Discover the Hidden Beauty of the Everest Region

Gokyo Lakes & Renjo La Pass Trek

Everest, Khumbu 12 days 5,360 m

The Gokyo Lakes and Renjo La Pass Trek is a spectacular journey through the quieter side of the Everest region. The trail leads from Namche Bazaar into the beautiful Gokyo Valley, home to turquoise glacial lakes and stunning Himalayan scenery. Enjoy panoramic views from Gokyo Ri and cross the challenging Renjo La Pass at 5,360 meters, while experiencing authentic Sherpa culture, traditional villages, and peaceful mountain landscapes.

ActivitiesTrekking
Group SizeMin. 2 Pax

Trip Highlights

Panoramic Everest Views from Renjo La: Enjoy one of the finest high-altitude viewpoints of Mount Everest, with sweeping views of Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and surrounding Himalayan peaks.

Beautiful Gokyo Lakes: Discover the stunning turquoise glacial lakes of the Gokyo Valley, set dramatically among snow-covered mountains and glaciers.

Gokyo Ri Sunrise & Mountain Panorama: Climb Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for an unforgettable panorama of Everest and several of the world's highest peaks.

Cross the High Renjo La Pass: Experience the adventure of crossing Renjo La (5,360 m), a historic Himalayan pass connecting the Gokyo and Nangpala valleys.

Route Plan

Itinerary

During the peak trekking seasons, from September 25 to November 25 and March 20 to June 5, flights to Lukla generally operate from Manthali Airport, which is about a four-hour drive from Kathmandu. During the quieter seasons, direct flights from Kathmandu to Lukla are usually available, subject to airline schedules and weather conditions.

After arriving in Lukla, take some time to rest and prepare before beginning your trek to Phakding Village. The trail follows a scenic path through charming mountain villages, terraced farmland, and forested landscapes, with gentle ups and downs along the way.

After breakfast in Phakding, begin your morning trek along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing several suspension bridges and passing through the charming villages of Tok-Tok, Benkar, and Monjo. At Monjo, you enter Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area and gateway to the high Everest region.

The trail continues along the river through peaceful forested landscapes before reaching the famous Hillary Bridge. After crossing the bridge, the route becomes steeper as you climb steadily for about two hours toward Namche Bazaar, the vibrant Sherpa town and commercial hub of the Everest region.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m), one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, offering breathtaking views of Mount Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), and Ama Dablam (6,856 m). The trail then descends to Khumjung Village, the largest Sherpa settlement in the Khumbu Valley, where you can visit the historic Khumjung Monastery and Khumjung Hillary School, established by Sir Edmund Hillary. Spend the night in Khumjung. [3 Hours Hike]

The trek continues along a well-maintained trail through the morning, with magnificent Himalayan peaks rising around you. The route gradually enters a beautiful rhododendron forest, climbing steadily toward Dole. Along the way, you’ll pass through Mongla Dada, a scenic ridge with a few cozy teahouses where you can take a break, enjoy refreshments, and admire sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Leaving the tree line behind, the day begins with a short climb before the trail gradually ascends through the increasingly rugged landscape of the Gokyo Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass through Luza, where a few teahouses provide a welcome place to rest and enjoy refreshments. Continuing steadily uphill, the trail eventually reaches Machhermo, with magnificent views of Mount Cho Oyu (8,201 m) rising to the north.

The trail gradually climbs deeper into the valley over gentle terrain before becoming steeper as you approach the first lake of the Gokyo Valley. Continuing along the scenic trail, you pass two smaller glacial lakes before reaching the beautiful third Gokyo Lake, one of the most spectacular highlights of the trek. With the turquoise waters of the lake set against dramatic Himalayan scenery and Mount Cho Oyu rising majestically in the background, the views are truly unforgettable.

Today, we set out early for a rewarding hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), with the trail climbing steadily toward the summit. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu, along with spectacular views of glaciers and the Gokyo Valley. After enjoying the mountain scenery, descend back to the hotel for some rest. In the afternoon, take a peaceful walk around the beautiful Gokyo Lake and enjoy its tranquil alpine surroundings.

