• Duration:17 Nights 18 Days
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Max. Altitude: 5545m
  • Group Size: 1-12
  • Activity: Hiking and Trekking
  • Pick Up: TIA Airport

About Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking

Annapurna Foothills Treks highly recommends trekking to Kala Patthar 5545m and Everest Base Camp 5363m via Gokyo Valley. The Gokyo Lakes route ventures off the main trail away from the crowds and into the Gokyo Valley for the ascent of Gokyo Ri (Peak) and Cho La (Pass), which are sure to be highlights of your Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking.

A morning flight will take you to the small mountain village of Lukla landing on a short precipitous runway. If you are lucky enough to sit on the left side of the plane you will get your first great views of the Everest region. After you are introduced to your support staff, you will start your trek with a gentle descent through cultivated fields and Sherpa villages. Day two however, is a long climb to Namche, a surprisingly modern town where you can enjoy a few luxuries you won’t find in the more remote regions. There is plenty to do while we spend a day here acclimatizing. Besides exploring the bazaar, visiting viewpoints, there is a Sherpa museum where there are many photos of Everest summiteers, as well as a documentary of the Mount Everest region.

From Namche, we leave the classic trail and trek up the Dudh Koshi Valley through Dole and Machermo, until we reach Gokyo. In the Gokyo valley there are five sacred lakes, with clear turquoise water. Besides the lakes themselves, the highlight of Gokyo is the ascent of Gokyo Ri,a small peak just behind the village, from where there are unbelievable views of Cho Oyu and Everest.

After Gokyo Ri, the trek, you cross the Nazing glacier and descend to Tragnag before climbing up to the Cho La Pass: one of three great passes in the Khumbu region. Dropping down from the pass you rejoin the main trail to Everest Base Camp at Lobuche, which passes through Gorak Shep. You will reach base camp in the afternoon.

Early morning the next day you climb to Kala Patthar, 5545m, for a breath-taking view of Mount Everest. From Kala Patthar, you descend to Dingboche, and over the next three days retrace your steps to Lukla, from where you will catch your return flight to Kathmandu.

Ready to challenge yourself with an interesting climb of a 6000m peak? We organize exciting adventure climbs of Island Peak 6189m and Lobuche East Peak 6119m as an add on climb to any of the Everest region treks. We recommend our guests to do the Everest Base Camp Trek or Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp Trek or Khumbu Three High Passes Trek before attempting for either Island Peak or Lobuche East Peak.

Highlights of Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking

  • beautiful glacial lakes of Gokyo
  • explore part of the Khumbu where few tourists go
  • incredible view from Gokyo Ri, 5340m: Cho Oyu, Mt Everest and Makalu
  • cross over the spectacular Cho La Pass, 5420m
  • ascend Kala Pattar, 5554m, for magnificent views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,300 m/4,265 ft

Flying to Kathmandu is in itself an exciting and memorable experience. On a clear day, you will get a panoramic view of the snow-capped towering peaks. After completing the visa formalities in airport, collect your luggage downstairs. As you exit the airport terminal, you will be welcomed by one of our representatives carrying your name on our company’s’ signboard, Annapurna Foothills Treks & Expedition. Moving forward, you’ll be taken to your hotel in our vehicle. Once you reach at hotel, you’ll be welcomed by them as well and after that you can relax in your room or go for a walk exploring the city.

  • Hotel

The Managing Director of our company will be there to meet you in the hotel and provide more information about the expedition. Your dues must be cleared before we proceed on the trip. We will finalize paperwork-permit for your trip and make a final check of your climbing equipment. In case you need additional trekking equipment, you will have a chance to buy it today. Sightseeing tours of Kathmandu Valley are also an option.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

An early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes only 35 minutes. On your arrival in Lukla airport, one of our guide will brief you and introduce our porters before we begin our trek towards Phakdingma.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

Today will be one of the hardest days of the trek. So, we take it slowly, giving our bodies a chance to acclimatize and our senses a chance to take in the sights and smells on this trail into the heart of the Khumbu. From Phakding, the trail follows the Dudh Kosi valley north for 2-3 hours to Monjo, the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. There is a good view of Thamserku, 6608m. We follow the river to the Hilary Bridge, a fantastic suspension bridge that spans the deep chasm over the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and the Bhote Koshi. From here, it is a tough climb to Namche. The trail continues to climb through forests of pine. About half way up there, is a vantage point that provides our first view of Mt. Everest rising majestically from behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse.

