Gokyo Lake With Everest Base Camp Trek via Chola Pass - 17 Days

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  • Duration 17 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Destination Nepal
  • Trip Type Lodge Based Trekking
  • Best Season Spring (March - May) & Autumn (Sept - Nov)
  • Group Size 16
  • Maximum Altitude 5,545 m

Highlights

  • Scenic flight to and from Lukla
  • Live with Sherpas for a few days
  • The beautiful Gokyo Valley
  • Impressive views of the Khumbu Icefall
  • Climb  Gokyo Ri at the elevation of 5,483 m
  • Climb Kala Patthar at the elevation of 5,555 m
  • Visit Tengboche Monastery

Gokyo Lake Everest Base Camp Trek via Chola Pass follows NW trail from Namche to Gokyo Lake Valley and eventually leads you to EBC via high pass. The entire trail goes through Sagarmatha National park (USESCO world heritage site of great natural values): dotted with exotic forest and Sherpa settlement. Trekkers will get opportunity to visit timeless monasteries and museum; portraying the ancient culture and architecture. Moreover, you will stay at local tea-house: the hospitality and warmness of locals are really intriguing.

Those, who are seasoned and would like to give themselves a challenge, should try this Gokyo Ri + Everest Base Camp via Cho La Pass Trekking. With ever-changing sceneries – from lush montane forest to alpine glacial lakes and snowy barren lands, this exotic hike offers you a diverse visual experiences.

This trek is also known as Everest Circuit Trek; with every mountain highlights that Everest region has to offer. Four out of six highest along with countless other peaks and glaciers are visible during the trek. As you continue along the trail, you experience the lush landscape, forest, monasteries, people, culture, glaciers and lakes. Above all, you will step foot on the base camp of Everest, a lifetime experience. Not to forget, the summiting of Kalapatthar, Gokyo Ri and challenging Cho La Pass. Everest base camp and Gokyo ri trek offers you the great views of snow-giants – Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Pumori and numerous 7,000m+ & 6,000m+ peaks. 

Best Time to Trek: September – November and March – May are the best time to trek Gokyo Ri – Everest Base Camp via Cho Pass. Snow and severe cold can be issue in the high pass during other months. 

Accommodation: You will stay at local lodges/ tea-house serving great facilities and warm Sherpa hospitality. You will be amazed to find lodges with WiFi connections, hot shower and extensive food menu. But finding lodges can be challenging if you don’t book beforehand the trip. 

Risks: As this trek concerns walking over 5,000m, AMS can be a potential risks. However, the itinerary presented here allows proper acclimatization and gradual climb; AMS will not be the major issue on the trek. Consult the local before crossing Cho La Pass.

Itinerary

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After completion of passport, immigration and visa procedures, we will meet you outside the terminal hall (look for your name board) and transfer you to the hotel. Enjoy free afternoon in the hotel.

  • AccommodationHotel
  • Maximum Altitude1,310 m

After breakfast, we drive to the domestic airport and take an early morning flight to Lukla. Better take a left seat to enjoy the view of Mahalangur peaks. Once in Lukla, we meet our porter and start trekking through the pretty easy trail to Phakding. After gradual downhill, we will reach Cheplung village from where we get the glimpse of Mt. Khumbila (18,900ft), a sacred mountain which has never been climbed. From Cheplung, we continue downhill to Phakding and spend the night.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude2,860 m

We start our trek via uphill and downhill trails and cross over Dudh Koshi River with a great view of Mt. Thamserku (21,675ft). After Benkar village, we cross more bridges and reach the entrance point of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. Here we get our permits checked and continue further to Jorsale village before climbing to Namche Bazaar. From here, we get the astounding views of the Himalayas – Everest, Lhotse, Tawache and others. 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude3,441 m

This is the first scheduled rest day which helps us to acclimatize to the high altitude. Mountain expert believe that it is better to stay active even during rest days: climb high and sleep low. We hike up to Everest View Hotel to admire the great views of Himalayan vistas. On the way back to Namche, we visit Hillary School and Khumjung Monastery which houses the Scalp of Yeti! Moreover, our guide will take us to the Tourist Visitor Center of the Sagarmatha National Park; where we can observe various display of floral and fauna species and Sherpa culture.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude3,800 m

Today, we climb up to the edge of town and then contour around the hillside; enjoying superb views of Everest and Khumjung. We then climb down along the lower reaches of Khumbila; that branches northwest of the Everest and continues up the Dudh Koshi Valley. The trail then rises steeply to the small village of Mong La before dropping down to Phortse Thenga and finally climbing through pine and rhododendron forest to Dole. Here we get the marvelous views of snow-covered peaks. Look out for different wildlife and birds (including Danphe, National Bird of Nepal). 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude4,100 m

Today we walk along the high trail through thorny alpine scrub to scenic ridges above the river. Dwarf vegetation ensures the altitude; trek slowly to stay away from AMS risks. Walk along the summer grazing Kharkas: Mt. Cho Oyu, Kangtega and Thamserku walls to the south of the valley. Machhermo lies in a broad valley below the moraine.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude4,410 m

The trail climb gently from the village to a ridge that unveils the first glimpse of the north face of Cho-Oyu (8,210m/26,907ft) and more views of Kangtega and Thamserku. Beyond the ridge, the valley opens up as the trail goes through a Chorten and reaches Phangga. We climb down to the river bank before rising up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier on a steep trail. We walk through Longpongo, Raboche Tsho and Dudh Pokhari before reaching Gokyo. A little further, we can discover the footprints of a Lama (Buddhist priest). We explore the turquoise lake of Dudh Pokhara before night. 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude4,780 m

