Main Info
TRIP FACTS
Your urge to engage with the Himalayas in the Everest Gokyo Lake surroundings may be that strong, the capability of awakening and changing you in the direction of happiness built within you. This involvement or eagerness to be in the presence that encourages “being in the state of wholeness” is classified by such intensity. Our team leads you to the Gokyo Lake trek trail based on your desire to live in the Himalayas.
Gokyo Lake is the dwelling of Snakes, Nags, where some call it ‘Nag-Kundas’ Home of Snakes. Goyo Lakes are located in Sagarmatha National Park at elevations ranging from 4700 to 5000 meters. Six lakes are in total, forming the world’s tallest freshwater lake system.
Dudh Pokhari, Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngozumba Cho, and Longabanga Lake are the names of the six lakes. Thonak Cho is the deepest and most significant among them, with an area of 17 hectares and a depth of 62.4 meters. One of the sources of lake water is the Ngozumpa Glacier, the biggest glacier in the Himalayan Range.
The trail offers impressive landscapes against a picture-perfect backdrop of the Himalayas. Your interest in the Himalayas may deepen your understanding of the nature and presence of Everest Gokyo Lakes.
Additionally, Gokyo Trek might be an ideal place for you to engage in the nature and community of their living. Amidst all this, prepare yourself for the Gokyo Lake Trekking, which has the great possibility of being in a state of an increased level of joyful wholeness.
Also Read: Explore Day at Gokyo Valley Trek: A Complete Guide
Trek Highlights
- Landing with the scenic mountain flight on a tiny airstrip at Lukla.
- Calm Gokyo Lake in addition to one of the largest glaciers in the Khumbu region; Ngozumpa Glacier
- Gokyo RI (5357m) for the gigantic sunrise/sunset view of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, etc.
- Explore the splendor views of Renjo La Pass (5,340m), one of the most stunning passes in Nepal.
- One of the best alternatives with an exciting trip extension option opportunity like Gokyo-Everest Base Camp Trek.
Gokyo Lake Trek Route Map
You may view the Gokyo Lake Trek route map by clicking the infographic image below. However, you will need to walk 92 kilometers (53 miles). However, it takes more than 10 days to finish this walk, including the days for acclimatization. If you are used to walking, this doesn’t seem like a big deal because you will typically cover 7 kilometers daily, which is manageable.
The difficulty increases if you also intend to visit Everest Base Camp due to the increased distance. In conclusion, we may state that the walk to the Gokyo lakes is simple if you are used to walking.
Gokyo Lake Trek difficulty
The hike to Gokyo Lake is a little challenging and demands everyday walking for 5-7 hours total, excluding acclimatization days. Since you will be staying at elevations greater than 3500 m for several days, the altitude also poses a significant concern. Throughout the walk, you ascend to at least 5000 meters altitude four times. Trekkers should cross some of the difficult passes, steep terrains, and rocky pathways that get increasingly difficult as the altitude rises.
Remember that staying in shape and having a solid capacity is essential. Therefore, starting short hikes or some mild exercise before your trek would be best. A suitable number of acclimatization days also makes the walk more comfortable because the trekkers receive more rest.
Gokyo Lake Trek Permit
Talking about the Gokyo Lake Trek Permit, you need to get Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit which you cannot get in Kathmandu. You can only acquire this permit from either Lukla or Monjo.
The second permit you need is Sagarmatha National Park Permit, which you can obtain directly from Monjo or the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.
The preservation of the Everest region and local development will be aided by every permit and charge you pay to the government.
For more info, visit: Trekking Route and Permit Fee
Note: You will be requested to provide passport-size photos frequently when creating official documents. So please carry at least 8-10 passport-size photos with you.
Gokyo Lake Trek Itinerary
Click HERE for detailed itinerary!
Gokyo Lake Trek Cost Details
Price Included
- KTM-Lukla-KTM domestic flights
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
- Experienced Himalayan trek guide for 9 days
- One porter for two for trekking for 9 days (prepare to give max. 15 kgs’ luggage from each of you so that it will not exceed 30 kg. for your porter)
- Basic yet comfortable accommodation for 9 nights on a twin-sharing basis during the trekking as per itinerary.
