A teahouse trek from Lukla up the Dudh Kosi valley to the turquoise Gokyo Lakes beside the Ngozumpa Glacier, with a dawn climb of Gokyo Ri (about 5,357 m) for views of four 8,000 m peaks.
- Days
- 11 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,357 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Everest Region (Khumbu)माछेर्मो
Machhermo
A lodge village below the snout of the Ngozumpa Glacier, a step on the way up to Gokyo.
- Altitude
- 4,470 m
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Trek stop
- District
- Solukhumbu, Koshi
- Permit
- Permit required
Higher seasonal exposure: altitude (All year), snow (Dec-Mar), cold (Nov-Mar), seasonal closure (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Machhermo is a small lodge village at about 4,470 m in a side valley of the upper Dudh Kosi, just below the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Within the Everest region it is the second overnight above Namche on the Gokyo Lakes trek and a common place for an extra acclimatisation night.
The walk from Dole is short, about 3-4 hours on an open trail above the river, which keeps the daily height gain modest. In the main seasons a volunteer-staffed aid post of the Himalayan Rescue Association usually operates here and gives talks on altitude sickness. Views from the hill above the village take in Cho Oyu to the north and Kangtega and Thamserku to the south-east.
History and culture
Machhermo was a summer yak pasture that became a lodge village as the Gokyo route grew busier. A local story links the valley to a yeti sighting in the 1970s, a tale often told to visitors. The village is inside Sagarmatha National Park and depends almost entirely on trekking.
Things to do in Machhermo
Climb the hill above the village
A climb of 200-300 m above Machhermo gives views of Cho Oyu and helps acclimatisation.
Attend an altitude talk
When the aid post is open, its afternoon talks explain altitude sickness and how to avoid it.
Weather and the best time to visit Machhermo
Weather in Machhermo
Forecast for 4,470 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November usually bring the clearest skies and stable weather, with cold nights well below freezing.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold, with snow possible on the trail; some lodges close and the high passes can be impassable.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is warmer and busy, with more afternoon cloud; late spring brings expedition traffic towards base camp.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August brings cloud and rain, poor mountain views and frequent delays on the Lukla flights; few lodges stay fully open.
Where to stay
LodgesTeahouses
A small group of lodges.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Machhermo is reached on foot from Dole in about 3-4 hours.
Nearest hub: Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport)
- flightKathmandu or Ramechhap (Manthali) to Lukla, roughly 25-40 minutes, weather permitting; in busy seasons many flights leave from Ramechhap.
- trekDole to Machhermo via Lhabarma and Luza, about 3-4 hours and about 430 m of height gain.
Getting to Machhermo, by mode
Nearest hub: Lukla. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By airfrom Kathmanduabout 0.4-0.7 hLukla (Tenzing-Hillary)often delayed or cancelled by weather
A 25-40 minute mountain flight to Lukla, weather permitting, then the walk in. In the busy seasons most flights leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) instead of Kathmandu, a 3-4 hour drive east, which means a night-time road transfer. Cancellations for wind and visibility are routine, so spare days belong in the plan.
When to set off: Lukla flights are scheduled at first light, before the south-west wind builds from mid to late morning; Ramechhap departures leave Kathmandu by road around 03:00-04:00
On footfrom Doleabout 3-4 h3-4 h from Dole via Lhabarma and Luza, about 430 m of ascent on an open trail above the river
A short day by design: the height gain is what matters on the way to Gokyo, and an afternoon here is normal.
When to set off: teahouse stages start after breakfast, usually by 07:30, to arrive before the afternoon cloud and wind
Where people go next
- Gokyo Lakeson foot, about 4-5 hUp past the first two lakes to Gokyo.
- Doleon foot, about 3-4 hBack down the valley towards Namche.
- Namche Bazaaron foot, about 8-10 hTwo stages down, usually with a night at Dole.
