Gokyo Chola Pass Trek in the Everest region is a wonderland for travelers, trekkers and Climbers. With numerous destinations for trekking, Peak climbing as well as Mountaineering, the Everest region never fails to amaze its visitors with its natural beauty and cultural richness. EBC Via Gokyo Chola pass is one awesome package curated carefully to address the trekkers who want to witness the true gem of the Khumbu Region, the base of the world’s highest mountain and one of the most beautiful valleys, the Gokyo Valley. Gokyo Valley is popular for the shining lakes with Turquoise water mesmerizing each and every traveler. Also one of the highest settlements in the world, Gokyo village is a scenic destination with panoramic views of mountains all around it. The major highlight of this trek is the Cho La Pass, a mountain pass at an altitude of 5,420 meters connecting the route from EBC to Gokyo.
This trek is demanding and requires a strong level of physical fitness and endurance. The significant skill of using crampons and ice axes is recommended as the Glaciers may be frozen at times making it difficult to walk without the crampons.
Gokyo Chola Pass Trek: Best Time for Trekking
If you want to embark on this adventurous trek to the Everest Base Camp Via Gokyo Chola Pass, the spring season will be the best with predictable and highly favorable weather conditions. The overall trek from Lukla to the Base Camp and return will be exciting with fully blooming nature.
Upon your arrival at the TIA, one of our representatives will be waiting to welcome you.After meet and greet, you will be transferred to the hotel booked for you to rest. There you will freshen up and relax. You can go around the streets of Thamel for refreshments.
On the second day, we will fulfill all our official procedures including necessary documentation, obtain permits, and other formalities needed for our expedition. We will start our preparation for our trek. We will now pack our bags, do some necessary shopping, re-check everything that we need (Especially medicines and essentials). Briefings will be made about each and every aspect of the trek and trip duration, accommodation, facilities at the base camp and during the trek. It is also an opportunity for you to communicate and introduce yourself to your fellow trekkers and teammates.
Early in the morning, after an amazing breakfast, we will take a thrilling flight to Lukla Airport. The flight gives you a bird’s eye view of the valleys, rivers, hills, and gradually mountain ranges. Even though the flight is only for half an hour, it does not fail to mesmerize you now and then. As we land at Lukla Airport, which is already exciting, we start our trek to Phakding, our destination for the day. After obtaining the permit for the region, we will slowly move through the settlements on a mixed trail of dirt, stone pathways, and some rocky sections at times. This is an easy start so make sure to enjoy all the greeneries, floras, and faunas as you walk. The trail takes you over several suspension bridges and along the Dudh Koshi river. Enjoy the rest of the day at Phakding.
After Phakding, we move towards another beautiful destination, Namche Bazaar, which is the commercial point of the Khumbu region. Passing through the dense luscious forests of pine, juniper, Rhododendron, looking out for animals in the Sagarmatha National Park, climbing the stairs, enjoying the rages of rivers at some points, and mostly walking uphills are the major activities of the day’s trek. This trek will be long and tiring as we start gaining significant elevation. As we reach Namche, we rest at our hotel and enjoy our dinner. The next day, we will go around the village area and experience some local sherpa culture.
After acclimatizing at Namche, we set our feet on the trail towards Khumjung valley, also called the green valley because of its dense vegetation. We follow the rocky pathways, steep uphills, rugged terrain, and most importantly enjoy the glimpses of the mountains at a distance throughout.
After Khumjung, we then approach the most beautiful and tranquil part of this Trek, the Tengboche monastery. This trail is a mix of smooth up and downhill paths with a steep uphill climb through the forests before we reach Tengboche. If we got lucky, we may even be able to spot some musk deer, a herd of Himalayan Thar, and pheasants along our way.
Tengboche monastery is one of the most popular monasteries among Buddhists around the world. The views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam are visible towards the north while Thamserku and Kangtega stand towards the south with striking views. We will also join in some prayer ceremonies and rest for the day.
After spending our night in Tengboche, we begin our trek for the day towards Dingboche where we will stay for the next day to acclimate ourselves. Following the path down from Tengboche towards Deboche through the forests of Rhododendrons, we cross a bridge over the raging Imja river. Then, we gradually climb uphill to reach the village of Lower Pangboche where we can witness the spectacular views of Ama Dablam. We then move across the valley to reach our destination Dingboche at the start of the Imja Tse valley after an approximate walk of 5-6 hours. We spend our next day here to prevent any kind of mountain sickness as we go higher. We go on short hikes around the area to get some striking views of the mountain grandeur.
