Cho La Pass Trek

We will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. After your long flight, you will have time to settle in and freshen up. Then, you will visit our office for a briefing about your program.

You will meet with your Cho la Pass trekking guide to discuss the equipment needed. Then, we will process the trekking permits. If you arrive at night, we will have the same discussion the following day after breakfast.

Early in the morning, we will travel from Kathmandu to Lukla via a mountain flight of about 40 minutes. With clear weather, we get fantastic views of the mountains, including Everest, as we enter the deep gorge of the Dudh Kosi Valley. ( Note: In season from mid-March to mid-May and October to Early December, all flights are from Ramechhap to Lukla.) It is a four-hour drive from Kathmandu.

You begin your Cho la pass trek from Lukla. Then, follow a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River. You will also view Mt Nupla (5885m), Kusum Kangaru (6367m), and the Mount Kwongde Range.

We will walk for about two hours to Phakding village for the overnight stop. Stroll around the town for local knowledge.

Early in the morning, we will travel from Kathmandu to Lukla via a mountain flight of about 40 minutes. With clear weather, we get fantastic views of the mountains.

These views include Everest as we enter the deep gorge of the Dudh Kosi Valley. You begin your Cho la pass trek from Lukla. Then, follow a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River.

You will also view Mt Nupla (5885m), Kusum Kangaru (6367m), and the Mount Kwongde Range. We will walk for about two hours to Phakding village for the overnight stop. Stroll around the town for local knowledge.

Acclimatization day is necessary for your Cho la pass trek. Today, we have a rest day at Namche. Set in a natural amphitheater looking across 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 we won’t face any problems.

Today, we make a short acclimatization trek to Khumjung. It is a delightful Sherpa village above Namche.

You have a full day of leisure for a beautiful panoramic view or stroll around the market.
You can also enjoy the splendid views of Everest. Along with Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche, Kwangde, etc.

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 traversing 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 then 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 a grassy saddle covered by scrub pines and firs.

From the viewpoint at the top of the hill, there are awe-inspiring views of distinctive peaks, including Amadablam (6856m), Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Lhotse (8501m), and more. 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 cross the Dudh Kosi River through a small suspension bridge.

Follow the trail as far as Orsho and take the lower path along the west bank of the Imja Khola. We pass through the forest of birches, conifers, and rhododendrons.

Following the river north, we pass through several chortens, mani walls, and small villages. Today’s walk offers views of Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam, Kongma-Tse (5820m), and more.

Dingboche is also the gateway to Chukung. It is farther beyond for the most challenging traverses toward the Makalu area.

Spending an extra night here is essential to aid in the acclimatization process for the Cho la Pass trek. It can be a short 400-m hike to the Nangkartshang Gompa north of Dingboche. You can get a good view of Makalu (8463 m) from here.

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

The Cho la Pass trek trail follows a downward path to Pheriche village. It joins the course below Thungla, with beautiful views of Cholatse across the valley. After another steep ascend, the trail climbs up and over the moraine of the Khumbu glacier.

Today’s walk offers views of Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam, Kongma-Tse (5820m), and more. The path follows a pleasant, grassy valley. Stark and rugged beauty creates an almost moonscape campsite at Lobuche.

It is a windswept collection of huts tucked in a narrow meadow between the glacier and the Lobuche peak. Tawoche and Nuptse are particularly from Lobuche towering. Stay overnight at the lodge.

From here, the first section of the Cho la Pass trek follows the gap between the glacier and the mountain walls. Take time to detour the edge of the moraine to look over the Khumbu glacier.

Along a windy and rocky path with a beautiful view of Mt. Pumori, Nuptse, and other magnificent peaks, we reach Gorakshep. Gorakshep is the location of the original Everest Base Camp. The new camp is further up the valley.

After lunch, our adventure continues towards EBC. The trail passes through over rocky dunes and moraines and streams. The Base Camp area provides an opportunity to experience the freezing weather of Mt. Everest.

At Everest Base Camp, climbers gather to summit Everest during the high trek season. We explore the base camp and its surroundings, including the glacier, before returning to Gorakshep.

Mornings are usually clear; this is the best time to climb the Kalapathar for a unique mountain view. We can see the 360-degree 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.

To reach Lobuche, you will have an easy walk for about 2 hours. Its stark and rugged beauty creates an almost moonscape campsite. Tawoche and Nuptse are particularly towering from Lobuche.

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

On this day, you start your Cho la pass trek to walk early in the morning. You have to walk three hours to get to the top of the Chola. Before getting Chola to pass, you must be on ice for about 20 minutes.

The trek to the Cho La pass can be rather difficult. But on the way, you will experience the best part of your hiking: challenging but very worthwhile. You can cross the Cho La in good weather with no special equipment but warm clothing.

Today is your short day of the Cho la Pass trek. We will walk to Gokyo Lake. It’s only two hours from Thangnak, but walking through the Ngajumpa glacier is beautiful. After crossing an iron bridge over a stream, the trail levels out.

It follows the valley past the first lake, Longpongo, at 4690m. We can observe the Lama’s footprints on a stone. The second lake, Taboche Tsho, mesmerizes us with the turquoise water sparkling in the sun.

We must reach the third lake, Dudh Pokhari, which is linked to the previous one by a surging stream. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Cho-Oyu Mountain. The lake provides beautiful views of Cho Oyu, Kang, Lhotse, Makalu, cholatse, and Tawache.

Spend a day in Gokyo, strolling around the lakes. Also, hiking to some nearby mountain viewpoints is a good idea. Start your trek in the morning and get to a steep climb of about 30 minutes to reach the top. You can see its traditional prayer flags.

View the Ngozumpa Glacier, the biggest glacier in Nepal. We would take the chance to observe the fourth lake (Thonak Tsho) and the fifth lake (Ngozuma Tsho). From here, you will have a magnificent view of the highest peaks from west to east.

Pictures of 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 more fantastic view of the valley.

The Cho la Pass trek descends out of the valley through a beautiful rhododendron forest. We arrive in Phortse Thanga and cross the river over a suspension bridge.

We ascend a sandy slope to the Dudh Kosi River. The route climbs to the valley of Dudh Koshi and down to Khumjung. Finally, we reached the Namche Valley.

The descent from Namche to the Dudh Koshi can be the most challenging stage of the Cho la Pass trek. The trail descends over the ridge past cliffs and scattered pines to the tiny village of Tokthok. Although the path is downhill, the unrelenting slope impacts the knees.

Once you cross the high suspension bridge, the trail runs level. We will work through rhododendrons and pine forests. It provides a view of a distant snow-covered peak before arriving at Phakding. After lunch here, we will continue walking to Lukla.

The trail drops and runs level throughout the day, enjoying the lush green scenery. Pass through the incredible mountain scenery for local Sherpa village arrival in Lukla. You will have time to stroll around the local areas and shower well.

You will finally say goodbye to our porters for your Cho la pass trek. We will have an exciting one-hour flight back to KTM. (It also can be a spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla, which delays and cancels the Lukla flight.) In the evening, you can have your last night in Nepal enjoying the Nepali cultural dinner.

(Note: The flights are from Ramechhap to Lukla in season (mid-March to Early May and October to early December). Ramechhap to Kathmandu is a 4-hour drive.

Today is free, or at the last minute, you have a few hours of unique shopping for your relatives after your Cho la pass trek. If you have more time, you can go shopping or sightseeing. We will drop you off at the international airport for your home flight. We wish you a safe journey.