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Best time for Gokyo Lakes Trek
‘When is the best time for Gokyo Lakes Trek?’-Himalaya Trip presents the article with brief details for travelers to plan and choose their preferred time to trek. Gokyo Lakes Trek is one of the interesting destinations in the Everest region that treats trekkers with phenomenal views of freshwater lakes. It is one of the best alternative treks and most visited trek destinations after Everest Base Camp. The best time for the Gokyo Lakes Trek is during Spring (Mar-May) followed by Autumn (Sep-Nov) season.
Gokyo Lakes is a chain of 6 oligotrophic glacial lakes at an elevation between 4,700-5,000m. These six lakes Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngojumba Cho, and Kyajumba Cho are the world’s highest freshwater lake system. Gokyo Lakes is naturally mesmerizing and it is also a sacred site for Hindu and Buddhist devotees. Gokyo Lakes Trek pleases travelers with incredible views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Khumbila, etc.
Highlights of the trek
- Enchanting Gokyo Valley and its surroundings
- Friendly Sherpa locals, their culture, and lifestyle
- Nepal’s longest Ngozumpa Glacier
- Ascend Gokyo Ri (5,357 m)
- Everywhere greenery during Rainy/Monsoon
- Trails covered with Rhododendron and seasonal flowers in Spring
- Beautiful Landscapes in Autumn
- Fabulous views of snow-covered mountains in Winter
- 6 Gokyo Lakes: Gokyo Cho (Dudh Pokhari), Thonak Cho, Gyazumpa Cho, Tanjung Cho, Ngojumba Cho, and Kyajumba Cho
- Incredible views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Khumbila, etc.
Best time for Gokyo Lakes Trek
Nepal has mainly four trekking seasons: Spring, Autumn, Summer/Monsoon, and Winter. Spring (Mar-May) and Autumn (Sep-Nov) are the ideal seasons for the Gokyo Lakes Trek. The stable weather, moderate temperature, and clear blue skies make these peak seasons for trekking.
Gokyo Lakes Trek
11 Days
Adventure Treks
USD 1,149 per person
Winter (Dec-Feb) and Monsoon (Jun-Aug) seasons are not preferred for the Gokyo Lakes trek due to unstable weather and temperature. These seasons are off-seasons and only a few experienced and adventurous dare to trek with proper planning and preparation.
Average Day and Night Temperatures
| Seasons | Average Day and Night Temperature |
| Spring | Day: 10°C to 15°C Night: (-7)°C to (-5)°C |
| Autumn | Day: 7°C to 15°C Night: (-13)°C to 0°C |
| Monsoon | Day: 16°C to 22°C Night: (-15)°C to 0°C |
| Winter | Day: 4°C to 10°C Night: (-25)°C to (-5)°C |
All Seasons Average Monthly Temperature Chart
| Seasons | Months (Avg. Night and Day Temperature) |
| Spring | March: (-7)°C to 7°C April: (-5)°C to 10°C May: 0°C to 15°C Sunshine Hour Daily: 7-8 hours |
| Autumn | September: 2°C to 17°C October: (-3)°C to 12°C November: (-5)°C to 7°C Sunshine Hour Daily: 7 hours |
| Summer/Monsoon | June: 5°C to 17°C July: 8°C to 16°C August: 6°C to 16°C Sunshine Hour Daily: 5-6 hours |
| Winter | December: (-15)°C to 4°C January: (-18)°C to 4°C February: (-15)°C to 4°C Sunshine Hour Daily: 6-7 hours |
Which season is best for the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Gokyo Lakes Trek in Spring (March to May):
- An ideal time for trekking
- Warmer and longer days
- Dry, amusing, and stable weather
- Clear blue skies and excellent visibility
- Relaxing trekking environment
- Light Windy and cold temperatures during the night
- Temperature variations at high elevations
- Lovely landscapes and fantastic views of Gokyo freshwater lakes
- Trails covered with blooming Rhododendrons and seasonal flowers
- Teahouses or lodges availability
- Peak season hence Crowded trails
- Costs are slightly higher
- Witness the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon on 29th May
- Enjoy Gyalpo Lhosar (Sherpa New Year) in the month of March
Gokyo Lakes Trek Autumn (September to November):
- The second ideal season for trekking
- Shorter days with moderate temperature
- Warm, clear, and stable weather
- Slightly cold night temperature
- Unique local Sherpa culture and lifestyle
- Clear skies and bright sunny days
- Pleasing colorful landscapes
- Breathtaking views of snowy mountains
- Availability of teahouses
- Slightly crowded
- Costs are slightly higher
- Attend the vibrant Mani Rimdu festival
Gokyo Lakes Trek Monsoon (June to August):
- Cloudy skies and continuous rainfall
- Lush greenery and beautiful landscapes
- High humidity and high chances of heavy rainfall
- Muddy and slippery trails
- Night temperature is chilling
- Difficult to navigate the trail
- Cross the river with caution as the river flow or current is high
- Most teahouses remain closed in higher regions
- Limited availability of teahouses or lodges
- Landslide chances due to continuous rain and roadblocks
- Carry insect repellent or medicines to prevent leeches and other insects from bite
- Pack a rain poncho or umbrella
- Plan wisely to trek considering the weather and trail conditions
- Get an off-season discount offer
Gokyo Lakes Trek Winter (December to February):
- Clear and dry skies
- Limited daylight but awesome visibility
- Unpredictable weather, and severe temperatures
- Chilly wind and continuous snowfall
- Dropping freezing temperatures in higher regions
- Spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains
- Avalanche risk and snow landslide chances high
- Slippery due to Snow-covered trails
- Less crowded and limited availability of teahouses or lodges
- Be well-prepared, and be responsible for trekking during this season
- Appropriate for experienced and adventure-seeking trekkers
- Crampons are recommended for this trek
- Get an off-season discount offer
How to get to the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Kathmandu to Lukla flight is the quickest and best option to get to the Gokyo Lakes Trek. The flight operates from Kathmandu Airport during the months of January to March and the second half of May months to December.
