Everest Gokyo Lake Trek

a) Best Time

The list of months that indicate when is ideal for the Everest Gokyo Lake Trekking Journey is provided below:

January to February: The winter season lies in the January and February months in Nepal. We do not suggest you do the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek journey, especially in the winter season of Nepal.

Because the hiking journey will be extremely tough with a high potential for life risks due to the cold and frosty weather, which makes trails slippery and foggy.

March to April: The spring season falls under the March and April months in Nepal. The weather would be very pleasant, the scenery would be clear, and the rhododendrons would be in bloom, making it the perfect month for trekking.

 May to June: You’ll experience the summer season in the May and June months in Nepal. The weather would be very warm, with clear blue skies. Although the weather is very hot compared to spring, it is also a good time to trek due to the easier trail compared to the monsoon and winter seasons.

July to August: Nepal has significant monsoon rains in July and August, making routes wet and lubricious. As a result, you must exercise extreme caution while trekking during this season to avoid injuries caused by slippery pathways, which make the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek much more difficult.

September to October: The autumn season in Nepal falls under the months of September and October. Autumn is also the great time to explore Everest Gokyo Lake Trekking Excursion. You can see the weather very well and clearly.

The autumn season is also peak season for Gokyo Lake Trekking. You can find many fellow adventurers from all around the globe pursuing their hiking journeys.  So, you need to book teahouses in advance for overnight stays during this peak season due to the large number of travelers.

November to December: The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek is also good in November and December because of the clear skies and spectacular views throughout the daytime. But if you’re going to be traveling during these months, pack thick clothing because the mornings and nights can be very chilly.

b) Elevation and distance

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trekking involves high altitudes, starting from Lukla at a height of 2850 meters after flying from Kathmandu city. You can also feel the effects of altitude early on, so it’s very crucial to begin the hike slowly.

We are going to acclimatize first to Namche Bazaar at an altitude of 3440 meters, or 11,285 feet, and then to Gokyo village at an altitude of 4790 meters, or 15,584 feet, to help you cope with higher-level elevations during your hiking journey.

You’ll be at higher elevations over 5000 meters when you reach Gokyo Ri viewpoint (5,400 m, or 17,814 ft)), Cho La Pass (5420 m, or 17,783 ft), Everest Base Camp (5,364 m, or 17,598 ft), Gorak Shep (5,185 m, or 17,010 ft), and Kala Patthar (5,555 m, or 18,208 ft). Thus, if you notice any signs of altitude sickness when trekking in such locations, report us immediately to get help.

Similarly, we are covering a distance of around 115 kilometers, or 74 miles, from the starting point of the trek location, Lukla, to the ending point of the trek location, which is also Lukla, in this 15-day Everest Gokyo Lake Trek journey. However, you will have plenty of breaks along the way to each stops.

Each day, you need to walk for 6 to 7 hours, so you need to be in shape and healthy to travel on this amazing trip. It takes 11 days to trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp and only 3 days to return to Lukla, according to our 15-day Everest Gokyo Lake Trek itinerary.

c) Difficulty and altitude sickness

The Everest Gokyo Lake trek is laborious and demanding. Before embarking on this difficult trek, it is recommended that you have previous expertise with high-altitude trekking in the Himalayas. However, if you are beginning with strong physical fitness and overall health, you can complete this 15-day adventure successfully.

This hike is difficult due to the higher elevations, remote location, long duration, and rugged terrain. Your difficulty level will depend on your age, previous trekking experience, fitness, and mental strength.

So, anyone who wants to go on this journey should get prepared by training to be fit and healthy at least a month before their Everest Gokyo Lake Trek. Similarly, you should have a positive mindset and a mentally strong brain to tackle any kind of obstacle during this hike.

We designed this Everest Gokyo Lake Trekking itinerary to adjust to high altitudes gradually with prior experience. You’ll be trekking in the Everest Region, the highest trekking destination, reaching above 5000 meters. At this height, there’s less oxygen, making it harder to breathe.

So, your body will adjust well with the aid of acclimatization. For the entire 15-day trip, you must remain hydrated. In the same way, you should refrain from hurrying as this can result in acute mountain sickness (AMS), which manifests as headaches, dizziness, dyspnea, and other symptoms.

Altitude sickness can affect everyone, regardless of fitness or age. Before you travel, familiarize yourself with the symptoms and types of altitude sickness. If you encounter any symptoms, please report them as soon as possible so that we can help you reduce them and successfully complete this amazing journey.

d) Maximum and minimum walk per day

Everest Gokyo Lake Trek is a moderately difficult hiking journey in which you need to walk regularly for six to seven hours to reach the different destinations for overnight stays. So, you must have a good physical fitness level for this excursion.

