Gokyo Chola Pass Trek

Our Guide will come to your hotel in the very morning with cab/taxi transfer to the domestic airport according to the flight schedule. As the flight to Lukla are operated in the morning due to not favourable weather after mid day. It is 25 to 30 minutes scenic exciting flight to the Tenzing Hillary Airport at Lukla, then meet other crew and heading to Phakding. Lukla is nestled of Sherpa people who are contributing whole life in the mountaineering, and it is the main gate of the Top of the world. After manage lockage and preparation, we walk through the Lukla Bazaar to the north toward, where you will see Pasang Lhamu (The first women climber of Mt. Everest) gate at the end of the town.

Then, the trail descends through the forest of Rhododendron and pine up above the Chaurikharka Village and makes a descent towards the Chheplung Village and continue walk to the Ghat (2,530m) following Dudh Koshi River Bank. There are several Buddhist Rock painting with the sacred mantra, Mane walls, Mane wheels, Chortens and monastery on this trail. After passing the Ghat, you will witness of the Buddhist Rock painting garden. Another 45 minutes easy walk through the river bank, bring you to the cosy settlement to the Phakding (2,640m). During 2 to 3 hours walk to the Phakding, you have wonderful mountains view such as Numbur, Mt. Kwangde, Thamseku and Kusum Kanguru. Stay overnight at Tea house.

Today, the trek begins after having breakfast at tea house, where you are staying. Most of the time you will walk along the Dodh Koshi River banks and will crossed the suspension bridge five times on the same river. From the town, the trail drops gently down to cross the river and walk continue to the left side of the river to the Tok Tok, and further heading pass beautiful waterfalls and Mane wheels generating by water to the small village Benkar, where offer best accommodation and meals with excellent views of Thamserku peak. Than after crossing the river, we follow the ascending trail to Chomoa, with agriculture farm. Continue ascending you will get in Monjo (2,840m), this is the gate of the Sagarmatha National Park Area (1,148 sq km, established in 1976), and we need to check in park permit. Walking down the hill next to the huge boulder again get in River Bank and cross the bridge before Jorsale (2,830m), this is best place to having lunch due to last tea house before Namche Bazaar. Now, the trail goes through the pine forest along the right side of Dudh Koshi River and walk upward to the river to cross the last (fifth) bridge; hanging high above the water surface, on the confluence of Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi River. Then the trail is ascending immediately through the forest for 2 hours to the Namche Bazaar. In 45 minutes climb you will see view of Mt. Everest, over the right Nupste (7,879m) first time on the trek. After 5 to 6 hrs walking the trail brings you to the street of Namche Bazaar. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar with wonderful atmosphere surrounding by mountains and Sherpa Heritage.

As this is rest day for acclimatization before heading to high Himalaya, we hike to the Khumjung Village and Everest View Hotel after a late breakfast at tea house. It is about 2 hours ascending up above the Namche Bazaar to get in the Everest View Hotel (3,880m). This is the one of the best view point to observe breathtaking mountains such as Mt. Everest, Nupste, Ama Dablam, Kangtegha, Thamserku, Kusum Khangru, Khongde and Khumbi Yu La, etc. at in a glance. Then, the trail descends to the beautiful nest of the Sherpa Khumjung Village through the pine forest, and it bestows remarkable scenery, where can see Hillary School, an ancient Monastery around. Khumjung is most popular for the ancient monastery with a yeti skull, and Khunde Hospital, after taking unforgettable memory, we will return back to Namche via Hillary Chorten and Yaks farm. If you don’t want to walk to the Khumjung, you may visit the mountaineering museum, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), Sagarmatha National Park office and walk around the Namche Bazaar. If you are in right time, there is weekly market with different type of commodities every Saturday in Namche. Stay overnight at Tea House.

