3 great Himalayan summer getaways
The Gokyo Lakes Trek, Khumbu Valley, Nepal: Compared to the hardships of trekking in most areas of the Himalaya, a trek in the Everest region can be an epicurean delight. As one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world (as well as one of the oldest in the Himalaya), the Khumbu Valley of the Sherpa people in Nepal attracts Himalaya fans from the world over. As a result, trekking in the region means staying at lovely teahouses every night and eating the kind of food that would put most dal-chawal-Maggi trekking menus to shame (think pizza, or roast chicken, or Thai food, even beer!).
And while this increases your costs, it’s a useful way to travel, where your focus can remain on the grand panorama of some of the highest peaks on earth, rather than worrying about where to pitch your tent. And one of the best ways to enjoy the grand mountain vistas of the Khumbu is to steer clear of the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek, and opt instead for the Gokyo Lakes trek. The EBC and the Gokyo treks share the same trail from the tiny airstrip of Lukla to the main town of the Sherpas, the fabled Namche Bazaar.
From here, the trail ascends the steep Dudh Kosi Valley for a couple of days to reach Gokyo Ri, overlooking the magnificent Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in the Himalaya. The famed lakes of Gokyo, all five of them, are the main draw, along with views of the 8,188m high Cho Oyu. The trail then climbs up to the 5,350m high Renjo La, before descending to the village of Lungden on the Bhote Kosi Valley and then back to Lukla, via Namche.
It is a tough trek for sure, with 12 days of walking at high altitudes. But the relative comfort, and a chance to be near so many stunning Himalayan peaks are the rewards. When to go:
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