Gokyo Lake Renjo La Pass Trek
- Trip Code: N-ET-137
- Destination: Nepal
- Season: Sep/Oct/ Nov/Mar/Apr/May/Jun
- Max Altitude: 5390m/17684ft
- Trip Starts/Ends: Kathmandu/Kathmandu
- Transportation: Car and Flight
- Accomodation: Standard hotel in Kathmandu & Tea-house in Trekking
- Trip Grade: Strenuous
Trip Overview
Gokyo Renjo La Pass trek is less crowded but equally very exciting hiking routes in Everest zone. Gokyo Renjo La Pass trekking is also one of the best substitutes for the traditional Everest base camp trek. This trekking route is away from the mainstream trekking trail which leads to Everest Base Camp. However, the views offered by this trekking is not less than Everest Base Camp.
In the route of Gokyo Renjo La Pass trek, it needs to pass one of the three high mountain passes of Everest region called by Renjo La. This pass is at the height of 5390 meters from sea level. Therefore it is some challenging too.
From the Renjo La Pass, the views of the Mount Everest and other peaks are awesome. Apart from Mount Everest, it also offers outstanding Mt. Lhotse 8516m, Mt. Makalu 8463m, Mt. Cho Oyu 8201m and other 27 snowy capped mountains of Everest region.
The Ngozumpa- the largest glacier in the Nepal Himalaya, beautiful Gokyo Lake, and unique lifestyle of Sherpa are the other attractions which obviously make excitement to all trekkers in this route.
Actually, from the pass an abundant view of the Gokyo Lake on one side, the Rermo Pokhari Lake on the other side and the Mount Everest and other several snowy peaks in its background.
The Renjo-La Pass lies also on the ancient trade route to Tibet. At that time Sherpa people used to follow this pass to go for crossing Nangpa-La to enter Tibet for selling their homemade stuff and to buy salt.
Gokyo Renjo La Pass trekking begins at Lukla after 35 minutes flight from Kathmandu. From Lukla, the trail moves ahead along the Dudh Koshi River and passes villages of Chaurikharaka and Phakding to reach Namche Bazaar where you will have one day acclimatize and excursion around Namche bazaar.
From Namche Bazaar you have two options to complete this trekking route. The first option is to follow the trail from Namche – Phortse Village – Dole – Gokyo Lake – Renjo La Pass- Lungden- Thame – Namche. Another option is to continue trekking from Namche – Tengboche – Thore – Nha- Gokyo Lake – Renjo La Pass- Lungden- Thame – Namche. Finally from Namche trek back to Lukla.
Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek Note:
Excellent Himalaya Trek and Expedition organize Gokyo Renjo La Pass trekking through both options. This trekking can also be customized by joining it with other trekking trails of Everest Region. The best season of Gokyo Renjo La Pass trekking is in autumn (Sep, Oct, Nov) and spring (March, Apr, May). You can start this trip on any date which you prefer. Should you require additional information about this trek, please feel free to contact us.
Itinerary
You will be met by our Tour officer in Kathmandu International Airport. He will escort you to the hotel. Briefing of Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trekking. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Flight 40 minutes. Walking 3 hours. Overnight at Mountain Lodge.
Walking 5 hours. Overnight at Mountain Lodge.
Walking 5 hours. Overnight at Mountain Lodge.
Walking 5 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Walking 7 to 8 hours/ Walking 5 to 6 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Walking 4 to 5 hours or Walking 7 to 8 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Walking 5 to 6 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Walking 3 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Walking 7 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Walking 4 to 5 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Walking 7 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Walking 6 hours. Overnight in Mountain Lodge.
Rest of the day at leisure in Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International airport and see you off. End of Service. Or you may extend your day in Nepal and take optional side tours.
Travel Tips
All foreign nationals except Indian Nationals are required to arrange a visa in order to enter Nepal. A Nepalese Visa can be obtained either prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad or on arrival time in Kathmandu at the airport. But nationals from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia cannot secure the Nepalese Visa upon arrival. The Visa can be also taken at entry points at Nepalese borders. For Nepalese Visa it requires your passport with at least six months validity, recent digital photo (size: 1.5″ x 1.5″) and the following fees either in USD dollars cash or the equivalent local currency:
Visa Facility | Duration | Fee |
Multiple entry | 15 days | US$ 25 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
Multiple entry | 30 days | US$ 40 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
Multiple entry | 90 days | US$ 100 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
We would offer you the meeting and greeting service in Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival time. For this, you need to pass us your International flight details at least 2 days before your arrival date in Kathmandu. After you get down from the aircraft you just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see our tour officer standing with a playing card with your name written on it. He will greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to the hotel
Everest Trek does not require tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail. Lodges typically offer a room with a wooden bed with a simple mattress or foam pad, a cotton pillow, and a blanket or quilt. They have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for you (here rooms cannot be booked in advance).
In the case of Kathmandu, we offer you tourist standard hotel under 3-star categories unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice.
