Gokyo Chola Pass, EBC and Kongma La Pass Trek

Outside the terminal of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, our airport agent will be waiting for you with a sign bearing the name of the Company. Then, you will transfer to the Hotel after you arrive at TIA. If you arrive at TIA on time, you can visit the nearby Hotel area (depending on the arrival time) or you can rest after the long air flight. On this day, our staff or your trip guide will meet and greet you at the Hotel and brief you about the day ahead journey. You will stay overnight.

Today, you will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. The flight will take approximately 30 minutes. Lukla is situated at an elevation of 2800m. In honour of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary, the first people to stand atop the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (8848.86m), Lukla Airport is also referred to as Tenzing Hillary Airport. The Lukla airport runway is comparatively short, measuring 527m, making it one of the most dangerous airports in the world. After landing in Lukla, your trek will commence to Phakding. It is a small Sherpa ethnic mountain settlement where the old homes are made of stone. It serves as the first lodging stop. The trek is a short 4-5 hour path, dotted with lush vegetation and breathtaking mountain views. In Phakding, you can witness traditional Sherpa culture, Phakding Gompa (monastery), Sherpa lifestyle, and traditions. Then, overnight accommodation.

Early morning Breakfast at Phakding, you will trek to Namche Bazar.  It takes a 5-6 hours trek. You will stop on the way to Lunch. After having Lunch, your trek resumes up to The Namche Bazar. You will stay overnight at Namche Bazar.

On this day, you will rest and explore Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Everest (8848.86m). Namche Bazaar is a well-settled market in the lap of the Himalayas where government offices, a police check post, a health post, banks, ATMS, and a tourist information centre are located. The bazaar serves as a junction centre for different treks, such as the Gokyo trek, Renjo La trek, and the popular Everest Base Camp trek.

For the day’s exploration, the touristic attractions include Everest View Hotel, Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) Museum, Sherpa Museum, Sherpa people and their way of life, Syangboche airport, and stunning mountain views. After having breakfast, you will trek up to Everest View Hotel for acclimatization. From Everest View Hotel, you will witness Mt. Kusum Kangkoru, Mt. Thamsherku, Mt. Kangtega, Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Luche, Mt. Numche, Mt. Everest, Mt. Tabuche, Mt. Khumbila, Mt. Konde, and Numbur Himal. Then, trek back to Namche and have your lunch. After having lunch at Namche Bazaar, you will continue exploring and shopping. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.

Following the early morning breakfast at Namche Bazaar, your trek will commence to Dole. Dole is a small settlement in the Khumbu region, situated north of Khumjung and west of Machhermo, with an elevation of 4050m. In Dole, a chorten is situated at the centre of the village. A famous stopping place accommodates visitors and trekkers alike on the way to Gokyo Lake. The Dole village offers a view of Kangtega or snow saddle (6782m) adjacent to the prominent Thamserku (6608m). The distance from Namche to Dole is 11km, where you will ascend 1200m, descend 548m, and take 4-5 hours with a 15-degree slope gradient. You will stop on the way for lunch with a magnificent mountain view. After having lunch, your trek will resume. Reaching mid-afternoon at Dole, you will relax and stay overnight.

After a morning breakfast at Dole, your trek will commence. It is a relatively short day trek, covering a total distance of 5.1 km. During the 2-3 hour journey, you will ascend 456m and descend 107m on a slope with an approximately 11-degree incline. Lunch will be served upon reaching Machermo, and the path leading there is on completely flat terrain. Along the way to Machermo, the first lodge is situated at a spot called Lhabarma Kharka, and the second at Luza Kharka. Both lodges offer the usual Nepalese beverage selection and provide stunning Khumbu views.

From Luza Kharka, you can look down upon Machermo, which covers quite a large area despite its small population. Following lunch in Machermo, exploring the village will reveal excellent viewpoints. Various spots offer breathtaking views of the south face of Cho Oyu (8201m), Cholatse (6440m), and Tawoche (6495m). However it must be admitted that these peaks look even more impressive from the north. 

Following the morning breakfast in Machermo, start on a trek to the upper Gokyo valley. Start the day by departing from Machermo and ascending towards a cluster of farm structures known as Pangka. Today’s hike will be moderately challenging, covering approximately 6.8km with an ascent of 470m and a descent of 99m. The trek is expected to take 3-4 hours, featuring a slope gradient of 10 degrees.

Gokyo Lake holds sacred significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, revered as the residing place of Nag Devata. In the western corner of Gokyo Lake, the Vishnu/Shiva temple is situated.

