Gokyo Lake Trek

You can expect the adventure’s positive and negative aspects during the Gokyo Lake Trek. The journey is perfect if you want to witness the panoramic views of the Himalayas and the highest mountain, Mount Everest. Besides that, the trek also offers you the best cultural experiences. The Tibetan-inspired Buddhist culture can be worth exploring. You can also see the best sunrise and sunset views and the warm hospitality of the people.

However, as you will be trekking to the highest altitude landscapes, over 5000 meters, there is a huge chance of getting altitude sickness. Similarly, you will cross varied terrains, from lush forests to rugged. You can also expect cold temperatures, especially during the morning and night. The trek demands you to be physically strong to conquer the challenges. Because of the area’s remoteness, you should be ready for the limited amenities and peaceful trails during this trek.

The total distance you will trek through with the Gokyo La Pass is 130 to 140 kilometers. The trek starts with a short flight to Lukla. The flight takes off from Kathmandu and covers about 200 km in about 40 minutes. Upon reaching Lukla, the real trekking journey starts. Each day, you will cover around 10 km on average, with about 5 to 6 hours of hiking daily. After 12 days of hiking, you will return to Lukla and then to Kathmandu, completing the total adventure.

Here is the breakdown of the total distance you will cover.

Yes, you can see the Everest from Gokyo Lake. Not only will you witness this highest peak reflected in the turquoise water, but you will also observe other 8000-meter peaks, such as Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Besides that, some other Himalayas you will see include Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Nuptse, Kantega, and many more. Just imagine how beautiful the Gokyo Lake can be: the highest freshwater lake system in the world surrounded by beautiful Himalayas all over.

If you want more beautiful views of these peaks, hiking up to Gokyo Ri can offer you spectacular views. From Gokyo Ri, at about 5,357 meters, you will witness the beautiful views of Gokyo Lake from above, which is fully surrounded by the Himalayas. Not just from these highest points., you can also see Everest from the beginning of the trek. The 40-minute Lukla flight will offer you an aerial view of Everest. Similarly, throughout the trek from the starting point to the ending point, you will see Everest every day. The Gokyo Lake trek can be the most adventurous journey that takes you to the middle of the Himalayas.

If you are trekking to Gokyo Ri, you should have proper preparation and planning, especially if you are a beginner. You may have a question: How do you prepare for this adventure? Here are some things you can do to prepare yourself for the trek:

Physical Fitness

As you will be taking the difficult section of the overall adventure, you need to be physically fit. You need to have a good level of stamina and endurance. You can include cardiovascular exercises like hiking, running, or cycling. In addition to that, squats and planks are also essential for increasing your leg strength. We also recommend practicing breathing exercises to protect you from altitude sickness.

Mental Preparation

Being mentally ready is equally important as being physically fit. Throughout the journey, you should have a positive attitude. Practicing yoga and Meditation can be helpful for you as they help you increase your flexibility and give you positive energy. In addition, visualizing the actual trekking situation and overtaking those can also help you be mentally ready for this adventure.

Acclimatization

Acclimatization is very essential for you if you want to have a smooth trekking experience. You will get to a higher altitude, and altitude sickness is common. You may feel shortness of breath, headache, and dizziness on the journey, trekking above 3.500 meters. Acclimatization helps you adjust your body to the increase in temperature. For 15 15-day adventure, you need to have a day of acclimatization. You can take a rest day at Namche Bazaar and gradually climb towards a higher altitude.

The highest point you will reach with this adventure is Renjo La Pass, at 5,360 meters. Similarly, another high altitude, which is just 3 meters below the higher pass, is Gokyo Ri at 5,357 meters. Here is the detailed information about the altitude you will pass each day:

Yes, a beginner can complete Gokyo Lake. However, you are very recommended to be in good physical and mental condition. The trek has some challenges, such as high altitude, longer days and hiking duration, unpredictable weather, and more. You should be fully prepared if you are trekking to this region. Besides that, we generally recommend that you consider the best hiking season for your safety and more adventure with beautiful views.

