Everest region has a number of beautiful, challenging, and adventurous trek to add to your classic Everest Base Camp Trek.
Gokyo- Chola Pass- EBC Trek is similar to the classic Everest trek, along with the bonus trek to Gokyo valley and Cho La Pass.
During the trek, you’ll get an ample opportunity to explore the lifestyle of the Himalayan Sherpa people and their religions, culture, and traditions.
In this trek, after Namche, the trekking route diverts from the classic Everest Base Camp Trek route and take the less crowded route. The trailhead proceeds to the Dudh Koshi Valley via Dole and Machermo before reaching Gokyo. From here you’ll get an option to climb to Gokyo Ri, 5,364 m for breathtaking Himalayan views.
Next highlight of this trek is Gokyo lakes with the rising peaks on backdrops. Also, from here you’ll see the base camp of Cho Oyu (the sixth highest peak) along with the Ngozumpa glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas.
Then the trek takes down you to Thagnak, before traversing Cho La Pass (5,420 m), one of the three great passes in the Khumbu region. Then the trail drops down from the pass, and you’ll rejoin the main classic EBC route at Lobuche. You’ll visit the base camp and hike to Kala Patthar for a breathtaking view of Mt. Everest and Khumbu icefalls.
After climbing Kala Patthar, you’ll descend to Pheriche and retrace your steps back to Lukla via Namche.
Gokyo- Chola Pass EBC Trek is graded as a strenuous and is ideal for trekking enthusiasts who wish to experience “off the beaten path trek” and wish to take more challenge.
You don’t need any climbing experience for this adventurous trek. This trek demands no technical skills at all. It is nothing more than an uphill and downhill walk.
Trekkers with a moderate level of fitness with a positive attitude have a good chance of success.
If you’re a novice trekker, then you can opt for classic Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Panorama Trek, or Everest View Trek.
Therefore this is truly a journey of a lifetime!
Highlights
- Visit World Heritage sites in Kathmandu
- Spectacular mountain flight to and from Lukla
- Explore the bustling Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar
- Walk through Sagarmatha National Park
- Experience the Sherpa culture and their generous hospitality
- Explore the Gokyo valley
- See the world’s longest glacier- Ngozumpa Glacier
- Climb Gokyo Ri for great Everest views
- Cross Cho La pass with great views of Ama Dablam and Choltase
- Visit the base camp of the world’s highest mountain, i.e., Everest Base Camp
- Hike to the world famous vantage point for an unforgettable breathtaking view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Lhotse
- Enjoy the solitude along the quiet Gokyo trail
Days | Itinerary | Time |
---|---|---|
Day 01 | Arrival to Kathmandu (1,338 m) | - |
Day 02 | Sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley | - |
Day 03 | Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding (2,804 m) | 3 hrs |
Day 04 | Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m) | 5.5 hrs |
Day 05 | Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization Day (3,962 m) | 5 hrs |
Day 06 | Trek to Phoste Thanga (3,680 m) | 5 hrs |
Day 07 | Trek to Machherma (4,470 m) | 5 hrs |
Day 08 | Trek to Gokyo (4,790 m) | 5 hrs |
Day 09 | Trek to Gokyo Ri and back to Gokyo (5,483 m) | 5 hrs |
Day 10 | Trek to Thangna (4,500 m) | 4 hrs |
Day 11 | Cross Cho La Pass (5,300 m) and Trek to Dzongla | 7 hrs |
Day 12 | Trek to Lobuche (4,910 m) | 4 hrs |
Day 13 | Trek to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorak Shep (5,365 m) | 8 hrs |
Day 14 | Early morning hike up to Kala Patthar and trek down to Pheriche (5,555 m) | 7 hrs |
Day 15 | Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m) | 7 hrs |
Day 16 | Trek to Lukla (2,804 m) | 6 hrs |
Day 17 | Morning Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (2,804 m) | 45 min flight |
Day 18 | Leisure Day and Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu | - |
Day 19 | Transfer to the International Airport for Final Flight Departure | - |
Max Elevation: 1338 m, Kathmandu
Your trip begins with an arrival flight into Tribhuvan International Airport. Our representative will meet you and transfer you to the respective hotel.
