Gokyo Lake Trek
Trip Overview
The Gokyo Lake Trek is a popular hiking trail located in the Everest region of Nepal. Located at an altitude of over 4700 meters above sea level, these lakes are not just aesthetically pleasing to look at but also ecologically important to the Everest region. These lakes are one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes, some people might want to sell you that it is the highest one, but don’t be fooled by such people.
This trek has also earned the needed limelight because it features a group of Gokyo Lakes. With the help of this trek, one has a unique opportunity to meet the most charming and quiet alpine lakes surrounded by the middle and high altitudes of the Great Himalayas. This scenery will still be a vivid picture in your mind of what it is like to have mountains reflected in the crystal-clear water of the lakes.
It will take you on the Gokyo Ri Trek, a prominent viewing point perched above Gokyo village, to have a wide look at the whole of the Everest region. From this point, one has a view of the Himalayas, with points that are so incredible for photography.
While on the trek, one will also get a chance to witness the largest glacier, Ngozumpa Glacier, that comes across the way. The glacier has various features and characteristics, including an inherently attractive and massive structure of ice with some deep, open cracks. When one is walking on foot besides the glacier, he starts to feel the awesomeness and strength of nature.
It also provides a cultural experience in the Sherpa culture that cannot be missed while doing the trek. Concerning cultural activities, you will be able to meet the native Sherpa people, discover famous monasteries such as the Buddhist monastery in Khunde and Namche, and learn about this indigenous people’s lifestyle. You also have to be ready for the variations in weather and pay attention to one’s body, as you can get altitude sickness.
In conclusion, the Gokyo Lake Trek is a great option for any trekker interested in the Everest region but wanting a diverse experience from that of the classical routes. It includes a challenging steep climb, remarkable views of high mountains, glaciers, deepest gorges, snow-covered peaks, beautiful lakes, and the experience of famous Sherpa culture, which makes this trek an experience to cherish.
Highlights
- Visit the ever-so-popular and vibrant Himalayan town of Namche.
- One-day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
- Visit one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, Gokyo.
- Explore the Himayalan lakes and live an unforgettable memory.
- Land at the thrilling and scenic airport of Lukla.
SHORT ITINERARY
1:
Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel, welcome dinner, and small briefing about the trip
2:
City tours in historical places with 1 city guide
3:
Flight to Lukla and trek to Phakding
4:
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
5:
Rest day in Namche Bazaar
6:
Namche to Dole
7:
Dole to Machhermo
8:
Machhermo to Gokyo
9:
Exploration day to 4th Lake and 5th Lake
10:
Early morning Hike, up to Gokyo Ri and begin descending to Dole.
11:
Dole to Namche Bazaar
12:
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
13:
Flight to Kathmandu
14:
Departure day
ITINERARY
Tribhuvan International Airport is the gateway into Nepal. The popular way to visit Nepal is by air route. You can even take a road route, but it is not a popular choice. Anyway, you will need to arrive in Kathmandu. Since Nepal might be a new place for you and you might need help in navigating through Kathmandu, we will send our staff to escort you.
According to the laws of Nepal, foreigners visiting Nepal will need to fill in the “Arrival Card” at the airport. You will also need to make a certain amount of payment at the bank as per the days of your stay in Nepal. Once you receive your visa we can meet up in the terminal of the airport. After a simple exchange of greetings, we will transfer you to your hotel.
Our Gokyo Lake Trek package will cover all your accommodation. So, you don’t need to worry about any accommodation within this planned itinerary. The three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner are also a part of the package. On the first day, we will provide you with a special welcome dinner.
After the dinner, a small meeting will be held between you and our staff participating in the trek. We will debrief you about all our plans and schedules for the trek. We will also need to determine the necessary equipment that you might need on the trek.
Traveling over a long distance from home is always tiring, so to provide your body with much-needed rest we will spend our day easy-traveling through Kathmandu City. If you don’t feel like you have the energy to do it, then you can also stay in your hotel room.
Kathmandu has places with various cultural and historical importance. If you want to explore any of these places, then we will provide you with a guide. Having a guide means that you will have an easier time exploring different places and you can get a good explanation about the place you visit. Do note that the places we will be visiting today would have been determined the day before in our meeting. Any changes to the plan would not be allowed unless you request it before the start of the trip.
As you travel through Kathmandu Valley you should be able to see many temples and stupas. These temples and stupas bear the architecture from the ancient times. These temples and stupas have uniquely carved doors, windows, and well-decorated walls. You will be able to see beautifully carved statues of various deities.
While going through all the sites we will also visit the National Tourism Board. There we will collect the trekking permits. You will need a Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) permit if you want to trek in Nepal. Our staff will provide the necessary help to get the permit. At the same time, we will also collect the permit to enter the Sagarmatha National Park.
