What to Expect from the Gokyo Valley Trek?
Gokyo Valley Trek is one of the easiest trekking routes in the Khumbu region and below the mighty Everest. Whether you are a first-time trekker or a professional one, this is a perfect trekking package to prepare yourself for the Everest Three Pass Trek or Everest Base Camp Trek. There are so many things that a trekker can expect from the Gokyo Valley Trek and they are listed below:
- You can expect to get a closer view of the tallest peak in the world, Mount Everest (8848 meters).
- Trekkers can expect to get on a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and from Lukla to Kathmandu after the trek.
- With the Gokyo Valley Trekking expedition, you can also check out almost 5 of the 19 lakes in the Gokyo Valley.
- We will spend around two days of the trek in a tent. So, that will also be a new experience for so many of the trekkers.
- Entering the Sagarmatha Conservation Area, you can expect to see several flora and fauna that might not be available anywhere else in the world.
- With the Global Adventure Trekking team, trekkers can expect a fully supportive, responsive, and successful trekking experience in the Gokyo Valley.
- Whether you are a new trekker or have several years of experience, you can expect this trekking package to be one of the best ways to prepare for other difficult treks in the Khumbu region.
What is Gokyo Valley Trek's Level of Difficulty?
Gokyo Valley Trek's level of difficulty completely depends upon the weather chosen and the physical and mental preparation level of the trekkers. For some trekkers, this can only represent a practice trek for other higher and more difficult treks. On the other hand, for some people, this can be a very difficult trek due to its rock-covered route, and steep trails.
However, if you plan properly as per the guidelines that we have listed below, you can do this trek almost half-time easily and efficiently. The trek takes us to over 5000 meters. Therefore, we cannot completely say that the Gokyo Valley Trekking route is not difficult at all. We recommend all trekkers and travelers prepare properly and do some prior research. Moreover, listening to the guides and following their instructions can also make the Gokyo Valley Trek somewhat easier.
What are the Transportation Facilities during the Gokyo Valley Trek?
Transportation facilities are arranged perfectly by the Global Adventure Trekking Team. Mostly, the journey from Kathmandu to Lukla is done via airplane. This takes around 30 minutes. However, if the weather is not so clear for a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, we take a drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu and then fly to Lukla.
This Kathmandu-Ramechhap-Lukla route is also followed during the peak seasons because flight tickets might not be available as the number of trekkers visiting the Everest Base Camp Trek increases drastically. We request the trekkers to be prepared for both flight and drive while visiting Nepal for the Gokyo Valley Trek.
How to Prepare for the Gokyo Valley Trek?
Preparation for the Gokyo Valley Trek is very crucial for a safe and adventurous trekking adventure in the Himalayas of Nepal. Remember that Gokyo Valley is located in the Everest region. Therefore, the weather and climatic conditions of this route are directly or indirectly influenced by Mount Everest. Without proper preparation and readiness, going for this trek might be a not-so-good idea even if you are a professional trekker with multiple trekking experiences.
Here are how we suggest all the trekkers to prepare for the Gokyo Valley Trekking Package:
- Prioritize physical training and training focused on endurance and cardiovascular workouts.
- Make sure that you are mentally prepared for the Gokyo Valley Trek.
- For mental preparation, we suggest you go for meditation and you can also practice yoga for flexibility of the body.
- We recommend all the trekkers to do some research on Gokyo Valley Trek on social media, by watching vlogs, reading blogs, and talking to the Global Adventure Trekking team.
- Remember to drink as much water as possible because hydration is highly required for physical fitness and stamina advancement.
- Make sure that you know how to use all the trekking gear and also have all the required equipment.
- Pack wisely; remember to carry all the necessary items with you but do not make the backpack too heavy.
- Start training for the Gokyo Valley Trek almost a couple of months ago because that is necessary to make sure that your body is ready for the trek.
- Go for some other trekking routes in Nepal which are considered slightly easier than the Gokyo Valley Trek.
Best Season to Ascend on the Gokyo Valley Trail
As mentioned earlier, the weather and climatic condition of the Gokyo Valley Trail is highly influenced by the weather conditions of Mount Everest. In Nepal, spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are considered the best time to trek. Therefore, if you want a rather easy trekking experience with a clear sky, pleasant views of the mountains, and chances to witness different floras and faunas, spring or autumn are the best seasons.
We recommend trekkers not to go for the Gokyo Valley Trek in the winter season (late November to February). This is because, in winter, the conditions are extreme. You might also find a lot of tea houses, guesthouses, and lodges closed during this season. Moreover, tenting in Gokyo Lake is also impracticable in the winter season because of unbearable cold weather. In the monsoon season (June to August), humidity increases the chances of hydration, and the path also becomes more slippery. Due to all these reasons, the Global Adventure Trekking team strongly believes that spring and autumn are the best season for trekking the Gokyo Valley trail.
