Trek to Gokyo Lakes and walk through a surreal landscape filled with high-altitude lakes and frozen glaciers. Trekking above 4,000 meters, you pass through some of the highest human habitations in the world. Enter the dramatic Gokyo valley and hike along the banks of the emerald Gokyo Lakes. Ascend Gokyo Ri to enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Gokyo Valley and Nzogumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal. Also, enjoy a glimpse of the rocky north face of Mount Everest. Moreover, an exciting ascent up the Renjo La Pass ups the thrill factor.
An unforgettable walk past the stunning Gokyo Lakes trek adventure is for those looking for an adventurous Himalayan trek. Walk past a wild and solitary trail filled with icy glaciers and jade green lakes. Cross a high mountain pass, Renjo La, the easiest of the 3 High Passes, and climb Gokyo Ri for awesome views of Mount Everest and other 8,000 meter peaks.
On the first day of your Gokyo Lakes trek take you from Lukla to Phakding. You follow a trail filled with mani stones and mule packs and hike through Sherpa villages and pine forests. Cross swaying suspension bridges and walk alongside yak trains; the sound of their bells filling the quiet mountainside. Once you step into Gokyo Valley, you will be trekking in a treeless, high-altitude desert filled with glaciers and icy lakes. Pay heed to your experienced trek leader as he guides you up the Gokyo Ri and Renjo La.
Finally, celebrate the completion of your adventure in Lukla with your teammates and crew. Gokyo Lakes Trek is ideal for those seeking an Everest adventure along a quieter and less crowded route. Within a short duration of just two weeks, you get to explore Gokyo Valley, climb a mountain pass and gaze at the summit of Mount Everest.
Our itinerary ensures comfortable acclimatization before you reach the higher elevations. Join our Gokyo lakes trek and let the nomad in you roam the vast frozen expanse of Gokyo Valley.
Day | Highlights |
---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - Transfer to Hotel and Trek Preparation |
Day 2 | Fly to Lukla (2,840m/9,316ft) & Trek to Phakding (2,610m/8,561ft) - 35 minutes flight and 3 to 4 hours (8 km) trek |
Day 3 | Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,284ft) - 6 to 7 hours (10.5 km) trek |
Day 4 | At Namche Bazaar: 1st Acclimatization Day (3,440m/11,284ft) - 4 to 5 hours (6 km) trek |
Day 5 | Trek Namche Bazaar to Phortse Thanga (3,680m/12,071ft) - 5 to 6 hours (6 km) trek |
Day 6 | Trek Phortse Thanga to Machhermo (4,470m/14,662ft) - 5 to 6 hours (8 km) trek |
Day 7 | Trek Machhermo to Gokyo (4,790m/15,712ft) - 4 to 5 hours (6 km) trek |
Day 8 | Gokyo Valley: 2nd Acclimatization Day, Gokyo Ri Climb (5,360m/17,581ft) - 3 to 4 hours (3.8 km) trek |
Day 9 | Trek Gokyo to Lumde (4,368m/14,328ft) via Renjo La pass (5,360m/17,581ft) - 7 to 8 hours (11.5 km) trek |
Day 10 | Trek Lumde to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,284ft) - 7 to 8 hours (18 km) trek |
Day 11 | Trek Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,840m/9,316ft) - 6 to 7 hours (18.5 km) trek |
Day 12 | Fly to Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - 35 minutes flight |
Day 13 | Contingency/ Free Day in Kathmandu |
Day 14 | Final Departure |
Each trip is customized to fit the client's requirements and group size, the price of each trip we organize is different. The trip's price is calculated keeping in view the type of services and accommodation chosen by our clients. To offer you a personalized and seamless holiday experience, we create trips that suit your taste and travel budget.
We see travelers as individuals having their own special needs and preferences. An experience of a lifetime is only possible when each and every detail of your holiday is planned around your needs.
