The Everest Chola  Pass trek is an epic journey across the Khumbu valleys. Spread out like fingers, the valleys are connected by high passes with amazing views of the eastern Nepalese Himalayan range including Mount Everest, Cho-Oyu, Amadablam, Lhotse, Makalu, Thamserku, Cholatse – just to name a few.

After a spectacular flight over the Himalayas to Lukla, the gateway to Everest, we hike along the Dudh Koshi River passing through small Sherpa settlements to Namche, the largest settlement of the upper Khumbu. It houses a monastery but otherwise feels like a tourist town with a seemingly endless array of shops, cafes, and lodges. Nevertheless, the hospitable Sherpa people and their culture add to the charm of the Everest Cho-la pass trek.

For optimal acclimatization, you will hike via Dingboche and to Lobuche, trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar followed by the Chola Pass (5420m) to the placid glacial lakes of Gokyo, and numerous other mountain giants of Khumbu, placid glacial lakes and endless barren landscape perfect for soul searching.

With long days in the remote wilderness at an altitude above 4500m, the Everest Chola pass trek isn’t for the faint-hearted or inexperienced hikers but fulfilling for the brave souls who venture off-the-beaten trails in pursuit of otherworldly beauty. Nevertheless, our 22-day itinerary has been designed to maximize the chance of your success. The days are short and throughout the trek, you will have ample acclimatization days to get used to the oxygen-deprived harsh atmosphere.

Keep Walking Nepal is pleased to invite you on our 22-day Everest Base Camp and Chola Pass Trek as part of our extended family. We have been running trips in the region for more than 15 years and know the terrain like the back of our hands.

If you are searching for an even extreme adventure, please check our challenging 23-day Everest Three Passes Trek. The trail is a part of the Great Himalayan Trail and offers unparalleled hiking experience in the Khumbu region. 

Trip Highlights

• Glimpse of the ranges of the Himalayas – Mount Everest, Cho-Oyu, Amadablam, Lhotse, Makalu, Thamserku, Cholatse
• Walk towards Dudh Koshi and arrive in the tourist spot of Namche with a monastery
• Breathtaking views of the EverestCho La Pass
• Panoramic sceneries and beautiful mountains in Khumbu with frozen lakes
• Explore the culture, heritage and lifestyles of the native Sherpas

Trip Grade - Challenging

Trip Summary

• Day 1 :Arrive at Kathmandu
• Day 2 :Guided Tours & Preparation
• Day 3 :Fly to Lukla (2,820 m; 30 min) and trek to Phakding (2,610 m; 3 hrs)
• Day 4 :Trek to Monjo (2,900m; 3 hrs)
• Day 5 :Trek to Namche (3,440m; 3 hrs)
• Day 6 :Acclimatization day (Optional hike to Everest view hotel)
• Day 7 :Trek to Debuche (3,820m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 8 :Trek to Dingboche (4,410m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 9 :Rest day (Optional hike to Nagarjun hill)
• Day 10 :Trek to Lobuche (4,930m; 5 hrs)
• Day 11 :Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and return to Gorak Shep (5,180 m). Around 6 hrs
• Day 12 :Optional early morning excursion to Kala Pattar (5630m; 4-5 hrs); trek to Zongla (4830m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 13 :Trek to Thanknak (4700m) via Chola pass (5420m); 7-8 hrs
• Day 14 :Trek to Gokyo (4790m; 3-4 hrs)
• Day 15 :Morning excursion to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m; 5 hrs)
• Day 16 :Trek to Dole (4,110m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 17 :Trek to Khumjung (3,790m; 5-6 hrs)
• Day 18 :Trek to Monjo (2,900m; 5-6 hrs)
• Day 19 :Trek to Lukla (2,840m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 20 :Fly to Kathmandu (30 min) | Rest of day at leisure.
• Day 21 :Full day at leisure (Contingency day)
• Day 22 :Trip concludes

Daily Movements

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu

Our representative will pick you up at Kathmandu International Airport and drive you to your hotel. Depending upon what time you arrive, you can enjoy a full day at leisure. In the evening, we will meet for a welcome dinner with Keep Walking Nepal family.

