Everest Base Camp – Cho-La Pass – Gokyo Trek

Out of all trekking destinations in Nepal, if any of them push the boundaries with both adventure and challenges, it’s Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek. It makes the trekkers explore many hidden places, enjoy the scenic views, and capture a perfect shot of Mt. Everest.

The trek is slightly more difficult than others, but you’ll have an exciting journey with the Nepal Eco Adventure. There’ll be a trekking guide and porter accompanying you throughout the journey, which makes the trip a little easier and better right from Lukla.

NOTE: This is 15 days trek(KTM to KTM) which doesn't include Arrival, Sightseeing tour and Departure days.  Also, this 15 days tour doesn't include hotel and sightseeing tour costs. If you want to include sightseeing tour and hotel include please checkout our 18 days EBC Chola Pass Gokyo Trek which costs $1,850  per person.

Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass and Gokyo are situated in Khumbu village in north-eastern Nepal. While Everest Base Camp is perched on the foot of Mt. Everest, Gokyo Valley sits on the base of Gokyo Ri at 5,357 meters.

The base camp lies on the main EBC trail while Gokyo makes its way through the Cho La Pass, one of the toughest walks of the entire hike. It’s pretty incredible, though, with breathtaking scenery of glistening mountains like Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Nuptse, and Gokyo Ri.

The small village of Gokyo is situated on the eastern shore of Dudh Pokhari, the third Gokyo Lake. All buildings and houses in the valley are used for the accommodation of trekkers. There are six main lakes in Gokyo, including Thonak, which feeds on the melting glaciers.

Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Trek via Cho La Pass is lauded for its unparalleled beauty, geological wonders, local grandeur, and impressive views. The hike is quite incredible, with breathtaking scenery of glistening mountains like Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest Nuptse, and Gokyo Ri.

Its historical landmarks with medieval monasteries, Mani walls, and prayer wheels provide an insight into the local culture of the Himalayan people. This helps them better understand the customs and traditions of inhabitants in the Everest region, which primarily includes Sherpa and Tibetan.

Over the years, people of different castes have migrated to the region, so you may even encounter Brahmin, Chhetri, Sherpa, and Rai. Tengboche monastery is one of the most significant tourist attractions of Khumbu, where most trekkers stop by and take a visit.

Everest Base Camp lies in the south of Khumbu at 5,364 meters altitude. It’s about 144 km away from Kathmandu, with the actual trek starting from Lukla. The trail running from this small Sherpa town passes through several villages, including Namche Bazaar and Dingboche.

There are multiple times when the trail crosses suspension bridges over Dudh Koshi River and climbs the steep hill. It runs alongside a terrace farm and over the rugged trails with sharp rocks to arrive at Everest Base Camp.

The trek gets extremely difficult from the base camp with terminal moraines and ice sheets. The trail to Gokyo walks through Cho La Pass at 5,420 Meters, crossing the Ngozumpa glacier in the east. This mountain pass joins two villages of Thangnak and Dzonglha, which are by mountains and lofty hills.

From here, the trail ascends upward from the jagged and rocky terrain passing Thangnak. The trek to the first Gokyo Lake from the village takes 2-3 hours, and trekking further will take you to the second lake of Gokyo. The third Gokyo Lake lies near the Gokyo Valley and comes with a stunning view of Gokyo Ri.

The fourth and fifth Gokyo Lake lies beyond Gokyo villages walking over rugged terrain with loose rocks and boulders. After arriving at the last lake, you’ll get a spectacular view of tranquil lakes, diverse landscapes, sheer glaciers, and breathtaking mountains. Trekkers will also climb Gokyo Ri before trekking back to Lukla with the crew of Nepal Eco Adventure.