Later in the afternoon or evening, there will be a small meet up with your fellow trekkers and trek leader. Your trek leader will give you a pre-trek briefing. If you have any questions, you can ask and check your gear for the final time.
After meeting, you’ll join the welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepali restaurants. Here you can enjoy Nepali cuisine and enjoy cultural music too. After dinner, you’ll return to your hotel. You’ll spend a night in one of the deluxe hotels in Kathmandu.
On this day, after breakfast, you’ll go for a sightseeing trip to Kathmandu valley. You’ll visit some historical and spiritual attraction in the Kathmandu valley. All these landmarks are lists on the World Heritage Sites- Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa “Buddhist Shrine,” Swayambhunath “Monkey Temple.”
Later in the evening, you can explore around Thamel (Kathmandu Tourist Hub). If there is anything left, you can do shopping at Thamel and Durbar Marg.
Travel Duration: 45 minutes flight
Trek Duration: 3 hours
Max Elevation: 2804 m, Lukla
On this day, you’ll transfer to the airport for a short scenic flight to Lukla. It takes around 45 minutes where you’ll enjoy the astonishing views of mountains, forests, and rivers.
After landing at Lukla, you’ll begin your trek to Phakding. Enjoying the natural scenery along the way you’ll reach Phakding after three hours of hike. You’ll stay at one of the finest tea houses in Phakding.
Trek Duration: 5.5 hours
Max Elevation: 3441 m, Namche Bazaar
On this day, you’ll trek to Namche Bazaar from Phakding village along the bank of Dudh Koshi river. You’ll cross this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges covered with prayer flags.
After a few hours of walk, you’ll reach Monjo which is the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. Once you reach national park, the trail becomes steep, and you’ll get the first glimpse of Mt. Everest.
Passing via Chortens (Buddhist shrines), mani walls, and prayer wheels and enjoying the awe-inspiring Himalayan scenery, you’ll reach Namche Bazaar.
Namche Bazaar is modern and biggest town of the Everest region. It is home to the several restaurants, pub, bakery cafe, hotels, lodges, shops, and money exchange services.
You’ll spend a night at one of the finest tea houses in Namche Bazaar.
Trek Duration: 5 hours
Max Elevation: 3,962 m, Everest View Hotel
Today is your first acclimatization day. Since Gokyo- Chola Pass EBC trek is high altitude trek, it’s essential to adjust your body with the higher elevation. So, short hiking is a great idea to cope with changing altitude. Sometimes ignoring the high altitude can be harmful.
There are lots of options for acclimatization hike includes a short hike to Everest View Hotel. It is one of the best vantage points for close up view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Thamserku, and Mt.Ama Dablam.
The next one is walking to the neighboring Sherpa villages of Kunde or Khumjung lying at the foot of Khumbila, the sacred peaks of the Sherpas.
In Kunde village, you can visit a hospital built by Sir Edmund Hillary. Khumjung village also hosts Hillary school and Khumjung monastery. A Himalayan monastery claims to have a piece of a centuries-old abominable snowman “Yeti.”
After exploring the surrounding area of Namche Bazaar, you’ll return to the teahouse for an overnight stay.
Trek Duration: 5 hours
Max Elevation: 3,680 m
Early morning after having breakfast, you’ll climb steeply from Namche to Kyangjuma village. From this small village, you’ll enjoy outstanding views of Thamserku, Katanga, and Ama Dablam.
Mong La pass is strenuous ascents of the day. However, the top of the Mong La rewards you with the grandest views of surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys.
Passing via the forest of rhododendron and spotting wildlife like pheasants, mountain goats, and the elusive musk deer you’ll reach Phortse Thanga. You’ll spend a night at the tea house in Phortse village.
