Gokyo Lake Trek

The Gokyo Lake trek begins and concludes with a 35 minute internal flight from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport to the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,860m). Unquestionably one of the world's most dramatic air strips, Lukla runway is short and slopes sharply uphill against a mountain face; landing is easily as breathtaking as any other part of the trek. All domestic flights are run by official Nepali carriers such as Tara Air, Summit Air, and Sita Air and fly typically between 6-8 AM before the valley mist rolls in and cross winds create unsafe conditions. Check in at the domestic terminal will normally begin around 5 AM so be prepared for an early departure from your hotel. Nepal Adventure Holidays arranges all domestic flights and connections, airport transfers and check-ins in Lukla as part of your package. Be aware that flights at Lukla can be postponed due to weather- the airport is located in a tight valley which may close suddenly and without notice. Include at least one buffer day before your outward connection.

In the peak season of April, May, October and November the Nepal authorities can divert flights due to congestion at Tribhuvan International to a mountain airstrip 5 hours east of Kathmandu at Manthali in Ramechhap. Our team will book you a private early morning car to leave Kathmandu between 2-3 AM in this instance to take you to Manthali Airport for your flight out at around 8 AM; again, the service is fully coordinated with no further hassle to you. A helicopter charter from Gokyo village or any other point on your route to Kathmandu, even in case of severe weather delays or when urgent international departure dictates, can be chartered via the Nepal Adventure Holidays office normally within a couple of hours. This varies in price between locations and group size, between US$600-1200 per flight. Emergency helicopter medical evacuation can be covered with full travel insurance, however a leisure charter costs additional money.

Your package includes all your meals during the trek – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the teahouses each day during your trek from the first day of walking in Phakding to your last night in Lukla. The menus available to eat off are usually more comprehensive than most first-time trekkers imagine. Below Namche the teahouses offer a vast variety of Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, and Western dishes such as dal bhat (rice and vegetables served with lentil soup and pickle – the Nepali staple diet), pasta, fried rice, noodle soups, Tibetan bread and honey or peanut butter, momos, a variety of cooked eggs, porridges, hotcakes with local honey and a great array of hot beverages. You will always be able to get a vegetarian option on the entire trail and at all altitudes. Dal bhat is practical at higher altitudes because it is carbohydrate rich, easy to digest and is freely topped up at most teahouses; which is necessary after 6 hours walking. Breakfast is typically eaten at between 6 and 7am, and you can have things such as porridges, toast, eggs and muesli with hot milk. Packed lunches can be provided upon request for days when you trek for long periods without a tea house on the trail.

The menu becomes restricted, and costs rise, noticeably above Machhermo – as food has to be brought up on the back of yaks or porters above 4,500 m (which is reflected in the tea house's charge) at Gokyo you'll have the same restricted menu where your diet consists of hot and warming stews. Above 4,000 m it is highly advisable to have garlic soup, the claim that it helps with acclimatisation may be mainly based on conjecture, however it is filling, warms you up and makes a popular broth for a good reason. Hot, fresh food must be eaten at all times above 4,000m, where cold food/re-heated food risks being difficult to digest which causes more severe issues at altitude than sea level. Beverages, bottled water, desserts, juices, beers and shower costs will be charged locally, separate from the package price, and paid directly at the teahouse. You will be provided with water purification tablets by Nepal Adventure Holidays - utilize these rather than buy water at higher altitudes where it is often three to four times the cost as in Kathmandu. A UV pen water purifier is another excellent option if you are against using chemical pills.

The package includes all of the meals provided during your trek: these include breakfast, lunch and dinner from the teahouses throughout the trek (starting from your first walking day in Phakding through to your final night in Lukla). There is a more comprehensive range of choices on the menus than most first time trekkers are expecting. Below Namche the teahouse menu includes an entire range of Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian and Western cuisine including dal bhat (a bowl of rice with lentil soup and vegetables with pickled relish – the standard Nepalese dish), pasta, fried rice, noodle soups, Tibetan bread with either honey or peanut butter, momos (dumplings), eggs (cooked in many styles), porridge, pancakes with local honey, and many varieties of hot drink. The menu on this route is always guaranteed to have good variety and is fully vegetarian friendly at all altitudes on the route. Dal bhat has to be a pragmatic option at altitude: it is carbohydrate heavy and easily digestible and the tea houses refill your plate for free, which is a significant benefit when you've been walking for 6 hours! Your breakfast is usually served between 6-7 am and includes your choices of porridge, toast, eggs or muesli and hot milk. If you're unable to stop to have lunch at a teahouse on that day (on days where there is less choice along the route) packed lunches can be provided.

