Gokyo Lake Trek Difficulties
The Gokyo Valley Trek is a moderate trek that doesn’t require technical climbing skills. However, it does demand good physical stamina. You’ll walk about 5 to 6 hours daily, often across uneven paths, steep ascents, and rocky terrain.
The altitude is a major factor. As you reach higher elevations, the risk of altitude sickness increases. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and the remote location means limited access to advanced medical care.
While the journey is rewarding, it’s important to be well-prepared both mentally and physically. Proper acclimatization and pacing are key to making the most of this high-altitude adventure.
AMS and Safety
Our experienced guides are well-trained in altitude awareness and first aid. They closely monitor each trekker for symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and ensure a gradual ascent for proper acclimatization.
If any signs of AMS appear, they will take immediate action — whether it’s rest, descent, or arranging emergency evacuation if needed. Your safety is our top priority throughout the trek.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for high-altitude treks like the Everest Gokyo Lake Trek. It covers emergencies, including helicopter evacuation, giving you peace of mind during your journey.
Basic plans range from USD 50 to 150, but make sure your policy covers altitudes up to 6,000 meters. Insurance with helicopter rescue can cost over USD 2,000, so choose your coverage wisely.
Acclimatization During the Gokyo Valley Trek
The trek from Lukla (2,860m) to higher elevations includes a planned acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to ensure your safety and comfort.
Gokyo Lake Trek Cost
The cost of the Gokyo Lake Trek depends on trek duration, season, and service level. Our 12-day Gokyo Lake Trek is priced at USD 1,350 per person, including services from Kathmandu to kathmandu.
This price is based on a minimum of one person. For groups, we offer a 5% to 10% discount, and the group leader treks for free.
Arrival Instruction
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representatives are stationed to welcome you to the country. We request you to carefully look for your name being held by our representatives following the events upon landing. The representatives are responsible to escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You will see men offering you to carry luggage and take you to your destination as you exit the airport. We request you pay no attention to these people and follow the designated representatives and follow their instructions. You will also need to keep an eye on your luggage and belongings to avoid any complications.
Physical Fitness
Many people have questions as to what level of physical fitness is required for visiting Nepal, and that is extremely reliant on what activity the visitor is engaging in. With that said, for a standard trek of moderate grading (Everest Base Camp Trek is an example of moderate) the daily activity will be 7-8 hours, and elevation will generally not exceed 5,500 meters. The day’s trekking is sustained and will involve both long steep climbs, and descents with a variety of terrain underfoot from well-trodden paths, to rocks covered with ice or snow. A typical day would include a number of climbs or descents of 500 meters or more, starting after breakfast, resting at lunch, then continuous trekking until arriving at the teahouse.
In preparation for the trek, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before departing for Nepal. Three to four hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, cycling & some gym work per week is the minimum and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Do this only after a baseline of fitness has been reached. Moving fast is not the end goal, rather endurance is the focus, and will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure.
Trekking Day
A typical trekking day begins with a cup of tea at around 6 in the morning. It is advised to pack your trekking gears in a duffle bag and essential supplies in your day pack in these early hours. After having breakfast, we begin the trek and head along the trail at around 8 am. The morning walk is designed to be longer as we begin with refreshed bodies and enthusiasm. Following a good morning’s walk, we make stop for lunch at around 11.30 am. The lunch involves group meals enjoying the vicinity around the stop. You can explore the surrounding or use the time according to your own consent. After resting for about an hour or two, we resume our trek to reach teahouse or camp by 3-4 pm. The afternoon walk is relatively shorter and can involve games and side trips as organized by the trekking guides. You also can enjoy breaks during the trek to relax, read or stroll around the area. You can converse with the local people and observe their lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 in the evening to round off the day.
Internal Flight Delays
Nepal is an incredible country of mountains and valleys, rivers and green rolling hills. With this incredible diversity of landscapes, road travel can be extremely time consuming and flights within Nepal to reach popular trekking destinations is a must. Along with this mountainous terrain also comes the possibility of in climate weather. Not to mention the incredibly high number of visitors during peak seasons makes internal flight delays a very real possibility. To manage this possibility, it may be helpful to have a few extras days on either end of your tour. If any cancellations or flight delays do occur (high chances of flight delays from around Kathmandu to Lukla, Everest region), we also provide services to arrange helicopter to help you to be on your schedule on the premises of Civil Aviation Rules in Nepal which state that helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500m. The cost ranges from USD350 to USD650 according to the number of passengers. The payment can be made either to the helicopter company or to us directly and can be made either by cash or using a credit card. It will also be helpful to purchase and review your insurance as some of the alternative measures for travel may be covered. Flight insurance too may cover changing your international flight if necessary.
Nepal Visa Entry Procedure
For entry into Nepal, there are visa requirements everyone (except Indian nationals) must complete before being allowed to pass through immigration. This is for air travel as well as overland transportation. Most visitors may obtain a visa to enter Nepal, however, there are exceptions.
Three options are available for entry
15-day single entry: US $30
30-day single entry: US $50
90-day multiple entries: US $125
Please have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry, and have cash ready, preferably in US dollars, though there are other currencies Nepal Immigration accepts. If you are entering via overland, you must have US cash and 3 passport photos. For arrival by air, the kiosks at the airport take your picture for you.
For the most up to date list of exceptions for visa on arrival or to obtain the most current visa information, visit the Nepal Department of Immigration website.