Look out for the KEEP WALKING NEPAL board behind the railing once you exit the airport terminal.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (D)

 

Day 2: Guided Tours & Preparation

You will embark on a guided tour of two UNESCO world heritage sites; Pashupatinath Temple, the temple devoted to Lord Shiva – the god of creation and destruction, and Boudhanath Stupa – a Buddhist shrine worshipped by Hindus & Buddhists alike.

In the afternoon, your trek guide will brief you about the upcoming days and preparation requirements.

Overnight at Hotel Tibet (B)

 

Day 3: Fly to Lukla (2,820 m; 30 min) and trek to Phakding (2,610 m; 3 hrs)

You will drive to Kathmandu Domestic airport for an adventurous early morning 40m flight to Lukla’s Tenzing Hillary Airport (2,800m). The flight is an adventure in itself. In clear weather, one is rewarded with the first glimpse of Everest.

At Lukla, you meet the rest of your crew. The porters will take your duffel bag and will meet you at the lodge (this will continue throughout the trek).

Once out of Lukla, you will descend past small fields and cozy little wooden houses with vegetable gardens; all with a picturesque mountain backdrop. Along the way, you might encounter some pack animals as they are the only means of goods transportation up and down the mountain.

Along the way, in clear weather, one can catch views of the ice-covered 6000m high Kusum Kanguru. The trail is marked by impressive black mani stones painted with Tibetan inscriptions and a large stupa which indicates our destination for the day, Phakding, is nearby.

Overnight at guesthouse in Phakding (B, L, D)

 

Day 4: Trek to Monjo (2,900m; 3 hrs)

After breakfast, you will continue on the trail. It is a relatively short day as you cross suspension bridges over raging streams, past small hamlets and fields. Though the trail isn’t difficult, it is undulating – what we call the Nepali flat.

You will reach Monjo for lunch and the rest of the day is at leisure. You can visit the local school, visit the local snooker house for some beer or just call it a day.

Overnight at guesthouse in Monjo (B, L, D)

 

Day 5: Trek to Namche (3,440m; 3 hrs)

Shortly after Monjo, you will arrive at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hike is beautiful with beautiful pine forests, raging rivers, and mountains in the backdrop. Another hour and we cross the milky river (Dudh Koshi) – over an iconic suspension bridge hanging a 100m above the river bed.

Once across the bridge, you will definitely feel the mountain as you climb the steep uphill to Namche. The trail is frequented by porters carrying humongous loads and trains of pack animals. In clear weather, Everest is also visible.

After the 600m vertical ascent in about 4 – 5 hours, you will arrive at Namche, the Sherpa capital of Khumbu.

Overnight at guesthouse in Namche (B,L,D)

 

Day 6: Acclimatization day (Optional hike to Everest view hotel)

An important rule for a successful trek is successful acclimatization. Following the mantra, you will spend a second night in Namche but visit higher grounds to adapt our body.

We suggest an hike early morning hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) and enjoy a breathtaking 360 panorama of Everest, Taboche, Thamserku, Kongde Ri and Ama Dablam.

Overnight at guesthouse in Namche (B,L,D)

 

Day 7: Trek to Debuche (3,820m; 6-7 hrs)

Leaving behind the bustling town of Namche, you will head east high above the raging Dudh Koshi river.

You will climb over open slopes, a few houses and sparse pine forest and then descend to the river again at Phunki Tenga to cross the Imja Khola. The trail now sharply ascends through mixed pine and juniper forest to Tengboche.

Tengboche monastery, largest in Khumbu, was completely destroyed by fire some decades ago but has been completely restored thanks to donations, especially from abroad. The double top view of Kongde Ri with the monastery in the front is picture-perfect. The monastery houses art, a large Buddha statue and musical instruments and robes of the Lama.

After a short rest, you will descend through Himalayan Birch, pine & juniper forest to the Deboche, your stop for the night.

Overnight at guesthouse in Debuche (B,L,D)

 

Day 8: Trek to Dingboche (4,410m; 6-7 hrs)

After breakfast, you will continue on the trail along the Imja Khola and cross a suspension bridge to a breathtaking view of Ama Dablam’s twin towers.

