THE GOKYO– CHOLA – EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
Difficulty:
Hiking days: 18 days
Season: Autumn and Spring
Highlights of the trek
This route is ideal for hikers who want to experience a physical challenge and to stay off the beaten track, but who are also attracted by nature.
The Gokyo – Cho La – Everest Base Camp trek explores the Khumbu region in the heart of the Himalayas. From Lukla (2,800 m), the route passes through Namche Bazaar and the Gokyo Lakes (~4,800 m), crosses the Cho La Pass (5,370 m) and then leads to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar (5,550 m), offering spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.
This demanding but accessible 18-day trek, which does not require mountaineering skills, combines wilderness, Sherpa culture and physical challenge. The best seasons are spring and autumn. Throughout the circuit, accommodation is in lodges with meals included, and in Kathmandu, hotel accommodation is provided.
Trekking itinerary Gokyo - Col du Chola -
Camp de base de l'Everest
Details of the circuit
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 m)
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, a representative from Rêve d’Himalaya Trekking will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to rest after your long flight. You will spend the night in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Kathmandu: city tour and trek preparation
After breakfast, we offer a guided tour of two sites of your choice from among Kathmandu’s historical and spiritual attractions, all of which are UNESCO World
Heritage Sites. You can choose between the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and the Buddhist sanctuary (Bouddhanath), which is also home to one of the largest stupas in the world.
In the afternoon, a trek preparation meeting will allow you to meet your trek leader and other team members. Rêve d'Himalaya Trekking will inform you of the details of your trek and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about our upcoming adventure.
Day 3: Flight to Lukla (40 minutes), walk to Phading (2,651 m): 8 km, 3-4 hours of trekking
During your flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800 m), you can admire the foothills with the high peaks of the mountain range in the background. Upon arrival in Lukla, the gateway to our circuit, you will meet the other guides, and we will distribute the
luggage to be carried. From Lukla, you will set off without delay. Your trek begins with a descent to the village of Cheplung, from where you can see the summit of Khumbila (5760m), a sacred mountain whose summit has never been climbed. From there, the descent continues to Phading, where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,438 m): 11 km, 5-6 hours of trekking
Crossing a beautiful pine forest, the trail heads north up the Benkar Valley. It crosses the Dudh Koshi River, arrives at Chumoa and continues towards Monjo, the official entrance to Everest National Park.
After crossing the valley via a suspension bridge, you will pass through the village of Jorsale while walking along the Dudh Koshi River and then the Bhote Koshi River. This is followed by a steep climb to Namche Bazaar, a village that is a central hub for the Sherpa
region.
Before arriving at Namche Bazaar, weather permitting, you will have your first view of the summits of Everest and Lhotse. You will spend the night in Namche Bazaar.
Day 5: Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar (3,438 m)
There is plenty to explore in and around Namche Bazaar, and you will spend the day there to acclimatise to the altitude. Namche Bazaar is the commercial and administrative centre of the Khumbu region. It has ATMs, internet cafés, numerous shops and stalls, restaurants and a colourful weekly market.
Our guides will help you discover the site. You can also climb early in the morning to Sagarmatha National Park to watch the sunrise over the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Anma Dablam, Thanmserku and Kongde.
Optionally, you can plan a day trek to visit the beautiful village of Khumjung (3,780 m), a traditional Sherpa settlement. As you explore Namche Bazaar and its surroundings, you will discover the traditional life of the Sherpas, visit the Khmujung Hillary School and
observe the flora and fauna at this altitude. You will spend the night in Namche Bazaar again.
Day 6: Namche Bazaar to Dole (4,050 m): 6 km, 5-6 hours of trekking
The trail climbs Khunmjung Hill and continues eastward, descending towards the Dudh Koshi River valley. Here, the trail turns north.
There are two route options, and your guide will choose the best one. At 3,973 m, you pass a chorten at the top of a mountain slope at the foot of Khumbila Peak (5,761 m). You will visit Mohang, the birthplace of the reincarnated Lama of Rongbuk Monastery in
Tibet, who is said to have introduced Buddhism to the Khumbu region. The trail descends in switchbacks down a sandy slope to reach Dudh Koshi. You will spend the night in Dole.
