Gokyo Chola Pass Trek

Gokyo Chola Pass Trek

Trip Facts

(company rating)
Duration:19 days
accommodation: Tea House / Lodge
Height: 5,555 m
Best Season: February, March, April, May, October, November
Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Activity: Trekking / Sightseeing
Transportation: Flight
Treks Type: Tea- House

Trip Overview

Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Ri Lakes, recognized for the series of beautiful  turquoise lakes in the Gokyo valley and the famous Cho La Pass, takes us through the  landmarks of the Khumbu region in the company of majestically soaring mountains, friendly  Sherpas, colourful monasteries, Namche Bazaar, the Everest National Park, and, of course,  to the base of the mighty Everest. 

The trek in advancing to the bottom of the world’s tallest mountain maps out spectacular  vistas from such celebrated viewpoints like Gokyo Ri and Kala Patthar. The trek also  awards us with great views of the Khumbu Icefall. Trekking to Everest Base Camp through  Gokyo Lakes, in a nutshell, will be a lifetime experience with the enthralling sights of Mt.  Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Amadablam, Pumori, and Tengboche  Monastery – the largest monastery in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek Trek offers you the best trek in the rooftop of the world. The whole region provides you with the best places to adventure treks, and among them, Everest Base Camp is the best. Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek trek is the bucket list of many people. 

Being on the roof of the world and enjoying the beautiful curves of nature is everyone’s dream. Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek is not only the places to look for the mountains but also for the very humble Sherpa people and their livelihood . This places itself is a gift from God to mankind. From landing in the world’s most dangerous airport to experiencing the stunning close view of the mighty Everest from the base camp to getting engaged with the Sherpa people and their livelihood to observing the dazzling landscapes is a must-do trek in a lifetime. This adventure of your trekking will begin with the flight to Lukla. Lukla is known as the adventurous airport in the world. After that, our trekking begins. On the way, you will go through villages and a town named ‘Namche Bazaar’, a beautiful town in that place. Namche bazaar headquarter of Solukhumbhu is also a trade centre and tourist hub to relax and experience the entire Everest region at a glance. 

Sherpa’s are famous in the world as they are the king of mountains and have successfully climbed the Mountains and make world records. You will be blown up by the spectacular views of the mountains close to your trip. You will also get to see magnificent views of the snow-capped mountains and ethic cultural group as well as Buddhist monasteries. A famous Tengboche monastery can also be explored on the way. The serene and lush forest are the main highlights of that place. Your physical and mental fitness is must to complete this trek. But it is not such a challenging trek; it’s a moderate trek. It can be the lifetime adventure as it offers unique scenery of the great Mt.Everest trails. You can also see the beauty of flora and fauna in Everest National Park. This trip also lets you incorporate the ultimate viewpoint of Kalapatthar. You will have the best panorama view of all the mountains, including Mt.Everest massif.

Outline Itinerary

DayDay Acitivity
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu(TIA), transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu(TIA) to Lukla [2,800m] and Trek to Phakding [2,650m]
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar [3,450m]
Day 05: Rest at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization.
Day 06: Trek to Dole 4,200m via Phortse Tenga [3,900m]
Day 07: Trek to Machermo [4,415m]
Day 08: Trek to Gokyo [4,760m]
Day 09: Early morning hike to Gokyo-Ri and trek to Dragnak
Day 10: Trek to Dzongla[4,440 m] via Cho la pass
Day 11: Trek to Lobuche [4,930m]
Day 12: Trek to Gorakshep [5,180m] to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep
Day 13: Trek to Pheriche [4,200m] and hike to Kalapathar [5,545m]
Day 14: Trek to Tengboche [3,867m]
Day 15: Trek to Monjo [2,830m]
Day 16: Trek to Lukla
Day 17: Fly Lukla-Kathmandu.
Day 18: Free day at Kathmandu.
Day 19: Final departure to the airport.

Detail Itinerary

A staff from Finding Nepal will pickup you at Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA), Kathmandu. You will be transferred to the hotel via the tourist vehicle. He/she will brief you

About the hotel, Kathmandu city, trekking in Nepal, do’s and don’ts while you stay in Nepal with related information that is required to travel in Nepal.

