Gokyo Lakes trek lies in the renowned Everest region in Nepal. The Gokyo Lakes trek is one of the best trekking destinations in the entire world. The Gokyo Lakes trail encompasses delightful views, warm-hearted hospitality, and a unique cultural experience. You will experience astounding mountain views of the top 10 world’s highest peaks, including Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Makalu (8485 m), and Cho Oyu (8188 m). In addition, you will get acquainted with the unique culture and traditions of people residing in the Gokyo Lakes region.
Apart from the rich culture, you will have a natural encounter with diverse flora and fauna, including Daphe, red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan Thar, Musk deer, and a lot more, as Sagarmatha national park lies in this region. The Gokyo lakes trek is renowned for being the best trekking trail in Nepal, offering magnetic views throughout.
Along with the landmarks in this region, you can also enjoy the beauty of terrific hidden side destinations like Hillary viewpoint, Gokyo Ri, scenic Hillary bridge, and more throughout the Gokyo lakes trek. You also get to explore several additional turquoise lakes, which adds to the beauty of these Himalayan Gokyo Ri trek trails. You will witness several teahouses along the remote mountain trail.
The Gokyo Lakes trek is considered a moderately difficult trekking trail. However, If you’ve trekked on the Himalayan trail before, it will be an easy trekking experience. We recommend you try short hikes if you do not have prior trekking experience. However, with our proper guides and planning, anyone can complete the Gokyo lake trek without hassle.
What Are Gokyo Lakes?
The renowned Gokyo Lake is an alluring lake system in the Gokyo Valley. This lake system encompasses 6 lakes, including Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Kyajumba Cho, Thonak Cho(the largest lake), Gyazumpa Cho, Ngojumba Cho, and Tanjung Cho. However, as you elevate further in the valley, you will see at least 20 other high-altitude lakes.
Although Gokyo is a tiny village in the Solukhumbu district lying in the lap of the Himalayas, there are enough accommodations for people traveling to the famous Gokyo Lakes. You need at least two days to experience the beauty of the Lakes in this region entirely. At an elevation of 4700-5000 meters above sea level, Gokyo Lakes is the world’s highest freshwater lake system.
The rare sighting of the pristine, turquoise-blue lakes in the Gokyo region will be a lifetime memory. The oxygen levels in the Gokyo region are high despite its greater elevation, making it more appealing and approachable. Along with its natural and cultural richness, this place also has great religious significance. Devotees visit the lake for a holy bath during the famous Nepalese festival, Janai Purnima. The presence of Hindu temples adds to the religious significance of this region.
Reasons To Do Gokyo Lake Trek In Nepal:
Gokyo Lakes, the highest lake system comprising 6 pristine lakes, is one of Nepal’s most desirable trekking destinations. Here, we present major reasons why you should do the Gokyo Lakes Trek.
- The Gokyo Lakes trek is perfect for everyone seeking a tough little adventure. The tougher the trail, the greater the view. All in one frame, you get a breathtaking view of the majestic mountains, including Mt. Everest and the pristine Gokyo lakes.
- You can also use the Gokyo Lake trek as an alternative to the classic crowded route to the Everest Base Camp. This trail entails a pristine view of Gokyo Ri and crosses the Cho La pass.
- The majestic Mt.Everest and pristine Gokyo Lake have to be the focal points of this trip. The Renjo La pass offers the rare sighting of astounding turquoise lakes, Remo Pokhari, and several other snow-covered mountains to beautify this region further.
- Traveling to the mountains and lakes can be spiritually transforming. As you immerse in nature, it washes away the stress accumulated from day-to-day life events.
- Rendezvous with diverse flora and fauna, including Daphe (Lophophorus), red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan Thar, Musk deer, and more in the Sagarmatha National Park.
- You get an opportunity to get acquainted with the unique culture, tradition, and religious practices of the people residing in the Khumbu region. And enjoy the heart-melting hospitality of people here.
- There are 5 turquoise lakes in this region, along with the Ngozumpa glacier, the first longest glacier in Nepal. You will get a grand view of these lakes and glaciers upon trekking to the Gokyo lakes.
- The Gokyo lake trek is considered one of the best Himalayan trails in Nepal, offering a flabbergasting view of Mt Everest, Cho Oyu, picturesque lakes, and a serene ambiance in nature.
- This trekking route passes through the Tongba and Gyele to the Dole; you will witness the Sherpa settlement bringing herds of yaks to graze in the high pastures. You will also get astounding views of Khumbila and Taw ache (Colorful Buddhist prayer flags).
Permits Required For Gokyo Lakes Trek
You will need 3 permits while traveling to the Gokyo lake in Nepal, including; TIMS trekkers permit, Sagarmatha national park permit, and a local area permit. You can learn about these trekking permits below in detail.
TIMS Trekkers Permit
The Trekkers Information Management Systems (TIMS) Permit is for your security. Showing your TIMS card at the checkpoints along the trails, the system registers your information, which is crucial if you go missing on the trail. The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal gathers trekkers’ information to regulate the trekking industry and for the safety of the users.
- TIMS card will cost you about NPR 2000 if you are a solo traveler and is green in color.
- If you are a part of a trekking group, the card will cost you NPR 1000 and is blue in color.
