Cho La Pass Trek

We will meet you at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport for your Cho la pass trek and transfer you to your hotel. Where you will have your time to settle in and freshen up after your long flight, you will be invited to visit our office for a briefing about your program.

You will have a meeting with your  Cho la pass trekking guide and discuss the equipment needed for the trekking and we will process the trekking permits. If you arrive at night we will have the same discussion in next day morning after your breakfast.

Early morning we fly from Kathmandu to Lukla via a mountain flight of about 40 minutes scenic flight. With clear weather, we get fantastic views of the mountains, including Everest as we enter the deep gorge of the Dudh Kosi valley.

You begin your Cho la pass  trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River. Along the way, you will have a view of Mt Nupla (5885m) Kusum Kangaru (6367m), and the Mount Kwongde Range. We then take an easy walk for about two hours to Phakding village for the overnight stop and the rest of the time stroll around the village for local knowledge.

From Phakding the  Cho la pass trek trail follows the Dudh Koshi valley north, meandering through the pines, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo the entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park. Beginning with a slight climb to Jhorsalle, the trail passes waterfalls and other culturally and naturally occurring items of interest.

Villages are interspersed with magnificent forests of Rhododendrons, Magnolia, and fir. Along the way, you will be rewarded with your first glimpse of Kusum Kanguru (6369m) Thamserku (6608m), Everest (8848m), and Nuptse (7879 m). A steep climb up to the beautiful village of Namche bazaar (3440m) will afford you further spectacular views and a comfortable place to spend the second night of the trek.

Acclimatizatin day is necessary for your Cho la pass trek. Today we have rest day at Namche. Set in a natural amphitheater looking across to the jagged ridge of Kongdi RI (6187m), Namche Bazaar is one of the most attractive settlements in the Khumbu region. We will have a full day’s rest so that we won’t face any problems ahead.

Today we make a short acclimatization trek up to Khumjung, a delightful Sherpa village above Namche. You have a full day of leisure for a wonderful panoramic view or stroll around the market You can also enjoy the splendid views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche, Kwangde, and so on.

We start our  Cho la pass trek with a pleasant walk through the forest with a magnificent view of the mountains. We follow a spectacular path that traverses around the hillside high above the Dudh Kosi River. After walking for one hour you will arrive in Phungithanga. The trail climbs past some water-powered prayer wheels and begins a sustained climb through a forest of tall, mature rhododendrons.

Look out for musk deer and Himalayan tahr among the trees. At the start of the Tengboche (3870m), the village is scattered across a wide, grassy saddle below a crescent-shaped ridge covered by scrub pines and firs. From the viewpoint at the top of the hill, there are awe-inspiring views of distinctive peaks like Amadablam (6856m), standing proud of the massif containing Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Lhotse (8501m), and inspiring views of Himalayan giants.

We visit the Buddhist Monastery at Tengboche, the largest in the Khumbu region.

In the morning views of mountains and monasteries are spectacular in Tengboche. From Tengboche, we head north and soon cross the Dudh Kosi river by way of a small suspension bridge that spans a deep chasm in the river valley. Follow the trail as far as Orsho and take the lower path along the west bank of the Imja Khola, through the forest of birches conifers, and rhododendrons.

As we follow the river northward the Cho la pass trek trails pass through several chortens and mani walls and small villages. Today’s walk offers views of Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north-Pokalde (5741m), Kongma-Tse (5820m), and the great wall of Nuptse. Dingboche is also the gateway to Chukung and farther beyond for the most challenging traverses towards the Makalu area.

It is very important to spend an additional night here to aid in the acclimatization process for the Cho la pass trek. It can be along a short hike 400-m climb to the Nangkartshang Gompa on the ridge north of Dingboche. Good view of Makalu (8463 m) from here.

You can go for a day walk like a trek to Chhukung (4730m) is worthwhile which takes approx. 4/5 hours from Dingboche but it might ruin your rest. To the north of Dingboche, there are spectacular views of Lhotse’s huge South Face.

The Cho la pass trek trail follows a downward path to Pheriche village. It joins the trail below thungla with beautiful views of cholatse across the valley. After another steep ascends the trail climbs up and over the terminal moraine of Khumbu glacier. Today’s walk offers views of Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north-Pokalde (5741m), Kongma-Tse (5820m), and the great wall of Nuptse.

The path follows a pleasant, grassy valley. Stark and rugged beauty create an almost moonscape campsite at Lobuche a windswept collection of huts tucked in a narrow meadow between the glacier and the Lobuche peak. Tawoche and Nuptse are particularly spectacularly from Lobuche towering. Stay overnight at the lodge.