- Staff insurance
- 10 x set breakfast, 10 x set lunch and 10 x set dinner while on the trek
- Purified drinking water during the entire trekking as per itinerary
- General first aid medicine kit
- Complimentary T-shirt
- Duffle bag during the trek
Price Excluded
- Food and Accommodation in Kathmandu
- Personnel expenses of any kind
- Excess baggage cost during your Lukla flight
- Any Travel Insurance
- Any additional cost due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstances
- Tips for any staff and guide
- Costs associated with evacuations due to illness, accidents, or other natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides, floods, etc.
- Anything that is not listed in the “PRICE INCLUDES” section above
Trip Info
Lukla Flight and Weather for Gokyo Lake Trekking
The gateway to the Everest region, Lukla, is situated on a mountainside and is surrounded on three sides by mountains. Highland’s early mornings offer improved vision while the wind gradually rises throughout the day. As a result, Lukla’s flights are only scheduled in the mornings.
The average flight time between Kathmandu and Lukla is only 30 to 45 minutes. You’ll see unique mountain valleys as you look down at the terraced landscape of Nepal’s interconnected mountain ranges.
Seasonality and visibility also affect the weather in Lukla. While rain clouds are frequent throughout the monsoon season, spring afternoon thunderstorms and winds are typical. Winters increase visibility in Lukla, but occasionally flight disruptions might be caused by fog in Kathmandu. Additionally, if the weather worsens, Lukla Airport may close for a more extended period—up to a few days—interrupting travel plans.
Accommodation on Gokyo Lake Trek
Gokyo is now a trendy trekking destination. To cater to this demand, hotels in Gokyo are increasing, ranging from budget tea houses to mid-range lodges. There are both options of Basic to Attached bathroom facility.
The basic rooms consist of several tiny beds and blankets on demand. Gokyo Lake’s attached bathroom facility rooms are luxurious compared to basic accommodations. The accommodations typically include larger rooms, hot baths, charging stations, and electric blankets. However, none of the rooms has heating. The dining room, warmed with a pot-bellied stove, will be the sole room with heating. The dining is taken as a friendly space where you can meet other trekkers.
Food on Gokyo Lake Trek
The food menu of Gokyo Lake Trek usually serves Dal Bhat, potatoes, pasta, eggs, noodles, soups, fried rice, pancakes, chappatis, cereals, spaghetti, and pizza. The meal is high quality and combines Sherpa and traditional Nepali cuisine with western recipes. You can also get fresh croissants, beer, stir-fries, and deep-fried Mars bars in the lodges and shops.
Numerous stores offer various beverages, snacks, sweets, and chocolate. The most significant act of wisdom will be avoiding any bad meals the majority of the time and maintaining a rice and dal diet. This will not cause you any food-related health difficulties during the trip.
Best season for Gokyo Lake Trek
For trekking to Gokyo Lakes, the most popular months are February-May, the months before the monsoon, and October-December, which are the months following the monsoon. The Gokyo Lake Trek is especially popular during this time of year since the weather in the Everest region is clear.
The ideal trekking seasons in Nepal are in the spring and fall when the country experiences moderate temperatures, bright skies, little to no rain, and a lower chance of troublesome snowfall.
It should be noted that each trekking season has its unique environment and level of excitement for trekkers. But be careful to only hike during the peak season if you want some guarantee regarding the weather during the trek.
Altitude sickness & Acclimatisation of Gokyo Lake Trek
The altitude of the Gokyo Lake Trek is 4,700–5,000 meters above sea level. Altitude sickness symptoms are, therefore, prevalent at this altitude. Some of the main symptoms of altitude sickness are intense headaches, poor appetite, tiredness, difficulty sleeping, nausea, a quick heartbeat, and severe dehydration. Seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms during your Gokyo Trek.
You can use some advice to prevent altitude sickness when trekking to Gokyo Lake. The best ways to prevent high altitude sickness include proper acclimatisation, rest, ascending carefully, avoiding alcohol and smoking, staying hydrated, and eating a lot. Additionally, prepare your mind to reject negative thoughts and take in the lovely surroundings.
