Gokyo Lake Trek Health and Safety Tips

The safety measures to ensure traveler safety during the trek are given below:

• We provide experienced, government-licensed, and first-aid trained guides to provide safety during emergencies.


• Our Gokyo Lake Trek Itinerary includes a proper acclimatization or rest days at Namche Bazaar and Gokyo village.


• During emergency situations, we provide immediate medical help and helicopter evacuation.


• All of the accommodation we provide follows the clean and safety measures, along with regularly checked trekking gear.


• All of the meals provided are organic, locally sourced, and healthy.


• We also provide free water purification tables to ensure your safety.


• Your health will be monitored regularly, like checking your oxygen level with an oximeter.


• Our trips won’t run without travel insurance that covers trekking and emergencies.

Our guides carry essential equipment to handle sickness and accidents during the trek. Here’s what they bring:

First Aid Kit: This includes bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and other basic medical supplies to treat minor injuries.

Oxygen Mask and Tank: For emergencies related to altitude sickness, our guides carry oxygen to help travelers who may experience breathing difficulties.

Diamox (Acetazolamide): This medication is used to prevent and treat altitude sickness, and guides carry it to give to trekkers if needed.

Thermometers and Blood Pressure Monitors: To monitor trekkers’ health, especially at high altitudes.

WalkieTalkies/Phones: To communicate with the base or arrange for emergency help, including helicopter evacuation if necessary.

Rescue Rope and Emergency Blankets: For any serious accidents or if a traveler needs help getting down the mountain quickly.

Travel insurance is mandatory for the Gokyo Lake Trek. It’s important to have insurance that covers things like emergency evacuation (especially by helicopter), medical treatment for altitude sickness or injuries, and trip cancellations or delays. Although it’s not required, having travel insurance helps protect you from unexpected costs and makes your trek safer. We recommend getting insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation for peace of mind during your adventure.

To stay hydrated during the Gokyo Lake Trek, it’s important to drink plenty of water and aim for at least 3-4 liters a day. Carry a reusable water bottle so you can refill it at teahouses along the trail. Make sure to purify the water using purification tablets or a water filter to avoid any health issues. It’s also a good idea to avoid sugary drinks and stick to water or herbal teas. Eating hydrating foods like fruits and soups can also help keep you hydrated. By following these simple steps, you’ll stay energized and feel better throughout your trek.

To prevent altitude sickness during the Gokyo Lake Trek, here are some simple tips:

Ascend slowly: Gradually increase your altitude to allow your body time to adjust. Take rest days when needed.

Stay hydrated: Drink at least 3-4 liters of water a day to help your body adjust.

Eat well: Focus on eating nutritious meals, especially those rich in carbohydrates.

Rest: Take regular breaks and avoid pushing yourself too hard.

Consider medication: Speak to your doctor about taking Diamox (acetazolamide) to help prevent altitude sickness.

Listen to your body: If you experience dizziness, headaches, or nausea, rest and inform your guide immediately.

Avoid alcohol and smoking: These can worsen the effects of altitude sickness.

We allocate one guide for six people and one port for two people. If you are trekking in a big group, Access Nepal allocates the guides and porters accordingly. For every package, we provide highly experienced, English-speaking, government-licensed, first-aid trained, and local guides. The guide will be provided according to their expertise. Your safety will be the top priority, and they are always available in case of any need or emergency. All the insurance and expenses of guides and porters are included in the package.

Similarly, the porters will be provided as per the size of the group and how much your luggage weighs. The porter will carry the luggage that is safe and manageable to carry between 20 to 25 kg. Additionally, if you have any personalized requirements like the need for a female guide or extra assistance, Access Nepal will help you through that.

At high elevation treks like the Gokyo Lake Trek, there is a chance of getting altitude sickness. If you feel any of the symptoms like weakness, nausea, dizziness, chillness, fever, or headache, immediately inform the guide. If you get sick, our guides will immediately seek medical help. Furthermore, all of our guides are first-aid trained, so they will handle everything carefully in case of emergency, like altitude sickness, minor injuries, diarrhea, and fever. In serious issues, we will also arrange the helicopter evacuation immediately. Throughout the trek, you will be monitored closely.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) typically starts from altitudes as low as 2,400 meters (8,000 feet). Sometimes, trekkers get altitude sickness from altitudes above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet). The trekker might feel the symptoms within 6 to 12 hours of trekking at high altitude. However, for some, trekking symptoms might begin just after 1 hour or as late as 24 hours after arrival. Due to the rapid increase in altitude without acclimatizing, there is a high risk of getting altitude sickness. Therefore, to crucial to give your body some rest and time to adjust to altitude. To prevent getting altitude sickness, our Gokyo Lake Trek package includes two acclimatization days at Namche Bazaar and Gokyo Village.

