Head to head
Ama Yangri Trek vs Gokyo Lakes Trek
Ama Yangri Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,771 m), while Gokyo Lakes Trek is the bigger undertaking (Challenging, max 5,357 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Ama: Easy
vs Gokyo: Challenging
Max altitude
Ama: 3,771 m
vs Gokyo: 5,357 m
Duration
Ama: 4 days
vs Gokyo: 12 days
Choose
Ama Yangri Trek
if you want…
- Less demanding - Easy vs Challenging
- Shorter trip - 4 days vs 12
- Lower max altitude (3,771 m) - gentler on acclimatization
- Explores the Langtang region
Choose
Gokyo Lakes Trek
if you want…
- Higher summit point (5,357 m) for bigger mountain views
- More time on the trail - 12 days to immerse
- Explores the Everest region
Full comparison
| Ama Yangri Trek | Gokyo Lakes Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Challenging |
| Duration | 4 days | 12 days |
| Max altitude | 3,771 m | 5,357 m |
| Total distance | 30 km | 100 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,400 m | 5,200 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Sep - Nov | Mar - May, Sep - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 250-650 | USD 700-1,500 |
| Permits | Langtang National Park Entry Permit, TIMS Card | Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and local lodges | Teahouses, lodges, and camping where required |
| Mobile network | Variable by village and carrier | Patchy in upper sections |
| Safety level | Low | High |
Planning aid only. GPX and route pages are not live trail authority. Map packs need download on Wi‑Fi; weather and SMS need connectivity when used.
Ama Yangri Trek vs Gokyo Lakes Trek: common questions
Which is harder, which goes higher, which costs more, and which one to do first - answered from the route data in the table above.
Which is harder, the Ama Yangri Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Gokyo Lakes Trek is the harder of the two: challenging versus easy, topping out at 5,357 m against 3,771 m. Ama Yangri Trek is the more approachable option (Easy, max 3,771 m), while Gokyo Lakes Trek is the bigger undertaking (Challenging, max 5,357 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Ama Yangri Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Gokyo Lakes Trek reaches 5,357 m, against 3,771 m on Ama Yangri Trek - a difference of about 1,586 m. A higher maximum means a slower ascent profile and more exposure to acute mountain sickness.
Which takes longer, the Ama Yangri Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Gokyo Lakes Trek takes 12 days against 4 for Ama Yangri Trek - 8 days more on the trail, plus buffer days for weather and flights.
Which is cheaper, the Ama Yangri Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 250-650 for the Ama Yangri Trek and USD 700-1,500 for the Gokyo Lakes Trek, covering permits, lodging, food and local transport. Guides, porters, domestic flights and insurance are extra and usually dominate the difference.
Which should a first-time trekker choose, the Ama Yangri Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Ama Yangri Trek is the safer first choice: easy rating, a maximum of 3,771 m, and 4 days on the trail. Save Gokyo Lakes Trek for after you know how your body handles sleeping above 2,500 m.
When is the best time to do the Ama Yangri Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Both routes share the same window: Mar - May, Sep - Nov. Outside it you trade settled weather for monsoon cloud or winter snow on the high sections.
Still weighing it up? Build a side-by-side with any routes in our interactive tool.
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