Curious about the Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty? Genuinely speaking, the trek to the Gokyo Lake Trek is not a strenuous trek. In comparison to the other familiar Everest Base Camp trek, Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek, the Gokyo Lake trek is far more comfortable and doable. With a fair fitness level and stamina, people of all age groups can successfully complete this moderate Gokyo Lake Trek.
However, saying all this definitely does not mean that it is an easy-grade trek. Located at an elevation of 5357 meters, a trek to the Gokyo ri is never an easy job.
With various other hurdles, this high-altitude Everest Region trek also brings several ups and downs on your way to make the walk a bit challenging. But everything that comes with challenges leaves you with beautiful memories for the rest of your life.
You might have already heard much about William Penn saying “No cross, no crown.” This proverb matches very much with anyone daring any of the trekking in Nepal. In the case of the Gokyo Lakes Trekkers, how can this proverb come as an exception? It is equally applicable to Gokyo RI trekkers too.
It doesn’t matter how hard is the Gokyo Lake Trek. The ethnic villages, spectacular mountain ranges, deep gorges, and cascading waterfalls are always on your trails to mesmerize you.
Trekking for a while on the trails of the Gokyo lakes, the views of Cho-Oyu, Amadablam, Everest, Thamserku, and other beautiful mountains greet you from all around.
Venturing into the sub-tropical vegetation to the alpine, the trails give you ample opportunity to observe the diverse vegetation and wildlife of the Khumbu region. Furthermore, a glimpse of the lifestyle and culture of the ethnic Sherpas during the trek makes all the struggle worth it.
Is Gokyo Lake and Gokyo RI Trek not for the novice trekker?
No, technical equipment or previous trekking experience is required for the Gokyo Lake Trek. Thus Gokyo Trek is well-suited for all types of trekking enthusiasts. From the beginner trekker to the experienced one, this Everest Region trek is doable by anyone.
But when there arises the question regarding the Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty level, the trek remains normally easy for experienced trekkers. Meanwhile, the novice trekker may find it quite daunting. But, as far as you hold the willingness and determination to conquer the trek, there comes nothing like an impossibility on your way.
How difficult is the Gokyo Lake Trek?
No one can give the exact answer regarding the difficulty level of the trekking to Gokyo Lake. Depending upon the previous trekking experience and fitness level the Gokyo RI Trekking difficulty varies from person to person. The experienced trekker may find the trek very easy whereas for the novice trekker, it can be quite challenging.
Besides these, the trek difficulty also depends on various other factors such as distance of the trek, duration of the trek, weather and temperature, altitude sickness, budget, food and accommodation availability, and so on. But, in general, it is considered a trek of moderate-level difficulty. With a bit of preparation, patience, and endurance, the trek is achievable for all types of trekking enthusiasts.
For the detailed Gokyo RI trek difficulty information have a look at the points just below.
Duration of the Treks – Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty
Normally the Gokyo Lake trek can be completed within around 12 days. However, depending upon the different travel companies, the trek duration varies. Some design the trek itinerary of two weeks whereas others make the itinerary for more than 2 weeks. Those who want to complete the Gokyo trek within under 10 days, can do so by increasing their trekking speed. However, for this, they need to be physically and mentally quite strong and experienced. For a beginner trekker, a Gokyo Ri trek of 12-14 days is recommended.
On trekking days, normally you have to walk for around 5-6 hours per day. Well-experienced trekkers can reach the destination even earlier than the mentioned time. But, if you have no previous walking experience, to reach your destination you may have to walk on those steep trails for more than the mentioned hours. Further, upon reaching the destination, the leg pain might be the only thing that hovers around your mind. Instead of appreciating the entire day’s walking experience, your day might end up with a stressful mind.
Therefore before heading to the actual Gokyo Ri trek, it is better to have some hiking experience. Furthermore, a few months before your trek, you better join the long-distance walk on plain as well as steep trails.
Distance covered during the trek – Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty
Within around 12 days of the Gokyo trek, you will be covering a total distance of 115km. On average, you have to walk 10-15 km per day. Along with the opportunity to explore diverse flora and fauna, trekking on the Gokyo Ri Trek route is a relatively easy task. However, some parts of the trek route contain steep ups and downs which is very hard and challenging. To walk 10-15 Kilometers per day for weeks on the rough trails might be a challenging experience for the beginner trekker. Thus to adjust yourself to that walking distance, do some long and short hikes prior to the Gokyo Ri trek.
Gokyo Ri Trail difficulty
Though the trails of Gokyo Lake are comparatively less strenuous than the Everest Circuit, the trails to the Gokyo Lakes are not always smooth and sheeny. Trekking for 6-7 hours each day for around 10 days in the high-altitude region is definitely not an easy task. The meandering trails, several uphill, and downhill climbs, and the high altitude of Gokyo Ri can make you feel fatigued at times.
