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Gokyo Lake via Everest Base Camp Trek

Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek

High Camp Trekking > Nepal > Hiking and Trekking in Nepal > Everest Region > Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek

Highlingts:
Trek duration : 15 nights and 16 days.
Trek start/end: At Lukla.
Trek grade: Challanging due to High Altitude.
Trek style: Lodge Trek.
Trek season: October to December and March to June.
Highest elevation: Kala Pattar 5545m.
Viewpoints: Nagar Tshang, Kala Pathar and Gokyo Ri.
Sherpa villlages: Namche, Khunjung, Khunde and Pangboche etc.
Ethnic group: Majority of Sherpas community.
Culture: Buddisum.
Himalayan scenery: Thamserku, Kusum Kangaru, Kwangde, Tabuche, Ama Dablam,Kangtenga, Mt. Cho Oyu, Gyachungkang, Mt. Makalu, Island Peak, Peak 14, Peak 38, Nuptse, Lhotse, Everest, Pumari and Khubutse etc.
Lakes: Chola Tsho and 1st of 6th Gokyo Lakes.

Cho La Pass Trek connects Gokyo Lake and the Everest Base Camp in the Everest region. It is an adventurous mountain pass mixed with loose rock, large boulders, and ice glaciers, so the ascent and descent of Cho La Pass are always tricky. It is also known as Gokyo Lakes via the Everest Base Camp route. This trek route takes us on a circuit journey in the Everest region, Nepal.

The walk begins at Lukla Airport. We trek through traditional Sherpa villages and visit ancient monasteries before going to Everest Base Camp. En route, we spot Yaks and wildlife.

An elevation (5368m) of Cho La Pass Trek is more challenging than Everest Base Camp’s ascent and Kala Pathar’s viewpoint. We make a super entry to Gokyo Valley by crossing the Nagozumba glacier when we succeed at Cho La Pass. We reach above the clouds as we ascend Gokyo Ri (5357m), from where we can snap superb photos of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, all above 8000m peaks. We can even witness one of the most spectacular sunset views in the Himalayas from Gokyo Ri.

We include a day hike to the 5th/6th Lakes in the Gokyo Valley and spend a second night at Gokyo Lakeside, the most scenic valley in the Everest region.

We brief about Sherpa Culture, painting in monasteries, wildlife, and safety tips for acclimatizing while on the trek. We help you to succeed in your adventure and stay safe in the Himalayas as much as possible.

Day to day itinerary:

We take good care of guests from arrival to departure at Kathmandu Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, please check the cardboard for High Camp Trekking. Our company representative will help you get to the hotel in Thamel (tourist center). We give a briefing about trek preparation and things to do in Kathmandu.

