• Scenic Flight to Lukla: Begin your adventure with a thrilling flight to Lukla, offering stunning aerial views of the Himalayan peaks.
• Wildlife and Flora: Discover the diverse wildlife of the region, including musk deer, colorful pheasants, elusive snow leopards, and Himalayan Thar. Each day brings new encounters with the natural world.
• Sherpa Culture: Immerse yourself in the rich traditions and lifestyles of the Himalayan Sherpa people, visiting iconic landmarks such as Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and GorakShep.
• Tengboche Monastery: Visit the largest and oldest monastery in the region, Tengboche, where you can engage in spiritual reflection and prayer.
• Kala Patthar Views: Marvel at the breathtaking views from Kala Patthar (5,545m), where you can see Mount Everest and the Khumbu Glacier, the highest glacier on Earth.
• Cho La Pass: Traverse the iconic Cho La Pass (5,420m), known for its strenuous nature and unparalleled Himalayan vistas.
• Gokyo Valley: Discover the stunning beauty of Gokyo Ri (5,357m) and the five glacial lakes of the Gokyo Valley, including the impressive Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in the region at 38km.
• Spectacular Peaks: Enjoy unforgettable photo opportunities with panoramic vistas of some of the world’s tallest peaks.
• Cultural Richness: Explore vibrant prayer wheels, colorful flags, Mani stones, and massive suspension bridges, all adding to the cultural and visual richness of your trek.
• Buddhist Communities: Engage with the lively culture of the Buddhist communities along the trail, enhancing your journey with spiritual and cultural insights.
This trek promises an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, stunning natural beauty, and rich cultural immersion.
Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek via EBC is a thrilling adventure in the Everest/Khumbu region, combining the iconic Everest Base Camp with the stunning Gokyo Valley and the challenging Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters. This trek offers breathtaking views of towering peaks such as Mount Everest (8,848m), Lhotse, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Kanchenjunga, Nuptse, and Pumori, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
In this Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek via EBC, you can explore the remote Gokyo Valley, renowned for its dramatic mountain vistas, serene glacial lakes, and rugged terrain. During your trek, you might witness the vibrant Dumje Festival in April and the Mani Rimdu Dance performed in Sherpa monasteries, adding cultural depth to your journey. Highlights include spectacular mountain panoramas, sacred lakes in Gokyo Valley, scenic river valleys, and crossing the challenging Cho La Pass.
Your Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. From Lukla, trek through the Dudh Koshi River valley, passing through lush rhododendron and pine forests, charming Sherpa villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Lobuche, and Dingboche. The EBC trail goes through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site known for its diverse wildlife, including snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan thar.
The Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek via EBC includes a hike to Kala Pattar, offering stunning views of Everest, Ama Dablam (6,856m), Kantega (6,809m), Kwangde (6,194m), Nuptse (7,879m), and Lhotse (8,511m). The best times to embark on this trek are from mid-March to May and September to mid-December.
This adventure combines natural beauty, cultural richness, and the challenge of high-altitude trekking, promising a lifetime of memories.
When planning your trek in the Everest region, you can choose to go clockwise or anti-clockwise from Namche Bazaar. Both routes offer the same stunning scenery and challenging terrain, but they provide different perspectives and experiences.
EBC Trail: Clockwise vs. Anti-Clockwise
- Clockwise Route: This path takes you from Namche Bazaar to Gokyo, then over the Cho La Pass, and finally to Everest Base Camp before returning to Namche Bazaar. This route allows you to acclimate gradually by visiting the Gokyo Lakes first, which can help with altitude adjustment before tackling the Cho La Pass and Everest Base Camp.
- Anti-Clockwise Route: Conversely, this route takes you to Everest Base Camp first, crosses the Cho La Pass, and then proceeds to the Gokyo Lakes before returning to Namche Bazaar. This direction allows for a gradual ascent to higher elevations after visiting Everest Base Camp and can be beneficial for acclimatization as you head towards Gokyo Valley.
Key Landmarks of the Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek via EBC Route
- Namche Bazaar: A lively Sherpa town that serves as the gateway to the Everest region, known for its vibrant markets and panoramic mountain views.
- Tengboche: Home to the iconic Tengboche Monastery, offering spectacular views of Everest and Ama Dablam.
- Dingboche: A picturesque village ideal for acclimatization, with sweeping views of surrounding peaks.
- Lobuche: A crucial stop on the trek, famous for its dramatic mountain scenery and proximity to high-altitude paths.
- Gorak Shep: The final stop before Everest Base Camp, known for its impressive views and historical significance.
- Kala Pattar: Renowned for its stunning sunrise views of Mount Everest and other surrounding peaks.
- Everest Base Camp: The ultimate destination, located at the foot of the world’s highest peak.
- Cho La Pass: A challenging high-altitude pass at 5,420 meters (17,782 feet), offering breathtaking views and a demanding ascent. It lies between the peaks of Lobuche and Cholatse, and the trail on the west side leads to the Gokyo Lakes, crossing the Ngozumpa Glacier, while the east side connects to the Everest Base Camp trek.
- Dragnag/Thagnak: A small picturesque village near the Ngozumpa Glacier, providing a peaceful rest stop.
- Gokyo Ri: A prime viewpoint offering magnificent views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and the Gokyo Lakes.
- Gokyo Valley: Famous for its stunning glacial lakes and serene landscapes.
- Gokyo Lake: One of the picturesque turquoise lakes in the Gokyo Valley, perfect for reflection and photography.
Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek via EBC Details
The Cho La Pass, situated at 5,420 meters (17,782 feet), is one of the three challenging high-altitude pass in the Khumbu/Everest region. Cho La Pass is more familiar and common pass in the region. It lies between Lobuche (6,135 meters) and Cholatse (6,443 meters) mountains, and is known for its icy ascent and demanding conditions. The pass is part of the Gokyo trail and provides access to the Gokyo Lakes to the west and connects to the Everest Base Camp trek to the east.
The Cho La pass is usually covered in snow for about nine months of the year, with temperatures remaining below freezing for extended periods. Trekking over Cho La often requires crampons due to the slippery glacier, and caution is needed due to unstable glacier edges. Overnight stops before crossing the pass typically include Dzongla (4,830 meters) to the east and Dragnag/Thagnak (4,750 meters) to the west.
From the pass, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of several towering mountains, including Ama Dablam, Cholatse, and Lobuche. The snow-capped summits and rugged ridges create a dramatic and awe-inspiring scene. To the west, you’ll see the Ngozumpa Glacier, one of the longest (38km/22mile) glaciers in the region from the base of Cho Oyu (8,188m), world sixth highest mountain. The views extend into the Gokyo Valley, with its sparkling turquoise lakes providing a stunning visual contrast against the surrounding snow and rock.
Moderate Trek
USD $1400 - 1700