Best Trekking Agency for Gokyo Trek
Recently got back from an intended trek to the Renjo La Pass which was organized by Harka Gurung at Himalaya Trip.
I must say Harka did a 1st class job in arranging our trek and was very quick to respond to all of our emails (I must have sent him a million emails covering every possible concern imaginable and he patiently replied to all of them addressing my concerns/questions!!).
On the trek we were assigned Jay as our guide and Dil as our porter – two great chaps who were tremendous company during our stay in the Everest region and really ensured our trip went smoothly. Jay was a responsible guide who, when I got some altitude sickness took the wise decision to wait it out for a day to acclimatise. This meant our trip could continue as normal once the symptoms dissipated.
Be warned we saw some trekking agencies taking stupid risks with their clients by going up 800+ meters in a day only to have to come straight back down during the night as both the client and guide got altitude sickness. Thankfully we were blessed with intelligent and caring guide/trekking firm which actually had the best interests of their clients in mind meaning we were kept safe during our visit.
Before we arrived for our trek, there was heavy snow in Nepal which meant the Renjo Pass was covered in 3m meters of snow making it inaccessible. Harka/ Jay were very flexible and adapted our itinerary in order to ensure we still managed to see a great deal and thanks to Harka’s foresight, he asked us to bring crampons and ice axes with us which meant we could summit to the top of Gokyo Ri for absolutely stunning panoramic views of Everest and the top of the world.
In short, I highly recommend Himalaya Trip and the next time I visit Nepal I will be sure to utilize them for my trek.
UK, March 2015
Incredible Renjo La Pass Trek!!!
With a plethora of trekking companies offering services in Kathmandu, sorting through them and deciding on a quality trekking company can be difficult. Luckily for us, Himalaya Trip is already known to one member of our group. With familiarity of the company and knowledge of the quality service they offer, we began our preparation of our trek about 6 months before our planned trek dates of early April 2018. Himalaya Trip is a family business. Our lead guide, Hari, is one of the brothers in the family business. Hari was as friendly as anyone could be. He constantly had a smile on his face, and really demonstrated his problem solving ability when the airline we were flying on would not allow my brother board our KTM bound flight from Hong Kong due to his passport had an expiration date less than 6 months from our travel date. Hari coordinated with Nepal Immigration at KTM as well as the airline service desk, and was able to resolve the issue for us. Kudos to Hari right from the beginning! Through out our 11-day trek, which culminated with our reaching the top of Renjo La Pass at 5360m on day 9, Hari and his crew of one assistant guide and 3 porters made our trek an unforgettable experience. Trekking at high altitude in the Himalayas is a physically demanding endeavor. As such, you are the best judge of whether you are physically capable of doing something like that. That being said, hiring a professional trekking company like Hari and his crew will ensure a successful and memorable experience of a lifetime! I highly recommend Himalaya Trip for your Nepal trekking adventures. In fact, we are heading back to Nepal this December for another trek with Hari and his crew.
USA, April 2018
Amazing Gokyo Trip
We had the pleasure to hike through Gokyo Valley and up to Gokyo Ri with our guide Hari and our porter Bikash, who both not only did a great job but really became our friends along the way. The trek was extremely well planned and we felt very well cared for, with all our needs and wishes immediately catered for. Hari even made it possible to spontaneously adapt our route so that we could cross the Renjo La Pass and hike back through the neighboring valley.