Descending from Pangka, you will reach a river fed by the Ngozumba glacier, originating from the south face of Cho Oyo. Ascend steeply from the river to reach the first of the three holy lakes, marking the transition from the lower (inhabited) Gokyo valley to the barren upper part.

Moving from the first lake to the comparatively larger second lake, situated adjacent to Cho La Pass, you will trek to Zonglha via this route the day after tomorrow.

Upon reaching Gokyo, you will have lunch at the lodge. Following the Lunch, explore the village and lake, preparing for tomorrow’s morning hike to Gokyo RI. You will get out of bed early. Ensure you reach the summit before sunrise to witness the breathtaking view. Afterwards, take a rest and stay overnight.

Gokyo RI, situated at an elevation of 5288m, serves as an allure viewpoint offering a stunning panoramic view. The hike covers a distance of 7.3km, involving an ascent of 681m and a descent of 757m, with a 4 to 5-hour duration and a gradient slope of 23 degrees. The hike is notably challenging, featuring trails with prevalent obstacles like rocks and roots, demanding careful navigation. The path may exhibit signs of wear and erosion, characterized by a steep grade, leading to a strenuous hiking experience.

Reaching the summit unveils a breathtaking 360-degree of the Himalayan vista, including the Gokyo Lake. The eight thousand peaks such as Mt. Everest (8848.86m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Cho Oyo (8188m), and Mt. Makalu (8485m) are visible from the RI. The morning golden sunrise over the surrounding mountains adds to the mesmerizing experience. The view encompasses the Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal’s longest glacier spanning 36km and originating from the Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest peak.

After spending half an hour on the ridge, you will descend to Gokyo, a one-hour journey, to have lunch. Following lunch, the trek’s second phase begins, introducing a more exhilarating adventure. This phase involves crossing the Ngozumba glacier. Negotiating the moraine, marked by cairns and year-by-year variations, takes approximately 45 minutes. Upon reaching the far side, head south and exit the glacier at the small farming village of Dragnag, where you will stay overnight.

Start your day with an early breakfast at Dragang before beginning your trek. Today, we will start early to cross the Chola, covering a distance of about 8 km. You will need to climb 784 m and descend 642 m with a 19-degree slope. The trail might be tough with rocks and roots, and you may encounter obstacles that need careful navigation. The hike from the farming village of Draining involves a gradual ascent northeast, passing a boulder field and a steep climb up to Cho La. The trail to the pass is rocky but does not require a rope.

From the col, you will enjoy a spectacular view of Ama Dablam, known as the most beautiful peak in the world. Descend from the Col on a snow-covered glacier, where you will not need a rope, but caution is advised on icy sections. Consider using trekking poles or lightweight crampons. After the glacier, the path becomes clearer with cairn markers. As you descend, the views of Cholatse and Touches’ north faces are impressive. The hike is not long, and soon you will reach the peaceful village of Dzonghla, located under the fluted north face of Cholatse. And overnight stay.

Begin your day by having breakfast in the morning, then set out on a hike to Lobuche village. The trail today is mostly flat, covering a short distance of 6.3 km. It involves ascending 261m, descending 158m, and takes about 2 hours with an approximately 7-degree slope.

The trek starts with a short descent to a river, crossing it, and then moving above Cholatse Pokhari Lake, passing to the south of the Lobuche peaks. The most impressive views on this part of the journey are to the southeast, where Ama Dablam stands out, and Nuptse, Tawoche, and Kangtega compete for your attention.

Continue along until you connect with the main Everest Base Camp trail, reaching the first signs of glacial moraine from the Khumbu Glacier. This glacier essentially leads to the top of Everest, so any water you see flowing from the moraine might have come from the highest point on Earth!

Once back on the main Everest trail, follow it up to Lobuche village, which feels like a big city after Dzonghla! Enjoy lunch there and, after the meal, explore the nearby area before spending the night at the lodge.  

After enjoying breakfast at Lobuche, you will start on the final push of your journey to the highest overnight stop on the trek. This trek covers 4.3 km, with an ascent of 299m and a descent of 54m, taking about 2 hours at a 7-degree gradient. Roughly, 2.5 hours after leaving Lobuche, you will arrive at Gorakshep, the last settlement before the base camp. It is crucial to move slowly and stay well hydrated as the altitude above 5000 meters can significantly affect most trekkers.