Yes, oxygen is available during the Gokyo Lake Trek. You can easily buy them at teahouses along the trail in case of emergency or need at higher elevations to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Our guides will be carrying an oximeter to check your condition and monitor the oxygen level in your body. The oxygen cylinders are mostly used during emergency cases. For the mild altitude sickness, you won’t need an oxygen cylinder.

You don’t have to worry about getting altitude sickness because you will be monitored regularly throughout the trek. It helps to detect the early symptoms of altitude sickness. To prevent issues like this, we suggest you walk slowly, drink lots of water, take proper rest, and eat nutritious food.

Acetazolamide (Diamox) medicine helps to cure and prevent altitude sickness. This medicine helps your body adjust to altitude faster. They help in reducing symptoms like weakness, nausea, headache, and chillness. In addition, if you have mild symptoms, ibuprofen or paracetamol are also useful to reduce the fever and pain. However, we suggest using medications only after consulting with your doctor, especially if you have any other health concerns. For better prevention and cure, acclimate properly, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, and walk slowly.

Yes, you can acclimate on the Gokyo Lake Trek. The 13-day itinerary includes two key acclimatization stops before going towards high-altitude places like Gokyo Valley (4,750m) and Gokyo Ri (5,357m). For safety reasons, the trek goes gradually with rest days at key points. To prevent getting altitude sickness, proper acclimatization is very important. During the acclimatization days, your body works to adjust to high elevation and thinner air.  Throughout the trek, you have to be very attentive about your health and always listen to your body. Drink lost of water, avoid alcohol, eat nutritious food, get good sleep, walk gradually, and rest properly.

No, we suggest you not continue the Gokyo Lake Trek with mild symptoms of altitude sickness. Even if the symptoms are mild, like a slight headache or nausea, you have to rest. The standard rule of altitude sickness is to acclimate and stop ascending so that our body gets some time to adjust to the elevation and thinner air. If you are getting mild symptoms, stop ascending without panicking, rest properly, and drink lots of water. If the symptoms are not improving, talk with the guide immediately, and come down to a lower elevation. Throughout the trek, you will be guided by highly experienced guides. They will be monitoring with an oximeter to check your oxygen level in your body. And always listen to your guide and follow their instructions properly.

You should seek emergency evacuation immediately if your symptoms of altitude sickness get severe. Even after taking a rest, medication, and hydration, you have to get help immediately. In severe altitude sickness, you might feel severe headaches, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, confusion, extreme tiredness, lack of focus, and unable to recognize objects. In case of serious cases, your guide will immediately bring you down and give you medical support. However, if there is no time and descent is not possible, they will bring a helicopter evacuation.

The trekking boots, which are sturdy, with good ankle support, waterproof, good friction, sturdy sole, breathable, and durable, are the best for the Gokyo Lake Trek. This trek involves trekking for 6 to 8 hours on diverse terrain. A good quality trekking boots is the most essential part to enjoy a comfortable trek. To avoid any injury and discomfort, boots that fit you perfectly and are made with high-quality materials are the best trekking boots for the Gokyo Lake Trek.

The high-SPF sunscreen, cap, sunglasses with UV protection, and long-sleeved clothing are necessary for sun protection during the Gokyo Lake Trek. During the trek, always cover yourself and avoid getting direct sunlight. Make sure not to expose the skin, and after every two hours, apply the sunscreen frequently. You will sweat frequently, so you have to apply the sunscreen frequently to avoid getting sunburn and effects from the UV rays. In addition, carry a lip balm that has SPF and protects you from the sun and happens, especially at cold and high elevations.

Yes, our guide has a trekking license provided by the government. All of our guides are highly skilled, first-aid trained, experienced, English-speaking, and local. Organized by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), our guides have completed all the training and hold valid trekking permits and certificates. They are always prepared to give you safety and provide help during an emergency. Your health will be monitored throughout the trek to ensure your safety and prevent any issues.