What to pack for the Gokyo Lake Trek
The Gokyo trek is a high mountain trek that starts at a lower elevation in Lukla, with moderate temperatures, and gradually heads to higher altitudes with frigid temperatures. Packing is the most crucial aspect of this trek, given the varying temperatures, high altitude, remote location, and diverse landscapes. As an outing, do not expect the unexpected.
As much as we would like to assure you of sun-drenched, warm weather on the Gokyo Lakes Trek. The weather turns fast, and you may easily go from warm and dry to wet and cold in a few hours. This is why you have to be prepared and packed well. Ensure that you are well equipped with layers, and we highly recommend that the layers be of good quality.
Normally, from top to bottom, you must bring warm, light, and comfortable equipment. Here is a list that serves as a guideline for you to help you pack for the Gokyo Valley Adventure. Remember, you don’t need to bring all these things from your home; many of them can be hired in Kathmandu.
Gokyo Lake Trekking Gear
- Backpacks: You require two bags. A porter (a duffle bag or a rucksack) to cart along your luggage. It ought to be 50-60L. You will also require a low-end day pack (30L-45L) which can accommodate all that you need during a day in a trek.
- Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are not essential, but are strongly advised. They help remove some weight from the knees to support when ascending steep and rough trails. They provide stabilization.
- Sleeping Bag: A winter-rated sleeping bag (rated between -10℃ and -15℃) ensures a good night’s sleep at higher altitudes.
- Hydration: A refillable water bottle needs to be with you to stay hydrated. Buying a bottle is not possible up there.
- Headlamp: Carry a headlamp with extra batteries during power outages.
- Additional gears: Power bank, cables, and a universal travel adapter are highly recommended, as electricity access is limited. Packing cubes are recommended to organize and keep your important items dry in case of rain or snow.
- Personal hygiene and toiletries: Some items like personal toiletries, sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes. A first aid kit with altitude sickness medication (Diamox), water purification tablets, blister care, and basic medical supplies. Quick-dry towels and menstrual hygiene products should be remembered.
Clothing Essentials
Layering is the mantra to packing clothes when trekking to Gokyo Valley. Here is a breakdown of the list
- Base layer: A moisture-wicking inner thermal wear, either made up of synthetic or merino wool. They are warm, comfortable, and help retain body heat.
- Mid Layer: This is one of your key insulating layers. You should pack a fleece jacket or a synthetic puffer, moisture-wicking shirts, and trekking pants. Something like: The “Erling” or “Heimdall” from Jottnar.
- Outer layer: For rain, snow, or high wind in the Himalayas, you need a waterproof and windproof jacket and pants. A hard-shell jacket, big enough to be worn over multiple layers, that comes with a hood. A lightweight down jacket can be carried.
- Footwear: Walking in the snow means you need sturdy and waterproof trekking boots. You need to choose ankle-supporting boots. Also, add some light sandals for the teahouses during the trek. You will need 3-4 pairs of merino wool socks and also some normal socks.
- Hats and gloves: Looking for sun and cold at the same time, you need a sun hat, a warm woolen hat, and a scarf to protect you from exposure and freezing temperatures. With that, you must have two pairs of gloves: inner and waterproof, insulated outer gloves.
- Food and snacks: You can add some additional snacks as a quick bite for your trip, such as dried fruits, trail snacks like granola or energy bars, instant coffee, tea bags, and some flavored electrolyte sachets.
Gokyo Lake Trek Preparation
After you inquiry for the Gokyo Lake trek, our team will contact you and assess your fitness. They will let you know whether you are fit enough for this trek. If not, you will exercise and improve your stamina and strength before the trek begins.
Physical preparation is key to a successful Gokyo Lake trek. You'll be trekking for an average of 6-7 hours a day, so regular walking and other cardio activities like cycling, swimming, running, and hiking are essential to build your stamina and endurance. This preparation will not only make you physically fit but also mentally ready for the adventure that lies ahead.
With physical preparation, you will also work on arranging the trekking clothes and gear. You can buy all trekking equipment in Kathmandu, Nepal. Moreover, the most expensive gear is available to rent as well.
Note: Buy your trekking boots early and get used to them. It will help you avoid blisters while trekking.
Best time /season for the Gokyo Lake trek
Even though one can trek in Nepal all year round in the region of the Himalayas, only during the peak seasons can one achieve the best experience of trekking, which is memorable and immersive. However, the Gokyo Lake hike will not leave the trekkers without its own advantage and outbursting beauty in other seasons, throughout the rest of the year.
The Gokyo Lake is best visited during the pre-monsoon (spring: March to May) and post-monsoon (autumn: late September to mid-December). These are the most promising weather months, with a clear blue sky, and visibility in the mountains where Cho Oyu, Everest, as well as the entire Himalayas are easily visible, hence the reason to come during these months. Rhododendrons along lower trails are also in bloom during springtime, and fall weather is bright and dry, making it a picture-perfect time of year to take strolls and walk around.
