Your landing on this page means you must have heard about Gokyo Lake Trek. It also means that you know by now how adventurous and rewarding it is. As you read this, we can deduce that you are considering trekking to Gokyo Lake to witness the turquoise lakes in the Himalayas. We can also deduce that you are concerned about the challenges you might face while trekking. You are on the right track. Understanding the difficulties of the trek will help you plan accordingly and ensure a safe trekking experience. It also mentally prepares you. Understanding this is essential, especially on a remote trek to Gokyo Lake, a location with limited resources.
Gokyo Lake lies in the Everest region of Nepal. On the trek, you will witness many Mountain ranges, including the highest mountain in the world- Mount Everest. The trek will also take you to one of the popular passes, Renjo La Pass (5,360 m), the trek’s highest point. Reaching such heights certainly comes with difficulty. So, whether you’re an experienced trekker or a beginner, understanding the difficulty of the Gokyo Lake Trek will help you prepare for this unforgettable Himalayan adventure. Let’s break down the challenges.
Table of Contents
What Makes the Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty?
The Gokyo Lake trek is moderately challenging. The factors defining its difficulty are its elevation, weather, trails, and duration. But how are these challenges? How do they determine the difficulty? Let’s find out.
High Altitude
Your Gokyo Trek starts from Lukla, from where you will ascend towards Namche Bazar at 3,440 meters. Since the risk of altitude sickness increases beyond 3,500 m, you will be in danger starting on the second day of the trek. Moreover, Gokyo Lake Trek is a high-altitude trek that takes you to elevations beyond 5,000 meters. At such heights, oxygen levels are significantly low, making it harder to maintain proper breathing. Below are the elevations of some places you will traverse throughout the trek.
- Namche Bazaar – 3,440m
- Thame – 3,800m
- Marlung – 4,210m
- Gokyo – 4,800m
- Dole – 4,120m
- Gokyo Ri – 5,353m
- Renjo La Pass- 5,360 m
Steep Ascents and Descents
The Gokyo Lake Trek involves multiple ups and downs. Imagine hiking to the Gokyo Ri and returning to Gokyo Valley from there or ascending to the Renjo La Pass and descending from there. These continuous ups and downs on rugged trails are strenuous.
Knee pain, back pain, injuries, and accidents are risks you face because of the steep climbs and downs. Hence, you need good stamina and leg strength to complete this trek.
Weather Conditions
The weather in the Himalayan region is unpredictable as it depends upon multiple factors like altitude, winds, and pressure. The temperature significantly decreases as you gain elevation. The temperature at Gokyo Ri and Renjo La Pass drops below 0°C at nighttime, even during the peak seasons.
High-altitude regions like Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Ri are subject to harsh winds, snow, and sudden weather changes, which make the Gokyo Lake Trek more difficult.
Remote Trails
The trails of the Gokyo Lakes are more remote than those of the classical Everest Base Camp trek route. Many people chose the EBC trek over the Gokyo Trek, resulting in fewer facilities on the Gokyo trails. Because of the remoteness, there is limited infrastructure, medical facilities, and emergency support.
So, in case of altitude sickness or injuries, the only option for immediate professional medical help is to evacuate via helicopter, which is challenging and expensive.
Trekking Duration
The Gokyo Lake trek takes about 15 days to complete, depending on the itinerary. Adding a detour or an extra acclimatization day might take more time. The length of the trek also depends on your pace and trekking style.
The trek to Gokyo Lake covers a total distance of about 92 km. Each day, you will have to walk through the rugged terrain for 6 to 8 hours, which adds to its difficulty. Covering such a long distance can be physically and mentally exhausting.
Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness During Gokyo Lake Trek
While most of the challenges of the Gokyo Lake trek can be handled with certain preparation, for example, steep climbs can be overcome by maintaining good fitness and stamina. There is no one way to mitigate the risk of altitude sickness. You must manage your diet, hydration level, fitness, medication, and more. Although these elements are important on their own, acclimatization truly matters.
Acclimatization is the process, often involved in the high altitude treks, to allow your body to adjust to the harsher environment there. Ascending will be more convenient when your body becomes accustomed to the lower oxygen level. Since the risk of altitude sickness increases above 3,500 m, ensure you acclimate before that. You can acclimatize at Namche which is at an elevation of 3,440 m. However, having a rest day doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be ignorant about the symptoms of altitude sickness. Always observe them. The symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
Note: High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) are a severe form of altitude sickness and include symptoms like shortness of breath while resting, headache that doesn’t seem to go away even with medication, cyanosis, and even confusion.
Tips for Acclimatization
If you think acclimatization is just about separating a day for rest, you must rethink your thinking. Acclimatization refers to the process of gradually adapting to a new environment. Besides rest, it also includes aspects like hydration and diet. Here are some tips that will help you in the process.
Physical Preparation
You have to understand that just resting is not enough to acclimatize properly. While your body might be accustomed to the temperature and weather, you might still take breaks for breathing due to the altitude. Hence, focus on increasing your endurance level via exercise. Make sure that you maintain nasal breathing while ascending.
Stay Hydrated
Your body needs fluids to compensate for all the liquid losses due to increased physical activity. When dehydrated, your body finds it hard to maintain its water level, eventually increasing the risk of altitude sickness. So, drink lots of water and stay hydrated throughout the trek. You can add electrolytes to replenish the mineral loss.
