When it comes to best trekking destination Everest Base Camp often comes in the mind of people as it is one of the popular treks among the tourist, however Gokyo Lakes Trek can be best alternative for you if you are looking for an equally breath taking experience, landscapes with fewer crowds. Gokyo Lake Trek offers you a complete package of high altitude trekking, cultural interaction, and alpine beauty which exactly matches the experience in Everest Base Camp.
Gokyo Lakes Trek and Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek are both unique destinations for trekkers. These iconic destinations provides you with most beautiful Himalayan landscapes, Sherpa tradition and culture and more of all the unforgettable experience you are going to captivate.
In this blog we will explore the top 7 reasons to choose Gokyo Lakes Trek over Everest Base Camp trek, weather you are first time trekker, nature lover, experienced trekkers who wants to enhance their trekking ability this blog will help you to decide which trek is best for you.
Fewer Crowd and more Scenery
Everest Base Camp is famous trek, with fame there comes more interaction. Chances of foot traffic in this trek is very high. During the peak season March to May and September to November the tail of EBC will be full of trekkers, yaks, porters and helicopter frequently landing near the trial. For someone who is seeking for peaceful trek and peaceful mountain experience then EBC is not recommended for you.
Gokyo Lake Trek is way quieter than Everest base camp trek. This trek offers you quieter trials, and more scenery. This trek shares same starting point as Everest Base Camp Trek that is Namche Bazzar. If you divert to the west then you will be welcomed with Gokyo Lake Trek with less trodden paths. You will find peaceful trails, isolated tree houses, and scenic nature. Here you can feel the closer connection between you and the nature. This trek will help you to disconnect with your noisy modern life.
Gokyo one of the real natural wonder
“Gokyo Lakes” the name itself describes why this trek is real natural wonder. This trek is the chain of six glacier lakes situated at the altitude between 4700 to 5000 meters, these lakes are one of the highest fresh water lake system in the world.
This lakes holds spiritual significance for both Hindu and Buddhist culture. Longponga Lake is situated at the height of 4650 meters this is the first lake you will encounter during your Gokyo trek. This lake is small and the combination of blue and green color water a peaceful spot for trekkers.
Taboche Tsho Lake 2nd lake which is slightly larger and deeper situated at the height of 4710 meters, this lake is blue but more vibrant, the water reflects the nearby peaks like Taboche and Cholaste. 3rd lake is Dudh Pokhari the largest and the most important lake situated at the height of 4790 meters.
Dudh Pokhari is translated as Milk Lake as the water in this lake have milky blue appearance. 4th lake is Thonak Tsho Lake located at the height of 4807 meters in the main trekking area. This lake have largest surface area. 5th lake is Ngozumpa Tsho located near Ngozumpa Glacier at the height of 4980 meters and one of the largest glacier in Nepal. The last and 6th lake is Gyazumpa Tsho located in Gokyo Valley at the altitude of 5000 meters.
With the lakes this trek offers you the great mountain views. Dudh Koshi Valley will be your route which will you to guide along the roads of Gokyo Lakes trek. The major highlights of this trek are Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo RI viewpoint, and the stunning Gokyo Valley.
Gokyo Ri for stunning mountain views
Most of the people choose Everest Base Camp Trek for the stunning views of Mt Everest what they doesn’t know is Gokyo Ri also offers you the best view of Mount Everest. Gokyo Ri situated at the height of 5357 meters above Gokyo valley, a physically challenging trek which doesn’t need standard training.
Though the trek is challenging the reward it gives you after is unmatched. The reward includes the stunning views of mountains like Everest at 8848 meters, Lhotse at 8156 meters, and Makalu at 8485 meters and Cho Oyu at 8188 meters as well as the longest glacier in Himalayas Ngozumpa glacier.
Experience to Ngozumpa Glacier
Ngozumpa Tsho is located near Ngozumpa Glacier at the height of 4980 meters and one of the largest glacier in Nepal .You will get to see the longest glacier in Himalayas Ngozumpa glacier. Watching the longest glacier from your bare eyes is truly a great experience. Imagine you walking through the routes of Gokyo and you see the stunning view of Himalayas along with the reflecting Ngozumpa glacier.
Visitors and trekkers will be rewarded with beautiful views of some of the world’s highest peak including Mount Everest. This lake is also one of the popular spot for the trekkers who are attempting to climb Gokyo Ri and other valleys in Gokyo region. One of the most heartwarming part of this lake is that this lake is surrounded by glacial waste adding rugged beauty to the scenario.
Cultural exposure and Sherpa hospitality
Gokyo region is rich in Sherpa culture. This trek is quite so you will get to interact with Sherpa people more efficiently and learn more about their culture and traditions. This trek is filled with beautiful adorned monasteries, prayer flags and landscapes filled with love. You can stay in family run teahouses.
Gokyo trek have similar cultural values and same religion as Everest Base Camp trek both destinations will help you to have great cultural experience. Gokyo Lakes Trek route passes through traditional Sherpa villages but you will get fewer interactions with the local communities compared to Everest Base camp. Everest Base Camp Trek have rich cultural diversity so your experiences will be more board with more opportunities to visit monasteries and interact with Sherpa culture.
Altitude Risk and cost
There is less risk of altitude sickness due to the gradual ascend. After Namche Bazzar the routes are very easy to access. As you trek through the routes you will get a better place to acclimatization such as Dole and Machhermo. Gokyo routs offers you a safer and comfortable routes with the opportunity to rest in few places to recharge your physical ability.
Gokyo Lakes Trek is generally less expensive than Everest Base Camp Trek due to shorter duration and fewer tourists. And it is less popular. There is lower costs for permits, guides, and accommodation as this destinations are very less popularized among the local people as well as tourist.
Fitness level and accommodation
Gokyo Lakes Trek is easier for trekkers with moderate fitness levels. The duration of this trekking is shorter and gradual ascents make it accessible for beginners or those with limited trekking experience. Everest Base Camp Trek is comparatively harder than Gokyo Lakes trek as it requires better fitness due to longer duration and more demanding altitude. You need to have more preparation for physical endurance and mental resilience. As the trekking destination is very challenging.
In Gokyo Lakes Trek you will see teahouse where you get accommodations along the route this teahouses are generally simpler with fewer luxury options. Gokyo Lakes trek is less commercialized than Everest Base Camp, so facilities may be more basic.
You will get to accommodate in family earned tree houses. Everest Base Camp Trek have more developed teahouse accommodations, with a wider range of options, especially in higher altitude villages like Gorak Shep. This teahouses accommodation and the trekking destination is more commercialized, so you get better facilities but still basic by Western standards. As the facilities are very less in the mountain regions.
Conclusion
Gokyo Lakes Trek will let you experience many things from the lush forests, alpine meadows, to the glacial moraines. You will get to experience the stunning views of lakes like Gokyo, and panoramic vistas from Gokyo Ri. This destination is less crowded, allowing for a quieter and more introspective journey. Gokyo Lakes Trek is easier for trekkers with moderate fitness levels.
The duration of this trekking is shorter and gradual ascents make it accessible for beginners or those with limited trekking experience. Gokyo Lakes Trek you will see teahouse where you get accommodations along the route this teahouses are generally simpler with fewer luxury options. Gokyo Lakes trek is less commercialized than Everest Base Camp, so facilities may be more basic. You will accommodate on family earned tree houses in Gokyo Lake Trek.
If you every think of enjoying Everest view always remember there is not only one place that offers you the view of Everest, every view depends on your perception. If you are looking for cost friendly and beginner friendly trek then Gokyo Lake Trek is best for you. So are you ready to explore the view of Mt Everest from another side of routes and change your perception?