Read More.. Why Private and Tailor-Made
Filled with medieval pagoda-roofed temples and modern high-rises, the city of Kathmandu is Nepal’s nerve center. After landing at the airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Rest and get refreshed.
Later attend a pre-trek briefing and meet your trek leader. Get answers to your queries (if you have any) and check your gear. Later on, rest or stroll around Thamel and feel its lively vibe.
Since you have an early morning flight to Lukla the following day, it is advisable to schedule your arrival in Kathmandu in the morning or during the daytime. This will give you enough time to recover from jet lag and attend the pre-trek briefing.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
The flight to Lukla offers panoramic views of the Himalayan range. After landing at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport, meet the trekking crew. Get your stuff together and start trekking.
Walk past the busy Lukla bazaar and head towards Phakding, a Sherpa village. Follow a busy trail filled with trekkers, locals, yak, and mule trains—Head north, following a stony path down to the Dudh Koshi River Valley. Walk across a metal suspension bridge and watch the frothing waters of Dudh Koshi (Milk River) gushing below.
After trekking for a few hours, you reach Phakding. Make your way to a teahouse and take some rest. Later explore the village or head down to the river and take pictures.
Overnight in Phakding.
From Phakding, take the busy trail to Namche Bazaar, the economic heart of Khumbu Region. As the day’s trek is quite a long one, you have an early start.
Entering the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, you follow a scenic trail filled with mani stones, chortens (Buddhist memorials), and snow-covered Himalayan peaks. Cross several metal suspension bridges decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and follow a zigzag path snaking past pine and rhododendron trees.
You finally breathe a sigh of relief as you spy the stone cottages of Namche peering at you from above. As you approach Namche, you also get your first view of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. Enter the town via a Buddhist traditional gate known as ‘Kani’ or ‘gateway Chorten.’ Head to a teahouse and rest your sore muscles.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Take a day off to acclimatize. Carved around a steep mountainside, Namche is the business hub of the Khumbu Region.
Here you will find luxury and budget lodges, coffee shops, bakeries, internet cafes, ATM booths, bars, and souvenir shops. If you happen to be in Namche on a Saturday, don’t forget to visit the ‘Saturday Market’ - an open-air market where traders from as far as Tibet and the Terai lowlands set up shop.
Take an acclimatization hike to the Everest View Hotel, located high above Namche, and enjoy stunning views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. The steep climb to the viewpoint takes you past the grassy airstrip of Shyangboche(3780m), one of the highest airfields in the world.
If you are not too tired, visit the nearby Khumjung village and its monastery, which houses the scalp of Yeti (the abominable snowman).
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Leave Namche and make your way to Phortse Thanga. Two trails radiate towards Phortse Thanga, and you take the one chosen by your trek leader. The trail runs high above the confluence of the Dudh Koshi River and Imja Khola.
Your ascent offers splendid views of Everest, Lhotse, and other peaks. Walk past inspiring Himalayan scenery to reach the tiny hamlet of Phortse Thanga. Once you are at the village, head to a teahouse and rest your aching muscles.
Overnight in Phortse Thanga.
Following a steep trail, take the path to Dole. The trail is lined with rhododendron and pine trees. You come across alpine meadows and summer camps of yak herders and breathtaking views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu and Kantega as you walk past Dole.
An uphill climb brings you to Machhermo. The village of Machhermo is a cluster of stone cottages situated below the terminal moraine of Nzogumpa Glacier. You have now reached the 4000 metre mark.
Don’t forget to keep yourself properly hydrated to ward off any signs of acute mountain sickness.
Overnight in Machhermo.
Wake up early and hit the trail to Gokyo. Today’s trek takes you to a solitary and ruggedly beautiful terrain. Walking via Pangkha, you take a breather to enjoy fascinating views of Cholatse.