Trek Duration: 5 hours
Max Elevation: 4,470 m
On this day, at first traversing via forests, waterfalls, and bridges, you’ll reach at Dole. It is a small place with few teahouses. As you head north up the beautiful valley, you’ll notice the beautiful meadows with yak pastures. Today, you’ll get the closest view of Mt. Cho Oyu, the fifth tallest mountain in the world. It absolutely looks stunning!
Passing via pine and rhododendron forests, the trail leads to the small village of Lapahrma and Luja. Then the trail ascends, you walk along the hillside above thundering Dudh Koshi. On passing through some small hamlets and sandy spurs you’ll reach Maccherma.
Maccherma is the last major settlement on the way to Gokyo valley. The beautiful stream flows down from the Kyajo Ri and Phari Lapcha mountains run via the middle of the village.
It is the place where the people of Khumbu region caught the sight of Yeti in 1994. You’ll spend a night at the teahouse of Machherma.
Trek Duration: 5.5 hours
Max Elevation: 4,790 m
On this day, you’ll climb via a ridge that offers an outstanding view of Mt. Kangtega, Mt. Cho Oyu, and Mt. Thamserku. Further, the trail passes via Chorten (a Buddhists shrines) and reaches Pangka where a deadly avalanche killed forty people in 1995.
After passing via the bank of the river, you’ll ascend the terminal moraine of Ngozumpa Glacier. Please do keep in mind that the trail is strenuous but not technical.
Further continuing the trail, you’ll get a glimpse of the first lake of the valley. Moving further the second lake that offers a mesmerizing view of the crystal clear blue water. Again little ahead of the second lake you’ll see the third lake; a stream links these two lakes.
After the third lake, you’ll reach Gokyo valley. From the valley, the scenery of the lakes, peaks, and glaciers is stunning! You’ll spend a night at a teahouse in Gokyo valley.
Trek Duration: 5 hours
Max Elevation: 5,483 m. Gokyo Ri
Early in the morning, you’ll hike to the summit of Gokyo Ri. At the altitude of 5,550m above sea level, the summit offers the marvelous views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Cho Oyu.
After enjoying the astonishing views of the snow-capped mountains, you’ll return to Gokyo. Rest of the day you can explore valley including the upper lakes and more viewpoints. You’ll spend a night at the teahouse in Gokyo valley.
Trek Duration: 4 hours
Max Elevation: 4,500 m
On this day, at first, you will pass the Ngozumpa glacier. Here the trail becomes rocky with many up and downhills. On the trail, you will see many yak grazing lands. You’ll walk down the valley on the eastern glacial moraine; the scenery is undoubtedly amazing.
Finally, you’ll reach at a cluster of lodges known at Thangnak for an overnight stay.
Trek Duration: 7 hours
Max Elevation: 5,300m, Cho La Pass
On this day, you should prepare yourself for the long day trek as you’ll transverse Chola Pass- one of the Three Passes. This is one of the challenging days of the trek as you’ve to trek on the rocky trails and the glacial moraines till to the top of the pass.
After a couple of hours trek, you’ll reach to the top of the Chola Pass. As you reach to the top, you’ll get rewarded with the superb views of Cho La Lake and Mt. Cholatse.
On descending downhill you’ve to be careful as the trail is slippery due to the icy trails and glaciers. The trek is very pleasant, and on the way, you’ll see the many prayer flags waving at you. Eventually, you’ll reach Dzongla for an overnight stay.
Trek Duration: 4 hours
Max Elevation: 4,910 m
Early in the morning, leaving Dzongla, you’ll continue your downhill trek towards Lobuche. Here you’ll cross a bridge and then come across a grassy trail. Enjoying the view of Lobuche peak, you stretch up eventually through a ridge.
En route you’ll enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, Taboche. Lobuche is the small village situated nearby the stream. From here you’ll witness the memorable sight of sunset on Nuptse. You’ll spend a night at teahouse of Lobuche.