You will continue to ascend towards Pangboche past mani stones inscribed with mantras. The village monastery is said to have the skull and legs/hand of a yeti but has been recently stolen so that they are unfortunately no longer visible. However, the monastery is quite worthwhile. Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Lhotse, Nuptse, Lobuche Peak, Pumori, and many other giants give one the justified feeling of walking among the highest peaks in the world.

As you ascend the change in vegetation is dramatic. You will continue up to the traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche (4350 m). The village is one of the highest permanently inhabited places in the world. The stone houses are spread far apart between the fields. Along the way, we walk along one of the most famous peaks of the Himalayas: the Ama Dablam, so famous for its peculiarly tilted shape.

Overnight at guesthouse in Dingboche (B,L,D)

 

Day 9: Rest day (Optional hike to Nagarjun hill)

We spend another night at Dingboche for better acclimatization. To better adapt our bodies we follow the old mantra of hiking up to a higher altitude and sleeping at a lower one.

Nagarjuna hill in the south of Dingboche at about 5100m has brilliant views of Lobuche, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. We return back to Dingboche for an afternoon of rest.

Overnight at guesthouse in Dingboche (B,L,D)

 

Day 10: Trek to Lobuche (4,930m; 5 hrs)

Today, you will trek through alpine meadows and summer yak pastures alongside the Khumbu glacier moraine to Lobuche.

In the beginning, for an hour or so, the trail gradually ascends and then undulates till the wooden bridge crossing over the Imja river. Just across the river is Thugla, a steep ridge.  After lunch amid views of Ama Dablam to the east and Cholatse and Toboche to the west, you will ascend about 200m to the hilltop which opens up to a plateau marked with stone cairns, memorials to those who lost their lives while climbing Everest.

From the memorial onwards, you will hike with the Khumbu glacier to the left, just across a deep trench, all the way to Lobuche. All the way, Nuptse (7,861m) gleams beautifully above the glacier to the east.

Overnight at guesthouse in Lobuche (B, L, D)

 

Day 11: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and return to Gorak Shep (5,180 m). Around 6 hrs

After an early morning breakfast, you will start towards the coveted EBC.

After about an hour’s hike through gently sloping alpine meadows, the trail passes through a moraine following the rugged contour of the Khumbu glacier, past a rocky rim, to Gorak Shep, a small valley where Pumori and Nuptse dominate the view throughout.

Post lunch, you will follow the moraine trail to Everest Base Camp. The trail is tricky with loose rocks and boulders and takes about 3 hours to and fro. If time and fitness permits, you can hike to Kalapathar (5,643m and 3 hours to and fro from Gorak Shep) for a sunset view over Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse.

Overnight at guesthouse in Gorakshep (B, L, D)

 

Day 12: Optional early morning excursion to Kala Pattar (5630m; 4-5 hrs); trek to Zongla (4830m; 4-5 hrs)

If you couldn’t make it to Kala Pathar on the previous day, you can still visit it today.

You will start early to catch the sun come over the magnificent backdrop of Everest and the surrounding peaks. After breakfast at Gorak Shep,you will backtrack to Lobuche but detour from the hustle and bustle of the Everest trail. Descending for a bit, you will hike along a beautiful mountain lake to Zongla. The northern face of the Chobo Labtsan where occasional pieces of ice break off and the cleft glacier in the distance that gives access to the Cho La is a fantastic end to a long day.

Overnight at guesthouse in Zongla (B, L, D)

 

Day 13: Trek to Thanknak (4700m) via Chola pass (5420m); 7-8 hrs

The trek begins with an ascent to the hilltop of Zongla. In the distance, the Cholatse mountains offer an incredible view.

You will head west and then descend to the bottom of the wide valley and further to the foot of the pass. It’s a steep stretch over rock plates just before you step onto the ice. The top of the pass is formed by a flat glacier with no gaps. The pass can be impassable under bad weather conditions. Even though not technical, the descent from the Cho La on the Gokyo side is steep and prove difficult because of loose stones. After the descent another short climb ensues  before you finally descend over the bumpy grassy plains to Tagnag where we spend the night.