The trail follows the side of Nzogumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal, which originates at the foot of Cho Oyu in Tibet and tumbles down to the Gokyo Valley in Nepal. As you traverse the glacier, tread carefully on the moraine and lose rocks. Continue on an even path and approach the first of the mesmerizing Gokyo lakes, Longbanga Tsho.
Walk past the second lake and head to the settlement of Gokyo set on the eastern shore of the largest of the Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Tsho or Dudh Pokhari. Make your way to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest.
Overnight in Gokyo.
Wake up early to climb Gokyo Ri, a small hill located near the settlement of Gokyo. Walk past the lake and a small rivulet that feeds the lake.
It is a steep uphill climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri. If you make this Gokyo Ri trek before sunrise, you will be rewarded with some of the most dramatic views you will ever encounter on this planet.
As the sun slowly rises, the dark purplish landscape gradually comes to life. Snow-covered mountains turn golden, and the emerald waters of the Gokyo lakes shimmer like a million diamonds. Get busy clicking as many pictures as you can!
From Gokyo Ri, you can enjoy Mount Everest’s north face, north ridge, west ridge, and the south col. Also, savor awe-inspiring views of two other eight-thousanders - Cho Oyu (8,210m) and Lhotse (8,516m). Later hike down slowly, taking in the views, and return to your teahouse.
Overnight in Gokyo.
Leave Gokyo and take a steep, snow-covered trail to Renjo La. Follow your guide and tread carefully on the steep incline littered with loose stones. Pause time and again to take in the majestic views.
As you approach the high pass of Renjo La, you reach the highest point of your trek at 5,360m. The thin air during Renjo La Pass trekking makes every step a challenge. While ascending the pass and from the top of the pass, you get breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu Makalu, Lhotse, and several other Himalayan giants. The massive summits of the 8,000m peaks appear quite close, and these are some of the best views of Mount Everest from any of the Everest trails.
After reaching the top of the pass, descend down and follow a zigzag route to the village of Lumde.
Overnight in Lumde.
Enjoy walking on a secluded trail. Few trekkers walk through this route and for the most part, you will have the trail to yourself.
Trek past old gompas and chortens, walled fields, and stone cottages. Stop at intervals to catch your breath and take in the lovely alpine views.
Descend down the winding trail to Namche. Head to a teahouse once you arrive in Namche, and get refreshed.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
From Namche retrace your steps to Lukla. In the evening have a get-together and celebrate the completion of your Everest adventure with the local crew.
Make your last evening in Khumbu memorable by raising a toast and shaking a leg to local tunes sung by your Sherpa crew.
Overnight in Lukla.
Return to Kathmandu by flight. Rest of the day at leisure. Lounge in your hotel room or take a leisurely stroll around Ason Market and Thamel shopping for souvenirs. You can visit the city’s iconic sites on your own or book a half-day sightseeing tour at an extra cost.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Today has been set aside as a contingency day, in case of emergencies like flight cancellation or delay, bad weather on the trail etc. If nothing untoward happens then you can use this day as you wish.
Explore more of the city on your own or relax at your hotel. Evening, enjoy a complimentary farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Our representative will drive you to the airport three hours before your flight departs. If you want to explore more of the Himalayas do let us know. We have just the right itinerary for you.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November) are considered as the best seasons to trek to Gokyo Lakes. The weather stays dry and clear during these times, making it ideal for trekking and enjoying unobstructed views of mountains. The days are warm, and the nights chilly. On the downside, however, these are peak seasons, and the trails get crowded and busy.
During spring, the hillsides are verdant and covered with wildflowers, including rhododendron blooms. Autumn is the most popular season for trekking to Gokyo Lakes. With the end of the wet monsoon season, which clears the skies of dust and impurities, you can enjoy crystal clear views during this season.
Timing your trek around October will allow you to experience the most important festival in the Everest region, Mani Rimdu. This festival is held in the monasteries of Tengboche, Chiwong, and Thame.
As this trek involves crossing a high mountain pass (Renjo La), which can be quite risky during bad weather, taking this route during the monsoon or winter season is not recommended.
