Gokyo Valley trek is one of the lesser known, high-altitude trekking destination in the Everest region of Nepal. Being at the altitude of 5,483m from sea level, Gokyo Lake’s scenic route offers astonishing views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyu standing as the best alternative to Everest Base Camp Trekking. The routes are less busy than EBC and trekkers stay at teahouses or guesthouse passing through the Sherpa villages, forests, monasteries, mani walls, clean rivers, glaciers and snow-peaked mountains surrounding yourself.
Winter vibes - Longest Glacier Ngozumpa and Trek Accommodation
What matters during the Gokyo trek, is the preparation you need to do before and during the hike that nobody tells you. Let us tell you the difficult things to consider during the trek.
Distance is never the challenging factor in mountain trekking; it is the ascending altitude. When people or travel company talk about the difficulty level of any trek, they always mean the elevation gain during the trek. The risk that comes along high- altitude trek is altitude sickness called as HACE (High- Altitude Cerebral Edema) and HAPE (High- Altitude Pulmonary Edema). The only cure for this is slow gain in elevation and having proper acclimatization days throughout the trek and you are all in good hand.
For proper acclimatization, a carefully crafted itinerary placing resting day is very essential. An unrealistic itinerary makes your Gokyo Lake Trek more difficult. In a rush of completing the trek in fewer days, people tend to skip the acclimatization day. Not only this, a good itinerary is completed with professionally designed one that allows plenty of resting time, appropriate gain in elevation and maintaining a slow and steady pace. You don’t trek to rush and reach a point; you trek Gokyo to get connected to the mountain life and nature in itself. Do not forget to be mindful on the trek duration. An ideal Gokyo-Ri (5,357 m) trek is completed on 11 days. However, the trek can be customized as per your fitness level, schedule and preferred pace. If you are choosing Gokyo for you next trek destination, have some thoughtful consideration on your day to day itinerary.
Physical and mental training also equally counts during preparation of Gokyo trek. By this, we do not mean heavy exercises like we see on social media. Simple walking, hiking, cycling or swimming acts as a bonus for preparation of the trek. It is because you have to walk for couple of hours every day and if you practice normal body movement exercises, have determination and positive mentality and practice cardiovascular training in your daily life for a month, the Gokyo might be a piece of cake for you.
Trekking With A Professional Guide
Likewise, you might never pay attention to the food and water you have. Food, if you don’t eat nourishing food, your body won’t have enough energy to circulate throughout your body. Food rich in carbohydrate and protein are always recommended to eat during your day hike. Dehydration, on the other hand invites altitude sickness. Bring some snacks such as nuts and bars that gives you full energy. Not to forget, balanced, nutritious food is what gives you power 24 hour.
Trekking Guest House in Namche Bazar
Lastly, a professional licensed guide who has in-depth knowledge about the geographical terrain, manages your overall accommodation and meals, monitors altitude sickness, has communication with locals and tea houses is very essential. Guides are not just there to show the way but also a medium to help you connect to the nature and local people. They are good storytellers and companions.
If you focus on proper training, gradual acclimatization, stay hydrated, consume nutritious foods, be determined and walk in your own comfortable pace, these things will increase your chance of completing the Gokyo Lake trek or any Everest Three Pass Trek in Nepal will be easier to complete.
