Gokyo Lake Trek

Best Time for Gokyo Lake Trek

The Gokyo Lake Trek Nepal trip in the Khumbu region can be made year-round, providing a unique flavor of experience each season. Suppose you decide to travel to Gokyo Lake in all four different seasons. In that case, you experience something new in each season visit, making this trek even more exciting and adventurous. Here are each of the seasons described briefly below, which makes it easy to choose the best season for you:

Spring Season (March to May): Spring is one of the peak seasons for the Gokyo Lake Trek, where you can witness the landscapes coming alive with lush greenery and blooming different varieties of colorful flowers. The temperature will range from 4°C to 28°C in lower altitude areas, whereas -2°C to -7°C in higher altitude areas.

One can experience pleasing weather with the Everest region’s clear vistas of snow-clad mountains. If you love to click many pictures, this season is the one that is calling for you, where you can see each step filled with amazing photography-worthy sceneries. Apart from this, this is an excellent season to spot different wildlife in Sagarmatha National Park.

Autumn Season (Early September to Late November): Another popular season for hiking in Nepal is autumn or fall. The temperature ranges from 1°C to 27°C in lower altitude areas, whereas -2°C to -13°C in higher altitude areas provides stable weather for hiking in the Everest region.

There may be a low chance of rain, which is a bonus for trekking because it cools the temperature and makes the walk more enjoyable. A cloudless sky allows for breathtaking views of the snow-covered giant mountain summits. This season also corresponds with Nepal’s most important festivals, such as Mani Rimdu, Tihar, and Dashain, which provide detailed insights into Nepal’s culture and traditions.

Monsoon or Rainy Season (June to August): Due to frequent heavy rain and challenging route conditions, fewer visitors usually visit the Gokyo Lake Trek Nepal journey during this season. The temperatures range from 9°C to 28°C in lower-altitude areas and -2°C to -6°C in higher-altitude areas in the Khumbu region.

However, in a pleasant atmosphere, you will relish the leafy emerald environment all around you. Before beginning on this adventure during the rainy season, you should consider the possibilities of flooding and landslides, which can disrupt your trekking plans. So, adequate planning, trekking gear, and preparation are required to visit Gokyo Lake this season.

Winter Season (December to February): If you wish to enjoy the mystical environment on our Gokyo Lake Trek excursion, this season may be the best time to see the majestic ice-capped mountains. The temperature in the lower Everest region fluctuates from 1°C to 14°C, while the upper regions range from -2°C to -20°C.

You would get the chance to experience the quiet, peaceful surroundings throughout the route. However, there will be extreme cold, and the trekking will also be very demanding with unstable weather. So, a lot of preparation and heart are needed to travel in this risky season. If you want to push your limits, then this season might be the perfect time to plan your trip to Nepal.

Elevation and distance

On this Gokyo Lake Trek Nepal itinerary, you will have to trek a total of 86 to 92 kilometers (53 to 57 miles) for 11 days out of 13 days. On the 2nd day, you will begin your trekking excursion from Lukla town to Phakding village, covering 8 kilometers. Similarly, on acclimatization day, you will hike about 4 to 6 kilometers (2.5 to 3.7 miles) to Khumjung Village and Hotel Everest View in a round trip.

To reach the Gokyo Valley, you will travel 47 to 53 kilometers or 29 to 32.9 miles from Lukla. Then there will be a 4-kilometer round journey from Gokyo to Gokyo Ri and Gokyo 5th Lake.

On the return journey, you will cover around 40-45 kilometers from Gokyo Lake to Lukla, passing through Namche Bazaar. This journey requires an average daily walking distance of 7.8 to 8.4 kilometers (4.8 to 5.2 miles). Similarly, after landing at Lukla airport from Kathmandu city, you will be at 2860 meters.