Namche is a beautiful village in itself with colourful houses and lodges and prayer flags, and the setting is majestic as it is spread on the steep sides of a horse-shoe shaped valley facing the beautiful Kongde Ri Peak. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

If we are acclimatizing well, we will want to walk up a hill for spectacular viewpoint where we can see all the way up the Imja Khola Valley to where the glacial moraine begins below the towering Mt Everest, 8848m. Other spectacular peaks. We can see Taweche, 6542m, Thamserku, 6808m, Kantega, 6685 m, Ama Dablam, 6856m, Nuptse, 7896m and Lhotse, 8511m. Besides, the great bazaar with a wonderful variety of shops to visit, today gives us a chance to visit the Sherpa Cultural Centre which has an interesting collection of mountaineering items and photographs. There is also the option of a day walk to the pretty village of Khumjung where Sir Edmund Hillary built his “Schoolhouse in the Clouds” and the famed Khunde hospital. We can see the “scalp of a yeti” at the Khumjung monastery

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

Today as we trek, Ama Dablam, 6812m, one of the most beautiful peaks of the world will be showing its glimpse to us in a distance. As we go along, the trail follows the hillside of Khumbila and reaches our first pass, Mon La, from where the trail descends steeply to Phortse Drangka village. We leave the Everest trail and branch off to follow the Gokyo Valley along the tree-line until we reach the small mountain settlement of Dole. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

The trail goes through small yak mountain pastures, waterfalls and small villages namely Khele, Lhabarma and Luza before reaching Machermo. Machermo is a small village looking out on Cholatse, 6440m, Taweche, 6542m and facing the Kyajo glacier. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

The trail from Machhermo climbs a ridge from where you will get an excellent view. In front of you, will be the great Gokyo Valley with its streams and lakes, and the Cho-Oyu peak, 8153m and Kantega peak , 6686m and Ama Dablam 6812m on your back. We descend to the river bank below before beginning the steep climb up to a small mountain lake from where the trail levels out and follows along to Longponga Lake, 4690m, then finally up a boulder-strewn path to glorifying Gokyo.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

In the morning, we climb for around two hours up to Gokyo Peak (5360m). This is a straight-forward but steep climb and also tiring because of the altitude. However, It will be worth the effort as this is one of the best panoramic views in the Khumbu. From the rocky summit, four peaks over 8000 metres can be seen: Everest, 8848m, Cho Oyo, 8153m, Lhotse, 8511m and Makalu, 8481m along with other awesome peaks.

From here, we follow the lateral moraines and walk for two hours on glacial scree across the Ngozumpa glacier, a series of ups and downs. After crossing the glacier, we reach the yak herders' huts and tea houses of Thagnag.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

This day will be a big day as it will be tough. You should carry at least 2 liters of water before we start as it is not possible to buy in this area. We have to start in early morning between 4:30-5:30. The first two hours we have will be a steep climb up to yak pastures which we call the Chola High Camp. Though there aren’t any houses there, you will see Buddhist prayers flags blowing in the wind instead. The next one and half hours is not so steep because of loose stones and uneven ground. So, we recommend that you use walking sticks, be careful and take the advice of our guide whenever needed. The ascent to the snowy Cho La pass is very steep and it will take about 2 hours. From the pass, there is a superb view of Dzonglha Valley and its lake as well as the impressive North face of Jobo Lhaptshan, 6300m. The descent to Dzonglha, on the Cho La glacier is an endurance test. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

We continue along the moraine of the glacier with views of Kalapathar and Pumori. Hence after, we will reach Lobuche,

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

Today, we start very early following the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep (5,180m). After a rest, we trek across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb on to the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp where in spring, we may see some of the expedition teams as they prepare to summit the mountain. From the Base Camp, we get fantastic close up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. We retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

An early morning climb will take us to our destination peak, Kala Pattar following the Khumbu Glacier. From Kala Pattar, we will see the sunrise and enjoy superb views of the surrounding mountains. After celebrating our efforts and photographing this achievement, we return back to Pheriche. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

Gradually, we trek down to Pheruche and again pass through the Pangboche village, the same trail we used on the way up. The trail leads down to a river. After crossing the river, we walk for an hour up through the forest and reach Tengbuche. After taking a good break there, we'll walk continuously to Namche. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

Boosted by all our new red blood cells, we rush down the footpath toward Sagarmatha National Park gate, in Jorsale. Later, Lukla footpath leads us back to the first villages we visited two weeks ago: Gumila, Phakdingma, and Choplung. The high peaks disappear behind the hills. In Lukla, this last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with your sherpa guides and porters and a good chance to sample some chhyang, try Nepali and Sherpa dance and look back on the memorable trekking experiences. The staff will be hoping for some precious and well deserved tips. 