Above Machhermo the range of food choices on the menu becomes significantly reduced, and the prices are noticeably higher-everything above 4,500m is carried either by yak or porters and as such you will have to pay a higher amount for meals in the teahouses. Once in Gokyo village you'll find the choices further reduced and limited to mostly hot, hearty dishes. Garlic soup is often recommended above 4,000 m; while it is unlikely there is concrete evidence for its benefit in relation to altitude sickness, the evidence seems mostly to be anecdotal. Regardless, the soup is filling, hot and undeniably nutritious. When above 4,000 m always eat hot food that has been freshly cooked to avoid a risk of stomach problems which are more severe than they are at sea level. Your drinks (including bottled water, mineral water, juices, soda drinks, hot drinks and alcohol), desserts and the charge for a hot shower are all separate costs from your package, which you will pay directly at the tea houses. You will be provided with water purifying tablets by Nepal Adventure Holidays-use these to purify any tap or stream water to save on paying inflated prices for bottled water when trekking at altitude, which could cost 3 to 4 times the price in Kathmandu. A UV purifier pen is a good alternative if you prefer not to use chemical purification tablets.

All trekking permits are included in your package and prepared by our team before departure. You do not need to arrange anything separately. The required permits are:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: checked at Monjo gate between Phakding and Namche

• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit: checked at Lukla and various points on the route

• TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): included for all package trekkers

Carry permits on your person at all times — do not leave them in your porter's duffel bag

The Gokyo Lakes Trek is a moderately difficult trek, which can be completed by anyone with reasonable physical fitness and adequate preparation. There are no technical climbing skills needed, no ropes, no crampons or other climbing equipment-it is purely a trek. Daily trekking distances are between roughly 8km on the shortest rest days and the way down, and between 14km to 16km on the longer trekking days approaching the Gokyo Lakes. Walking time each day is between 3-4 hours on short, non-walking days to 7-8 hours on the longest trekking days (Days 3, 5, 6 and 11). Terrain is a mix of broad, reasonably flat valley walks at the lower end of the Khumbu and steep, rugged uphill climbs above the tree-line, before reaching the steep and exposed ridgelines above 4,500m. 

The trek up Gokyo Ri is the toughest part: steep and rocky and at an altitude at which every step demands thought and effort. It is altitude-not the physical difficulty of the terrain-which is the major hurdle on this trek. The atmosphere at 5,357m contains approximately half the amount of oxygen as at sea level, and simple daily activities, like putting on socks and climbing a flight of stairs, need conscious thought. Most people unable to complete the trek usually do so on account of altitude, rather than their physical fitness. The 3 most important factors contributing to success are cardiovascular conditioning, the ability and willingness to move slowly, and rigorous adherence to the acclimatization schedule.

The single most important factor in safely completing the Gokyo Lake trek is correct acclimatization. The itinerary includes one specific acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar (Day 4); the visit to the Sherpa village of Khumjung and Everest View Hotel (3880m) is itself an acclimatization process. This involves the standard 'climb high, sleep low' practice, whereby one reaches a higher altitude during the day, encouraging the blood to produce more red cells, before returning to the previous, lower, base to sleep. The ability of the body to transport oxygen to the muscles and organs increases noticeably with each successfully executed cycle of acclimatization. Beyond this dedicated rest day, all other days' elevations are managed carefully so that the net gain in sleeping elevation between those at 3000m and above never exceeds 300m to 500m per night - the official rate for safe high altitude progression. Particularly critical are the day walks between Dole and Gokyo. 

The gain from 4110m to 4470m at Machhermo and 4790m at Gokyo has been split between two days. Anyone waking up feeling ill at any altitude above 3500m must immediately inform his/her guide; a day off here saves far more time later by preventing an inevitable higher altitude evacuation. Keep well hydrated, aim to drink between three and four litres of water per day at all altitudes, do not drink alcohol at any altitude higher than Namche Bazaar, take no sleeping tablets at any altitude, and do not trek ahead of your guide; they will assess every trekker each day and will not allow those with active altitude symptoms to climb higher.

 Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a common condition that can occur above 2,500 meters due to reduced oxygen levels at higher altitudes. It affects trekkers regardless of age, fitness level, or experience. AMS develops when the body ascends too quickly and cannot properly acclimatize. While mild AMS is common and usually manageable, ignoring symptoms can lead to severe and life-threatening conditions such as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), which require immediate descent.

Symptoms of AMS

• Persistent headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Fatigue or weakness

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

• Shortness of breath even at rest (in some cases)

Preventive Measures

• Ascend slowly and follow a well-planned itinerary (like the 13 Gokyo lake Trek )

• Take regular acclimatization days (Namche Bazaar)

• Drink 3–4 liters of water daily to stay hydrated

• Eat high-carbohydrate meals (dal bhat, pasta, rice, potatoes)

• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and sleeping pills

• Keep your body warm and avoid overexertion

• Walk at a steady, comfortable pace (“slow and steady” rule)

• Sleep at lower elevation when possible (“climb high, sleep low” principle)

• Consider preventive medication like Diamox only after medical advice

• Inform your guide immediately if symptoms appear

Treatment During Trekking

• Do not ascend further if symptoms appear (this is the most important rule)

• Rest at the same altitude for 24–48 hours to allow acclimatization

• Drink plenty of fluids and maintain light, easy meals

• Use mild pain relief for headache (as advised by a guide or medical professional)

• Oxygen support may be provided in serious cases

• If symptoms worsen, immediate descent is mandatory (even 500–1000 meters can improve condition significantly)

• In severe cases (HAPE/HACE), evacuation by helicopter may be required

• Always follow guide instructions without delay, as early action prevents complications

Proper awareness, gradual ascent, and timely response to symptoms are the key to staying safe and successfully completing the Gokyo lake Trek.

