Chola Pass Trek

Welcome to Nepal, the land of the Himalayas! A representative from Himalaya Guide Nepal will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport and drop you at the hotel that you have booked. Rest for a few hours, then we will meet to brief you on our program. We’ll go over the trek itinerary, safety tips, altitude advice, and gear checklist, and answer any last-minute questions you may have. You also meet the trekking guide and fellow trekkers if you opted for a group.

We fly to Lukla (2,800m) in the morning. The landing airport here is dramatic, with a short runway surrounded by steep hills and mountains. Once in Lukla, we will take a short break, after which we will sort out our luggage to make it easier for the porters and helpers to carry. Then, the trek starts officially. We leave the busy airstrip behind and enter the peaceful trails of the Khumbu region.

We need to reach Phakding today. The path is rather gentle and passes through scattered Sherpa villages. You will see prayer wheels, fluttering mani flags, and pines. This part of the trek, known as the Khumbu flat, is a good warm-up for what lies ahead. After three to four hours of walking, we reach Phakding. The quiet village lies by the Dudh Koshi River. We settle in for our first night in the mountains at a cozy lodge.

After breakfast, we follow the uphill path along the Dudh Koshi River. We’ll cross several suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags. Then, we pass through Monjo, the entry point to Sagarmatha National Park. Permits will be checked here. From there, the route descends gradually to a long bridge over the Bhote Koshi River. This way will lead us to Jorsalle village, where we will stop for lunch and take a short rest.

After Jorsalle, we cross the river once again and begin a steep climb through pine forests and rocky paths. If the weather’s clear, you might catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest along the way. It is a bit demanding ascent, but as soon as we reach Namche Bazaar, you’ll feel it worthwhile. Namche is a bustling trading hub of the Khumbu region and a major stop for trekkers.

Namche Bazaar (3,440m) is like the unofficial capital of the Khumbu region. It is a key acclimatization stop for trekkers and climbers heading to Mount Everest Base Camp and even Gokyo Chola Pass. Acclimatization doesn’t mean we will be spending a full day resting, but rather it is meant to take a short hike nearby to better prepare our bodies for high altitude. Thus, we will take a popular side hike to Everest View Hotel, about 400 meters above Namche. From there, you’ll get stunning panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and other peaks. Also, don’t miss the Sherpa Museum if you’re into history, Sherpa culture, and mountaineering in the region.

If you don’t feel like walking, explore the shops here. It has almost all facilities available only in cities, such as ATMs, trekking gear shops, internet cafés, restaurants, and bakeries. There is also a lively local market that takes place on Fridays and Saturdays. These days, you can experience Sherpa culture firsthand and find unique souvenirs. After exploring, you’ll spend the night here.

After a rest day in Namche Bazaar, we follow a gentle route with minor ups and downs. Along the way from Namche Bazaar to Dole, you catch views of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kongde. You’ll also see the famous Tengboche Monastery at a distant hilltop. From the Sanasa village, we climb up the left side toward Mongla Danda.

After a while, we’ll again descend to Phortse Thanga, where we stop for lunch. We also take a short break since we still have to trek for a few more hours. We slowly ascend to the small settlement of Dole. We will spend the night here in a cozy teahouse surrounded by peaceful mountain scenery.

We start right after breakfast, climbing toward a scenic ridge that overlooks Dole Village. The path goes up to Lhabarma (4,330m) and then to Luzza (4,360m). These spots are at an altitude, so they offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You’ll feel a genuine sense of the high Himalayan environment from here. After some time, we reach Machhermo. It is a peaceful village situated on sandy ridges overlooking the river. We have lunch here.

Fun fact: Machhermo is famous for being near the site of one of the first reported Yeti sightings in 1974, adding a touch of local mystery to the trek. It has several comfortable lodges with stunning mountain views. In the afternoon, you can visit the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) center, which provides valuable medical support for trekkers in the region.

Leaving Machhermo, we pass a chorten, a spiritual landmark. From here, you can see panoramic views of towering peaks, including Kangtega (6,685m), Thamserku (6,608m), and the northern face of Cho-Oyu (8,201m). Take in the views. Then, we gently descend to the glacial stream originating from the Ngozumpa Glacier. It is the longest glacier in the Himalayas and also supplies the nearby Gokyo Lakes. After crossing it, we steadily climb up the edge of the terminal moraine of the same glacier.

As we reach the moraine, the path flattens out and follows the valley alongside a second lake called Longponga (4,690m). During the Machhermo to Gokyo, enjoy the serene lake views before continuing for about an hour in the Gokyo region. The village is situated on the edge of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. It translates to Milky Lake. And, like the name, the lake has a slightly milky blue color. The village offers breathtaking vistas of the majestic Cho Oyu massif, creating a truly spectacular setting. We’ll spend the night at a comfortable lodge here.

On this day, we trek to Gokyo Ri (5,483m) early in the morning. It’s a tougher climb, almost a 90-degree angle in some parts. However, it’s totally worth the effort, as the top offers one of the best sunrise views in the Himalayas. Peaks like Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kangtega, Kusum Kangkaru, Kongde, Tawache, and even Cholatse stretch out in every direction. And below, you’ll see the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and the Cho Oyu Base Camp on the north side.