If you book with us, the cost of 15 days of Gokyo Lake Trek is USD 2,055 per person if you are traveling in a group of 2 to 3.  The price starts to decrease as the number of people in the group increases. We charge USD 2,055 per person for 4 to 6 people. The package price for more than 7 people is USD 2,015 per person. We recommend traveling in many group sizes if you want to save money. The cost includes all the meals, accommodation, guide, porter, domestic flight, and permits.

Besides, our costs do not include international flights, meals in Kathmandu, visa fees, tips for staff, emergency helicopter rescue tips, and other personal expenses. You need to understand that the price of the package is affected by the number of days, the luxury of the trek, and the activities included in the package.  Even our packages with different numbers of itineraries and luxury have different prices. You can contact us directly via mail or phone if you want to understand more about the cost and their inclusion and exclusion.

Not just offering you scenic adventure, the Gokyo Lake is also the best for cultural experiences. Most people residing here are Sherpa people, known for their mountaineering skills. They follow Tibetan-inspired Buddhist culture, providing a unique cultural immersion. Some major villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche are best for you to experience them. These people are known for their warm hospitality.

Throughout the journey, you can also visit many ancient monasteries. One of the most famous is the Tengboche Monastery. Throughout the journey, you can also see many prayer wheels and mani-walls, chortens, and prayer flags. Besides that, you can also take part in their local festival and traditional dances. To get more cultural experiences, exploring the area during the Autumn season is perfect for you as the two major festivals of Nepal, Dashain and Tihar, fall during this season.

Some major festivals in which the Sherpa people can participate are Mani Rimdu, Gyalpo Losar, and Lhosar. The trek also provides you with an opportunity to try local cuisine. The whole trek will be both a scenic and cultural experience for you. To get most of the cultural experience from this adventure, you can interact with local people and witness their daily lives.

The Gokyo Lake Trek is a moderately challenging adventure. With the involvement of high altitude, varied terrain, and long hiking days, this trek can be both mentally and physically retarding if you are not fully prepared. Here is a summary of each of the difficulties involved in the journey.

Altitude

The Gokyo Lake trek takes you over 5,000 meters. The three major high-altitude places you reach include  Gokyo Lake (4,800 m), Renjo La Pass (5,360 m), and Gokyo Ri (5,357 m). The highest you reach is Renjo La Pass, which connects the Gokyo and Thame valleys. As you move higher than 3500 meters, the oxygen level decreases, making breathing difficult. This can result in altitude sickness. If not treated in time, this can also be life-threatening.

Terrain

The Gokyo Lake takes you through the varied terrain of the Khumbu Region. With this adventure, you will pass through rocky, ridge, and steep paths, which can be quite hard to navigate. In addition to that, the continuous ascends and descends can add more difficulties to your journey. The diverse landscapes require careful footing. To complete this advantage, you need a physically fit body and good balancing techniques.

Long Hiking Days

The Gokyo Lake trek can be completed within 15 days with an average of 6 to 7 hours of hiking daily. The total distance you will cover with this adventure is about 92 to 100 kilometers via trekking. The long hiking days require you to maintain a good energy level, which can be quite a hassle. This is not a cup of tea for everyone. Imagine walking in the varied terrain continuously for about 13 days, isn’t it tiring?

Unpredictable Weather

As you will be traveling to the Himalayas, the unpredictability of the weather can add some difficulties, too. The sudden change in climate and drop in temperature requires you to have a great deal of packing. You can suddenly encounter rainfall or snowfall during the journey. Sometimes, the temperature can drop below 0 degrees Celsius, even if you are trekking in the right season. Also, you can sometimes encounter high storms, making your journey quite risky.

Remoteness of Region

Located in the Everest Region of Nepal, you will be trekking towards higher altitudes, so you must understand that you will be steeping in the remote part of Nepal. Even lower regions provide some good amenities; the higher you climb, the more basic the amenities start to get. From Dingboche above, it will be very difficult to find a good communication signal, medical facilities, or amenities like accommodations with private bathrooms. The limited amenities in the journey can add some challenges to your overall adventure.