The easiest way to reach Lukla (2,840m), the trailhead of your trek to Gokyo Lakes, is via a flight. One of the highest and most extreme airports in the world, flying to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla has its own challenges. The chief among them is the weather.
The airport is built on a narrow plateau, over a cliff. Navigating the plane along the short and narrow runway is difficult when strong winds whip across the mountains. Surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world, the weather here is unpredictable and changes frequently. It would be clear and sunny one minute, and the next moment the clouds will appear, and everything will turn hazy. Flights operate only when the weather is stable and visibility clear.
The chances of your Lukla flight getting canceled cannot be ruled out. If this happens, your trek may get extended by a day or two. So come prepared and keep buffer days so that you may not miss your international flight.
If there is a long delay due to bad weather, we will try to secure a space for you on a helicopter flight. The cost for the helicopter flight is not included in the trip price and should be borne by you.
Due to congestion at the Kathmandu airport during the high season (spring and autumn), flights to and from Lukla now operate from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. The airport lies 132km (4hrs 30mins drive) from Kathmandu.
However, airline companies operate their first and last flights directly from Kathmandu and Lukla (KTM-LUKLA-KTM). If you book your trip early, we can try to secure a place for you on the direct flight to or from Lukla. It will be easier and more comfortable to fly directly from Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa, instead of making that additional journey to Ramechhap.
Helicopter Flights to Everest Region will operate from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
The permits you need for the Gokyo Lakes Trek are:
1) Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
2) Khumbu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit. Unlike other treks in the Nepal Himalaya, you won’t be needing a TIMS (Tourist Information Management System) card.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board’s Office in Kathmandu or at the park’s entrance gate in Monjo by paying NRS 3000. For citizens of SAARC countries, the fee is NRS 1500. You need to fill out the permit form and show your passport or a copy of your passport.
To get the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit, you need to be in Lukla. You have to pay NRS 2000 for the permit at the rural municipality counter, which lies at the edge of the village.
If you plan to trek from Jiri, you will be required to pay the Gaurishanker Conservation Area Project Entry Permit fee of NRS 2000. The permit can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board’s office in Kathmandu before starting your trek.
You won’t have to worry about queuing up to get the permits as the company or our guides will arrange all the permits for you.
Remember you will be trekking to the world’s highest trekking destination, Everest Region. The highest elevation you will reach is 5,360m. In this environment, there is less oxygen which will lead to breathing difficulty.
To let your body get used to the thin air, you need to walk slowly, steadily and keep your body hydrated. If you try to hasten and walk fast to reach your destination in less time, chances are you may suffer from AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness.
AMS symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc., are seen at elevations above 2,000 meters. Usually, these symptoms occur once you reach Namche or beyond Namche.
Taking Diamox and a good night’s rest may work for mild cases. Drinking plenty of fluids (water, tea, soup, etc.) and keeping your body hydrated will also help keep the sickness at bay. One should take necessary precautions to ensure that the condition does not worsen. But if the symptoms worsen, one may have to return to a lower elevation and get medical help.
There are clinics at Lukla, Namche, and Pheriche which offer basic care for minor ailments. In the worst-case scenario, an air evacuation will be arranged, where the patient will be flown to Kathmandu to receive medical aid. AMS, if untreated or ignored, can take your life.
Gokyo Lakes Trek is a high-altitude trek for which acclimatization is very important. Your body needs time to get used to thin air, resting at a lower altitude before ascending higher. Our experts have included two days in the itinerary for acclimatization. You will be spending extra days at Namche (3,440m) and Gokyo (4,790m) for acclimatization to adapt your body to thin mountain air before going higher.
The chart given below will give you a rough idea about the oxygen level in the atmosphere on the trail.