All include:- Airport pickups, bed, and breakfast.
We go to the hotel domestic terminal after breakfast. It's a scenic flight to Lukla, where you can see middle hills and panoramic views of snow crown peaks from the left window of an airplane. We take you to the hotel for tea or coffee drinks and introduce you to porters who carry your luggage for the trip. Leaving Lukla, we walk downhill through Rhododendron trees to reach the Chaurikharka village. We also see the Kusum Khang Peak from Thade Kosi and Dudh Kosi River. The trail is lined with Mani Mantra carvings on boulders, Stupas, and prayer flags before you reach Phakding. We do a side trip to the Pema Chholing monastery in the afternoon.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
Leaving Phakding, we follow Dudh Kosi valley northward to reach Manju village, where Sagarmatha National Park hiking passes checks of each trekker. From here, we go downhill through the Rhododendron trees and cross the suspension bridge to reach Jhorsale village, where we have a lunch break. We prepare plenty of water for the uphill walk to Namche. We go to Larja Dovan and uphill walk to twin high bridges over the Dudh Kosi River. From here, we go through Rhododendron and pine forests to Top Danda, the Everest viewpoint, before reaching Namche. We see Thamserku, Kusum Khang, and the first glimpse of Mt. Everest en route. Namche is the Sherpa capital and the leading trade center in the Khumbu region. A weekly local market of fresh foodstuffs is brought from lower villages on Friday and Saturday.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge. 
We hike daily to Everest View Hotel, Khumjung, and Khunde villages. We drink a cup of tea on the terrace of Everest View Hotel, which has views of Everest and Ama Dablam. Then, we visit Khumjung School and the monastery. The monastery has a Yeti skull. From here, we go to Khunde village and descend to Namche. In the afternoon, we rest or shop in Namche.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
Today, we go to Tengboche. The trekking path is easy to Kyangjuma through a memorial Stupa of Tenzin Norgay, which has excellent views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam in the Khumbu region. From here, we go downhill through Laussa village to reach Phungi Thanga. The officer checks the hiking passes here. Then, we go uphill through the pine and rhododendron forests to reach Tengboche. We visited the monastery in the late afternoon. The monks chanting at the monastery and the sunset over Everest are being noticed at Tengboche.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
We go downhill through Rhododendron and the Oaks Forest to Deboche. Several good lodges are a great alternative to Tengboche. Going to the bridge over Imja Khola, we might see pheasant and Himalayan Thar (mountain goats) en route. From here, we get to Pangboche, a permanent village in the Khumbu region. The trekkers' favorite view of Ama Dablam is closed from here. We ascend along the valley opposite Ama Dablam to reach Somare. Then, we walk above tree lines through the wide trail to reach Dingboche.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
In the morning, we hike to Nangkarsang Hill for safe acclimatization. When we climb the ridge to Nangkarshang, we have an amazing view of mountains (including Makalu) in all directions. We come back to Dingboche for lunch. In the afternoon, we have free time. Dingboche is the highest place where barley grows in the Khumbu region. Lodges are not allowed to open in July and August.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
We catch the short, steep uphill to Stupa above Dingboche. Then, we walk through the valley to reach Thukla. From here, we ascend to Thukla Pass, which has a line of memorials of the famous mountaineers. Remember to take a photo of you and Ama Dablam in the background! Before Lobuche, we see panoramic views of snow-crown peaks lying on the border between Tibet and Nepal. We tour the Pyramid in the afternoon and come back to Lobuche.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.  
We ascend through a rocky trail northward to reach Gorakshep. We drop the luggage in the room and have lunch here. Then, we head up to Everest Base Camp through a rocky trail along the side of the Khumbu glacier. Even though we see gigantic peaks around, Khumbu Icefalls are the main attraction at the Base of Everest. We retrace our steps to Gorakshep, which is the highest elevation we sleep at during the trek.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
We ascend to Kala Pattar's viewpoint in the morning. The Kala Pattar is the highest elevation of the entire trek, and it has 360-degree views, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumo Ri, Ama Dablam, Khangtenga, Lobuche Peak, Everest Base Camp, Khumbu glacier, and Icefalls. We even see close-up views of South Col to the top of Everest 8848m from Kala Pattar, a great place to see an unforgettable sunset over the tallest Peak in the world. We return to Gorakshep, pack the luggage, and are ready to retrace the back steps to Lobuche. Then, we head to Dzongla through the scenic trail. Be aware of Sunset over Ama Dablam from Dzongla!

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
Today, we get up early at 04:30 AM to make Dzongla towards Thangnak via the Cho La crossing before it is windy or the weather turns nasty in midday. Leaving Dzongla, we walk on the grazing pastures for an hour. Approaching the Cho La glacier, the trail is very steep, and the terrain is made of loose rock and large boulders, which involve some tricky scrambling. We can see pyramidal Ama Dablam in the south, towering Cholatse in the west, and nearby Lobuche west peak en route. Finally, we walk on the glaciated field, often covered by snow and ice, approaching the summit of Cho La. We descend by a new trail with some metal chains; however, it’s a scramble to descend on the loose rock in a few sections. After finishing the large boulder field, we walk through grazing pastures towards Thangnak. Himalayan Thar, Yak, and Snowcock often come across en route.

Our guides have crossed the Cho La several times in the past years, so we have a high rate of success at the Cho La Pass Trek. We do the Cho La pass trip for all seasons. Proper gear and footwear are highly recommended.