When hiking from Lukla to Phakding, the first day’s hike will only take three hours at the most, covering a small distance of 6.2 km. Similarly, the minimal amount of walking you must do each day in comparison to other days is 4 hours while you are hiking from Machhermo to Gokyo and Dzongla to Lobuche.

The maximum walk per day will be seven to eight hours when ascending Everest Base Camp from Lobuche and trekking to Gorak Shep on the eleventh day of this thrilling, adventurous 15-day journey. Make sure you stay hydrated to avoid weariness while trekking.

e) Accommodation, Food and Drink

On this 15-day Everest Gokyo Lake Trek journey, you’ll mostly stay in teahouses and mountain lodges run by local families. You will get accommodations that have basic rooms for two people with quilts, mattresses, and pillows.

In addition, power outlets are provided for charging gadgets, though Wi-Fi may not always be accessible. However, bear in mind that these services come at an additional cost. The amenities offered by teahouses and lodges will decrease with elevation.

You will eat meals mostly at the teahouses. You will have lunch in villages along the way while trekking and dinner and breakfast at the teahouses where you stay. You can get Nepalese dishes, with options like rice, lentil soup, and pickles.

Other food alternatives include pasta, boiled eggs, noodles, and momos. Vegetarian cuisine in the Gokyo region include Sherpa stew, Tsampa porridge, and buckwheat toast, all cooked with organic ingredients grown locally.

You can also discover beverages such as beers, local wines, cold drinks, and many others. But you have to pay yourself. And water is the best drink for staying hydrated and healthy.

f) Alternative Routes

If you wish to climb Everest Base Camp, there are numerous paths you might take, each providing a unique experience and great memories.

The possible other routes, such as Everest Base Camp via Three Passes, i.e., Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La passes; Everest Base Camp via Jiri; Rolwaling to Everest Base Camp via Tashi Lapcha; and Classic Everest Base Camp routes, will all lead you to an Everest Base Camp.

g) Gadgets charging and Internet

As far as electricity is concerned, you will find hydroelectric power until you reach Namche Bazaar. Nomad power will be used to produce electricity in Namche. So, you have to pay some extra money to recharge your phones, laptops, etc.

The Everest region, even as the highest mountain trek in the world, also has constant internet access. The service can still be pretty reliable at times and downright a letdown at others. You can stay in touch with your people, post online, upload photos to social media, and so on. There is Wi-Fi access to all teahouses.

At the moment, it is complimentary at a few restaurants in Lukla and Namche, and yet most teahouses will take money in exchange for the use of their service. The best choice, both price-wise and in terms of the facilities, is to purchase a SIM card with the data. It is advisable to get a SIM card, especially the Ncell one, and purchase Internet data that will last for the entire duration of your travels. There is Ncell 3G coverage up to Everest Base Camp.

h) Permit

You will require two key permits for the Everest Gokyo Lake Trekking:

Sagarmatha National Park Permit: This permit allows you to enter the UNESCO Heritage Sites that are listed within Sagarmatha National Park. You may acquire this for RS 3000 in Kathmandu or at the Monjo park front gate.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: This Rs 2000 permit is only available in Lukla. To obtain it, you’ll need a copy of your passport and two passport-sized pictures.

i) Travel Insurance

Complete travel insurance that comprises activities and elevations standards is needed for you when you plan to Everest Gokyo Lake trek. The emergencies can also occur at higher altitudes that are related to a lack of oxygen. Besides, the trek’s cliffy nature is one of the additional factors that may result in injuries.

The hospitalization and chopper evacuation expenses can be exorbitantly expensive; thus, your policy must also include them if you are involved in an accident or a medical emergency.

Your policy must not only cover your health and safety but also cover your belongings if they are stolen or robbed. Thus, you should be very careful in the choice of your insurance provider.

j) What to expect from this trip?

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek, a fantastic 15-day trekking adventure, is offered in Nepal’s Khumbu Region. Starting at Lukla, the trail passes through the Gokyo Valley, across Cho La Pass, and enters the Khumbu region, which is home to Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. Visitors can experience the essence of Sherpa culture on an easy, serene, and secluded trip.

Having arrived at Lukla by plane and passed through the rest of the trek—Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole, Machhermo, and Gokyo Village—you will be acclimatizing in the one-night stops at days 2–3 in Namche Bazaar and 6–7 in Gokyo too.

The path will go through Thangnak, Dzongla, and Gorak Shep before summiting at EBC and the Khumbu Icefall. You visit Pheriche, Namche Bazaar, Lukla, and Kala Patthar before flight back to Kathmandu City. You will have authentic experiences, stunning scenery, and unforgettable moments with your peer hikers.