Namche town is located at 3440 meters, where this will be our acclimatization point. During this acclimatization day, you would be visiting the world’s highest-situated hotel, Hotel Everest View, at 3880 meters. On the eighth day, we will reach Gokyo, which is 4750 meters high above sea level, where you can soak in the panoramic beauty of the Himalayas.

After exploring Gokyo Ri and 5th Lake, we will lose altitude while returning to Namche at 3,440 meters. This trek is above 4000 meters, so you need to consider the factors that cause acute mountain sickness. The trek is challenging but can be completed successfully with proper training and preparation.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

The Guide to Gokyo Lake Trek is a moderate-level walk that becomes a little bit challenging as you ascend higher. The oxygen level becomes thin at high altitudes, which adds more toughness to this thrilling journey. So, well-scheduled acclimatization should be planned to prevent acute mountain sickness.

The most crucial rule for conquering the Gokyo Lake Trek challenges is to listen to your guide’s recommendations. Do not hesitate to tell your guide about your situation if you encounter any difficulties while trekking; he will help you relax and complete the journey without any problems.

Even though how fit you are, altitude sickness can happen to anyone anywhere at high altitude. So, our trek to Gokyo Lake itinerary includes an acclimatization in Namche Bazaar. We have planned short hikes to Everest View Hotel and Khumjung Village so that your body will adjust perfectly to the increasing height.

If you suffer the symptoms of AMS, such as headaches, dehydration, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, and others, just let your guide know immediately. If not cured in time, AMS can convert into HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) and HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), which causes critical damage to the body. So, proper steps should be taken while doing this moderate-level difficulty adventure.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

On this Gokyo Lake Trek Nepal journey, you must regularly walk an average of five to six hours in the Khumbu region. Your minimum trek will be on the second day of the itinerary, three to four hours, when you first start hiking from Lukla town to a peaceful Phakding village. Similarly, on the fourth acclimatization day, you will go on a short hike to Hotel Everest View and Khumjung village, which also takes three to four hours on a round trip.

Your maximum trek per day will be on the eleventh day, about seven to eight hours, when you return to Lukla from Namche Bazaar, passing through Manu’s charming villages, forests, and other beautiful natural scenery following the Dudh Koshi river. On days 9 and 10, you will walk six to seven hours while returning to Dole from Gokyo Ri and Namche Bazaar from Machhermo village.

Accommodations in the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek

After you land in Nepal, you will be accommodated in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu. If you want to stay in more luxurious lodging, we will upgrade for you at extra cost in the package. While trekking, we will spend the night in basic lodges or tea houses, which provide twin beds, cushions, and blankets.

All the teahouses where we will stay will be in popular villages like Namche Bazaar, Phunki Tenga, Dole, Machhermo, and Gokyo. In the Khumbu region, providing breathtaking scenery from the window in the Gokyo Lake Trek journey. Tea houses are very neat and clean, providing healthy foods that will keep you energized all the time.

Foods and Drinks

Throughout the entire route of the Gokyo Lake Trek, you will be served nutritious food that will keep your body healthy. Many food options are available according to your preference while you stay in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. However, in the Everest region, food options are limited and are generally prepared by local cooks.

Tea houses serve oatmeal, French toast with jam or peanuts, eggs, muesli, cornflakes, and others in the breakfast options. Similarly, for dinner and lunch options, they serve momos, thukpas, typical daal, bhat and tarkari, Sherpa stew, yak steak, pizza, rice with curry, and other limited items. There will be fewer food options when you walk higher in the Everest region.

However, we advise you not to eat non-vegetarian dishes, especially at higher altitudes, to avoid health issues. While trekking, you can also carry snacks like fruit bars, cakes, energy bars, and rice puddings if you get hungry in the middle of the trail. For drink options, all types of hard and soft drinks are available in the teahouse.

You must only drink hot beverages like coffee, lemon tea, mint tea, ginger tea, etc., which will help your body fight altitude sickness. In addition to these drinks, you need to avoid any harmful beverages to your health.