- Suppose you are a tourist from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries. In that case, the TIMS card will cost you around NPR 600 for solo travelers and NPR 300 if you travel in a group.
Sagarmatha National Park Permit(SNPP)
The Gokyo Lake trekking trail takes you to the Sagarmatha National Park area. Hence, you need a permit to get into this area. The Sagarmatha National Park permit (SNPP) will cost you around $30.However, if you are from SAARC countries, it will cost you about $15. The SNPP is valid for the trekking duration only. Be sure to carry this permit, as you might get checked at different points.
Local Area Permit
Apart from the TIMS and Sagarmatha National Park permit, You will need a local area permit known as the Pasang Lhamu Rural municipality permit. The local area permit should cost you about $20 per person. The local area permit is for the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance and is available at Lukla.
Additional Note:
- These permits are for a single entry.
- Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable on issuance.
- The validity of your permit depends on the application, so be sure to read the application form carefully.
- The permit price remains the same regardless of your time in this region, whether 5 days or 15 days.
- Entering the permit details at all counters along the trail is essential. This is vital for your safety on the trail, so please do not miss any counter.
- You can easily get these permits from the Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. An alternative would be getting the permit from Monjo village that comes right after Lukla and Phakding.
When Is The Best Time To Go Trek To Gokyo Lakes?
Each season has pros, and you can explore a different dimension of beauty with every season in the Everest region. However, like the rest of the trekking trails in Nepal, Autumn and Spring are the most favorable trekking seasons. Offering the best of views, clear blue skies, and favorable trek weather makes spring and autumn the best time to do the Gokyo trek.
Monsoon accompanies Summer in Nepal, and monsoon possesses its challenges, including; wet and slippery trails, bugs, and leeches. You can still trek to the Gokyo lakes during summer with prior management and a dedicated effort.
Winter is considered the off-season to travel to the Gokyo lakes. If you plan to trek to the Gokyo lake during winter, you must amend your packing list and be well equipped to handle frosty climates as the temperature drops below -15 celsius. Apart from the seasonal challenges, you experience clear blue skies and majestic views of the snow-covered mountains. You don’t have to worry about accommodations during winter, as the trails are quite empty, and teahouses are also free.
Hence, the Spring and Autumn, i.e., March to May and October to November, have to be the best time to trek to Gokyo lakes. If you are a beginner, we recommend the trek to the Gokyo lakes during the most favorable time.
Conclusion
The Gokyo Lakes trek can be one of the best experiences of your life as it is one of the best trekking in Nepal. The Gokyo Lake trek is full of breathtaking views of numerous turquoise and glacial lakes, surrounded by majestic mountains. It is doable throughout the year. However, spring and autumn are preferable, offering a clear view of the pristine lakes, glaciers, and mountains.
Isn’t it amusing to trek to the highest Lake system comprising 6 lakes? Your trekking experience can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life if you pick a well-equipped trek agency in Nepal. If you plan to trek to the Gokyo Lakes, refer to this article and connect with Hillary Step Trek.
FAQs Of Gokyo Lakes Trek In Nepal
Some of the frequently asked questions regarding the Gokyo Lake trek in Nepal are discussed below in detail.
How Many Lakes Are There In Gokyo?
There is a total of 19 Lakes in Gokyo.
How Do You Get To Gokyo Lake?
There are numerous ways to reach Gokyo Lakes. You can take a flight or helicopter ride to Lukla, or you can take a bus to Jiri from Kathmandu and then walk to the Gokyo Lakes.
Is The Gokyo Lake Trek Worth It?
The effort to climb to Gokyo Lake is going to be worth it. You get an all-encompassing view of the Everest range, Cho Oyo, and a huge glacier named Ngozumpa glacier.
How long does it take to reach Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek?
Normally, it takes about 10-13 days to reach the Gokyo LAkes from Kathmandu. However, the time also depends on the trekkers and their chosen route.
How Hard Is Gokyo Trek?
Trek to the Gokyo lakes is moderately difficult. You need decent physical fitness as you will walk 5-6 hours on a difficult trail encompassing rugged trails, steep terrains, and high passes.
How long is the Gokyo Lake Trek?
The total distance of the Gokyo Ri trek is 15.5 km and the trek duration will be about 6 hours depending on the route. And the highest altitude of the Gokyo lake trek is 4790m.
Is Gokyo Lake Frozen In April?
Yes, the Gokyo lake stays frozen during the month of March-April.
Do I need to do acclimatization during the Namche & Gokyo?
Yes, we highly suggest two places for acclimatization to complete the EBC trek (Namche, Gokyo).
Is there Bank, ATM & Money exchange available during the Gokyo lake trek?
You will find a couple of banks along the way, including ATMs & Money Exchange (Lukla & Namche), However, the exchange rates are lower in Kathmandu, so make sure you carry enough cash from Kathmandu while trekking to the Gokyo Lakes.
What documents do I need for the Gokyo Renjo La Pass trek?
After the advance deposit, you must submit the following documents via WhatsApp or email.
- A Copy of Passport copy
- P.P size Photos
- Flight details (Arriving and Departure date)
- Travel insurance which should include emergency evacuation
