We’re off to Trek in Nepal. Again.

Yes, I am in love. In love with the Nepalese landscapes and with the simplicity of the trekking in Nepal. A colleague asked me what’s the attraction with Nepal.

Why Go to Trek In Nepal?

If you ask The Trainer (aka my husband) he’d say he’s doing it to keep me fit! In fact, the need to keep up a general level of fitness and then to train four times a week for two or three months before we leave for Nepal, is a big side benefit. But I really liked the feeling of achievement after taking on the challenge of trekking to Everest Base Camp. And feeling so incredibly fit from the simple days, sustained walking, fresh air and fresh food walking through magnificent landscapes. It felt amazing. And I was glowing when I returned home.

Good Planning is Important for a Successful Trek

Although we have to the Everest Base Camp region twice before or maybe, because we have been before, I am conscious to not become blasé about what we are about to do.

1. We have kept up the training.
2. We (mainly the Trainer) have researched the route and itinerary options
3. We are reviewing what we take. I have bought a new Osprey day back pack.
4. We are reviewing the packing list
5. We reviewed the drug list – the Trainer bought out the chemist.
6. We checked in with our contact in Kathmandu that everything is on track with flights to Lukla, organising our Porter and getting our TIMS Card which have found out no longer exists.
7. We have booked our hotel in Kathmandu.

So, we fly to Nepal in two weeks. I am very excited to be staying at the Kathmandu Guest House when we arrive and when we leave. If it’s good enough for Ricky Martin, it’s good enough for us.

We are trekking independently again but will be taking a porter/ guide, like on our second trek.

Trekking to Gokyo Ri and the Gokyo Lakes

We are going back to the Khumbu, the Everest Base Camp region but we are trekking to Gokyo. The trek is marketed as Gokyo and the Glacial lakes. If you read the trekking tour blurbs this is what they list as the highlights.

• Stand at the shores of a chain of six turquoise, glacial-fed lakes
• Hike along Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in the Himalaya
• Avoid the Everest crowds, but enjoy the selection of great views
• Climb Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu
• Trek through the Sherpa town of Khumjung, home of a ‘real’ yeti skull
• From ‘Scoundrel’s viewpoint’ near the fifth lake, peer over the vast Ngozumpa Glacier a wasteland of rock and ice

In fact the view from Gokyo Ri is meant to be better than the view from Kala Pattar on the Base Camp trek. Also, weather permitting, we will be crossing over Cho La Pass. We haven’t climbed a pass before. This will be a long hard day. Easily the hardest.  But we will only go if the weather is good otherwise it can be treacherous. We have a day and a buffer day at Gokyo to help with this. We have been told that the walk to Fifth Lake is well worth while.

And in true Nervous Nelly style I am anxious about it. Again. This time I am anxious about the pass. However, the Trainer is talking me up. Cho La Lou he is calling me. Cho La Lou, Queen of the High Passes. Sort of has a nice ring to it doesn’t it ?

Do you have any experience of or advice about Cho La Pass and Gokyo ?