The Right time to visit the Gokyo trek is spring and autumn. The weather is favorable during these seasons, and the views are breathtaking. Besides these two, we generally recommend you not trek during summer and winter. Here is a brief description of each trekking season:

Spring

Spring is considered the most favorable season for trekking towards Gokyo Lake. This season, you will get clear skies, stable weather, and mild temperatures. The daytime temperature can range from 10 degrees to 15 degrees, while the nighttime temperature can go below 3 degrees. Similarly, this is the season for blooming rhododendron forest and other wildflowers. This adds vibrant color to landscapes. The overall merge of the beautiful season, breathtaking views, and stable weather make the trek worth exploring in this season; however, being the peak season, you will get more crowds.

Autumn

Another popular season for trekking adventure towards the Gokyo Lake is the Autumn season. Like spring, this season also offers you beautiful views and stable weather. The chances of getting rainfall during this season are low, making your trail safe and memorable. The daytime temperature can range from 10 degrees to 17 degrees, while the night temperature can go below 5 degrees. During this season, you can also participate in 2 major festivals of Nepal, Dashain and Tihar. Overall, this season is perfect for breathtaking views and cultural immersion here in Nepal. But encountering more crowds is common.

Off-Season

The two unfavorable seasons for trekking are summer and winter season. Among these two, summer is generally not recommended. The summer brings monsoons together. You will get heavy rainfall, making the trail slippery. Also, you might encounter landslides, making it life-threatening. Similarly, you will get freezing temperatures below -5 degrees Celsius in winter. Also, the heavy snowfall can make the trail difficult to navigate. However, with proper planning and packing, you can complete this trek, even during winter. But do not try if you do not have prior trekking experience.

Trekking to Gokyo Lake requires two permits: a Sagarmatha National Park Permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. These permits are essential if you are exploring the beauty of the Everest Region. It is very necessary for you to carry these permits in your hand, as they can be checked at many checkpoints throughout the journey; carrying a backpack with all the necessary documents is recommended.

Here is a brief explanation of both:

Sagarmatha National Park Permit

The Gokyo Lake is located in the Sagarmatha National Park, and most sections of the trekking trail are within it. Getting this permit is very essential for you. The money collected from these permits is used to preserve the area’s park and biodiversity. You can collect these permits from the National Tourism Board in Kathmandu or even from the entry gate of the park, Manjo.

Khumbu Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

It is another essential permit required for the Gokyo Lake trek. These permits had replaced the TIMS card in the Everest Region. Having this permit allows you to get through some restricted areas in the region. This card helps track the trekkers’ location and enhances their safety. You can get these permits simultaneously as the Sagarmatha National Park Permit.

Note: If you book with us, the cost of permits is included. We will make sure to get all these permits before your adventure.

Packing the right essentials is very important for trekking to any destination. Do not overpack. You should limit your backpack to 9 kg. Here is a list of all the essentials for the trekking adventure towards Gokyo Lake.

Clothing

• Base Layer (Thermal Shirts & Pants)
• Fleece Jacket
• Waterproof Jacket
• Down Jacket
• Trekking Pants
• Hiking Shorts
• Hat (Warm & Sun Protection)
• Gloves (Warm & Lightweight)
• Buff/Neck Gaiter
• Undergarments (Quick-Dry)
• Pajamas
• Gaiters (for snow or mud)

Footwear

• Hiking Boots (Waterproof)
• Trekking Sandals/Flip Flops
• Extra Shoe Laces
• Warm Socks

Toiletries

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Shampoo/Conditioner (Travel Size)
• Soap/Body Wash (Eco-Friendly)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet Wipes
• Lip Balm
• Sunscreen
• Personal Medications
• Feminine Hygiene Products

Sleep System

• Sleeping Bag (Rated for Cold Temps)
• Sleeping Pad
• Pillow

Backpack & Daypack

• Trekking Backpack (with rain cover)
• Daypack (for daily excursions)
• Hydration Reservoirs or Water Bottles

Electronics

• Phone & Charger
• Power Bank (High Capacity)
• Headlamp/Flashlight (with Extra Batteries)
• Camera & Memory Cards
• Solar Charger (optional)
• Plug Adapter (if needed)

Documents

• Passport
• Travel Insurance (with Emergency Evacuation)
• Permits (Trekking/Entry)
• ID Copy (Backup)