All include-: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
Leaving Thangnak, we walk Through Yak grazing pastures and ascent to the moraine crest overlooking the Ngozumba glacier. The route that crosses the glacier needs to be defined on the map. We follow Cairns' marked zig-zag trail and climb up and downhill to reach the west side of the glacier. Ngozumba is mixed with rock and ice-dirty glaciers and requires good footwork. We stay tonight at Gokyo Lakeside and sleep in the Lake View room.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
There are six freshwater Lakes in the Gokyo Valley. Today, we hike up to the 5th Lake and pass through the 4th Lake en route. We see splendid views of Cho Oyu and Gyechung Kang Peak from 4th Lake. From here, we ascend to the crest of the moraine overlooking the Ngozumba glacier. Then, we catch the trail on the left of the moraine and walk yak grazing pastures to approach 5th Lake. We see the scoundrel’s view of Everest from 5th Lake. We retrace the step to the lodge for a second night at Gokyo Lakeside.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
We start to ascend to Gokyo Ri early in the morning. When we climb towards the Gokyo Ri, the views become even more fantastic, and we can see four above 8000m peaks from the top. Ri means viewpoint. Gokyo Ri is a classic viewpoint from which to see Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu, as well as overlook the lakes and the most expansive Ngozumba glacier. It takes around three hours for the round trip. We come back to the lodge for breakfast and then set off to descend to Dole. We pass the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Lakes to approach Phangga. From here, we stroll downhill toward Lapharma, bypassing Machhermo and Luza. Then, we descend to Dole through juniper bushes.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
Leaving Dole, we see Thameserku and Khangtega upfront. We descend to Phortse Thanga through Rhododendron, conifer, and oaks forest. The musk deer often see en route. Then, we ascend to Mong through the switchbacks trail. Mong has an old Stupa and great views of Phortse village, Tobuche, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtenga Peak. An hour's downhill walk from here joins us at Kyangjuma on the main trail. Then, we retrace the steps to the Sherpa capital - Namche Bazaar.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
We continue to retrace back steps downhill Dudh Khosi Valley and pass Phakding village to reach Lukla. We have a party to say thank you and goodbye to the trek crew at Lukla.

All include:- breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and accommodation at the lodge.
We fly back to Kathmandu in the morning. We go shopping in Thamel on a free afternoon.

All include:- Airport pick up, breakfast, and accommodation in Kathmandu.
We do a tour of the world heritage site of Bhaktapur.

All include:- bed and breakfast in Kathmandu.
Tour to Patan. We do a tour of the world heritage site of Patan.

All include:- bed and breakfast in Kathmandu.
We drop you at the International Airport on time to fly back home.

Include:- Airport transfer.
The Trek itinerary can be changed for an exciting side trip and additional acclimatization day if needed while on the trek.

Do you have any questions about the Cho La Pass Trek, or how it can be customized to your needs? Please DM us.

Cost & Dates:

The following costs and dates are per person for online booking. If the trek departure dates do not match your needs, please DM us, and we will happily customize your trip on the date you need.

Note: We offer a discount on the package if you are in a group (2 to 15 people).

Fixed departure dates:
Trip Date Trip Name Price Space Left Status -
9 Dec 2024 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
16 Dec 2024 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
23 Dec 2024 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
30 Dec 2024 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
7 Mar 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
14 Mar 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
21 Mar 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
28 Mar 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
2 Apr 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
9 Apr 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
16 Apr 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
23 Apr 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
30 Apr 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
4 May 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
11 May 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
18 May 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
25 May 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
15 Sep 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
22 Sep 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
29 Sep 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
3 Oct 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
10 Oct 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
17 Oct 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
24 Oct 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
31 Oct 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
4 Nov 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
11 Nov 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
18 Nov 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
25 Nov 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
6 Dec 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
13 Dec 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
20 Dec 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
27 Dec 2025 Cho La Pass – Everest Circuit Trek $1550 per person 15 Open
Cost includes:
  • International & domestic Airport pick up and departure.
  • 2 nights accommodation (standard twin bed room with breakfast) at 2** Hotel in Kathmandu. Note:- The accommodation in Kathmandu can arrange/book according to client choice Hotel type. The clients have to pay differences if needed.
  • Sagarmatha (Everest/Khumbu) National Park hiking passes.
  • Khumbu (Everest) local Govt. Tax.
  • Round trip Lukla flight tickets for clients and guide.
  • Meals for clients: 16 Breakfasts, 15 Luches and 15 Dinners with tea/coffee etc. Meals can be selected from menu and will have enough daily.
  • Normal room with twin beds and sharing bathroom at lodge.
  • Trekking staffs: an experienced guide and porters.
  • Salary and meals for guide and porters.
  • Inusrance of guide and porters.
Cost does not including:
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
  • Personal trekking equipment of clients.
  • Mineral water, boiled water, coke, Fanta, sprite, fresh or can juice, biscuit, sprite, beer, and whiskey etc.
  • Personal Insurance of clients (medical and emergency evacuation covered).
  • Private bathroom during the trekking days. If the clients want private bathroom, there have to pay differences between common and private bathroom.
  • Horse/Yak renting while on the trek.
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan etc. Note:- Tour guide and transpotration can be arranged on client's request.
  • International flight tickets and Nepal tourist visa.