Ascend Gradually
Ascending gradually does two things: 1) you will not be short of breath like when ascending rapidly, and 2) your body will improve oxygen utilization. This way, your body gets used to the lower oxygen level, and the risk of altitude sickness significantly decreases.
Balanced Diet
It is a no-brainer that your body loses significant energy while ascending towards Gokyo from Namche. The only way to regain the lost energy is through the meals. So, ensure you eat a balanced diet, mostly focusing on the carbohydrates that give you enough energy to complete the trek.
Is Gokyo Lake Trek Suitable for All Ages?
The Gokyo Lake trek is moderately challenging because of altitude, remote terrain, unpredictable weather, steep climbs, and many more. The nature of the trek is such that you have to walk for about 6 to 8 hours daily, which can be exhausting, considering the temperature and the nature of the trails. The truth is it is not everyone’s cup of cake.
The trek is best suited for moderately experienced trekkers, meaning you can do it if you have been on a few treks before or are an avid trekker. Beginners can also complete the trek but must be physically and mentally prepared. Older adults and young trekkers can complete the journey, but preparation is crucial.
However, we do not recommend the Gokyo Lake Trek for children and older people.
What to Expect on the Gokyo Lake Trail
The Gokyo Lake trek is challenging but equally rewarding. It offers adventure, varied landscapes, cultural exploration, and scenic views of the snow-clad Himalayas. Unlike another popular trek in the Everest region, it is quieter, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in nature. Here are a few things that the Gokyo Lake Trail offers.
Teahouse Accommodation
You will come across various high-altitude settlements on your hike to Gokyo. These settlements have teahouses that serve as your accommodation. They provide you with comfortable lodging that has a communal dining area. The amenities like internet, charging, and hot showers are there, but you must pay extra.
Scenic Mountain Views
Throughout the Gokyo Valley Trek, you will witness various majestic mountains of the Everest region. These mountains are the major attractions of the trek. The mountains you will encounter along the trek are Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, and many more. You will get to witness the panoramic view of the mountains once you reach the summit of the Gokyo Ri.
Glacier and Glacial Lake
The trail on this trek takes you through the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is Nepal’s largest glacier. You will also witness the beauty of Gokyo Lakes on this trek. Additionally, you will get an aerial view of the lakes after a short hike to Gokyo Ri.
Cultural Exploration
The Gokyo Lake trek offers a chance to observe the day-to-day life of the sherpa people of the Khumbu region. The Sherpa people will own the tea houses you stay in. Interacting with them, you will find out about their lifestyle. Visiting the monasteries on the way to Gokyo Lake will add a spiritual angle to the trek.
Comparison with Other Everest Region Treks
The Gokyo Lake Trek is not just the one trek in the Everest region. Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC Trek), Three Passes Trek, and Pikey Peak Trek are some of the other famous treks. Among these, the Gokyo Lake trek is more difficult than the EBC Trek and Three Passes Trek but is relatively easier than the Pikey Peak Trek. Let us look at the table below to compare the Gokyo Lake trek difficulty with EBC difficulty and Pikey Peak difficulty.
| Feature | Gokyo Lake Trek | Everest Base Camp Trek | Pikey Peak Trek |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Challenging | Challenging | Easy to Moderate |
| Highest Altitude | Gokyo Ri (5,357m) | Kala Patthar (5,545m) | Pikey Peak (4,065m) |
| Trek Duration | ~15 days | 12–14 days | 7-14 days |
| Fewer trekkers | Very crowded | Least crowded | |
| Acclimatization Needed? | Yes, due to the high altitude | Yes, it is essential due to the higher altitude | Minimal risk of altitude sickness |
| Trekking Terrain | Steep ascents, glacial moraines, remote trails | Rocky paths, steep climbs, more developed trails | Rolling hills, forested trails, gradual ascents |
How Does Season Determine the Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty?
The season plays a significant role in determining the difficulty of the Gokyo Lake Trek. While spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are considered the peak season, and winter (December to Feburary) and summer/monsoon (June to August) are the off-seasons for Gokyo Lake Trek. However, each season comes with a set of difficulties. Now, let us look at them.
- Spring: Although the temperature is mild, it can get cold in higher elevations. The trails are crowded, so the chances of finding suitable accommodations are low.
- Autumn: The trails are more crowded than in any other season, so finding flights and accommodations at the right time can be challenging.
- Winter: The temperature drops below freezing, often reaching -20°C at higher altitudes. Heavy snowfall makes trails icy and slippery, making navigation harder.
- Summer/Monsoon: The temperature in the lower region is scorching, making trekking uncomfortable. The heavy rainfall during this season makes trails muddy and slippery, increasing the chances of injury.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the difficulty of the Gokyo Lake Trek is altitude sickness, as it takes you beyond 5,000 m. The other challenges involve the long, strenuous walk, steep climbs, the unavailability of immediate medical attention, and unpredictable weather. Understanding these difficulties will help you plan the itinerary accordingly. You can also assess your fitness level and prepare for the trek.
If you have reached this point in the article, it would be safe to say that you are serious about the Gokyo Lake Trek. If you have any questions, you can contact us.
