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To the west of the legendary Everest Base Camp lies the shimmering turquoise lake at an altitude of 4,700–5,000 m, which is considered the crowning jewel of Nepal’s Himalayan treasures. Gokyo Lakes, popular for its mesmerizing beauty, is often considered an alternative to the popular Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek. This lake(s) with its crystal-clear, turquoise-colored waters rewards marvelous views of some of the highest peaks in the world including Everest, Cho Oyu, and Lhotse.
For that reason, the Gokyo Lakes trek is deemed a popular alternative to the classic Everest Base Camp Trek, and rightfully so. This trek offers trekkers a unique perspective of the Himalayan landscape in a slightly less traveled route while still enjoying stunning views and challenging terrain. We offer both the Gokyo Lakes Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lakes Trek.
This blog post offers you the complete guide for your Gokyo Lakes trek, providing essential information on the best time to visit, how to reach the starting point of the trek, what to pack, and tips for acclimatization at high altitudes.
Trek Duration: 10–18 Days
Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Highest Point and Altitude: Gokyo Ri at 5,643 m (18,514 feet)
Trek Starting Point: Lukla
Accommodation: Tea Houses
Average Walking Hours: 5 to 7 hours per day
Best Time to Trek: spring and autumn
Acclimatization Points: Namche Bazaar and Machermo
High Passes Option: Cho La Pass (5,420 meters / 17,782 feet) or Renjo La Pass (5,360 meters / 17,585 feet)
Side Trips: Ngozumpa Glacier
Highlights of Gokyo Lake Trek
Best Time to Visit Gokyo Lakes
The best time to trek to Gokyo Lakes is during the pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons, when the trails are neither snowy nor slippery—no monsoon, no mudslides, no winter, no whiteouts. March to May or mid-September to November of the year is the time when you should be scheduling your trek to Gokyo Lakes. That being said, we can safely say that you can do the trek in winter as well, especially if you hate the crowd.
During spring and autumn, the weather tends to remain stable and pleasant, with clear skies. Days are usually sunny, with excellent visibility of the majestic mountain peaks and surrounding landscapes. Not to mention, the temperatures are moderate, making it comfortable for trekking during the day. If the vibrant rhododendrons and wildflowers delight you, we recommend trekking during spring.
Permits and Regulations
You will need two permits: a Sagarmatha National Park permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. A new permit system, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit, has been implemented recently and you no longer require a TIMS card. The cost of this permit is RS 2000 (approximately 23 AUD) per person. Please note that this permit can only be collected from Lukla, not Kathmandu.
The other permit you need is the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, which costs RS. 3000 (approximately 35 AUD) per person. You can collect it either from Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board or the Park Entrance Gate at Monjo. The cost of these permits is different for foreigners from SAARC countries, Indian citizens and Westerners.
Gokyo Lakes Trek Itinerary Options
While there are few options, the two itineraries remain the most popular: the classic Gokyo Lakes Trek (12-14 days) and Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lakes (16-18 days). The Gokyo Lakes trek diverges towards Dole or Machermo, leading through the quieter trail to Gokyo Lakes, while the EBC trek with Gokyo Lakes combines the scenic beauty of Gokyo Lakes with the iconic Everest Base Camp.
The other itinerary you can think of is Gokyo Lakes and Renjo La Pass Trek (13-15 Days) and the shorter Gokyo Lakes Trek (9-10 Days). The Gokyo lakes and Renjo La Pass Trek includes a crossing of Renjo La Pass (5,360m), perfect for those seeking additional challenges and panoramic views. The shorter one is ideal for trekkers with limited time but still want to experience the highlights of the Gokyo Lakes. This trek basically skips the acclimatization day and takes a shorter route.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2: Lukla to Phakding
Day 3: Phakding to Namche
Day 4: Acclimatization day in Namche
Day 5: Namche to Mong La
Day 6: Mong La to Dole
Day 7: Dole to Machhermo
Day 8: Machhermo to Gokyo Lakes
Day 9: Gokyo Lakes to Fifth Lake
Day 10: Trek to Gokyo Ri and back to Machhermo
Day 11: Machhermo to Mongla
Day 12: Mongla to Phakding
Day 13: Phakding to Lukla
Day 14: Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2: Lukla to Phakding
Day 3: Phakding to Namche
Day 4: Acclimatization day in Namche
Day 5: Namche to Mong La
Day 6: Mong La to Dole
Day 7: Dole to Machhermo
Day 8: Machhermo to Gokyo Lakes
Day 9: Trek to Gokyo Ri and back to Machhermo
Day 10: Machhermo to Phortse
Day 11: Phortse to Dingboche
Day 12: Dingboche to Lobuche
Day 13: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp
Day 14: Trek to Kala Patthar and to Pangboche
Day 15: Pangboche to Namche
Day 16: Namche to Phakding
Day 17: Phakding to Lukla
Day 18: Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2: Lukla to Phakding
Day 3: Phakding to Namche
Day 4: Acclimatization day in Namche
Day 5: Namche to Mong La
Day 6: Mong La to Dole
Day 7: Dole to Machhermo
Day 8: Machhermo to Gokyo Lakes
Day 9: Trek to Gokyo Ri and to Dragnag
Day 10: Trek from Dragnag to Cho La Pass and Zonglha
Day 11: Zonglha to Lobuche
Day 12: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp
Day 13: Trek to Kala Patthar and to Pangboche
Day 14: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar
Day 15: Namche Bazaar to Phakding
Day 16: Phakding to Lukla
Day 17: Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2: Lukla to Phakding
Day 3: Phakding to Namche
Day 4: Acclimatization day in Namche
Day 5: Namche to Mong La
Day 6: Explore Gokyo Lakes area, optional hike to Gokyo Ri
Day 7: Trek from Gokyo to Namche Bazaar
Day 8: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 9: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
You must be physically fit and ready for the adventure to Gokyo Lakes Trek. Engage in a progressive training routine for at least 2 months before the trek. The basic idea of training for a couple of months is to shape your body for hours of trekking through rugged terrain. Your training should incorporate cardiovascular exercises like running and strength training to prepare your body for the adventure.
