Everest Cho La Pass Trek

The Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Trek is a 17-day journey during which you will climb up to an altitude of 5,555 meters above sea level. During the trek, you will cover an average of 7 to 12 km daily, depending on the destination. Similarly, the average walking hour is 6 to 7 hours per day. The highest altitude of the Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC is 5,555 meters at Kala Patthar. You will start your trek from Lukla at 2,610 and gently ascend to the trek’s highest point.

To provide you with a clear picture of the 17 Days Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC, here is the detail of the trek distance, duration, and maximum altitude of each day:

Unique Adventure

The Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Trek combines the classic route with Gokyo Valley. You will begin trekking on a route to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. Then, you will cross the Cho La Pass to hike to Gokyo, the hidden valley. The trekking route passes through remote areas and dense rhododendron forests within Sagarmatha National Park.

As you ascend higher, the pathways become demanding and adventurous. You will mostly trek on rough and rocky terrains through traditional villages, terrace farms, forest areas, glaciers, and moraines. All in all, the Everest Cho La Trek offers an exciting adventure.

Panoramic Mountain Views

The Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC lets you experience awesome mountain views. From the moment you land at Lukla, spectacular mountain sights greet you and keep you company throughout the trek. Plus, you will come across different vantage points that offer beautiful mountain views.

The trek provides an up-close view of Mount Everest. Similarly, you can witness stunning vistas of some of the tallest mountains in the world, such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Thamserku, Cho Oyu, and others. The trek is the best way to experience the mesmerizing mountain views.

Everest Base Camp & Kala Patthar

The trek also allows you to experience the classic trek to Everest Base Camp and the viewpoint of Kala Patthar. You will traverse through the lowland forests to highland alpine pasture, glaciers, and moraines to reach the world’s highest mountain base camp, Mount Everest.

The trekking route goes through famous Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Gorak Shep, and more. Likewise, you will take a morning hike to Kala Patthar. It is a famous viewpoint from where you can see gorgeous sunrises and sunsets with stunning mountains in the background.

Gokyo Valley & Gokyo Lake

Many consider the Gokyo Valley an undiscovered treasure due to its remote route and pristine beauty. Its remote and rugged route is less crowded than the Everest Base Camp. Hence, the Gokyo Trek has gained a lot of attention in recent years. The Gokyo Valley is home to the longest glacier of Nepal, the Ngozumpa Glacier.

Likewise, it is home to the beautiful Gokyo Lakes with stunning turquoise water. The lake lies within the boundary of Sagarmatha National Park. Similarly, it has religious significance to the Hindus and Buddhists. The Gokyo Valley, combined with Gokyo Lakes, offers a quiet trekking experience. It is an opportunity to trek into the lesser-known pathways of the Everest region.

Rich Cultural Immersion

The Everest Cho La Pass Trek is an adventurous journey and a cultural experience. The region is home to the Sherpa people and is renowned worldwide for producing some of the best mountain climbers and guides. They have their own culture, traditions, and customs. Sherpas follow Tibetan Buddhism, which hugely influences their lifestyle.

The locals run the accommodations along the trek routes. Hence, you will experience their warm hospitality in the cozy teahouses. It is also an opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture and witness their traditional lifestyle. Some accommodations also hold cultural programs, where you can observe their traditional dances, attire, music, and instruments.

The Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC is a strenuous journey that requires good physical and mental fitness. Although previous experience is not necessary, having one is advantageous. It is especially challenging for beginners. The trek is a high-altitude journey, with steep ascending and descending sections and narrow pathways on varied terrains. Moreover, the average walking hours per day are 6 to 7 hours. The long hours and physically demanding journey make it an arduous trek.

The Everest Cho La Pass Trek is also difficult due to its high altitude. The highest point is Kala Patthar, at an elevation of 5,555 meters. As a result, trekkers are at risk of altitude sickness. The oxygen level above 2,500 meters gets thinner, and the air pressure reduces. Due to the lack of oxygen in the body, trekkers begin to experience various altitude-related symptoms, such as nausea, headache, shortness of breath, and insomnia. Sometimes, these symptoms can turn serious if no quick medical assistance is given.

