Trekking through the Nepalese Himalayas is at the top of most desire lists of hikers, and let me tell you: you will far exceed all your expectations. Hiking in this region is a truly immersive experience, sleeping at altitude, simply living and walking among nature giants. Trekking in Nepal is a unique experience in life that will humiliate you, inspire you and leave you wanting more.
That said, Draw in Nepal is not for the weak. Prepare for a trip like this requires significant planning and forecast, and can be a bit floating. That is why I have created this article full of information need to know, as well as my comprehensive packaging list. I hope that the thesis and ideas tips, which are relevant to any hunger in the Everest region, can prepare their adventure in the Nepal raffle a little Smouther.
The Gokyo Lakes Trek:
Duration: 10 days
Distance: 100 km
Difficulty: Challenge
Elevation gain: 6160m
Accommodation: Simple rustic tea houses
When to walk: September to November is ideal for Trekking in Nepal (we get used to being rewarded with beautiful blue skies in November, but it makes it even modern at night!). April and May are also popular, giving more green but more crowds.
What pack: My integral packaging guide
So, I could be thinking, why did you do the Gokyo Lakes walk and not the most famous route of the Everest Base camp that is right below? In summary, we wanted Stepe a little out of the beet path, ascending to the same altitude and obtaining absolutely incredible views (some could say even other better!) With a fraction of the crowds, and that is exactly what we experience!
The Gokyo Lakes Trek is also located in the Sagarmatha National Park and shares a road with the Evrest base camp route during the first 2 days before branching after Namche Bazar. The roller path through impressive valleys and passes through remote villages before taking out the highest freshwater lake system in the world, Gokyo Lakes. They are really a show to contemplate, bright turquoise blue, feeding and absolutely beautiful glaciers, a wide reward for their efforts! But if you want to take it to the next level, I recommend the near top of Gokyo Ri (5360m) as we did. If you go early in the morning, you can see the dawn more than four 8000m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu. It’s nothing less than incredible!
In my opinion, the Gokyo Lakes & Gokyo Ri Trek is a great alternative option for the Everest Base Camp. As an avid hiker, I would say that it was the best trekking experience of my life, a fairly great statement! Even if you are ready to visit EBC, I recommend that you extend your trip to visit Gokyo (just add additional days) just to see the bright blue waters and enjoy the surrounding views.
12 things you should know before walking in Nepal
These tips are relevant not only for the Gokyo and Gokyo Ri lakes, but also in any other walk in this region of Nepal, such as the Everest base camp or three passes.
> The air is super dry and dusty
Which leads to cracked skin, crispy lips and notorious khumbu cough. To avoid thesis problems, I recommend using a benefit and covering your dust face (especially when donkeys and animals pass it through the path), in addition to wearing a nutritional lip balm or ointment such as potatoes or nipples cream.
> There are no awards for not taking diamox
Altitude is the only thing that cannot necessarily train and can affect anyone. To reduce the risk of increasing evil while walking in Nepal, follow the guide of your crew, walk slowly, have acclimatization days and keep hydrated. I also recommend consulting your medical professional and take Diamox with you, I did it both in Nepal and in Peru and I found it very useful. Do not completely eradicate the effects of altitude, but it helps to handle them (while it gives the fingers and fingers of the feet!).
> The cold is brutal
But management management if you prepare for it! Use a good quality Four Seasons sleeping sack, a sleeping sack lining and fill a nalgene couple or bottles with boiling water to hug him at night. The Merino wool base layers are an excellent option for pajamas, try not to use all its layers, since it makes the circulation more difficult! I also recommend keeping your electronics and clothes from the next few days in your sleeping bag to stay hot and do not leave any liquid near the windows, since they can freeze the night.
> Get a good travel insurance
While the fixed majority of hikers will complete the walk without any problem, sometimes things go wrong and will need solid travel insurance to come from there in light. I recommend using a company that covers the hiking of great altitude (up to 6000 m).
> You will be more connected than you think
I expected little or no wifi and almost no collection, but all tea houses in the region offered thesis services for a price. As you get higher, the rates increase and the signal can become irregular, but if you need to contact a friend from home, it is really quite fast! Just make sure you bring a lot of cash.
> Package these essential elements
Fabor and bathing loads are essential: hand heater are key; I was using two pairs a day, lonely in the morning and one in the event. Pumpkin drops or electrolytes are also essential, since they help cover the funky flavor left by water sterilization tablets.
As for the team, the conditions become more difficult as it rises higher, and the good quality team makes a difference. An article to prioritize is a thick jacket: it is super cozy and can be interested in a good price in Katmandu. You can find my full packaging list here.
> Eat simple and simple meals
I recommend avoiding meat, since the slaughter on Lukla is not allowed so that all the meat rises, which can cause contamination and become bad. The Bakerie are also dangerous places, with many obsolete treats. It is quite quite keeping simple and rich meals in carbohydrates. Local dishes such as Dal Bhat (rice lentil soup) and smooth tsampa porridge (made with hot water, tea and barley flour) are safe options.
> May be busier than you think
I mean, it is one of the most famous hiking regions in the world, so you won’t have it for you! Personally, I found that the sections of the path we share with EBC were super busy, but once we branch on the Gokyo Lakes path, we really renounced and saw very few hikers.
> You need to be fit
You can’t rock and make this walk without physically preparing. I recommend doing resistance cardio (such as running) in the previous months, as well as full -body force training to build a resistant body. It will make your experience much more pleasant.
> The shower situation
I thought the 9 -day walk would take me all the time, but I was pleasantly surprised. However, I managed to put a shower on the road and another on the road down, both in Namche Bazar. I would like to recommend showering at a higher altitude than that, since it is too cold and will have difficulty heating, which can be wrong.
> Factor on spare days
If you are flying inside and outside the Lukla airport, which makes more or less who travels to this region, it is advisable to take into account the possible flight cannellis, since they are super common. I also use a budget of around $ 500 to get an emergency helicopter from there, which can happen if you cannot fly by plane for a few days.
> Be a responsible tourist
The waste is a big problem in the Everest region, and there is a surprising initiative called “Take me back” where each person who goes up through Namche Bazar has the opportunity to collect a kilogram of waste to take Lukla. This helps the local community to overcome problems with access to transport and recycling facilities, and supports a more sustainable tourism industry in the region. I strongly recommend that you get involved!
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Safe trips,
Zanna x