Altitude |
Oxygen Level |
1,000m/3,281ft |
88% |
2,500m/8,202ft |
73% |
3,000m/9,843ft |
68% |
3,500m/11,483ft |
64% |
4,000m/13,123ft |
60% |
4,500m/14,764ft |
57% |
5,000m/16,404ft |
53% |
5,500m/18,044ft |
50% |
It is important to keep your body hydrated on the trail as dehydration also causes AMS. One should drink at least 3-4 liters of fluids daily.
We dissuade you from buying bottled water as it adds up to the thrashing problem in the mountains. Moreover, like everything else, bottled water is also expensive in the mountains.
We highly recommend you carry a reusable water bottle with you, which can hold hot water.
You can use one with a steri pen or an inbuilt filtration system like LifeStraw.
You can also use water purification tablets to treat the water. While the water in the mountains tends to be pure and without impurities, it’s better not to take chances and filter or treat the water before drinking.
Using chlorine or iodine tablets to treat the water may alter its taste. You can add flavored electrolyte powder (which is readily available at pharmacies in Kathmandu) to mask the bitter chemical taste. Adding electrolyte to your drinking water may also be beneficial as the minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc.) you lose while walking gets replenished.
Teahouses offer boiled drinking water at an additional cost. It can cost anywhere between 1 USD to 4 USD. Up to Namche, you may have to pay around 1 USD per liter or pot (every teahouse uses a different sized pot). The price increases gradually as you climb higher. You pay the highest for boiled water at Gorak Shep, i.e., 4 USD.
Despite being the world’s highest trekking trail, internet connection (though erratic and irregular at some places) is available in the Everest Region.
You can connect with your loved ones while trekking, post updates, and upload pictures on social media. Wi-fi is available at all teahouses. While it is free at some cafes in Lukla and Namche, most teahouses will charge you extra for using their Wi-Fi hotspot.
It will be cheaper and easier to get a sim card (preferably Ncell) in Kathmandu and purchase internet data that could last you for your entire trip. Ncell offers 3G connectivity up to Everest Base Camp (5364m).
Everest Link, another local internet provider, also offers paid internet access on the trail. You can purchase the username and password at any of the teahouses or shops along the trail.
As opposed to popular belief, you don’t need a lot of complicated gear and equipment for an Everest adventure. Here’s a basic checklist of the essential items that you should not forget to bring with you during your Gokyo Lakes Trek.
These are only some of the essential items. Find more detailed information about Packing List For Trekking In Nepal
Most of the trekking equipment is available on hire in Kathmandu. You can keep your baggage light by only packing the essential items and renting or buying the rest in Kathmandu. Shops in Thamel offer branded as well locally made gear and equipment.
You can leave your spare luggage in your hotel’s storage room. It is completely safe and free. But do make sure to lock your luggage before leaving it at the storage unit.
Gokyo Lakes Trek takes you to the highest trekking trail in the world. Having an experienced local guide accompanying you will enrich your trip in so many ways. Trekking with a person who has in-depth knowledge of the mountain will also keep you safe and secure.
When you book a trek with us, we pair you up with one of our local guides. All our guides have more than 10 years of experience and have a vast knowledge of the area you are visiting. They have completed the trekking guide course and have the required government license to work as mountain guides. They can communicate in English and have received training on wilderness first aid and crisis management.
A chief guide or trek leader will lead the Gokyo Lakes trek. For every 4 trekkers, there will be an assistant guide assisting them personally. One porter will carry the luggage of 2 clients. Make sure that your luggage does not exceed 15 kg, as the porter can only carry a weight of 30 kg.
We believe in the ethical treatment of our staff. All our Guides and Porters are provided with weather-appropriate gear and clothing to battle the harsh weather in the mountains. Before the start of a trek, we ensure that our mountain guides are fully insured. They are given fair wages and treated with respect.
We seriously follow the guidelines set by IPPG (International Porter Protection Group) and offer assistance to porters to develop other skills. A portion of the booking fee goes to fund the education of our field staffs’ kids.