The weather at higher altitudes is also more unpredictable. It changes rapidly and without warning. Sudden weather changes, such as high winds, rainfall, snowfall, fog, etc., can make trekking difficult. Trekkers must prepare for this changing weather and carry adequate clothing and gear.

Similarly, the remoteness, lack of infrastructure, and connectivity with the outside world can mentally stress trekkers. Hence, mental preparedness is essential for trekkers. The difficulty of the trek offers an adventurous thrill. Physical, mental, and proper trek equipment preparation is crucial for the Everest Cho La Pass Trek.

The cost of the Everest Cho La Pass Trek package ranges from USD 1,410 to USD 2,095 per person. The price depends on various factors like trek duration, season, and services. However, trekking agencies offer discounts for large groups. The packages include accommodations, transportation, meals, permits, guides, and porters.

Likewise, trekkers can customize the itinerary to match their preferences and budget. You can upgrade the services and adjust the itinerary to extend or shorten it. Still, we suggest trekkers check what is included and excluded in the package before booking.

Himalayan 360 offers the best services at a reasonable price. Here is our Everest Cho La Pass Trek price list.

The journey for the Everest Base Camp begins with a scenic flight to Lukla (2,860 meters). From Lukla, you will start your trekking trip. You will trek to Phakding and Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters). The picturesque Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar is one of the largest and most popular towns in the Everest region. It is a trading hub for locals and a popular stop for acclimatization.

From Namche Bazaar, your journey to the Everest Base Camp will begin. You will trek on the classic route to the base camp that follows the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. You will head to Tengboche (3,860 meters), home to the ancient Tengboche Monastery. The pathway will continue ascending through dense forests, alpine meadows, and suspension bridges toward the village of Dingboche (4,410 meters).

The trail continues to ascend from Dingboche, and the surrounding gradually changes to alpine deserts. You will reach Gorak Shep (5,140 meters) after trekking on steep paths on rocky terrains. Then, you will make your way to the Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters). It is a challenging climb, particularly on loose, rocky sections. The air also gets thinner, and you can witness the Khumbu Glacier and Khumbu Icefall en route. Finally, you will reach the Everest Base Camp.

There is more than just one reason for choosing the Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC. Some of the major reasons are as follows:

Combination of Iconic Route

The Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC combines two iconic treks of the Everest region. You will trek to the Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and the isolated Gokyo Valley Lakes in a single trek package.

For the first trek phase, you will trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. The trekking route is Nepal’s most popular destination, and thousands of trekkers join the trek to EBC annually. After completing the first phase, you will trek on the less-crowded route, specifically the Gokyo Valley via Gokyo Lakes. The single trek takes you into the region’s stunning areas and allows you to experience the area fully.

Spectacular Views

The spectacular scenery makes the Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC an ideal journey for nature lovers and photographers. During the trek, you will traverse diverse landscapes, passing forests, alpine grassland, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, and moraines.

The trekking walkways lie within the Sagarmatha National Park. So, you can see various Himalayan flora and fauna along the way. Likewise, the higher you go, the clearer and closer the mountain vistas become. You can witness the world’s highest mountain, Everest, as well as Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, and many others from close to ground level.

Cross Cho La Pass

During the Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC, you will cross one of the high mountain passes of the Everest region. This high-altitude pass is one of the most challenging parts of the trek. Crossing the Cho La Pass requires a reasonable level of stamina, patience, and technical skills.

The trekking routes are steep, featuring narrow ridges and loose, rocky terrain. As a result, climbing and descending the pass is physically demanding and mentally challenging. However, once you successfully cross the pass, you will be overwhelmed with a sense of achievement. You must experience the delightful feeling at least once.

Turquoise Gokyo Lakes

In addition to the spectacular mountain views, the Everest Cho La Pass Trek via EBC is a chance to see the pristine Gokyo Lakes. The Gokyo Lakes are among the highest freshwater systems in the world. It consists of 19 lakes, among which six are glacial lakes. The lake ranges in altitude from 4,700 meters to 5,000 meters.

