Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek - 12 days

Best time to trek Gokyo Lake and Renjo La Pass 

The ideal seasons for the Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trekking stand out to be Spring, starting from March to May, and Autumn from September to the end of November, where you can expect stable weather conditions as the skies stay clear, offering an unhindered panoramic vista of the gigantic peaks. Due to less likely chances of the percipitation (snowfall and rainfall), the terrains usually remain dry, without icy and snowy navigation, where one can enjoy comfortable walking for many hours because the daytime temperatures remain pleasant and the humidity levels stay low.

Whereas the winter seasons, along with the monsoon, are considered the off-seasonal time, due to the heavy cloudburst, the trailhead, on the lower terrains, is expected to be muddy, slippery, and at high altitude, the trail tends to become completely icy, slippery, and snowy, at the high pass, making the route completely strenuous. However, the route to Gokyo Valley is an all-year-round trek, but it gives you a seamless, hassle-free experience, with the crystal clear mountain views and landscapes, with mild temperatures during spring and autumn, making the seasons of Spring and autumn the ideal time.

Spring (March - May)

The Renjo La high pass experiences pleasing transformations throughout the spring season. The weather begins to grow warmer each month, following the completion of winter. The lower region of Namche Bazaar maintains daytime temperatures between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius, whereas the temperature ranges between 0 and 8 degrees Celsius, so you can walk comfortably without being sweaty.

The trek becomes enchanting when rhododendron and magnolia forests start their blooming season with pink, red, and white flowers, while active wildlife begins to emerge in the mountains, and you can spot birds and small animals. Clear mornings allow excellent mountain views because the weather remains steady throughout the day, so it brings perfect conditions to see Mount Everest, along with Cho Oyu peak, among many. During May, the trails fill up while you experience delightful weather and pleasant sunrays, which highlight the beautiful surroundings.

Autumn (Mid Sep to Nov)

Autumn stands as the peak time for the Everest Gokyo Lakes and Renjo La Pass Trekking. Want to know why? Autumn emerges as the best season after September because clear skies let you see stunning mountain landscapes against the blue sky background. Daytime temperature in the lower region maintains between 10-15 degrees Celsius, while areas near Gokyo valley, or the highest altitude over 5000 m+ temperatures between 5-10 degrees Celsius, so it remains suitable for hiking.

Due to a lack of rain and snow, the trail becomes easy to navigate as well as safe, especially at the challenging Renjo La Pass. Not to forget, the Dashain and Tihar celebrations in local communities remain an exciting cultural experience during your visit.  Autumn presents the ideal season to combine enjoyable trekking with pleasant weather, along with cultural immersion among the locals, as the major festivals, fall in between the seasonal time, captivating hikers across the globe, to experience the thriving festive time in the mountain areas.

Winter (December, January, and February)

Trekking along the trail to Renjo La Pass during the winter season is quite challenging, due to rapid snow fall, icy terrains, and massive drop of temperature as over areas show daytime temperatures between 0-5 degrees Celsius, while at the pass itself, it reaches -5 to -15 degrees Celsius, and high altitude nights experience exceptionally cold temperatures, which drop to between -10 to -20 degrees Celsius.

Heavy snow covers the trails when elevations exceed 4,000 meters, creating obstacles for navigation as it gets slippery. Snow creates dangerous conditions at Renjo La Pass, which can become completely unpassable due to ice and snow. But looking at the bright side, you can experience glorious views on clear days,s which offer the best visibility to see mountains with extreme clarity. This season provides a private Himalayan experience because there are very few trekkers on the trail, so it's just you and nature.

Monsoon (June to August)

The route during monsoon starting from June to July, experiences constant rainfall during the monsoon season, which turns the trail into slippery and difficult terrain that is hard to navigate. The daytime temperatures range between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius at lower elevation spots, but temperatures reach 8-15 degrees Celsius higher up in the region, while high humidity creates hot conditions.

Extreme weather conditions often block the mountain peaks with thick clouds and dense fog, and the heavy rain turns rivers into dangerous obstacles that make stream crossings harder to manage. The most frustrating are the leeches found in the forest areas. The low visibility and fog lead to constant flight delays and cancellations. However, you can appreciate the amazing green landscapes with less crowded trails for a peaceful journey.

What is the weather condition at Renjo La Pass?

The weather at the high pass of Renjo La (5360 m) and Gokyo Ri (5357 meters), which are the highest vantage points that this trek ultimately attains, changes frequently, with a drastic change of the climate and temperature fluctuations.

While in Spring, the temperature ranges from -10 °C to 2 °C, during the daytime, with the thriving shades of the red and pink rhododendrons, with mild humidity, offering an easy trail walk, due to dry terrains, as the snow washes away, soon after the winter time concludes. Meanwhile, in early March (1 week of the month), there might be snowy pathways, on the pass, or the trail to the Gokyo Lakes with icy sections, but gradually, if you start the trip at the beginning of March, and reach the high elevation above 3500 m+, after a week, then, you can expect dry terrains, and smooth walk, all along, with the impeccable insights of the peaks covered in snows beautifully.