After acclimatizing in Dingboche, we head towards another beautiful stop, Lobuche. The journey starts with a climb to the ridge behind Periche until the tea houses at Dughla followed by a steep ascent to the terminal moraine of Khumbu Glacier. You will encounter a series of stone monuments made in the memories of climbers who couldn’t make it back home. We will reach the memorial of Scott Fisher and 10 times Everest summiteer Babu Chhiri Sherpa who remained in the mountains.
After walking for almost 6-7 hours on rugged terrain we reach Lobuche, a small settlement of Sherpas. It is the final village with lodges on this trail to Everest. We take a day’s rest at Lobuche and enjoy the day with short excursions to view the beautiful mountains in the outskirts. Great Peaks like Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal are clearly seen during the trek on this trail. With the end of the Khumbu Glacier, Mt Nuptse lies towards the right but Everest is yet to be seen.
The air gradually becomes thinner and there can be high chances of altitude sickness so we recommend you to keep communicating with your sherpa guide all the time about how you are feeling.
After Lobuche, we follow the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier followed by a small ascend to reach Thangma Riju, a viewpoint that offers 360 degrees view of all giant mountains. After a steep climb through the Changri Glacier, glimpses of Kalapatthar and Pumori are visible. After a short lunch break, we head towards the Everest Base Camp. The total trail is about 13 km and demands walking for 8-9 hours which can be strenuous. But the best part is: enjoying the grand views of Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and many others in the background we finally reach the base of the world’s highest mountain. After spending some time at the base camp, we must return to Gorakshep to stay overnight.
This day will be a relaxing one as we trek for only 3-4 hours. We begin from Gorakhshep through the main trail, later curving round through the rocky riverbed of the stream. We walk along the trail and climb the grassy ridge ahead until we reach Dzongla from where we will view the eye-pleasing sceneries of giant snowy peaks.
On this day, we will be crossing the highest pass during this trek, the Cho La pass at 5368 m. We start early, have our breakfast, and head towards Cho La pass. Later, we will descend down to Cho La Phedi and rest overnight.
Starting early from Cho La Phedi, we will set our feet on the trail to Gokyo. Gokyo is a wonderful gem in the Khumbu valley blessed with beauty. The Gokyo lakes are highly famous for their luring colors and beauty. We will take a day’s rest in Gokyo and use this chance to hike up to Gokyo Ri to overlook the mesmerizing surroundings.
After exploring one of the most beautiful villages in the high altitude, Gokyo, we then head towards Machherma, which lies just at the end of Ngozumpa Glacier. We rest overnight at Machhermo.
We follow the same route back to Lukla. Stopping at Phakding for lunch we reach Lukla to rest for the day. We cover a distance of 19km and walk for about 7-8 hours.
On the 16th day of our journey, we will take the short flight back to Kathmandu collecting and preserving our memories of the Himalayas. In Kathmandu, you can relax in Thamel, a popular street for tourists where you can get anything you want. You may do some shopping, eat in a nice restaurant, get some spa, do some laundry and many other things. There are also many different attractions in Kathmandu including but not limited to Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath Stupa, Basantapur, Bhaktapur, Patan, and so on. You may go on sightseeing around these areas with one of our city guides
Our journey of Trek to Everest Base Camp ends on this day. With so many beautiful memories together, we gratefully and delightedly bid you farewell and good luck for your flight back home. One of our representatives from 8K expeditions will drop you off at TIA 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.
Climbers are advised to prepare and train their bodies and mind in a perfect way to adapt to the remoteness, high altitude, and distance from the families. It is also advised to carry lesser amounts of valuable belongings. Also, pack in some cotton clothes for your stay in Kathmandu while some warm ones for the Himalayas. Always keep a copy of your passport and photos with you.
Trekking and mountain climbing in the Everest Region are highly dependent on weather conditions. We try to schedule our trips at the most favorable time but in case of extreme scenarios, domestic flights to Lukla may be delayed or canceled. In cases as such, we would like to notify you that except for the total number of days in the itinerary section, expenses of other extra days shall be borne by the client himself/herself. However, 8K Expeditions will make necessary arrangements for the accommodation of porters and guides. If you wish to make alternative arrangements such as a helicopter flight to avoid flight delays, we can arrange it at a nominal extra charge.
