Gokyo Chola Pass Everest Base Camp Trek - 19 Days

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The Gokyo Valley, Cho La Pass with Everest Base Camp Trek is a 19-day high route that joins the quiet Gokyo side of the Khumbu to the classic Base Camp trail in one loop. You climb above the Gokyo Lakes to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) (Latitude: 27.9611° N, Longitude: 86.6833° E), cross the Ngozumpa Glacier, then step over Cho La Pass (5,330 m) (Latitude: 27.9621° N, Longitude: 86.7519° E). From there you reach Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) (Latitude: 28.0024° N, Longitude: 86.8528° E) and Kala Patthar (5,640 m) (Latitude: 27.9958° N, Longitude: 86.8284° E). A spare day in Lukla protects your flight home.

Grade: AD (Assez Difficile / Challenging)

Trip Overview

Duration19 Days

Trip GradeChallenging

CountryNepal

Maximum Altitude5,640 m at Kala Patthar

Group Size2-20

StartsKathmandu

EndsKathmandu

ActivitiesHigh Pass Trek

Best TimeMarch to May and October to November

TREK HIGHLIGHTS

Climb Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) before sunrise and watch Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu appear above the Gokyo Lakes.
Sleep beside Dudh Pokhari, the third Gokyo lake, at 4,790 m.
Cross the rocky ridges of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal, on the way to Dragnag.
Step over Cho La Pass (5,330 m) and move from the Gokyo valley into the Everest valley.
Join the main trail at Lobuche and walk to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) on the Khumbu Glacier.
Climb Kala Patthar (5,640 m) at dawn for a close view of Everest, Nuptse and Pumori.
Walk back through Tengboche Monastery and the forests of Sagarmatha National Park.
Cover almost 70 percent of the Everest region on a single route.

Most Everest trekkers choose between the Gokyo Valley and the Everest Base Camp trail. This route removes that choice!

You spend the first half in the quiet western valley of the Dudh Koshi, beside turquoise lakes and a vast glacier. You spend the second half on the classic trail to the foot of the Khumbu Icefall.

Cho La Pass (5,330 m) is the hinge that joins the two halves. The loop covers almost 70 percent of the Everest region, and the mountains appear from several different angles. At the moment it is our second most booked trek in the Everest region!

The order of this trek is a deliberate choice. Your sleeping height rises slowly through Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), Dole (4,110 m), Machhermo (4,470 m) and Gokyo (4,790 m).

Two rest days, one in Namche and one in Machhermo, give your body time to adjust before the high ground!

By the time you sleep at Gorakshep (5,180 m), you have spent nine nights above 4,000 m. Gokyo Ri also shows you Mount Everest from a distance, so the close view from Kala Patthar later in the trek means more.

What Cho La Pass Asks of You?

Cho La is the hardest day of the trek. It is a long climb on moraine and scree, with a short glacier section near the top that may hold snow or ice. You start in the dark, carry your own water and snacks, and walk for 7 to 9 hours.

You do not need climbing skills, but you do need steady legs, warm gloves and a calm mind on loose ground. Your guide decides on the morning whether the pass is safe, whether microspikes are needed and how to pace the group.

Who This Route Suits?

This trek suits fit walkers who are happy with 5 to 8 hours on the trail, many days in a row. Earlier multi-day trekking helps, especially at altitude.

If you want only Base Camp, our standard Everest Base Camp trek is shorter. If you want more passes, we can add Renjo La as a custom plan!

Why Trek with Himalayan Ecstasy Nepal?

A trek with two valleys and a high pass needs careful planning. Here is how we look after you on this route:

Acclimatization before ambition: Two rest days, two hiking days to higher viewpoints and slowly rising sleeping heights give your body time to adapt.
Guides who make the call: Our licensed guides are trained in wilderness first aid and carry a medical kit with an oximeter. Every day they check your appetite, sleep, water intake and the weather, and they can change the plan if your health requires it.
A crew that knows the pass: We send only guides and porters who are familiar with the glacier and pass sections of this route.
A spare day for Lukla: Day 17 is kept free for weather and flight delays.
Clear lodge expectations: We tell you early that the lodges at Dragnag and Dzongla are basic, so you can prepare.
Flexible dates and private trips: We can adjust departure dates and arrange private departures on request.
Support before and during your trip: Our team answers your questions before you travel and stays in touch with your guide on the trail.