Clothing

• Moisture-wicking base layers, top and bottom — 2 sets

• Mid-layer fleece or lightweight down jacket

• Heavy insulated down jacket rated to -15 degrees C minimum

• Waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket

• Waterproof trekking pants or zip-off convertibles

• Thermal leggings for Gokyo Ri summit and cold evenings

• Wool or synthetic trekking socks, 4 to 6 pairs

• Warm hat and balaclava for pre-dawn summit climb

• Wide-brimmed sun hat for daytime UV exposure

• Lightweight liner gloves and heavy insulated mittens

• Neck gaiter or buff

Trekking Gear

• Waterproof trekking boots, well broken in before departure

• Light camp shoes or sandals for teahouse evenings

• Collapsible trekking poles with rubber tips

• Sleeping bag rated to -15 degrees C — rental available in Kathmandu

• Daypack 25 to 30 litres for daily essentials

• Duffel bag 60 to 80 litres for the porter

• Headlamp with spare batteries — essential for the 4 AM Gokyo Ri climb

• UV400 sunglasses or glacier glasses above 4,000 m

Documents and Money

• Original passport valid at least 6 months beyond return date

• Nepal tourist visa — obtained on arrival in Kathmandu

• Travel insurance documents and emergency assistance number — printed copy

• Enough USD cash for visa, tips, drinks, hot showers, and incidentals

• Photocopies of all documents stored separately from originals

Personal Items and Medicine

• Sunscreen SPF 50 or higher — reapply frequently above 4,000 m

• Lip balm with SPF

• Hand sanitizer and biodegradable soap

• Personal toilet paper and wet wipes

• Microfiber towel

• Diamox (Acetazolamide) — consult your doctor

• Ibuprofen or paracetamol for headaches

• Oral rehydration salts

• Antidiarrheal medication

• Blister plasters and moleskin

• Antiseptic cream and bandages

Electronics

• Camera or smartphone with spare memory cards

• Power bank 20,000 mAh or higher — charging at teahouses costs extra and is unreliable above 4,500 m

• Universal adapter — Nepal uses Type C, D, and M plugs

From a safety/navigation point of view, the guide's support is vital. All of our guides are trained first-aiders and also trained to deal with AMS.

Safety on the Gokyo Lakes trek is a team effort between you, your guide, and your support team. We take safety seriously at Nepal Adventure Holidays, in the quality of guides we employ, in the acclimatisation program we operate, and in the emergency procedures our support team are rigorously trained to before every trek. Knowing what to do before you set off from home will assist greatly in knowing how to react if something goes wrong en-route. All trekking guides with Nepal Adventure Holidays are licensed by the Nepal Tourism Board, trained in Wilderness First Aid and acute mountain sickness treatment, and are equipped with a full emergency medical kit on every trek. 

Not only are our guides intimately familiar with the trail but also with the nuances and practical considerations of leading a group; when to slow the pace, when to recommend a further rest day, and crucially when to advise descent are learned with years of trekking experience in the Khumbu. You will be given a full brief on emergency procedures on day 1 of your trip in Kathmandu. In case of disagreement on pace, acclimatisation and your well being, your guide's opinion supersedes your own - we design it to do this as we find our guides are better placed to judge early onset of altitude symptoms.

Travel insurance is required for this trek and not included in the package. You should take a policy that covers high-altitude trekking to a minimum of 6000m and emergency helicopter evacuation. The charge for the helicopter ride from Gokyo to Kathmandu would be around $3,000 to $5,000 without insurance. Take your policy with you and also its emergency assistance numbers. The copy of the policy should be left at our office before leaving for Lukla. Insurance providers such as World Nomads, Covermore, Battleface are suggested.

The thirteen days of high altitude trekking, glacial lakes and Himalayan panoramas most who reach the Khumbu never experience, the Gokyo Lake Trek offers an alternative to Everest Base Camp. The route is more solitary, the terrain varied and the summit of Gokyo Ri presents unparalleled views of no less than four 8000m peaks, which for a viewpoint, quite frankly, is a bit much for anywhere else in Nepal.

This is not a trip to be lightly taken. Above Machhermo, altitude becomes a tangible, time-taking and energy-demanding presence. But then again, the payoff - the iridescent glow of the third lake at dawn, the colossal scale of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the absolute stillness of the upper valley - is worth so much more, and if that doesn't make up for it, then thousands of people who have trodden this route tell us all the time, 'I wish I had done it years ago'.

Our packages include airport pickup, permits and porter hire through to your return journey. Intimate groups, skilled Sherpa guides and walks that are mindful of altitude, if you're dreaming of this trek, don't put it off any longer.