How Much Does it Cost to Gokyo Lake Trek?

If you want to experience a spiritual journey along with a trekking adventure in Nepal, then the Gokyo Lake trek is one that you should definitely try. Located in the Everest region inside the Sagarmatha National Park, Gokyo Lake is situated at an altitude of 4,700 meters to 5,000 meters.

The main highlight of this trek is to explore the breathtaking serene Gokyo lake and summit of Goko Ri which is 1.7 km in distance. Also the 360 panoramic view of the mighty Mount Everest(8848 m) and many towering snow-peak mountains from the summit of  Gokyo Ri is equally stunning.

If you are preparing for the Gokyo Lake trek it is essential to do the budget management. For this, you need to understand what are the factors that affect the total package cost of the Gokyo Lake trek. Let’s continue reading to learn more in detail.

II. Major Cost Components

Permits and Fees:

To hike in the Khumbu Region for Gokyo Lake Trek, trekkers must obtain a Sagarmatha National Park Permit. The cost of this permit is NPR 3,000( plus 13% VAT) per person for foreign citizens. For SAARC nationals it will cost NPR 1,500( plus 13% VAT) per person and for Nepalese it will cost RS 100 per person.

Along with this permit, it is necessary to obtain the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit. The cost of this permit for foreigners including SAARC nationals is NPR.2,000 per person for four weeks. After four weeks it will cost you NPR. 2,500. 

If you are planning to avoid the flight to the dangerous Lukla airport and want to trek through the Jiri route then you need to have a Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit. This permit will cost you NPR. 3,000 per person.

Transportation:

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight Cost: One of the popular ways to reach Lukla is by taking a ktm-lukla flight. The ticket price for Kathmandu to Lukla flight for one way will be around 180 USD for foreigners. For Indians, it will cost around 140 USD, and for Nepalese citizens, it will cost around RS.8,000.

Manthali to Lukla Flight cost: During the peak season, direct flights to Lukla airport are often diverted to Ramechhap airport. First, you need to reach Ramechhap airport, which costs about $30 on a tourist bus and around $210 for a private jeep. From Ramechhap airport, the ticket price for Lukla will cost you approximately $170.

Kathmandu Jiri Transportation Cost: If you travel to Jiri by local bus it will cost you around NPR.1,000 and on a private jeep it will cost you around NPR. 30,000.

Accommodation and Meals:

During the Gokyo Lake Trek, we will spend the night in the Cozy tea house which you can find on the trekking route. On average, you can find rooms in a tea house for around $5 to $20 per night.

Trekkers can expect three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the Gokyo Lake Trek package. For breakfast, it will cost you around 15 dollars, and for Lunch and dinner, it will cost you $20 – $35 per meal.

III. Additional Considerations

Guide and Porter Services: 

After the new trekking rules it is mandatory to hire the trekking Guide with you for the Gokyo Lake trek which will cost you around $30 – 40$. Similarly, you can hire a porter for around $25.

Personal Expenses:

Certain things like tipping, drinking water, and snacks will not be included in the Gokyo trek package. You can separate around $200- 300$ for this. Additionally, if you wish to rent the trekking gear in Nepal it will cost you per item 1-5$.

Trip Duration and Season:

The longer the trip duration the more expense you need for the food, meal, and accommodation so choose the perfect itinerary that fits your budget. 

During the peak season due to the huge crowd and high demand it may be difficult to find Lukla flight tickets, transportation, accommodation and  trekking guides. This can result in drive up costs. So we advised you to book the trek at least 3-4 months in advance.

IV. Estimated Cost Ranges

As we mentioned above, factors like permits, food, accommodation, transportation, and season play a significant role in Gokyo Lake trek cost. On average, the total cost for the Gokyo Lake Trek package ranges from USD 1,200 to USD 1,800.

Note: If you are a budget-friendly traveler and want to save costs for the Gokyo Lake trek, many trekking agencies offer a heavy discount in the off-season. Also, if you are in a large group don’t forget to ask for a group discount.

V. Budgeting Tips

• Research about the palace so that it will be helpful for managing the budget.

• Book the trekking package in advance so that you can get accommodation and flight tickets easily in peak season.

• If possible try to trek in groups to get a group discount.

• If you are a beginner or a seasonal trekker, instead of buying new gear items, go for renting.

• Try to minimize costs by spending less on personal items.

• Carrying a power bank and water purification tablets can help save extra costs.

VI. Final Say

We hope this blog helps you manage the budget for the Gokyo Lake Trek. Before booking the Gokyo Lake trek package check what is included and what is not. If the package or itinerary doesn’t fit your budget, you can change it with Nepal trekking routes to make it work for you.