What a Typical Trail Day Looks Like

Most mornings start around 6 am with tea, followed by breakfast and a start on the trail by about 7:30 or 8.

You walk for three to four hours, stop for lunch at a teahouse, and walk a few more hours to reach your lodge by mid-afternoon.

The rest of the day is for tea, washing, resting and short walks on acclimatization days!

Dinner is around 6 pm in the warm dining room, and most trekkers are in bed by 8:30. Cho La day starts much earlier, around 5 am with headlamps, and the Kala Patthar climb starts around 4:30 AM.

Major Attractions and Places Along This Route

This loop gives you lakes, glaciers, a high pass and the foot of the world’s highest mountain in one walk. Each stop below adds something different to the journey.

Dole and Machhermo

These two high villages sit on yak pastures in a wide valley. The lodges are simple and the evening cold is sharp.

Machhermo has a small aid post and gives you your first clear view of Cho Oyu on the way up!

Gokyo Lakes

The Gokyo Lakes are a chain of glacial lakes between 4,650 m and 5,000 m, protected as a Ramsar wetland.

You sleep beside the third lake, Dudh Pokhari, so you see the water at dusk, under the night sky and in the first morning light. The colour moves between blue and green with the sun and the amount of glacial silt.

Gokyo Ri

Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) is a steep hill behind the village and a famous viewpoint on the western side.

From the summit, you see four peaks above 8,000 m: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. The glacier and lakes lie below like a map, which makes it easy to trace your own route!

Ngozumpa Glacier

The Ngozumpa Glacier is the longest glacier in Nepal, and its meltwater feeds the Gokyo Lakes.

Its lower end is buried under stones, so it looks like a field of grey hills with turquoise ponds in the hollows. The trail from Gokyo to Dragnag crosses it, and the safest line changes from year to year.

Cho La Pass

Cho La Pass (5,330 m) links the Gokyo valley with the Everest valley. The route is rocky and steep, with a glacier patch near the top.

The reward is a view of Cholatse, Ama Dablam and Lobuche East, and the feeling of having crossed from one world of the Khumbu into another.

Dzongla

Dzongla (4,620 m) is a small settlement of basic lodges above a lake, a little away from the main trail.

It has wide views towards Cholatse, and the evening is much quieter than at Lobuche. Many trekkers remember this night as the calm after the pass.

Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) sits on the Khumbu Glacier and is the starting point for climbers on the Nepal side.

In spring, colourful tents cover the ice. In autumn, the site is usually empty. The summit is hidden, yet the icefall above camp shows how big the mountain is!

Kala Patthar

Kala Patthar (5,640 m) means “black rock” and is the place where Everest shows its summit clearly.

It is the highest point of this trek and is usually climbed before sunrise. Nuptse, Lhotse, Changtse and Pumori surround you, and the Khumbu Glacier curves below.

Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) is the trading town of the Sherpa people, built in a horseshoe-shaped bowl.

It has bakeries, a Sherpa culture museum and the last wide choice of gear. You stay two nights, so you have time to explore at an easy pace.

Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche Monastery (3,863 m) is the largest monastery in the Khumbu. It stands in a forest clearing, facing Ama Dablam.

Monks hold daily prayers, and visitors may watch quietly. Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering!

Sagarmatha National Park

The route from Monjo onward lies inside Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park shelters Himalayan tahr, musk deer, pikas and many mountain birds, and it is also home to Sherpa villages. Pass mani walls on the left, stay on the trail and carry your waste out!

Phakding

Phakding (2,640 m) is a riverside village where most trekkers spend the first night.

Its lodges sit close to the Dudh Koshi, so you fall asleep to the sound of moving water. The altitude is low, which makes it a kind place to let your body settle in.

Phortse Thanga

Phortse Thanga (3,680 m) is a handful of teahouses beside the river, at the bottom of a long forest descent from Mong La.

