Gokyo Lake Trek

Gokyo Lake trek is 14 days of moderate trekking in the Everest region of Nepal. You will spend the full 10 days in the Everest region to get the Gokyo Lake trek location and three days in Kathmandu.  The 14^th day or the last day is for departure from Nepal. Following the Gokyo lake trek route different than route to the Everest base camp, you will reach Gokyo lake on the seventh day of your trek. Entering Lukla on the second day of Gokyo lake trekking via Lukla flight you will trek to Phakding, Namche bazzar, Dole, and Macherma and explore Gokyo. The next day you will climb Gokyo Ri and trek down to Phortse. Following the trial to Manjo and Lukla, you will return to Kathmandu.

Information on the Gokyo Lake trek

Visa

You need 15 days visa for Gokyo lake trekking. Depending on your holiday duration you can take visa of your choice. Nepal visa on arrival can be obtained from Tribhuvan international airport, Kathmandu. Also you can get a Tourist visa from your nearby Nepal embassy.

Accommodation

You will get the best hotel for night stay in Kathmandu. During the trekking time teahouses with clean room and best hospitality will be available. Attached room are available in Phakding, Namche and Lukla. In higher elevation like Dole (4230m), Macherma (4470m), Gokyo (4790m) and Phortse (3840m) you will get bathroom outside the bedroom.

Meal

Gokyo lake trekking package provides three meals per day. Breakfast, Lunch and dinner. In breakfast you will get tea/coffee, bread items, potato, jam/butter, egg items, or porridge. Lunch and dinner items varies in tea houses. Generally you will get Nepali thali (dal, rice, curry, pickles, pappad), momo, chowmein, noodles, pizza and macroni in Lunch and dinner.

Trek preparation

You should be well prepared to reach the highest elevation Gokyo Peak (5330m) during Gokyo Lake trekking. You can follow given steps to prepare for Gokyo trekking:

• Regular physical exercises, squats, training, and walking for 2, to 3 hours a day before two months of trekking.
• Short hiking in the mountains to know the mountain trail and acclimatize your body.
• Cycling, swimming to make your muscles strong
• Packing all the essentials required for trekking

Internet and network

You will get internet and network throughout the trek except for Macherma and Gokyo.  You should buy either Ncell or Ntc sim card for the network or data card for the Internet. You can get Wi-Fi in teahouses but you should give an extra charge for using the internet service.

Drinking water

Always use mineral water or hot water during the trek. You should have water bottle with you so that you can fill bottle before leaving the tea house. Never use water from spring and river, you may become sick due to unsafe water.

Clothings

You should use warm clothes in the Everest region trekking in both spring and autumn seasons. Even though both spring and autumn are best seasons for trekking in the Everest region but you should have warm clothings for night. If weather changes and rainfall or snowfall occurs then the temperature falls below 0 Degrees celcius. The required clothings for Gokyo lake trek are listed below.

• Warm jacket – down jacket,
• Water and windproof jacket (alternatively bring a poncho or umbrella)
• Long sleeved synthetic fleece (windproof material, if possible)
• Thermal underwear.
• Hat, a pair of gloves and a scarf.
• Comfortable hiking trousers (loose fitting)
• Shorts and trousers, or a skirt.
• 2 pairs of warm wool-blend socks.
• 2 pairs of running socks or liner socks.
• Proper hiking boots.
• Running shoes and flip-flops.
• 2-3 T-shirts.
• Water bottle.

Altitude Sickness

Gokyo lake trek covers 5330m altitude and bears high chance of altitude sickness. It is necessary to know about the altitude sickness before starting the trek.

Altitude sickness is a kind of illness that is caused by ascent to high altitudes. The symptoms will occur within 6 to 24 hours of achieving a high altitude. Altitude sickness is fatal and can result in death if not treated in time. You need to stay alert to any of the symptoms that occur.

Symptoms of Altitude sickness

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Upset stomach
• Feeling unsteady
• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Difficulty sleeping

An effective measure to recover from early AMS

If you happen to notice any of the symptoms, follow the guideline mentioned below-

• Do not climb any higher for the next 48 hours
• Descend to a lower altitude if possible
• Take complete rest until you feel well
• Do not exercise
• Do not smoke
• Drink plenty of water
• Take external oxygen supply if necessary
• Take anti-sickness medicines

If you see no improvement in your health within 48 hours, you will have to be immediately deported to the city for medical support.

Preventive Measures

There is no way to train your body prior to trekking so as to adapt to the high altitude. Some ways in which you can prevent it are as follows:

• Take plenty of rest
• Ascend slowly and gradually as you reach higher
• keep yourself hydrated
• Eat high-calorie food
• Do not smoke, drink or consume tranquilizing medicines

Insurance

You may face emergencies during the Gokyo lake trek. In case of emergencies like acute altitude sickness or a natural calamity, you might have to be immediately deported in a helicopter. The cost of such deportation is covered by travel insurance that needs to be purchased before you start the trek.

Trekking option

• Solo trekking with a private guide and porter.
• Trekking with the Only Guide.
• Trekking with Guide cum porter.
• Trekking with Group with guide & Porter.