Since our journey to Gokyo Lake starts the next day, we suggest you not overdo yourself while travelling around the city. At night, you will need to sleep as soon as possible after dinner so that we can have a fresh start to the journey the next day.
Your third day in Nepal will mark the start of the journey. After breakfast, we will visit the airport and take a local flight to Lukla. While you may not notice any difference in your flight experience during the take-off and about 45 minutes of flight duration, once you approach the landing phase things might get uncomfortable for you.
The Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla is categorized as one of the world’s most dangerous airports. Situated in between mountains at an elevation of 2,846 meters (9,334 ft) along with a short runway, Lukla Airport is far from an ideal landing spot. But you can be assured that the pilots controlling the plane behind the cockpit are veteran pilots with tons of experience landing the plane in this airport.
Lukla is the gateway for most of the Everest treks, it is also the starting point for our Gokyo Lake trek. You will be able to meet with many other international trekkers who are either returning from their treks or preparing for their treks. After lunch, we will meet with our local guide and potters who will carry your goods. After a short discussion, we will head on towards Phakding.
Phakding is about 7.5 km (4.6 miles) from Lukla at an elevation of 2,610 meters (8,562 ft). Today’s trek will last for about 3 hours. In this short trek, you will pass through the Sherpa villages. While on the trail you will notice many monasteries, mani walls, and multi-colored flags. These are the Buddhist monuments and are spread all around the trails. And obviously, we will be surrounded by mountains; some of them over the height of 6000 meter
While the past few days were relatively easy, from this day onwards you will need to start using the conserved energy. We will be trekking from Phakding to Namche Bazaar which should be around 10.8 km (6.7 miles) apart from each other. While the distance itself might not seem like much we will need to climb uphill which will need a lot more effort than walking on a straight path.
The trek itself should take us about 6-7 hours which will take us across Sherpa villages. You will also come across multiple waterfalls and suspension bridges. We will need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit in Monjo which would have been covered on your second day in Nepal. If the weather favors us, then we will be able to see Mount Sagarmatha on the trail.
Sitting an elevation of 3,440 meters above sea level, Namche Bazaar is a historic trading hub. Here in Namche Bazaar, you can find anything you will need. The market here sells all sorts of Tibetan artifacts, trekking and climbing equipment, cheese and butter, and many more. You will also find many hotels and lodges here in Namche Bazaar.
One of the main problems in Himalayan Trekking is the Altitude Sickness. As we ascend higher, the density of the air decreases resulting in the decrease of effective oxygen you can intake. Because of this, you may suffer from Altitude Sickness. Our guides and porters are local in this area and are adapted to the environment. Looking at them you might want to push yourself, but we can’t recommend you do that. If not taken seriously Altitude Sickness can even cause death.
As a measure against Altitude Sickness, we will be staying in Namche Bazaar for a day in order to acclimatize ourselves. If you want to you can simply stay at your hotel and perform some light exercises. You can also go around the town to visit various shops. You can visit nearby villages, which are just a few hours’ walk from Namche Bazar.
After a proper rest in Namche Bazaar, we will continue our journey on the sixth day. Our destination for the day is Dole Village.
On the trek to Dole, we will go visit the holy mountain of Khumbila. After continuous uphill and downhill through the Gokyo Valley, we will reach Dole in around 5 to 6 hours. While the entire trail might seem short at first, the altitude will make the difference.
At an elevation of 4,100 meters (13.845 ft) above sea level, Dole is a tiny village, that provides a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and valley.
If everything goes according to the plan, a week into your journey we will move towards Machhermo. While the walk from Dole to Machhermo itself is short and can be considered as an acclimatization trip which is for about 2 to 3 hours it can be considered pretty difficult because of the high altitude.
Machhermo is situated at an elevation of 4,110 meters (14,470 ft) above sea level. It is a popular stop for trekking going through Renjo La. Meanwhile, we will use this village as another acclimatization stop.
Whenever we are approaching our destination there will always be a mysterious source of energy pushing us forward. While the Gokyo lakes that are the aim of our trekking will soon be in our sight you will need to make sure that you are physically and mentally fine.
Gokyo Valley (4,750 meters / 15,583 ft) should be about 4 to 5 hours away from Machhermo. The valley provides us with the beautiful sight of three glacial lakes surrounded by the pastures for yak. The valley has many small villages which provide various tourism-related services. From this valley, you will be able to see a panoramic view of the mountains including some of the eight-thousand peaks which include Mount Everest, Cho You, Lhotse, and Makalu.
