Gokyo Ri Combine Chola Pass Via EBC Trek, this route take you to the deep of, Gokyo Lakes with Everest Base Camp Trek expedition is full of beautiful experiences. The splendid views of the Everest massif from Gokyo Ri and the blinding sunrise and sunset setting at the Kala Patthar will simply take your breath away.
Additionally, the joy of getting to see mountains that stand above eight thousand, up close only adds more points for being this journey simply the best. Moreover, the grand feeling of being at the foundation of mighty Mt. Everest (8848.86m) offers a sense of achievement. And again, the sight of the Ngozumpa glacier (longest glacier in the Himalayas) from Gokyo Ri adds more reason to do this trek.
In like manner, there is Gokyo Ri Lakes to elevate your experience of opting for this journey. There are five of them in total and its beauty is totally bewildering. These blue-green azure lakes will capture your heart at first glance.
Highlights of The Trek
- Grand feeling of being at the lap of the highest mountain in the world
- Enjoy World’s Adventurous Flight to Tenzing Hillary Lukla Airport
- Trek to the World’s Inspirational Khumbu, Everest Region and enjoy Sherpa Culture
- Visit to the World’s Highest Freshwater Lakes, Gokyo Lakes at 4,700 m to 5,000 m.
- Witness the best view from Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) of Gokyo Valley, Mt. Everest and walk into the High Pass of Cho La Pass at 5,420 m
- Step into Everest Base Camp (5,360 m) and Kalapatthar (5,545 m)
- Visit Sacred Tengboche Monastery, Khumjung Monastery and Pengboche Monastery
- Witness Purported Yeti Scalp in Khumjung Monastery
- Visit Khumjung School and Hospital made by Sir Edmund Hillary
- Enjoy being in the busting and old salt trade route, Namche Bazaar
- Enjoy Nepali Food, Hospitality and Culture
Outline itinerary
Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/ 4,430 ft)
Day 02: Drive to Manthali
Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,880 m/9,450 ft)- 35 minutes and trek to Phakding.
Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche (3,450 m/11,320 ft)
Day 05: Today at Namche Bazaar for Acclimatization
Day 06: Trek from Namche to Phortse Thanga (3,680 m/12,075 ft)
Day 07: Trek from phortse to Machhermo (4,470 m/14,665 ft)
Day 08: Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800 m/15,750 ft)
Day 09: Acclimatization Day – Optional Hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m/17,575 ft)
Day 10: Trek from Gokyo to Thagnak (4,750 m/15,585 ft)
Day 11: Trek from Thangnak to Dzongla (4,830 m/15,850 ft) via Cho La Pass (5,420 m/17,785 ft)
Day 12: Trek from Dzongla to Lobuche (4,910 m/ 16,110 ft)
Day 13: Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (5,360 m/17,585 ft) & Return to Gorakshep (5,160 m/16,930 ft)
Day 14: Trek from Gorakshep to Kalapatthar (5,545 m/18,195 ft) and descend down to Pheriche (4,288 m/14,070 ft)
Day 15: Trek from Pheriche back to Tyanbuche Monastery (5 Hours)
Day 16: Trek from tyanbuche to Manjo (6 Hours)
Day 17: Trek from Manjo to Lukla
Day 18: Fly from lukla to Manthali/ kathmandu
Day 19: Final Departure from Kathmandu toward your next destination.
Detail itinerary
Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/ 4,430 ft)
Our representative from Plan A trek will receive you after you collect your baggage and exit the main terminal building. Then we will drive to the hotel. Check-in and rest. In the evening, our trek manager along with trek guide will brief you about the trek and check your equipment.
Day 02: Drive to Manthali
We have time to preparing our trip to Khumbu Valley after lunch we will drive 4 to 5 hours to Manthali for our flight to Lukla.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,880 m/9,450 ft)- 35 minutes and trek to Phakding.
After early breakfast, we drive to the domestic terminal to take a 35 minutes flight to Lukla. Lukla is a gateway to Everest Region. After landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport, we will manage our loads among the porters and start our trek to Phakding. This is the first day of our trek which is the easiest flat trail takes you to the beautiful village of Phakding.
Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche (3,450 m/11,320 ft)
We follow the level path along the bank of river and climb towards the Dudh Koshi valley. We will pass villages of Benkar, Monjo and Jorsele. There is a beautiful waterfall at Benkar. We trek through so many ups and downs, forests and passing by the view of Mt. Thamserku.
