Gokyo Lake Trek - 12 days

Best time to trek Gokyo Lakes

The ideal seasons for the Gokyo Lakes Trek in Nepal are Spring and Autumn, which offer perfect climate conditions to trail on with mild temperatures. These particular seasons stand out to offer a safe adventure along the best views of mountains and landscapes and adventure within the mountainous area of the Everest region. However, if you have some prior experience, you can opt for this journey in monsoon and winter as well with some preparations beforehand.

What to expect in Spring (March to May)?

Spring is hands-down one of the best times to do the Gokyo Valley Trek as the landscape blooms beautifully with the rhododendron forests and orchids in the lower trails. While moving to the upper section, the prominent views of towering snowcapped peaks can be seen without any disturbance, and unhindered views as the risk of heavy rain/snowfall is almost zero at this timeframe.

Besides, the temperature ranges from only 5 to 15 degrees Celsius which is an impeccable period to trail on without being mentally drained and sweaty by the high humidity. If you are someone who loves to walk along the thriving nature and would love to engage in conversation with fellow hikers, then this trek to Gokyo Ri in Spring fits perfectly for you.

What to expect in Autumn (September to November)?

Autumn is another ideal season to embark on this odyssey as it falls right after monsoon which means you can trail along without worrying much about precipitation (snow/rainfall), and enjoy the prominent views of mountains in every stride. The temperature usually starts from 5 to 18 degrees Celsius and doesn't go down to -5 degrees Celsius at night time presenting a cozy environment to settle in and mild climatic conditions to trek on sunny days.

Besides, the main festival of Dashain and Tihar falls from mid-October to Nov, allowing hikers to get great cultural insights of how such festive are celebrated in the Himalayas. If you are willing to explore something unique, with the best ever vista of peaks and varied landscapes, then this season will surely not disappoint you.

Gokyo Lake Trek difficulty 

Gokyo Lakes Trek falls under moderate treks within the Everest region that demand at least 5-6 hours of hiking each day covering approximately 8-18 km of distance each day. The entire trek isn't challenging however, there are some sections where you must walk through steep and rugged sections with several ascends and descends, other than that, anyone having a basic level of fitness can do this trek with no difficulties. 

One thing to mostly consider is, that while you navigate through the Ngozumpa glacier to Gokyo Valley through some slippery pathways, there are some rocky and narrow pathways which might be quite strenuous if you are a beginner. But, with some preparations before the trip, it can easily be completed without any hassle. For that, just make sure to do some physical strengthening exercises before 2 weeks, and prepare yourself to hike and settle in the remote areas with limited amenities.

This trek reaches a high altitude of 5357 meters at Gokyo Ri with daily ascend over 2500 meters each day, so the risk of altitude sickness is always there if preventive guidelines aren't taken care of throughout the trekking. If you feel any sort of symptoms such as severe headache, insomnia (loss of sleep and appetite), loss of control or dizziness, or uncomfortable breathing then, inform the trekking guide immediately. 

Nonetheless, this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek can successfully be completed by any age group, or novice trekkers, with effective preps, itineraries, guidelines, and experienced guides, undoubtedly. 

How to avoid altitude sickness during the Gokyo Lakes Trek?

Thinking about whether you could get the AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) on this trek to Gokyo Lakes? WELL! even though it reaches an altitude of over 5000 meters, the risk of altitude sickness is rare. You might feel mild symptoms such as headache, dryness of mouth, and fatigue but there's nothing to worry about as our body starts to act up to the thin air at high altitudes, which even pro hikers can feel.

However, our 12-day Gokyo Lake Trek itinerary is carefully tailored by the expert teams, with a gradual ascent of 400-500 meters each day which is a slow itinerary with 2 proper rest days yet the perfect one to avoid AMS. So, you can explore the best out of this Khumbu region without compromising your safety at the same time.