Things you can experience on Everest Base Camp and Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek

• Scenic flight to Lukla with a view of gentle sweeping hills, charming villages, and lush meadows
• Spectacular glimpses of Khumbu Icefall, Mt. Everest, and Ama Dablam
• Visiting Tengboche monastery to offer prayers
• Chance to encounter wild animals and birds in Sagarmatha National Park
• Exploring the surrounding landscapes, steep-sided hills, and cliffs
• Discover hidden Gokyo Valley and its nearby glacial lakes and moraines
• Sighting old Chortens, Gompa, colorful Mani walls, and prayer wheels
• Impressive close-up view of snow-capped mountains, icefalls, and rocky hills

Altitude Chart

Best time for Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek

The weather of Everest Base Camp, Cho La Pass & Gokyo is known for being quite unforeseeable, but it’s usually cold. Trekkers regularly carry warm clothes and crampons to combat the weather. Everest Base is a year-round trek destination, but there are few seasons where trekkers have more difficulty climbing the trails than the other.

Winters are generally cold here, while the summers are hot and humid with relatively high temperatures. Autumn and Spring typically have moderate weather with warm sunshine, clear blue sky, and crisp air. So, if good weather is your priority, then it’s good to go with these two seasons as they have a perfectly balanced climate.

Weather and Temperature in Autumn

The best time for Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek is in Autumn when the weather is mild and sunny. It is not too hot and cold during the season, making it the perfect time to navigate the course, particularly steep hills.

Although the days are a bit warm, trekkers aren’t very sweaty in Autumn. They’re more calm and relaxed due to the gentle breeze. Trekkers of September may experience light rainfall on their way to the base camp. But, after a week or two, they get to enjoy pleasant and warm weather.

Leaves are changing in bright orange, red, and yellow on the peak season of October, which puts a great view. Thanks to the cloudless sky, hikers can easily glimpse Mt. Everest, Imja Tse, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam.

The fall foliage disappears from the forest, and leaves rest on the ground to the season’s end. As the days start to count the arrival of winter, the temperature gradually falls below -12 Degree Celsius.

Weather and Temperature in Spring

Spring is another ideal time for Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek as it too offers lovely weather with a joyful atmosphere. The climate is moderate in the season, with temperatures at base camp ranging from 1 to 12 Degree Celsius.

The climate favors hikers by offering them a cool breeze now and then to ascend the upward trail comfortably. After the cold winter, spring returns with verdant meadows, colorful wildflowers, and rhododendron.

With the start of spring, birds migrate to the region so trekkers can hear the chirping of birds. They are likely to encounter different wild species, but mostly Himalayan Thar, snow leopard, and musk deer.

Days are relatively long in April and May, so hikers have extra time on their hands to prepare well before the trek. Unlike winter, they don’t have to rush and can even go slow on the trail if needed.

Trekkers of Everest Base Camp in spring get a marvelous view of snow peaks due to high visibility. Temperatures begin to rise after the end of the season so, trekkers in May will face sweltering hot weather.

Weather and Temperature in Winter

Winter is the coldest month in the Everest region, with temperatures dropping up to -17 Degree Celsius. It’s even lower at the Cho La Pass with as minimum as -20 to -30 Degree Celsius. The weather is cold from the lower region, but it's extreme by the time the trail arrives at the base camp and above.

Trekkers will have to brave heavy snowfall with the frosty wind to arrive at the Cho Lake Pass and Gokyo Lakes during January. They’ll also have to be careful of the trail besides Ngozumpa Glacier, and even base camp is covered in deep snow, which is wet and sticky.

Therefore, dressing in layers is the best way to stay warm and cozy in winter. It also helps prevent blizzards, frostbite, dry skin, and irritation during the hike. Other than the hard weather, winter puts a great show with a blanket of snow in the valley and forest.

The picture-postcard view of frozen lakes, glistening mountains, and glaciers are some of the best scenes during the season. Most magical of all, the white-washed sherpa villages and colorful shops, which look nothing but spectacular.

Weather and Temperature in Summer and Monsoon

Everest Base Camp’s weather in summer is a bit unpredictable as it’s blazing hot in the lower hills whereas, at higher altitudes, the weather is chilly. The minimum temperature can be up to -7.1 Degree Celsius in May at Gokyo Lake.