A pre-sunrise climb to Gokyo Ri (5,367m) starts on the northern side of the lake; just opposite the village. It takes two hours to reach the summit. The summit overlooks the wide, rubble-covered Ngozumpa Glacier (largest Himalayan glacier) beneath the Cho Oyu wall. Ahead is remarkable vistas of the Himalayan chain that includes Cho-Oyu and Ghyanchung Kang, Everest’s north face, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cholatse, Taboche, Thamserku, Kangtega, Kusum Kangru and numbers of unnamed peaks.  Retrace your step back to Gokyo village: enjoy free afternoon. 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude5,367 m

Today we trek through the Ngazumpa Glacier to the mountain on the other side. Next we walk along the edge of the mountain until Thagna. It is a short hike today with an afternoon of rest which allows us to acclimatize and prepare us for long hiking days. 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude4,700 m

Today is one of the most challenging part of the trip. The Cho La Pass is not itself strenuous but it is steep and involves a glacier traverses on the eastern side. Extra caution is needed as the trail is vertical and the rocks are often glazed by ice which makes the trail slippery and difficult. The trail from Phedi rises through a ravine and rocky trail. We climb through the side of a frozen lake and reach the summit of the pas festooned with prayer flags. The pyramidal Ama Dablam stands over a range of mountains on the south, Cholatse to the west and Lobuche to East and Jagged Baruntse soars to our right. We hike through some crevasses before reaching Dzongla Village. The village commands great views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche and Pheriche village to the far below. 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude5,420 m

Today’s trail is short and pleasant so we have a lot time to relax and enjoy the nature. We walk down from Dzongla and walk through a grassy trail with the great views of Lobuche peak. The trail swings through the board river bed before arriving Lobuche. We take a well-deserved rest which assist us to prepare for the next day’s trip. 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude4,920 m

A secluded trail along the moraine leads to last; seasonal village of Gorak Shepa; beneath Pumori. After early lunch, head towards EBC; positioned on the Khumbu Glacier – just opposite to the massive icefall – the most petrifying trail of Everest summit. 
During high ascent season (April-May), the Everest Base Camp is filled with colorful tents set up on leveled area. Expect in season, the entire area is silent; all you can hear is winds and friction of your shoes. Trek back to Gorak Shep for the night.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude5,360 m

From Gorakshep, a pre-sunrise climb up to Kala Patthar (5,545m) unveils the superb view of sunrise over: Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m) and Changtse (7,550m, north of the Rongbuk Glacier). Also a spectacular view of Pumori (7,145m), Lingtren (6,697m) and Khumbutse (6,623m) among myriad of other peaks. Cho Oyu (8,201m) stands majestically to the west. Then, head down to Gorakshep for breakfast. Then head back to Lobuche before following the western trail to lower and warmer Pheriche. 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude5,545 m

The descending trail to Namche takes much time and effort but obviously AMS is no longer an issue. Descend down through the passes, forest and villages until we reach Namche once again for overnight stay. 

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude3,441 m

Today we descend down via a rocky trail and cross several suspension bridge before reaching a plain trail. We start feeling warmer air as we make our way back to Lukla. Our Gokyo Lake Trek ends after we reach Lukla. We celebrate with local porters for last time; as they are not joining us back to Kathmandu.

  • AccommodationLodge
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude2,860 m

We will fly back Kathmandu on the earliest possible flight. Once in Kathmandu, we will drive back to hotel and take a rest day off before join to farewell dinner organized by the company. 

  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast & Farewell dinner
  • Maximum Altitude1,310 m

Our airport representative will drive you back to Tribhuvan International Airport right scheduled time. Farewell and hope to see you again!

  • MealsBreakfast

This is our standard and recommended itinerary. If this itinerary doesn’t suit to you, we customize your holiday as per your requirements. Customize Trip

Includes

  • All grounded transportation as per itinerary
  • Two nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu inclusive breakfast
  • Round flight ticket (Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu) inclusive domestic airport taxes
  • Three times meal (Breakfast/lunch/dinner) and accommodations during the trekking
  • One highly experience English speaking & friendly trekking guide and required porter including their expenses
  • Sagarmatha National Park permit and TIMS card
  • Gokyo Lake Everest Base Camp Trekking map
  • Nepal Gateway Company T-shirt and achievement certificate
  • Local fresh fruit
  • First aid kit
  • Evacuation assist if needed
  • Government taxes and office service charge

Excludes

  • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
  • Your travel insurance (Compulsory)
  • Nepal entry visa. You can obtain a visa quickly upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. A multiple-entry tourist visa suitable for 30 days can be obtained by paying the US $ 50 or equivalent in foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying the US $ 135. Please bring two passport-size photos.
  • Your international flight ticket to/from Kathmandu
  • Your personal nature expenses, equipment and medical kit
  • All kinds of hot and cold drinks and alcoholic beverage in trekking
  • Hot shower, internet and phone call unless it is free
  • Tipping to field staffs (Tipping is not mandatory but expected)

Client Reviews

tatp
  • Trip of a lifetime

    I organized my trekking with Nepal gateway trekking after reading some good reviews online. I emailed them what I was interested in doing and they put together a suitable itinerary. I communicated mainly with Raj. They organized everything I needed - guide/porter and flight tickets so that I could do Everest base camp via Gokyo lakes. The guide was excellent (Nir Kumar). Everything was organized very well. I found them to be very trustworthy, and they communicated very well. Highly recommended!

    Chris Armsden
    Chris ArmsdenTaiwan, Travel Date: 28/12/2019

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