Trek Duration: 8 hours
Max Elevation: 5,365 m, Everest Base Camp
On this day, you’ll continue your trek from Lobuche towards Everest Base Camp via Gorak Shep. You’ll trek via the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier for about 2 and half hours. After arriving at Gorak Shep, you’ll see the beautiful snow-capped mountains.
Further continuing your adventurous trekking journey, you’ll make some steep ascents before Everest Base Camp. Finally, passing via rocky dunes, moraines, and streams, you’ll reach Everest Base Camp.
From the base camp, you can enjoy the view of Khumbu glacier, the deepest glacier in the world. After staying a while at the base camp of the world’s highest mountain, you’ll trek back to Gorak Shep. You’ll spend a night at the teahouse of Gorak Shep.
Trek Duration: 7 hours
Max Elevation: 5,555 m, Kala Patthar
On this day, you’ll hike to the summit of the Kala Patthar where you’ll enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Everest and other surrounding peaks. From Gorak Shep, it’ll take around 2 hours to reach the summit of Kala Patthar.
When the first rays of sun strike over the mountains you’ll enjoy the beautiful panorama of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Taboche, and other peaks.
When you look down from the summit of Kala Patthar, the view of Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Icefall, Khumbu Glacier, and Gorak Shep will amaze you.
After spending a while in the summit, you’ll trek back to Gorak Shep and have breakfast and rest for a while. Then you’ll trek to Pheriche, a small beautiful village for an overnight stay.
Trek Duration: 7 hours
Max Elevation: 3,441 m
Following the forest trails, you’ll head back to Namche Bazaar. Here you’ll spot wildlife like pheasants, musk deer, and mountain goats.
Further climbing steep slopes and passing via Chortens, mani walls you’ll reach Namche. Along the trail, you’ll enjoy the last view of the top Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse. You’ll spend a night at a teahouse in Namche Bazaar.
Trek Duration: 6 hours
Max Elevation: 2,804 m, Lukla
After the breakfast, you’ll hike down a steep trail via the Hillary suspension bridge. You’ll continue your walk via several local villages mostly via Dudh Koshi river valley and surroundings.
Once you reach Lukla, you can relax. In the evening, you can also have a party with your fellow trekkers and celebrate your successful Gokyo- Chola Pass EBC trek. You’ll spend a night at a teahouse in Lukla.
Travel Duration: 45 minutes flight
Max Elevation: 2804 m, Lukla
Early in the morning, you’ll fly back to Kathmandu. The 45 minutes flight back to Kathmandu will indeed be relaxing one as you’ll be carrying unforgettable memories of a successful journey to the Gokyo valley, Cho La Pass, and Everest Base Camp.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you’ll head to your respective hotels. Rest of the day in Kathmandu city will be yours. You can do whatever you like. You can take rest at the hotel or visit the nearby places- Thamel or Durbar Marg. You’ll spend a night in the three-star hotel in Kathmandu.
You have the whole day to hang around the streets of Kathmandu. You may buy souvenirs for your friends and family. If you’re interested, you can also go for a guided city tour to explore Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan.
In the evening, you’ll join the farewell dinner with your fellow trekkers in a cozy traditional Nepali restaurant. You’ll spend a night in the three-star hotel in Kathmandu.
Now it’s time to bid farewell, and you’ll leave Nepal with the wonderful memories you had during this adventure trip.
Our representative will drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport for your way back home.
We hope you had a lovely time with us!
Trip Note: This trip can be customized according to our client requirements. For further information, please contact us.
Cost Included
- Airport pick up and drop off service by a private tourists vehicle
- 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu
- Accommodation in tea houses during the days in a trek
- All Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
- Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
- Kathmandu half day sightseeing
- During sightseeing tours guide
- Airfare from Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry and TIMS card fee
- A professional English speaking guide
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges
- First aid kit box
Cost Excluded
- Nepal Entry Visa Fee
- International Airfare
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal gear for trekking
- Extra baggage charges
- Personal Expenses (Soft and alcoholic drinks, snacks, laundry, telephone bills, battery recharge, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Gratitudes to the guide and porter
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