Those who prefer fewer crowds will find summer impressive for Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek. It might be a little cold in base camp and Cho La Pass, but there’s nothing to be scared about as the weather remains friendly in the daytime.

With the summer temperature rising to 12 Degree Celsus, trekkers will be seated a lot during the trek. Walking the trails at higher altitudes is slightly more comfortable due to crisp weather.

Everest experiences warm, wet, and humid weather in monsoon. Unlike summer, they aren’t too long and last only from June to August. Despite it, trekking the base camp is still difficult in the season more than ever,

With heavy rainfall and windstorms, climbers have inconveniences reaching the mountain pass in the season. Monsoon washes off the trail at a lower hill and makes it murky while covering the path with snow at a higher altitude.

The paths are usually slippery, so trekkers will have to be extremely careful during the trek. Vivid valleys, snow peaks, and lush hills often hide behind the clouds, giving a rare glimpse to the visitor. But, once the sky is clear, you’ll be able to witness the lovely view of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, and Imja Tse.

Difficulties of Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek

Trekking may seem fun and adventurous outdoor activity with scenic views. But, in actual it’s extremely tough and severe, especially the one like Everest Base Camp Cho La Gokyo trek. With harsh weather, extreme wilderness, ice slopes, and basic living standards climbing the mountain pass and Gokyo Lake won’t be a breeze.

Its trail cannot be taken lightly as they have many ups and downs with glacial moraines and elevated crests. Walking steep hills continuously for 2-3 hours drains most of the energy that you’ll be weak even to walk the flat terrains. Trekkers will also have to battle the harsh weather of the mountains to come across one of the hardest sections, Cho La Pass.

1. Altitude Sickness

The most common challenge faced by trekkers of Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo is altitude sickness. It’s because they spend most of their time at higher altitudes, where there’s a rapid change in air pressure. The low oxygen level makes it difficult for trekkers to breathe and even causes insomnia.

But, the most frequent symptoms witnessed are dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, and nausea. Altitude sickness mostly happens when you climb higher elevations without letting your body have enough rest.

Therefore, to prevent altitude sickness, trekkers are recommended to acclimatize well before going high. They have to get a break from hiking at least twice during the entire trip. Trekkers must also spend quality time on training, especially cardio exercise as it helps resist the gradually declining atmospheric pressure.

2. Weather Risks

Trekkers have difficulty adjusting to the weather of the Everest region as it changes with the elevation gain. They are generally harsh with low humidity and reduced temperature. The cold weather can hit you harder while climbing the trail to and above the base camp.

Winters are severely cold in the mountains, with temperatures falling up to -30 Degree Celsius at times. Wild storms, heavy snowfall, and blizzards can obstruct the way to the mountain pass and even leave them stuck on the trail.

Monsoon weather isn’t great either, even to walk the flat terrains with a continuous downpour, dry winds, and muddy trails. It’s raining all day long for most of the season, which prevents trekkers from going out for the trek. Overcast weather with nonstop showers can hamper visibility and forbid visitors from taking the clear shot of Mt. Everest and its nearby mountains.

3. Extended trails

Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass and Gokyo have a long winding trail, stretching from Lukla to Gokyo lake. The one-way trek to base camp alone has 38.5 miles pathway with primarily steep hills and rugged terrains.

The trail heading to Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass is more severe, passing through Ngozumpa Glacier. Trekkers have to pave their way from the edge of a rugged mountain beside the seemingly complex lofty hill.

Thus, they will rely on their physical stamina and perseverance to get through the mountain pass. If beginners are ascending the trail, they have to train themselves ahead of the trek and maintain their physical fitness level. It helps them prevent discomfort and injury while walking the path to the pass and even combat the jagged trails.

4. Frostbite and Backache

Climbing the ice sheet of Cho La Pass can cause frostbite to the trekker, so they have to be extra cautious while traveling the section. Exposed skin in extremely low temperatures can freeze, swell and become numb to feel anything. Therefore, trekkers will have to suit themselves in warm clothes to avoid the cold.