AccomodationOver night at Star Hotel

You’ll visit two world heritage sites Pasupatinath Temple and Swyambhunath also known as ‘Monkey Temple’. Pasupatinath Temple is a sacred place for Hindus. You can observe the rituals from birth to death of a normal hindu person. The latter one is sacred place for Buddhists. It lies on a top of a hill and big stupa lies on it. You can find large group of monkeys. This is the reason it is known by the name ‘Monkey Temple’ by foreigners.

MealsBreakfast

You will be transferred to domestic airport and board in the twin otter or similar plane for the flight to Lukla airport. On the arrival you will have a short time to visit around the village, while the Sherpas and crew sort and divide the load. The lunch depends upon the time of arrival. Either in Lukla or few hours treks further on route to Phakding. The first-day you’ll ascend all the way, with few ups offering views of Mt. Kusum-Kanguru (6,369m). Another 2-3 hrs of gradual walk brings you to Phakding village for the overnight stop.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

From Phakding after crossing bridge over the River Dudh-Koshi the walk is pleasant with few short ascend and descend and crossing the same river again, with magnificent view of Thermasarkhu 6,608m, you’ll reach the Monjo village. After Monjo, you’ll walk to the entrance gate of Everest National Park, after a short descend and gradual walk you’ll reach Jorsalle village. The last civilization until you reach Namche Bazaar. A pleasant walk along the river bed till the last bridge over the Imjatse River. From here you’ll trek along the winding uphill path to Namche Bazaar, with grand views of Kwande peak, Kusum Kanguru and Mt. Everest with Nuptse, Lhotse and the closer look of Taboche peak is seen all the way up. Another hour of walk takes you to Namche Bazaar, the colourful houses are situated in an amphitheatre landscapes.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

Today is the rest day, you’ll take a short walk to Sagarmatha National Park for acclimatization. It’s a panoramic view spot on top of Namche Bazaar with surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys. You can visit the local museum. It has all kinds of information on history of Himalaya, geography, culture, countaineering and on flora and fauna of this region. You’ll visit Khumjung and Khunde in the afternoon which is 2 hours hike from Namche Bazaar.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

After a rest day at Namche Bazaar you will head towards the main trails at Shanasa, In this area you have high chances of spotting musk deer, beautiful and colorful Danphe which is also national bird of Nepal. You can also hear sounds of Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). From here, Gokyo route separates from the main trail towards the North. You’ll walk on the steep rock steps embedded in a narrow cleft in a large boulder; the two trails soon meet towards a large Chorten on the ridge top at Mong 3,973 meters. From the Mong path meanders in a series of switchbacks down to a sandy slope to Dudh Kosi at Phortse Thangka. You’ll continue the trek to Dole with a steep climb through the juniper and conifers trees and rhododendron forest. The trek winds through the Tongba village at 3,950m and Gayle 3,960m and finally arriving at Dole. A superb view of Khumbila and Tawache 6,542m can be seen throughout the walk.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

From Dole, the path climbs-up steadily along the side of a valley and rhododendron forest giving way to scrub juniper as altitude gains slowly. The trail climbs-up on a level path for an hour to Lhabarma Kharka at 4,325m and furthers an hour to Luza at 4,390m; then skirting around for a view of Machermo village spread out in the valley below. Just above the village, there is a great view of the world’s 6th highest Mt. Cho Oyu 8,210m and all the mountains that flank the Ngozumba Khumbus longest glacier.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

Today’s trek leads to the lake at Gokyo, following a scenic trail to Pangka 4,545m and descending slightly on the glacial-fed rivers which flow down the west of Ngozumpa Glacier. You’ll climb-up a steep rocky path to the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first lake. Soon, after arriving at the second lake, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to the Cho –La, then reaching the third lake known as Dudh Pokhari and on the east shore the summer settlement of Gokyo at 4,790 meters.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

Early morning trek to Gokyo Ri one of the highlights of this trekking, the view around is fabulous, Gokyo Ri, a small ridgetop above the lake at 5,357 m with panoramic views of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, Taweche and Mt. Makalu towards east, taking about 2 hrs to reach top. After pleasant time you’ll return back to Gokyo and head to Dragnak. The trail climbs up in the beginning and drops down a bit and walks on the glacier. We should be more careful while walking on the glacier. With magnificent views of Choyu, we’ll reach Dragnak for overnight stay.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

