Gokyo Lake Trekking

Best Season for Gokyo Lake Trekking

The Gokyo Lake trek is actually an all-season trekking adventure in Nepal. But for the most welcoming vistas and the natural landscape, it is best that you plan your Gokyo Lake trek 17 days journey in the autumn months of September, October, and November, or the spring months of March, April, and May.

These seasons reveal the most stunning mountain and Himalayan sights, while the route to the Gokyo Ri remains clear, and the waters of the Gokyo Lake are also beautifully unfrozen.

Spring particularly charms the landscape with the pink blooms of rhododendrons, while autumn displays the translucent skies and the fiery forests.

December, January, and February are the coldest times of the year, which change Gokyo Valley into a snowy paradise. However, the trail to the Gokyo Ri will be under thick snow, and the Gokyo Lakes can be frozen solid.

On the other hand, June, July, and August are the wettest and hottest times, resulting in muddy and slippery jungle trails and landslides in the upper mountain regions.

Gokyo Lake Trek Route Difficulty

The Gokyo Lake trek route is a profile 2 intermediate trekking adventure in Khumbu, where no alpine experience is needed. The route will be moderate with few inclinations and descents, there will be few high hemp and steel bridges to cross, and there will be few gorges and rocky slopes to tackle.

However, daily hikes will not span longer than 6 hours, yet the Gokyo Ri crossing, if chosen, can be a bit tough for those who are not accustomed to the high-altitude environment.

In 17 days, get ready to conquer a remarkable distance of around 101 km with the highest point reaching 4790 m at Gokyo Lake. The Gokyo Lake trekking route follows the most developed hiking trail of the Everest region, so there will be no lack of resting spots and amenities that will make your nights both restful and eventful.

Still, a moderate degree of fitness will be needed to manage the long daily treks and acclimate to the high-altitude conditions.

For whom is the Gokyo Lake Trek Itinerary made?

The Gokyo Lake trek always has something fresh for everyone; thus, the trek is suitable for every individual. Even experienced hikers get a new and exciting challenge in this journey, while beginner hikers will find this trek perfectly aligned with their interests, fitness, and skill.

When walking among the giants of eternal snow and rock, you will feel a true sense of adventure, and as you hike through the Sherpa Villages, you will get to learn about their time stood Buddhist heritage.

Thus, the Gokyo Lake trek is perfect even for those who love nature and culture, searching for something new and fresh. Additionally, since the altitude does not exceed 5000 m, it is a safe trek for young children and older adults too.

However, moderate good health without serious health ailments and conditions is a must for this trek.

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization planned on our Gokyo Lake Trek 17 Days Adventure

Altitude sickness is a common nuisance that you may experience during our Gokyo Lake trek. You will be above 3000 m for nine consecutive days; it is the height considered above which altitude sickness begins to occur due to decreased oxygen amount and air pressure than sea level.

So if you have a tendency to vomit, feel nauseated, have trouble sleeping and eating, and have dizziness and headaches, then these are common occurrences that gradually go away.

These symptoms are associated with altitude sickness, which is also called acute mountain sickness/AMS in other terms. However, do not confuse them with the constant dry coughing that you may have once you are in the Khumbu Valley.

This kind of coughing occurs due to the dry air of the Himalayas and is called the Khumbu cough. If you feel any one or two or all the symptoms that we have listed, please do not hide from our guide. Please get sleep and rest as much as you can, and drink fluids containing garlic, honey, lemon, and ginger.

If there is no improvement, our guide may suggest that you descend by around 400 to 500 m until you feel normal again. For your safety and to help you acclimate to the Asian air, we have a rest day in Kathmandu for you.

And for your adjustment to the Everest Air, we have placed an extra day at Namche and Gokyo Lake. Additionally, our thoughtfully made Gokyo Lake trek itinerary will gradually take you to higher elevations without any haste.

Training and Preparation for the Gokyo Lake Trekking

Gokyo Lake trekking, although it doesn’t mandate any athletic prowess or alpine experience, still demands a moderate fitness level to be able to cope with the long hours of hiking and the changing trails.

