Gokyo Chola Pass Trek via EBC 15-Day Best Adventure

Discover the ultimate Himalayan trekking experience with the 15-day Gokyo Chola Pass Trek via Everest Base Camp.

The Gokyo Chola Pass Trek, Nepal’s trekking capital, is one of the most rewarding and challenging treks in the Everest region. The exclusive 15 days trek intermixes three classic highlights, Everest Base Camp, the thrilling Chola Pass (5420m), and the stunning Gokyo Valley, providing a perfect circle for serious trekkers.

Otherwise known as the Gokyo Chola Pass Trek from Everest Base Camp or Khumbu Circuit Trek, this trek offers everything a Himalayan trekker could dream of: glacial lakes, Himalayan vistas aplenty, Sherpa villages with traditional culture, and scenery to take your breath away. Backing up the view are snow capped peaks like Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu in the distance, and glaciated trails and moraines. The hike is an aesthetic and physical delight.

See renowned locations like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, and Gorakshep as they embark on the traditional Everest Base Camp Trek. Having reached Everest Base Camp (5364m) and ascended to Kala Patthar (5545m) to see the sunrise, the trek diverges over the snowy Chola Pass, a strenuous but rewarding ascent that is akin to being at the summit of a Himalayan peak.

The trek continues down into the serene and scenic Gokyo Valley, which has five blue glacial lakes and the view from Gokyo Ri. Trekkers have expansive views of Everest and surrounding peaks from here, making one of the most picturesque areas in the Khumbu.

Organized by Hill Sherpa Trekking & Expedition, a responsible and government registered trekking operator, the Gokyo Chola Pass Trek is planned with acclimatization, safety, and genuine local encounters in mind. With experienced guides, comfortable teahouse lodging, and a focus on responsible and ethical trekking, you can visit this remote region in confidence.

Everest Base Camp Trek

One of the major reasons behind the popularity of the Gokyo Chola Pass Trek is being ability to reach Everest Base Camp. Indeed, hikers arrive at Everest Base Camp (5364m) early in the journey. Nonetheless, some hikers also complete the journey in a clockwise manner. Gokyo Lake or Gokyo Valley will be at the summit if you complete the hike in a clockwise manner. The most popular and safest way to finish the trek is to go counterclockwise.

Trekkers follow the same route as the Everest Base Camp Trek until they reach Gorak Shep. After exploring the Everest Base Camp, trekkers return to Lobuche and take the trail of Chola Pass. For details on this section, please refer to our Everest Base Camp Trek package.

The primary advantage of hiking the Gokyo Chola Pass counterclockwise is the proper acclimatization. Before reaching the Everest Base Camp, trekkers spend two days of acclimatization break in Namche Bazaar (3440 m) and Dingboche (4400 m). Besides, trekkers gain a maximum altitude of 5545 m, which is the height of Kalapathar. Everest Base Camp’s height is also above five thousand meters, which is 5364 m.

The Thrill of Crossing Chola Pass (5420 m)

Trekkers must cross the difficult Chola Pass (5420 m) as part of the Gokyo Lake and Everest Base Camp Trek route. The summit pass is another infamous name for the pass. When trekkers are traversing the Chola Pass, no wonder they may feel as if they are ascending a mountain. The trail is generally blanketed with snow, and you need to obey the commands of the trekking guide at any cost. From the top of the Chola Pass, one can see the panoramically stunning views. From the summit, one can see mountains such as Cholatse, Amadablam, Pumori, Lobuche, and others. Breathtaking Gokyo Valley crossing by Chola Pass.

Gokyo Valley During Chola Pass Trek

Gokyo Valley is one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Khumbu region, renowned for its pristine glacial lakes, panoramic mountain views, and serene Himalayan beauty. The location is gradually gaining popularity among trekkers from Nepal and other countries. Music videos, films, and documentaries are being shot in the valley. The presence of glamorous blue-turquoise lakes makes the area more attractive. Moreover, the panoramic view of the mountains, Sherpa hospitality, and serene environment can mesmerize people. It’s truly a heavenly place to spend a holiday.

These lakes in the Gokyo valley are five in number. People believe that these lakes are connected by a common underground canal. It is, however, yet to be established. Never mind the geographical discovery, the trekkers get the beauty of these lakes and landscapes to behold. The third lake is the main lake of the valley, and trekkers spend the night on the shores of the lake.

Trekking to Gokyo Ri enhances hiking. The best view of the mountain can be seen from the top of Gokyo Ri. A panorama of Mount Cho Oyu, Mount Makalu, Mount Everest, and other mountains is visible. Even though you have three more days to get to Lukla, it is undoubtedly the most satisfying way to finish the high-altitude trek.

Gokyo Chola Pass Trek

Some also refer to the Gokyo Chola Pass Trek as the Khumbu Circuit Trek. Everest Base Camp, Kalapathar, Chola Pass, Gokyo Valley, the Dole-Chermo-Phortse belt, and Namche Bazaar are all included in the trekking route.