During the trek, you will get to witness this beautiful lake system. The turquoise lakes, surrounded by snow-covered peaks, are truly a sight to behold. The lake also has religious significance for Hindus and Buddhists. Due to its remote location and peaceful atmosphere, the Gokyo Valley and the Gokyo Lakes are an infrequently visited attraction of the Everest region.

The weather and temperature during the Everest Cho La Pass Trek vary significantly from lower to higher altitude regions. Nepal experiences four seasons annually. Choosing the right season for the trek helps to enhance your trekking experience. Spring and autumn are the best times with excellent weather conditions. Meanwhile, the weather and temperature in summer and winter are not ideal for the trek.

Here is a brief on each season’s weather and temperature for the Cho La Pass Trek via EBC:

Spring (March to May)

Spring is one of the best times for the Everest Cho La Pass Trek. The weather is lovely, sunny, and bright, with moderate temperatures. In early spring, the weather is still cold, with some snow remaining in the higher-altitude areas. The temperature gradually increases as the season progresses. The average temperature ranges from 1 to 12 degrees Celsius during this time of the year. Similarly, the daylight hours also get longer in spring, so you can enjoy the journey at your own pace.

Furthermore, there is very little rainfall at this time, and visibility is extremely clear. Therefore, the flights are less likely to be delayed or canceled. You can also enjoy the best views of mountain panoramas and scenic landscapes, as spring is the most active time for flora and fauna. The rhododendron forests and different wildflowers are in full bloom. There are also higher chances for you to spot rare wildlife in Spring, making the time best for trekking in EBC via Cho La Pass.

Summer (June to August)

Only a few trekkers are on the journey during the summer season. It is an off-season for trekking, and the monsoon also enters the country at the same time. The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall across the lower hilly regions. Hence, the forest areas are wet, muddy, slippery, and infested with leeches. Similarly, there is a risk of floods and landslides.

In lower areas, the days are hot and humid. The average summer temperature is 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. Due to heavy rainfall and dark grey clouds, visibility is extremely poor. As a result, flights to and from Lukla often get delayed or canceled. Yet, due to the fewer number of trekkers, the accommodations usually offer discounts during the summer season. However, it is best to avoid the summer season for the Everest Cho La Pass Trek.

Autumn (September to November)

If there is a perfect season for the Cho La Pass with the Everest Base Camp Trek, it is autumn. The season is a peak trekking time with the best weather and mild temperatures. By mid-September, the monsoons also leave Nepal. The monsoon rainfall leaves the vegetation and the landscapes fresh, colorful, and lush. The weather is sunny, with crisp skies and excellent visibility. Similarly, the average daytime temperature ranges between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. The temperature drops slightly and becomes chillier during nighttime and mornings.

Autumn is the best time to get the crystal-clear views of the mountain panoramas and green-toned landscapes of the Everest region. The stable weather and climatic conditions make autumn the favorite time for trekkers. As a result, the routes are crowded, and accommodations are often fully booked. Flights and accommodations can get expensive. So, if you are thinking of trekking in autumn, book your flights and accommodations in advance.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is also an off-season for the Everest Cho La Pass. As winter begins, the weather turns colder, and snow starts to fall at higher elevations. The temperature continues to drop as the season progresses. The days are generally cold, but the nights are bitterly cold. Thick fog is also common during early mornings. The daytime temperature is around 5 to 10 degrees. Meanwhile, the nighttime temperature can drop below the freezing point. 

The higher regions of Everest receive a lot of snow during winter, which can block the high mountain passes. There are also snowstorms and the risk of avalanches while trekking in Winter. Due to harsh weather conditions, many accommodations in high-elevation regions close during winter. The cold weather conditions and snow-covered route add to the difficulty. Despite the challenges, many seasoned and experienced trekkers prefer to trek at this time. Trekking in winter requires careful preparation, equipment, and trekking gear. Hence, it is not recommended for beginners.