After a short climb, we will have lunch at Jorsele. Soon, we will be at V shaped valley where Dudh Koshi (on left) and Bhote Koshi (on right) meet. After crossing the high suspension bridge over Bhote Koshi, we make a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. Just 30 minutes below the Namche Bazaar, we see the Mt. Everest for the first time.
Day 05: Today at Namche Bazaar for Acclimatization
This day, we will be staying at Namche Bazaar to get acclimatize and have an excursion to Everest View Lodge (3,800 m) at Syangboche. We also visit Khumjung Village (3,790 m) to see Khumjung School and Hospital founded by Sir Edmund Hillary. In Khumjung Monastery, we will witness the purported Yeti Scalp. After returning back to Namche.
Day 06: Trek from Namche to Phortse Thanga (3,680 m/12,075 ft)
Today, we climb to the Khumjung Hill and descend to the east of the village. We descend down to Dudkoshi River for overnight.
Day 07: Trek from phortse to Machhermo (4,470 m/14,665 ft)
Uphill climb to Machhermo by passing rhododendron forest and a water fall before Tonga Village. We walk uphill and pass-through Dole, other villages and Chorten alongside the Dudh Koshi River. After Dole, our trail goes through scenic ridge which gives us views of Cho Oyu, Thamserku and Kantega mountains. After we arrive at Kharka and trek in a level path on a sloping area to Luza.
Day 08: Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800 m/15,750 ft)
We follow the uphill trail to the top of the ridge from where we see Cho Oyu, other mountains along with Ngozamba Glacier. On the right side, we see Cholatse and Tawetse. Our trail descends to Pangka. We continue our descend to the river bank before we climb the terminal moraine of Ngozamba Glacier. When we pass the Mani wall, we arrive at Gokyo.
Day 09: Acclimatization Day – Optional Hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m/17,575 ft)
Today, we hike to Gokyo Ri to get the panoramic view of Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Makalu (8,481), and Mt. Cho Oyo (8,153 m) along with other peaks and the Nepal’s largest glacier, Ngozumpa Glacier.
Day 10: Trek from Gokyo Ri to Thagnak (4,750 m/15,585 ft)
We trek through the Ngazumpa Glacier to the mountain on the other side. Next, traverse along the edge of that mountain and then meander into Thagnak. It will be a short hike today with an afternoon of rest which will prepare us for long hiking days and elevation gain to come.
Day 11: Trek from Thangnak to Dzongla (4,830 m/15,850 ft) via Cho La Pass (5,420 m/17,785 ft)
Today is going to be one of the challenging days of the trip. The Cho La Pass is not itself difficult, but it is steep and involves a glacier traverse on the Eastern Side. We need to be careful as the trail is vertical and the rocks glazed by ice may cause trouble by making the trail slippery. The trail from Phedi climbs through a ravine and a rocky trail.
While trekking through the side of a frozen lake, we reach at the top of the pass decorated with prayer flags. The pyramidal Ama Dablam presides over a range of mountains on the South even as Cholatse soars to the west and Lobuche East and Baruntse rises sharply to our right. We need to pass through some crevasses before we reach Dzongla Village. The village provides great views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche Mountains along with the Pheriche Village far below.
Day 12: Trek from Dzongla to Lobuche (4,910 m/ 16,110 ft)
This will be a very short trek so we have a lot time to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. We climb down from Dzongla and walk through a grassy trail while enjoying the view of Lobuche Peak. The trail curves through the wide river bed before reaching Lobuche. We can spend the rest of day taking a rest which will help us prepare for the next day’s long trek. Evening, we enjoy Sunset at Nuptse peak.
Day 13: Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (5,360 m/17,585 ft) & Return to Gorakshep (5,160 m/16,930 ft)
This will be the most challenging yet rewarding day of the trek. To go to the Everest beyond Lobuche, the trail follows through besides the Khumbu Glacier. From a high point here, the rubble-covered hill of Kalapatthar in the front of Mt. Mount Everest can be seen at its pass a lake of often frozen. And continue to witness the Everest Base Camp of world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest. After spending few times, we return back to Gorakshep.