When planning the trip from home, Harka was very helpful and always replied immediately to E-mails. We absolutely recommend this company!
Switzearland, March 2019
Gokyo Ri and Renjo La Pass circuit- excellent company, guide and porter.
My father and I recently went on a 12 day trek with Himalaya Trip. We met Harka the day after we arrived, showing and telling what we would be doing. He had organised the trek whilst we were still in Australia very well, and we were both easily able to understand what the trek would entail. Nauser our guide and Parksh our porter were excellent. Both very friendly and very knowledgeable about the surrounds and trek itself. I am hoping to come back to Nepal for a trek in the next 2 years and would certainly choose this company and the guide and porter we had – Nauser/Parksh. They were fantastic, I would highly recommend.
Australia, May 2019
Review About Gokyo Lake Trek
My partner’s no stranger to the services provided by Himalaya Trip and for good reason. This is his second time trekking with them and my first. The team were a pleasant and adaptable group who ensured we had the best experience possible. Harka, our organiser, did a great job at mapping out our itinerary and keeping us prepared and informed throughout our trip to Gokyo and we extend that thanks to Jay for his assistance before the start of this trek. We commend our lovely guide, Ramesh, whose support and dedication were deeply appreciated especially for a beginner trekker. Our porter, Dill, was a delightful companion, but unfortunately, had fallen slightly ill during the trek. After reaching one of our stops, Ramesh made the journey to retrieve our baggage from where our porter had to stop. We were impressed by the effort he made to do this all after a days trekking and as it was getting dark. Another porter, Depak, was quickly organised. Despite the short notice, he promptly made his way to Namche from Lukla to trek with us and luckily our trip went on.
We were well looked after on this trek. Even as I grew tired and a bit sick, the team remained supportive and their care and encouragement helped me endure. The views were beautiful and unforgettable. The lakes at Gokyo were as stunning as the mountains around us. I felt grateful to have shared this experience with our little family as Ramesh had called us. It was a hard good bye but I’m sure we’ll return.
Australia, Oct 2023
Unforgettable experience !!!
An unforgettable experience!! We traveled 3 friends from Spain to hike the Gokyo Lakes for 11 days. Our guide was Ramesh and took great care of us throughout the trek, making us feel like a real family. He looked for the best lodges and worried every day that we were as good as possible in every way. He adapted the planning every day according to our tastes and needs.
I hope to return and will definitely repeat with Himalaya Trip and especially with Ramesh!! Thanks for everything!!
In the months of April and the first half of May months, the flight operates from Manthali Airport, Ramechaap due to air traffic in Kathmandu. Take a 4-hour drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap and then take a flight to Lukla.
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Lukla Flight Operation Table
| Months | Flight Operates |
| January to March, May(16-31) to December | Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu |
| April and May (1-15) | Ramechhap-Lukla-Ramechhap |
What to do in case of flight cancelation during the Gokyo Lakes trek?
Kathmandu to Lukla by helicopter is an alternative option in case of flight cancelations during the Gokyo Lakes trek which costs around USD 500 per person (one-way).
Packing List for Gokyo Lakes Trek
Gokyo Lakes Trek has a maximum elevation of above 5,000m and mostly the weather and temperature remain unstable and unpredictable. You can take a comprehensive packing list from the tour operator for a comfortable trekking experience. The packing list for the Gokyo Lakes Trek is mentioned below:
- Trekking boots (If new boots are purchased, “break them in” to avoid blisters) and spare laces
- Hat (Warm), scarf and gloves
- Trousers (Warm trousers are useful higher up in the mountains in the morning and at night.
- Running shoes, sandals, or thongs (To wear in the camp at night or when your boots are wet).
- Shorts and trousers
- Wool-blend socks, liner socks, and underwear (three pairs)
- Thermal underwear
- Sunhat
- Fleece jacket
- T-shirts (two or three) and long-sleeved shirts with a collar (a long-sleeved shirt is particularly suitable for avoiding sunburn.)
- Laundry soap powder or bar
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen (SPF 20+) and lip guard
- Sunglasses
- Pocket knife
- Iodine, water-purification tablets, or filter
- Insect repellent (for lower elevation)
- Stuff Sacks
- Earplugs
- Backpack
- Sleeping back and silk liner
- Water bottle
- Torch (flashlight), spare batteries and bulbs
- Duffle bag
- Crampon
- Down jacket or down vest
- Camera, memory card, and battery charger (spare batteries)
- Books and magazines
- Trekking Poles
- Quick-drying camp towel
- Daypack (This is a small rucksack to carry personal requirements for the day e.g. toilet items, cameras, towel, soap, chocolate bar, etc.)
- 2-4 large plastic bags: to separate clean clothes from dirty ones
- Personal medical supplies