Permits and fees
Permit required
This stop is inside Sagarmatha National Park; the park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit apply. Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: Issued in Kathmandu or at the park entrance near Monjo; check the latest rules and fees.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit: Local permit collected in the Lukla area.
- Licensed guide: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; the local municipality in Khumbu has disputed this, so check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
On the trail
On the Gokyo Lakes trek.
- Previous stop:
- Dole
- Next stop:
- Gokyo
- A typical day:
- From Dole, about 3-4 hours and roughly 430 m of height gain on an open trail above the river.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Machhermo
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
Machhermo is at about 4,470 m, the last stop before Gokyo. Acute mountain sickness is common on fast ascents - it affects roughly 40 per cent of people who go up quickly to 3,000 m, and more above that. General information, not medical advice: gain height slowly, keep sleeping-height gains small (about 300 m a day once high), build in rest days, learn the symptoms - headache, nausea, breathlessness, broken sleep - and descend if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Snowhigh in a typical yearDec-Mar
Deep winter snow can block the trails above Tengboche, and spring storms leave fresh snow on the higher stages; December to March is the usual snow window at this height.
Coldhigh in a typical yearNov-Mar
Nights are far below freezing from November to March at this height, with wind on the open moraine and unheated bedrooms in the teahouses; a winter-rated sleeping bag and down layer are the norm.
Seasonal closurehigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Lukla flights are the weak link in the monsoon: poor visibility stops operations at the airstrip about half the time in that season and about half of flights are cancelled, and waits of several days happen. Any itinerary built on the flight needs spare days at both ends.
Seasonal closuremoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
Above Tengboche many teahouses do not stay open through the deep-winter months, so the high stages are seldom walked in December to February and food and beds are harder to find.
Otherlow in a typical yearJun-Aug
The monsoon brings cloud and rain rather than views, and the stages are wet and misty underfoot, although the upper valleys get less rain than the forest below.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- This is high altitude: go up slowly, watch for headache, nausea and unusual tiredness, and descend if symptoms get worse. General information, not medical advice.
- Consider a second night here if you have a headache; the next stop, Gokyo, is another 300 m higher.
- There is no ATM; carry enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu, Lukla or Namche.
- Charging, hot showers and Wi-Fi, where available, are paid extras and depend on solar or small hydro power.
Treks through Machhermo
Questions about Machhermo
How high is Machhermo?
About 4,470 m.
Is there medical help in Machhermo?
A Himalayan Rescue Association aid post usually operates in the main trekking seasons; outside them, help is very limited.
How long from Machhermo to Gokyo?
About 4-5 hours, passing the first and second Gokyo lakes.
More in Everest Region (Khumbu)
All of Everest Region (Khumbu)Lake · 4,750 m
Gokyo Lakes
A chain of glacier-fed lakes beside the Ngozumpa glacier, with views of Everest and Cho Oyu from the hill of Gokyo Ri.
Viewpoint · 5,644 m
Kala Patthar
A dark ridge-top viewpoint above Gorak Shep with a close view of Everest, Nuptse and the Khumbu Glacier.
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Pikey Peak
A grassy 4,065 m summit in lower Solukhumbu with a long view of the eastern Himalaya, reached on a short trek through Sherpa villages.
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Chhukung
A high lodge settlement at the head of the Imja valley, below Lhotse's south face and Island Peak.
Mountain pass · 5,420 m
Cho La
A glaciated pass linking the Everest Base Camp trail with the Gokyo valley, crossed between Dzongla and Thagnak.
Trek stop · 4,410 m
Dingboche
A walled-field Sherpa village in the Imja valley, the usual acclimatisation stop on the way to Everest Base Camp.
Trek stop · 4,038 m
Dole
A small lodge village in the upper Dudh Kosi valley, the first night above Namche on the way to Gokyo.
Trek stop · 4,830 m
Dzongla
A tiny lodge stop on a high pasture below Cholatse, the eastern base for crossing the Cho La.
Nearby
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Machhermo, Wikipedia, Machhermo, OpenStreetMap