Day 14: Trek from Gorakshep to Kalapatthar (5,545 m/18,195 ft) and descend down to Pheriche (4,288 m/14,070 ft)
Early morning, we make steep ascend to Kalapatthar also called Black Hill. This might be the most challenging but the trekkers get the most magnificent panoramic views of the mountains, Mt. Everest (8,848 m), the highest point in the earth towers directly ahead and all the sides loom the giants, Nuptse, Pumori, Chantse, Lhotse and countless other peaks. Afterward, we descend to Pheriche.
Day 15: Trek from Pheriche back to Tyanbuche Monastery (5 Hours)
From Dingboche, we trek down to Pangboche. The we cross a bridge over Imja Khola. As soon as we reach Debuche, we make ascend for an hour to get to Tengboche.
Day 16: Trek from tyanbuche to Manjo (6 Hours)
trek descent down to the River at Phunki thanga we ascend up for around 2 and half hours passing by small villages to another side of the valley. We continue along the side of mountain to get to the Namche Bazaar. After we leave Namche Bazaar, we make steep descend until the bridge and cross Bhote Koshi River to Manjo Village.
Day 17: Trek from Manjo to Lukla
Our way follows ups and downs, forest and rocky trails. We will have our lunch at Benkar or Phakding. After lunch, we continue gradual and gentle uphill trail to Lukla. This is our last day of the trek. After much deserving long shower, you may consider treating trekking crews in Lukla.Day
Day 18: Fly from lukla to Manthali/ kathmandu
Lukla flight highly depends on weather. So, we keep one day extra if incase flight to/from Lukla get cancelled because of weather. If the flight happens as planned, we may do some extra sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Day 19: Final Departure from Kathmandu toward your next destination.
Plan A trek representative will drop you to at Intl airport.
COST INCLUDES
- Airport pick up and drop by private Car/Van/bus
- three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
- Full board meals with tea/coffee (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek;
- Seasonal fruits during the trek
- One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide,
- porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accidental insurance for all staff
- Round trip flight Kathmandu – Lukla and Lukla – Kathmandu including departure taxes
- Duffle bag for the trekking
- Down jacket and sleeping bag during the trek
- First aid medical kit
- Sagarmatha National Park Permits fee
- TIMS Fee- Trekkers’ Information Management System (Please bring 2 passport size photos for permit)
- Government taxes & office service charge
COST EXCLUDES
- Meals not specified during stay in kathmandu
- Travel insurance
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa
- Cold drinks Inc. coke, water, Fanta etc.
- Snacks and other personal expenses
- Hot shower during the trek.
- Personal trekking equipments
- Kathmandu Hotel and meal if early return from the trip.
- Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers
Equipment Check List
FAQs – Gokyo Ri & Cho La Pass Everest Base Camp Trek
What is the Gokyo Ri and Cho La Pass combined Everest Base Camp trek?
The Gokyo Ri and Cho La Pass combined Everest Base Camp trek is an alternative Everest route that connects the Gokyo Lakes valley with the classic Everest Base Camp trail via the high-altitude Cho La Pass. It offers more scenic diversity and fewer crowds than the standard EBC trek.
How difficult is the Everest Base Camp trek via Gokyo Ri and Cho La Pass?
This trek is considered challenging due to high altitude, long trekking days, and crossing Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters. It is best suited for trekkers with previous high-altitude trekking experience and good physical fitness.
Is the Gokyo Ri trek harder than the classic Everest Base Camp trek?
Yes, the Gokyo Ri trek combined with Cho La Pass is more demanding than the classic Everest Base Camp trek. The additional elevation gain, glacier crossings, and high pass make it more physically challenging but also more rewarding.
What is the best time to do the Gokyo Ri and Cho La Pass trek?
The best time to do this high-altitude Nepal trek is during spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). These seasons provide stable weather, clear mountain views, and safer conditions for crossing Cho La Pass.
Do I need technical climbing skills for Cho La Pass?
No technical climbing skills are required. However, the Cho La Pass trek involves snow, ice, and steep sections, so good balance, trekking experience, and comfort with high-altitude terrain are important.
How high is Gokyo Ri and why is it popular?
Gokyo Ri stands at 5,357 meters and is popular for offering one of the best panoramic views in the Everest region, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu often considered better than Kala Patthar.
Is this route less crowded than the standard Everest Base Camp trek?
Yes. The Gokyo Ri Lakes and Cho La Pass route is significantly less crowded than the main Everest Base Camp trail, especially between Namche Bazaar and Lobuche, making it ideal for trekkers seeking a quieter Everest experience.
