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So you might be thinking, why did you do the Gokyo Lakes trek and not the more famous Everest Base Camp route which is right next door? 

In short, we wanted to step a little off the beaten path, ascending to the same altitude and getting absolutely incredible views (some might say even better ones!) with a fraction of the crowds, and that is exactly what we experienced!

The Gokyo Lakes trek is also located in Sagarmatha National Park and shares a path with the Everest Base Camp route for the first 2 days before branching off after Namche Bazar. The trail winds through stunning valleys and passes through remote villages before bringing you out the highest freshwater lake system in the world, Gokyo Lakes. They are truly a sight to behold, bright turquoise blue, glacier fed and absolutely mind-glowingly beautiful, an ample reward for your efforts! But if you want to take it to the next level, I recommend summiting nearby Gokyo Ri (5360m) like we did. If you go early in the morning you can watch the sunrise over four 8000m peaks – Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu. It is nothing short of incredible!

In my opinion, The Gokyo Lakes & Gokyo Ri trek is a great alternative option to Everest Base Camp. As an avid hiker, I would say it was the best trekking experience of my life – a pretty big statement! Even if you're dead set on visiting EBC, I would recommend extending your trip to visit Gokyo (it only adds a few extra days) just so you can see the bright blue waters and enjoy the surrounding views.

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