Your body energizes last day acclimatization in the town. We commence the journey in the morning after breakfast to the Tengboche ascends top of the town to the North-east, nearby the museum. Then, the trail gently ascending with little ups and down on a wide track (contraction by Pasang Sherpa collecting donation with trekkers) with wonderful snowcapped mountains scenery and beautiful Dudh Koshi Valley to the Kyangjuma. You have rewarded the view of mountains including Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Khangtekha, Lhoste in front of you with their tremendous shape. After few minutes pleasant walk through the Rhododendron forest you will get a junction, which sign pointing the way to Khumjung, Gokyo and Tengboche. The trail goes through the small settlement Trashinga with huge display of trekking souvenirs and drop down to Dudh Koshi River and cross the bridge to the at Punge Thagna via Sangnasa, taking 2 ½ hours walk from Namche Bazaar. As this is last tea house before Tengboche, so it would be best to have lunch here to recharge the energy for the two hours ascending to the day destination at Tengboche (3,867m). Then the trail heading up through the beautiful forest, often bestow mountains scenery and finally get in the crest of the ridge to the hill at Tengboche monastery (3,867m), biggest monastery in the Khumbu Region. You can see the jaw dropping view of mountains scenery including the Top of the World “Mt. Everest (8,848m), Kwangde, Tawache, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku, during the dawn and dusk. Mt. Ama Dablam can be seen in closest with huge towering shape. You may recharge your soul attending with praying ceremony in the Gumba, which conduct every morning and evening. You will stay overnight at Tea house in Tengboche.

Wake up in the morning with sunrise. The astonishing mountains vista can be seen even from your window. The day begin after breakfast downhill through the Rhododendron forest with attractive mossy to the Deboche (3,820m). And keep on walk to the forest above the Imja River to the small settlement at Milinggo and cross the bridge at narrow gorge with sound of the river ranging. Then the trail ascends steeply from the right side of the river bank to the gate of the Pangboche (3,930m) Village through the ancient Buddhist Chorten and piles of stones. The trail ongoing to the northeast above the tree line nearby Imja Khola and get in lunch place Somare (4,010m), in 45 minutes walk from Pangboche. Now, as gaining elevation as the landscape becomes more arid and barren to the Orsho, get within 15 minutes. The 15 minutes’ walk we get in small summer pasture residence at Tsuro Wang (aka, Warsa), from where we led to Dingboche taking the right branch trail, while the left trail goes to the Pheriche. The trail steeply ascends after bridge on the Labuche Khola and heading to east onward the Imja Valley with huge farm terrace and settlement of Dingbuche (4,410m). Stay overnight at Tea house enjoying with the wonderful valley.

This is second rest day at Dingbuche for the well acclimatizes before heading Mt. Everest Base Camp. After late breakfast, we prepare worm clothes, bottle of water and other essential things for the day hike to the Nangkartshang Peak (5,615m). There are several side trips around the Dingboche, visit the HRA (Himalayan Rescue Association) at Periche for the high altitude lecture by the specialist during trekking peak session, Hike to Chhukung, visit the Ama Dablam Base Camp or wondering around the town and climb to Nangkartshang Peak. To use to be your body such elevation, we recommend you visit the Nangkartshang Peak. The trail acceding to the crest of a ridge at the corner of the village and bestows wonderful mountain scenery including for the highest mountain in the world (Mt. Makalu 8,463m (5th highest mountain in the world), Lhotse (4th highest mountain in the world at 8,516 meters), Cho Oyu (6th- highest mountain in the world at 8,201 meters), other mountains and incredible birds eyes view of Imja Valley. This is the best place to see three highest mountains in the world at in a glance. Enjoy soaring view of Ama Dablem from your tea house while spent the night.

Today you fell energetic after good acclimatization last day. After breakfast, the trail ascends to the ridge above the Dingboche to the place of the Chorten and then pleasant walk through the pasture land; this is summer residence of yaks and heading to Thukla (4,620m) for two hours walk. You have fortunate view of nature setting including Ama Dablam, Khangtega, Thamserku, Tawache, Cholatse, Lobuche and glimpse of Mt. Pumori on this hike. The trail coming from Pheriche joins to your main trail below the Thukla before cross the Khumbu Khola aka Lobuche Khola. You may have cup of hot tea at the lodge and ascend steeply 45 minutes to the crest to the Thukla Pass (4,830m), where you will see stone memorial filtering Buddhist colorful prayer flag around, these were built for those climbers who died during the expedition in the Khumbu, especially on Everest Expedition. In few minutes’ walk, we cross the stream near the west side of the Khumbu Glacier and onward to the Lobuche along the stream about one hour walk bring you to the wider valley nearby Khumbu Glacier at Lobuche (4,930m). We are staying at tea house for the night.

