Everest Base Camp Via Gokyo Lakes Trek

Difficulty level of the trek

The difficulty level of the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes Trek is graded as strenuous. It is due to its demanding altitude, challenging terrain, and the overall length of the journey.  

As the trek involves trekking to a higher altitude, altitude challenges remain a major concern. The total distance covered during the trek is 115 km within 14 days, with average walking hours ranging from 6 to 8 hours. 

The trails that you will walk upon are characterized by the rocky paths, steep ascents, and glacial sections. As you ascend to the higher elevation, you will encounter more rugged landscapes. Proper planning and training are recommended to improve your trekking experience. 

Best time to go

The best time to go for Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes trekking is during the months of March to May and September to November. It is because during the months of March, April, and May, the temperatures are mild, the skies become clear, and the daylight hours are longer. Also, during this season, the rhododendron and other wildflowers bloom. 

The months of September, October, and November are characterized by stable weather conditions, cooler temperatures, and low precipitation rates. The skies become clear and give the unobstructed views of the Everest Himalayan range. 

There is one disadvantage to trekking in these months, and that is the high Everest Base Camp Trekking via Gokyo Lakes cost. If you are looking for more affordable rates, then you can go on the months like December to February. The temperatures are cold but with proper gear, it is manageable.  

Food and accommodation

While you are in the city, you will have a wide range of accommodation options, ranging from star hotels to luxurious rooms with attached bathrooms and various amenities. The food options also range from international to Nepali cuisines. 

However, the things in the remote locations are not as easy as in the city. The majority of the EBC trek via Gokyo Lakes is in remote locations. So, the accommodations with facilities may range from basic in higher altitudes to standard in lower altitudes. 

The food options include

• Breakfast: Eggs (any style), bread or flatbread with jam, Porridge, muesli, pancakes, Tibetan bread, Hot beverages like tea or coffee and so on
• Lunch: Dal Bhat (a staple meal of rice, lentil soup, and vegetables), noodles, pasta, sandwiches, momos (dumplings), fried rice, or local specialties like Veg Shakpa (sherpa stew), and more.
• Dinner: Dal Bhat, soups, curries with rice, pizzas, various noodle dishes, etc.
• Desserts: chocolate or rice puddings

Toilet and shower facilities

In most of the teahouses during EBC via Gokyo Lakes Trek, the squat toilets are available. New lodges may have western-style toilets with flushes. Only luxury lodges provide attached bathrooms. Also, many teahouses may not provide toilet paper, so it is advisable to carry your own. 

In terms of shower facilities, you can get the facilities at the various points of the trek up to Gorakshep. The most common type of shower is a bucket shower, where hot water in a bucket is provided in the shower room. The price of a hot shower increases as you ascend to the higher altitudes. 

Telephone, internet and electricity

The coverage of mobile networks is decent up to Gorakshep. You can make calls and use mobile data for internet access. The mobile connections are generally good in the lower altitudes and become weak in higher altitudes. There may be potential communication gaps. 

Besides it, there are some teahouses and lodges along the trek that provide wifi services. However, the reliability and speed of the connections may vary according to the altitude levels. As an alternative, you can use Everest Link. 

The electricity is available throughout the trek. The sources may differ, as hydroelectric power is the major source in lower regions and solar power becomes more common in higher altitudes. The charges are costly and are usually available in communal charging areas. 

Note: The cost of the internet, telephone, and charging facilities is not included in the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes Trek cost. For more information, you can talk to our representatives. 

Weather and temperature

The weather conditions become favourable in the months like March, April, May, September, October, and November. The weather conditions and temperatures of these months are given below. 

• In March, daytime temperatures range from -2°C to 0°C (28.4°F to 32°F) and nighttime temperatures range from drop to -12°C (10.4°F). The skies become clear with occasional snowfall that can occur. 
• In April, the daytime temperatures are typically between -5°C and 5°C (23°F to 41°F) and nighttime temperatures fall around -10°C (14°F). The weather conditions are stable and mountain views can be clearly seen. 
• In May, the daytime temperature ranges from 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F) and nighttime temperatures can drop to around -5°C (23°F). The cloud cover increases in the afternoon with clear mornings. 
• In September, the daytime temperatures are generally mild, around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F) and the nighttime temperatures are approximately -5°C to 0°C (23°F to 32°F). 
• In October, the daytime temperature can reach up to 10°C (50°F), while nights drop to around -5°C (23°F). The skies are clear and overall weather conditions are stable.
• In November, the temperatures begin to drop further, with daytime highs around 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F) and nighttime lows potentially reaching -10°C (14°F). The overall weather conditions are stable and you can still enjoy the unobstructed views. 

