Gokyo Lake and Renjo La Pass Trek by Road

Trip Itinerary

The walk is meant to take 12 days, commencing with a drive to Salleri and then to Surke. On the first day of trekking, you’ll go to Phakding, and then you’ll steadily climb to Namche Bazaar. After becoming used to the area, the trek heads toward the Gokyo Valley, passing past magnificent mountain communities like Dole and Machhermo. You’ll go to the blue Gokyo Lakes, and then you’ll trek Gokyo Ri for one of the best vistas in the Himalayas. The trip goes on across the stunning Renjo La Pass and down through Lungden and Thame, finally returning to Namche and Lukla. From Lukla, you hike back to Surke and then drive to Kathmandu.

The daily life and moments of a trekker

Every day on the path, I follow a calm yet focused regimen. Most trekkers get up between 6 and 7 AM, have a warm breakfast, and start trekking by 8 AM. At noon, there is a lunch break at a beautiful place or town, which is usually followed by a brief nap. You keep trekking until the middle of the afternoon, when you reach the next village and check into a teahouse. You may converse to other trekkers, play cards, read, or write in your diary around the dining stove in the evenings. The best parts were seeing the dawn from Gokyo Ri, crossing suspension bridges, drinking yak butter tea, and trekking beside to glacial lakes beneath the lofty peaks of Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.

Different Trekking Route Options to Gokyo

There are several ways to see Gokyo Valley, each one suited to a particular amount of time and degree of expertise. This guide talks about the Gokyo Trek via Surke, which doesn’t need a fly to Lukla since it uses roads instead. Trekkers may also traverse Cho La Pass to go to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo, which adds a few days to the trip. The Three Passes Trek, which comprises Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La, is one of the most difficult and rewarding circuits in the Himalayas. The only way to go from Gokyo to Thame that is via Renjo La is perfect for anyone who want to view beautiful places at high altitudes without the crowds or having to stay longer.

Defficulty on this Gokyo and Renjo La Trek by road

This hike is thought to be between moderate and hard. Even while it doesn’t require technical climbing, the high-altitude landscape, freezing weather, and long days of trekking need a lot of fitness and willpower. The hardest parts are the climb to Gokyo Ri (5,360m) and the crossing of Renjo La Pass, which is a steep climb and descent over rough, icy ground. The path is clear and goes past communities where people live, so you are never too far from shelter. It’s really important to become used to the weather, and a guide or porter may make the trip much simpler.

The best time to go on the Gokyo and Renjo La Trek

The optimal time to attempt this walk is between Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). These seasons provide the clearest sky, temperate temperatures, and the finest visibility for mountain vistas. In the spring, you may also observe rhododendrons blossoming in the lower areas. The months of fall after the monsoon provide clean air and steady weather, which is great for high passes. From December to February, winter brings very cold weather and snow, which frequently makes Renjo La impossible to cross. During the summer months (June to August), the monsoon season brings rain, slick terrain, and low visibility.

Can a Beginner Join This Trip?

Yes, a beginner who is in good shape may do this journey if they are ready for it. The path through Surke goes up in steps, which gives hikers time to get used to the higher altitude. But it’s not an easy hike; you’ll be hiking for 5 to 7 hours a day at heights of more than 5,000 meters. People who are new to this sport should train for at least a month before the event by doing cardio, strength, and endurance activities. It is also strongly advised that you hire a guide and porter to help you with the harder parts, like Renjo La, to make sure you stay safe and don’t become too tired.

Sickness from high altitudes

Above 3,000 meters, altitude sickness (sometimes called Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS) is a big problem. Headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, and trouble sleeping are all common signs. If you don’t treat AMS, it may become worse and lead to serious disorders like HAPE or HACE. To prevent this, it’s really important to go up slowly, drink a lot of water, and take breaks to get used to the altitude (particularly at Namche Bazaar). Diamox and other drugs can help, but you should only take them if your doctor tells you to. If your symptoms are becoming worse, the best thing to do is to get down to a lower altitude right away. We strongly suggest travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.

