Gokyo Lakes prove that sometimes the road less travelled rewards more generously. While thousands crowd Everest Base Camp, fewer venture to these turquoise jewels cradled by glaciers.

Imagine standing at 4,700 metres altitude beside a turquoise lake so vivid it looks Photoshopped. Behind you, the Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal’s longest, stretches like a frozen river. Ahead, the serene water mirrors Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu, four of the world’s six highest peaks. This isn’t a dream. This is Gokyo Lakes, one of the most spectacular trekking destinations in the Himalayas, which somehow remains less crowded than the Everest Base Camp route. While everyone obsesses over EBC, Gokyo quietly offers something arguably better: six sacred turquoise glacial lakes, the best panoramic Everest views in the region (yes, better than Base Camp according to many), and Sherpa culture experienced without the crowds. The lakes sit at altitudes ranging from 4,700 to 5,050 metres, making them the world’s highest freshwater lake system. Sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, these lakes are pilgrimage sites where devotees believe bathing washes away sins. For Indians, Nepal’s proximity makes this bucket-list trek remarkably accessible. No expensive international flights. No complicated visas. Just a short flight to Kathmandu, a thrilling Lukla flight, and ten days of walking through one of Earth’s most stunning landscapes. Ready to discover where glaciers meet turquoise waters?

What Makes Gokyo Lakes Special

The Six Sacred Lakes

The Gokyo Valley contains a system of six main glacial lakes, each distinct and sacred:

1. Longpongo (First Lake): 4,650 m – The smallest, passed quickly on the way up
2. Taboche Tsho (Second Lake): 4,690 m – Marks the junction where trails diverge
3. Dudh Pokhari/Gokyo Cho (Third Lake): 4,750 m – The main lake beside Gokyo village, largest and most famous, where most trekkers stay
4. Thonak Tsho (Fourth Lake): 4,834 m – Largest and deepest at 160.8 acres, remote and less visited
5. Ngozumpa Tsho (Fifth Lake): 4,950 m – Spectacular Everest views, fed by Ngozumpa Glacier
6. Gyazumpa Tsho (Sixth Lake): 5,050 m – Most remote at 72 acres, rarely visited, pristine solitude

Why They’re Turquoise

The stunning colour comes from glacial flour, finely ground rock particles suspended in the glacial meltwater. Sunlight refracts through these particles, creating that otherworldly blue-green hue. The colour changes throughout the day with light conditions, from pale aqua in the morning to deep turquoise at noon to almost emerald at sunset.

Religious Significance

For Hindus, bathing in these high-altitude lakes during the Janai Purnima festival (August full moon) is believed to cleanse sins and bring merit. Buddhist pilgrims circle the lakes as a sacred kora (circumambulation). The combination of natural beauty and spiritual importance makes Gokyo deeply meaningful beyond just trekking.

The Gokyo Ri Viewpoint: Better Than Everest Base Camp?

At 5,357 metres, Gokyo Ri offers what many consider the best mountain panorama in the Everest region. Unlike Everest Base Camp, where mountains surround you, but Everest itself is partially obscured, Gokyo Ri provides a 360-degree view, including:

• Mount Everest (8,849 m)
• Cho Oyu (8,188 m) – 6th highest mountain
• Lhotse (8,516 m) – 4th highest
• Makalu (8,485 m) – 5th highest
• The entire Ngozumpa Glacier stretches below
• All six Gokyo Lakes shimmering turquoise

The climb from Gokyo village takes 2.5-3 hours. Start pre-dawn (around 4-5 AM) to reach the summit for sunrise. Watching the first light paint the Himalayas golden while standing above a sea of clouds is genuinely life-changing.

How to Reach Gokyo Lakes from India

Step 1: Fly to Kathmandu

From India: Multiple daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata

• Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet: ₹8,000-18,000 return
• Flight time: 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on the origin city

Visa: Indians get a free visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport. Just carry a passport with 6 months’ validity and passport-sized photos.

Step 2: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu

The Adventure Flight: Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla has one of the world’s most thrilling runways, 527 metres long, perched on a hillside with a 2,000-foot drop at the end.