For Gokyo Lakes Trek, you need a good travel insurance policy that offers you coverage for all activities and altitudes included in your itinerary. The highest altitude you reach is 5,360 meters, and your travel insurance should offer you suitable coverage up to this elevation.
Though we take your safety as our number one priority, we cannot rule out mishaps and emergencies that may occur at this altitude. There is less oxygen in the environment, and trekkers usually suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness, proving fatal if not treated on time.
Walking in a treacherous mountain environment also exposes you to physical injuries. Therefore make sure that your insurance covers the cost of all injuries and emergencies that you can possibly face during this trekking adventure.
Your insurance policy should especially cover the cost of helicopter evacuation and hospitalization in case of an accident or medical emergency, as these happen to be quite expensive. Check for vaccination requirements as some travel insurance policies make it mandatory to immunize yourself before leaving your country.
Before you decide on a policy, be mindful and don’t forget to read the fine print. It would be advantageous for you also to choose a company that offers insurance cover on domestic and international flight cancellations and lost or stolen baggage.
We ensure the safety of our clients by following all safety protocols during the trip. This itinerary has been designed by travel experts and veteran guides who have trekked on this route innumerable times.
To prevent AMS, the required number of rest days has been added to the itinerary. Our guides always carry a first-aid kit and pulse oximeter (to measure the oxygen level in your blood) with them. The guides assigned to you have more than 10 years of experience and know what steps to take during an emergency. They are well-trained in wilderness first aid and crisis management.
If a client shows symptoms of AMS and needs to descend to a lower elevation, an assistant guide will escort him/her and will follow the safety protocol. He will closely monitor the client’s condition and take the required steps needed for the client's well-being.
If he/she feels alright after a night’s rest, the guide will escort the client back to join the group. But if the condition worsens, the client will be escorted down to Lukla or get airlifted to Kathmandu for expert medical aid.
A typical day on the trail begins with a wake-up call at around 6 AM by your guide. Freshen up and get ready. Pack your belongings and head to the dining area for breakfast by 7 AM. Check your luggage for the final time and fill your water bottle before you hit the trail by 8 AM, along with your guide.
To avoid walking in the heat and to enjoy clear views of the mountains, you make an early start. En route, there will be short breaks to enjoy the views and take photographs. You stop for lunch at a local teahouse around noon or mid-day. After a quick rest of about an hour or 40 minutes, you get back on the trail and continue till you reach your overnight stop.
Upon reaching the stop for the night, you head to your teahouse, check in, and have some rest. Tea with some light refreshments (cookies or biscuits) will be served at 5 PM. As the rooms are not insulated, you can warm yourself by the heater or stove in the communal area.
Exchange stories or play cards with other trekkers and sherpas till dinner is served (around 7 PM). After dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s trek – the route you will take, difficulty, where you will stop for lunch, etc. Afterward, retire for the night and have a well-deserved rest.
On average, you may have to walk 5 to 6 hours daily. The toughest days will be Day 9 when you cross Renjo La Pass (5,360m), one of the highest mountain passes in Nepal, and Day 10, when you take a long descent of about 7-8 hours from Lumde to Namche.
Travel responsibly and try to limit any negative impact on the environment. Limit the use of plastic and be mindful about throwing waste in the mountains. When you trek with us, you will be supporting local communities (from the guides and porters to teahouse owners). We as a company support sustainable tourism and patronize local businesses. We partner with service providers who work towards saving the environment. As an active member of KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project), we make sure that our trips are environment-friendly.
Teahouses offer boiled and filtered drinking water to trekkers for a price. Though you can purchase bottled water, we discourage the use of plastic bottled water on the trail because of the adverse effect on the environment. You can bring along with you a reusable bottle nd fill it up with drinking water.Â
Your guide will check the condition of the water of the filtered water before you purchase it. Please be assured that our guide will thoroughly check whether the water has been boiled and treated properly before you drink it.