Accommodation

Throughout the trek, you’ll stay in local teahouses, simple but cozy lodges run by Sherpa families. The rooms are simple, with two single beds and a bathroom that everyone uses. At higher elevations, the amenities may be less modern and have less access to water and power. Most teahouses include thick blankets, but it’s a good idea to bring your own sleeping bag. At higher altitudes, most toilets are squat-style. In high season, accommodations might be limited, so it’s important to reserve in advance or arrive early to your location.

Food and Drink

Teahouses give big lunches to keep hikers going. Dal Bhat, which is rice, lentils, and vegetables, is the main dish. It is famous for its unlimited refills. You can also get noodles, fried rice, pasta, momos, soups, and pancakes. Porridge, eggs, toast, or chapati are common breakfast foods. You may easily get hot beverages including tea, coffee, and ginger-lemon honey. To be safe, you need to consume clean water. You may either buy boiling water or use purification pills or filters. Selling bottled water is not a good idea since it harms the environment.

Getting around

The travel is by car instead of plane. From Kathmandu, you drive about 8–10 hours to Salleri, a bustling town in the lower Solukhumbu region. From there, you may take a rough but beautiful jeep trip to Surke, the new road-head below Lukla. It takes three to four hours. This saves you money and the uncertainty of the Lukla flight’s weather. After you finish the trek loop, you go back to Surke, drive back to Salleri, and then to Kathmandu.

Needed Permits

• Foreigners need to pay around NPR 3,000 for a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit fee NPR 3,000.
• TIMS Card: For independent hikers (not necessarily needed if you arrive via Lukla/Surke with a guide).

You may get these permissions in Kathmandu or in places like Monjo or Lukla where you enter. If you order a package, most trekking companies will set them up for you.

Preparations and training

To appreciate the hike, you need to be ready. You should start training at least 4 to 6 weeks before the event. Focus on your endurance, strength (particularly your legs), and cardio (running, cycling, and hiking). Long treks with a pack are the best. Get ready for discomfort, basic bathrooms, and high altitudes in your mind. Pack well: vital goods include sturdy boots, a warm sleeping bag, thermal layers, waterproof clothing, hiking poles, flashlight, personal medications, and a water filter or tablets.

Internet and electricity

Electricity is provided in most communities, although you’ll likely have to pay extra to charge your gadgets (NPR 200–500 per device). In distant places, charging is done using solar power, which might restrict electricity. Many teahouses provide Wi-Fi using Everest Link cards, however the connection is slower the higher you go. Don’t rely on internet access for essential communication—consider carrying a local SIM (NCELL or NTC) and inform loved ones in advance.

The extra costs you have

The primary expenditures are permits, meals, housing, and transportation, but you should also plan to pay extra on personal stuff such

• Hot showers (NPR 300–600)
• Charging batteries/devices
• Cards for Wi-Fi or the internet
• Snacks, energy bars, and sodas
• Tips (10–15% of the trip cost, usually for the guide or porter)

Things to buy in Namche or Lukla
Take Nepalese money (NPR) with you because there are only ATMs in Namche Bazaar and they don’t always work.

Insurance

This trip needs full travel insurance. It has to cover things like medical bills, emergency helicopter evacuation, and trip cancellation. Make sure your coverage covers climbing up to at least 5,500 meters. Trekker-friendly companies include World Nomads, SafetyWing, and IMG. Make sure you have both physical and digital copies of your insurance papers, and let your guide or group leader know the contents of your coverage.

conclusions

Hiking between Surke and Gokyo Lake and Renjo La Pass is one of the best activities to perform in Nepal. It possesses scenic glacial lakes, sightseeing mountain panoramas and Sherpa villages full of culture. It provides you the delight of trail hiking with altitude without the congested tracks of the Everest Base Camp. The hike is conveniently located and adaptable as you can begin it and end it by car. You may be a first time trekker or a hard core Himalayan traveler, but this is surely to be a trip of a lifetime, with breathtaking views and an appreciation of the pure beauty of the Everest region.