After having morning breakfast, we will start our trek. The trail climbs in the beginning then descends a little bit and again climbs to the top of Chola Pass. The path is narrow and rocky. We should be careful of rocks falling from the hill. You can enjoy the incredible views of Amadablam, Nuptse, Everest and, other surrounding snow-capped peaks from the top.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

Today the walk offers a beautiful view of the Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north Pokalde 5,741m, Kongma-Tse 5,820m. The high wall of Nuptse & after reaching the junction where the path from Pheriche joins above Thugla ridge with great views of Mt.Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. You’ll stay at a Tea House for the night.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

The trek leads to the base camp of Mt. Everest, the first-hour of walk gradually ascends up to the valley at the end of the grassy field. A short downhill reaches to Gorak Shep located on the flat area below Kala Patthar 5,545 m and Mt.Pumori 7,145 m. Gorakshep has three teahouses. The Everest Base Camp is lively during the high expedition season. After reaching to the base of the world’s highest peak and after an enjoyable time you’ll walk back to Gorak Shep for the overnight stop

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

After reaching the top point of Kalapatthar a small rocky peak from the southwest ridge of Mt.Pumori, which offers incredible view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse and Lho-la and Lhotse with surrounding high snow-capped. Overnight at Tea House

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

After having a wonderful time here with views of the snow-capped peaks. The trekking route climbs around the west side of the Imjatse Khola River valley offering best views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Nuptse-Lhotse wall and Mt. Everest. The trail has some steep down, but the paths are nice and wide, after a few hours of pleasant walk you’ll reach at Pangboche upper village near 4,000m. Here, you’ll visit the monastery. From Pangboche trek goes downhill towards Imjatse River, after crossing the bridge a gradual walk brings you back to green vegetation and tree lines, a short half-hour climb reaches to Tengboche for the overnight stop, a beautiful spot with views and monastery.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

The journey takes you to Shanasha, where the mountains from Khumjung, Gokyo and Namche meets. The route follows the main busy path and takes you to Namche Bazaar. On reaching Namche Bazaar the journey retraces back to Monjo for the overnight stay, located just near the Sagarmatha National Park entrance and exit gate

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

Today is the last day of this great adventure. You’ll have a slow walk to Lukla, enjoying the lush green scenery around, apart from a few short uphill the only long climb will be just before Lukla takes about an hour from the old big oak tree. On reaching Lukla, you’ll prepare for the last day’s dinner and enjoy the last moments with Sherpa staff, porters and trekking members.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

You’ll take a flight to Kathmandu in the morning. The flight time can be delayed occasionlly due to bad weather. It can take about 30 minutes to reach Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks is seen during the flight. At Kathmandu air terminal, You’ll be picked up by staff and transferred to respective hotels

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

This is the free day at Kathmandu for personal activities to buy souvenirs for your friends and family back home or take a coffee with your trekking members in the cafe next door. This is the second last day in Nepal. Our staffs can help you to explore Kathmandu valley on your request.

MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner

This is your departure day. Our crew will pick you up from the hotel and bid you farewell at the airport.

MealsBreakfast

Cost Include

  • Airport pickup and drop off 
  • TIMS card & permit fees 
  • Private transport & English speaking guide for sight seeing 
  • Local permit fees 
  • 4 nights hotel in Kathmandu with BB plan 
  • Trekking guide & porter(normally 1 porter for 2 persons) 
  • Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu airfare 
  • Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner during the trekking time(3 meals a day) ∙ All accommodation in the mentioned hotel and tea houses 

Cost Exclude

  • Nepal Visa fees 
  • International airfare 
  • Sightseeing entrance fees 
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu 
  • Meals in Kathmandu 
  • Necessary trekking equipment and things as per checklist 
  • Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation 
  • Any transportation cost outside of the regular itinerary 
  • Personal expenses such as insurance, medical charges, laundry, shopping, liquor, hot shower and WiFi etc 
  • Cost arising by flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides and reasons beyond our control
  • Tips for driver, guide & porter [It is expected]