Witness the breathtaking views of Mt. Everest from Gokyo Ri
Walk through diverse landscapes
Insight into Sherpa culture and tradition
Trip Overview
The Everest Base Camp Chola Pass trek is challenging but rewarding. The mountain scenery, glaciers, lakes, diversified landscape, and ecosystem render the Everest area one of the loveliest places to trek in Nepal. Trekkers trek for 16-20 days in Nepal. While one of the longest in the Everest area, the trek is blessed with the sheer majesty of the Himalayas and green grasslands and has the added benefit of learning about the Sherpas' past.
The Everest Base Camp Trek with Chola Pass Trek showcases breathtaking mountains with massive snow-white mountain peaks in the Himalayas like Mt. Everest, Gokyo Peak, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho La, and Thamserku mountain. At Everest Base Camp, you can enjoy views of the surrounding peaks, and you can savor panoramic, 360-degree views of the great Himalayas, a breathtaking sunrise on Everest, and other peaks from Kalapatthar, and also enjoy the stunning view from the Chola Pass. Dzongla and the fabulous views via the Cho La Pass are the main attractions of the trek.
The hospitality of the local Sherpa people, wonderful love, traditional food, and your experience of their unique culture and traditions are the ongoing bonuses while hiking. The people that you meet in this area are Buddhist, and during the trek, you pass by many monasteries, including the famous Tengboche Monastery.
Route Description
The 19-day Everest Base Camp with Chola Pass trek starts with a stunning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. You will then hire your porter and start trekking to Phakding. You will walk across a suspension bridge over a mountain river and trek along the Dudh Koshi River, going through some villages like Phakding and Namche (3,440 m), where you have an acclimatization day. Namche is a commercial marketplace in the Khumbu region. Then trek to Everest View Hotel for views of Everest and Ama Dablam.
You trek from Namche to Dingboche (4,410 m) via Tengboche (3,867 m). The route offers excellent Himalayan scenery and diverse landscapes. You also have a glimpse of the biggest monastery in the Khumbu area at Tengboche. Dingboche is the following acclimatization stop. Acclimatize your body to a high altitude. Trek to Nangkartshang Hill for a wider panorama of the large peaks. Then trek to Labuche (4,910 m) and Gorakshep (5,140 m). Being closer to EBC doubles your energy. You trek from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). Watching Everest and other mountains around it is worth your trek. The next day, you trek to Kalapatthar (5,545 m) to watch sunrise views over the snow-covered Himalayas. Enjoy yourself there, and snap photos and videos to remember it.
Taking in the magnificent vistas of Mt. Everest and other lofty peaks, this trail leads to Dzongla (4,830 m), an isolated village resting somewhere on the foothills of tall peaks. The trail soon gets a bit demanding as you aspire to make your way to Cho La Pass (5,420 m). The trail affords greater challenges: steep, icy, and demanding your utmost caution, together with a pinch of daring, thrilling views of glaciers in silent companionship from awfully high. Cling to the views as you start descending to Dzongla. Crossing huge chasms of the Ngozumpa Glacier into Gokyo Valley, a silent land scattered with lakes considered sacred for their turquoise color, will be your next adventure.
At Gokyo (4,790 m), walking becomes leisurely to enjoy nature's tranquility. Ascending to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) gives one of the best views in the entire Khumbu, with great views of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu, Nepal's four highest peaks. From Gokyo, the return journey follows down via Dole and Mong La, over alpine ridges and grazing pastures of yaks to Namche Bazaar.
One gets a last night at Namche, then the route returns up to Phakding and on to Lukla, the trekking endpoint. One returns to Kathmandu after flying for a brief period, having had an irrevocably memorable journey through some of the most resplendent, scenic, and culturally deep views in the Himalayas.
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival
Day 02: Preparation Day
Day 03: Fly to Lukla, then trek to Phakding
Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazar
Day 05: Acclimatization Day (Hike to Everest View Hotel)
Day 06: Trek from Namche Bazar to Tengboche
Day 07: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche
Day 08: Acclimatization Day (Hike to Nangkartshang Hill)
Day 09: Trek from Dingboche to Labuche
Day 10: Trek from Labuche to Gorakshep, then hike to Base Camp and back to Gorakshep
Day 11: Climb Kalapatthar and trek to Dzongla
Day 12: Trek from Dzongla to Dragnak/Thangna via Chola Pass
Day 13: Trek from Thangna to Gokyo
Day 14: Hike to Gokyo Ri
Day 15: Trek from Gokyo to Dole
Day 16: Trek from Dole to Namche Bazar
Day 17: Trek from Namche Bazar to Lukla
Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 19: Farewell
Trip Itinerary
As you arrive at the airport in Kathmandu, a representative from Nepal Intrepid Treks will welcome you and transfer you to a pre-booked three-star hotel in Kathmandu. A luxurious cab drive will drop you at the hotel. Check in and rest for a while. If there is enough time, you can roam around the Kathmandu city in the evening. Spend your night at a hotel in Kathmandu!
