Trek Grade
Gokyo Lake Trek can be considered a moderately challenging trek that requires to cover a total of about 98 km in the duration of 2 weeks. Moreover, the path is rugged, with various steep ups and downs on difficult topography. You will be required to walk on the glacial moraines, which are full of boulders, stones, and scree. The meandering routes passing the verdant meadows and lush forest in an unfamiliar environment can be a huge difficulty factor in itself.
Moreover, the Gokyo Lake trek demands approximately 6 to 8 hours of hiking daily to cover about 10 to 15 km per day. The back-and-forth ascent and descent can be physically taxing. Likewise, this trek will elevate you to a huge altitude of 5360 m at Gokyo Ri. The altitude sickness on a high-altitude trek can be vulnerable to trekkers. Even though the trek is categorized as moderately difficult, taking precautions and opting for safety measures can make this trek a lot more comfortable. Moreover, the Gokyo Lake trek offers you an incredible opportunity to surround yourself with mountains and witness the splendor of Gokyo Lakes.
Is This Trek Suitable For Me?
The Gokyo Lake trek may seem macabre to you. But once you overcome a few challenging elements, this trek is a breeze. To overcome those factors, you will need a good level of physical fitness with some mental resilience. Moreover, this trek does not require any prior experience, so even budding trekkers can attempt it.
However, if you have some health issues relating to the heart, pulmonary, and joints, then we do not encourage you to embark on this trek. You can consult your doctors, and if they give you a green signal, then you can plan your Gokyo Lake trek.
Necessary Preparations for Gokyo Lake Trek
It is better to prepare yourself beforehand if you are planning to embark on the Gokyo Lake trek. You should at least target for having one month of physical training. Since the trek demands a good level of physical fitness, you should be consistent with the training sessions. Initially, you can go easy on yourself with some light exercises. However, as you progress with the sessions, you will need to advance your training too. So, try engaging in cardiovascular workouts and labor-intensive activities such as jogging, cycling, brisk walking, and running to increase your muscle strength and boost your stamina.
If you are a novice trekker, then it is recommended to go to the high-altitude hikes so that you can have a general overview of the trek. This will skyrocket your confidence and make you comfortable with back and forth in the higher elevations.
Preparing physically is not enough. You should prioritize preparing yourself mentally, too. Trekking can be taxing, so you have to build a strong mindset about completing the trek. You should not be intimidated by the difficulties factor but should have an agenda of fighting against the odds.
Gokyo Lake trek can easily test your patience and wits, so you will need to maintain resilience and be calm in every situation. Additionally, you should be prepared for the long hours of walking along with limited services and amenities. Make sure that you do not keep unrealistic expectations about the trek, as high expectations can kill the joy of trekking if those expectations are not met.
Do I Get Guides and Porters?
Yes, under this 14-day Gokyo Lake trek package, you will get an experienced and knowledgeable guide who will help you throughout the journey. They can act as the mediator between you and the local people. Moreover, they are well trained in basic first aid, so, in case of emergencies, they can give you immediate response. Furthermore, they will share with you various information on the history, culture, and traditions of the region to enhance your knowledge about the Khumbu region.
Likewise, we will provide you with one friendly and experienced porter for two trekkers. They will carry the weight of your luggage and equipment and ease out your trek.
Travel Insurance
Trekking to higher altitudes is full of risk. So, it is mandatory to carry travel insurance, which will mitigate the risk and share the financial burden with the insurer. Moreover, your travel insurance policy shall cover all your medical expenses, evacuation costs, hospital bills, and air ambulance. It is recommended to add the clause of cancellation since this will give you flexibility in your plans in case you have to cancel your trek due to any reason.
Accommodations and Meals
The Gokyo Lake trek takes you away from the crowded trail of the Everest base camp. So, you can expect a moderate level of facilities and services alongside the trails.
Accommodations
Teahouses and lodges are the common form of accommodation in the Gokyo Lake trek. You will be offered a twin-sharing room, which will have two or three adjacent beds. Those beds will be fully equipped with mattresses, pillows, and blankets. You can find the attached western-style bathroom at the lower altitude, but as you incline to higher elevations, you will have to adapt to the squat-style bathroom under the shared vicinity.
Meals
This package includes all 3-time meal facilities in the teahouses and lodges. However, it will not include the bar and bottled drinks along with the additional amenities of recharging, Wi-Fi, and a hot shower.
For breakfast, you can expect oatmeal, congee, soups, pancakes, cornflakes, french toast, Sel roti, paratha, Puri Tarkari, puddings, etc.
Likewise, for dinner and lunch, you can expect Daal Bhaat Tarkari, different khana sets, dumplings, momo, dhindo Gundruk, Rildok, Pasta, spaghetti, macaroni with cheese, etc.
Altitude Sickness and How to Deal With It?
The percentage of oxygen in the air decreases with a rise in altitude. So, when trekkers come in contact with a lower level of oxygen without adapting their bodies to such thin air, then they will suffer from the pathological effect called altitude sickness. Usually, trekkers can suffer from altitude sickness above 3000 m from the sea level. Headache, nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, insomnia, etc., are the common symptoms of altitude sickness.
To avoid altitude sickness, it is very important to acclimatize properly. Our package includes the acclimatization days in which you will be going to the short hikes to adapt your body to the lower oxygen level. Moreover, it is recommended to skip hard drinks and excessive consumption of tea and coffee since it will hinder your acclimatization process.
Furthermore, it is very important to stay hydrated throughout the trek. You shall intake about 3 to 4 liters of water along with other fluids. Additionally, you should not skip meals. The staple food for Nepalese is Daal Bhaat Tarkari, which can be considered a balanced diet. So, you can try the motto of “Daal Bhaat power 24 hours”, to replenish your energy during the Gokyo lake trek.
Since the effect of altitude sickness can be gone in one to three days. It is important for you to carry medicines like Diamox to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness. Likewise, you will need to take this trek at a slow pace by taking short breaks.
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