If you have booked a package with us you won’t be spending much as accommodation and 3 meals are already included in your trip price. You may have to personally pay for items like beverages and drinks, extra snacks, hot showers, electronic device charging, wifi etc. USD 20 to 30 (NRS 2000-3000) per day will suffice.
In all our Everest Treks the teahouses that we use have western toilets. In luxury lodges and teahouses in the lower elevations the rooms come with attached bathrooms and hot showers. At higher elevations the facilities may be a bit basic and you may have to share the bathroom with other travellers. Please do note that in case of extreme cold, the water in the toilet basin may freeze and you may have to use an Asian (also known as ‘squat’) style of toilet that is located outside. Please do carry toilet paper rolls with you at all times. It is important that you carry enough rolls of toilet paper and hand sanitizer while trekking.
Each day you can expect 5 to 7 hours of walking, covering around 10 to 14 km. However when you reach 3500m, you will be walking around 5 to 7 hours but the distance covered will be less as you will be walking slowly at higher altitudes. We want you to know that all our itineraries are flexible and can be altered by weather, geographical and physical condition of the individual participants.
When you are up in the mountains in Nepal, we would suggest you to be ready for anything. Weather forecasts for Lukla are never correct and different sources will give you different information. If it is a really bad day in terms of weather, the airlines will themselves cancel the flight and you might have to wait till the weather clears. Yes, flying in high altitude is never easy, even on a clear sunny day, the plane might face turbulence because of the wind blowing from the mountains. But overall the flight to Lukla is very exciting and it’s an experience that you will never forget
There is mobile network in the Everest Region. If you get a local SIM (Ncell or NTC) you can use your mobile phone to communicate easily. As this is a mountainous area the network may get erratic at times. At most places the network is good enough for internet use and video calls. Our climbing guides also carry a Satellite Phone for emergencies.
You can either buy bottled mineral water or fill up a reusable water bottle with boiled or sterilized water. During the trek, the teahouses or lodges serve you bottled and filtered water which is generally safe and have to be paid for. A liter of water would cost anything between 1 to 4 USD. As you go higher the cost of all commodities, including water, increases. But do note there is no dearth or scarcity of drinking water at teahouses. We encourage our guest to use iodine and other purifying agents to treat the water before drinking.  You need to drink at least 3-4 litres of water each day to stay hydrated at higher altitudes. Keeping your body hydrated helps you to keep away the symptoms altitude sickness.
No, the company won’t provide drinking water or any extra drinks or beverages other than the ones that are specified in the trip cost.
Please do note that if you are traveling in a group, a member falling sick won’t disrupt your trip. While the sick person will be taken care of, the rest of the group will be able to continue with the trip.
If someone becomes ill on the trail your trekking guide will take the sick person’s condition on account and decide he or she shall continue with the trek or return to a lower elevation and wait for the rest of the group. If his or her condition is serious then the person will be flown by air ambulance to Kathmandu or Pokhara for expert medical attention. An assistant will take care of the sick person, while the rest of the group shall proceed onwards and complete the trip as per the itinerary.Â
If you want to add extra activities and sites to your itinerary it can be done. Our Travel Consultant will help you customize your trip. Just let us know which places you want to visit and what you want to do and we will add these in your itinerary.
While tipping is not mandatory it is a nice way of showing your appreciation to the people who have helped you enrich your holiday experience. It all depends on how far you are pleased and satisfied with their services. There is no fixed amount, but many of our clients offer 8-10 percent of the total tour price as tips. Â
We would recommend all our clients to purchase travel insurance before booking any of our treks. Trust us you will have a pleasant holiday knowing that you have a good insurance cover. In the event of any sickness or injury while trekking in the mountains, the cost of emergency treatment and evacuation will be considerable. Therefore, traveling with an insurance cover is strongly recommended for everyone who signs up for any of our trips. But be careful while choosing a policy as some policies make special exceptions for adventure travel.
