Everest Chola Pass Trek 19 Days
Explore the beautiful alpine Gokyo Lakes and cross a high mountain pass, Cho La, passing by the biggest glacier in Nepal, Ngozumpa Glacier. Enjoy overnight stays in remote Sherpa villages and hike to EBC and Kala Patthar on the Everest Cho La Pass Trek for 19 Days.
The Everest Cho La Pass trek is one of the most adventurous trekking trips that go beyond the mainstream EBC trail. It extends to the challenging Cho La Pass (5,420 m) and explores the beautiful Gokyo Valley.
The Everest Cho La Pass Trek is for fit trekkers looking for challenges and thrills in the Khumbu region. The itinerary combines a hike to EBC and Kal Patthar before crossing the Chola and walking along the Ngozumpa glacier to Gokyo Valley.
The Everest Cho La Pass Trek is also known as the Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass Trek with EBC. The magnificent mountain views, picturesque villages, intimate encounters with locals, and verdant forests make the Everest Cho La Pass trekking a lifetime venture.
Unlike the EBC trek, you get to spend more time in the mountains and enjoy many places of interest. We have included the most beautiful overnight stays along the trekking route. As we have booked the best lodge, you'll have a comfortable stay and get a good night's sleep after walking daily.
Major Attractions of Everest Cho La Pass Trek:
Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu
On the second day of your arrival in Kathmandu, we will arrange a guided sightseeing tour of historical sites, which will be a full-day tour guided by one of our experienced tour guides.
The tour involves visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the holy Pashupatinath Temple. It is one of the oldest temples in Nepal and a pilgrimage site.
The next monument is the biggest stupa in Nepal, Boudhnath Stupa, and the famous Monkey Temple.
Likewise, you'll explore Kathmandu Durbar Square. This monument used to be a royal residence and now is an open museum with palaces, courtyards, & shrines. If time allows, you'll also visit the Asan market.
Lifetime flight experience between Kathmandu and Lukla
You might have heard many things about Kathmandu Lukla flights, like how crazy the flight experience is, its overwhelming takeoff & landing, and frequent delays.
Given the height of the Lukla airport (2,846 m) and the flying route, which includes towering mountains/peaks touching the clouds, you cannot expect anything else.
Similarly, the aerial views of the Himalayas will leave you in awe. Kathmandu Lukla flight gives a thrilling kick-start to your journey in the Himalayas.
Trek through lush forests and beautiful remote villages
The Cho La Pass Hiking route passes through juniper forests, magnolia, fir, and rhododendrons. It then climbs through dense alpine woodlands to Dingboche village.
The trail is full of vegetation ranging from subtropical to alpine. Likewise, you'll see different wildlife and birds. Above the treeline, you'll enjoy walking past bushes and pastures.
The Everest Cho La pass trekking is also about experiencing the mountain lifestyle and culture of the natives.
As the trail passes through beautiful Sherpa villages, you'll learn much about their values firsthand. Interaction with locals and their warm hospitality will win your heart.
Enjoy the wonders of the Khumbu region/Sagarmatha National Park.
The Everest Cho la Pass trail has more villages than villages in the Sagarmatha National Park and dense forests.
You will come across streams, rivers, waterfalls, valleys, suspension bridges fastened with fluttering prayer flags, farming fields, glaciers, moraines, and lakes. The trail is very adventurous, as you can imagine.
Excellent side excursions during acclimatization days
We have a few acclimatization days during the Gokyo Lake and Cho La Pass Trek. During these days, you'll explore the villages and observe locals doing their daily chores.
In the mornings, you will hike to nearby viewpoints, including Everest View Hotel, Nagarjuna Hill, and Gokyo, RI.
Stand at the base of the highest mountain in the world and explore the gorgeous sunrise from Kala Patthar.
The trail leads to Everest base camp, on the lap of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Reaching this point is usually the dream of hundreds and thousands of travelers worldwide.
And why not? It's like standing at the top of the world in one way. Likewise, the Trek takes you to Kala Patthar, the famous viewpoint offering a panorama of snow-capped mountains. Again, sunrise is very renowned in Kala Patthar.
Cross Cho La pass & walk by the biggest glacier in Nepal.
The Cho La pass is one of the three high passes in the Khumbu region. It stands 5,420 meters (17,782 ft) above sea level in north-eastern Nepal, Khumbu region. The pass connects Dzongla (4,830 m/15,850 ft) to the east and the village of Thagnak (4,700 m/15,400 ft) to the west.
