Culture and history · Gorkhey
A lazy afternoon on the Gorkhey meadows
Wash in warm water, sit by the stream and watch cattle on the meadow and farmers in the fields. After days of altitude and wind, Gorkhey's green riverside is the trek's natural place to slow down.
Gorkhey's meadows lie flat along the stream, unusual in these steep hills. In the afternoon they catch the sun while the ridge above disappears into cloud. Cattle graze, children come home from school, and prayer flags flap over the water.
Ask your lodge for a bucket of hot water and wash properly. Rinse clothes and dry them on the lodge line. Then take a book or a notebook to the bank and sit. The sound of the river and the warmth after the ridge are what most trekkers remember about Gorkhey.
Be respectful of fields and fences; walk on paths, not across crops. Ask before photographing people. As the sun goes down behind the ridge, the valley cools fast, and it is time for the lodge kitchen.
Cost: Free
Questions people ask
Good to know
Is Gorkhey worth a rest day?
Yes, if your schedule allows. It is warmer and greener than the ridge, with good walking along the valley and a slower pace. Tired knees benefit from a day off before the last two days to Srikhola and Rimbik.
Can I swim in the Gorkhey river?
The water is very cold snowmelt and fast in places. A quick paddle is fine; swimming is not advised. Do not use soap in the river; wash with a bucket away from the water.
Is Gorkhey warmer than Phalut?
Much warmer. At about 2,390 m it is roughly 1,200 m lower, so days are pleasant and nights near freezing only in winter. In October and November, expect about 5–15 °C.
Also in Gorkhey