Do read the fine print. Before buying insurance make sure your insurance company is aware of your travel itinerary and is agreeable to cover all activities being undertaken during the trip. Such as if you are planning to trek or climb (mountaineering expedition) in the Himalayas, your insurance must cover emergency air ambulance/helicopter rescue including medical expenses. For a group tour in an urban area, insurance cover of air ambulance or helicopter rescue is not mandatory. While booking a trip with us you need to send us a copy of your insurance policy (e.g. your insurance certificate) or carry it with you while you come for the trip.
No, you cannot get insurance in Nepal. Please also note that Third Rock Adventures does not arrange or sell insurance.
Please do note, all our trekking itineraries incorporate adequate number of acclimatization days. You will get an extra day’s rest at a lower elevation to prepare your body for a walk up in the higher reaches.
AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness usually occurs due to the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere in high altitudes. Our body is not used to walking in high altitude and it requires a lot of time to adapt to thin air in the mountains. Technically there is no way of stopping AMS but you can surely prevent it by following the given tips:
We carry a first-aid box with us while trekking. But if you want you can carry along some essential medicines like ibuprofen, codeine, paracetamol, lozenges, anti-diarrhea tablets and diamox for AMS.
You need to have local currency to purchase items on the trail. While Lukla and Namche in the Everest Region may have lodges that would accept payment with cards, we strongly advise to carry enough local cash with you to buy essential items en route. You can exchange your currency at any of the money exchange centres in Kathmandu or use your credit or debit card at the local ATMs to get local currency.
Most of the guides in our adventure company come from the mountainous areas. They are carefully selected on the basis of their experience, leadership skills and personal aptitude. We provide guides that are experienced and fluent in English. With the objective of sustaining local communities, we employ guides from different ethnic backgrounds who have adequate knowledge about the culture, ecosystem, flora and fauna, geography and history of Nepal.
Our guides have the required government license to guide tourists. They have all gone through intensive training programs like wilderness first aid, trekking guide training, eco training workshop and rock climbing, ice climbing and mountaineering, which are certified and approved by the government of Nepal.
You can store it at your hotel (most hotels in Kathmandu have storage facilities) or you can leave it at our office.
We provide sleeping bag and down jacket but you need to bring your own personal gear. We can recommend some good stores where you can hire or buy new ones.
Yes, single supplement will be available in the cities and at lower elevations while trekking. At higher elevations there are very few teahouses. During peak season when there is high demand for rooms, it will be difficult to book single rooms. However if you are travelling during off season a single room can be arranged at all places.
Teahouse trekking is one of the most popular ways of trekking in Nepal. Teahouse trekking has almost replaced old style camping treks in Nepal along the popular trekking routes of Annapurna and Everest regions. Teahouse Trek involves resting or stopping at teahouses or lodges scattered along the trail for the night. The teahouses are locally owned and they provide accommodation and food. While the standard of teahouses varies, most of these establishments usually offer basic services - small rooms (usually on a twin sharing basis with comfortable beds), shared washroom, a heated communal dining area and a menu with a range of dishes. Some may offer wi-fi and hot shower. As these teahouses are located in remote locations, one should not expect the service of a city hotel while staying in one. But in popular trails like Everest Base Camp trail and Annapurna Base Camp trail one can expect luxury standard accommodations too.Â
If you have to leave the expedition due to ill-health or injury, an emergency air rescue will be arranged whereby an air ambulance/helicopter will fly you out of the mountains to Kathmandu for medical attention. Make sure your insurance covers high altitude mountain rescue. If you are able to walk down, one of the assistant guides will guide you down to a lower elevation where you can wait for the rest of the team or fly out to Kathmandu ahead of the group. Whether for health or personal reasons, please do note refunds for the unused days of your trip will not be given. Even if you leave the expedition beforehand, we are committed to pay the porters, and guides for the duration of the trip for which they are hired.   Â