As the Spring gradually ends, and the monsoon arrives, the humidity starts to increase, marking the start of summer, ranging between 15 to 22 degrees Celsius, at lower altitudes, and takes a drop to only 0°C at altitude, even though it sounds like a stable temperature condition, to walk along the pass, it is a nightmare, due to the heavy level of rainfall, and snowfall, in a constant way, with heavy winds, at morning and afternoon.

Due to heavy precipitation, the trail, at forested and rocky ridges, turns into muddy and slippery pathways, with landslides risk, and at the high pass or near the wetland above 4500 m+, the route gets densely covered with icy, slippery, and huge snowy blocks up to 2 meters, making the terrain completely challenging to proceed.

Meanwhile, during Autumn, which marks another peak prime time, the weather becomes stable, with clearer views of the himalayan giants, terrains remaining dry, with -12 °C to 0 °C during the day, and takes a drop to -14 °C at night, with an unhindered 360-degree view of Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, and Ngozumpa glacier, just like spring does.

On the other hand, winter is the coldest time, with freezing weather conditions, at the vantage points, with heavy snowfall and high winds, with the temperature ranging between -22 °C and -30 °C during the day and nighttime. Due to continuous snowfall, the navigation route becomes fully covered with high blocks of snow, due to which the tea houses and pathway to mountain passes usually remain closed, making the pass very difficult. However, if you are an experienced hiker, then you can commence on this trailhead, with proper preparation, comprehensive planning, and packing gear and essentials, as despite the hurdles, every seasonal time has unique features to offer to the hikers.

Gokyo and Renjo La Pass Trek Difficulty

Everybody knows that any journey to the Himalayas can be challenging due to various external factors. Gokyo Lake Renjo La Pass Trekking is a moderate to somewhat challenging trail within the iconic Everest region. This trek extends its highest elevation to 5360 meters at the high pass of Renjo La through a daily distance of 5-7 hours across different landscape types. Most trekking routes are kept in good condition, but steep slopes and rocky terrain increase in difficulty when getting near Renjo La Pass. The Gokyo village to Lungden trek requires 800 meters of uphill climb before descending 980 meters through the pass crossing.

Your trekking success does not depend on prior experience, but it will help in your preparations. New to trekking? Proper preparation enables you to tackle this journey for the first time. Your body prepares itself to climb to higher altitudes through a planned ascent, as Namche Bazaar and Gokyo village include scheduled rest days to allow acclimation. Mild symptoms of altitude sickness, like headache and dizziness, may be common, but they can be easily relieved with the care of your guide and proper rest.

Nevertheless, though it may be challenging in some sections, our well-planned Itinerary is designed with enough rest days for your body to adapt to altitude changes, while your body is well rested for long hikes. Our guide will assist you in every situation so you can report any illness to him for immediate attention. 

How to avoid Altitude Sickness throughout the trek?

This trek takes you towards the high points in the Himalayas as it leads to Gokyo Ri and Renjo La Pass, which reach an altitude of 5,000 meters. Altitude sickness becomes a possibility when trekking at these elevated heights above sea level. Numerous experienced trekkers experience this normal side effect despite their fitness levels. However, our well-crafted Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek 12-day itinerary includes proper acclimatization days, which enable most of our trekkers to finish the trek successfully while creating memorable experiences.

Exploring the Himalayas becomes safer when you properly prepare, along with following basic guidelines that lower your risks significantly:

• Hydration stands as the number one priority when traversing high-altitude terrains. Your body evaporates higher amounts of water through breathing and sweating, so you need to drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water daily.
• The beneficial effects of garlic on altitude adjustment make it worthwhile to try the common garlic soup served in numerous tea houses. Hot water, ginger tea, or garlic soup helps your body adapt to higher altitudes by giving you improved tolerance to the change. 
• The impact of altitude problems intensifies when temperatures decrease. You should wear multiple clothing layers together with a quality down coat and thermal garments, as well as a warm hat and gloves for protection from cold temperatures. Select a sleeping bag with an efficiency rating for temperatures for nighttime use. 
• Since coffee dehydrates your system, drink only light amounts of it,t but pair it with additional water consumption. Avoid taking alcohol, cigarettes, and sleeping pills as they can worsen altitude sickness.
• Monitor your physical condition attentively. Report your symptoms of headache, dizziness, reduced appetite, and difficulty sleeping to your guide without delay. Altitude sickness symptoms should never be ignored because attempting to work through symptoms may result in a worsening of your condition. A rest day with a descent to a lower altitude for one day should resolve your issue. 