They will also have to make sure not to go too hard on the trail, or else they might suffer from back pain. Trekkers will have to take a slow walk while going upward, or it may cause them severe injury.

They must wear crampons over the mountaineering boots and also wear mittens to protect their hands. In addition, they must carry a trekking pole with themself as it provides balance on the uneven trail of Everest Base Camp.

It’ll also improve your posture and save the knees from pain while descending the steep hills. The hiking accessory provides them stability and makes them relatively comfortable climbing the sheer slope.

Preparation for Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Goyo Trek

Everest Base Camp may have moderate hiking routes but with the mix of Cho La Pass and Gokyo, the trek becomes incredibly difficult. They’ll have to combat the rugged trails of great height with steep slopes, which is tiring.

The trail heading to Cho La Pass and Gokyo is, in fact, the most challenging of all. It has maximum steep hills to walk with just a few descents. They run beside the glacial moraine and over the snowy ridge, making trekkers suffer from frostbite and cold.

When trekking at a high altitude, the air pressure is significantly lower. It’s enough to trigger altitude sickness and also cause shortness of breath. Therefore, to prevent risks, hikers will have to come well prepared for the trek. They must work on their physical stamina and stability to have a safe journey up to the crest.

Physical Preparation

Trekkers of Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo will have to spend a good amount of time in the training to get through the mountainous terrains. They’ll have to increase their inner strength and enhance their physical ability to maintain a steady pace.

Your routine workout should comprise aerobic exercise like running, cycling, brisk walking as it helps you stay fit. It improves cardiovascular conditioning and helps trekkers handle the low oxygen without getting intimidated easily.

Hiking with a backpack on both long and short trails gives the trekker’s confidence to tackle courses of the Everest region. It will also help them withstand an average of 6-7 hours walking each day during Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek.

Mental Preparation

As much as physical preparation is crucial, trekkers will also have to prepare mentally especially when trekking at a higher elevation like that of the base camp. If not well prepared, trekkers can quickly come to stress and have self-doubt.

So, to avoid setbacks, they have to come all set even, for the worst of times.

Hikers should be able to adjust to the unfamiliar environment of the Everest region with primary living conditions. During the trip, you must ease yourself and blend in with the local culture and people dwelling in the area.

If you’re not used to doing the long treks, make preparations beforehand and take a short down the lane every day. It builds your capability and helps maintain speed even on the actual hike. Give yourself enough time for backpacking so that none of the trekking gear is left out.

Trekking in the wilderness of Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo trek by yourself isn’t easy. Therefore, hire a pro trek guide who can accommodate you on the trail and make the journey less harsh. Build mental toughness and practice healthy eating habits so that you don’t get unwell during the trip.

Essentials

More than 5,000 meters high above deep valleys and cliffs, the Cho La Pass and Everest Base Camp is the most impressive landmark in the Khumbu region. But, trekking here is not easier, with many challenges to brave, including its long and steep trails.

They also have to deal with unforeseeable weather in the Himalayas that changes instantly. To tackle these difficulties, hikers will need the right equipment that makes the journey more comfortable and better. They have to carefully select the items going in a backpack and ensure that it suits the preferred season.

Trekkers will have to determine what they need before the trek and plan accordingly. They must eliminate unwanted equipment as it only adds the load and makes the walk even more difficult. Not to forget that the weather impacts your need for trekking equipment, so buy the suitable essentials for the particular moment.

Clothing

• Waterproof or breathable rain jacket and wind shell
• Quick-drying t-shirt and long sleeve shirt
• Moisture-wicking pants and trousers
• Fleece or insulated jacket

Footwear

• Climbing boots that suits all kinds of terrains
• Hiking shoes or trail runners with ankle support
• Synthetic or wool socks

Personal Items

• Personal toiletries and hand sanitizer
• Emergency kit and prescribed medicines
• Extra batteries and portable charger
• Water purifications and reusable water bottle
• Journals and pen
• Hiking poles, dry bags
• Rucksack or Duffle bag