Everest Base Camp, Gokyo via Chola Pass

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The Gokyo route to Everest base camp is the favourite base camp trek with all the team at Kandoo. It is a tougher trek than the standard route, so not the best choice for first-time high altitude trekkers. For the more experienced trekker it is is fantastic. It avoids the crowds on the main route and is a circular trek so there is no backtracking. You also get to climb Gokyo Ri for the best view of Cho Oyu, one of the 8000m peaks. And finally you have the crossing of the Cho La pass to enjoy before you rejoin the main Everest route. The whole of this trek is in lodges so no need to camp anywhere.

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

An amazingly scenic circular route Climb Gokyo Ri and cross the challenging Cho La Pass Lodge-based accommodation Open and private treks available

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day 1: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU — All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kathmandu International Airport (KTM). From Kathmandu Airport we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local Kandoo representative and have a full pre-trek briefing. Day 2: FLIGHT TO LUKLA - TREK TO PHAKDING — The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes 45 minutes and is an adventure in itself with great views of the Everest region (from the left of the plane) and ending with a hair-raising landing on a steep mountain runway. After meeting our crew, we will start our trek by heading up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well- marked trail to Phakding Day 3: TREK TO NAMCHE BAZAR — From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set-up to conserve this fragile mountain environment. We then ascend steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather permits, catch the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche Bazaar is the main trading village in Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market. It is a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. You can enjoy an Illy coffee and amazing brownies here! Day 4: ACCLIMAISTIOAN IN NAMCHE — Namche is tucked away between two ridges and has lots of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. Today we will trek up to the Everest View Hotel at 3880m for our first view of Ama Dablam and Mount Everest. Following the ‘walk high, sleep low’ principle, this hike will really help with your acclimatisation Day 5: TREK TO DOLE — Today is a spectacular day in terms of scenery as we follow the main trail north out of Namche. A short climb to a ridge gives us wonderful views of Everest and Lhotse. We then follow the main trail for a while longer to a crossroads high above the Dudh Koshi. The trail to Everest drops down the hill but we turn off here and climb to cross the Mon La before reaching Phortse Tenga. From Phortse Tenga, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest Day 6: TREK TO MACHERMO — From Dole we climb steadily along the side of the valley, where rhododendron forests give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements (yersa), which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Excellent views of Cho Oyu can be seen from here, as well as Kantega and Thamserku. Today’s trek is a short one and we will arrive at Machermo in time for lunch. Day 7: ACCLIMAISTIOAN IN MACHERMO — We are now approaching 4500m, so we will stay at Machermo for an extra day to acclimatise. There are plenty of possibilities for exploration around the camp and just above the village there is an excellent view encompassing Cho Oyu (8210m) and the mountains which flank the Ngozumpa Glacier Day 8: TREK TO GOKYO — We now head for the lakes at Gokyo. We follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, following one of the rivers which flow down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We climb a steep rocky incline into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. We soon arrive at the second of the lakes, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La – our route to Lobuche and Everest later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is breath-taking with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters. Day 9: TREK TO GOKYO RIDER BACK TO THAGNAK — Early morning we will ascend towards the famous viewpoint of Gokyo Ri (5,357m) from where we will view a panorama of mountains above and lakes and glaciers. We will spend some quality time over there then back to our destination Thangnak. The trail is rocky terrain and glaciers and will be passing through the several ups and downs. We will continue our trek further, we will pass through the Ngozumpa Glacier and several yak pasture to reach Thangnak(4700m). Day 10: TREK FROM THAGNAK TO DZONGLA VIA CHHOLA PASS — We start our trek very early morning due to quite long trek for a day today from Thagnak to Dzongla (4855m) via chola la pass (5420m). This pass connets the Gokyo region with the Everest Base Camp route. We will follow the steep glacier and rocky trail all the way to Chola. The trail is icy and slippery. The top of Chola la Pass will welcome us with wonderful surrounding views of Chola Lake and Mt. Cholatse (6,440m). Day 11: TREK EROM DZONGLA TO LOBUCHE — Today, we will leave Dzongla and head towards Lobuche (4930m). The trail is easy and short trek for this day. We will take a downward trail by enjoying the amazing views of Himalayan peak of Mt. Cholatse and Tawoche. After trekking for about four hours, we will reach our destination Lobuche. Day 12: TREK FROM LOBUCHE TO EBC AND BACK TO GORAK SHEP — After breakfast you will start your trek to Base camp which is world highest mountain base camp. At Everest Base Camp you can see many tents during the spring season of Expedition who comes to experience the challenging adventures. It is great place to view Khumbu glacier. You spend some time over there and then return to Gorak Shep for overnight. Day 13: TREK TO KALA PATTHAR AND STAY AT PHERICHE — Early in the morning you will heading towards Kala Patthar, from where you can see Himalayan sunrise over the Mt. Everest. It is the best viewpoint of the Himalayas from very closed and also see front side of the Mt. Everest. From Kala Patthar you can see panoramic view of Mt. Everest and many other mountain peaks like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumertse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and many more. After a short excursion and Photography, you will return back to Gorakshep. After your breakfast and you will trek down to Pheriche. Day 14: TREK PHERICHE TO NAMCHE BAZAR — You will start your todays trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazar. You will descend through hillside filled with rhododendron forest. On the way to Namche, you will see the mountain goats, yaks and other wild animals. You will enjoy the view of mountains and rocky hills. After crossing many up and down hills you can reach the Namche bazar, the village itself is very scenic which is surrounded by Himalayas. Day 15: TREK BACK LUKLA — You begins your trek to Lukla today, is the last day of your adventures. It is mostly downhill trek, you will cross several suspension bridge over the way. You have to leave your foot step print back to the way and say bye to rocky terrain which you trek. After reaching Lukla you will take rest. Today will be your last night on the lap of mountains. Day 16: FLY TO KATHMANDU — This morning says goodbye to Mt Everest and the Khumbu Region. You will take again the scenic and adventures flight back to either Kathmandu or Manthali Airport. Day 17: DEPARTURE — Today your journey in Nepal comes end for this visit, I wish you will planning for other adventures activities in Nepal for next time. After breakfast, our representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your onward flight to your destination.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU — All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kathmandu International Airport (KTM). From Kathmandu Airport we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local Kandoo representative and have a full pre-trek briefing.+