After having breakfast, we commence our journey to the Gorak Shep (5,140m) along the Khumbu Glacier with wonderful mountains view, in fifteen minutes walk you will see sign with 20 to 30 minutes walk will get in Pyramid International Laboratory - Observatory (established in 1990 October by Italian scientist at altitude of 5,050m, research for climate and geology). The trail heading north onward Lobuche Pass (5,110m), you need extra effort to get in the pass. Then walk through the Changri Glacier several up and down trail with loose rocks. We get in Gorak Shep (5,140m) 2 to 3 hours walk from the Lobuche, from where you have amazing landscape with glacier marine and sky towering mountains including top of the world Mt. Everest (8,848m), Nuptse, (7,861m), Lhostse (8,516m), Pumori (7,165m) etc. and Everest Base Camp and Gorak Shep, highest tea house in the world. You will get in tea house by the mid day and rest of the day walk to the Everest Base Camp (5,360m) taking 2 to 3 hours walk. As Gorak Shep is last tea house for the base camp, you need make sure to have bottle of water, warm cloths, some snacks and energy bars and head light. About three hours walk to the glacier, you will get in north corner of the glacier and finally to get in Everest Base Camp (5,360m) with miracle scenery of Khumbu icefall and Khumbu Glacier. As the trail EBC through the glacier, it might be missing the path, so follow the Sherpa guide trek in the right way. During the spring season, Everest base camp will full of tents of expedition group. It looks like the mini city with most of the services. If you would like to talk lively with your family and friend from Everest Base Camp due to internet accesses by mobile phone. Look around the base camp and snap some pictures as evident, we will return back at Gorak Shep for the overnight stay.

Today is most important day to visit the most popular view point Kala Patthar early in the morning. Most of the people want to see sunrise view from the top of Kala Patthar but the sun coming through the behind the mountains, it won’t be perfect view due to ant sunlight.So, if you are really like to see magical view, batter to visit Kala Patthar aka Kalapattar “Black Rock in Nepali” in the sunset time but you need to be well equipped with warm clothes, water, head light. In the morning, we start the journey to the Kala Patthar with cup of hot tea or soup and at the begging the trail climb up steeply along the ridge of Gorak Shep on the north corner for 20 minutes and further gradual ascend to the plateau, where the cabinet meeting of Nepalese Government had held on December 4, 2009, to draw attention of global warming issues in the planet in the world submit at Copenhagen. Steeply ascend 1 ½ to 2 hours will get you in the top of the Kala Patthar (5,550m), where a banquet of peaks waits for you. The top of the peaks bestows 360 degree dramatic view including top of the world “Mt. Everest (8,848m), Lingtren (6,695m), Khumbutse (6,623m), Changtse (7,550m), Nupse (7879m), etc. The towering peak Mt. Pumari (7,145m) soar in the sky just in front of you and below down you can see Mt. Everest Base Camp of Khumbu glacier marine and Khumbu ice-fall. Enjoying breathtaking mother nature on the summit of Kalapatthar, we will descend to the Gorakshep for the breakfast and continue walk down through the ridge of Khumbu Glacier to the Dzongla (4,830m) via Lobuche taking 4 to 5 hours walk. From the Lobuche, the trail descends along the stream for 20 minutes, where we keep on walk on the right trail along the west side of the valley to the Dzongla and further to the Chola Pass, instead crossing the stream (this trail descends to the Thukla.). Finally, the route reaches a ridge and turns northwest in to valley high above the magnificent Chola Tsho (Lake) and further walk surrounded by majestic crage soaring into the sky however that seem in stone’s throw distance. It takes 2 ½ to 3 hours walk to get in Dzongla from Lobuche. As there are few lodges, sometime it might be packed with trekkers during trekking peak season. We are staying overnight in the hotel in the natural environment.

Cross over a small crest from Dzongla and descend slightly into a wide valley. Cross streams to work your way up to the head of the valley. Climb through loose rock and then steeply up through and over boulders. Look for cairns and painted green arrows to indicate the ascent route. Eventually, gain the glacier just before the pass and keep to its south side on follow whatever path has been previously made. The surface might bare ice and thus slippery and crampons can be useful. Be aware the crevasses may be covered by fresh snow and also may be near bergschrund where the glacier pulls away from the rock. The Cho La Pass (5,420m) is marked by cairns strung with prayer flags at least 2 ½ to 3 hours from Dzongla. New vistas open up before you, and the rugged trail that goes on to Thangnak can be made out below. The descent from the pass is hazardously steep, sometimes over hard snow and rock. Be aware of loose stones and rock fall. Eventually, you pass through screed to reach the valley floor and a boulder field and continue through it to a saddle to the west. Look for cairns to mark the way. Cross minor ridges and descend steeply to reach Tangnank (4,700 m), with seven substantial lodges and a few stone-built dwellings. It takes 2 ½ to 3 hours from the Chola Pass Summit to Thangnak. Stay overnight at the lodge.

