This route profile shows how high you sleep each night on the 14-day Gokyo Lakes Trek. The highest overnight stop is Gokyo, at about 4,790 m. Use it to see the pace of the climb, where the rest days fall and how the route compares with others. All heights are approximate.
Altitude by night, day by day
The altitude of each overnight stop on the 14-day Gokyo Lakes Trek is listed below. Heights are approximate and vary a little between sources, so read them as a guide to the shape of the route, not a survey.
- Day 1: Kathmandu, about 1,350 m
- Day 2: Phakding, about 2,610 m
- Day 3: Namche, about 3,440 m
- Day 4: Namche, about 3,440 m (rest day)
- Day 5: Dole, about 4,110 m
- Day 6: Machhermo, about 4,470 m
- Day 7: Gokyo, about 4,790 m
- Day 8: Gokyo, about 4,790 m (rest day)
- Day 9: Gokyo, about 4,790 m (rest day)
- Day 10: Dole, about 4,110 m
- Day 11: Namche, about 3,440 m
- Day 12: Lukla, about 2,860 m
- Day 13: Kathmandu, about 1,350 m
- Day 14: Kathmandu, about 1,350 m (departure day)
Where the height is gained
The biggest overnight gain is from Kathmandu to Phakding, about 1,260 m of height between two nights. On a day with that much height change, pace yourself, drink well and eat even when appetite is low. Climbing slowly matters more than fitness, because altitude illness can affect strong walkers. This is general information, not medical advice.
Viewpoints and passes above the night stops
Some of the high points are not places where you sleep. They are day walks or crossings from a lower camp: Gokyo Ri (about 5,357 m). Because you return to sleep lower, they add effort but do not raise your sleeping altitude.
Rest days built into the route
This itinerary includes 3 rest days, where you sleep at the same altitude two nights in a row. A rest day is not idle: a short walk higher and back to sleep lower is the classic way to help the body adjust. If you feel unwell on a rest day, say so, because it is the cheapest day to add an extra stop.
How to use this profile when planning
Use the chart to compare the Gokyo Lakes route with others by shape: how quickly it climbs, where it plateaus and how long you stay high. Then pair it with the day by day itinerary on the trek page for walking times and lodges. Dates, rules and conditions change, so confirm the current plan with us before you book.
Common questions
How high is the highest night on the Gokyo Lakes trek?
The highest overnight stop is Gokyo, at about 4,790 m, on day 7. The highest point of the whole route may be higher if a pass or viewpoint is included. Figures are approximate and differ slightly between sources.
How many days is the Gokyo Lakes trek?
Our standard itinerary is 14 days including arrival and departure days. If your holiday is shorter or longer, we can discuss options, but compressing acclimatisation is not a good way to save time.
Are the altitudes on this Gokyo Lakes route profile exact?
No. Villages and camps are quoted at slightly different heights by different maps and guidebooks, so we show approximate figures. They are accurate enough to judge the shape of the route and the pace of the climb.