More info for extra cost:

Please read carefully. The cost includes and does not include the above. All the meals are included with tea/coffee while on the trek. We do not include drinking or boiled water, which you can buy at the lodge; this is $1 to 3 per liter. You can take water-purifying tablets or Seripen for a cheaper solution. Wi-Fi, battery charges, and hot showers are omitted. Wi-Fi is $6 per card. The battery charge is $1 to 4 per hour per device (you can take a power bank for a cheaper solution). The gas shower is USD3 to 7 per head.

If the Lukla flight is canceled due to weather conditions, you are responsible for extra hotel nights and meals in Kathmandu and Lukla for any additional days. Refrain from requiring extra payment to reschedule the Lukla flight due to weather cancellations. But, there can be less priority for flight-canceled passengers on the following day. We offer you an alternative trip if there are unexpected circumstances, such as flight cancellations due to weather conditions.

We insure trekking staff and provide warm enough equipment. We do our best for your safety. However, we suggest you buy comprehensive travel insurance covering flight cancellation, medical treatment, and Helicopter rescue emergency evacuation. Please purchase the policy covering trekking activity up to 5550m for your trekking days.

Inquiry

    List of trekking equipment:
    • Comfortable hiking boot. Three pairs of socks. Sandals.
    • A down jacket, fleece jacket, three T-shirts, two trekking trousers, two drip-dry T-shirts, one long underwear, a woolen/fleece hat, glove, water/windproof jacket and trouser, Sunglass, lip balm, Sun screem (50+), Sun hat, a light scarf, soap/shampoo and trekking towel etc.
    • Sleeping bag (-20 degree centigrade) with hood.
    • Water purifier tablets, 2L water bottle, hiking poles, medical kit and tourch light with spare batteries etc.
    • A few interesting books and a pack of cards.
    • Snow gaiters and micro-spikes for the winter trip.
    • Plastic bag for waste and toiltet papers.
    • Plastic bag for waste and toiltet papers.
    • A padlock.
    • A day bag (25 to 35L) or rucksack large enough (65 to 75L) size.

    Note: We have down jacket and sleeping bag rental facilities for our clients. The rental fee is US$1.5 per sleeping bag and down jacket daily.

    The following are the reasons for booking a trip with us.
    • We are registered with the Department of Nepal Tourism and have the authority to operate trek and climb in the Himalayas of Nepal. We are the taxpayers of the Nepal Govt. We are a healthy and up-to-date local trekking agency based in Kathmandu.
    • You can book the trip with a minimal advance and pay the rest of the trip amount upon arrival in Kathmandu/Nepal.
    • Payment Method:

      Please read the terms and conditions of High Camp Trekking to book a package trip. Once you agree with the terms and conditions, payment is an unavoidable part of the agreement. The following are different methods of trip booking advance payments for your convince.

      1) American Dollar Account:

      Name of the Bank:- Everest Bank Limited, Thamel Branch.
      Name of Account Holder:- High Camp Trekking Pvt. Ltd.
      Account No:- 03500105200138.
      Swift Code No:- EVBLNPKA.

      Note:- Please pay any amount charged to you by your bank for transferring the booking advance in money to us.

      2) If you would like to transfer the deposit by Western Union, MoneyGram, or IME, you can use the name of our company owner/manager, Norsang Lama.
    • Once you have booked the trip with us, trip departure is guaranteed. If you want to postpone the trip departure date, you do not need to pay an extra fee. We never let you down after we received payment for the trip running. We do hard work for every single dollar.
    • We organize private and group joining basis trips. Our package is at all-inclusive prices (no hidden cost). We customize a trip itinerary based on your interest, holiday length, and activities as you need. Let us know your holiday length.
    • Our experienced, trained, and professional guide takes good care of the clients. Our guide always remembers your questions about plants, people, animals, and the mountains. You can feel the difference between having a great trekking guide through our agency.
    • We do respond to every email/inquiry in less than 24 hours. You can call us anytime at +977-9841876395 (24-hour support team).

    Note: The names of other agencies are more similar to ours. Please remember that we are known as “High Camp Trekking.” 

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