Preparations for Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek

Physical Fitness

The Everest Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trekking is definitely not a piece of cake, and your body is your ultimate tool. Without good physical fitness, you cannot make it through the long walking hours of 7-8 hours each day, covering a long distance. Here are some training tips you can follow:

• You should begin your physical preparation for the Trek two to three months before your scheduled departure.
•  Perform stair climbing in buildings and traverse steep slopes as often as possible during each week. 
• Practice your hiking with a weight-loaded backpack during rehearsal sessions. Start with minimal weights before enhancing your weight load through training sessions that will eventually prepare you to handle complete equipment weight.
• Lung and heart strength increase through swimming combined with running and biking once weekly. 
• Perform squats, along with lunges and step-up exercises for your legs, once or twice each week. Training your legs results in a better ability to climb steep terrain during hiking activities.
• Using your hiking boots for every training hike helps you adapt to them better and avoids blisters during the trek.

Mental preparedness

The trail demands both mental and physical strength from its participants. The tough, varied kind of navigation route combined with long walking hours, cold temperatures, limited amenities, and altitude challenges can test you during these times, but mental strength enables you to move forward without surrendering. 

The following tip helps you to keep a positive mind:

• The combination of meditation and yoga practice provides mental stability during challenging situations.
• Be positive! Accept the challenges as a part of the whole adventure.
• Set yourself daily goals that will help you reach your final destination rather than focusing solely on the ultimate goal.
• You should get insights about future challenges from accomplished trekkers who have already done the trail.

Medical consideration

You should seek medical advice from your physician before starting the 12-day Gokyo Lake with Renjo La Pass Trek, especially if you suffer from any existing medical problems. Before your trek, create a personal medical kit containing painkillers and anti-altitude sickness drugs along with bandages, an antiseptic cream, blister solutions, cold remedies and throat lozenges, anti-diarrhea medication, and any medications you need for daily use. Understand preventive measures for altitude sickness because it poses the biggest health threat during climbs above 3,000 meters. Recognize the early alarm signs of altitude sickness as headache, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty sleeping, and report your symptoms to the guide immediately if you notice any signs. Remember, your health comes first before anything!

Choose the right seasons

Your adventure depends heavily on choosing the ideal time for your adventure. Autumn presents clear and steady weather conditions and stands out as the most favored because the mountains display their clearest views. During the spring months, the trails reveal warm temperatures and stunning rhododendron blooms in their lower sections. 

Crossing Renjo La Pass during the winter is difficult or unsafe because of extremely cold temperatures, which create heavy snowfall that blocks the mountain pass. The monsoon season brings continuous rainfall, creating wet trails and clouds that block the mountain views while flight interruptions remain frequent. During autumn and spring months, the combination of favorable conditions, beautiful vistas, and safer trekking circumstances offers the best experience for most trekking enthusiasts.

Food and Accommodations

The trail of the Gokyo Lakes to Renjo La includes staying at tea houses that are basic mountain lodges managed by local families. Lukla and Namche Bazaar, located in lower elevations, feature multiple teahouses which provide comfortable single or double rooms with attached bathrooms. The more elevated areas, such as Dole, Machhermo, and Gokyo, feature shared bathrooms, while the basic room setups include two beds with pillows and blankets, but you must bring your own sleeping bag to keep warm.

The teahouses provide three daily meals of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from which you can select from different options based on your preferences. Trekking in the Khumbu region offers an unexpected variety of food options from local to international cuisine. The standard food offering of "Dal Bhat" serves Nepali tea house customers for lunch and dinner because its energy content supports trekking through the Himalayas. Food options available during a trek consist of pasta, noodles, dumplings (momos), pizza, and fried rice. Porters have to carry all vegetables and meat because of the altitude, which leads to higher food costs

Essential Packing List for Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trekking

• Layers of cold-weather clothing should include thermal underwear along with hiking pants and a fleece jacket, but you will need a down jacket and outer waterproof layer too. 
•  Choose waterproof trekking boots that provide high ankle support for your trek. Start wearing your boots at home for two or three weeks in advance so they break in properly. Blisters can ruin your trek!
•  You need a sleeping bag rated below -10°C (14°F) for the trip. The tea houses supply blankets, yet these items do not provide adequate protection from the cold.
• Carry a 2-3 liter capacity water bottle and keep water purification tablets, or purchase a filter for your water before your journey. Using bottled water during the trek comes at a high price while generating unwanted waste.
• Using trekking poles acts as a support system that reduces knee strain while descending downhill. The poles help maintain stability when navigating through rocky terrain and the glacier section.
•  Heat escapes rapidly from your head, together with your hands and neck, so wear warm and waterproof gloves, together with a headwear that covers your ears and a neck gaiter (buff)  to shield your face from wind and dust.
• A headlamp, powerbank, and spare batteries are necessary items when staying at teahouses because power supplies remain limited. Cold temperatures decrease battery life significantly, which means you need several spare batteries.
• Higher elevation exposes you to extremely powerful sunlight. Wear protective sunglasses for UV rays and apply SPF 50+ sunscreen while carrying a sun hat with a wide brim.
• Prepare a kit with essential medicine supplies along with toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, a toothbrush, and personal care essentials. You will not find toilet paper available in most teahouses.

