Highlights

  • Exciting and scenic 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla 
  • Explore the unique and vibrant Sherpa tradition and culture
  • Trek inside Sagarmatha National Park habitat of exotic animals like Musk deer, Himalayan giant Thar and Snow Leopard
  • Stand at the foot of the world's highest mountain, Mt. Everest
  • Catch the outstanding view of sunrise over Mt. Everest from Kalapatthar
  • Enjoy the panoramic view of mountains like Ama Dablam, Cho  Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Lobuche, etc. along the way
  • The ascent of Gokyo Ri and Cho La Pass for mesmerizing mountain views
  • A visit to the highest freshwater lake system in the world - Gokyo Lake

About Everest Base Camp Via Gokyo Lakes And Cho La Pass Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Cho La Pass rewards you with everything that the Everest region has to offer. Everest Base Camp itself is one of the final destinations of our trekking journey. There, you can have a beautiful view of the Khumbu Icefall. However, you won’t get the grand view of Everest itself from the Base Camp.  So, you hike to Kala Patthar to have the most spectacular view of Mt. Everest. The Gokyo Lakes are another major attraction of your Everest Gokyo Cho La Pass trekking package. Gokyo Village lies on the eastern shore of the third lake. This bright blue color of the high-alpine lake makes it exceptionally beautiful. To accimlatize, you climb Gokyo Ri, a peak located on the west side of Ngozumpa Glacier. It is the vantage point for one of the most spectacular panoramic views of the Everest region, truly unforgettable. You will walk through the snow-covered trails of Cho La Pass, one of the more difficult stretches of the trek, during which you will get an adrenaline rush and a feeling of a great accomplishment. 

Putting the joy of reaching the foot of Mt. Everest aside, you also get the chance to explore many of the wonderful places along the way. From the moment you start your journey with the thrilling flight to Lukla, you get a plethora of beautiful vistas of Himalayas, landscapes, forests, and rivers. You will also get to explore the Sherpa culture and their lifestyle at its best on the 17-day journey. 
 

Route to Everest Base Camp via Cho La Pass

The route of this trek is similar to the Everest Base Camp Trek up to Namche. After that, you will trek towards Dhole, Machhermo, Gokyo and then to Gokyo village and lakes. As a part of acclimatization, you will spend the 8th day in Gokyo village by climbing the Gokyo Ri. Then, you will proceed towards Thangnak and then to Dzongla via Cho La Pass. After that, you will again join the regular Everest Base Camp trek trail when you reach Lobuche. On the 12th day, you will reach Gorakshep, trek to Everest Base Camp and return to Gorak Shep. Next day, you will hike up to Kalapatthar and descend towards Pheriche. Then, you will trek to Namche and Lukla to finally take a flight back to Kathmandu.
 

Difficulty

Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Cho La Pass falls in strenuous grade. Strenuous treks demand a high level of strength and physical fitness. That being said, people of all ages and capabilities have managed to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek without issue. Among the 15 days of trekking, you will walk for an average of 5-6 hours a day. Some days require you to walk as little as 3 hours, while other days you need to walk for about 8 hours. 

The terrain of the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Cho La Pass trekking trail varies from beginning until the end. Some routes are flat and even and you can cover up to 4 kilometers in an hour. However, some uphill climbing on the rocky stretches slow you down. The trail gets tough as you approach the Base Camp when you have to walk next to a glacier. 

Altitude sickness is another thing to be careful about during this trek. Cardio exercises, hiking, kayaking, etc. one month prior to the trip can help you prepare for the trek. 

 

Weather and Temperature

Weather in high altitude places in the Everest region is quite unpredictable. But, based on previous data, we can say that spring and autumn are best for trekking with low precipitation, comfortable temperatures, and less dramatic weather.

At lower places, days are warm with colder nights and early mornings. But, as you trek higher, it may start to get chilly even in the daytime. So warm clothes need to be packed with thermal insulations.

Usually, summer and winter are not that favorable for Cho La Pass Trek. That being said, it is still possible with additional preparation, though you may need to be ready to bear some rainfall, cold temperatures, and snowfall.
 

Accommodation

On your trekking journey to Everest Base Camp via Cho La Pass, you will be staying at tea houses run by Sherpas. They are small hotels which provide you with the best place to sleep and relax. They may lack in luxury but their hospitality is what makes you feel wonderful. Apart from that, you will get plenty of opportunities to get exposed to the tradition and culture of Sherpas while staying at tea houses. You will stay at a 3-star hotel while you are in Kathmandu.
 