You must be mentally prepared for challenging days, varying weather conditions, and high altitudes. Acclimatization is another crucial aspect of preparation. During the trek, follow a gradual ascent approach, stay hydrated, and maintain a steady pace. The best rule is to listen to your body and act accordingly. And remember to pack the right gear and clothes.
Gokyo Trek Packing list essentials
You should not over-pack or miss something that can invite discomfort and challenges. Consider the list below for the packing list. Please note that this list is by no means definitive.
Expect to sleep and eat in tea houses owned by local people, mostly Sherpas. Teahouses are the most popular and best form of accommodation in the Everest region. Tea House trek, as it is aptly named, involves trekking for a couple of hours ( 5 to 7 hours) in a day and staying overnight at a tea house along the route. A typical tea house provides all the basic amenities needed for a trekker for a comfortable stay.
These accommodations usually consist of simple rooms with twin beds, basic bedding, and shared bathroom facilities. Dining areas in the tea houses serve a variety of meals, including both local and international dishes. Electricity is often available for charging devices, but it might come with an additional cost. Please note that bathrooms in most of the teahouses are usually communal.
Food on the Gokyo Lakes Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek
The tea houses and lodges along the route of the Gokyo Lakes serve a wide array of food options, and the local cuisine primarily centers around rice, noodles, and potatoes, reflecting the staple crops of the region. Dal Bhat is a popular choice among trekkers, consisting of rice and lentil soup, accompanied by various vegetable and potato curries. Pringles, desserts, soft drinks, alcohol, chocolate, and fruit are available to purchase along the way. There are some villages along the trek where you will find bakeries and little coffee shops, in particular Namche where you can enjoy a Guinness in the world’s highest Irish pub!
Noodles and pasta dishes are common, typically served with local vegetables and sauces. Local Sherpa communities often consume hearty vegetarian fare, emphasizing lentils, grains, and vegetables. It’s advisable to refrain from consuming meat while trekking to higher altitudes. In your breakfast, it’s usually porridge, Tibetan bread, and an omelet. The lunch and Dinner menu is the same and mostly includes momo, dal bhat, chow mein, and thukpa.
Altitude Sickness and Safety on Gokyo Lakes Trek
There is no denying that altitude sickness can happen to anyone, even to those who have trekked many times. Gokyo Lakes takes you to soaring altitudes above 5000m. For those trekking for the first time, altitude sickness becomes a genuine concern.
The imminent danger of trekking to the mountains in Nepal is Acute Mountain Sickness or altitude sickness. If you’re traveling above 2400m (8000 ft.), you should be careful of altitude sickness. Most people easily develop symptoms of altitude sickness like headache, breathlessness, difficulty sleeping and vomiting. The best way to avoid altitude sickness is by acclimatizing to the altitude.
It’s important to prioritize a gradual ascent with a slow pace, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude. Staying hydrated and avoiding smoking and drinking are equally important. If you experience any of the symptoms of altitude sickness, you must not ascend further and consider descending to a lower altitude.
Cost and Budgeting of Gokyo Lakes Trek
The cost for the Gokyo Lakes trek depends on several factors such as permits, accommodation, food, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. The cost package of the Gokyo Lakes trek can vary significantly from one travel agency to another. Our 14-day Gokyo Lake Treks is priced at AUD 2990 which includes all costs. And there are agencies who charge more and some are unexpectedly cheaper.
The cost can range anywhere between AUD 1500 to AUD 4000 depending on the services provided by the travel agencies including the ground team, and all logistical services excluding guide and porter tips, international flights, and your personal expenses.