Travel Insurance

Getting insurance becomes essential for the combined adventure, which travels through isolated areas that are tough to access. You need insurance for this trek because it crosses 5000 meters twice, so you will face high elevations that pose risks to both experienced and novice travelers. Insurance selection requires coverage of injuries, medical emergencies, luggage theft protection, and trip delay or cancellation coverage. Above all, it should include emergency helicopter evacuation over 4000 meters. When picking an insurance provider, you should evaluate previous customer feedback before making your selection. Your safety net of good insurance delivers peace of mind to explore adventures without worry. 

Group Vs Solo: Renjo La Pass Trek Preferences

Group Option: 

The selection of going solo or joining a group for this adventure will significantly influence every aspect of your mountain adventure. Most trekkers discover that touring with a group brings better outcomes than doing it solo. The path will become challenging, but your group of adventurers will help you stay motivated while also cheering you through fatigue from the high altitude. After lengthy days of hiking, you can relax with your new friends during evening tea house dinners while sharing stories and enjoying card games.

Traveling in a group becomes more budget-friendly by dividing the expenses for guides and porters as well as transportation costs. All travel arrangements are taken care of, including accommodations, food, and required permits. Your guide will deal with any problems and understand how to treat altitude sickness, especially while traversing the demanding 5,360m Renjo La Pass.

Solo Option: 

A solitary trek allows travelers complete independence over their walking rhythm and decides when to pause and where to rest. While the experience demands greater costs and more planning work and raises safety needs. When trekking without others, you might experience feelings of being alone during challenging parts of the journey. The most concerning part is that being on a solo trek means you do not have anyone to support you in illness or injury during your journey. 

Group Departure: 

We understand some nature enthusiasts want a group hiking experiences which is why we offer group trekking options for the Everest region. The fixed departures for our upcoming 2026 and 2027Spring and Autumn dates are available for you to join the group. Contact us at any time to get further information.

Tips for Everest Gokyo Renjo La High Pass Trek

• Your backpack should include only essential items to remain lightweight. Your backpack should have essential clothing layers, together with sturdy hiking boots and water-resistant jackets and covers. A small pack enables you to keep your money and medicine reachable without hassle.
• The body needs sufficient adaptation time for high elevation conditions, which means you should approach mountain ascents with a gradual pace. Watch for physical signs that show your body does not handle altitude changes well.
• Start using backpacks in your walking routine three months before your planned trekking trip. Hill climbs and stairs strengthen the muscles in your legs.
• Climbing in dry mountain air causes rapid water loss for hikers. Maintain a daily water consumption of at least 3–4 liters despite any lack of thirst symptoms. At high altitudes, you should completely refrain from alcohol consumption since it worsens dehydration symptoms. . 
• Consuming garlic soup will help you fight altitude sickness because it warms your body's core temperature. Drink the soup before climbing to higher altitudes. 
• Since teahouses demand cash and there are no ATMs throughout the route, make sure to withdraw enough Nepalese Rupees in Kathmandu to pay for personal expenses like snacks, laundry, charging, and hot showers. Even though our Langtang valley trek package covers all your requirements, you must bear the personal expenses on your own.
• Carry a high-capacity power bank since electricity may not be reliable at higher altitudes, and charging may cost you extra. There are no charging ports in your rooms, so you must use the dining area for charging.
• If you want to stay connected with your family and friends, get a local SIM (NTC or Ncell) in Kathmandu. The only access to Wi-Fi exists in larger villages like Namche Bazaar and Lukla. Teahouses in the upper region have WI-Fi but it is not reliable and might charge you extra.

How to Book? Safe Booking Procedure

Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition operates as a registered government-approved trek and tour agency in Nepal, which has provided trekking services to multiple clients worldwide for over 15 years. You can confidently book your Nepal trips through our company. Do not delay any longer if you wish to book a spot with us so that we can fully support you on your adventure.  To make things easy, we provide everything you need for the trip, including food, lodging, transportation, permits, and expert guides (all of their permits, food, insurance, and so on). We require the necessary documents, including your passport copy, passport-size photos, and flight details (if applicable), within a few days after the reservation. 

You can email us at info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com for the booking confirmation, or you can phone or message us on WhatsApp at +977 9851016814 with any questions. To manage everything, we just deduct 20% of the entire fee; the remaining sum may be paid after you get to Kathmandu.  Please do not hesitate to contact us, as we are here to assist you at all times