Also, 8K Expeditions shall not be liable for any compensation for losses due to missed International Flights but we will surely help to make necessary arrangements to minimize your loss. To avoid missing flights, we suggest keeping some flexible time frames before trip departure and after trip departure.
Also be notified that as we will be traveling in remote areas with extreme climatic conditions and geography where trails can be distorted at times, we might need to adjust our itineraries as required. But we assure you that the quality of service shall not be compromised at any cost.
GOKYO CHO LA PASS TREK FAQ: COST, DIFFICULTY, ITINERARY AND BEST TIME
What is the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
The Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek is a high-altitude trekking adventure in Nepal’s Everest region that combines Everest Base Camp, the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the challenging Cho La Pass at 5,420 metres (17,782 feet).
How many days does the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek take?
The Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek takes 17-day including arrival, preparation, trekking and return travel. The actual duration may vary depending on the selected departure, weather conditions, flight schedules and itinerary adjustments.
How difficult is the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
The Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek is a challenging high-altitude trek that requires good physical fitness, stamina, and preparation for long walking days. Crossing Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters can involve icy, rocky and glaciated terrain. Previous trekking experience at altitude is beneficial and trekkers should prepare for demanding uphill climbs and changing mountain weather.
What is the highest altitude reached on the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
The highest mountain pass on this route is Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters (17,782 feet). Depending on the itinerary and optional viewpoints, trekkers may reach higher elevations elsewhere on the journey, such as Kala Patthar. Proper acclimatization is essential throughout the trek.
What is the best time to do the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek in Nepal?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally the best seasons for the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek. Spring offers milder conditions and seasonal mountain scenery, while autumn often brings clear skies and excellent Himalayan views. Actual pass conditions depend on snowfall, weather and trail safety.
What are the main highlights of the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
The main highlights include Everest Base Camp, the turquoise Gokyo Lakes, the dramatic Cho La Pass crossing, panoramic Himalayan views, Sherpa villages, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery and the unique landscapes of the Khumbu region. The route combines two iconic Everest-region trekking experiences into one adventure.
Do someone need previous trekking experience for the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
Previous trekking experience is strongly recommended because the route involves high altitude, extended walking days, steep ascents, and a potentially icy pass crossing. Fit beginners may be able to participate with appropriate preparation and professional guidance, but they should understand the physical demands and altitude-related risks before booking.
Can beginners do the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
The trek is not generally the best first high-altitude adventure for an unprepared beginner. A beginner with excellent fitness, sufficient training, adequate acclimatization, and guidance from an experienced trekking team may be able to undertake it.
What permits are required for the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
Trekkers need the applicable permits for the Everest region, including the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and any required local-area permits.
What accommodation is provided during the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
The hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and lodge accommodation during the trek. Accommodation availability and facilities in the mountains can vary by location and season.
Are meals included in the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek package?
Yes, meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trekking portion, with tea or coffee. Kathmandu meals are more limited: the package lists breakfast during the included hotel stay and a welcome dinner, while other lunches and dinners in Kathmandu are excluded.
Are flights between Kathmandu and Lukla included in the package?
Yes, flight between Kathmandu and Lukla are included in the packages with airport tax. Lukla flights are weather-dependent and may be delayed or cancelled. Trekkers should allow flexible time before international departure and alternative transport such as a helicopter may incur additional charges.
What equipment should someone bring for the Cho La Pass crossing?
Bring suitable broken-in trekking boots, layered thermal clothing, a waterproof and windproof outer layer, insulated gloves, a warm hat, sunglasses, sun protection, trekking poles and a suitable sleeping bag. Crampons may be necessary depending on snow and ice conditions, their use should be assessed by your guide. An ice axe should only be used with appropriate instruction and when required by conditions.
Is altitude sickness a risk on the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek?
Yes, the trek reaches elevations above 5,000 metres, where altitude sickness can affect anyone regardless of age or fitness. Following the acclimatization schedule, ascending gradually, staying hydrated and informing your guide immediately about symptoms are important. Severe or worsening symptoms require prompt descent and medical assessment; never continue ascending when altitude sickness is suspected.
