EVEREST GOKYO CHOLA PASS TREK

Gokyo Chola Pass Everest Trekking is one of the adventurous trekking route in Everest region trek. Gokyo Chola Pass Everest Base Camp trekking trail is also known as Everest Circuit trekking. It follows the route via high pass called Cho-La Pass at 5330 meters into Everest Base Camp. The trek begins from Lukla. After a day acclimatization in Namche bazaar it follows all the way to Gokyo Lake. After you reach Gokyo Lake you climb Gokyo-Ri (5480m) and from top of Gokyo Ri you enjoy stunning summit mountain scenery including Everest, Makalu and Cho Oyo. Next day you cross Chola Pass ((5330m) and reach at Dzongla. After Dzongla you walk towards Gorakshep and ascent to Kalapathar(5545m) from where you enjoy an impressive up-close view of Mt. Everest. Then next day you trek to Everest Base Camp. Your return route passes through Tyangboche, a place where a famous magnificent monastery is located before fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla airport.

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
Meet with our representative at the airport. Drive to hotel. O/N at Hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu.
Half day visit of Kathmandu city and Swayambhunath. PM: Free, preparation for the trekking. O/N at Hotel.

Day 03: Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding 
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2886m.) which takes approximately 30 minutes and trek from Lukla to Phakding (2640m.) which takes three hours. You transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Lukla. It is a small town with an airport. There are few tea shops, lodges, hotels and general stores. You begin todays trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi. Nupla (5885m) can be seen in the distance on the opposite bank, is a peak atop the Kongde Ridge. You descend a mountainside path that merges into your route to Everest, with views to a valley to your right; and at its far end, Kusum Kang (6367m.) The Dudh Kosi approaches as you pass a Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse. You continue along a small path with many climbs and descents following the left bank of Dudh Koshi to Phakding.

Day 04: Phakding - Namche Bazaar 
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.) which takes about four and half hours.This day you trek and cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo (2800m.) is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. You then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. You can also enjoy the view of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri and Tawache peak. You can also visit some of the village monasteries on the way of trekking to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.). Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu region and holds a busy Saturday market. There is set a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have reached there by crossing the glaciated Nangpa La.

Day 05: Acclimatize Day In Namche 
Rest day at Namche Bazaar (3440m.) for acclimatization and excursion around the places. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization you walk upto Khhumjung where you can visit monastery. Khhumjung is densely populated by Sherpa community. You can also enjoy the splendid views of Everest, Ama Dablam (6812m.), Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche, Kwangde and so on. Or you can have an hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There is also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. This museum exhibits Sherpa culture.

Day 06: Namche Bazaar - Khumjung
From Namche, we trek out of the village bowl and follow a small trail high above the Dudh Kosi River, where the views are incredible; behind to the west, the ridge of Nupla and Kwangde Himal (6194m); across the valley to the south, the towering ice-fluted walls of Thamserku (6623m), and to the east at the head of the valley, the Lhotse and Nuptse wall, towering a full three and a half thousand metres above the valley at Dingboche. Everest looms above the ridge, a black, triangular rock; Sagarmatha, "Goddess Mother of Earth", is a truly magnificent sight.

On a small ridge across the valley, the monastery of Thyangboche can be seen, a small speck against the gigantic mountain background. We descend to Khumjung, and after staying in the more westernised town of Namche Bazar, these villages make a welcome change. Here tourism has hardly changed the life of the Sherpas. It is possible to take the opportunity to sample the Sherpa speciality, Riki Kur - a type of potato fritter enriched with yak butter. The afternoon has been left free to assist with further acclimatization. O/N in Khumjung.

Day 07: Khumjung - Phortse Thangka
After breakfast, we descend to the west of the village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Kosi River. The Gokyo route is turn north, climbing above the more frequented route to Tengboche and Everest Base Camp. Here's choice of routes in the beginning: the yak trails which climbs gently or the steep staircase-like trail made of rocks embedded in a narrow cleft in a large bounder, the two trails soon join and continue towards a large Chorten on the top of the ridge at 3973 metres. This ridge descends from Khumbila 5716m), abode the patron god of the Khumbu. From the ridge, the trails descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Koshi and we'll be spend Overnight in Phortse Thanghka.

Day 08: Phortse - Thanghka - Dole
Breakfast approx 7:00 am in the morning. After breakfast we start our journey to Dole. The trails climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests which give way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. This trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendron are blooming. The trails passes many kharkas, summer settlements used when sherpas bring herds of yaks to graze in these high pastures. The route passes through the settlement s of Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) to Dole where there're few Hotels. The views of Khumbila and Twachee (6542m) are tremendous throughout the day, and it is possible to climb a ridge behind Dole for an even broader view up and down the valley. O/N in Dole.

Day 09: Dole - Machhermo
From Dole the trail climbs to Lambara at 4220m and Luza at 4360m. The tails is steep in most places as it climbs through scrub junipers. There're kharkas whenever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. People from Khumjung own all the kharkas on this side of valley. The trails continue to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to Machhermo at 4410 meters. It was in Machhermo in 1974 that YETI killed three yaks and attached a Sherpa woman. This is the most credit yeti incident ever reported, so be watchful as you visit this reason. O/N in Machermo.