Overnight at guesthouse in Thanknak (B, L, D)

 

Day 14: Trek to Gokyo (4790m; 3-4 hrs)

You will start with the crossing of the Ngozumpa glacier, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hrs. From Tagnag on the east side of the glacier to the north until Gokyo Lake, will be almost opposite of you on the west side of the glacier. You will walk on the moraine and into the rubble over an undulating path marked by boulders and blocks,  glacial lakes and ice walls. In the end, you will go back to the moraine to arrive at the blue-green Gokyo lake.

Gokyo itself is a flat spot on a beautiful blue lake at an altitude of 4790 meters. There are a number of comfortable lodges where we can relax in the afternoon while overlooking the lake and the surrounding white peaks.

Overnight at guesthouse in Gokyo (B,L,D)

 

Day 15: Morning excursion to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m; 5 hrs)

In complete darkness, you will begin a radial ascent to the summit of Gokyo-Ri (53,57 m).

It will take about three hours to storm the summit, and somewhere in the middle of the road you will see how the dawn colors the white peaks of the Himalayas. The Himalayan giants reveal themselves – Everest, Makalu, Nuptse with Lhotse, and Cholatse with Taboche along with the Ngozumpa glacier.

After spending about 30-40 minutes on the top to take pictures and admire the view, you will descend about one and a half hours to our lodge for breakfast.The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at a guesthouse in Gokyo. (B, L, D)

 

Day 16: Trek to Dole (4,110m; 4-5 hrs)

You will descend more than a 1,000 m to the village of Dole with views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Thamserku, Kantenga and other Himalayan Giants to the east.

It’s a fairly long descent but isn’t too tiring as the trail doesn’t undulate much.

Overnight at guesthouse in Dole (B,L,D)

 

Day 17: Trek to Khumjung (3,790m; 5-6 hrs)

You will descend further down to the tiny hamlet of Phortse Thanga, you will gradually ascend to Mong La (4,000 m). The trail is frequented by trekkers either going to or returning from Gokyo.

After a scrumptious lunch at Mong la, with excellent views of Aama Dablam, Thamserku, Kusum Khangkaru, Kongde Ri and Tawache peak to keep you company, you will descend to Khumjung village, the largest settlement in the Khumbu region.

The only high school founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961 is definitely worth a visit. Also, don’t miss the mysterious Khumjung monastery where a Yeti scalp and skull are said to be “preserved”.

Overnight at Khumjung (B,L,D)

 

Day 18: Trek to Monjo (2,900m; 5-6 hrs)

It’s all down hill from here. You will hike directly down to Namche and after some rest retrace your steps back to Monjo.

The decrease in elevation from Khumjung to Monjo is almost 1,000m, but it isn’t all descends. Just out of Namche, you will have the famed “Nepali Flats” all to yourself till Benkar. You shouldn’t rush as it can be hard on the knees; we suggest you pace yourself and don’t be intimated by the scampering footsteps of children’s and grannies.

Overnight at Monjo (B,L,D)

 

Day 19: Trek to Lukla (2,840m; 4-5 hrs)

Backtracking to Lukla on the famous ‘Nepali Flats’, your journey in the homeland of the Sherpas will have come to an end. Alas, its your last day with your crew of Sherpas and porters, and rightfully calls for a celebration.

Overnight at Lukla (B,L,D)

 

Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu (30 min) | Rest of day at leisure.

Bidding farewell to your crew, you will fly back to Kathmandu, where Keep Walking Nepal’s diligent staff will be waiting for you.

The rest of the day is at leisure. We recommend a  quick shower and a visit to the laundromat.

Overnight at Kathmandu (B)

 

Day 21: Full day at leisure (Contingency day)

You have the whole day at leisure to explore Kathmandu valley. This extra day also ensures a contingency plan, in case flights out of Lukla are hampered due to inclement weather.

In the evening there will be a farewell dinner by Keep Walking Nepal to celebrate your achievements.

Overnight at Hotel (B, D)

 

Day 22: Trip concludes

A KWN representative will accompany you to the Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight back home.

(B)

Cost Includes:

Cost Excludes: