Cho La Pass is one of Nepal most famous trek in Everest region, set amongst breath-taking high mountain scenery, through the Khumbu - Sherpa country. The new itinerary through the Renjo (5345m), Cho La (5420m) and Kongma La (5535m) Passes accentuates the alpine aspect of the trek. It provides the opportunity to trek less frequented routes. After a magnificent mountain flight to Lukla we follow the Dudh Kosi valley to Namche Bazaar. The Renjo Pass (5345 m) route is off the usual beaten track. At the pass, a great view of the Gokyo lakes on one side, the Rermo Pokhari lakes on the other side, and a myriad of snowy peaks in the background provides this incredible atmosphere. From Gokyo village we climb Gokyo Peak (5480m) and enjoy stunning summit mountain scenery including Everest, Makalu and Cho Oyo. From Gokyo we follow a trail over Cho la pass and reach Lobuche . After the ascent of Kala Pattar (5545m) and the impressive up-close view of Everest, our return route passes through Tengboche, a magnificent location with a fascinating monastery. We rest here and savor the incredible scenery, including magnificent views of Everest, Ama Dablam (6856m), Kantega (6809m), Kwangde (6194m), Nuptse (7879m), and Lhotse (8511m). Please follow the day wise itinerary details as given below:
Max. Altitude:
5545m.
Trip Duration:
22 days
Trek Grade:
Moderate Plus
Activities:
Trekking + Tour
Accommodation:
Teahouse (Lodge to Lodge)
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Transportation:
Car / Van / Plane
Trek Departure:
Every day throughout the week
Group Size:
1 (minimum)
Best Time:
Jan, Feb, March, April, May, Oct, Nov, Dec.
» Tentative Itinerary Details:
Day 01: Meet upon arrival at Kathmandu airport by GTE, representative and transfer to hotel. After getting refreshed, proceed for walking tour to Kathmandu Durbar square visiting, ancient palace, living goddess temple Kumari temple, Hanuman Dhoka and Kastamandap temple. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu. Day 02:Kathmandu to Phakding: (2840m):
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla where the trek starts. Initially the trail descends steadily along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, passing Sherpa villages and Mani stones before reaching Phakding for an overnight stay. Day 03::Phakding to Namche Bazaar: (3,440m):
The trail ascends gradually towards Jorsalle, crossing suspension bridges over the Dudhkoshi River before arriving at the entrance gate to the national park. After crossing three more bridges the trail ascends through the alpine and rhododendron forest. Here it is possible to see deer and wild birds on the way before the trail ends at Namche Bazaar.
Day 04:Namche Bazaar to Phortse Tanga: (3680m):
From Namche climb the hill to Khumjung and descend west of the village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Koshi. Here there is a choice of routes, the Yak trail which climbs gently, but traverses a long distance around the ridge, or the steep staircase-like trail made of rocks embedded in the narrow cleft of a large boulder. The two trails soon rejoin and continue towards a large chorten on the ridge top at 3973m. This ridge descends from Khumbila. From the ridge at Mong the trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudhkoshi. After crossing the bridge you will reach Phortse, a small Sherpa village. Day 05:PhortseTanga to Dole: The trail climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forest, which gives way to fragrant stands of Juniper and large conifers at higher elevations. The route passes through the settlements of Tonga and Gyele (3960m) to Dole (pronounced doe-lay). The views of Khumbila and Tawachee (6542m) are tremendous throughout the day. Day 06:Dole to Machhermo: (4470m):
From Dole the trail climbs via Lhabarma at 4220m to Luza at 4360m. The path is steep in most places as it climbs through scrub to Lhabarma. The track continues to climb along the side of the valley high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to reach Machermo at 4410m. It was in Machermo in 1974 that one of the first Yeti sightings weas reported in Khumbu. There are three hotels and good mountain views in Machhermo Day 07:Machhermo to Gokyo: (4790m):
Beyond Machhermo the trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kantega and up towards Cho-Oyu (8153m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangram at 4390m. We descend to the river bank before beginning the climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. It is a steep climb on the moraine. Afterwards the trail levels out as it follows the valley past a second lake, known as Longponga at 4690m, then finally up a boulder-strewn path to Gokyo at 4,750m. Day 08:Rest day at Gokyo: Day 09:Gokyo to Chola Pass-Dzongla: (5420m):
The trail descends from Goykyo, passing the second lake. About halfway between the first and second lakes a trail leads across the moraine to the east and the Cho-La pass (Chhugyuma) at 5,420m. The pass is not difficult but it is steep and involves a glacier traverse on the eastern side. It takes 3 days from Gokyo to Lobuche on this high altitude route. Day 10:Dzongla to Lobuche: (4910m):
Continue along the moraine of the glacier, with views of Kalapathar and Pumori, before reaching Lobuche at (4910m) for your evening stay. This is the last stop before the climb to the base camp the next day. It is simportant to take the time to rest and acclimatize for this unforgettable day Day 11:Lobuche to Kalapathar and Gorakshep: (5140m):
This trail gives a good view of Pumori and there are beautiful views of the Everest group from Gorakshep and Kalapathar Day 12:Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp-Lobuche: (5316m):
Everest Base Camp is the main camp for mountaineers attempting the mountain, situated at an elevation of 5252m. Trekkers feel understandably great satisfaction in reaching here as the Everest Base Camp is not only full of history but breathtakingly dramatic, perched at the foot of the infamous Khumbu icefalls Day 13:Lobuche to Pangboche: (3930m):
we retrace our steps to Duglha then go straight up the hill from the bridge to reach an upper trail. Staying high above the valley floor, we pass the yak pasture at Dusa to a chorten at the head of the Imja valley. Day 14:Pangboche to Namche: (3860m):
The trail descends the Imja Khola valley then crosses the Khumbu River. Following the trail downhill it is easy to make a detour and visit of Tengboche monastery Continue to Namache for the night
Day 15:Namche to Lukla
It's a long walk from Namche to Lukla. . Day 16:Lukla to Kathmandu: The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu takes approximately 35 minutes and free day.