Max. Elevation:1355m
Duration:20-25 minutes
Distance:Approximitely 6 kilometers (airport to hotel)
Included/Excluded
All ground transportation in a private vehicle, including airport pick-up and drop-off
Three nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu at a 3-star category hotel on a BB basis.
Three times daily full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with a cup of tea during the trek
Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis in the best available guesthouse during the trek
All necessary staff with an experienced English-speaking guide (require porters: two clients, one porter), including their food, salary, accommodation, insurance, etc. (Personal Sherpa guide provided upon request with extra charge)
Seasonal fruits during the trek
Required Permits, including TIMS and Sagarmatha National Park Permits
Nepal Intrepid Treks T-shirt, duffle bag, and trekking map
A sleeping bag and a down jacket during the trek
Trip Achievement Certificate as a token of their successful journey, recognizing their accomplishment and endurance
Government taxes and office charges
Nepal entry visa fee, international airfare
Travel Insurance
Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
All cold drinks, water, and any beverages are not included in your trip price. We provide such service with an extra charge (Note: Our optional excursions are culture trips, festival trips, monastery meditation with lamas and monks, bird watching, farming trips, and other things as per the client’s interest)
Trekking Equipment: (Note: Clients have to arrange personal trekking equipment, such as trekking poles.)
Tips for the driver, guide, and porters are not included in the cost of your package.
Others
Personal expenses such as phone calls, Internet, laundry, BarBilli, and extra porters
Costs arising out of landslide, road blockage, rescue of any form, cancellation of flight, or reasons beyond our control
Any other expenses that are not mentioned in the price include sections
Dates & Prices
Everest Base Camp with Chola Pass TrekVideo
Good to Know
Best Season to Trek
Spring and autumn are the best times to get aboard the Everest Base Camp and Chola Pass trek.
Autumn is the most favored and most demanded trekking season in the Nepal Himalayas. This is the season for maximum satisfaction of good glimpses of the Himalayas. The weather is dry, with clear skies clarifying the sun and thus allowing long-distance visibility. The trails are also in fine condition to trek across to the Chola Pass. It is also the peak season.
The spring season is also a popular season for trekking in Nepal. A beautiful forest with wildflowers and rhododendrons is the main attraction of the trek. The temperature remains steady and average, with excellent views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Cho Oyu. It's the best time to pass Chola Pass.
Avoid trekking during winter and the monsoon months. Winters are chilly, and there is a high possibility that Chola Pass is closed with snow. Monsoon renders it unsuitable to trek in Nepal's high-altitude region. The trekking is worse with heavy rains, slippery tracks, poor visibility, and high possibilities of landslides. Avoid trekking this season.
Trekking Difficulty
The trek via the Gokyo Cho La Pass to Everest Base Camp has always been the most challenging of all high-altitude treks. Physical fitness, past multi-day trekking experience, and resilient adventure-hunters are best adapted to this trek. It offers two classic trekking routes: the Everest Base Camp trek is spoken about in hushed tones by many, while the Gokyo Lakes Trek intrigues a bit fewer people. These two routes are connected by the Cho La Pass (5,420 m), a glaciated and high pass, which is an extremely difficult and exhilarating choice.
The trek demands a day of hard trekking through the various landscapes. You will be walking over terraced fields, well-maintained paths, and green forests, not to mention a few local villages, steep ascents and descents, rocks, glaciers, and high Himalayan passes. Trekking to Kalapatthar would be the highlight trek of this trek, passing via Chola Pass and Gokyo Ri, all high-altitude in the shadow of the great Everest. Altitude sickness (AMS) is a very real risk.
Good acclimatization, gradual and slow progress, good trekking gear, and the services of experienced guides from the region would make this trek extremely rewarding and possible for adequately prepared trekkers. This is not a novice's trek; yet, it provides perhaps the most grueling high-altitude trekking experience in the Himalayas.
