Trekking Guide to Gokyo Ri in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal (2023)

Complete and up-to-date guide on trekking to Gokyo Ri in Gokyo, Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal.

The trek to the top of Gokyo Ri in the Sagarmatha National Park offers one of the best panoramic views in the entire Khumbu. From the top, trekkers will have expansive views of the world’s tallest mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, the Gokyo Valley, and lakes, as well as the largest Himalayan glacier: The Ngzumpa Glacier.

I’ve written this guide to climbing Gokyo Ri,as park as part of a Mount Everest Base Camp and Three High Passes Trek side trip. Therefore, this guide picks up from Gokyo Village. If you’re looking for an expansive trekking blog and guide for the Three Passes, you can read Days 13-15 of the trek to Gokyo.

About Gokyo Ri in Sagarmatha National Park

Gokyo Ri is a peak in the Khumbu Region located beside the town of Gokyo, just to the west of Ngozumpa Glacier. Although it's one of the best viewpoint "peaks" accessible without any climbing, many miss it due to favoring the increasingly crowded Everest Base Camp Trails.

While the high altitude would constitute a large peak anywhere else, you have to remember that you're in the Himalayas. In comparison to the surrounding Himalayan giants, Gokyo Ri is actually considered a hill rather than a trekking peak.

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

Note that Gokyo is within the Sagarmatha National Park and therefore you must pay the 1,500 Nepali rupee fee per person per entry at the gates in Monjo village.

Gokyo Ri Altitude

The Gokyo Ri altitude is 5,360 meters above sea level. This means that trekkers departing from Gokyo (4,790 m) will need to gain 570 meters of altitude in order to reach the summit.

How Difficult is the Trek?

In terms of the Gokyo Ri trek difficulty, it's considered a fairly easy viewpoint by Himalayan standards. In saying that, you're still going to be walking at high altitude and you will need to be properly acclimatized. Trekking to the top of Gokyo Ri doesn't require any technical training or equipment. The trail is not extremely steep but has a consistent incline for the entire duration, so general fitness is required.

Still, if you've already walked yourself all the way to Gokyo, you're going to have no problem getting to the top of Gokyo Ri, assuming you've followed proper acclimatization strategies.

How Long Does it Take to Get to the Top of Gokyo Ri?

Expect 3 hours to reach the top of Gokyo Ri from Gokyo village and closer to 2 hours on the descent. This time will vary depending on how often you stop and the speed at which you walk.

Gokyo Ri Side-Trip on the Three Passes Trek or Gokyo Lake Trek

Walking to the top of Gokyo Ri is one of the best side trips available on the Three High Passes Trek before commencing the final pass at Renjo La. I wouldn't really consider it an acclimatization hike if you're trekking anti-clockwise, because by now you'll be well acclimated to altitudes above 5,000 meters.

However, if you're attempting the Three Passes in the clockwise direction, it would be a good warm-up before Cho La. However, you'll need to make sure you are physically ready for the high altitude.

Where Can I Get a Gokyo Ri Map?

Unfortunately, there is no high-quality and reliable Gokyo Ri Map available for free online. Still, if you're trekking in the Khumbu, you're going to need to take a physical map anyway. You can purchase the best Gokyo Ri Map online, which includes details for Gokyo Lakes, the entire Three High Passes Trek, and the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Otherwise, you can pick one up in Thamel at any trekking shop.

Travel Insurance for Gokyo Ri Sagarmatha National Park

For most trekkers looking to trek up to Gokyo Ri, travel insurance is high on their list of priorities. However, more travel insurance companies don’t cover trekking at altitudes above 4,000 meters.

Therefore it's a good idea to book proper travel trekking insurance that covers you at altitude.

Trekking Tips for Gokyo

• Start early to beat the clouds if you can help it.
• Take water and some food with you.
• Bring a shell and down with you. It can get very windy and chilly at the top.
• Bring a camera - Gokyo Ri views are some of the best in the entire world.
• Take your time, and watch for signs of AMS. Make sure that you are following the acclimatization protocol as directed by professionals.
• Make sure that you take all your rubbish with you back to your lodge, or even better - back to Lukla.

What to Expect on the Gokyo Ri Trek

Below I'll give you all the information that you'll need to tackle the Gokyo Ri viewpoint trek. Remember, my guide begins at Gokyo. If you're looking for a complete Gokyo Lakes trekking guide from Lukla, then you'd do your best by buying the Lonely Planet Guide or researching more online.

Picking Up the Trail from Gokyo

It's really impossible to miss the Gokyo Ri trail from Gokyo village. You'll see the towering hill just beside the main lake. Leave your packs at a Gokyo lodge and begin the trek by crossing a slight, trickling river, and carefully hopping across the stones.

There are signs just after the river pointing the way to the back Lakes and the Renjo La Pass.

The trail begins to climb almost immediately, and you'll wind your way at roughly the same gradient the entire time. At any time during the walk, you can turn around to get incredible views of Gokyo Village and Gokyo Lake.

Along the way, you'll also spot dozens of Himalayan Snowcock Birds wobbling about on the trail.

Related:

Manaslu Circuit Trek - Complete Itinerary

Reaching the Top

As you approach the top, you'll get your first view of the worn, but glimmering prayer flags wrapped at the summit. This final section is often covered in snow. However, you'll see a deep trail carved into the snow from the hundreds of trekkers that trek to Gokyo Ri every season.

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

Views from the Summit of Gokyo Ri

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

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

Just to the East, you'll have incredible views of the Ngozumpa Glacier as it grinds its way down the Gokyo Valley. Looking down, Gokyo Village and lakes are now not much more than a speckle in the grandiose panorama.

More Himalayan Trekking and Climbing Guides

I hope that you've enjoyed this guide to hiking Gokyo Ri, and that it serves you well on your Three Passes or Gokyo Lakes trek in Nepal.

While you're here on my blog, make sure to check out some of my other Himalayan trekking blogs to help inspire your trip.

• All You Need to Know About Adventure Travel Insurance with World Nomads
• Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek - The Complete Guide
• Chhukung Ri & Island Peak Base Camp Treks from Chhukung
• Everest Three High Passes Trek Day 13 – 15 CHO LA PASS – ULTIMATE GUIDE
• Everest Three High Passes Trek Without a Guide Day 1 - 3 ULTIMATE GUIDE
• Guide to Climbing Island Peak (Imja Tse) - 6,189m in Nepal
• Kala Patthar Trek - Everything You Need to Know in 2023
• Three Passes Trek Day 16 - 20 - Renjo La Pass to Lukla