• Flight time: 30-45 minutes
• Cost: Rs 15,000-16,500 one way
• Book through a trekking agency; they handle this

Step 3: Trek to Gokyo

Standard Itinerary: 10-12 days total

• Day 1-2: Lukla to Namche Bazaar via Phakding
• Day 3: Acclimatisation day in Namche (crucial)
• Day 4: Namche to Dole
• Day 5: Dole to Machhermo
• Day 6: Machhermo to Gokyo (4,750 m)
• Day 7: Climb Gokyo Ri, explore lakes
• Day 8-10: Return to Lukla

Best Time to Visit

Peak Season (Recommended):

• Autumn (September-November): Clear skies, stable weather, best mountain views. October is perfect. Slightly crowded but manageable.
• Spring (March-May): Warm temperatures, rhododendron blooms, clear views. April is ideal. Fewer trekkers than in autumn.

Avoid:

• Monsoon (June-August): Heavy rain, leeches, obscured views, flight cancellations
• Winter (December-February): Extreme cold, snow-blocked trails, teahouses closed at higher elevations

Mandatory Requirements (As of 2023)

1. Licensed Guide Mandatory:

Nepal now requires all foreign trekkers to hire a licensed guide. You cannot trek independently. This ensures safety, supports the local economy, and provides navigation help.

2. Two Permits Required:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: ₹2,500 (obtained in Kathmandu or Monjo)
• Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: ₹1,650 (obtained at entry point)

Trekking agencies handle permits as part of the package.

Accommodation: Teahouse Trekking

Gokyo trek uses teahouses (lodges), no camping required unless you specifically want it.

What to Expect:

• Basic but clean rooms
• Twin beds with mattresses and blankets (bring a sleeping bag for warmth)
• Shared bathrooms (squat toilets higher up)
• Dining halls with wood/yak-dung stoves
• Menu with dal-bhat, noodles, pasta, soups, Tibetan bread

Costs:

• Rs 300-800/night for a room
• Food separate: ₹200-500/meal
• Higher altitude = higher prices

Pro Tip: Stay at the same teahouse where you eat, room often becomes free or very cheap.

What to Pack

Clothing:

• Base layers (thermal)
• Fleece mid-layer
• Down jacket (essential above 4,000m)
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Trekking pants
• Warm hat, gloves, neck gaiter
• Sunglasses (glacier glasses ideal)
• Trekking boots (broken in)

Essentials:

• Sleeping bag rated to -10°C
• Trekking poles
• Water purification tablets or a filter
• Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Diamox for altitude (consult doctor)
• Power bank

Documents:

• Passport
• Travel insurance (mandatory, covering helicopter evacuation)
• Passport photos (for permits)

Altitude Acclimatisation: Critical

Altitude sickness is real and dangerous. Follow these rules:

1. Climb High, Sleep Low: Gain altitude slowly
2. Acclimatisation Day in Namche: Non-negotiable
3. Hydrate Constantly: 3-4 litres of water daily
4. Avoid Alcohol: Dehydrates and worsens altitude effects
5. Recognise Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath
6. Descend if Severe: Don’t push through serious symptoms

Diamox helps, but isn’t a cure. Proper acclimatisation is the only real solution.

The Ngozumpa Glacier Experience

Walking alongside the Ngozumpa Glacier, at 36 kilometres, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, is surreal. The ice formations, glacial debris, and sheer scale make you feel tiny. Some sections of the trek cross the glacier itself, following cairn-marked paths through the ice wilderness.

Pro Tips

1. Book Agencies in Advance: October-November sells out. Book 2-3 months ahead.
2. Flexible Schedule: Lukla flights are cancelled frequently due to weather. Build buffer days.
3. Cash Only: ATMs only in Namche. Carry enough Nepali rupees for the entire trek.
4. Charge Devices Sparingly: Electricity costs ₹200-500 per charge at higher elevations.
5. Hot Showers Cost: ₹300-500 each. Skip them or budget accordingly.
6. Eat Dal-Bhat: “Dal-bhat power, 24-hour!” Local saying. Unlimited refills, nutritious, and cheap.
7. Start Early Each Day: Afternoons bring clouds and wind. Morning trekking = better views.
8. Respect Sherpa Culture: Remove shoes indoors, don’t refuse tea, ask before photographing.