Food and Water

Tea houses along the trail provide minimalistic food rich in nutrients. Three meals per day are included in the package and food like noodles, pasta, rice, vegetables, Dal Bhat, eggs, etc. are provided. There may be some fast food, bakery items and beverages available at early villages like Lukla and Namche. Some dry snacks that can’t be spoiled by heat can be brought like chocolates and energy bars. You can fill your bottles with boiled water in tea houses. If you want to use tap water, you have to use water purification pills. Mineral water and some basic snacks can be bought in tea houses and local shops.

Itinerary

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When will reach Tribhuvan International Airport, one of Sublime Trail representatives will be there to pick you with your name on our signboard. You will then be taken to the hotel where you will stay during your days in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a city rich in culture and you will find various historical and cultural sites. You can go around the city if you aren’t tired and you have enough time. Else you can freshen up, go to a cafe to have your lunch/dinner, enjoy live music or rest. Our crew may then give you a tour briefing.

You will have your breakfast and head towards the airport to reach Lukla, the gateway to Everest. The flight takes 35 minutes and you may enjoy beautiful sceneries including mountains from your flight and land on Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. Lukla is known for its notorious weather shift, and flight to/from Lukla will be postponed in such extreme cases. With your group of partners (if any), guides and porter(s), you will then head towards Phakding. You will descend towards Dudh Koshi river and walk through a village Ghat. After 3-4 hours of trekking, you will reach Phakding, where you will have dinner and stay overnight. This is the first night leaving your comfort and sleeping in a basic tea house.

You will have your breakfast and head towards the airport to reach Lukla, the gateway to Everest. The flight takes 35 minutes and you may enjoy beautiful sceneries including mountains from your flight and land on Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. Lukla is known for its notorious weather shift, and flight to/from Lukla will be postponed in such extreme cases. With your group of partners (if any), guides and porter(s), you will then head towards Phakding. You will descend towards Dudh Koshi river and walk through a village Ghat. After 3-4 hours of trekking, you will reach Phakding, where you will have dinner and stay overnight. This is the first night leaving your comfort and sleeping in a basic tea house.

In places higher than 3000m, you are at risk of altitude sickness. Before climbing any further, you are required to spend the first night in the same elevation and ascend the next day. This way your body gets some time to adapt to increasing altitude and decreasing oxygen level.

Today you can go to various places or rest as a part of acclimatization. You can go to Everest View Hotel walking steep uphill for a few hours, which is only 3962 meters high or to headquarters of Sagarmatha National Park where you may capture beautiful sunrise/sunset over the mountains. This day is also a great opportunity to explore the culture of people residing in the region. You can also visit Tenzing Hillary School in Khumjung. Ultimately, you will return to Namche for dinner and rest.

From Namche Bazaar, you will walk upstream of the Dudh Koshi river. The area will be covered with Sherpas living in small houses and small monasteries. You may see mountains like Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. You will also see a hamlet of Kyangjuma. You will follow Cho Oyu Mountain and it will be thrilling to walk narrow trails along pine forests to reach Dhole. You will have dinner and stay at Dhole.

You will have breakfast at Dole and you towards Machhermo. You will see lots of oak and pine forests along the way. You will get to see peaks of like Taboche, Cholatse, Cho Oyu and Everest along the way The total trekking will take you about 5 hours and you will reach Machhermo. You will have gained almost 300 meters in altitude. You will rest at a tea house in Machhermo after having dinner.

Your today’s destination will be beautiful Gokyo village and lakes. This day you will ascend a steady uphill, which will take about 5 hours. First, we will get to the first lake which we will get to after a few monasteries. We will walk on the moraines of Ngozumpa Glacier to get to Gokyo 2nd and 3rd Lakes. You can go around Gokyo villages, explore the beauty of lakes and view mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. You will rest in a tea house in Gokyo.

This will be the second day during your trek which you will spend as acclimatization. You can either get to the top of Gokyo Ri (5260) from where you can catch a glimpse of beautiful sunrise over the Himalayas or you can roam around Gokyo village and rest. From Gokyo Ri, you can catch an astounding view of the mountains and glaciers. If time allows and you aren’t tired, you can as well go to the Fifth lake.

Today you will leave the village of Gokyo along with its lakes and head towards Thangnak. You will continue walking over the rocky terrain which is actually the moraines of Ngozumpa Glacier. You will get amazing views Mt. Cholatse. The moraine makes it a bit difficult to walk. Though it is not an uphill climbing, you will have to walk slowly and carefully since the path is a very irregular and rocky terrain.