Day 10: Machhermo - Gokyo
The trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kantega and up towards Cho Oyu (8153m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at 4390m then descends to the river bank before beginning of climb on to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier.It's a steep climb up the moraine, switchbacking alongside the stream to the first small lake at 4650m, where a family of green Braminy ducks resides. The trail now becomes almost level at 4690m and finally Gokyo at 4750m. O/N in Gokyo.

Day 11: Gokyo
After breakfast, trek around Gokyo Ri, the views in the Gokyo region are tremendous. For the best view, climb to Gokyo Ri, the small peak above the lake. This peaks of 5318m, it's a 2 hours climb to the top of the peak, providing a panoramic view of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Twachee. Those with more time and engery can make a trip up the valley to another lake marked with the name Ngozumpa on the maps or even beyond to a fifth lake. There're several small peaks in this region that offer vantage points for the surrounding peaks. O/N in Gokyo.

Day 12-13: Gokyo Chhugyuma - Dzogla - Lobuche
The trail descending from Gokyo, the route passes the second lake. About halfway between the fist and second lakes a trail leads of across the moraine of the east. We've to pass Cho La (or Chhugyuma) 5420 meters. The pass is not difficult but it is steep and involves a glacier crossing on the eastern side. Allow three day from Fokyo to Lobuche on this high altitude route. An ice axe, crampons and a rope are often necessary for negotiating the small icefall at the foot of glacier on the other side of the pass, although in ideal condition there're no technical problems and there is a trail of sorts in the rocks beside the icefall. The western approach to the pass varies in difficulty depending on the amount of snow. The pass is not possible for yaks and usually not suitable for heavily laden porters. We've to spend a night at CHHUGYUMA OR DZONGLA on other side. Continue along the moraine of the glacier, with views of Kalar Pattar and Pumori to reach Lobuche at 4930m for your evening stay. This will be your last stop before your climb to the base camp tomorrow. Take time to rest and acclimatise for this unforgettable day. O/N in Lobuche.

Day 14-15: Lobuche - Gorkshep - Kalapatter - Everest BC - Gorkshep - Lobuche
Early this morning you begin your trek, which will prove to be both mentally and physically demanding. Above Lobuche, we follow the path running through alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Continuing on over rough ground we reach Gorak Shep, where a short break is offered to replentish fluids. A walk for a further hour and a half reaches Kala Pattar, a small, rocky peak on the southwest ridge of Pumori. Stop and turn around: the scenery is fantastic. It is a hard climb, but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. Huge creaking glaciers surround us and classic views of Everest are available. The views from the summit of Kala Pattar (5630m) are truly outstanding. Here you are directly below Pumori's light granite and slanted snow channel. The surroundings have an awesome and unnatural brilliance. To the south, the Khumbu Glacier sweeps below you; northwards rise several border peaks including the vertical Lho La, reached from the Tibetan side in 1921, the first time foreigners had seen the Khumbu Glacier. Mt Everest rises above them all. In 1852 it was recognised as the highest peak on earth and four years later was given the name Everest in honour of Sir George Everest, the early surveyor general. After some time out to contemplate this view, we return to Lobuche. O/N in Lobuche.

Day 16: Lobuche - Thyangboche / Tengboche
After our tiring ascent to Kala patar, today is an easier walk to the lower altitudes. We follow the wide alpine valley covered in scrub juniper through the temporary settlement of Phulung Karpo (4343m), then on to Pheriche. A small settlement, Pheriche has a number of welcome tea house. The town consists of several low stone buildings and is considered a "years" - summer settlement. Continue down to Orsho, then on through Lower Pangboche and down to Deboche, reaching our lodge at Thyangboche in the afternoon. Thyangboche is set in a beautiful meadow, high on a ridge surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks. A peaceful, tranquil position, surely one of the wonders of the world and the Thyangboche Monastery is spectacularly situated. The monastery dominated by the gompa with its prayer flags and mani stones was founded in 1916 as a meditation center. O/N in Thyangboche.

Day 17: Tengboche - Namche
Follow a similar trail through a forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga, you continue on to cross the Dudh Kosi for a steep acending to Trashinga. After lunch at Shanasa you make you way back to Namche Bazar. O/N in Namche.

Day 18: Namche - Thame - Namche
After breakfast, 3 hours hiking to Thamel village to see the Thame Monastery. Walk around local village. Back to Namche. O/N in Namche.

Day 19: Namche - Lukla
This morning you will depart Namche and continue your descent along the Dudh Kosi, before making a final ascent to reach the Lukla plateau by mid afternoon. On arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax and celebrate the completion of your trek. O/N in Lukla.

Day 20: Lukla - Kathmandu
This morning you will be transferred to Lukla Airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be meet our representative at the airport and conveyed to the Hotel.

Day 21: Departure
Transfer to airport to connect onward destination.