Today is short walk to the Gokyo about 2 to 3 hours walk through the Nagjumpa Glacier (longest glacier of Nepal) making several ups and down with loose rocks. Some time to hard of Yaks make confuses to lead the right path. You need to follow to the Guide foot trace. After crossing the Glacier on the last ascending to the ridge, the trail descends between first and second lake which catches the main route of Gokyo coming from Namche. The trail continues along the shore of beautiful second Lake (Tabachi Tsho) with ducks and some birds swimming across the mirror-calm surface. In 2 to 3 hours wonderful walk from Thangnak the trail bring you in the hotels in front of the third Lake (Dudh Pokharai) at Gokyo (4,750m), from where you can see Mt. Cho Oyu (8,188m), Gokyo Peak trail. As you will get in Gokyo by mid day, rest of the time relax in the hotel or climb up to Gokyo Peak (5,350m) to walk around. Stay overnight at tea house.

The climb to Gokyo Ri is the most popular excursion in the Gokyo Valley, a superior viewpoint with an incredible panorama. Early in the morning, we will ascend the ridge of Northeast through the steeply up about 2 to 3 hours to get in top of the Gokyo Ri (5,360m), nearly 700 meters above the Gokyo. It is lower than Kalapatthar, although you need give more effort to get on the peak due to its straight up. The sweeping panorama reveals four of the planet’s six highest summits and much more. From the north working east Cho-Oyu (8,153m -world sixth highest mountains), Mt. Everest (8,848m- top of the world), Lhotse (8,516m – fourth highest mountains), Makalu (8,463m-fifth highest) and many others mountains breathtaking scenery can be seen from the summit of the Gokyo Ri. Similarly, the magnificent view of Cho-Yu base camp farther north of the Ngozumpa Glacier; one of the longest glaciers of Nepal and turquoise color Gokyo Lake, teahouse, nearby edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier. After collecting lifetime experience, we stroll back to the Gokyo about an hour dropping walk. Rest and relax remaining day or visit fifth and sixth lakes if you have sufficient time, from where you can see whole body of the Mt. Everest nowhere else. We are staying overnight at Gokyo, a paradise in the earth.

Last minutes look around the Gokyo Lake; we descend retrace to the second lake, and walk farther to the down valley in a small Lake as known as first lake. Then we cross the stream on bridge, the water flown from lakes. Now the trail steeply descends right side of rock along the river side. Further walk in the wider valley bring you a tea house in Phang (4,448m) and some ups and down the trail to the Machherma (4,470m), Luza (4,360m), Labarma (4,330m) and finally descending nearby tree line at Dole (4,200m). People who would like to take an alternative route to Phorche Village, the trail depart from Phang. You will see a number of mountains view around you while descending Dole. Stay overnight at Dole enchanting nature.

Today, we walk to the Namche Bazaar after having breakfast at the same tea house where you stayed. The trail descends through the subalpine forest down to Phorche Thanga (3,680m) about one and half-hours downhill, the vegetation turn into rhododendron and pine forest, where another trail coming from Phorche Village. Now, the trail leads above the Dudh Koshi River through the forest up to Mongla Hill an elevation of 3,972 meters, you fell this is hardest part after Chola Pass. From here the trail gradually descent to the main trail for the Everest Base Camp at Sanasa and retrace the Namche bazaar high above the Dudh Koshi River with beautiful landscape and mountains vista. We are staying at overnight vibe place Namche Bazaar.

This is end of the trek in the world Highest National Park “Sagarmatha”. We start our day trip quite long to the Lukla after having breakfast. It is mostly downhill through the forest and crosses the many suspension bridges on same river with beautiful Sherpa dwelling. In two hours walk we get in Manjo and another one and half-hour get in Phakding and get in Lukla 6 to 7 hours from Namche. As this is re trace trail, you will remind last time walk around. When you get in Lukla, our Guide will reconfirm Kathmandu flight ticket in airline office counter. This is last day of the Everest Cho La Pass Trek; you will celebrate evening with Guide and porters. Staying overnight at Tea House.

Today, we walk to Tenzing Hillary Airport for check in. As you informed all flight from Lukla operated in the morning due to un-predictable weather after mid day. I would like to inform you put at list one extra day, if incase the weather not permitted you fly back to Kathmandu in time, which is beyond our control. However, we will fly back to Kathmandu in 25 to 30 minutes by scenic exciting flight by Dornier aircraft and transfer to the hotel. Now, have free time to relax after long venture journey in Himalaya and catch your breath. Staying at hotel overnight.