Gokyo Lake Trek Packing Suggestions
Please properly pack your luggage for the porter (each of you 15kg, for two of you, a porter is arranged). You will leave the rest of your luggage behind at your hotel until the end of this holiday. Don’t pack extra items in your luggage. Your strength will be reduced, and you will experience unpleasant fatigue. Therefore, the next time you rush, ensure you have packed everything you need while being careful not to overpack. Below, here is a loosely advised Gokyo Trek packing list that might help you in your trek:
- Appropriate clothing (3 sets)
- Woolen sweater or jacket
- Thermal inner wear
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Woollen cap and scarf
- Thick woolen gloves
- Waterproof gloves
- Sport Sandals
- Woollen socks (2 pairs)
- Waterproof (not water-resistant) shoes with a good tread/grip
- Rain-proof pants and jacket with hood
- A lock for the duffle bag
- Backpack with waterproof cover
- Sleeping bag suitable for temperatures around 0°C (1 – optional)
- Down jacket with hood
- Camera (optional) (video camera is not permitted by authority)
Other essential items:
- Personal clothing
- Toiletries
- Small thermos for hot beverages
- Water bottle (1 litre)
- Sunscreen lotion (50 SPF or more)
- Castor oil (50 ml) to lubricate the nostrils at high altitude
- Ziplock bags for clothing
- Quick-dry Towel (not a regular one)
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- Sunglasses
- Snacks – chocolates, biscuits, nuts, etc.
- Hand sanitiser
- Powerful flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
Medical Kit
Although we have medical kits for this walk, they are pretty generic and could not be enough depending on the situation. You must have personal medical equipment containing electrolyte packs, pain relievers, muscle relaxant cream, bandages, kneecaps, drugs for fever, cold, headaches, sickness, vomiting, diarrhea, digestion problem, and other personal medications.
Communication in Gokyo Trek
The Gokyo trekking route passes through several sceneries. Even with today’s highly advanced information and communication technology (ICT), the rural Gokyo landscapes present a difficult challenge to its development. One reason is that remote Gokyo’s technologies are still not fully developed. Since the connection is crucial while in such a place, a guide’s cell phone might be able to connect you. Much ICT has been developed, even though it is not as dependable as in the urban regions where we often dwell. On this route, Wi-Fi might be accessible at select locations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The daily travel is generally between 5-6 hours with lunch and rest breaks. You have to walk 5-6 hours at the average pace, but the exact hours depend on your speed. Yes, beginners can also trek Gokyo Lake based on their health conditions. Our package includes simply walking on the rough trails; you do not need extra climbing or other skills. So, if you are well prepared to overcome this fear, you will be ready for the trek. Make sure to indulge yourself physically and mentally with basic workouts, jogging, breathing exercises, or swimming at least three months before the trek. Beginners might fear walking in the rugged trails for a long day, but being adequately prepared following the above suggestions will help boost your confidence to tackle the adventure. It is necessary to have an entry permit if you are visiting the Everest region for any reason. And, for the permit for the Gokyo trip, you will need Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Sagarmatha National Park. A TIMS card was once required for the Gokyo trek as well. But with the new rule, the permit system for the trek has taken its place. Yes, you can lengthen or shorten the Gokyo Lake Trek itinerary. We have already provided you with the best itinerary suitable for all. So there may not be a reducing choice if you are a beginner in high altitude trek. But if you are willing to spend more time in the Himalayas, then we are ready to extend your itinerary as per your demand. Reducing the itinerary may cause not adjust a change in environment, humidity, or pH. It leads your body to feel high altitude sickness. To compensate for the lower oxygen saturation in blood at high elevations, your body requires time to generate additional red blood cells. Yes, you can trek without a guide from Gokyo Lake if you travel individually. But when you travel with a local agency like us, you must hire a guide. If you are with a guide, they will always provide you with a better option in selecting the accommodation and food. They will also help you with permits, domestic flights, and porters and assist you with your entire trek. Your guide will also help during altitude sickness while alone on the trail. They will be familiar with such high altitudes and wildlife and will assist you in learning at your every step. They also provide detailed information about Gokyo valley's primary culture, dress, history, and tradition. Taking a guide for this trek is not compulsory, but your trek will be hassle-free if there is a guide with you. The battery will drain quickly if exposed to a cold environment. So you need to charge your device more frequently. You can recharge the battery in the lodge where you spend your night. The accommodation is powered by solar energy, so that they will charge you an extra fee. You can also pack a spare battery or a portable power bank for backup. Sometimes there will be power cuts or low voltage, so it will be best to carry extra batteries. It is essential to check health and fitness as travelling through high-altitude regions. It helps to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all the trekkers. We are happy to welcome you to Gokyo Lake treks with your family and kids, as we believe nature help kids in different ways. With a professional guide, the trek can be done smoothly. But we will not advise bringing the children inappropriately low age (lower than 8 years) for high-altitude walking. Prepare your kids with simple workouts and breathing exercises for at least 1 month to prepare for this trek. We also serve you kid carry service, so kindly let us know during the inquiry if you need one. How many hours of the trek are involved for Gokyo Lake?