Detail information regarding the Trek Difficulty on the way to Gokyo Lakes
After taking the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the trek to Gokyo Lake starts from Lukla. Within a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Hillary Airport, you can reach Lukla. The trail from Lukla to Phakding is easy but from Phakding to Namche, you have to climb 3400 meters.
Climbing so many steps is undoubtedly a difficult task even for the experienced trekker. But with a bit of patience, and perseverance anyone can climb these staircases.
Heading further from Namche to Everest View Hotel, you will find the trail slightly easier than the previous day, but the afternoon hike from Phortse Thanga to Dole might again make you feel tired. But, upon reaching the Dole Hilltop, the sunset view over the spectacular mountains pays for all your hardship.
After enjoying 1 day on the Dole, the trail again takes you to Machhermo from where you will have to proceed further towards the Gokyo. After 2 hours of arduous uphill walk from Phanga, you will reach Gokyo. On this day you can determine Gokyo Lake Difficulty by yourself.
The Gokyo trek route from Machhermo to Third Lake is smooth. There are 3 hours of a steep climb from Gokyo Third Lake to Gokyo RI.
From Gokyo lakes the trail leads you through the easy trails back to Dole. Upon reaching Phortsethanga prepare yourself for the two hours of Uphill climb to reach Mongla. Where uphill climb is harsh in itself, the oxygen level at such a high altitude adds a little more difficulty.
Even though this part of the trail doesn’t offer you an easy trekking experience the trail from Machhermo to Gokyo Lakes to Gokyo RI leaves you spellbound.
Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty during the return
The return trek from Gokyo to Dole is achievable within a day and is quite easy. However, an hour of an uphill climb to Phortsethanga from Mongla makes the return a bit harsh. Further, the 10-minute uphill trek from Jorsalle to Monju is difficult. Subsequently, from Jorsalle the trail takes you through the Dudhkoshi River to Lukla. With an uphill climb, the trek from Phakding to Lukla is not simple. Upon reaching the Lukla, give some time for the soothing Hot shower bath inside the room and take the flight back to Kathmandu.
Weather and Temperature For Gokyo RI and Lakes
Weather and Temperature play a vital role in making your trekking more exciting or challenging. Temperature and weather in the high-altitude regions are quite unpredictable. Being the high altitude trek, you may experience some harsh weather challenges during the trek to the Gokyo Third Lakes.
You never know when the heavy snowfall will block your trail. Strong winds can come at times to disrupt your trek journey. Furthermore, the temperature at the higher altitudes always remains at their extreme. Though the days are warmer, at night time, the temperature can decrease below minus degrees. And spending the nights at such a temperature might be quite difficult.
However, with the essential warming gears, you can bear the cold temperature. Keeping the unpredictable weather of the higher altitude region in mind, do all the preparations and pack accordingly. Further, it is far better to trek this Khumbu region by choosing the best time of the year.
Acute Mountain Sickness or Altitude Sickness in the Gokyo Region
Are you aware of the term Acute mountain sickness? If yes, then it’s great. If not then also no worries. Reading the upcoming paragraph, make yourself clear about altitude sickness. Having an idea of the altitude sickness, to some extent helps you make your Gokyo Lake trek a lot easier.
Upon exposure of your body to the low oxygen level at a higher altitude, your body might not bear that atmospheric pressure, and you may suffer from altitude sickness. Normally, altitude sickness occurs above 3000 meters of altitude.
Nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and headache are some of the symptoms of altitude sickness. So if you notice any of those symptoms while trekking in the higher regions, you have to immediately take action. If you ignore such symptoms, altitude sickness may even take you to the phase of death.
Therefore upon noticing the altitude sickness symptoms, stop climbing further and if possible descend to the lower regions. Until you feel normal do some rest and take sufficient fluids. When the symptoms disappear, you can continue your trek. However, if you find no improvement within a day or 2, you have to make your return to the city areas and should be admitted to the hospitals for treatment.
To prevent altitude sickness, you have to maintain your pace while trekking. Avoidance of smoking and alcohol drinking is a must during the high-altitude trek. Furthermore, drinking sufficient water and taking enough soup, lentils and other fluidal things helps a lot in preventing altitude sickness. If you ignore all these preventive measures, then no matter how experienced a trekker you are, you are likely to get caught by altitude sickness.
Being the high elevation trek, there is a high risk of getting caught by altitude sickness during the Gokyo Lakes Trekking. But with all the above-mentioned precautions you can prevent altitude sickness to some extent.