Today you will walk towards Cho-La pass, one of the three high passes of the region. You will have to walk carefully since the path is rocky, steep and a bit difficult. Today’s trek may be a bit challenging and will require you to be fully alert since you will be walking through crevasses, scree, and boulders. You will get to see beautiful landscapes covered in snow. After getting to the top of the pass you will get a beautiful view of Mt. Cholatse, Lobuche, Ama Dablam. Then you will proceed to reach Dzongla, from where you will see those mountains’ full sight. You will stay at a tea house in Dzongla.

Your two destinations, Gokyo lakes, and Cho-La pass are now behind you and now you will head toward your final destination, Everest Base Camp. You will descend from Dzongla, cross a bridge and view beautiful landscapes and mountains. This day requires your caution too but today’s trek will be shorter than yesterday’s. So, you will have time to stroll around to explore the villages and culture. You will spend your night at Lobuche.

Lobuche to Gorak Shep trek won’t be long, steep, or intense but you’ll have gained a considerable amount of altitude to this day so you will have to take care of yourself against altitude sickness and look for signs. After walking for about 3 hours you will reach Gorak Shep, our today’s station. Then we will trek towards Everest Base camp and our path is a dry frozen lakebed. It is a gentle uphill climbing then a gentle long descend.

After reaching Everest Base Camp, you may see the peak of Everest peeking behind Lhotse and Khumbutse and they both may seem to us to be taller than Everest itself. You can find piles of stones, prayer flags and few banners stating the height of the base camp. To view the majestic view of Everest, you will have to go to Kala Patthar which is tomorrow’s destination. You will return to Gorak Shep and spend your night.

After 2-3 hours of strenuous uphill trek, you will reach Kala Patthar and it will be worth all the effort once you get the mind-blowing view of Everest, Khumbu Glacier, and other peaks.

It will be the limit of how far you can go without mountaineering kits. You can wake up early and trek to Kala Patthar to catch a glimpse of the sunrise over Everest. You can also get an amazing view of Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and many other peaks. After you collect the mesmerizing views into your memory, you can now head toward Pheriche. You will get to Gorak Shep first where you will have your lunch and continue your trek to reach Pheriche.

We will descend through Khumbu Khola and Sherpa settlements. Finally, we reach the spot where we will return the same route we came. We will move towards Namche. We may see Rhododendron and oak trees, birds and animals. We will see prayer flags and greenery will start to appear as you move forward. As we bid farewell to the mountains slowly we will see the same beautiful landscapes, markets, and yaks as you arrive Namche.

Today will be the last day you will spend during this trek in the lap of Himalayas. You can look back to the days you spent here exploring Gokyo Lakes, Cho-La Pass, Everest Base Camp and everything else this trek offered you.

The oxygen level will have increased considerably and altitude is comparably low. Looking back you will see the same mountains you witnessed so closely glimmering in snow, the feeling you will get will be incomparable. You will have your dinner and rest to let away your exhaustion from the earlier days.

You will return to Kathmandu through a flight taking 35 minutes. You can have your last glimpse of the Everest region as an aerial view. You will land in Kathmandu and go to the hotel where you spent your first night. You can either go around for activities like shopping, live music, exotic food, safari, rafting, etc or you can rest in your hotel room. In the evening, you will be provided a farewell dinner by the Sublime crew in a traditional restaurant. You will also get to see a wonderful cultural dance.

You will return to your homeland today, taking with you your memories of these 17 days. You will have conquered your fear, felt joy, expanded your limits and seen astounding beauty Everest region has to offer. We will have taken any measures to make your trip worth your visit and we will be more than happy to continue providing you with our service if you plan to return Nepal for new adventures or if you want to extend your visit.

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What's included

Included  Not Included
  • Meals: 
    16 Breakfasts, 14 Lunches, 14 Dinners
  • Accommodation: 
    3-Star accommodation in Kathmandu for 2 days 
    Tea house accommodation along the way for 14 days
  • Transportation:   
    All land transportation with pickups and drops
    Domestic Flight to Lukla and back
  • Guides and Porters:
    One guide and assistant guide between 6 people 
    1 porter for two people (A porter can carry up to 30 kg)
  • Entry Fees and Permits:
    Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Fee
    TIMS Card
  • Miscellaneous: 
    Down jacket, a Sleeping bag which should be refunded to the company after the trip
    Necessary paperwork with the government of Nepal and Tax department
    All the necessary insurance for the guides and porters
    First Aid service in case of minor injuries
    Salary, food, and accommodation for guides and porters
  • Any meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu
  • Rescue & travel insurance, trip cancellation costs, accident or health emergency, evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage and personal effects (We strongly advise you to take out personal travel insurance.)
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to any reason
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, cold drinks, bottled or boiled water, hot shower, etc.)
  • All the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including mineral water
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Tipping for the Sublime crew

Good to know

Is Cho La Pass trek harder than Everest Base Camp Trek? 

