Gokyo Lake Trek

Accommodation

Accommodations in the Himalayas are mostly teahouses/guesthouses/lodges in the Everest Region. In the city, the hotel is the accommodation. Generally, the teahouses are simple with basic facilities but comfortable to stay in. For the use of Wi-Fi, charging electronic devices, hot water buckets, laundry, and boiled water, trekkers must pay an additional charge. For peak climbing, accommodation is tented camps.

Meals

In the city, only breakfast is provided. During the entire trek in the Everest region, a full 3-course meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is provided from the teahouses. The meals are basic but organic and healthy suitable for the health of the trekkers. The prime dish is Nepali Dal-Bhat served with vegetable curry and pickles. Besides Dal-Bhat, noodles, soups, Sherpa stew, hot drinks, roti, and fresh curries are served. There is no variety of meals at the teahouses but one can enjoy the continental dishes at Namche at your personal expense.
For peak climbing, meals are prepared by a professional cook who accompanied us during the trek. All necessary kitchen equipment is carried with us. The meals prepared during the treks are healthy and hygienic. It provides great energy for trekkers/climbers.

Drinking water

Drinking water keeps the body hydrated which is essential during the trek. In the Himalayas, water is pure and fresh. One can directly drink water from the natural stream from the Himalayas. Or one can fill up the boiled water at the teahouses paying an additional charge. Water-purifying solution kits are a must. So, always carry for safe water treatment and to stay safe & healthy. Remember to carry a water bottle to minimize the use of plastic bottles.

Communication

Everest Link’s Wi-Fi card is the internet provider in the entire Everest region. The internet connectivity is stable and easily accessible in the lower regions of Everest. The mobile network is also stable in the lower region. But, in the higher regions both mobile network and internet connectivity is unstable, and sometimes no connection at all. One can also purchase a local Sim to use the phone and mobile data internet in the lower regions.

Required Permits

Khumbu permit costs: NPR 2000 (Foreigners), NPR 1000 (SAARC)

SNP permit costs: NPR 3000 (Foreigners), NPR 1500 (SAARC)

Peak Climbing Permits (only for peak climbing): The permit cost is different for Group A and Group B categorized peaks. Also, permit costs vary during the peak seasons and off-seasons.

Garbage Deposit Fee (only for peak climbing): USD 500

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is required while trekking in Nepal. Travel Insurance makes your journey stress-free. It acts as a safety tool that prevents unforeseen and unwanted events during the travel journey. One must get travel insurance from a trusted insurance company. It must cover all emergencies, flight cancelations, loss/theft of luggage, altitude over 3000m, evacuations, and medical difficulties.

Safety and our guides

The client’s safety is our topmost priority. So, when it comes to safety one can 100% trust us. Our guides are certified and have years of experience in this field. They are aware of the technical difficulties, altitude sickness, and health of the trekkers in the Himalayas. Thus, they are fully prepared and always carry necessary medical kits, safety tools, and are experts in safety performances. From the beginning to the end of the trek, the client’s safety is taken into consideration and kept as a high priority. Therefore, all the program itineraries are carefully planned and scheduled with proper acclimatization and rest days to prevent altitude sickness and adapt to the higher altitude. We are 24/7 available at your service. Hence, feel free to ask queries and share your thoughts.

Best time for Everest Region Trek

All seasons have their beauty. But, when it comes to trekking in the Everest region, Spring and Autumn seasons are termed best. These two seasons are the best time to explore as the weather is clear, the days are bright, and trekking trails are easy to walk. Spring and Autumn season is followed by the Summer season to trek in the Everest region. Winter and Rainy seasons are riskier due to muddy, slippery, and snowy trails. The weather is also uncertain and the chances of the temperature rising are high making it cold for the trekkers. It is advisable to properly plan before trekking in the rainy and winter seasons in the Everest region.

Everest Region Trek Difficulty

Everest Region’s Trek is moderately difficult to extremely challenging depending on the trek duration, elevation, and trail structure. The trek trails include several steeps ascends, and descends, rugged trails, and high elevations. The trek difficulty is the part of the trekking journey which is inevitable. But, to lessen the difficulty during the trek, trekkers must be physically and mentally fit before the start of the trek. The trekking experience at the high altitude is a plus point for the trekkers. Trekkers can take part in physical training, exercises, short day hikes, cardiovascular exercises, and healthy diets. Take essential health tests and keep yourself motivated before the trekking journey. Here in Nepal, our assistance is always there throughout the trekking journey.

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

Altitude sickness is common at an altitude above 3000m. Here in Nepal, during trekking, altitude sickness chances are high. The high elevation, the weather, and the temperature play a key role. Thus, to prevent altitude sickness acclimatization is quintessential. Thus, the acclimatization rest days are carefully scheduled to adapt to the surroundings. All age groups and even healthy people can suffer from altitude sickness. But, no need to panic as its symptoms and precautionary advice is given below:

Altitude Sickness Symptoms
The symptoms of altitude sickness are primary at the initial stage and get extreme if primary symptoms are not taken into consideration.
Primary symptoms: Headache, vomiting, breathlessness, loss of appetite & sleep, tiredness, vertigo
Extreme symptoms: primary symptoms along with delusions & unconsciousness
Precautionary Advice

• Inform the guide immediately
• Stretch the body and do warm up before the start of the trekking journey
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals
• Urinate frequently throughout the journey
• Keep it slow and steady
• Take proper rest and sleep
• Avoid taking salty and unhygienic foods
• Avoid consuming alcohol, and smoking
• If it feels uneasy or difficult, immediately descend
• Consult a guide to taking a medicine

Porter Luggage limitation

One porter is assigned to carry the luggage of two trekkers. The luggage limitation is a maximum of 15 kg per trekker.

Equipment checklist

Essential Documents
Passport, Travel Permits, Visa Photocopy, Passport size photos
Food
Light snacks, Energy bars, and drink mix
Shoes
Camp shoes, Pair of hiking boots, Rubber sandals
Clothes
Windcheater jacket, Thermals, Insulating Down Jacket, Fleece, Long sleeve shirts, Gloves, Towels, Inner garments, Trekking pants, Trousers, Shorts, Socks, Raincoat, Balaclava, Bandana, Gaiters
Accessories
Sunglasses, Hats/Caps, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Water bottles, Pocket Knife, Solar chargers, Batteries, Head Lamps, Torch, Umbrella, Sewing kit, Water Purifying solution kits, reusable bags to deposit waste, and separate clean/dirty clothes
Equipment & Gears: Warm Sleeping bags, Map, Trekking poles, Duffel bag, Carabiners, Crampons, Tapes/Slings, Ice Screws, Ice Ax, Harness, Rope, Spikes
Gears (For Peak Climbing): Seat Harness, Accessory cord, Ice Ax, Crampons, Climbing Harness, Trekking Poles, Ascender (Jumar), Descender (Super 8), Locked & Unlocked Karabiner, Ice Screws, Helmet, Ropes, Prusik Rope, Tape Slings, Belay Device, Snow Bar, Crash Hat, Ice Hammer

Medicine: First-Aid Kit, Altitude sickness medicines, Insect repellents, Blister kits, Approved medicines
Rainy season: Waterproof clothes, boots, Raincoat, Anti-leech socks
Winter Season: Light woolen clothing items
Personal Hygiene Kit: Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, napkins, sachet shampoo, moisturizer, hand wash/soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, razor, and for ladies (menstrual kits)

Note: One can customize the above list. Only bring necessary items from the provided list from your home or one can rent or purchase here in Nepal.