Permits and Travel Insurance for Trek
Permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
You can get this permit from Lukla or Monjo.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
You can get it from the office of the Tourism Board in Kathmandu or at Monjo.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must-have while trekking in the Everest region of Nepal. Given the challenging nature of the trek, unpredictable weather, and potential for altitude-related illnesses or injuries, having the right insurance policy is essential for your safety and peace of mind.
Your policy must cover the following:
High-Altitude Coverage
Emergency Helicopter Evacuation
Medical and Hospitalization Expenses
Trip Cancellation or Interruption
Flight Delays or Cancellations
Food and Accommodation
Accommodation
On the Everest Base Camp with Chola Pass, you’ll be staying in a local teahouse. The lodging is basic yet comfortable. Generally, rooms are twin-sharing with wooden beds, a mattress, and warm blankets. Bathrooms are mostly squat-style and shared. A hot shower is rarely available as you ascend to EBC, and if it is available, you need to pay an extra amount of money. Same for electric charging.
As you ascend, the facilities become more basic and expensive.
Food
You’ll get fresh and mostly vegetarian foods along the trail. The foods are comforting and basic as you ascend to higher regions. All the meals are prepared by local people, so you get authentic and tasty food. You’ll be eating dal and bhat (rice, lentil soup, and vegetables) for lunch and dinner. The food is nutritious, and there are unlimited refills. The other options are fried rice, noodles, momo, chow mein, pasta, and some other foods. You’ll be having Tibetan bread, eggs, and boiled eggs for breakfast with hot tea.
Bring some snacks like chocolate bars, biscuits, and instant noodles in your bag.
Altitude Acclimatization Strategy
For trekking in Everest Base Camp with Chola Pass, smart acclimatization is key to avoiding altitude sickness. If you plan properly, you can complete this trek without any difficulty.
Plan acclimatization days wisely. Acclimate in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. Go for a short hike to Everest View Hotel and Nangkartshang Hill, and practice climb-high, sleep-low techniques.
Acclimatization Tips
Stay hydrated
Trek slowly
Ascend gradually
Avoid alcohol and smoking
Climb high, sleep low
Consider medicine
Monitor symptoms
Descend if the AMS worsens
Packing Essentials
While trekking to Everest Base Camp with Chola Pass, you need to carry essential gear that you are going to use on the trek. Here is the list:
Down jacket
Trekking pant
Trekking shoe
Windproof and waterproof jacket and pants
Backpack
Camp shoes
Socks
Thermal wear
Hat Sunglasses
Gloves
Sunscreen
Headlamps
Snack
Sleeping bag
Trekking poles
Gaiters
Toiletries
First-aid kit
Documents and permits
Power bank
Water bottle
Water purification tablets
General Faqs
It is an extensive trek connecting Everest Base Camp with serene Gokyo Lakes over the high-altitude pass Cho La (5,420 m). It includes Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri, and the Ngozumpa Glacier.
I joined Wildman's tour to Nepal for ABC trekking at the end of March, and during the trekking we were taken well care of by Nepal Intrepid Treks and Expedition. The local guides are professional, friendly and always know what we need before we ask for help, and the porters are honest and reliable. I believe that without their hard work, it is impossible for me to complete this amazing journey. A month has passed, the towering mountains, the blooming azaleas and the guides and porters’ dedication to their work are still vivid in my memory and it seems like only yesterday. Highly recommended!
Amazing Experience!
We had a pleasant journey during 8-day trekking from Poon Hill to ABC with Nepal Intrepid Treks and Expedition. All their staffs are friendly and helpful through always.Highly recommended!
ABC trekking - unforgettable adventure
ABC, quite a journey. This is my second time enjoying the services of Nepal Intrepid Treks—their attention, camaraderie, and commitment make these experiences unforgettable. Highly recommended. Thank you for the excellent service.
Good trip!
I went to MBC with a group of mountaineering friends and completed the summit. The guide accompanied and cared for us all the way, making the whole trip perfect! ---Team leader Kamal, lead guide Yam, assistant guide Kedar, team leader Nabarai, porter partner Poters and Nepal intrepid treks8 expedition company
Thanks to the professional team, it was fun.
I went hiking with a group of friends at MBC and completed the summit. The guides took care of us along the way... Team leader Kamal, lead guide Yam, assistant guide Kedar, team leader Nabarai, porter partner Potersand Nepal intrepid treks8 expedition company