The beginning 4 days and last 6 days of Cho La Pass trek are similar to regular Everest Base Camp trek. Everest Base Camp itself is a strenuous trek and requires preparation and physical fitness. During the remaining 7 days of the trek, you will trek in an altitude of more than 4000 meters and cross a high mountain pass. The increased trekking duration is high altitude makes this trek a bit harder than regular Everest Base Camp trek. But, you get to visit the Gokyo lakes, be at the top of Cho La Pass, and hike to the top of Gokyo Ri. With enough preparation and persistence, this trek can give you a lifetime experience.
 

How dangerous is Cho La Pass?

It really depends on how good the weather is and how experienced you are. If the weather is good, it can be pretty daunting to climb the steep uphill but you are at less risk. You need to follow your guide’s instruction and proceed carefully. If there is snow, you may want to wear crampons to make it easier to walk. Some challenges are okay if you have prior trekking experience in such an environment. But, consult with our team to know about the weather conditions before booking the trip to Cho La Pass.
 

How is cell phone network and internet access during the trek?

Cell phones and internet connections are available in most areas of the trekking trail. You can either use NTC or NCELL sim cards to both make calls and use data. Sometimes the network can be weak and sometimes strong enough to make video calls.
 

How can I prevent altitude sickness?

Trekking in high altitude for multiple days keeps us at the risk of altitude sickness which can increase in severity in no time. Therefore, the trekking itinerary is designed with 2 acclimatization days in Namche and Gokyo village. When the altitude gain is going to be a lot, you should walk slowly and steadily, keep yourself hydrated and check for any little signs for altitude sickness. Diamox tablet is usually taken in mild cases altitude sickness. 

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FAQs

Yes, you can take a shower during the Everest Base Camp Trek. The tea houses you will be staying in will provide you with the facility. If you want to take a hot shower, you can for an additional price. The price gets more expensive as the altitude increases.

On average, a porter can carry up to 30 kg. But once you have to share the porter with another trekker, he will carry up to 15 kg luggage per person. If you have to carry more than 15 kg, you can either carry the extra weight by yourself or pay an extra charge. 

Yes, you can use the internet most of the time during Everest Base Camp trek. The easiest way to access the internet is by using mobile data provided by Nepal Telecom and Ncell. It will be fast enough to make video calls, etc. However, the network might not be available in some remote places. 

Another option is using Everest Trek Internet access with an extra charge, which will work all the way to Everest Base Camp.

Yes, the cell phone works in most of the areas. You can use SIM cards of Ncell and Ntc to make calls. The network might not be available in some places but there will be no problem for communication. You can charge your cell phone at tea houses but they take extra charge for that service. In peak seasons, you might even have to stay in queue to charge your phone and batteries. 

You will have to take proper acclimatization rest to prevent altitude sickness. Don’t rush to get to the destination and take your trek slow and steady. It is necessary to stay hydrated during the trek. You should avoid alcoholic beverages as they cause dehydration. If your body shows any signs of altitude sickness, you should stop going further or descend back. Take Diamox or equivalent medicine with you but you need to consult your doctor before doing so.

Customer Reviews

  • Unbelievable adventure and beauty of nature

    - Adrian Ong, Canada

    On the process of completing this trek, it evoked a range of emotion in me. I was happy, tired, frustrated sometimes, excited and above all I felt adventurous. When I felt I couldn't move any further our guide motivated us and made us complete our daily goals, when I underestimated nature, he let me go because I wouldn't stop and I learned a great knowledge to never underestimate the power of nature. When I decided to do something really stupid, he suggested me not to and he also gave me reasons why. I think it wasn't just trekking, it was a life-time experience.

  • Extremely caring, friendly and patient !

    - Yeo Ya Wen, Singapore

    Ram was extremely caring, friendly and patient. He would go the extra mile to ensure that you are comfortable and safe. We had 2 great treks with him ans cant wait to go back again!

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