The trek to Gokyo Lake starts from the lower elevation of 2805 meters at Lukla, and then each day it takes you with a mild increase of altitude. Thus compared to the popular Annapurna Base Camp trek, the risk of altitude sickness is quite High in the Gokyo Lakes trek. In the Gokyo RI trek, taking the flight from Ramechap/ Kathmandu to Lukla airport you directly reach an altitude of 2820 meters. With a gain of such high altitude within an hour, there seems high risk of altitude sickness in Everest region treks.
Food and Accommodation availability – Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty
With the presence of a number of teahouses and lodges on the trail of the Gokyo Lakes, you might never find any difficulty regarding the food and accommodation. The teahouses here serve you with the basic facilities. Someone seeking for a luxurious stay can find some luxurious lodges on the way to the Gokyo lakes. However, if you expect luxury like that of the city area then obviously it will disappoint you.
Further during the peak seasons, it becomes quite difficult to find single rooms. You may have to share the room with fellow trekkers. Moreover, the use of sharing washrooms and bathrooms is common in the teahouses. You have to adjust to that.
You may get the hot shower facility free of cost on some teahouses meaning just lukla and phakding. But be ready to pay some extra for such service on some teahouses.
If you are expecting the food and drinks options available like those of the hotels in city areas, then don’t do that. Yes, the Annapurna region serves the trekkers with a wide variety of food options. But it never matches with that of the city areas.
Gokyo Ri Treks Budget Affects Its Difficult
The budget also affects a lot in increasing or decreasing the Gokyo Ri Trekking difficulty level. If you have enough budget, then you can enjoy your trek with the available luxurious stay. However, if you have a limited budget, then spending a night with limited basic facilities can be difficult.
Furthermore, in comparison to the cost of food and accommodation in the lower altitudes, the cost of each item and service is quite expensive in the higher altitudes. With the gain of altitude, you will find the cost of every item quite expensive. But upon reaching the higher altitudes, you will appreciate all the price ranges. With no roadway facilities, the only way to transport the goods in higher altitudes is by Yaks or porters.
Compared to the other treks in Nepal, the trail of Gokyo Lake Trek consists of some more ATMs and Banks like Lukla and Namche. However, it is always recommended to carry enough cash while trekking towards remote regions.
Choose a Guided Trek instead of a Solo Trek to decrease the difficulty
The Gokyo RI trekking trail consists of various route direction boards at every location. Thus, the idea of doing the organized Gokyo Lake Trekking is absolutely great. But, if you are trekking to this region for a long time with the idea of high altitude sickness, your trek to Gokyo can be solo too. Therefore, if you choose to trek with the guide, they help to maintain your speed and also do every possible thing to make your travel a memorable one. Even during the peak season, they try their best to provide you with better accommodation service at higher altitudes.
Also for the burden-free trek, a porter is equally necessary. Climbing the staircases with a heavy backpack, makes you feel more tired and exhausted. So, when stepping into the trekking trails of Nepal, hiring of porter is a wise decision. If you trek the Gokyo Lake without a porter then on the mid-way of the trails you may find the trek more daunting. At that time if you seek a porter, then there is almost zero probability of getting the porter service there. By chance, if you succeed in finding someone, you have to pay them a high cost.
The season-wise difficulty of the treks to Gokyo Lakes
Along with two major trekking seasons, there is a total of four seasons in Nepal. They are Autumn, Spring, Winter, and Summer. With various awesomeness and difficulty levels, each of these seasons is special. No matter, which season you choose for the Gokyo Lake Trek, you will find some kind of difficulty in each season.
What type of difficulty you might find while trekking to the Gokyo Lake during the Autumn and Spring seasons?
The moderate temperature and stable weather make Autumn and Spring the best time to visit Nepal. And similar is the case, when it comes to trek the Gokyo RI. The clear views of the skies and the spectacular mountains lure a huge number of trekkers to visit the Everest region during the Autumn and Spring seasons. Despite being the blissful trekking season with so much of wonders, there are still some difficulties when trekking to this region during Spring and Autumn.
The main difficulty you might face during the Autumn or Spring trek is finding a single room. In some areas, you might not even find a shared room. Also sometimes you might have to stay in the queue for the food. So, if you have a plan to trek the Gokyo Lakes in these peak trekking seasons, just remember to make an advance booking of the accommodation. Crowded trails can also make the trek more irritating if you prefer a peaceful environment.
Off-Season Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulty
For the peace and solitary lovers, both Summer and Winter are the best seasons for trekking. However, excessive cold during the winter and heavy rainfall during the summer, make these seasons quite unfavorable for the Gokyo Lake Trek.
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
