About This Route
The Gokyo Lakes chain, at 4,700-5,000 meters in Sagarmatha National Park, represents the pinnacle of high-altitude scuba in the Everest region. Fifth Lake (Long Lake) is prime for dives, reachable via the Gokyo Valley detour from the EBC Trek, passing Renjo La Pass from Namche Bazaar. These sacred turquoise lakes, fed by Ngozumpa Glacier, offer crystal-clear shallows (5th Lake up to 40m deep) amid Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang views. Trek 7-9 days from Lukla; Leave No Trace principles apply strictly, no touching lake bottoms to preserve ecology. Certified divers only, per Nepal Mountaineering Association guidelines.
Safety Considerations
Altitude compresses dive tables: use coefficient 0.79 for depths over 300m equivalent, as per BSAC high-altitude charts. Acclimatize per Khumbu Medical Clinic protocols: rest days at 4,200m Gokyo village mandatory. Hypoxia exacerbates nitrogen narcosis; limit nitrox to 32% O2. Frigid 1-4°C waters demand drysuit proficiency; test seals pre-dive. Low viz from plankton blooms; use 1,000-lumen lights (e.g., Halcyon). Currents from glacial melt can sweep divers; enter from fixed ropes at designated points. Monitor SpO2 above 85%; abort if below. PADI Tec 40 training essential for rebreathers mitigating shallow gas consumption.
Essential Gear
CCR rebreather (e.g., rEvo) for efficiency, thermal undergarments (7mm pinnacle merino), lift bags for surface marker, satellite communicator (Garmin inReach). REI Co-op dry gloves and hoods critical.