Let us begin this article with a disclaimer: we are not avid trekkers. In fact, we had never completed a serious trek before arriving in Nepal. So to say that we approached our trekking adventure in Nepal with some trepidation is a total understatement. However, despite our lack of trekking prowess, we absolutely loved it!
After plenty of research and recommendations from other travellers, we eventually decided to tackle the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek.
However, we were not content with the normal 12-day trek. No siree. We had to make it a tad more difficult for ourselves. We added a side trip to Gokyo Lakes – and we are so glad we did. It was the highlight of our trek in Nepal!
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the trek to Gokyo Lakes to help plan your trip.
What are the Gokyo Lakes?
Gokyo Lakes are a series of six spectacular glacial lakes. The lakes are at altitudes of between 4,700m and 5,000m, making them some of the world’s highest freshwater lakes.
The lakes are situated in the beautiful Sagarmatha National Park, which is also home to Mount Everest. Trekkers often visit Gokyo Lakes as a side trip on the popular Mount Everest Base Camp trek.
Why Should I Visit Gokyo Lakes?
For starters, the Gokyo Lakes are spectacularly beautiful. The panoramic views over the turquoise lakes with 8,000m-plus peaks in the background is a pretty unforgettable experience.
You will also get the opportunity to climb Gokyo Ri, the mountain overlooking the small village Gokyo. This climb offers some of the most incredible views of Mt Everest and Cho Oyu you will find.
The views are arguably even better than Kalapathar, which is the most popular viewpoint along the traditional EBC trek route. Unfortunately, we didn’t get great views of Mt Everest when we climbed Gokyo Ri due to poor weather, but it was still a great climb.
We also loved that there were almost no other trekkers on the Gokyo Lakes route.
The Gokyo Lakes side trip is still a fairly quiet route, which means you can often walk a couple of hours without seeing other people. The traditional EBC trek route is pretty crowded, which can take away from the ambiance at times.
The Gokyo Lakes side trip is also a rewarding extra challenge. Climbing Gokyo Ri and crossing the Cho La Pass are two of the hardest things we have ever done, but we were so proud of ourselves once we had done it. You will have to push yourself, but you will also be rewarded…
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