Ri Sagarmatha National Park

Gokyo Ri is a peak in the Khumbu region, located next to the town of Gokyo, just west of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Although it is one of the best viewpoints accessible without climbing, many miss it because they prefer the increasingly crowded Everest Base Camp trails.

While the altitude would present a major peak elsewhere, you have to remember that you are in the Himalayas. Compared to the surrounding Himalayan giants, Gokyo Ri is considered more of a hill than a trekking peak.

During my time trekking in the Nepalese Himalayas, Gokyo Ri was my favorite viewpoint. Many hikers actually use Gokyo Ri as a destination point for their Khumbu treks. In fact, the Gokyo Lakes Trek is quickly becoming the most popular EBC alternative.

Since most of my experience comes from the Three Pass Trek, I don't have much knowledge about the sections leading from Lukla to Gokyo. For detailed instructions, you can purchase the eBook “Lonely Planet: Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya.”
alt=“GOKYO RI SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK TREK”>INCREDIBLE MOUNTAIN VIEWS OF GOKYO RI

Gokyo Ri height

The height of Gokyo Ri is 5360 meters. This means that trekkers departing from Gokyo (4790 m) will have to climb 570 meters in altitude to reach the summit of Gokyo Ri.

Gokyo Ri Trek difficulty level

In terms of the difficulty of the Gokyo Ri trek, it is considered a fairly easy viewpoint by Himalayan standards. Saying that, you will still be hiking at high altitude and will need to acclimatize properly. Trekking to the summit of Gokyo Ri requires no technical training or equipment. The trail is not extremely steep, but has a constant gradient throughout the duration, so general fitness is required.

However, if you have already walked all the way to Gokyo, you will have no problem reaching the summit of Gokyo Ri, provided you have followed proper acclimatization strategies.

How long does it take to reach the summit of Gokyo Ri?

Expect 3 hours to reach the top of Gokyo Ri from Gokyo Village and closer to 2 hours for the descent. This time depends on how often you stop and the speed at which you walk.

Gokyo Ri detour on the Three Passes Trek

The hike to the summit of Gokyo Ri is one of the best side trips offered on the Three High Passes Trek. I wouldn't really call it an acclimatization hike if you're hiking counterclockwise since you're already well acclimatized at altitudes above 5000 meters. However, if you attempt the Three Passes clockwise, it would be a good warm-up before Cho La. However, you need to make sure you are physically ready for the high altitude.

Gokyo Ri map

Unfortunately, there is no high quality and reliable Gokyo Ri map available online for free. However, if you're hiking in the Khumbu, you'll need to take a physical map with you anyway. You can buy the best Gokyo Ri map online which includes details of Gokyo Lakes, entire Three High Pass Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek. Otherwise, you can pick one up at any trekking shop in Thamel.

Travel insurance for Gokyo Ri Sagarmatha National Park

For most trekkers planning to trek to Gokyo Ri, travel insurance is high on their priority list. However, many travel insurance policies do not cover trekking above 4000 meters.

I always purchase travel insurance from WorldNomads.com as I believe they are the best for adventure travelers. They are one of the few companies that cover trekking at altitudes as high as Gokyo Ri.
alt=“GOKYO RI SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK, NEPAL TREKKING PANORAMA”>GOKYO RI VIEWPOINT PANORAMA

Gokyo Ri Trek Tips

• Beginnen Sie früh, um die Wolken zu besiegen, wenn Sie es vermeiden können.
• Nehmen Sie Wasser und etwas zu Essen mit.
• Bring eine Muschel und runter mit dir. Oben kann es sehr windig und kühl werden.
• Bringen Sie eine Kamera mit – die Aussicht von Gokyo Ri gehört zu den besten der Welt.
• Nehmen Sie sich Zeit und achten Sie auf Anzeichen von AMS. Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie das Akklimatisierungsprotokoll befolgen, wie es von Fachleuten angewiesen wird.
• Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie Ihren gesamten Müll zurück zu Ihrer Lodge oder noch besser – zurück nach Lukla nehmen.

Gokyo Ri trekking guide

Below I will give you all the information you need to tackle the hike to Gokyo Ri Viewpoint. Remember, my guide starts at Gokyo. If you are looking for a complete Gokyo Lakes trekking guide from Lukla, your best bet is to purchase the Lonely Planet Guide or research online.

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The Gokyo Ri Trail from Gokyo

It's truly impossible to miss the Gokyo Ri Trail from Gokyo Village. You'll see the towering hill right next to the main lake. Leave your backpacks at a Gokyo lodge and begin the hike by crossing a small, babbling river and carefully hopping over the stones.

Just after the river, signs point the way to the back lakes, Renjo La Pass and of course Gokyo Ri.

The trail begins to climb almost immediately, and you wind around at about the same grade the entire time. During the walk, you can turn around at any time to get incredible views of Gokyo Village and Lake Gokyo.

Along the way, you'll also see dozens of Himalayan snowcocks wobbling around on the trail.
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More: Three Passes Trek Itinerary & Independent Trekking Guide

Reaching the top

As you approach the summit, you will catch your first glimpse of the worn but shimmering prayer flags wrapped around the peak. This last section is often snow-covered. However, you will see a deep path carved into the snow by the hundreds of trekkers who hike to Gokyo Ri each season.

Push yourself forward, taking your time to adjust to the rapid increase in altitude. After about 3 hours of walking, you'll reach the top of Gokyo Ri, where you'll see huge black boulders resting on shimmering snow, draped in prayer flags as far as the eye can see.
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Gokyo Ri views

Gokyo Ri is considered one of the best views in the Khumbu and therefore probably in the world. It is also one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the highest mountain in the world: Mount Everest.

In addition to Everest, you can also see Lhotse (8,516 meters), Cho Oyu (8,188 meters), Makalu (8,485 meters) and several other distant Tibetan peaks.

Directly to the east are incredible views of the Ngozumpa Glacier as it carves its way through the Gokyo Valley. Looking down, Gokyo Village and its lakes are now little more than a speck in the magnificent panorama.
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Three Passes: Independent Trekking Guide Ebook

alt="Three Passes: Independent Trekking Guide by Olly Gaspar at We Seek Travel">
Since internet connection is limited in the Khumbu, I have written a comprehensive trekking guide to the Three Passes that you can download as an eBook for use on your phone, tablet or e-reader.

I currently have this eBook listed on Amazon at a discounted price of less than $6!

PHOTOS OF THE VIEWS OF GOKYO RI SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK

I hope this guide was helpful for those who want to hike to the top of Gokyo Ri. Remember, if you attempt the Everest Base Camp and Three High Passes Trek, make sure you read my full guide, free at the links below.

For now, enjoy more panoramic landscapes from one of the best vantage points in the world.
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alt=“GOKYO RI SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK TREK”>
alt=“GOKYO RI SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK TREK”>
alt=“GOKYO RI SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK TREK”>

Three Passes: Independent Trekking Guide Ebook

alt="Three Passes: Independent Trekking Guide by Olly Gaspar at We Seek Travel">
Since internet connection is limited in the Khumbu, I have written a comprehensive trekking guide to the Three Passes that you can download as an eBook for use on your phone, tablet or e-reader.

I currently have this eBook listed on Amazon at a discounted price of less than $6!

alt=“Gokyo Ri Trekking Guide “>
.