Likewise, while walking from Thangank to Gokyo Valley, you'll be walking alongside the biggest glacier in Nepal, the Ngozumpa glacier.
Located below Mt. Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world, the 36-kilometer-long Ngozumpa Glacier is the longest in the Himalayas.
Explore Gokyo Lakes
Six Gokyo Lakes range from 4,700 to 5,000 m (15,400–16,400 ft). These are oligotrophic lakes and the world's highest freshwater lake system of multiple lakes.
Dudh Pokhari is the main lake in Gokyo village, and Thonak Cho is the largest lake. These lakes have religious values for the locals of the region.
Witness stunning mountain views & diverse landscapes.
You witness numerous mountains, peaks, and hills on the Cho la Pass trek.
The landscapes change with every new village and only get captivating. Some of the mountains you get to see while trekking are Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Ama Dablam (6,812 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), Thamserku (6,608 m), Pumori (7,161 m), Cho Oyu (8,188 m), Makalu (8,481 m), Kanchenjunga (8,586), Island Peak (6,160 m), and Chamlang (7,319 m).
Everest Cho La pass trek itinerary.
The Trek begins with an exciting flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,846 m). Then, you'll traverse the Sagarmatha National Park, which starts from Monjo village (2,835 m) and goes up to Mt. Everest's top.
On the same day as your flight to Lukla, you'll descend to Phakding village (2,610 m) to spend the night and acclimatize.
In the next few days, you'll trek through different Sherpa villages, such as Namche Bazar (3,440 m), Tengboche (3,860 m), Dingboche (4,410 m), Lobuche (6,119 m), and Gorak Shep (5,164 m).
After exploring the Everest base camp (5,364 m) and Kala Patthar (5,644 m), you'll walk past Dzongla (4,830 m) and Thagnak (4,700 m). The trail then crosses the Cho La pass and goes by alpine lakes to Gokyo village (4,750 m).
Our major ascending part ends at Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), a viewpoint that offers one of the best views of Everest & Cho Oyu. The next day, you'll explore the Gokyo Lakes (4,700 m-5,000 m) and descend to Machhermo (4,470 m).
The following two days involve walking to Namche Bazaar and retracing the trail back to Lukla.
Our Everest Cho La pass trek itinerary involves ample acclimatization days and, therefore, exciting side excursions to Hotel Everest View (3,962 m), Khumjung monastery (3,790 m) in Namche Bazaar, and Nagarjuna Hill (5,100 m) in Dingboche.
If you love glaciers, valleys, moraines, snow-capped mountains, lakes, mountain passes, bridges over rushing rivers, and the serenity of nature, then the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek with EBC is for you.
Everest Cho La passes trek difficulty.
The Everest Cho la Pass trek is challenging in the Khumbu region. It encompasses the Cho La circuit and crosses a high pass above 5,000 meters.
The trail has many hurdles that make the trip adventurous and test your endurance and willpower.
You'll push yourself daily for 6 to 7 hours on rough, steep terrain to reach the next point on the itinerary. Some days may include more than 8 hours of walking.
Along with the rugged trail and glacial walking (in the latter part of the trail), you also have to deal with altitude and scarcity of facilities. As the journey progresses, it'll only get tough on you and your mind.
Therefore, you must have physical and mental fitness to complete the Everest Cho la Pass Trek.
While trekking, you must be mindful of altitude sickness. Proper rest and acclimatizing your body are crucial.
Everest Cho La passes trek preparation.
You should have at least three to four weeks to prepare for the Cho La Pass and Gokyo Lakes trek. You can train your body to walk long hours and build stamina during this time.
You can go on short day hikes and regularly do activities like cycling, swimming, and aerobics. Likewise, you can exercise in the gym and work on your core body strength.
Another thing you must do is visit your doctor and learn about altitude sickness.
If you have any past medical history that may be affected by high altitude, you should also talk about that with your doctor. Get prescribed medicines for the journey if needed.
Availability and Booking
Booking Everest Cho La Pass Trek with Outfitter Himalaya is quite simple. We have a regular departure.
First, you must choose the date that best suits you. You can also customize the itinerary/departure date with us. Then, fill in the information asked in the form and proceed with the booking charge.
We'll begin processing your trip once we receive the booking request and payment. You'll receive a trip confirmation email. You can pay the rest of the package costs upon arriving in Nepal.
One of our travel consultants will stay in touch with you and help you prepare for the Trek.