Allow us to start this text with a disclaimer: we aren’t avid trekkers. Actually, 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 beloved 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 conventional 12-day trek. No siree. We needed to make it a tad harder for ourselves. We added a aspect journey to Gokyo Lakes – and we’re so glad we did. It was the spotlight of our trek in Nepal!
Listed here are just a few steadily requested questions in regards to 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 among the world’s highest freshwater lakes.
The lakes are located within the lovely Sagarmatha Nationwide Park, which can also be house to Mount Everest. Trekkers usually go to Gokyo Lakes as a aspect 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 gives among the most unimaginable views of Mt Everest and Cho Oyu you can find.
The views are arguably even higher than Kalapathar, which is the preferred viewpoint alongside the normal EBC trek route. Sadly, we didn’t get nice views of Mt Everest once we climbed Gokyo Ri attributable to poor climate, nevertheless it was nonetheless an awesome climb.
We additionally beloved that there have been virtually no different trekkers on the Gokyo Lakes route.
The Gokyo Lakes aspect journey remains to be a reasonably quiet route, which implies you may usually stroll a few hours with out seeing different individuals. The standard EBC trek route is fairly crowded, which may take away from the ambiance at occasions.
The Gokyo Lakes aspect journey can also be a rewarding further problem. Climbing Gokyo Ri and crossing the Cho La Cross are two of the toughest issues we now have ever carried out, however we have been so pleased with ourselves as soon as we had carried out it. You’ll have to push your self, however additionally, you will be rewarded in your efforts.
How Do I Get to Gokyo Lakes?
Most individuals go to Gokyo Lakes as a aspect journey on the best way 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 just isn’t 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 aspect of a mountain. We had one false runway begin earlier than we lastly took off.
The surroundings in the course of the flight is spectacular, however the touchdown is quite hair-raising. The Lukla airport is about into the aspect of a mountain and there’s just about no descent. We’d describe the ‘runway’ extra as a driveway with a slight incline.
If flying isn’t for you, it’s also potential to catch a bus from Kathmandu to Jiri. From Jiri, it’s an additional 7-day’s trek to Lukla.
From Lukla, you’ll steadily ascend via the Khumbu Valley alongside the same old EBC trek route. After Namche Bazaar you’ll peel off the primary EBC trek route in the direction of Gokyo Lakes.
You’ll cross the Cho La go after visiting Gokyo Lakes to rejoin the primary EBC trek route. The itinerary we adopted is about out beneath.
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 may 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 would find yourself with altitude illness.
Altitude illness is doubtlessly lethal, and the one remedy is to move again all the way down to a decrease altitude. Take heed to your physique and descend in the event you begin feeling the consequences 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 Cross (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 best way. You made must have further acclimatization days or there could also be delays attributable to unhealthy climate. We virtually obtained caught at Dragnag for a whole day attributable to an in a single day blizzard!
Ought to I Use a Tour Firm?
For non-trekkers (like ourselves), it’s in all probability clever to make use of a tour firm because the Gokyo Lakes path just isn’t fairly as well-trodden as the same old EBC trek route.
Nevertheless, it’s potential to rent a information only for the trickier components of the route from lodges alongside the best way. For instance, in Dragnag you may rent a information out of your lodge simply to take you over the Cho La Cross.
We selected a small native tour firm for our trek known as Base Camp Journey Treks & Expedition. Our 15 day/16 night time trek price US$1240 per particular person.
This included flights to Lukla, a information, a porter, lodging, meals and park entrance charges. General, we have been fairly proud of their service. We suggest buying round, studying on-line opinions and talking to a couple completely different corporations to select the proper one for you.
For extra skilled trekkers, this route is unquestionably achievable with no information or porter.
You should be in good condition to sort out the Gokyo trek. It’s categorized as moderatly troublesome, however because of the 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 aircraft 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 degree.
There are lots of hikes in Nepal. A number of the finest embrace the hike to Gokyo Lakes, Annapurna Circuit, trek to Everest Base Camp, and Annapurna Base Camp.
In Conclusion
Climbing within the towering mountains of Nepal is an exhilarating expertise, one that you just’ll always remember. Whereas the wonder may be mesmerizing, it’s vital to be correctly ready for the mountains. Hiring a information is an effective way to help the native financial system, and guarantee you may have a secure and wholesome trek. Get pleasure from!
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