Thus, we advise you to physically train yourself before setting off for this expedition. A fantastic way to physically prep for the trek will be by working on your leg muscle strength.

For this, you should do planks, push-ups, squats, pull-ups, some walking, jogging, and running. If in the gym, treadmill exercise will also work for your regimen. Likewise, swimming, biking, cycling, and sports such as volleyball, Basketball, hockey, or football will also be the best exercises.

All these fitness activities will enhance your cardiovascular health, while also engaging in deep breathing will improve your lungs’ capacity to soak in more oxygen.

After all this, we suggest you go on simpler trekking actions to nearby hills or ridges or even to mountains that go over 3000 m. Also, try to know what exactly you will find in the Gokyo Valley and on its route, so no sudden unexpected events can take you off guard.

Possible Alternate Routes and Extension of Gokyo Lake Trek Itinerary

There are several alternate Gokyo Lake trek routes that you can opt for, in which you can completely skip the flight to Lukla and only engage in overland travel.

For this, you can choose to drive towards Jiri or Bhandar and then walk up to Namche Bazaar, thus joining the classic route of Gokyo. Another possible route is to drive towards Tham Danda via Phaplu and start walking to Phakding and Namche.

The other possible extension of the Gokyo Lake trek is to combine the thrill of reaching the Kala Patthar and EBC. After Namche, instead of going to Dole, you will have to follow the EBC track. Once at Kala Patthar, you can then deviate your route towards Thangnak to reach Gokyo.

However, en route, you will have to overcome the 5420 m height of the Cho La Pass. You can also decide to visit the base camp of the magical Ama Dablam once when you are in Pangboche.

Accommodation, Dining, and Travel Mode

Let us look into all the arrangements regarding your Gokyo Lake Trek 17 Days adventure. In Kathmandu, you will sleep in a twin room of a reputable three-star hotel where you will get your own toilet, shower, hot running water, and WiFi with breakfast every morning.

After the onset of the hiking part, a cozy mountain tea house in every village awaits your arrival for the night. A modest room with two beds, a mattress, and a warm blanket will be available along with a private bath and toilet, hot water, and WiFi till Namche.

After Namche, you may not get the private amenities but may have to share with other guests.

We have also thought about your meal plans, which will be offered three times a day during lunches, breakfasts, and dinners. Please try some local Sherpa cuisine such as Tsampa and Thukpa, while you may also have pasta, bakery items, pizza, etc. After Namche, Dal Vat can power you up for the long day hikes.

For your travelling, our private vehicle will be at your service for all your overland transfers to the airport (domestic and international), hotels, and capital tour, along with Ramechhap transport. Your Lukla-Kathmandu/Ramechhap internal flights are also managed.

Permits for the Gokyo Lake Trekking

The Gokyo Lake trek route runs inside the protected zone of Sagarmatha National Park. Therefore, we need to have the necessary official allowance inside this park, for which we must acquire the permit for the park from Kathmandu tourism office or Lukla, or at the park gate at Monjo.

Likewise, we will be traveling and sleeping in the villages of Khumbu Municipality, so we also need the local area permit of this municipality, which is available at Lukla or Monjo.

3000 NPR each for the permit of the park and 2000 NPR each for the Khumbu local area will be paid by us, and all the procedures will also be overseen by our team or guide.

Travel Insurance

We kindly urge you to get the international travel insurance that covers the transport, search and rescue by helicopter to an altitude of 4800 m minimum for our Gokyo Lake trek 17 days trip.

This insurance of yours will help us procure the compulsory trek permits for the Gokyo Lake. Also, it will give you an additional layer of support and protection throughout your adventure.

Trekking on the Nepali mountain trails means unpredictability in terms of weather and terrain. All of a sudden, you may face sudden climate shifts, avalanches, landslides, or falls that may necessitate immediate helicopter transport.

So please review if your policy will remain valid for the full 17 days of the trip, and also confirm with your insurer that it is effective in Nepal. Medical coverage, along with the damage, theft, or loss of your personal items, along with further stays and trips postponement,s should also be part of your insurance coverage.