Gorakshep offers several peaceful spots where you can enjoy the scenery, making a leisurely evening walk around the village highly recommended. Lunch will be at Gorakshep. Following lunch, you will hike to Everest Base Camp. The trek takes two to three hours, covering 8.7 km with an ascent of 283m and descent of 283m at a 6-degree slope. Leaving behind from Gorakshep, head north/northeast across the football field and continue onto the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Follow the left-hand edge and eventually move onto the glacier. Cross it, heading northeast to the tents and prayer flags of Base Camp. The route may vary each year, but by following signs and occasional cairns, you should stay on course.

Take time to absorb the atmosphere and the breathtaking views, finding a quiet spot for reflection. The awe-inspiring scenery and the honor of being in such a renowned place will surely evoke excitement for you. After capturing plenty of photos, amble back to Gorakshep. Enjoy an overnight stay and prepare early for tomorrow morning’s hike to Kala Patthar.

Wake up early to start on a challenging hike to Kala Patthar with a packed breakfast. This small, rocky peak offers a panoramic view of Everest and the Khumbu Glacier. The trek covers a distance of 3.7 km with an ascent of 474m and a descent of 474m, taking approximately 2 hours with a 17-degree gradient.

You will need to begin the ascent in the dark, so once you locate the path at the northern end of Gorakshep, lower your head and trudge uphill. The path, though covered in scree, is well-beaten and easy to follow. After a two-hour uphill climb, you will reach the summit of Kala Patthar. Take a seat and savor the exceptional view—it is truly special. If you manage to reach the summit by dawn, the experience is even better, as the sun rises directly behind Everest, bathing the area in light. After spending some time on the summit, descend to Gorakshep for lunch. After having lunch at Gorakshep, you will trek back to Lobuche village and stay overnight there.

Following an early breakfast at Lobuche, leave Lobuche and cross over the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The exact route differs year by year, but it is usually well-trodden within a few weeks of the trekking season beginning, and cairns dot the route, so route finding is unlikely to be an issue. Our experience guide will you find and guide you. You do not need to panic. Upon reaching the far side of the glacier, the path climbs a grassy slope and then zigzags up scree to a point where you can see across to the Kongma La. A further 45 minutes of rocky traversing leads to the col, which is adorned with thousands of prayer flags. From the top, Everest’s summit pyramid is just visible, but it is the Lhotse/Nuptse ridge that dominates the immediate view. Slightly further away is Makalu, and in the distance is Cho Oyu, as well as many smaller peaks such as Pumori. 

The descent down the far side of the col is one of the most scenic sections of hiking in the Khumbu, which is a bold claim, but you will understand when you reach this point. Not long after leaving the col, you pass a stunning lake (which is often frozen) and then some yak pastures. Covering approximately 10 km, you will ascend 590m and descend 780m in 5-6 hours with a 19-degree incline. Hiking trails where obstacles such as rocks or roots are prevalent. Some obstacles can require care to step over or around. At times, the trail can be worn and eroded. The grade of the trail is generally quite steep and can often lead to strenuous hiking. An overnight stay at Chukhung.

After an early morning breakfast at Chukhung, you will trek down to Tengboche, stopping along the way for lunch. After lunch, your trek will resume, continuing to Tengboche via Dingboche. The route is technically challenging, involving hiking along trails with uneven terrain and small hills. Small rocks and roots may be present. Covering a distance of 14 km over 6-7 hours, you will reach Tengboche.

Tengboche is a famous village in the Khumbu region with the largest Gompa, Tengboche Monastery, which was built in 1923, destroyed in 1934, and again ravaged by fire in 1989. Later, this monastery was rebuilt with the help of volunteers and foreign aid. It is home to 60 monks, making it the first celibate monastery under the Nyingmapa lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism. The legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, born in Thani, was once sent to this monastery to become a monk. This is where you will stay overnight.

Following an early morning breakfast at Tengboche, trek back to Manjo. You will stop along the way for lunch. After having lunch, continue your trek to Manjo. Manjo is a small village located north of the Dudh Koshi River, just above Phakding. It is adorned with uphill streams, waterfalls, suspension bridges, and green terraced landscapes. The village remains untouched by modern civilization and technology, maintaining its old-town charm. Overnight stay will be at the lodge.

It will be the last day of your trek. Following the morning breakfast, you will trek back to Lukla. You will stop along the way for lunch. After having lunch, your trek will resume and continue to Lukla. And overnight stay.

Fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your booked hotel. On this day, our office staff will meet you for a farewell dinner at the hotel. You will spend the night at the hotel, marking the completion of your beautiful holiday in the Himalayas.

After completing this 18-day trip, the final day, your departure will be from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). If you wish to extend your itinerary, you have a tremendous option to extend your holidays in Nepal by rebooking the next available destination. For booking, please contact the salesperson.