In the trail it’s commonly available for Authentic Nepali meal: Dal Bhat (rice with lentils soup and seasonable vegetables), noodles, pasta, chapatis, eggs, French fries, porridge, and muesli. The restaurant of lodges also serves Tibetan foods like momo, thukpa, chow mien, along with pizza, spring rolls, pancake and another continental as well as Indian foods.
Tea and hot lemon are traditionally the main drinks on the trail though coffee is found everywhere. Bottled soft drinks, bottled water, and even beer are common along the route but the price of each bottle rises each day when you move upward.
The trekking team who will go with you is the most significant thing that makes your Everest Base Camp trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable. We would provide you skilled, experienced, courteous, knowledgeable and helpful trekking guide and porters. The trekking guide leads you on the trail and brief you all the about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our all trekking guides are carefully selected in terms of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and their knowledge about local culture, ecosystem, geography, flora and fauna, and history. With aim of sustaining local communities, we only employ local people as trekking guide and porter. Our all trekking guides are certified by Nepal Government, Ministry of Tourism. We manage trekking team such a way that one trekking guide in each group and porters like one porter for two trekkers.
During trek, your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross-breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. – a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room in Kathmandu for free of charge.
Every morning, first of all, packing your bags and then have a hearty breakfast at the lodge restaurant. Then set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours you all stop for lunch in local restaurant. Then continue walking to your destination. After lunch, it’s the only a couple of hours walking. You usually arrive at your destination in the time of afternoon tea. Check in at the lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure. At a free time you may explore surrounding village, do a bit of washing or simply relax by reading books and writing a diary. On some days you will arrive at your destination by lunch time and entire afternoon will be free. Most people also spend free time by playing cards and other games reliving the day’s adventures. Then in the evening have a dinner and you will be briefed by your trekking guide about your next day’s walking and then go to your bed for well-earned sleep.
Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trekking is suitable for any passionate walkers who able to walk at least 5-7 hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can do this trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no compulsorily required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.
At high elevations, the combination of reduced oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure can produce a variety of unpredictable effects on the body, known collectively as Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Everyone who treks over 3500 m experiences some mild symptoms of AMS like slowness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, racing pulse, disturbed sleep and swelling of the hands and feet but serious cases are very rare. The golden rule of prevention from Altitude Sickness doesn’t walk too fast at altitude, drink plenty of liquids, eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol. If in case you feel any mentioned symptoms the simple cure is to move down (descend) and you shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better. To treat AMS there is also available medication Acetazolamide (better known under the brand name Diamox). The dosage is 250 mg every twelve hours. Diamox improves respiration at altitude and can, therefore, accelerate acclimatization. Some doctors recommend a preventive dose (125 mg twice a day) for people trekking at high elevations. At the time of trekking our trekking team always guides you to prevent from Altitude Sickness and they always have Diamox along with first aid kit.
We believe casualty and a serious sickness will not happen on the trip. If it happens we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since all the expenses incurred in evacuation liable to you please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.
We strongly advise you to take travel insurance before joining a tour which should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation and helicopter evacuation at high altitude places and loss of your luggage. We would request you to bring your insurance documents when you come to Nepal.
The following list is a guideline to help you pack for your trekking. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg or 33 pounds. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you pack only what is necessary.
Important Items : Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Mater Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.
For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.
For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket
For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.
For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.
Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag *; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional).
Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.
Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).
Note: If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you embark for trekking.
The itinerary for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trip ending should always coincide with the original itinerary.
Kindly keep in mind that sometimes unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
In Everest region as you climb through the hills mixed deciduous forests and scattered rice terraces give way to pine forests, then rhododendrons, then scrub junipers, before finally, the only vegetation is low alpine shrubs and grasses. As you walk, scan the skies and the undergrowth for golden eagles and the spectacular Himalayan monal (danphe or impeyan pheasant) with its regal, shimmering green, blue and purple plumage. In forested areas around Namche Bazaar, Thame, Phortse, and Tengboche keep your eyes peeled for Himalayan Thar and musk deer often spotted beside trails early in the morning. You may also hear the strange hoarse call of the muntjac or barking deer. Everest is also home to both leopards and snow leopards and allegedly the fearsome yeti.
Naturally Everest Region is so beautiful but equally, it is fragile as well. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of this area. We at Silver Himalaya Adventures are extremely conscious about protecting its beautiful natural environment and preserving the fascinating local culture. We are doing our level best to minimize our impact as much as possible. Our all trekking guides and porters are well trained and motivated to following guidelines of responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism. In trekking, they also advise you do and do not to minimize your impact on the local environment.
In addition to your Trekking trip, you can join in various side Trips in Nepal like a cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jungle Safari in National Park, White Water Rafting in Himalayan Rivers, Golfing, Adventure activities like Bungee Jumping, Altra Light Flight, Paragliding, Jeep flyer etc. You also can extend your trip to neighboring Himalayan Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim (India) which seems more appealing to you. On your request, we will give you the detail of the side trips.