Gokyo Lake and Renjo La Pass Trek

Gokyo and Renjo La Pass Trek is a beautiful but underrated trek in the Khumbu region. It is one of the area’s newest treks and very different from joint treks like EBC. Often trekkers combine two different treks in Renjo- La Pass and Gokyo Lake Trek and make it Gokyo and Renjo La Pass trek as a whole.

If you prefer a less crowded, unspoiled, remote trek in the Sagarmatha region or have already experienced the Everest Base Camp trek, this is for you. You will pass through a majestic Gokyo Valley and climb one of the three passes in Renjo-La. It lies at an elevation of 5,345m, and from the top of the pass, you will get to witness stunning views of the mountains and surrounding valleys.

So, if you want more in-depth details about this excursion in the Everest region, our guide includes an itinerary, the best time to visit, trek difficulty, and necessary packing items.

Best Season for Gokyo Lake and Renjo La Pass Trek

There are two best seasons for Gokyo Lake and Renjo La: autumn and spring. Spring and Autumn are ideal, but you can also trek along Renjo La-Pass during the monsoon and winter seasons. However, you will face more trekking difficulties during winter and monsoon season.

Spring

Spring is among the most common and popular trekking seasons in the Mt. Everest region. It begins in March and ends in May. Trekking in Spring offers a remarkable chance to witness the breathtaking beauty of blooming rhododendrons and pine flowers throughout the trek. The majestic flowering trails throughout your trek make you feel more energetic and less tired.

Another ideal reason for trekking in Spring is the perfect weather and temperature. The weather is chilly in the early days of May, as winter has just ended. The peak Spring season for trekking Gokyo Lake is April, so the trails, lodges, hotels, and tea houses are overcrowded.

Autumn

Autumn is another magnificent season for the Gokyo Lake Trek. Many trekkers argue that autumn might be the best season for trekking. This season begins in the middle of September and lasts until the end of November. In the early days of September, you might get rainfall at a lower altitude, but in October, the weather becomes apparent, and the atmosphere is green and brown.

The best part of autumn trekking is the stunning views of the skies, surrounding hills, ridges, and mountains. The weather and temperature are also ideal for trekking, as there is little humidity. In the latter part of the Autumn, the weather starts getting chilly, incredibly close to December.

Just like Spring, the trails, lodges, and hotels are overcrowded in Autumn. So be sure to book early for appropriate food and accommodation facilities.

Trekking in Winter and Monsoon Season

The less ideal seasons for trekking Gokyo Valley are the monsoon and winter. The monsoon season is tough for trekkers due to constant rainfall, slippery slopes, wet trails, insects and leeches, and a high risk of floods and landslides. However, veterans still like to trek because rainfall is scarce at higher altitudes, and there is more chance of snowfall, which some prefer.

Only veterans and experienced trekkers prefer to trek in the Winter Season. The one significant difficulty in winter hiking is the harsh cold weather.

The temperature can even fall below -20 degrees during the night, so be sure to pack woolen clothes during your trek in winter. During this time, the views of snow-peaked hills and mountains become majestic, which is the reason some trekkers prefer trekking in the winter season.

But keep in mind that during the winter season, the weather is dynamic and constantly changes. In the higher altitudes, snowstorms, blizzards, and avalanches are expected, which could harm your health or destroy your property. Hence, always trek with at least two people and a guide, especially if you are trekking in the winter season.

Gokyo Lakes and Renjo La Trek difficulty

Gokyo and Renjo La Pass are challenging treks. Although they are not impossible to complete, many factors raise their difficulty.

Altitude Sickness

One of the major factors that increases trek difficulty is Altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is when your body weakens as it fails to adjust to altitude, weather, climate, and oxygen levels. The possibility of altitude sickness increases when you trek above 3,000m.

During your Gokyo Lake and Renjo La Pass trek, you will explore an altitude above 5,000m, which increases the chance of altitude sickness. Another main reason for altitude sickness is dehydration, so ensure you get plenty of water.

You will lose water during respiration at high altitudes, so even if you are thirsty, consume as much water as possible.

The significant symptoms of Altitude sickness are:

• Continue coughing
• Fever and Headache
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Shortness of Breathing
• Fatigue

There are a few ways to prevent altitude sickness during your trek:

1. Acclimatization is the best way of getting used to the altitude and oxygen levels. Ascend and descend gradually, and do not rush while climbing altitude. Trek high and sleep low during the night.
2. Avoid drinking alcohol as it causes dehydration.
3. Consume drinks with lemon, honey, and ginger to keep yourself warm and hydrated all the time.
4. Eat a nutritious and balanced diet foods.
5. If the symptoms arise, notify your guide and crew members, take medicine, and immediately lower your altitude.

Distance and Duration

Distance and Duration are other factors that increase the difficulty of your trek. The total distance of the Gokyo Lake Trek is 92km, lasting 12 to 14 days. So, to complete your trek in the respective itinerary, you must cover at least five to six kilometers every day for twelve days. So before going on the trek, as challenging as this is, raise your physical stamina and endurance level.

Dynamic Weather

Weather in the Khumbu region is dynamic as it changes constantly. Although the weather changes are less frequent in some seasons and more frequent in others, counting out the impact of weather is not wise.

It’s hard to predict what might happen when going on a trek. The weather can be scorching hot one moment and suddenly change to a downpour or snowfall. So, it’s essential to be prepared for anything.

Rough Terrains

You will pass through different terrains as you move from Lukla towards Gokyo Lake and Renjo La Pass trek. This trek trail is not simple; you must ascend and descend constantly. The lower part of the trek takes you to vibrant and remote villages.

As you start gaining altitude, the terrain becomes more rugged. When you reach Gokyo Valley, glacial, icy moraines surround you as you trek through snowcapped hills and valleys.

Accommodation is different in city areas than that of remote tea houses. You will stay in three- or five-star hotels when you reach Kathmandu. The hotels in Kathmandu are well-established, and you will get free extra services like single rooms, single beds, hot showers, WIFI, etc. It is also quite expensive compared to the budget lodges or tea houses in remote locations.

In remote settlements like Dole and Machhermo, you must stay in a common tea house. They are tiny houses with few rooms, and the beds are twin-shared. The rooms are small but cozy and warm. You will get warm blankets, pillows, and bed sheets to keep you warm during the night.

During your Gokyo Lake Renjo La Pass trek, you can eat three meals daily: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll eat dishes like bread, chapatis, roti, oatmeal, omelet, Paratha, Potato, and Vegetable soup. Hot drinks like Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, etc are also served during breakfast.

For lunch and dinner, Nepalese local food, including Dal (Lentils), Bhat (Rice), and Tarkari (Vegetable Curry), along with Achar (Pickle), is typical. In established places like Lukla, Phakding, or Namche, you can order Western dishes like burgers, pizzas, dumplings, fish and chips, macaroni, steak, ste,ws, and soups.

We recommend that trekkers avoid meat products while trekking at high altitudes. Sometimes, they are not cooked or hygienic enough, which might make you unwell.

Trip Permits and Documents

You must obtain the following permits to complete the Gokyo Lake Trek with Renjo La Pass. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit costs NPR 3000 per person, and the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit costs NPR 3000 per person. To avoid any inconvenience, you must acquire these permits before beginning your trek.

Apart from permits for the trekking regions, Foreigners trekking in Nepal also need important documents to access specific routes. To enter Namche Bazaar, you’ll find a checkpoint where you’ll need to show some items. Make sure you have all of the following items with you.

• Valid passport
• Visa proof