Most trekkers stop here for lunch on the way to Dole. The cold river air is a good reminder to add a layer before the afternoon climb!

Gokyo Chola Pass Everest Base Camp Trek - 19 Days Itinerary

Kathmandu to KathmanduExpand all

Day 01

Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Our team meets you outside Tribhuvan International Airport with a HEN sign and drives you to your hotel in Thamel.

After you freshen up, you can walk the lanes nearby, change some dollars into Nepali rupees, and pick up small things such as batteries, lip balm or a map.

Your trek guide visits you in the evening for a short briefing. Together you go through the route, the flight plan for tomorrow and your packing, and you can ask anything that is on your mind.

Because Day 2 starts with an early Lukla flight, we ask you to pack your duffel bag tonight, keep your passport in your daypack, and sleep early.

If your plane lands late, send us the flight time in advance so we can adjust the briefing or suggest an extra night.

Max Altitude: 1,400 m Accommodation: 3-star hotelTransportation: Private vehicle

Day 02

Fly Kathmandu (1,400 m) to Lukla (2,880 m) and Trek to Phakding (2,640 m)

This route has long walking days and a high pass, so we fly to Lukla on Day 2 instead of adding a sightseeing day in Kathmandu.

The flight takes about 35 minutes and lands at Tenzing-Hillary Airport. In busy months, flights may leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) Airport, so we confirm the airport with you before you travel.

From Lukla you follow the Dudh Koshi River north through Chheplung and Ghat to Phakding, a walk of 3 to 4 hours.

Please note: if AMS or any illness appears during the trek, or Cho La Pass cannot be crossed, we end the pass plan.

Your guide makes this call after checking how you feel and what the weather is doing.

You then trek down through Phortse, Pangboche and Pheriche, and the following day we follow the Everest Base Camp trail.

Max Altitude: 2,640 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodgeTransportation: Domestic flight

Day 03

Phakding (2,640 m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

Today you cross the Dudh Koshi on several swaying suspension bridges and pass the villages of Benkar and Monjo.

At the Sagarmatha National Park gate in Monjo, your guide registers your permit while you rest. After Jorsale, the trail reaches the two high bridges, including the long Hillary Suspension Bridge.

Beyond them the real climb starts. The last stretch to Namche Bazaar gains about 600 m on zigzag steps and takes around two hours, so walk slowly and breathe steadily.

If the clouds clear, you may see Everest and Lhotse for the first time from the upper trail. The whole day takes about 5 to 6 hours.

Namche has bakeries, gear shops and a bank machine, but cash machines can be unreliable above this town, so withdraw the cash you need for the days ahead.

Max Altitude: 3,440 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 04

Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

You sleep in Namche for a second night, but you do not sit still. After breakfast, we walk up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) for a first long look at Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse.

The path then continues to Khumjung (3,780 m), a Sherpa village of stone houses where you can see the school and the monastery.

Back in Namche, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum or the park visitor centre, and use the afternoon to wash clothes, charge devices and check your gear.

Each evening your guide checks your oxygen level with an oximeter, which gives early signs of how your body is coping.

Climbing high and sleeping low gives your body time to adapt without too much stress.

Drink at least three litres of water today. Check the weather forecast and tomorrow’s plan with your guide before dinner.

Max Altitude: 3,440 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 05

Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) to Dole (4,110 m)

Today you leave the crowded Base Camp trail and turn into the quieter Gokyo side of the valley. The path climbs above Namche to the ridge of Mong La (3,975 m), where Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtega come into view.

A steep zigzag then drops through pine and rhododendron forest to Phortse Thanga (3,680 m), a few teahouses beside the river, where we stop for lunch. After lunch you climb about 430 m through fir, birch and juniper, and the trees shrink as the air thins.

This is the biggest jump in sleeping height of the trek, from 3,440 m to 4,110 m. The walk is about 12 km and takes 6 to 7 hours. Keep a rain jacket and a warm layer in your daypack, because afternoon weather turns quickly.

Max Altitude: 4,110 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 06

Dole (4,110 m) to Machhermo (4,470 m)

This is a short day on purpose, because your body needs time at this height before Gokyo. The trail stays high above the Dudh Koshi River, crossing sandy spurs and small side valleys with yak pastures on the slopes.