Trekking in December and January is possible, but note that it becomes considerably colder below temperatures of 4,000 meters and in some places even above it, and that snowfall can also cause some passes (such as Renjo La) to be impassable.
The least desirable season is when there is the monsoon season (June to early September), which comes with rain, slippery roads, and poor visibility, and there is a greater risk of landslides. When travelling during winter or the shoulder months, be ready that it will be cold and check the conditions at the time, that is, continuously with your guide or the agency.
The seasons that are best for the Gokyo Lakes trek have been listed here with their advantages and disadvantages.
Gokyo Lake Trek in the spring season (March to May)
The real nature of this beautiful valley of lakes can be felt in one of the peak seasons, i.e., spring. The spring season is a nice time to go on a trekking trip as days are long and sunny, the temperature is mild, the weather is clear and not changing drastically, which ensures the trekking experience is at its best.
The verdant forests on the way to Gokyo, the fragrant smell of the exotic rhododendron forest, and the blooming Himalayan region at its best, supporting life and bringing prosperity to it all, make the Gokyo Lake trek an experience that can never be forgotten.
During the daytime, the temperature usually varies between 10 ℃ and 15℃, and the cold can go up to - 7℃ and -5℃ during the nighttime and in the early mornings.
As you pass through the grassy terrains up to moraines and the glacial territory located at the bottom of the Himalayas, as you further reward yourself with the spectacular scenery of various massifs within this serene, untouched trek route, then this is an expedition not to be missed out of your spring expeditions.
Gokyo Lake trek in the autumn season (late September to November)
Autumn is another trekking season to the Gokyo Valley, and it has pleasant weather and clear views of the high-Himalayan area without any blockage. Generally, trekking lovers and nature lovers who would like to be part of the biggest festivals in this culturally and traditionally rich country find the Gokyo Lakes trek the most suitable time of the year.
Autumn has three of the greatest festivals of the Hindu community, which include Dashain (up to 15 days), Tihar or Deepawali (up to 5 days), and Chhath (up to 4 days).
The mean temperature on the days in the autumn season ranges from 15℃ to 7℃, and at the coldest time reaches 1℃to -13℃ during nights and early mornings (the weather begins to turn cold as the days go by through the end of November).
The fresh breezy mornings and evenings, sunny and bright days, give some of the best, scenic and enticing photographs of the beautiful mountain ranges of the Himalayan stretch. This is why the season attracts a lot of mountaineers who would like to get the views and beauty of the high Himalayan region without the obstacles.
Gokyo Lake trek in Winter Season (Mid-December to February)
By mid-December, the winds begin to chill and freeze in the Gokyo region, and some light snow may occur in the region. The weather gets cold, especially in the peak winter months of December and January, and the trails can be covered with snow. Thus, not only will the heavy snow of the winter hinder visibility and access of the expedition, but it will also make traveling on a snow-covered path incredibly difficult.
But at the end of January, the beautiful scenery of the Himalayas region shall gradually show itself more distinctly.
In the coldest season in the region, daytime temperatures range from around -10 C to 20 C. At night and in the mornings, it is freezing, and the temperature during such incidents can plunge to as low as -1 °C to -0 °C.
It is still possible to take the Gokyo Lakes hike even during the winter. However, ample precaution is necessary, or rather, you should have the type of equipment that will enable you to walk along the covered snow walks and accessories to suit your coat in terms of clothing to withstand the low temperatures that fall below the minus Celsius levels during the night hours and the early morning.
Gokyo Lake trek in Monsoon Season (June to August)
It is an infamous trekking season in Nepal with the sticky terrain, the continuous rains, the landslides, and the leech situation at the lower altitudes. Mind it, it is not the peak season, so all the way on the way there are no crowds of people traveling to trek the Gokyo area; nevertheless, the expedition to the Gokyo Valley along the less massive route is quite possible during the monsoon period.
The mountains are also misty in this season because of excessive rainfall, and the adventurous spirit can also make a person bored with the continuous, back-to-back rainfall. This season is warmer, and the weather temperature varies between 16 ℃ and 22℃ ℃ during the afternoons.
Though it is neither an ideal season to carry out the exploration of the high-Himalayan region nor does it enjoy consistent weather, the Gokyo Lake trek, this season, is not an off-season, just the kind of trek for those who enjoy easygoing and non-crowded tracks. You may still go out on the adventure of exploring the Gokyo Valley as long as you are prepared and you have the right gear, your trip would not be in vain because the rainfall during the sunny days refreshed and nourished the magnificent sight of the Himalayas.
Some other bonuses of the adventures in Nepal in the monsoon season are also the offseason discounts.
Useful information for Gokyo trekking in Everest
Useful information for Nepal Travel