After soaking in the views and capturing them in photos or videos, we descend back to the village for a late breakfast or early lunch. The rest of the day is all about rest. You can go around and explore Gokyo village. Take it slow and save energy for the Chola Pass crossing coming up in the following days.

We’ll have breakfast and trek downhill for about an hour. We will reach the rocky stretch of the Ngozumpa Glacier, so please stay cautious and cross it carefully. It’s a bit tricky underfoot, but also incredibly scenic. After the glacier crossing, we reach Dragnag (also spelled Thagnak). It is a small settlement tucked just beneath the high ridges.

Here, we have a delicious lunch. For the remainder of the day, we rest and recharge. You can sit back and enjoy views of the glacier from the lodge. More importantly, you also need to prepare yourself mentally and physically for tomorrow’s Chola Pass crossing. It is the most challenging part of the entire trek.

This is one of the longest and toughest days of the trek, Chola Pass Day. It’s important to carry enough water and pack a lunch, as there are no teahouses or food stops along the way. We start early in the morning while the pass route is still frozen and safer to cross. Besides its altitude of 5,368 meters, you have to climb a steep rocky slope. Then comes a glacier crossing and a long descent on the other side.

The climb to the pass is demanding, with icy and uneven ground, especially near the top. The summit of Chola Pass is lined with prayer flags. Catch your breath and witness the fruit of the climb. You can see Cholatse, Lobuche peaks, parts of the Gokyo Valley, and distant views of Ama Dablam and Makalu on clear days. Then, after a while, we carefully descend over rocks and icy patches toward Dzonglha (4,830m). It’s a quiet place with a few teahouses, perfect for rest after the tiring climb.

This day’s walk is a bit shorter, giving us more time to relax and take in the scenery. We descend from Dzonglha, cross a small bridge, and follow a gentle, grassy trail. With Lobuche Peak in clear view, the path continues climbing up along a ridge until it connects with the main route coming from Pheriche and Dingboche. From here, we’ll meet more trekkers.

On the way to Lobuche, we’re treated to striking views of Ama Dablam (6,812m), Kangtega (6,685m), Thamserku (6,608m), and Taboche (6,367m), all rising sharply above the valley. Then, the route curves through a wide, rocky riverbed before we reach Lobuche. We settle at a lodge in this village for the night.

This day takes us from Lobuche to Gorakshep and onward to Everest Base Camp. We start by walking slowly uphill along a winding, rocky trail for about 3–4 hours. We pass through the stark and dramatic landscape of the Khumbu Glacier moraine. Upon reaching Gorakshep (5,140m), we check in at the lodge, have lunch, and rest briefly before continuing our adventure.

After some rest, we trek for another 2–3 hours across rocky terrain and glacial paths to reach the glorious Everest Base Camp (5,364m). You’ll walk beside the Khumbu Glacier, along its towering seracs (ice carapaces) and deep crevasses. During the spring season (March-May), this EBC area is lively with colorful expedition tents and climbers preparing for their summit push. Spend some time here at the foot of Mt. Everest, admiring the natural beauty and taking photos. We’ll return the same way to Gorakshep for the night at the lodge.

We wake up early, before sunrise, for the steep hike up to Kala Patthar (5,555m), the highest point of the trek. It’s another tough climb after the Chola Pass. The air is thin, the wind is sharp, and every step takes effort, but reaching the top is absolutely worth it. From here, you get a close-up view of Mt. Everest, along with Pumori, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and the Khumbu Glacier stretching out below. You can also spot Everest Base Camp far down in the valley.

Take a short rest and steady your breath first. Then, enjoy this moment of a lifetime. Afterwards, we hike back down to Gorakshep for breakfast and begin the long descent to Pheriche. It is another charming village with wide-open mountain views. This day is tough and pushes you to your limits. However, it leaves you with memories that last forever.

Today, we trek down through the yak grazing area of Somare and pass the traditional Sherpa village of Pangboche. This route also follows the Dudh Koshi River, winding through a beautiful rhododendron forest as we make our way to Tengboche, home to the famous monastery. From Tengboche, we descend to Phungi Tanga, cross a wooden bridge, then climb up to Tosansa and Kyang Juma. After that, the trail flattens out, with gentle ups and downs along the Nepali flat before reaching Namche Bazaar. We spend the night at a lodge here.

Day 15 is mostly downhill as we once again follow the Dudh Koshi River. We cross suspension bridges and pass through beautiful Buddhist cultural sites, such as prayer chortens and fluttering prayer flags. Along the way, we walk through the Sherpa villages of Jorsalle, Monju, and Phakding before exiting Sagarmatha National Park at its gate. Tonight is your last night in the EBC region at Lukla. Relax and celebrate the completion on this final night before heading back to Kathmandu the next day.

In the morning, you’ll fly back to Kathmandu, leaving behind the towering peaks and fresh mountain air. Once in the city, take some time to relax at your hotel. If you want to, explore local shops, pick up souvenirs and gifts for family and friends. It is the last day in Nepal, so you may have a hearty Dal Bhat one last time. Spend the night in comfort, reminiscing about the trekking days. We hope you had a very fulfilling journey with us. Have a safe flight. Namaste.