Alternative Routes

There are various ways in the Khumbu region that offer unique emotions and innumerable experiences for the Everest base camp with the Gokyo Lake trip. Among the well-traveled trekking trails are:

Everest Base Camp via Jiri: It is a classic route that offers stunning scenery of the landscape.

Everest Base Camp via the Three Passes: In this Everest Base Camp Trekking Guide, you will cross Renjo La Pass, Kongma La Pass, and Cho La Pass.

Rolwaling to Everest Base Camp via Tashi Lapcha Pass: In this Everest base camp itinerary, the route is more challenging, very off-road, and isolated, offering a peaceful environment.

However, all these routes of the Everest base camp with the Gokyo Lake trek will eventually lead to the Mount Everest Base Camp, offering a lifetime experience and unforgettable memories.

Can a beginner join this trip?

Beginners can also join the Everest base camp (EBC) with the Gokyo Lake hike excursion. This hiking itinerary is designed not only for trekkers with prior experience but also for individuals who want to experience hiking in Nepal. Many people, children, and families have completed this trek successfully in the past.

However, beginners should keep in mind to prepare in the right way before planning the trip. They should be physically fit and train their body to increase their stamina and strength.

Another important factor for this trek is that they should have a positive mindset and not be afraid, thinking they are just beginners. Being mentally strong will help any person to face any kind of obstacles in life and their journey, too.

Preparation and fitness

One of the most important requirements for trekking in Nepal is physical fitness. The Gokyo Lake Trek requires walking a standard of 5 to 6 hours daily. During this journey, you will reach elevations above 5000 meters, reaching 5000 meters at Gokyo 5th Lake, and 4,750 meters in Gokyo.

So, there will be steep ascents and descents across various terrains with snowy or rocky sections, depending on the season you’re visiting Gokyo Lake. So, you must be in good shape to walk these paths without getting into much trouble. The best way to get in shape for physical fitness is to train for 2 to 3 months before coming to Nepal for hiking.

You can begin training by cycling, running, swimming, jogging, or hiking the neighboring hills with a backpack. You will last longer, which will eventually allow you to trek lengthy distances without feeling worn out. You could try out varying exercises such as weight lifting, hanging bars, push-ups, and pull-ups that can help you get strong.

This will help build your core and increase your endurance and strength. Another aspect that needs your attention should be the calf strength because the calves working through continuous up and down movements will be exhausted. After doing the training, you will be prepared for trekking to Gokyo Lake in the Khumbu region without encountering any problems.

Gadgets charging and the Internet

The few facilities in this remote Himalayan location make it tough to charge gadgets and access the internet while trekking the Gokyo Lakes. However, most of the tea houses along the route offer charging facilities for phones, cameras, and power banks for a fee.

Charging expenses range between NPR 100 and NPR 500 per hour and get more expensive as you ascend to higher elevations. The main energy source is solar panels or generators, so the availability of electricity may not be consistent. If you want power for the whole trip, bringing a high-capacity power bank, fully charged extra batteries, or a solar charger is recommended.

Appreciating the tea houses, Wi-Fi is available, but it is generally not reliable and slow, mainly in the upper parts. Usually, you have to pay between NPR 200 and NPR 800 per electronic device per day for a Wi-Fi connection. An Everest Link Wi-Fi card is another choice for travelers who can rely on their data. A 10 to 20 GB pack is estimated to go for NPR 2000–3000.

While cellular services are available via Ncell and Nepal Telecom, coverage is not widespread. To make it safer, get a new SIM card with a data plan in the capital of Nepal. To avoid battery drain and data use, you should download maps and all the relevant information that you will require throughout the trek before you commence it.