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Tea House

You will take an early morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

After breakfast, there will be free time for souvenir shopping and other independent activities.

  • Breakfast
  • Hotel

We will accompany you to the International Airport in time to board your flight.

  • Breakfast

Trip Map

Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking map

What's Included

  • Transfer from Airport – Hotel – Airport: Car, Van, Hi-ace or Coaster in a private vehicle.
  • Authentic Nepali welcome dinner with Live Nepalese Cultural Program.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu, Four nights on Twin share Bed and Breakfast Basis.
  • Accommodation during Trek ; local lodges 13 nights (With twin-share rooms ,beds with comfortable foam mattress and pillows)
  • All standard meals(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trekking
  • English speaking experienced Sherpa guide (Govt. Trained/License Holder).
  • One Sherpa guide-assistant if group size is more than 4 Trekkers.
  • Porters: One porter for 2 Trekkers basis.
  • Trek Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, food and accommodation.
  • Annapurna Foothill’s Duffle bag for Trekking.
  • Annapurna Foothill’s Tshirt.
  • Energy Supplies; Snickers, Mars, Bounty etc. 
  • First aid medicine kit
  • Sagarmatha National Park Fee and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit
  • Excess baggage charge(s) (Domestic Flights).
  • Round-Trip airfare between Kathmandu and Lukla (Airport Tax Included)
  • All government and local taxes

What’s Excluded

  • Your Personal Travel Insurance.
  • Nepal Entry Visa Fee.
  • Lunch & Dinner in cities - allow $ 10 to 14 for per meal in Tourist restaurants.
  • Beverages (drinks, mineral water,boiled water and beer).
  • Tips for guide, porters and driver (customary).
  • Any personal expenses not mentioned in above services.
  • Additional night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early return from Trek (due to any reason) than the planned itinerary.

Departure Dates

FromToStatusPrice  
Start Date20 Mar, 2025End Date06 Apr, 2025AvailableUS$ 1700

Departure Note:

Guaranteed - We already have trekkers booked for those dates and you can join the group.

Available - The date is available to book and once you confirm your trip it will be guaranteed.

Limited - The departure date is filling fast and only limited seats are available to join.

Closed - The Trip cannot be booked on that specific date. Contact us for customized dates.


The departure dates are your arrival dates in Nepal.

We have set dates for departure to the Amazing Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking. So, pick your preferable date and let the adventure begin.

Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking is available and can be done throughout the year. So, if the date you prefer is not listed on our departure dates then you can contact us directly to book the trip on your own desired date.

We have listed the price up to 12 trekkers at maximum. If you are more than 12 trekkers, then please feel free to contact us for amazing discounted group price and further booking process.

Private Trips to Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking is possible on any date of the year. Contact us to design your own private trips with you loved ones.

Solo Trips: Single trekkers are always welcome to join the trek. On your arrival at Kathmandu, you’ll have a single room in Kathmandu Hotel as per your requirement and have to share a room at the local teahouses during the trekking.

Useful Info

Best Seasons for Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking:

The best seasons for the Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking are from September to November and from March to May. These months are known for sunny and warm weather and outstanding views.

Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking is a Tea House/Lodge Trek:

Accommodation is included in the cost of your package. Annapurna Foothills Treks takes great care to arrange the most comfortable accommodation possible throughout your stay.

During the trek, the nights will be spent in clean and comfortable tea houses with plenty of character and good food. The simple rooms usually have two narrow beds. The family run lodges are a great place to get to know the Nepalese people. In Nepalese culture, a guest is equal to god, and surely this has become even more of a reality since the tourism industry has improved their meager opportunities to earn. You will be made very welcome!

Meals on the Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking:

Three meals a day are included during your Everest Three High PassesTrek. The menu will be fairly simple, but freshly cooked and hygienic. You can enjoy typical Nepali, Tibetan and Sherpa food, as well as all types of international cuisine. Dinners and breakfasts will be provided in the teahouse/lodge where you spend the night. Lunches will be eaten in a teashop on the way to the destination of the day.

Drinking Water on Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking:

We suggest that you drink boiled water or bring chlorine tablets to purify the normal water available in the guest houses along the way. There is a small fee charged for the boiled water. Although mineral water is available in most places, there is no provision to dispose of the plastic bottles, so we encourage the guests to do what they can to protect the environment.