Is Gokyo Lake suitable for beginners?
Is a permit compulsory during a Gokyo Lake trip?
Is it possible to extend or reduce the Gokyo Lake Trek Itinerary?
Is it Compulsory to get a guide for Gokyo Lake?
How can I recharge my electronic gadgets on the Gokyo Lakes trail?
Why are medical tests necessary?
Can I book Gokyo Lake Trip with the kids?
Itinerary
You will get to know your trekking guide and fellow trekkers at the pre-trip meeting today. You will be given a briefing about our intentional travel to Gokyo Lake Trekking. If you have any further questions concerning the trip, you can ask.
We travel to Lukla early in the morning to meet the rest of our crew. Various gorgeous mountain ranges can be seen during the journey. Lukla is the beginning point for all Everest treks. After reaching Lukla, we trek for 3-4 hours to reach Phakding that day.
After breakfast, we will begin our journey from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, passing through lovely Khumbu villages. Our key highlights during the journey include the pine forest, the Dudh Koshi river, and so on. Today we entered Everest National Park. Everest National Park protects numerous plant and wildlife species. Namche Bazaar is also a popular tourist destination because it is one of the most important towns in the Everest region. You can enjoy the little but lovely market here.
Today is a rest day to avoid high altitude problems on the next leg of the journey. You can also climb up early in the morning to Sagarmatha National Park to see the sunrise over Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Mt. Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and other peaks. You may also see Namche Bazaar, a quaint and lovely market. We're going to the Hillary and Sherpa Museum.
We start our trek to Phorse after our breakfast. We cross several downhills and uphills following the Gokyo trail. You can observe the mountain value of Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Tawoche, and Mt. Khumbila. We also pass through rhododendron forests during today's trek. After 5-6 hours of the trek, we will reach Dole.
Today we trek through beautiful local settlements, forests, waterfalls, and above the Dudhkoshi River. After walking for 4-5 hours and passing through such beautiful landscapes, we will reach Machhermo.
Today we enjoyed Dudh Koshi valley and various mountains during the trip. We cross the Ngozamba glacier and explore the beautiful Dudh Pokhari. After all these 5-6 hours of uphill and downhill, we reach Gokyo. After some rest, we will have a short hike to Gokyo Ri, 5,357 m (17,575 ft), for the beautiful landscape and eye-catching sunset view.
Gokyo Peak, at 5560 meters, is a 2 to 3-hour trip that rewards climbers with breathtaking mountain views and a sunrise view (the best view of Mt. Everest). You have a beautiful view of the peaks, including Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, Pumori, and Amadablam. Additionally, you have a clear sight of the sunrise. After lunch, return to the guesthouse and descent to Dole.
Today we trek downwards to reach Namche Bazaar. We cross forests, various waterfalls and rivers during today's trek. We rest in Namche army camp hill to enjoy the little part of Mt. Everest along with Mt. Lhotse and Tengboche for the last time on this trip. And we will again head for Namche Bazaar.
Today we will go mostly downhill to reach Lukla. During our trek, we will walk, enjoying the view and sound of the Dudh Koshi River. Today is the last day of our journey so that you can enjoy each ultimate moment of you in the Nepal Himalayas. We pass through a few monasteries and bridges to reach Lukla.
Today we will fly early from Lukla to Kathmandu. You can rest for some time and make final preparation for your departure tomorrow. You can also do some shopping as today will be your last day of you in Nepal.
Today we keep the extra day to rest as you might feel too tired. Also, the Lukla flight will be delayed due to bad weather. So we keep this extra day to make our itinerary flexible.
Maps
Reviews ( 2 )