The Turquoise Lakes

Gokyo Lakes prove that sometimes the road less travelled rewards more generously. While thousands crowd Everest Base Camp, fewer venture to these turquoise jewels cradled by glaciers. The result? A trek that feels more authentic, more peaceful, more connected to the mountains themselves. You stand beside sacred waters that have reflected Everest for millennia. You climb Gokyo Ri and see four of Earth’s six tallest peaks in one panoramic sweep. You walk beside the Himalayas’ longest glacier. You share tea with Sherpas whose ancestors have called these valleys home for generations. For Indians, this trek is remarkably accessible. A long weekend flight away. Visa-free. English-speaking guides. Familiar dal-bhat sustaining you. And landscapes so stunning they’ll ruin every other trek comparison forever. So when you’re ready for mountains that humble you, lakes that calm you, and heights that challenge you, head to Gokyo. Where glaciers meet turquoise waters. Where Earth touches sky. Where the Himalayas reveal their most stunning secret.

These countries demonstrate how clean energy adoption, strong environmental policies and favourable geographical conditions can keep air pollution impressively low so its citizens can breathe easy.

According to the IQAir World Air Quality Report (2024), they consistently maintain annual average PM2.5 levels at or below the World Health Organization’s stringent guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Nations with the most admirable AQI

1. Bahamas

The Caribbean isles record an exceptionally low PM2.5 level of 2.3 µg/m³. Its marine location, steady ocean breezes and lack of heavy industry help preserve remarkably clean air, making it one of the best places in the world to experience truly fresh air.

2. Iceland

The Nordic nation’s average PM2.5 concentration stands at around 4 µg/m³, placing its air quality well within healthy limits and making it safe for people of all ages.

3. New Zealand

In 2024, New Zealand’s average PM2.5 concentration rose slightly to 4.40 µg/m³, marking a modest increase from the previous year’s level of 4.30 µg/m³. Despite this uptick, air quality remains among the cleanest globally. IQAir records show the country’s highest pollution levels were observed in 2018, when fine particulate matter peaked at 7.70 µg/m³.

4. Australia

The Land Down Under marked an average PM2.5 concentration of 4.5 µg/m³, keeping national air pollution levels within the World Health Organization’s strict safety benchmark of 5 µg/m³ or lower.

5. Estonia

Estonia’s annual PM2.5 concentration averages 4.6 µg/m³. Notably, despite nearly half the population residing in Tallinn and its surrounding region, the capital city itself recorded a lower annual average of 4.3 µg/m³, comfortably remaining beneath the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.

6. Finland

With PM2.5 levels of 5.2 µg/m³, Finland benefits from dense forests, clean energy and tight emission standards.

7. Sweden

Yet another Scandinavian country in the top rankings, Sweden records 5.3 µg/m³ annually. A strong focus on renewables, urban planning, keeps air pollution consistently low.

Sri Lanka is famously called the tea garden of the world, thanks to its misty highlands and endless plantations. Producing over 300 million kilograms of tea annually, the island’s Ceylon tea is cherished globally for its unique flavour and regional variety.

Sri Lanka has earned the nickname “the tea garden of the world” for good reason.

Mist-clad hills, endless terraces of emerald bushes and a long history of commercial tea growing have made Ceylon tea one of the island’s best-known exports.

Tea changed the country’s landscape, economy and identity; its plantations are as much a part of Sri Lanka’s image as its beaches and temples.

Tea planting here began in the nineteenth century after coffee crops were wiped out by disease. Visionary planters introduced tea, and estates quickly spread across the central highlands.

Today, the nation sells tea under the famed “Ceylon” label and the Sri Lanka Tea Board works to protect quality, reputation and traceability for markets around the world.

WHY IS SRI LANKA CALLED THE TEA GARDEN OF THE WORLD?

Sri Lanka’s combination of altitude, rainfall and temperature is ideal for tea.