Food and Accommodation
Food and Accommodation are two of the major factors that ensure the success of your Gokyo Valley trekking itinerary. Global Adventure Trekking team arranges the best stay and food right as you drop off in Kathmandu. Even in the Khumbu region, our team makes sure that the trekkers are served the food of their choice and accommodations are cozy to rest deeply.
Some of the food options that you can get during the Gokyo Valley Trekking journey are Nepali cuisine, Indian cuisine, bread, eggs, momo, chowmein, noodles, biscuits, tea, coffee, and much more. Moreover, you can also pre-inform your food preferences so that we can arrange those foods for you during the Gokyo Valley Trek. We even provide well-cooked, fulfilling, and hygienic food while the trekkers are tenting at the Gokyo Lakes.
Talking about the accommodation, in Kathmandu, the Global Adventure Trekking team arranges a three-star level hotel. Also during the trek, we arrange tea houses and lodges that offer the best (as far as possible) facilities, cozy rooms, good food, and warm hospitality. We make sure that no trekkers get disappointed with the accommodation and food and regret spending their hard-earned money for visiting the Gokyo Valley Trek.
Are Facilities like Electricity, WiFi, and Mobile networks available in the Gokyo Valley Trek?
Up until Namche Bazaar, you can expect all the services and facilities like ATMs, electricity, WiFi, and mobile network with ease. Moreover, all these facilities are completely free of cost until Namche Bazaar. However, as we ascend to higher altitudes, these facilities start getting limited and the tea houses or lodges might also ask you extra money for these facilities. Nevertheless, throughout the Gokyo Valley Trek, except for the last two days in Gokyo Valley, electricity, WiFi, and mobile networks are available.
Due to the advancement of technology and digitization, trekkers can connect to their families, share their updates, and also check out for some extra intel while already on the Gokyo Valley Trail.
Chances of Altitude Sickness in Gokyo Valley Trek and Safety Measures
Altitude Sickness is a common issue in the higher altitude of the Himalayas. Once trekkers ascend above 3000 meters, they might start feeling dizzy, having headaches, nausea, lack of appetite, and feel like they cannot continue the journey at all. If you get any of these symptoms while ascending the Gokyo Valley trek, we recommend you inform the guides as soon as possible. Altitude sickness can be caused due to dehydration, exhaustion because of the higher pace, too much energy drain, and the thinner oxygen level in higher altitudes.
Here are the safety measures to prevent altitude sickness while trekking the Gokyo Valley Trail:
- Follow all the physical and mental preparation steps that we have listed in the above section.
- Drink as much water as possible, We recommend trekkers to drink one liter of water after ascending every 500 meters.
- Keep your pace slow but consistent because that helps you store energy in your body and stay calm and peaceful during the time.
- Have a medicine named Diamox before ascending over 300 meters because that can control the possibilities of altitude sickness.
- Do not panic even if you feel the trek is difficult in the higher altitude. Try to stay calm and if the condition is worse, take an extra acclimatization day rather than continuing on the route.
What to Pack
Smart and wise packing is crucial for determining a successful trekking experience in the Gokyo Valley. You must be very wise and clever while making your backpack ready. Here are a few of the most important things that you must pack before heading out on the Gokyo Valley Trek:
- Warm and Cozy Base Layers
- Down Jackets and Water-proof jackets
- Track pants that are also water and wind-proof
- Towels
- Light-weighted and fast-drying t-shirts
- Trekking Boots
- Headlamps
- Trekking poles
- Slippers to wear in the lodges
- Energy bars and sufficient pure water
- Toiletries like soap, handwash, etc.
- Permits, Personal Documents, and VISA
- Map of the Gokyo Valley Trekking Trail
Make sure to get your backpack checked by the guides and the Global Adventure Team so that they can suggest to you if you are missing anything.
How to Book the Gokyo Valley Trek with Global Adventure Trekking?
Global Adventure Trekking team is happy to tell you that our website provides an easy and efficient booking procedure for trekkers to book any trekking packages that they want. All you need to do is scroll to the top of this page and check the right-hand side. There you can see a box where you need to click on the "BOOK THIS TRIP" button.
If you feel inconvenienced with that, you can also contact us via Viber and WhatsApp or give is a direct call at +977 9841527688 (Rajan Dahal). The Global Adventure Trekking team will be happy to serve you and help you get a dream escape into the wilderness of the Himalayas in Nepal. With over 25 years of trekking experience, many licensed guides, and hundreds of satisfied clients from all over the world, GAT offers trekkers one of the most reliving and relaxing yet adventurous treks in the Gokyo Valley.