Day 7: Phortse Thanga to Machhermo (4,470 m): 10 km, 4-5 hours of trekking
From Phortse Thanga to Machhermo, the trail climbs steadily. It passes through a rhododendron forest and reaches a waterfall before arriving at the village of Tongba. You continue climbing, passing through the villages of Dhole, Labarma and Luza (where there is a remarkable chorten on the right at the entrance to the village) before reaching Machhermo. Throughout the day, you will have been following the Dudh Koshi River
upstream. You spend the night in Machhermo.
Day 8: Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800 m): 7 km, 4-5 hours of trekking
Leaving Machhermo, the trail climbs up a ridge offering excellent views of the Kangtaiga Valley and, above, the summit of Cho Oyu (8,153 m).
As you progress, the valley widens at a place called Phangkha, where an avalanche claimed 45 lives in 1995. The trail descends towards the river before climbing steeply to reach the moraine of the Ngazumpa Glacier. You cross the torrent via an iron bridge and the trail levels out as it runs alongside the first of a series of lakes. This lake, called Longpongo, is located at 4,690 m. Ancient llama footprints can be found in the rock.
Shortly afterwards, at the second lake called Taboche Tsho, you will discover turquoise waters in which the sun’s rays are reflected. Finally, you reach the main lake, on the shores of which lies the village of Gokyo, dominated by the Cho-Oyu mountains in the background.
After a meal in Gokyo, you explore Dudh Pokhari Lake, located upstream from Gokyo. You spend the night in Gokyo.
Day 9: Acclimatisation day, Gokyo Valley (4,800 m): climb Gokyo Ri; trek to Thangnak (5,357 m); 5-6 hours of walking
We suggest climbing to the summit of Gokyo Ri above the village of Gokyo. Arriving at the summit early in the morning, you will have a fantastic view of the entire Khumbu region.
This climb is difficult because the ascent is steep and takes 3-4 hours. The view down to the village of Gokyo, overlooked by Cholatse and framed by the gigantic Ngazumpa Glacier, is unforgettable. You can also see the surrounding peaks, such as Kusum Kanguru, Tamererku, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori.
As you climb towards the summit, this panorama gradually reveals itself, ultimately offering views of four of Nepal's seven highest mountains: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.
After the descent, we suggest visiting other lakes in the region such as Thonak Tsho, and, if there is enough time and your physical condition allows, Ngozumba Tsho Lake, from where the view of Nepal's longest glacier, Ngazumba, is breathtaking.
You will return to Gokyo and begin the crossing of the glacier, descending along it on the other side before reaching Thagnak after a short walk. There will be time to rest in preparation for the long days of high- altitude trekking that follow. You will spend the night in Thagnak.
Day 10: From Thagnak via Chola Pass (5,367 m) to Dzongla (4,860 m): 7 km, 7 to 6 hours of trekking
This will be the most challenging day of the trek. The path from Thagnak follows a rocky ravine. It runs alongside a frozen lake as it approaches the Chola Pass, which is not technically too difficult to cross, but the climb is steep. The summit of the pass itself is decorated with numerous prayer flags. The pyramidal summit of Ama Dablam dominates a row of peaks to the south. Cholatse rises to the west and Lobouche to the east, with Baruntse standing out on the right.
On the descent from Chola, the path crosses a glacier slope that will require your full attention, as the terrain is very slippery and the rocks are often covered with ice. Through a few crevasses in the mountainside, the path finally reaches the village of Dzongla, which is located on a small plateau offering a sublime panorama of the peaks of Cholatse, Ama Dablam and Lobuche. At the bottom of the valley and much lower down, you can see the village of Pheriche. You will spend the night in Dzongla.
Day 11: Dzongla to Lobuche (4,940 m), 6 km, 2-3 hours of trekking
In contrast to the difficult stage of the previous day, today’s distance will be much shorter and the elevation gain less significant. This will allow you to recover and relax while admiring the beauty of the natural surroundings.