Permits and passes

The permits and passes required for the EBC trekking via Gokyo Lakes are Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit. You can obtain the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit at the Nepal Tourism Board office.

The documents needed for the permits are a valid passport and passport-sized photos, and payment for the permits is required. All these permits are generally valid for one entry and needed to show at various checkpoints during the trek. 

The cost of the sagarmatha national park entry permit is NPR 3,000 (around USD 24) for foreigners and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit is NPR 2,000 (about USD 16). The permit expenses are included in the Everest Base Camp trek via gokyo Lakes cost inclusions. 

Flight, transportation and luggage

When going on the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek, you should be serious about flight prebookings, transportation planning, and luggage packing. Below is some useful information regarding flight transportation and luggage for the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek.

International and internal flights: If you are traveling from abroad, then you will need a visa and passport to enter Nepal. Visa on arrival is only for some countries. So, check your eligibility for the visa on arrival before booking the flight. You can carry 23 kg, including your hold baggage and hand luggage, on your international flight. If you choose to travel to Lukla via flight, then you can carry up to 15 kg for the internal flights. For the extra weight of the duffel bag or day pack, you have to pay an extra amount of money.

Luggage needed for the trek: You must have a duffel bag of 80L capacity and a 50-65L backpack is enough for carrying essential equipment like gear and other items. Typically, the porter will carry the duffel bag while you are responsible for carrying your backpack. You may need a small, 20–30-liter day backpack to carry your essentials during the day’s hike.

Altitude sickness issues and acclimatization

The maximum altitude that you will reach during the EBC via Gokyo Lakes Trekking is 5555 meters, which is Kala Patthar. The oxygen levels at these heights are about half of what they are at sea level. 
When the body struggles to adapt to reduced oxygen levels at higher altitudes, then it shows signals informing of symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening conditions.  

Some of the symptoms of altitude sickness issues are headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, persistent coughing, shortness of breath, etc. The strategies to avoid the conditions are Gradual Ascent, Incorporate rest days into the Everest Base Camp Trekking via gokyo Lakes itinerary, Climb High & Sleep Low, Stay Hydrated, Listen to Your Body, having a balanced diet and more. 

Gear, equipment and essentials

While trekking to the base camp, various types of gear and equipment are needed. Some of them are listed below. 

• Clothing essentials like synthetic thermal tops and bottoms, lightweight fleece or down jackets, waterproof and windproof jackets and trousers, trekking pants, moisture-wicking trekking socks, wide-brimmed hats, and more. 
• Footwear like sturdy, waterproof boots, lightweight shoes or sandals, gaiters, and so on. 
• Sleeping gears like sleeping bag and sleeping liner
• Trekking gear like 50-65L backpacks, daypacks (20-22L) for daily essentials, trekking poles, a water purification system, a headlamp/flashlight, and so on. 
• Safety and navigational items like first aid kits, personal locator beacons (PLB), Everest base camp trek via Gokyo Lakes map/GPS devices, and so on.
• Additional essentials like sun protection, food supplies, a power bank or solar charger, travel insurance documentation, and so on.

Customize Itineraries and Trip Extensions

The Everest Gokyo Lake Trek itinerary can be customized and trips can be extended further based on your preferences and fitness level. The customization of the trek itinerary means extra days for acclimatization days, side trips to nearby landmarks, and so on. 

The trip extensions include visiting the nearby villages, monasteries, or viewpoints, or even extending your trek to include other destinations. As a mystic adventure representative, we will organize, customize, and extend your trekking journey through the Himalayas. 

Group Leader and Crew in the Trek

Our certified trekking guide will assist you during your Everest-Gokyo Lake trek. We also provide sherpa staff for carrying your heavy baggage and one porter will carry the luggage of two guests. 

Tips to make the trek smooth

• Doble checks all the gear and clothing before embarking on the trek.
• Carry a reusable water bottle and fill it in the lodges or tea shops along the route. It will save you a lot of money and also keep the environment clean.
• You may not find ATMs beyond Namche Bazar, so withdraw enough cash to use further on the trail.
• Do know that you may have to pay a few extra bucks to use services like WiFi, hot showers, and charging booths at some places.
• Carry a Nepali SIM card to use cellular data on the way (the network may not be stable all the time).
• Carry extra batteries or a solar charger.
• You can tip any amount you like to the crew members. To give you a general idea, this is what we recommend: USD 150 to 200 to the porter & guide, USD 5 to the tour guide, and USD 2 to the driver.
• Always walk on the mountainside, especially when yaks and mules are passing by.
• Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Hydration is the key to avoiding altitude sickness.
• Always say namaste to the locals, touching both palms and bending a little.