Everst Base Camp & Gokyo lake via Chola Pass Trek

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will greet you and escort you to your hotel. That evening, you’ll attend a pre-trip meeting where you’ll meet your trekking guide and have the chance to ask any questions about your upcoming adventure.

The journey from Kathmandu to Ramechhap is undertaken by a private tourist vehicle, taking approximately five hours to board a flight from Manthali to Lukla. This flight has an estimated duration of 20 minutes. During the off-peak months of December, January, February, June, July, and August, direct flights from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport to Lukla are available, with a flight time of approximately 30 to 35 minutes. Upon arrival at Lukla Airport, the trekking expedition commences. After assembling the necessary equipment and allowing for brief acclimatization, the trek proceeds to Phakding. In the peak trekking months of March, April, May, September, October, and November, flights to Lukla are redirected from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap.

Following breakfast, our expedition will commence along the northern bank of the Dudh Koshi River towards Namche Bazaar, traversing numerous suspension bridges, including the Hillary Suspension Bridge. The route ahead leads to Sagarmatha National Park, a dense forest from which we will obtain our initial view of Mt. Everest.

An acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar is essential for altitude adaptation. During this period, one may engage in sightseeing activities, including visits to notable locations such as the Hillary School, Sherpa settlements, Syangboche Airport, yak farms, and the Everest View Hotel, which offers a remarkable view of Mount Everest.

The journey commences from Namche to Tengboche, renowned for its monastery, following breakfast. Participants will have the opportunity to appreciate the breathtaking vistas of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. The trail presents a formidable challenge, characterized by numerous ascents and descents. Nevertheless, the exertion will be compensated by the remarkable landscapes and the observation of highland wildlife, including musk deer, pheasants, and Himalayan Thar.

The trek from Tengboche to Dingboche, situated along the Everest Base Camp route, is a moderately challenging journey that typically spans 5 to 6 hours. The trek commences with a descent to the Imja Khola River, followed by the crossing of a suspension bridge. The path traverses through Debuche, Lower Pangboche, Shomare, and Orsho, offering breathtaking views of Ama Dablam. The route then ascends gradually towards Dingboche, facilitating significant elevation gain to aid in acclimatization.

Today serves as an additional day for acclimatization to the altitude. We will ascend the ridge above Dingboche, from which we can appreciate panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks, including Lhotse, the southern face of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. To the north of Dingboche, following breakfast, we observed additional Himalayan peaks emerging over the Khumbu Khola valley.

The trek from Dingboche to Lobuche represents a pivotal and moderately challenging segment of the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trail. This journey typically requires 4 to 6 hours to complete and involves a substantial altitude increase, culminating at Lobuche, which is situated at approximately 4,940 meters. The route is characterized by gradual inclines and rocky terrain. A scheduled stop at Thukla provides an opportunity for rest and lunch. Additionally, the trek includes a visit to a memorial park at the demanding Thukla Pass, offering panoramic views of the surrounding glaciers, before reaching Lobuche for an overnight stay.

The journey from Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp (EBC) is an important part of the Everest Base Camp trek. This usually takes a busy day to complete. First, you walk for 3-4 hours from Lobuche, which is at 4,910 meters, to Gorak Shep, at 5,160 meters. Then, you hike to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters and back to Gorak Shep. This round trip takes 4-5 hours.

We wake up early to climb Kala Patthar. This spot is famous for its amazing views of Mount Everest and nearby mountains. We spend enough time there to enjoy and take pictures of the sunrise. After that, we continue our trek down to Lobuche through Gorakshep.

The walk from Lobuche to Dzongla is usually short and scenic. It is a good day to rest or get ready before crossing the Chola Pass. You can see Ama Dablam and Cholatse along the way. The path has some rocky parts and ends with a night in a lodge in Dzongla, a high-altitude Sherpa village.

Start your journey from Dzongla at 5 AM, just before sunrise, for the best conditions. Go northwest from your lodge. The path is mostly flat and long, going through rocky fields and valleys. It slowly goes uphill. As you get closer to Cho La Pass, the path gets much steeper. There are sharp turns and big rocks to climb over. You will see amazing views of mountains like Ama Dablam and Cholatse. As you climb towards the pass, you will see the beautiful Cho La Lake. Enjoy the excitement of crossing the icy pass.

Take a short hike that crosses the Ngozumpa Glacier's rocky area. You will see amazing views of Cho Oyu and the glacier. The walk goes from Dragnag (about 4,700m/15,420ft) to Gokyo (around 4,790m/15,715ft) with a small climb. As you walk over icy ground and rocks, you will reach Gokyo village. This village is by sacred lakes and offers stunning views of the Himalayas. This short hike is part of a longer trip.

Start your climb early to reach the viewpoint before the sunrise. It usually takes 2-3 hours from the village. You will see amazing views of Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu as the sun rises over the mountains. After enjoying the view, we returned to Gokyo village and continued trekking to Machherma village.

The itinerary from Machherma to Namche represents a notable descent within the context of the Everest Base Camp or Gokyo Lakes trek. This segment, spanning approximately 9.6 kilometers, typically requires 5 to 6 hours to complete. The route descends from Machhermo, situated at an elevation of 4,470 meters, to Namche Bazaar, located at 3,440 meters. The journey encompasses challenging rocky terrain, ridge ascents, and river crossings, while also offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

The journey from Namche to Lukla typically encompasses a picturesque downhill trek, generally spanning one or two days. This journey involves retracing steps through villages such as Phakding and Monjo, traversing suspension bridges, and concluding in Lukla for an early morning flight to Kathmandu. Key stops along the route offer opportunities to appreciate the beauty of the Khumbu Valley and the rich Sherpa culture, particularly for trekkers returning from the Everest Base Camp to Lukla.

During the peak travel season, flights operate from Lukla to Manthali in the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November. The flight duration is approximately 20 minutes, followed by a return journey to Kathmandu via a private vehicle.

A "reserve day in Kathmandu" means having extra time to explore the city and its surroundings. It is not a specific location. This means that you have more time in your schedule to visit Kathmandu's famous sites. These include the Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Final departure