You pass Luza (4,360 m) and Lhabarma, and the valley opens wider with every hour. Cholatse, Taboche, Kangtega and Thamserku rise above the valley as you gain height.

The climb is only about 360 m, but at this height it feels harder than it looks, so keep your pace slow.

You reach Machhermo around lunchtime and have the afternoon to rest. The village has a small aid post that gives talks on altitude sickness during the main seasons, though opening times can change. Eat a hot lunch, stay warm and go to bed early!

Max Altitude: 4,470 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 07

Rest and Acclimatization Day in Machhermo (4,470 m)

This second rest day is the most important one before Gokyo. After a slow breakfast, you can walk for one to two hours up the ridge behind the village to a viewpoint near 4,700 m.

From here you look back along the Dudh Koshi valley you have climbed and across to the slopes of Kyajo Ri. Walk at the pace of the slowest person, stop often and turn back if a headache grows.

You return to Machhermo to sleep at 4,470 m, which is the whole idea of climbing high and sleeping low. The afternoon is for rest, hot soup and tea.

Cold sets in fast once the sun leaves the valley, so keep your down jacket nearby. Altitude affects people differently, so tell your guide early about nausea, poor sleep or loss of appetite.

Max Altitude: 4,470 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 08

Machhermo (4,470 m) to Gokyo (4,790 m)

The walk is about 8 km and takes 4 to 5 hours. From Machhermo, the trail climbs a ridge with a clear view into the Kangtega valley, and Cho Oyu (8,201 m) appears ahead.

After about two hours you pass Phanga, a tiny stop at roughly 4,400 m, and then cross the river onto the rocky edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier.

Here the trail runs beside the first three lakes: Longpong (4,650 m), Taujung (4,710 m) and Dudh Pokhari (4,750 m).

The village of Gokyo sits on the shore of the third lake, and the water often changes colour from blue to green as the light moves.

The last stretch beside the glacier is exposed and windy, so keep your gloves and jacket close. Eat early, because tomorrow starts in the dark.

Max Altitude: 4,790 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 09

Gokyo (4,790 m) via Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) to Dragnag (4,750 m)

You start before sunrise with a headlamp and warm layers, and climb Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), gaining about 570 m in two and a half to three and a half hours.

From the top you see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu above the lakes.

After breakfast in Gokyo, you cross the rocky ridges of the Ngozumpa Glacier to Dragnag, a walk of about two hours with loose stones and small ups and downs.

The tea house lodge at Dragnag is basic, and rooms are limited. Decision point: if AMS or other illness appears, or your guide feels that Cho La Pass is unsafe for you, we end the pass plan.

You then go down through Phortse, Pangboche and Pheriche, and the following day we follow the Everest Base Camp trail. Tell your guide how you feel at every rest stop!

Max Altitude: 4,750 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Tea house lodge

Day 10

Dragnag (4,750 m) via Cho La Pass (5,330 m) to Dzongla (4,620 m)

This is the hardest day of the trek. You leave Dragnag very early with a headlamp and climb over rocky moraine and loose scree towards Cho La Pass (5,330 m).

Near the top you may meet a short glacier section with snow or ice, and your guide decides whether you need microspikes.

The view from the pass takes in Cholatse, Ama Dablam and Lobuche East, with the Everest valley below you. The descent is steep and rocky at first, and then it eases towards Dzongla.

The day takes 7 to 9 hours, so carry enough water and snacks, because refill points are not reliable. The tea house lodge at Dzongla is basic, so expect a simple room and a shared dining room.

If weather, snow or your health stops the crossing, we turn back and follow the lower route through Phortse, Pangboche and Pheriche.

Max Altitude: 4,620 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Tea house lodge

Day 11

Dzongla (4,620 m) to Lobuche (4,920 m)

After the pass, your legs get an easier day. The trail follows the hillside above a small lake, then curves along a high shoulder with long views of Cholatse and Lobuche East. Near Lobuche it joins the main Everest Base Camp trail, and the quiet of the Gokyo side gives way to yak bells, voices and passing groups.