Permit

To accomplish this trek to Gokyo Lake you will need the following permits that are specified:

TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card: This permit will ensure your safety and will also help track your location in the Everest region. You could easily acquire this permission from the Nepal Tourism Board in capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: This permit is needed to enter the Khumbu region and National Park of Sagarmatha. If you do not have it, you will not be able to enter the gate of Monjo while trekking to Gokyo Lake.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: Additionally, the Khumbu region requires you to have this permit as well as an entry permit to Sagarmatha National Park. On the other hand, it is also assisting the local community to grow. When you arrive in the Everest region, it is not just trekking, but also several positive benefits that come to the region through your travel.

Transportation

All of your transportation needs will be handled by us. Our agent will transport you to your three-star accommodation in Thamel, Kathmandu, after picking you up from the airstrip on the 1st day. On the next day, we will fly early in the dawn to Tenzing Hillary airstrip. In the most of the days of our trip in the Everest region would be on foot.

So, we won’t be using any kind of transportation while trekking in the Khumbu region. On day 12, we would again take a flight to go back to capital city from Lukla. On the final day, our team would drop you off at the airstrip and tell you a final goodbye. If you have more time in Nepal, you can also do a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley in a private automobile.

Similarly, if you prefer to fly by helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla or vice versa to enjoy the panoramic vistas in a bird’s-eye view, we can also customize our package for you with extra money. All the costs of transportation are already included in the package. However, only extra money is needed to be paid for an upgrade.

Travel Insurance

It is unreliable to travel without travel insurance during most adventurous treks, initiative tours, and activities in Nepal. The insurance policy is of extraordinary significance since Nepali airports may be congested, which might lower direct flights and stymie your arrival or departure. Verify that your insurance plan covers them if such things occur.

Furthermore, when buying travel insurance, try to get coverage that includes trekking and other activities. Some policies might limit or not cover certain areas at all, so you must study the policy carefully and always read the details carefully.

When trekking at high altitudes (above 4,000 meters), one must make sure their insurance includes helicopter rescue coverage in case of an emergency. This service is vital. Having the right insurance ensures the right kind of coverage and gives you peace of mind that you will be safe and your trip will be trouble-free.

As a matter of fact, do not only undergo thorough research but also select the policy that suits your requirements. After all these considerations, you can enjoy the Gokyo Lake Trek to your fullest without any worries.

What to expect from this Gokyo Lake Trek route trip?

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek Nepal is a lifetime experience. You will enjoy traveling through the Gokyo Valley, one of the most immaculate places in Nepal’s Khumbu region. Be prepared to visit six outstanding, crystal-clear, turquoise-colored glacial lakes, including Dudh Pokhari, also known as Gokyo Cho. The trek offers a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks of above six thousand meters high.

Similarly, another attraction of the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek route is Gokyo Ri (5,360 m), which offers the best point for having a 360-degree view of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest, as well as Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.

Besides, you will also spend some time on your way to Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the largest glacier in Nepal, and through Sagarmatha National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with so many kinds of plants and animals and with alpine landscapes.

Throughout the tour, you will feel the true friendliness of the inhabitants of the Sherpa settlements, such as Namche Bazaar, Dole, and Machhermo, which are known for their rich culture and customs. The 13-day walk will be unforgettable for those who enjoy nature, culture, and mountain vistas. This Everest Gokyo Lake Trek Nepal excursion will provide you with both an addictive and breathtaking experience.

Your Extra Expenses

When making a Gokyo Lakes Trek plan, it is important to consider the potential extra costs above the package cost, such as the Nepali visa issuance, which you can only obtain at the airport in Kathmandu, and, lastly, the so-called international airfares to and from Kathmandu.

Visits to Kathmandu and a possible hike in the Himalayas might require you to spend the night in a hotel if you arrive early, leave late, or return early from the trek due to unexpected circumstances.

Standard packages do not include meals in Kathmandu and on the trek, and extra costs are incurred due to delays or bad weather. Ensure you have travel and rescue insurance and budget for personal expenses such as phone calls, laundry, bar bills, charging electronics, extra porters, bottled water, and hot showers.