Allow us to start this text with a disclaimer: we’re not avid trekkers. In reality, we had by no means accomplished a severe trek earlier than arriving in Nepal. So to say that we approached our trekking journey in Nepal with some trepidation is a complete understatement. Nevertheless, regardless of our lack of trekking prowess, we completely cherished it!
After loads of analysis and suggestions from different travellers, we finally determined to sort out the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek.
Nevertheless, we weren’t content material with the traditional 12-day trek. No siree. We needed to make it a tad harder for ourselves. We added a facet journey to Gokyo Lakes – and we’re so glad we did. It was the spotlight of our trek in Nepal!
Listed here are a number of often requested questions concerning the trek to Gokyo Lakes to assist plan your journey.
What are the Gokyo Lakes?
Gokyo Lakes are a collection of six spectacular glacial lakes. The lakes are at altitudes of between 4,700m and 5,000m, making them a few of the world’s highest freshwater lakes.
The lakes are located within the lovely Sagarmatha Nationwide Park, which can be house to Mount Everest. Trekkers typically go to Gokyo Lakes as a facet journey on the favored Mount Everest Base Camp trek.
Why Ought to I Go to Gokyo Lakes?
For starters, the Gokyo Lakes are spectacularly lovely. The panoramic views over the turquoise lakes with 8,000m-plus peaks within the background is a fairly unforgettable expertise.
Additionally, you will get the chance to climb Gokyo Ri, the mountain overlooking the small village Gokyo. This climb affords a few of the most unimaginable views of Mt Everest and Cho Oyu you will see that.
The views are arguably even higher than Kalapathar, which is the most well-liked viewpoint alongside the standard EBC trek route. Sadly, we didn’t get nice views of Mt Everest once we climbed Gokyo Ri resulting from poor climate, however it was nonetheless an awesome climb.
We additionally cherished that there have been virtually no different trekkers on the Gokyo Lakes route.
The Gokyo Lakes facet journey remains to be a reasonably quiet route, which suggests you possibly can typically stroll a few hours with out seeing different folks. The normal EBC trek route is fairly crowded, which might take away from the ambiance at occasions.
The Gokyo Lakes facet journey can be a rewarding additional problem. Climbing Gokyo Ri and crossing the Cho La Move are two of the toughest issues now we have ever performed, however we have been so happy with ourselves as soon as we had performed it. You’ll have to push your self, however additionally, you will be rewarded on your efforts.
How Do I Get to Gokyo Lakes?
Most individuals go to Gokyo Lakes as a facet journey on the way in which to EBC. It’s also possible to go to Gokyo Lakes as a stand-alone journey.
You’ll start your journey by flying from Kathmandu to Lukla. Be warned: this flight is just not for the faint-hearted. Additionally, you must put together for some severe delays at Kathmandu airport.
Our trek began with a 7-hour delay sitting within the Kathmandu airport whereas we waited for the climate to enhance in Lukla.
Katherine is a very nervous flyer, so the wait was not an awesome begin. Her fears have been compounded by the truth that we have been flying with an airline that had 3 weeks earlier crashed into the facet of a mountain. We had one false runway begin earlier than we lastly took off.
The surroundings through the flight is spectacular, however the touchdown is slightly hair-raising. The Lukla airport is about into the facet of a mountain and there may be just about no descent. We might describe the ‘runway’ extra as a driveway with a slight incline.
If flying isn’t for you, it’s also attainable to catch a bus from Kathmandu to Jiri. From Jiri, it’s an additional 7-day’s trek to Lukla.
From Lukla, you’ll regularly ascend by means of the Khumbu Valley alongside the same old EBC trek route. After Namche Bazaar you’ll peel off the principle EBC trek route in the direction of Gokyo Lakes.
You’ll cross the Cho La cross after visiting Gokyo Lakes to rejoin the principle EBC trek route. The itinerary we adopted is about out under.
EBC by way of Gokyo Lakes Trek Itinerary
There are small villages each couple of hours alongside the path to Gokyo Lakes. This implies you might be considerably versatile together with your itinerary. Nevertheless, whichever itinerary you select, be sure to don’t ascend too shortly.
Should you ascend too shortly (particularly after Namche Bazaar), you could possibly find yourself with altitude illness.
Altitude illness is probably lethal, and the one treatment is to move again all the way down to a decrease altitude. Take heed to your physique and descend in case you begin feeling the results of altitude illness.
We adopted the next itinerary on our EBC by way of Gokyo Lakes trek:
- Day 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860m), then trek to Phakding (2,610m)
- Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
- Day 3: Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar
- Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Dole (4,038m)
- Day 5: Dole to Machhermo (4,470m)
- Day 6: Machhermo to Gokyo (4,750m)
- Day 7: Gokyo to Dragnag (4,940m), with morning hike up Gokyo Ri (5,357m)
- Day 8: Dragnag to Dzongla (4,830m) by way of Cho La Move (5,420m)
- Day 9: Dzongla to Lobuche (4,940m)
- Day 10: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (5,380m), staying in Gorak Shep (5,164m)
- Day 11: Gorak Shep to Pheriche (4,371m), with non-obligatory morning hike up Kalapathar (5,550m)
- Day 12: Pheriche to Tengboche (3,860m)
- Day 13: Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
- Day 14: Namache Bazaar to Phakding (2,610m)
- Day 15: Phakding to Lukla, with flight house to Kathmandu
Nevertheless, you ought to be ready for itinerary adjustments alongside the way in which. You made have to have additional acclimatization days or there could also be delays resulting from dangerous climate. We virtually received caught at Dragnag for a complete day resulting from an in a single day blizzard!
Ought to I Use a Tour Firm?
For non-trekkers (like ourselves), it’s most likely smart to make use of a tour firm because the Gokyo Lakes path is just not fairly as well-trodden as the same old EBC trek route.
Nevertheless, it’s attainable to rent a information only for the trickier elements of the route from lodges alongside the way in which. For instance, in Dragnag you possibly can rent a information out of your lodge simply to take you over the Cho La Move.
We selected a small native tour firm for our trek known as Base Camp Journey Treks & Expedition. Our 15 day/16 night time trek value US$1240 per individual.
This included flights to Lukla, a information, a porter, lodging, meals and park entrance charges. Total, we have been fairly pleased with their service. We suggest procuring round, studying on-line critiques and talking to a couple totally different corporations to choose the precise one for you.
For extra skilled trekkers, this route is certainly achievable with no information or porter.
You’ll want to be in fine condition to sort out the Gokyo trek. It’s labeled as moderatly troublesome, however as a result of remoteness, ruggedness and altitude, it may be a problem for anybody. Count on to hike 6 hours per day.
There are a few methods to get to Gokyo Lake. Both take a airplane from Kathmandu to Lukla, or a bus to Jiri from Kathmandu after which hike to Gokyo Lake.
The lakes are between 4,700 meters to five,000 meters (15,400 toes – 16,400 toes) above sea stage.
There are various hikes in Nepal. Among the greatest embrace the hike to Gokyo Lakes, Annapurna Circuit, trek to Everest Base Camp, and Annapurna Base Camp.
In Conclusion
Mountain climbing within the towering mountains of Nepal is an exhilarating expertise, one that you simply’ll always remember. Whereas the sweetness might be mesmerizing, it’s essential to be correctly ready for the mountains. Hiring a information is an effective way to assist the native economic system, and guarantee you will have a protected and wholesome trek. Take pleasure in!
Prefer it? Pin it! 
The put up Gokyo Lakes, Nepal: A Trekking Information appeared first on Goats On The Highway.
