Gokyo Lake Trek has one of the delicate experience trek situated in Mount Everest. It provides plenty of stunning views of Everest with an overnight stay
At the iconic town Namche Bazaar, the gateway of the Khumbu Region.
There is a less busy route but still affords the trekker with an insight into the local village life, glaciers, marvelous views of icy rivers, snow-capped mountains, and dazzling turquoise of Gokyo Lakes.
Located at an altitude of 4,700m to 5,000m Gokyo Lakes are made up of six bodies of water in the Gokyo Valley. Gokyo Valley falls under the Sagarmatha National Park area.
Gokyo Lakes are the world’s highest freshwater lake system which has been designated as a Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance) and being sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
You can also visit the 5th and 6th lakes which sit in a high alpine bowl at the foot of Cho Oyu itself.
With one of the highlights being a steep climb up to Gokyo RI (5357m) for viewing Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu you’ll expect to walk around 5 hours a day.
Time spent in Namche Bazaar offers trekkers the opportunity to trek to nearby Khumjung village to acclimatize before setting off for Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Valley. You can visit the school set up by Sir Edmund Hillary along with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.
After that many thousands of trekkers have made Namche Bazaar a vibrant, bustling market town that is able to swap trekking stories with members of other groups.
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu and Evening welcome Dinner
Day 02: Flight to Lukla (2,642m/ 8,668ft) and trek to Phakding(2,562m/ 8,700ft):35 min flight, 8km, 3-4 hrs trek
Day 03: Namche Bazaar – Acclimatization and exploration day
Day 04: Namche Bazaar to Dole (4,110m/ 13,152ft): 11km, 5-6 hrs
Day 05: Trek to Machhermo (4,470m/ 14,663ft): 9km, 4-5 hrs
Day 06: Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800m/ 15,744ft): 7km, 3-4 hrs
Day 07: Acclimatization and exploration of the Gokyo valley
Day 08: Trek back to Dhole (4040M) 5-6 hrs
Day 09: Dhole to Namche Baazaar (3450m) 5-6 hrs
Day 10: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2642m) 7-8 hrs
Day 11: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (35 min)
Day 12: Transfer to Airport for your onward destination
After breakfast, our trail gently rises to a ridge that offers the view of the north face of Cho Oyu, Kangtega, and Thamserku. Now a metal bridge crosses the edge of the frozen longponga Tsho. After a half-hour walk, we’ll reach the summer village of Gokyo.
This is another scheduled acclimatization day. You can have an overlook of the broad, rubble covered Ngozumpa Glacier and some unforgettable vista of the Himalayan chain.
The ideal times to go on the Gokyo Lake Trek are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
In spring, the weather is mild, making it easy to walk. The skies are clear, so you can see the mountains very well. Everything comes back to life after winter, with plants blooming and animals active.
Autumn is considered the most popular season. The weather is warm and dry with clear skies, perfect for trekking. You may also get to experience big festivals like Dashain and Tihar during this time.
The summer months of June to August have heavy rain, making trails slippery. But some trekkers enjoy going then to see the waterfalls.
Winters from December to February are very cold with heavy snowfall in the mountains. Nights are freezing, but days can be sunny and nice. Only trek in winter if you don’t mind the extreme cold.
So in simple terms, spring and autumn provide the best trekking conditions – not too hot or cold, little rain, and amazing views of the Himalayas. But some adventurous people choose to go in summer or winter too.
The Gokyo Lake Trek is considered a moderately challenging trek. It involves walking for 5 to 7 hours per day, with long uphill climbs, steep descents, and some rough, rocky trails through dense forests. The higher altitude also makes it more difficult than treks at lower elevations.
However, if you are reasonably fit and have some experience with long walks or hiking, you should be able to complete this trek without too many issues. Regular exercise and building up stamina before the trek will help a lot.
The biggest challenge is dealing with the high altitude, which can potentially cause altitude sickness. But your guide will help manage this by setting a good pace, building in acclimatization days, and monitoring your oxygen levels.
As long as you are in decent shape, follow your guide’s instructions, and take it slow, most people can successfully do the Gokyo trek. It’s challenging for sure, but an achievable goal with proper preparation and guidance.
The steepness and altitude make it a bit tougher than treks like Everest Base Camp. But for adventurous beginners willing to train beforehand, it can be a great introductory high altitude trek experience in the Himalayas.
During the trek, you will get a variety of nutritious food to keep you energized. This includes local Nepali dishes like dal bhat (lentils, rice and curry), as well as Western items like pancakes, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, etc.
In the lower elevations, you’ll have more choices for meals. But as you go higher, the menu becomes simpler with basic items like soups, noodle dishes, dumplings, etc.
Your guide will arrange 3 meals per day – breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast may have items like oatmeal, eggs, and bread. Lunch and dinner will have one or two hot dishes along with soups and sides.
It’s recommended to drink plenty of fluids like ginger tea, and garlic soup at higher altitudes. Avoid things like dairy, alcohol, and caffeine which can be hard on the body.
In Kathmandu, you’ll stay in 3-star standard hotels with amenities like attached bathrooms, wifi, etc.
During the trek itself, you’ll stay at teahouses or lodges run by local families. The rooms are basic with just twin beds. Facilities are very simple, especially at higher elevations near Gokyo.
Up to Namche, rooms may have attached bathrooms. Beyond that, toilets are usually common/shared. Hot showers may not be available everywhere.
The accommodation gets more basic and cheaper options disappear as you gain altitude. Carrying a warm sleeping bag is advisable for cold nights.
So in simple terms – the food is hearty and the stays are simple but adequate for the remote mountain journey you’ll undertake. Managed expectations are key for an enjoyable trek experience.
| Permit | Required | Fee |
| Sagarmatha National Park Permit | Yes | 1. NPR 3,000 for foreigners
2. NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals 3. NPR 100 for Nepalese |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit | Yes | 1. NPR 2000 per person for the first four weeks
2. NPR 2500 per person for staying more than four months Note: The cost is same for everyone (SAARC & foreign nationals) except Nepal. |
| Trekking Permit for Restricted Areas | No |
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The Gokyo Lake Trek is considered a moderately challenging trek. It involves walking for 5 to 7 hours per day, with long uphill climbs, steep descents, and some rough, rocky trails through dense forests. The high altitude also makes it more difficult than lower elevation treks. However, if you are reasonably fit and have some experience with long walks or hiking, you should be able to complete this trek with proper preparation and guidance.