The walk takes 3 to 4 hours, so you arrive by lunchtime. Lobuche has simple lodges beside the Khumbu Glacier, and nights are very cold, so wear a warm hat to bed and use your sleeping bag.

Spend the afternoon resting, wash your hands before meals, and eat well even if your appetite is low. A gentle stroll near the lodge is fine, but save your energy for tomorrow.

Many people sleep lightly at this height, which is common, but tell your guide about a headache or breathlessness at rest.

Max Altitude: 4,920 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 12

Lobuche (4,920 m) to Gorakshep (5,180 m) with a Visit to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)

You walk on the loose moraine beside the Khumbu Glacier to Gorakshep (5,180 m), which takes 2.5 to 3 hours.

After a hot lunch and check-in at your lodge, you walk on to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) over rocky ridges and small climbs, about three hours one way.

In spring, expedition tents fill the site, while in autumn it is usually quiet, with prayer flags snapping in the wind.

Everest itself is hidden behind the Nuptse ridge from here, but you can see the Khumbu Icefall and feel the size of the glacier.

You return to Gorakshep to sleep, so the day is long, about 8 to 9 hours in total.

Gorakshep is the highest overnight stop, so expect a cold night and go to bed soon after an early dinner.

Max Altitude: 5,180 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 13

Gorakshep (5,180 m) via Kala Patthar (5,640 m) to Pheriche (4,276 m)

You start around 4:30 am with a headlamp, a down jacket and insulated mittens. The climb to Kala Patthar (5,640 m) takes 2 to 3 hours, and the trail turns to loose rock near the top.

Dress in layers you can remove easily, because the climb warms you quickly while the summit stays freezing.

At sunrise, the first light touches Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Pumori, and the Khumbu Glacier gleams far below.

This is the highest point of the trek, and the wind can be sharp, so your guide may change the timing.

After breakfast in Gorakshep, you walk down through Lobuche, pass the climbers’ memorial stones on Thukla Pass, and continue to Dughla.

From there the valley widens and you reach Pheriche, where the air is thicker and sleep comes more easily. The whole day takes 8 to 9 hours. Keep a snack in your pocket.

Max Altitude: 4,276 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 14

Pheriche (4,276 m) to Tengboche (3,863 m)

You leave Pheriche on the main valley trail towards Pangboche. Your legs may feel heavy after Kala Patthar, so go gently. If time allows, you can visit Pangboche Monastery, one of the oldest in the Khumbu.

The path then drops to the Imja Khola, crosses it, and climbs through pine, birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche.

The walk takes about 5 to 6 hours, and the trees and thicker air feel welcome after the dry high country.

You may see a colourful Himalayan monal or a musk deer in the forest, and you should pass chortens and mani walls on the left.

Tengboche Monastery sits on a ridge facing Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Nights at Tengboche are cold, so keep your down jacket within reach once you arrive.

If you arrive at the right time, you may be able to sit quietly at the back during the daily prayers.

Max Altitude: 3,863 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 15

Tengboche (3,863 m) to Monjo (2,835 m)

This is a long day of about 16 km and 6 to 7 hours, with a big drop and one more climb. A steep descent through the forest takes you to Phunki Tenga (3,250 m) at the river, where you can stop for tea.

You then climb through Sanasa and Kyangjuma to Namche Bazaar, a good place for lunch and a last bakery stop.

After Namche the trail drops steeply to the Dudh Koshi River and crosses the high bridges once more. Your knees will feel this long drop, so trekking poles help a lot.

You continue through Jorsale to Monjo, where you sleep tonight. Monjo is about 1,000 m lower than Tengboche, so many trekkers sleep deeply for the first time in days. Keep drinking water, even when the air feels warm.

Max Altitude: 2,835 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 16

Monjo (2,835 m) to Lukla (2,880 m)

This is the last walking day, about 5 to 6 hours. You follow the Dudh Koshi River south through Phakding, Ghat and Chheplung, using the same suspension bridges you crossed on the way up.

