Everest Chola Pass Trek

When your flight lands and you arrive at the arrival gate, our team member from Nepal Hiking Team (NHT) will receive you. You will be transferred to a hotel and explained about your trip and itinerary on the same day of arrival.

Your day begins with an adventurous flight to Lukla in the morning. It will take off either from Kathmandu Domestic Airport or Manthali Airport, Ramechhap depending upon the season you’re travelling. After landing, you’ll trek to Phakding and stay overnight there.

We follow the Dudh Kosi, ascending through Himalayan pine and Doedar cedar forests, to the famous village of Namche Bazaar. The village of Namche is a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchange salt, dried meat, and textiles.

Besides being a superb place to shop for traditional crafts, Namche remains the central trading post in Khumbu, attracting Himalayan and lowland merchants. You will spend two days in Namche for acclimatization, visit local markets and spend time with your team. We capture our first glimpses of Everest and neighboring peaks on the hike.

This is a day for acclimatization; we will hike to Syangboche Airport (3700m), the supposed to be the highest airport in the world. Then continue climbing to Everest View Hotel -3900m, for great panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam, Tawache, etc. On the way back, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery.

The flat and easy trail leads towards the view of Mt. Everest, then descends deep into the Dudh Kosi Valley at Pungki Thanka; from here it ascends the right flank of the Dudh Kosi valley to Tengboche Monastery (3860m). It is the spiritual center of the Khumbu; the climb is long, but more than adequately compensated by views of Mt. Amadablam and on a clear day, views of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks.

On your second acclimatization day, after breakfast, you'll embark on a 6-hour trek to an altitude of 5100m. Your destination is Nangkartshang Peak, a hill situated above Dingboche in the Chhukung Valley.

The strategy for the day is to climb high and sleep low. The path may get steep at times, making this a tough physical challenge. It might take up to 5 hours to ascend the hill at this altitude.

From the top, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of Lobuche East, Lobuche West, Taboche Peak, Thamserku, Kangtega, and the majestic Ama Dablam. On a clear day, you might also catch a glimpse of Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain, along with expansive views of the Pheriche Valley.

After spending some time at the summit, you'll head back down to Dingboche, a descent that takes about 2 hours. Once back, lunch followed by a well-deserved rest awaits you, especially as the afternoon temperature can drop quickly once the sun begins to set behind the mountains. You'll then spend another night in Dingboche, resting up for the days ahead.

Trek along a broad valley floor to Dughla, passing the Trekkers Aid Post at Pheriche (4240 m), staffed by western volunteer doctors and supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association which offers treatment and consultation to trekkers. Continue up the valley, gaining altitude. Come out of the valley to descend to the yak pastures of Lobuche.

After a short climb through meadows, look down on the Khumbu Glacier. Straight ahead is Kalapattar - the best vantage point to view the entire south face and the surrounding peaks. After a couple of hours, we will get to Gorekshep and continue our journey to Everest Base Camp.

There is not much elevation gain, but there are a lot of ups and downs, and, combined with altitude, this can be a tiring portion- but the journey is worth it. After approximately 3 hrs of hiking, you will arrive at Base Camp and enjoy views of the Khumbu Glacier and icefall, where Everest expeditions begin.

You will start your day with an early hike to Kalapattar (5,545m/18,188ft), offering unparalleled views of Mt. Everest and the vast Himalayas. Following this, you'll return to Gorekshep for a hearty breakfast, then make your descent to Dzongla, continuing your journey through breathtaking landscapes and cultural richness.

You will start your day with an energizing climb, moving across the rugged terrain as you head through the majestic Chola Pass. After reaching the top, you'll start going down towards Thangna, a journey that, although slow and challenging, offers beautiful landscapes and a great sense of achievement. Your adventure for the day ends with an overnight stay in Thangna, allowing you to rest, think about the day's journey, and refresh in the peaceful beauty of the Himalayas.

Note: Crossing the Chola Pass is not advisable during winter, as heavy snow can make the path treacherous. It's wise to carry microspikes for better grip during the colder or slippery sections of the trek.

We begin our trek to Gokyo Lake, crossing the vast expanse of the Ngozumpa Glacier, renowned as the largest glacier in the Himalayas, stretching over 36 kilometers in length. As we reach Gokyo village, situated beside the enchanting third lake, we are greeted by the awe-inspiring presence of Cho-Oyu Mountain towering in the background, creating an incredible, breathtaking panorama at this juncture.

Following lunch, there's an opportunity for you to explore the serene beauty of Lake Dudh Pokhari, adding another layer of wonder to this remarkable adventure.

You will set off before breakfast for the hike to Gokyo Ri, tackling a steep and demanding climb that takes about 3 to 4 hours.

Upon reaching the summit, you're greeted with an unparalleled view that not only showcases the picturesque Gokyo Valley, the serene Gokyo Lake, and the vast expanse of the Glacier together but also surrounds you with a majestic lineup of Himalayan peaks, meticulously arranged from the smaller to the grander. Starting with the smaller yet impressive Kusum Kanguru, the panorama extends to Thamserku, Taboche, Cholatse, Kangtega, K 43, Pumori, Changtse, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, and culminates with the towering Everest. This sweeping view offers a spectacular visual feast, epitomizing the grandeur and beauty of the Himalayas in a memorable morning spectacle.

After you’ve been mesmerized by everything, you trek down to Gokyo, and after breakfast, you can trek to Dole.

After your night at Dole, you descend to Phorste Tenga and then climb a steep hill to Mong-la Danda. After ascending that steep climb, we descend again to Kyangjuma which has a more accessible trail to Namche. 

Arriving in Namche Bazaar after several nights in the remote wilderness feels like a warm embrace, a bustling hub where the comforts of civilization blend perfectly with the rugged beauty of the Himalayas. It's a refreshing experience, where the sense of achievement from your trek is matched only by the welcoming smiles and the cozy atmosphere of this mountain sanctuary.

After our trek from Namche along the Dudh Kosi River, we reach the mountain airstrip at Lukla, where our journey back to Kathmandu begins.

We'll spend one last night in Lukla, soaking in the final moments of our adventure. The following day, as we prepare to fly back to Kathmandu, we share heartfelt goodbyes with our guide and Sherpa team, thanking them for their invaluable assistance and companionship that made our trip truly remarkable. These moments of farewell are rich with gratitude, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences we've shared. 

We will fly to Ramechhap and then take a four-hour drive to Kathmandu, or we may fly directly back to Kathmandu, depending on the time of our travel.

Approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a representative from the Nepal Hiking Team will take you to the airport.

Important Note: We recommend including one day for jet lag recovery and a buffer day in Kathmandu for flight issues to/from Lukla.  This will help ensure a smoother experience. We offer guided tours if you are intrested, either before or after your trek.