The Stunning Alternative to Everest Base Camp
For those who want to see Everest but want to avoid the crowds of the main Base Camp trail, the Gokyo Lakes trek is the answer. It leads to a valley of six sacred, turquoise glacial lakes that are visually stunning.
The trail shares the start with the EBC trek but splits at Namche Bazaar. You head towards Dole and Machhermo, entering a quieter valley. The arrival at the third lake, Gokyo Cho, with the village sitting on its banks, is a highlight of the Himalayas.
Many veterans claim the view from Gokyo Ri (5,357m) is superior to Kala Patthar. From here, you can see four 8,000m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, spanning the horizon in a massive wall of ice and rock.
The trek runs alongside the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas. Exploring the moraine and seeing the ice formations up close adds a geological wonder to the trekking experience.
If you prefer scenic lakes and quieter trails over the bucket-list checkbox of 'Base Camp,' Gokyo is widely considered the more beautiful trek in the Everest region.