Fitness/Health:

If you have a reasonable level of fitness, this trek should be more than manageable. The altitude becomes more noticeable the higher we go, so we walk at a slow pace and take plenty of breaks to rest and acclimatize.

Local Customs You Should Know About for Everest Trekking:

Ethnic groups of the hilly and mountain regions are predominantly Buddhist, and you will see many mani stones, stupas, gumbas and prayer wheels. It is respectful to pass these objects with your right side nearest to the object, in a clockwise direction. Avoid sitting or standing on mani stones, stupas, tables used for worship or anything that is a religious symbol, as that is considered disrespectful.

Safety:

When travelling in remote mountain regions, uncertainties such as weather, health problems and natural disasters require a certain amount of flexibility. While our goal is to follow the itinerary, that is not our first priority; your safety is always our first priority. Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions request your cooperation to accept the decisions and advice of our trusted and experienced guides if they deem it necessary to change or cancel any part of the itinerary due to safety concerns.

Travel Insurance for Gokyo Cho La Pass EBC Trekking:

It is strongly recommended to be sufficiently protected when you go into remote areas. You need specialized travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation, injury, lost baggage, liability and medical treatment. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal. Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions Pvt. Ltd. can organize the appropriate medical response based on your policy.

Flight Delay/Cancellation:

Domestic flights to mountain regions can be delayed or cancelled due to bad weather. Be aware that you may have long waits in the airports. From our side, if a flight is cancelled we make sure you get on the next possible flight.

If flight cancellations at the start of your trek delay your trek to the point of disturbing your onward travel schedule, you will be free to choose an alternative trip; there are many excellent options in the Annapurna, Langtang and other regions. If you do not wish to take an alternative trek, and wait in Kathmandu for the flight to Lukla, your original trek may be shortened due to the days lost in waiting. In such case, the client will be responsible to bear all additional expenses including food and accommodation.

If the client wishes to make an alternative arrangement such as a helicopter flight, Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions will assist in making the booking, but will not cover the cost of the alternative arrangement. The refunded money of the unused flight ticket would be credited to the concerned client, however.

There will be no refund for the days of the trek that are missed. You will not be entitled to any refund for services in the package (ie hotel, transport, flight) that you did not use due to the cancellation.

It is advisable to allow one or two extra days at the end of your trip to allow for flight delay/cancellation.

Client Reviews

Outstanding End—to—End expierence

- Damian, Germany


Apr 2022
Ngima and his team are really great.

We enjoyed from the beginning till the end an outstanding service and expiernece.
We would recommend anyone of the Crew.

Gokyo Cho la pass EBC

- Elisabeth, Italy

Cho La Pass Trek
Apr 2022
In April 2022 we did the Gokyo Valley+EBC trek. We choose AnnapurnaFoothills based on a friend's recommendation. Everything went great from the start. Ngima and his team had an answer for all questions and organized the trip exactly according to our wishes. Everything was perfectly organized on site and we didn't have to worry about anything. We were accompanied by a porter and a guide who were very warm and hospitable. They did their best every day to make us feel comfortable and enjoy the trekking. For us it was an unforgettable journey that we look back on fondly. We definitely recommend the organization Annapurna Foothills.

Everest Base Camp Trekking via Gokyo Lakes

- Paul, United Kingdom

I first met Ngima in 2007, while on the Annapurna Sanctuary trek. Ngima was guiding for a different group, but the two groups became friendly and trekked together for several days, during which time I was impressed by Ngima's friendly, helpful nature. His group were also full of praise for the excellent service they were receiving from him, so I decided that I would use his guiding services on my next visit to Nepal.

I returned to Nepal with my girlfriend in 2010, this time to trek in the Everest region. In advance, I contacted Ngima via email and was delighted when he agreed to guide us. All the arrangements for the trek were organised via email – it was very easy.

The trek itself was fantastic, made all the more special by Ngima, who was genuinely concerned with giving us the best possible experience. When minor problems arose (eg. overcrowded lodges), none of which were his fault, he always found a solution.

During the trek, Ngima was a constant source of information, giving us a much better understanding of the culture and landscape we were trekking through. This made it an even more fulfilling experience.

Ngima really is an excellent guide. He is friendly, caring and well organised, with an excellent grasp of English, making communication very easy. He also speaks very good Spanish. I would happily recommend him and would encourage anyone to use his services.

Paul
Cornwall, UK
[email protected]

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