The path descends from Dzongla and becomes a grassy trail at the foot of Lobuche Peak. It winds its way through a wide valley before reaching Lobuche. There will be time to rest, which is welcome in view of the more difficult day ahead. You will spend the night in Lobuche.
Day 12: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,170 m), visit to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m): 13 km, 6-7 hours of trekking
You will follow the direct trail to Everest Base Camp, which crosses the vast Gorak Shep lake region. As it is easy to lose your way, it is important to follow the guide carefully. The walk is tiring due to the lack of oxygen and the altitude.
You will cross rock dunes, moraines and streams before passing Gorak Shep and reaching Everest Base Camp, consisting of the multicoloured tents of expedition mountaineers that stand out against the grey backdrop of the rock fields. The peaks of Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori can be seen from the base camp. It will then be time to return to Gorak Shep.
Optional: for those who still have the physical energy, there is time to climb to the summit of Kala Pathar, which overlooks Gorak Shep and offers a unique view at sunset. The last rays of sunlight illuminate the snow-capped peaks, providing an unreal view of the surrounding mountains.
Alternatively, you can end the day directly at Gorak Shep and plan to climb Kala Pahar early the next day. You will spend the night at Gorak Shep.
Day 13: Climb to the summit of Kala Patar (5,545m); then from Gorak Shep to Kala Pherice/Dingboche (4,288m): 16 km, 7-8 hours of trekking.
For those who did not climb Kala Pathar the day before: The departure is very early in the morning, before sunrise. Temperatures are low (-10 to -14 degrees) and there is usually an icy wind.
During the climb, peaks such as Ligtren, Khumbutse and Chantse emerge on the east side and the summit of Everest comes into view with the daylight. But it is only at the very top of the summit that you can admire the 360-degree panorama and the entire view of Everest. This is an opportunity to take unforgettable photos before descending to Gorak Shep. In the afternoon, you will descend further down.
There are two route options: either via Pheriche or via Dingboche. You will spend the night in Pheriche or Dingboche.
Day 14: From Pheriche/Dingboche to Tengboche (3,800 m): 6–7 hours of trekking
The trail descends through hills covered with rhododendrons and junipers. After crossing a suspension bridge decorated with prayer flags over the Imja Khola River, you arrive at the village of Pangboche, where you can visit an old Buddhist monastery and its treasures, including a head and foot attributed to a Yeti.
The trail continues along the river and descends rapidly through a pine forest before reaching the beautiful village of Tengboche. You will leave your luggage at the lodge to attend the prayer ceremony at Tengboche Monastery. You will spend the night in Tengboche.
Day 15: Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3,400 m): 6–7 hours of trekking
The trail descends rapidly through a forest of rhododendrons and pines. It crosses the Dudhkoshi River and climbs up the other side to reach Lausasa. Along the way, you may spot colourful pheasants and mountain goats. At the village of Sansa, you can see the peaks of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Nuptse again. The trail winds its way down to Namche Bazaar, where you will spend the night.
Day 16: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,780m): 6-8 hours of trekking
The trail quickly loses altitude, and with tired feet and legs, you must be particularly vigilant and walk carefully. After crossing the Dudh Koshi River and its tributaries, the trail becomes easier. Once you arrive in Lukla, you can take a break and reflect on what you have experienced over the previous days. You will spend the night in Lukla.
Day 17: Return flight to Kathmandu
You will take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu after your long mountain trek. There will be time to rest or do some last-minute shopping. If you wish, you can also go on additional tours. Your guide will advise you on both shopping and sightseeing. A farewell dinner will be organised to celebrate the success of your trek. You will spend the night in Kathmandu.
Day 18: Departure day
Your adventure in Nepal ends here. All that remains is to exchange contact details with your fellow trekkers and organise photo exchanges. A representative from Rêve d’Himalaya Trekking will accompany you to the airport.
You should arrive at the airport approximately three hours before your flight departure time. On your return flight, you will have plenty of time to plan your next adventures in the wonderful country of Nepal!
Useful information:
Difficulty: Difficult
Hiking days: 18 jours
Season: Autumn and Spring
Ready to book your trek?
Please do not hesitate to contact me to book this trek or obtain further information!