As there is a famous line that goes by, "It is always better to take prevention and be alert than cure", here are some of the safety protocols to follow:

• Make sure to check your oxygen level at every stopping point, by oximeter and inform the guide if you feel any sort of discomfort or the oxygen falls below normal. 
• Please note down to drink 3-4 liters of water per day to avoid dehydration and mouth dryness. If it sounds too much, then you can even replenish your body by having sherpa stews, hot lemon water, or even tea (plain) that helps to hydrate the body and provide warmness as well in cold temperatures.
• If you aren't allergic to gingery items, then it is highly suggested to carry dry gingers (found in mart) or Namche, if not then you can have a ginger soup that instantly boosts your energy.
• After crossing 3000 meters, we advise you to avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages (even local ones), which makes your heart beat faster and difficult to breathe. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
• Do not overwork your body and try to ascend more than 500 meters each day. Panicking to complete the trip with the influence of fellow experienced hikers can lead to severe altitude sickness. Please remember, that everyone's body acts differently, so do not overdo the hike.
• It is highly suggested to inform us/ or the guide if you are allergic to some food items, such as lactose intolerance or wheat, or soy allergy. We'll inform the tea house locals to prep the food accordingly and exclude the items that don't suit your body.

How to be prepared for the Gokyo Lake Trekking?

Even though this trek to Gokyo Lakes isn't strenuous it opens the gate to everyone without demanding high physical fitness, and long days of preparation it is always the best thing to get yourself ready for any sort of mountainous trek in Nepal. Prepping things out not only ensures well-being but also makes the trip go smoothly without any unfortunate situations.

To do any sort of trek, 2 major factors play a crucial aspect that must be undertaken before the journey starts i.e. Physical and Mental fitness, and this Gokyo Lake Trek stands out to be no different!

Physical Fitness (Strengthen your Muscle and Build Stamina)

This Gokyo Lakes Trekking at least demands 4-5 hours of hiking and goes up to 7-8 hours in 1-2 days which is surely not an easy task for beginners who have simply never done even 2-3 hours of trek to date.

So, to make the journey as easy as possible, try to engage in some sort of physical strengthening activities such as running via treadmill or just around parks, cycling (IN or OUT), swimming (if possible), or even weight lifting if you are a gym freak. If that sounds too over the board, then you can complete 10,000 steps every day just to get used to walking for long hours.

Mindset Preparedness 

If you have never done any trek before in remote areas where the modern infrastructure or you can say even basic amenities are less, then you must know how the expedition in the Himalayas works and prepare your mind accordingly.

Just do some research about challenges, terrains, and tea houses and keep realistic expectations only, so that settling in lodges run by locals won't be too hard for you. Besides, at some point, you might be too frustrated to continue the trek through some glaciers, and narrow sections with long hours, so prepare your mind with great enthusiasm and positivity. For that, you can engage in yoga or meditation to calm your mind which turns out to be an impeccable help throughout the trek to Gokyo Ri.

What type of Accommodations and Amenities to expect during the Gokyo Lakes Trek?

Kathmandu (starting point)

Before beginning the trip, in Kathmandu after your arrival, you'll be accommodated at the 3-star hotel in the Thamel area, which is one of the most popular and center points of this city. The rooms are king-sized or twin-sized as per your choice being well facilitated with AC, Mini freeze, attached washroom-bathtub, wardrobe, swimming pool (outside the room), and 24-hour service facilities. The buffet breakfast is served every morning with multiple options available. In simple words, you'll be served with the best facilities possible here in the Thamel area.

En Route (Tea house)

Along the trail, the Gokyo Lake Trek route, you'll be settled at tea houses all the way that are run by sherpa people themselves. The tea houses are quite basic and simple yet comfortable and hygienic enough without compromising your health and comfort. Till Namche Bazar, the lodges are well equipped, in fact, luxury compared to any other trails. However, after entering the upper trails, the rooms are less facilitated means in some stopping points, there are no attached washrooms available (2-3 days), but at the lower section, you'll get an attached washroom. 

The rooms are single or double bedrooms with comfortable pillows, blankets, and mattresses and are structured by wood. For extra services such as laundry, hot showers, bottled water, and WIFI, everything is available in the lodges. However, to recharge your gadgets you must move to the dining area, and wait for the queue. Other than that, all the basic requirements will be fulfilled.

What kinds of foods are available in Gokyo Valley Trek?

As this trek goes by the Everest region, all the way through which is one of the popular treks, the tea houses serve foods ranging from Western, Indian, and Asian to local cuisines that fit everyone's taste palette. 

