EBC Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek
Trip Duration
18 Days Days
Group Sizes
2-16 People People
Transportation
Flight/Walk
Destination
EBC Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek
Max. Altitude
5420
Nature of Trip
Trekking
Best Season
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
Activities
- Trekking
- High Pass Crossing
Difficulty
Challenging
Meals
- Hotel/Teahouse Breakfast
- Teahouse Lunch
- Teahouse Dinner
Start & End Point
Kathmandu
Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Hotel
Overview of EBC Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek
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The EBC via Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass is the ultimate Khumbu trekking circuit, combining the sacred turquoise Gokyo Lakes, the legendary Cho La Pass (5,420m), Everest Base Camp, and the summit of Kala Patthar (5,545m) in one comprehensive 18-day journey. This route is Nepal’s most complete Everest region experience — crossing one of the highest trekking passes in the world, visiting both the Gokyo and Khumbu valleys, and reaching the foot of Everest itself.
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- Cross the Cho La Pass (5,420m) — one of Nepal’s highest trekking passes
- Summit Gokyo Ri (5,360m) for four 8,000m peaks in one panorama
- Reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and Kala Patthar (5,545m)
- Walk beside the Ngozumpa Glacier and through the sacred Gokyo Lakes chain
- The complete Khumbu circuit — no other route covers more of this legendary region
- Three dedicated acclimatisation days for safe altitude progression
Itinerary of EBC Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek
Day 1: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla — Trek to Phakding (2,610m)
Mountain flight to Lukla, 3–4 hr walk to Phakding.
Duration
3-4 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
L/D
Max Altitude
2610mDay 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Cross Hillary Bridge, climb through Sagarmatha NP to Namche.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3440mDay 3: Acclimatisation — Namche
Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m). Visit museum and market.
Duration
Acclimatisation
Activity
Rest/Hike
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3880mDay 4: Namche to Dole (4,200m)
Leave main EBC trail, head northwest into Gokyo valley via Khumjung.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4200mDay 5: Dole to Machhermo (4,470m)
Climb through barren alpine terrain. First views of Cho Oyu.
Duration
3-4 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4470mDay 6: Machhermo to Gokyo (4,790m)
Pass the First, Second, and Third Gokyo Lakes. Arrive Gokyo village.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4790mDay 7: Acclimatisation — Gokyo Ri (5,360m)
Pre-dawn summit of Gokyo Ri for 360° panorama of 4 eight-thousanders. Afternoon explore Fifth Lake.
Duration
8-9 hrs
Activity
Summit/Hike
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
5360mDay 8: Gokyo to Cho La Base (4,800m)
Trek south from Gokyo past the Fourth Lake then east into the Cho La valley. Camp below the pass.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4800mDay 9: Cross Cho La Pass (5,420m) — Descend to Dzongla (4,830m)
Early start for the Cho La crossing. Rocky and potentially icy approach to the pass. Stunning views from the top. Descend to Dzongla.
Duration
6-8 hrs
Activity
Pass Crossing
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
5420mDay 10: Dzongla to Lobuche (4,940m)
Short walk along the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Lobuche.
Duration
3-4 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4940mDay 11: Lobuche to EBC (5,364m) via Gorak Shep
Trek to Gorak Shep then continue to Everest Base Camp. Return to Gorak Shep overnight.
Duration
7-8 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
5364mDay 12: Kala Patthar (5,545m) — Descend to Pheriche (4,280m)
Pre-dawn Kala Patthar for sunrise over Everest. Rapid descent to Pheriche.
Duration
8-9 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
5545mDay 13: Pheriche to Namche (3,440m)
Long descending day through Tengboche forest back to Namche.
Duration
6-7 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3440mDay 14: Namche to Lukla (2,840m)
Final trail day to Lukla. Celebration dinner.
Duration
6-7 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2840mDay 15: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Morning flight to Kathmandu.
Duration
35 min flight
Activity
Travel
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mDay 16: Buffer Day — Kathmandu
Buffer for Lukla flight weather delays.
Duration
Buffer
Activity
Rest
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mDay 17: Buffer Day 2 — Kathmandu
Second buffer day.
Duration
Buffer
Activity
Rest
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mDay 18: Final Departure
Transfer to airport for international departure.
Duration
Departure
Activity
Transfer
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mIncludes/Excludes
What's included?
- 17 nights accommodation (2 hotel Kathmandu, 15 teahouse)
- Domestic flights Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu
- All meals on trek
- Licensed English-speaking guide and porter
- Sagarmatha National Park permit and TIMS card
- First-aid kit and emergency evacuation plan
What's not included?
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
- Personal gear and clothing
- Tips for guide and porter
- Beverages and personal snacks
EBC Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek Altitude Chart
Trip Information - Good to Know
Best Time
Oct–Nov optimal. Cho La Pass can be snow-covered outside these windows.
Permits
Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000) + TIMS card (NPR 2,000).
Difficulty
Challenging. The Cho La crossing involves glacial terrain and potential crampons use. Prior high-altitude experience recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cho La Pass safe?
The pass is technically non-climbing but involves glacier travel and can be icy. Crampons are sometimes required. The guide leads through the technical section.
How difficult is this combined route?
Rated Challenging — suitable for trekkers with prior high-altitude experience (Namche or above). The pass crossing and sustained high altitude demand strong fitness.
What is the best direction for this circuit?
The described route (Gokyo first, Cho La, then EBC) is preferred: better acclimatisation profile and you arrive at EBC well-acclimatised.
Can beginners do this trek?
Not recommended for first-time high-altitude trekkers. Complete a standard EBC or Gokyo trek first before attempting the combined route.
What happens if the Cho La is impassable?
Snow and ice occasionally close the pass. The guide will assess conditions. An alternative return via Namche is arranged if needed, with no extra cost.
How many trekkers do this route?
Significantly fewer than EBC-only or Gokyo-only routes, making this one of the less crowded yet most rewarding circuits in the Khumbu.
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