The thicker air makes walking feel easy now, but the final climb into Lukla is short and tiring, so keep your poles ready. In the afternoon you can rest, repack your duffel bag and look for small gifts in the Lukla bazaar.

Keep your passport and flight papers in your daypack, and listen to your guide about the luggage weight limit.

Many groups share a farewell meal with the guide and porters in the evening. Tips are customary, but the amount is yours to decide. It is a good time to say thank you to the crew who carried your bags.

Max Altitude: 2,880 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 17

Contingency Day in Lukla (2,880 m)

We keep this day free as a buffer. Lukla flights depend on clear skies, and morning cloud or afternoon wind can stop the planes for a day or longer.

A buffer day gives you room to reach Kathmandu before your flight home. If the sky is clear, you can ask for a seat on a Day 17 flight, subject to availability, and enjoy an extra day in Kathmandu.

If flights are held, you stay in Lukla and wait for the first open window. A long delay may call for a shared or private helicopter, which depends on weather and costs extra.

One spare day cannot guarantee a flight, and we will tell you early if more time is needed. Please keep some flexibility, and a little spare budget, in your own plans.

Max Altitude: 2,880 m Meals: B, L, DAccommodation: Local lodge

Day 18

Fly Lukla (2,880 m) to Kathmandu (1,400 m)

You take an early flight of about 35 minutes from Lukla to Kathmandu, with a last look at the Khumbu peaks from the window.

On some days the flight may land at Ramechhap (Manthali) Airport, and then the drive to Kathmandu takes around four hours.

Our team transfers you to your hotel, where a hot shower and a soft bed wait for you. The rest of the day is free for laundry, shopping, a massage or a short walk to Durbar Square.

In the evening, HEN invites you to a farewell dinner. It is a good time to share photos and stories with your guide and ask about future treks.

Please return any rented gear and the duffel bag to our team. If you flew out of Lukla on Day 17, this becomes a free day in the city.

Max Altitude: 1,400 m Meals: BAccommodation: 3-star hotelTransportation: Domestic flight, private vehicle

Day 19

Final Departure from Kathmandu

Our team transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport about three hours before your international flight. Before you leave the hotel, check the room for chargers and documents, and settle any extra bills such as laundry or drinks.

If you need a late checkout, ask our team at the hotel the evening before. If your flight is late in the day, you may have time for last souvenirs such as singing bowls, thangka paintings or pashmina scarves.

Morning traffic to the airport can be slow, so we suggest leaving early. Please keep your passport in hand luggage. If you wish to stay longer in Nepal, we can arrange a Kathmandu Valley heritage tour, a trip to Pokhara or a Chitwan jungle safari.

Thank you for walking with us, and we hope to see you on another Himalayan trail. Share your trek photos and feedback with us after you reach home!

Meals: BreakfastTransportation: Private vehicle

Trip Cost Details

Includes

Room and board in the city, transfers and flights

Airport transfers: Private pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu, plus private transfers for the domestic flights
Kathmandu hotel: 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in Thamel, twin sharing (Day 1 and Day 18)
Meals in Kathmandu: Breakfast at the hotel and one farewell dinner
Domestic flights: Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu

Room and board on the trek

Accommodation: Twin-sharing teahouses and local lodges for all trek nights, including the buffer night in Lukla
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner each trek day with a cup of tea or coffee
Additions: Seasonal fruit, biscuits and water purification tablets (with advance notice)

Trek crew

Trek guide: An English-speaking, licensed and experienced guide
Support staff: One porter for every 2 trekkers (maximum 25 kg per porter) and an assistant guide for groups above 6
Crew insurance: Insurance for the guide, assistant guide and porters as required by Nepal government rules

Permits and other services

Permits: Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit
Gear: One duffel bag for 2 trekkers, to be returned after the trek
First aid: A medical kit with an oximeter, carried by your guide
Government taxes: Applicable Nepal government taxes

Excludes

International airfare and Nepal visa fee (bring passport photos)
Travel and medical insurance, including emergency helicopter evacuation
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, except the farewell dinner
Extra nights in Kathmandu or Lukla caused by early or late arrival, early return, or delays beyond the planned buffer day
Helicopter charters and other costs from weather, flight cancellations or events beyond our control
Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, hot showers, phone and Wi-Fi, device charging and laundry
Costs from leaving the trek early, which are non-refundable
Tips for guides and porters
Personal gear and clothing such as boots, poles, sunglasses, gaiters, microspikes and sleeping bag (rental available)
Toiletries and hygiene items such as sunscreen, toilet paper and hand sanitizer
Any service not listed in the Includes section

Essential Information

Planning Around Lukla Flights

Lukla flights follow the weather, not our schedule. Morning cloud, afternoon wind and busy runways cause delays in every season.