Steep slopes in the central highlands trap mist and cool the plants; soils and microclimates vary region by region, giving each district a distinctive flavour.

Large swathes of the hill country are planted with tea shrubs, producing a landscape that truly looks like a single, enormous garden — visible from trains and roads that wind through the hills.

HOW DID TEA START HERE AND GROW SO QUICKLY?

Commercial tea in Sri Lanka began after a coffee blight in the 1860s. Pioneers such as James Taylor planted the first experimental gardens, and by the late 1800s plantations were well established.

Over time, the industry developed processing factories, auction systems and export networks centred in Colombo.

The country’s Tea Research Institute and the Sri Lanka Tea Board have since supported research, quality control and branding under the Ceylon name.

WHAT MAKES CEYLON TEA SPECIAL?

Teas are often named by region; Nuwara Eliya, Dimbulla, Uva and Kandy, and each area produces a different style.

High-grown teas (Nuwara Eliya) are light and floral; mid-elevation teas are full-bodied; Uva teas are aromatic and brisk.

Strict grading, auctions and the Lion Logo for genuine Ceylon tea help buyers identify origin and quality.

WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL IMPACT?

Tea remains a major employer and a pillar of rural economies in the central hills.

Estates support thousands of workers and many families depend on the crop for their livelihoods.

Tea also fuels tourism: tea trails, factory tours and colonial bungalows attract visitors who want to experience the tea country first-hand.

IS THE TEA LANDSCAPE PROTECTED?

Sri Lanka has moved to conserve its tea cultural landscape and improve sustainability.

The island’s tea regions are proposed for heritage recognition, and government and industry bodies promote good agricultural and environmental practices to ensure the industry remains viable.

The winter storms just can’t seem to take a hint: we’re over it. As snow covers much of the country and temperatures continue to drop—even in notoriously warm states—many folks have found themselves stuck indoors. Unfortunately, colder weather doesn’t just disrupt travel plans; it can also make your body much more vulnerable to sickness. And with flu cases still surging nationwide, everyone wants to know what it takes to stay healthy during winter storms.

Cold, dry air can weaken immune systems, while limited sunlight, less movement, and close indoor quarters all compound against you. But even if you’re snowed in, there are practical steps you can take to protect your health. Men’s Journal spoke with Shirin Peters, M.D., to learn her top strategies for staying healthy during winter storms.

Begin Supportive Remedies Immediately

Peters advises starting supportive remedies at the first sign of symptoms, rather than waiting until you’re already feeling sick. Acting early can help reduce the severity of an illness and shorten how long symptoms linger. Delaying care, on the other hand, often makes recovery slower and more uncomfortable. Supportive remedies may include using zinc or Vitamin C supplements, drinking warm fluids, or starting over-the-counter medications.

“The first sign of a cold is a critical window,” Peters says. “That’s when your body is just starting to respond, and taking action early can help reduce the severity of symptoms and potentially shorten how long you feel sick. Waiting even a day or two can make it harder to get ahead of it, especially during peak cold and flu season.”

Keep Nasal Passages Hydrated

Keeping nasal passages hydrated helps defend against irritation caused by cold outdoor air and dry indoor heat. This might look like running a humidifier, using a saline nasal spray or rinse, and staying hydrated throughout the day. If you own a neti pot, it’s the perfect time to bust it out.

Proper hydration in the nasal passages helps thin mucus, ease sinus pressure, and reduce congestion to support overall sinus health and lower the risk of infection. After all, nobody wants to spend several snow days glued to a box of tissues.

Prioritize Rest and Sleep

With winter storms already disrupting daily routines, it’s the perfect time to double down on rest and quality sleep. Proper rest gives your body the recovery time it needs to support immune function and fight off illness. No need to feel bad about it when everyone is stuck inside, anyway.

Stay Stocked on Medicine

When winter storm have you stuck inside, the last thing you want is to realize you’re out of cold and flu medicine. With pharmacies often closed or picked over during severe weather, having basics on hand saves you an unpleasant trip to the store. Keeping items like pain relievers, decongestants, and throat lozenges on hand can make riding out winter storms more manageable.