Trekkers finish the circumambulation of the Lobuche – Cholatse – Tawuche mountain range in a single trek. The trekking route encompasses more than 3 inhabited Sherpa villages like Namche, Pangboche, Dingboche, Dole, Gokyo, etc. In this trek, famous trekking spots like Kong Ma La Pass and Renjo La Pass are omitted. These are the only two locations that are omitted. However, almost all the trekking routes and spots are covered in the itinerary.

Therefore, the Gokyo Chola Pass Trek is also called the Khumbu Circuit Trek. Moreover, this trek is one of the three high pass treks with 3 renowned passes such as Kongma La (5540m), Chola Pass (5420m), and Renjola Pass (5360m)

Things to know before the Gokyo Chola Pass Trek

Below is the list of important information you should know prior to going on the Gokyo Chola Pass trek.

Transport, Accommodation, Food and Beverage

We will offer you all the transfers in Nepal in private vehicle to and from the airport as well as to and from the hotel as well. The flight ticket fare of Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu is also included in our Everest Gokyo Chola pass trekking package.

You will be staying in 3-star downtown Kathmandu hotels with rooms shared two by two. There will be an extra fee if you would like to sleep alone. In the trekking part, your nights will be at basic teahouses along the trail.

Lunch and dinners at Kathmandu are not included in our trip participation fee but during the trekking, all dinners (dal bhat with vegetables, potato pie, egg dishes, rice dishes with vegetables), breakfasts, and lunches with fresh fruits every evening will be included.

Hot soups, pasta, fried potatoes, potato pie, egg dishes, rice-based dishes with vegetables, sandwiches, dal bhat, tarkari, aachar, curry, fried rice, and momo will be the general options.

Please be aware that lodging in Kathmandu is not covered, giving you the freedom to select what suits your tastes and price range.

The best seasons to participate in the Gokyo Chola Pass trek via Everest Base Camp are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). In addition to being a good time for solitary reflection on the natural beauty by Gokyo Lake, the weather won’t bring any unexpected surprises.

To celebrate their new journey to the new world, a large number of tourists swarm Gokyo Lake and the EBC, particularly in the fall. But it’s important to keep in mind that lodging and entertainment costs can soar this time.

The hottest and rainiest months are June through August, when the days are oppressively hot and muggy due to clouds and stuffiness. The winter months of December through February are frosty and snowy.

Altitude Sickness

Yes, it is true that there is a fear of altitude sickness on our EBC Gokyo Chola pass trek because we will be going up the high mountain altitude. We will be spending most of the time above 3500 m., so some of us definitely feel the mild symptoms of altitude sickness, but this does not typically affect the success of the tour.

We shall adapt to Khumbu’s arid air in good time, and our bodies will acclimatize. Never, however, neglect even the most simple of symptoms that cover headache, stomach ailment, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dizziness, disturbance of sleep, and lethargy.

Be sure to pay attention to these symptoms, alert the tour guide, and take Diamox. Your guide will see that you are ill and, in turn, may bring you down to a lower altitude.

Travel Insurance

You have to buy travel insurance compulsorily. Your trekking insurance policy must cover medical expenses, accidents, helicopter emergency evacuation, trip cancellations, etc.

Solo Trekking

You are not allowed to go solo trekking in the region after 1st April 2023. In fact, you can’t go solo trekking in any of Nepal’s trekking trails after the date. The trek must be conducted by a reputable, government-registered trekking organization, and you must hire a certified guide. But systems will be changed too, so to know the details, [email protected]

Internet/wifi, gadget charging, and communication

The Nepal Electricity Authority or solar panels provide stable electricity in the lodges, allowing you to conveniently charge your phone, electronics, and power bank.

The private NCELL provider is superior to the government-licensed NTC networks for reliable mobile communication across the Everest region. To ensure uninterrupted communication from the start of the Everest Gokyo Chola pass trek, buy SIM cards in Kathmandu.

The lodges’ WIFI is not free and might not always be reliable. To keep in touch with the outside world while at the EBC, choose the individual Everest Link Wifi Prepaid Card.

Others Routes

Another option for this trek is to follow the different clockwise route after reaching Namche. You will walk in a circle from Namche to the azure Gokyo lakes, then across the exquisite Cho La pass and on to Kalapatthar and Everest Base Camp. You will see Dingboche and Tengboche, among other places, on the way home.

You can also include a memorable trip to Ama Dablam’s base camp in your itinerary. The first trekking trail will take you to Deboche and Tengboche, from where your path continues on foot to the Ama Dablam base camp. You can continue to Pangboche on the way back, where you will join the trail to Dole and Gokyo Valley.

Permits

The Gokyo Chola pass trek requires permits to enter Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Sagarmatha National Park. Our trip participation fee covers the cost of the permits, which our guide will arrange for in Lukla town.

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