The Gokyo Lake System consists of 19 lakes of varying sizes. Among these lakes, there are 6 major lakes. In the valley, you were able to encounter three of those lakes (Longpanga Tsho, Taujung Tsho, and Gokyo Tsho) the day before. Meanwhile today we will explore the two of the remaining lakes.
The Thonka Tsho (4th lake) is the largest and the deepest lake among all the lakes. This lake is situated at an elevation of 4,834 meters above sea level.
The Ngozumpa Tsho (5th lake) is the smallest among the six major lakes of Gokyo. This lake is situated at an elevation of 4,950 meters above sea level.
Spending about three days in Gokyo Valley might have helped your body to acclimatize to the high altitude up to a certain extent. So, on this day we will challenge ourselves by hiking up to Gokyo Ri.
We will begin our hike in the early morning and ascend slowly to not give much stress to our bodies. The peak of Gokyo Ri is situated at an elevation of 5,357 meters (17.575 ft) above sea level. On the east of Gokyo Ri, you will find Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the largest glacier in Nepal.
If you find the hike to be much of a challenge then it is possible to give up mid-way. Though the scene from Gokyo Ri is one of a kind where you can see many peaks including the likes of Everest, you need to prioritize your body first.
After returning from Gokyo Ri, we will have our lunch. A short break and we will descend the valley. Our goal for the day will be to reach the Dole village which we previously used as a stop point for overnight stay.
We will be taking the same route down, which we used to come up to the Gokyo Valley. While going downhill might sound easier than climbing uphill, at this point your adrenaline would have gone down. This might result in some serious leg aches. Also, if you are not careful you might just sprain your ankle or twist the leg.
So, we will be taking a slow pace to climb down the Dole village. Our destination for the day will be the familiar town of Namche Bazar. Previously, you were climbing up the hill so buying any souvenirs was not an option. Meanwhile, this time you can buy the souvenirs you want to take home in the town.
Another day of the descent, and our goal this time is Lukla. Unlike the previous ascent, we will not stop at Phakding for the overnight stay.
While for the past few days, you were not able to enjoy a hot shower or the hot shower was at an unreasonable price, in Lukla you will be able to enjoy a hot shower at a reasonable price. You can also notice a significant improvement in the accommodation you will be staying at compared to those at higher altitudes.
The next day, we will take the flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Similar to landing, the short runway might plant a seed of doubt in your heart when taking off from the airport, but rest assured we will be making it back to Kathmandu Valley without any problems.
Since you will be staying for the last night at Kathmandu Valley, you can go around the city to buy more souvenirs to take back home. You can also enjoy your night in Kathmandu Valley by treating yourself to some fancy dinners.
As the day of the departure arrives, we will be responsible for escorting you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. After the exchange of goodbyes, we will take a separate path.
We hope that you will enjoy your trekking experience and recommend it to others who are interested in adventure in the Himalayas.
Trip Information on Gokyo Lake Trek
How does our trek start to Gokyo Lake trek?
It starts right from the moment when you are caught up in the traffic and noises of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Most of the necessary permits and required logistic equipment should be obtained before the start of the journey from Kathmandu to Lukla.
In order to get to Lukla, you will have to first fly from Kathmandu to Lukla domestic airport. Throughout your journey, you will be able to witness the stunning scenery of the flight, especially the Himalayan range. However, we would like to bring to your attention that flights are subject to weather conditions; at times, there may be changes in schedules in terms of the time of flight, and even cancellations are occasioned by unfavorable weather conditions.
Once you arrive in Lukla, you will be followed by being accompanied by a guide. The actual trek begins in Lukla because it is located at an estimated altitude of 2800 meters (9186 feet).
We start our walk the moment we reach Lukla, towards the village of Phakding. This trail passes through nice areas, a small Sherpa village, suspension bridges, and follows the Dudh Koshi River. Phakding is located at about 2,652 meters, or 8,698 feet, above sea level.
Difficulty
Located in the Khumbu region, the Gokyo Lake Trek is considered a moderately challenging trek. For the trekking adventures, the trekkers should be fit individuals with the stamina to endure the trek that involves trekking for 5-7 hours daily. These routes get rougher, the ground gets steeper as the altitude increases, and the passes get higher too.
Preparing for all aspects, such as climate and weather conditions, altitude sickness, and other circumstances in the surrounding environment, before initiating the trek will definitely be helpful.
Altitude
The trek takes place at a height of 5357 meters (17573 feet) at Gokyo Ri, which is the highest point of the trek. Many times, trekkers will be sleeping above 13,000 feet, which is above the elevation where trekkers are likely to be affected by altitude sickness.
It is advisable to ensure that one is well-acclimatized because a steep climb can cause one to exhibit flu-like signs, including headaches, feelings of nausea, and even shortness of breath in extreme cases. That is because the trail has many ascents and descents, especially when crossing over high passes such as the Cho La (5,420 meters).
The slopes are rocky, much of the terrain is uneven, and sometimes it can present some difficulty, particularly where there is loose soil or where the ground is covered with snow. The trail to the Trekker destinations is rocky, thus requiring trekkers to have good balance and a reasonable level of physical fitness.
Distance and Duration
The Gokyo Lake Trek is 12–14 days in total, and individuals will be expected to spend several hours a day trekking. The daily trekking hours can last up to 8 hours, with little variation from 5 hours during the specified stages of trekking.
The general consequence of lengthy hiking and high elevation can be demanding for participants.
Weather Conditions
The climatic conditions vary in the region, with a diverse possibility of snowstorms, high-speed wind, and low visibility. Trekkers have to be ready for quick weather shifts and have gear that enables them to persevere through this climate.
Altitude Sickness
Due to variations in weather, the trekker is likely to suffer from altitude-related diseases, which are conditions whereby the trekker gets exposed to high-altitude conditions that may be fatal.
Trekkers should, therefore, understand some of the symptoms that may be experienced as well as the appropriate course of action in case someone starts experiencing the symptoms of altitude sickness while on a trekking adventure. In case of an accident, you will be immediately taken to the hospital in a helicopter, which will be provided to you, and you will be responsible for the expenses on your own.
Permits and fees
Nowadays, one must possess a Sagarmatha National Park Permit and an Everest Trekking Permit to trek in the region of the mighty Everest. These can be organized by a licensed trekking agency in Kathmandu before you begin your journey. If you are from neighboring countries, such as India, Sri Lanka, and others, then you will be provided with some discounts for your permits. The permits you need are given below:
- The Sagarmatha National Park Permit will cost US$30.
- The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit will cost US$20.
- The Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project Permit will cost US$30 if you want to start the trek from Jiri.
Accommodation, food, and drinks
We will provide you with the sleeping bags that you require at the base camps. This is also part of the Gokyo Lake Trek package. In general, you have to share a room with one of the trekking members, as no single room is available at the lodges. Also, there is no luxurious hotel and no attached bathroom. So, please let us know if you would want a single room during your booking process.
Getting modern facilities is not an option at higher altitudes, however, we will make sure that you stay comfortable throughout the trek. Mostly hygienic and safe tea houses, local lodges, and homestays are arranged; please feel free to personalize according to your preference.
Equipment such as a tent, utensils, cookware, stove, etc. will be provided if you decide to camp. You can consult with our trek guide for more info.
Meal
Your breakfast is covered by the Gokyo Lake Trek package. Other meals during your stay in the city is not included in the trek package. In Kathmandu, you can enjoy a plethora of dining options with multiple traditional dishes. We can always help you decide what to eat and what to avoid.
This plethora of options is not a luxury you will get in the mountains, however, the meals we will have will all be locally grown and hygienic. Your meals during the trekking days will be included in the package. As per your preferences, we can arrange a different dining option as opposed to what that mountains offer.
Drinks
Throughout your whole journey, you will get to explore and taste lots of different drinks, such as local alcohol made from buckwheat, fruits, and many more. Water will be provided to you by us, but for other soft drinks and alcohol, you have to be responsible for your own. We would also like to notify you that during trekking time, make sure you don’t consume alcohol, as it may be a risky decision.
Transportations
The transportation itinerary that Gokyo Lake Trek requires will all be provided to you. This package includes picking up and dropping off at the international airport as well as flights to and from Lukla.
Gadgets, charging, and internet
Resources to charge your gadgets will be available at every stop, but some teahouses might charge you a couple of bucks as a service fee, for which we will not be responsible.
In most of the stopping points, the internet is available. However, you will be charged a few bucks for the extra service, for which we will not be responsible.
Your extra expenses
The expenses that we will not be responsible for are tourist visa fees, extra luggage, tips for the crew members, international flights, medical expenses, and battery charges as well.
Photo & Video
There are no age limits set for the Gokyo Lake Trek. But we suggest kids below 10 should not travel to the high mountains and Gokyo Lake. They will be able to visit Namche Bazaar but do not make them climb the mountains.
Yes, third-party travel insurance is required by the law. In case of any accidents and you were to be rescued, then the insurance provider would cover all the emergency expenses.
You don’t have to fill out forms online. The government of Nepal has provided visa-on-arrival facilities for tourists in order to promote tourism, so just be here and you are good to go.
The maximum luggage weight for the Gokyo Lake trek is 8 kg. Anything above the maximum weight will not be covered by the Gokyo Lake Trek package.
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