In busy months, some flights use Ramechhap (Manthali) Airport, which adds a long road transfer, so we confirm the airport with you before departure.

If you have an international flight to catch, keep a spare day or two in Kathmandu after the trek. Talk to us early about helicopter options, because they depend on weather and seat availability, and they cost extra!

Best Time for This Trek

March to May and October to November are the best seasons:

In spring, rhododendrons bloom in the lower forests, days are longer and Base Camp fills with expedition tents.
In autumn, skies are usually clear and trails are dry, but lodges are busy, so book early.

Nights above 4,500 m fall below freezing in both seasons, and they are colder in late November.

We do not suggest the monsoon or deep winter for Cho La, because snow, cloud and cold make the pass harder and less safe.

Permits and Entry Requirements

You need two permits: the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit.

Our team arranges both, and both are included in the package price. The local permit replaced the TIMS card in this region, so you do not need a TIMS card.

Bring a passport valid for at least six months and a few passport photos for your Nepal visa, which you can get on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Difficulty of the Trek

We grade this trek Challenging. Most days involve 5 to 8 hours of walking, and the Cho La day can reach 9 hours.

You sleep above 4,000 m for nine nights and reach 5,640 m on Kala Patthar. No technical climbing skill is needed, but you need good fitness, a steady pace and a calm attitude on loose rock and snow.

Train for 2 to 3 months with hill walks, stairs and long days with a loaded daypack.

Anyone can feel altitude sickness, so tell your guide at once about a headache, nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness. Going down is the main treatment, and our guides make that call!

Accommodation and Food

In Kathmandu, you stay in a 3-star hotel in Thamel. On the trail you sleep in teahouses on a twin-sharing basis.

Rooms have simple beds and blankets, bathrooms are mostly shared, and bedrooms are not heated.

The lodges at Dragnag and Dzongla are the most basic on the route, with few rooms and fewer comforts, and we cannot promise a fixed standard there.

Meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea or coffee. Menus include dal bhat, noodles, momo, eggs, pasta and porridge.

We suggest vegetarian dishes at altitude, because meat is carried up from far below. Charging and hot showers cost extra and get costlier with height, so bring a power bank!

Preparation and Travel Insurance

Your travel insurance must cover trekking up to at least 6,000 m and emergency helicopter evacuation. Send us your policy details before you arrive!

Break in your boots, test your gear on a long walk, and pack your headlamp, microspikes and warm layers where you can reach them quickly.

Altitude Sickness and How We Manage It

This trek reaches 5,640 m, so we plan for altitude from the first day. Early signs are a headache, nausea, dizziness, poor sleep and loss of appetite, and they can affect even very fit people.

Your sleeping height rises slowly, you have two rest days, and your guide checks your oxygen level and how you feel each evening. Drink water often, eat even when you are not hungry, avoid alcohol and smoking, and walk slowly.

If symptoms get worse, your guide stops the climb and takes you down, because descending is the main treatment!

Speak to your doctor about altitude medication before you travel, and make sure your insurance covers helicopter evacuation.

Month by Month on This Route

March and early April: Nights are very cold at the upper lodges, and snow may remain on Cho La.
Late April and May: Days are warmer and longer, but afternoon cloud is more common.
June to September: Monsoon rain, cloud and wet trails make this route a poor choice.
October and early November: These are usually the clearest weeks, and also the busiest, so book early.
Late November: Nights get much colder, so you need a warmer sleeping bag and extra layers.
December to February: Cold, short days and snow on the pass. Some upper lodges close.