The first section of the Cho la pass trek trail from Lobuche follows the narrow gap between the glacial moraine and the mountain walls, past the turn-off to the Italian pyramid. Take time to detour to the edge of moraine to look over the Khumbu glacier. Along a windy and rocky path with the wonderful view of Mt. Pumori, Nuptse, and other magnificent peaks, we reach Gorakshep. Gorakshep is the location of the original Everest Base Camp with the new camp being further up the valley.

After lunch, our adventure continues towards EBC. The trail passes through over rocky dunes and moraine and streams. The Base Camp area provides an opportunity to experience the freezing and harsh conditions that mountaineers brave to summit this famous mountain.

In Everest Base Camp the climbers gather for summiting Everest during the high expedition season. We explore the base camp and its surroundings glacier and return back to Gorakshep.

Mornings are usually sparkling and clear and this is the best time to climb the Kalapathar for one of the world’s definitive mountain views. We will be rewarded the 360-degree dramatic panorama views of Mt Everest and surrounding mountains like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku along with many other peaks.

You will have an easy walk for about 2hrs to reach Lobuche. Stark and rugged beauty create an almost moonscape campsite at Lobuche a windswept collection of huts tucked in a narrow meadow between the glacier and the Lobuche peak. Tawoche and Nuptse are particularly spectacularly from Lobuche towering.

From this route both Pheriche and Dhugla are visible as well as other good mountain views. We then follow the Lobuche Khola downstream where, after a while, we take a trail to the right heading off towards Dzongla. Stay overnight at the village of Dzongla for our Cho la pass trek.

walking hours: , Distance 13km

On this day you start your Cho la pass trek  to walk early in the morning. You have to walk three hours to get on top of the Chola, before you get Chola to pass you have to be about 20 minutes on ice. The trek to the Cho La pass can be a rather difficult route.

But on the way, you will be able to experience the best part of your hiking; difficult but very worthy. In good weather, you can cross the Cho La with no special equipment but warm clothing.

Today is your short day of Cho la pass trek we we will  walk to Gokyo Lake. It’s only two hours walk from Thangnak but it’s really beautiful to walk through the Ngajumpa glacier. After crossing an iron bridge over a stream the trail levels out as it follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo at 4690m, where we get a chance to observe the Lama footprints on a stone.

The second lake, Taboche Tsho mesmerizes us with the shimmering turquoise blue sheet of water sparkling in the sun. Little do we reach the third lake, called Dudh Pokhari, linked by a surging stream to the previous one. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Cho-Oyu Mountain.

Above the lake provides panoramic views of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Lhotse, Makalu, cholatse, and Tawache.

Spend a day in Gokyo strolling around the lakes and hiking up to some of the mountain viewpoints nearby. Start your trek in the morning and get to a steep climb of about 30min to reach the top with its traditional prayer flags.

View the Ngozumpa glacier, the biggest glacier in Nepal. Definitely, we would not miss the chance to observe the fourth lake (Thonak Tsho) and the fifth lake (Ngozuma Tsho). From where you will have a magnificent view of the highest peaks, from the west to east are Cho you (8,153m), Gyachung Kang (7,922m), Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8,501m), and further way Makalu.

In the afternoon Cho la pass trek down to Dole. It is possible to climb a ridge behind Dole for an even greater view of the valley.

The Cho la pass trek trail first descends steeply out of the valley through beautiful rhododendron forests. We arrive in Phortse Thanga and cross the river over a suspension bridge. We ascend up a sandy slope to the Dudh Kosi River. The route ascends to the valley of Dudh Koshi and down to Khumjung. Finally, we reach the Namche valley.

The descent from Namche to the Dudh Koshi can be the hardest stage of the entire  Cho la pass trek. The trail descends over the ridge past rocky cliffs and scattered pines to the tiny village of Tokthok. Although the path is all downhill, the unrelenting slope places a massive impact on the knees. Once you cross the high suspension bridge, the path runs mostly level.

We will work through rhododendron and pine forests with the view of a distance snow-covered peak before arriving at Phakding. After lunch here we will continue gentle walking to Lukla, the trail drops steeply and runs level throughout the day, enjoying the lush green scenery around.

Passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa village arrival in Lukla, you will have time to stroll around the local areas and have a good shower.

Saying a final goodbye to our porters fro your Cho la pass trek. We will have a flight back to ktm of an exciting one hour. (It also can be a spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla which makes the Lukla flight delayed and cancel.) In the evening you can have your last night in Nepal enjoying the Nepali cultural dinner.

Today is free or last minute you have a few hours of special shopping for your relatives after your Cho la pass trek. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. We will drop you at the International airport to catch your flight back to your home and wish you a Safe journey.