Gokyo Lake Trek via Renjo la Pass

Rengo La Pass

It is one of the beauties and highly difficult highlights of the trek towards Gokyo Lake via Renjo La Pass. It lies high above at an altitude of 5,360m, which is 17,585 feet. It is a high-altitude pass connecting the valleys of Gokyo and Thame and promises to show some of the best views of the majestic Himalayas - Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu - to the trekkers. The entry to this pass is extremely tough: it has a steep and rocky terrain and thus needs very vigorous physical preparation for the above. Because of the altitude, trekkers can be subjected to all possible complications regarding altitude sickness; therefore, acclimatization and planning must be done rightly. 

However, the view from the top of the pass reflects a grand vision of the ingeniously fissured glaciers all around, the shimmering Gokyo lakes above, and the silent charm of the Thame Valley below. Crossing the Renjo La Pass takes you to a threshold of living memory from some distant trekking with a dazzling scenery condign that reward of accomplishment for those that attained it.

Permits for Gokyo Lake Trek via Renjo la Pass

The trek to Gokyo Lake through Renjo La is a restricted trek that requires acquiring two permits. 

• The first of them is the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit which costs NPR 3,000. It is an entry fee for trekkers into the protected Everest region touching Gokyo Valley and Renjo La Pass. 

• The next permit is the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) Card, which has to be obtained by paying approximately NPR 2,000 (USD 18) for a single trekker and two or more trekkers around NPR 1,000 (USD 9). The TIMS card serves the government to supervise the movement of trekkers for safety and security reasons. The said permits can be obtained in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) or the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. 

The permits said above cover the free trekking routes into Gokyo Lake and Renjo La but, before leaving, make consultations with your agency or local authorities in case any additional permits would be required, especially for the higher altitudes or restricted zones.

​​Best Time to Trek

• Spring between March to May: It is the ideal trekking season for this region. The weather is fairly stable with clear skies over warm days and cool nights. It is the time to see blooming flora while the views are usually at their very best.

• Autumn Between September to November: Autumn is considered the second-best season followed by spring to hike in Nepal; the weather during the period is as crisp with clear skies with excellent visibility of the mountains. This is by far the best trekking season, so expect crowds on the trails. 

• Winter December to February: Winter is an off-season for trekking because of the cold temperatures--especially in higher elevations. The passes Renjo La and others turn quite almost impassable due to snow. However, if you can brave the cold, and are looking for a bit of solitude, then you might want to consider winter travel. Expect freezing temperatures at night. 

• Monsoon-the period from June to August: Monsoon opens into torrential downpours, which make the trails muddy and invisible clouds might cause difficulties in movement. It's also, as said before, not the ideal trekking season as high-altitude areas have cloudy weather all year, and the mountain views are less compared.

Physical Preparation

• Cardiovascular fitness: Most of the treks cover hours of walking in some, and it can be a real slog, which makes powerful cardiovascular fitness very important. Jogging, swimming, and cycling help develop stamina for these treks.

• Strength Training: This is important because, although cardio does help during a trek, strength in the legs is equally vital. Squats, lunges as well as calf raises are some leg conditioning exercises for the steeper ascents and descents during a trek. 

• Altitude Training: Train as much as possible in high-altitude or low-oxygen situations because this acclimatizes the body much better. Hike uphill distances with a weighted backpack to simulate trekking to help with the training too.

• Endurance: The body should be used to walking for a longer duration (5 to 8 hours) with a moderate-weight pack. To prepare for the long trek, it would do well to take longer weekend hikes with the pack weight. 

• Mental Preparation: Those paths might be harsh sometimes and treks at high altitudes are mentally exhausting, apart from being physically exhausting. Try to gather mental toughness and pacing and avoid too much exhaustion.

Health and Safety

• Altitude Sickness: The higher you go, starting from 3,500 m upwards, the more likelihood there is that you will experience altitude sickness, known outright as acute mountain sickness (AMS). The most evident signs of this disorder are breath shortness, nausea, headache, and dizziness.

• Hydration: Higher altitudes and dehydration enhance the effects and symptoms of the ones suffering from AMS. Carry a water bottle or hydration system and drink up to what can be drunk each day. Alcohol and excessive caffeine cause dehydration and should be avoided.

• Physical Exam: A health exam should be conducted before the trek and also during high-altitude trekking. Special doctor consultation is a strong recommendation if pre-existing medical conditions like heart attack, asthma, or diabetes exist.

• First Aid and Emergencies: Pack a small, basic first-aid kit: a few band-aids, antiseptic cream, blister pads, and pain-relief medications, as well as remedies for common ailments such as diarrhea, cold, or nausea. You will also want to ensure that your trekking insurance covers emergency evacuation; helicopter rescue if one has developed serious health conditions will be the priority.

• Evacuation Plans: In severe altitude sickness or highly unlikely emergencies, very high altitude areas must be evacuated. Though undertaking your trek, ensure your guide adequately trains himself on handling medical emergencies, then discuss evacuation before your trek starts.

Food, Water, and Accommodation

Food: Meals are generally of two types- traditional Nepali and Tibetan. The trekkers mainly have this dish called dal bhat which consists of lentil soup with rice; this is considered a complete and healthy meal. There are other general items like momos, noodles, porridge, and Sherpa stew, which are believed to build strength to travel at such great heights. As you go further altitudinally, fewer food choices are available, but each is very complete and meant to help boost the journey. The lower offerings could be much more extensive and include Westernized foods such as pasta, pizzas, and pancakes. The higher you go, however, the options tend to get more plenty in number yet simple owing to logistical issues but fuel you through the day.

Water: Waterborne diseases may develop if untreated water is consumed directly from rivers or streams, and it is therefore best to steer clear of doing so. Thus, stick with bottled water, or boil your own for safe drinking. Water purification tablets and/or filters are also an option that ensures hydration during the trek without jeopardizing health.

Accommodation: Your accommodation for the duration of the trek will be in teahouses (guesthouses), which provide basic, but fairly comfortable, living amenities. Rooms are generally of dormitory style, but private rooms may be available at some locations. Accommodation is generally with beds with blankets and pillows for that comforting rest after a long day of trekking. The teahouses might be more basic at elevated altitudes with fewer amenities and are bound to be colder. Usually, the bathrooms are shared and outside the room, while hot water is available for an extra fee. Most teahouses have electricity, and there would be a small surcharge for charging your devices. Wi-Fi is available sometimes and is usually slow and expensive, especially in remote areas.

Packing List

Here are all of the things you have to carry when doing Gokyo Lake Trek:

Clothing

• Base Layer

• Mid Layer

• Outer Layer

• Down Jacket

• Trekking Pants

• Warm Hat

• Gloves

• Scarf/Buff

Footwear

• Trekking Boots

• Camp Shoes

• Warm Socks

Gear

• Trekking Poles

• Sleeping Bag

• Headlamp

• Water Bottle or Hydration System

• Sunglasses

• Daypack

Health and Hygiene

• First-Aid Kit

• Hand Sanitizer

• Toiletries

Documents

• Passport

• Permits

• Travel Insurance