Today is one of the most exciting and rewarding days of the trek as we cross Renjo La Pass (5,360 m), one of the three major high passes in the Everest region. The day begins with a gentle walk along the shores of Gokyo Lake before the trail gradually becomes steeper, leading through rugged high-altitude terrain toward the pass. Reaching the summit is a memorable achievement, with spectacular panoramic views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and surrounding Himalayan peaks. From the top, a steep descent takes us into the remote Nangpala Valley, eventually reaching the mountain settlement of Lungden for an overnight stay. [7–8 Hours Hike]

The trail continues its gradual descent, steadily losing altitude as it winds through the scenic Nangpala Valley before reaching the traditional village of Marlung. From Marlung, the route becomes gentler as you continue toward the historic Thame Village, known for its rich Sherpa heritage and connections to legendary mountaineers. Enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery and traditional Himalayan landscapes along the way. [4 Hours Hike]

The day begins with a gentle descent toward the river, followed by a scenic, undulating trail through the beautiful Khumbu landscape. The route gradually leads back to Namche Bazaar, where it reconnects with the trail followed at the beginning of the trek. After arriving in Namche, take time to relax, explore the lively Sherpa town, and enjoy a comfortable overnight stay. [4 Hours Hike]

Today, we retrace the scenic trail back to Lukla, following the familiar route through the beautiful landscapes of the Khumbu region. As we reach Lukla, we celebrate the completion of our trek and take time to thank our dedicated guides, porters, and support crew for their invaluable help throughout the journey. After bidding farewell to the team, the trek officially comes to an end in Lukla. [6–7 Hours Hike]

Enjoy a scenic 15-minute morning flight from Lukla to Manthali, followed by a comfortable 4-hour drive to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel or preferred accommodation, marking the end of your unforgettable journey through the Everest Himalayas with Community Trek. [15 Minutes Flight | 4 Hours Drive]

Journey map

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The Experience

What the route feels like

The Gokyo Lakes and Renjo La Pass Trek is one of the most scenic and rewarding adventures in the Everest region, combining spectacular Himalayan landscapes, turquoise glacial lakes, traditional Sherpa villages, and the challenging crossing of Renjo La Pass at 5,360 meters. It is an excellent alternative to the busy Everest Base Camp route, offering a quieter and more peaceful experience in the high Himalayas.

The trek begins along the classic trail to Namche Bazaar, the lively Sherpa trading town and gateway to the Everest region. From Namche, the route turns toward the beautiful Gokyo Valley, passing through traditional villages, alpine forests, and dramatic mountain scenery. The turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and glaciers, are among the major highlights of the journey.

A major highlight is the climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), which provides breathtaking panoramic views of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu, and other Himalayan giants. The adventure continues over Renjo La Pass (5,360 m), a historic Himalayan crossing linking the Gokyo Valley with the Nangpala Valley and the traditional trade route between Nepal and Tibet.

Beyond the spectacular mountain scenery, this trek offers meaningful encounters with the Sherpa people, their villages, monasteries, traditions, and high-altitude way of life. With fewer trekkers than the main Everest Base Camp trail, the Gokyo–Renjo La route provides a wonderful combination of adventure, natural beauty, cultural discovery, and peaceful Himalayan landscapes.

Gokyo Lakes & Renjo La Pass Trek route experience
Trip essentials

What's included?

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Permit: All necessary paper works: Sagarmatha National Park permits, Local Government Fees, TIMS permit & conservation entry fee
Transportation: Pick up your hotel and transfer to Airport for Lukla and Pick up to Airport and drop to hotel after Trek.
Accommodation: 11 Nights Basic Mountain Accommodation in twin sharing.
Lodging & Food: Food 3 meals a day (BDL; including tea and coffee) Breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the lodges you are staying at. You could pick anything on the menu, which had western options or Nepali options.
Porter: Porters (2 trekkers: 1 porter) during the trek
Staff Salary and allowance
Preparation

What to Bring

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Personal equipment

You should bring

Personal clothing and equipment to prepare before departure.

  • Hiking boots with good grip
  • Rain gear for you and your day bag
  • Comfortable hiking pants
  • Quick-dry, breathable T-shirts
  • Windproof jacket
  • Sleepwear
Operator supplied

We provide

Core trip equipment supplied or arranged by the operator.

  • Company duffel bag for porters
  • Comprehensive group first-aid kit
  • Pulse oximeter
  • Emergency communication equipment
There is more to review before departure.Clothing, documents, personal equipment, supplied gear, and optional recommendations.
Trip lookbook

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