In main sections such as Lukla, Namche, and Phakding, you can every kind of dish for lunch and dinner like bakery items, spaghetti, pizza, burgers, sizzlers, french fries, fried rice, dumplings, etc. Whereas, even for breakfast, the basic everyday just like city areas such as pancakes, toasted bread with butter jam, muesli, granola, americano, and many others are available.

However, after the trail diverges to Gokyo Ri, the options are limited but match everyone's taste palette, just like lower trails. From breakfast to dinner, this 12-day Gokyo Lake Trek in Nepal serves you the best meals of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Permits required for the Gokyo Lakes Trek

To do the Gokyo Lake Trekking, there are two major permits required, without attaining these the trek is impossible. But there is nothing to worry about, as after your booking confirmation is done with us, we'll arrange all the permits necessary for the trip.

Sagarmatha National Park Permit costs: NRS 3000 (USD 28) per person

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit costs: NRS 2000 (USD 17) per person

Travel Insurance

Although this Everest Gokyo Lake Trek is a safe and beginner-friendly trek to commence on, travel insurance is mandatory to trek along the remote sections and high altitudes over 3000 meters. It plays a crucial role in making your trip safe, and hassle-free and saving the thousands of dollars that might cause you if such unfortunate condition occurs within this Everest region. En route, there are small helplines for small injuries and accidents till Namche, but for serious cases, aircraft evacuation is the only option.

Make sure that you have an insurance policy from your own country (helps in understanding properly), that covers helicopter evacuation over 3000 m., theft, baggage loss, trip cancellation, and flight delays which not only act as a huge safety net but also allows you to enjoy the odyssey with a free mind.

Essential Tips for trekking to Gokyo Lakes Nepal (ATM, Personal Expenses, Network, Tipping Culture, Personal Expenses, Gears)

1. As soon as you cross Namche, the ATM and Credit facilities aren't available, so it is highly suggested to do the money exchange while being in the city area estimating the daily expenses that you might require. Besides, If you have a dollar then there's nothing to worry about, it works everywhere within the Everest region, but other currencies get accepted in tea houses so, either carry NRS (Nepali rupees) or USD (dollars).
2. Make sure to carry power banks, extra (2) as in some rooms there aren't attached electric sockets, due to which you have to go to the dining area to recharge the gadgets making it quite stressful to wait in queue just to charge mobile phones and cameras.
3. Every lodge has WIFI facilities but might cost you an extra $2-3 dollars as they are run by solar which is limited. So, buy an NTC SIM Card in Kathmandu before the trip starts, it will help to get a quick phone call back home while trailing en route.
4. There is nothing to go overboard while doing your packing, just carry useful essential clothing items like dry-fit t-shirts, sleeping bags (if required), down jackets, crampons (if it is winter), dry-fit pants, sunscreens, sticks, and other basic items of clothing. To fit in your gadgets and immediate things like medicines, carry a waist bag along with you even if you hire a porter.
5. Do not miss out on buying quick snacks in Kathmandu or anywhere before the trip starts, as along the Gokyo Lake Trekking route, there are some sections with 0 tea houses in between, even if it's available it gets triple the price. Just carry something simple, fulfilling, and nutritious such as Snickers, granola bars, nuts, and dry fruits, to quickly grab in the snacks that boost up the energy.
6. This package covers all your meals and accommodation or you can say all the expenses required for the expedition except the tips, our Gokyo Lake trek cost doesn't include your tips. It's not necessary but if you are satisfied with their hardworking services then it would be great gratitude.

Willing to Sign Up with us? Safe Booking Procedure

Are you looking forward to joining us for your upcoming adventure? WELL, do not settle back, Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition offers this one-in-a-kind Gokyo Lake Trek package, making sure that your trip to the Himalayas becomes a hassle-free journey. We are a local registered trekking agency that has been serving many hikers for more than 2 decades. So, we know that a safe booking process is crucial. For the trek, you just have to pay 20% of the total cost and the remaining amount can be paid after you arrive in Nepal (Kathmandu).

If you are quite late for booking, then YES! The last booking can be made, we'll manage everything soon after your booking is made with us ensuring everything goes by smoothly.

For more queries mail us at info@destinationhimalayatreks.com and whats app us at +977 9851016814 or you can even directly give us call 24/7 hour.