Day 17: After breakfast drive to Bhaktapur also known as the City of Devotees for sight seeing tour. Lunch in Bhaktapur and later drive back to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 18: Free till departure and later transfer to the International Airport.
Price Included and Excluded
Trip Cost Includes:
- Airport pick up & drop by Ghale Treks and Tours Private Vehicle.
- A Professional Tour/Trekking guide
- One porter each two clients in tea-house trek, required cook, trek crews & porters in tent trek
- Insurance, lodging, food & allowance to your trek crews
- Tent & mattress for tent and camping trekking
- All meals as per itinerary
- Land transportation as per itinerary
- All accommodation as per itinerary
- Trekking Permit, TIMS, National Park / Conservation Entry Fees.
- Domestic Flight Ticket as per itinerary.
- All applicable taxes and service charges of Ghale Treks and Tours.
- Farewell Dinner at Nepali Cultural dance restaurant. Excluded:
- International Airfares and airport departure taxes as applicable.
- The cost of personal items like laundry & all kind of soft & hard drinks
- Optional excursions
- Cost of visas, travel insurance
- Tips
- Gratuities for services provided on a personal basis
- The single supplement payable on all bookings where only one person is traveling
- All others except committed to provide in ‘cost included’ section above.
Prepare
In addition to obvious items such as hiking boots, warm clothing, UV sunblock etc., here is list of things that you might not have considered taking along, but that can greatly enhance the quality and comfort of your journey.
Soft and light shoes (sneakers or kung-fu shoes are perfect) - after a long hike in inflexible hiking boots, you will be extremely happy to have some light and soft footwear to to wear around the lodge or in the village.
Lightweight knapsack - this is very useful for short trips away from your lodge, and will save you having to lug your large backpack along. It should be big enough for your camera and a change of clothes and sleeping bag, if you plan to spend a night away.
Lightweight sleeping bag - as most (all?) lodges can offer you blankets, a light sleeping bag should be sufficient for the journey. Taking a light bag will save you valuable space in your backpack.
Fabric bandaids - blisters on the feet can turn a wonderful walk into a hell. Bandaids (sticking plasters) should be immediately applied to any area of the foot that there is irritation and friction - don't wait for the blister to develop before doing this. However, only fabric made bandaids will stick to a sweaty foot. Others (even those that claim to be water-proof) will fall off in minutes. A good alternative to bandaids is duct tape. Works great for blisters and also proves invaluable in many other ways.
Personal First Aid and Emergency Gear -
First aid kit with moleskin and bandages designed to cover blisters
Sunscreen lotion.
Energy snacks. So many different types are available buy a variety and sample them to learn which brand gives you the biggest boost.
An emergency kit in case you get lost. Include a whistle, compass, space blanket, string, duct tape, matches and iodine tablets.
Flashlight and extra batteries
Binoculars
Knife
Extra pair of prescription glasses
Bug Repellent
Are You in Good Enough Shape?- You may walk a mile or two on pavement comfortably, but can you walk four or five miles a day ? or more? on varied terrain without collapsing on the couch for the rest of the afternoon? Once you've chosen a trip, Ghale Treks and Tours will inform you, what level of physical fitness you should be at to take the trip. Then, create a plan to ensure you are ready physically.
Ways to Get in Shape for Walking and Hiking - For many trips it's okay to start your training a month or two before you leave for vacation. Spending time at the gym working with weights and on a treadmill, StairMaster or stationary bike is one route. Supplement the training with long walks or hikes on weekends, preferably on dirt trails instead of pavement. Jogging on toughens you up and increase your agility and stamina.
Bring the Right Pack - Bring a pack that fits your body comfortably? whether it's a day pack to hold your water bottle, snacks, sunscreen lotion and jacket ? or a pack designed to hold enough gear for a multi-day hike through the mountains.
Hints:
Travel time from September to May (but not June/July/August, because then it is rainy-monsoon season in Nepal)
After every meal (three times a day), tea/coffee will be served during the trekking. Apart from this, every morning we provide clients with either boiled water or soft black tea to carry with them on their Thermos Bottle. For the supplement of extra drinks, clients have to buy mineral water themselves which is available at all places.
Recommended equipment list: sleeping bag, a warm jacket, good trekking shoes, sunglasses/sun cream, an insulated bottle for hot drinks and basic medicines.
Maximum luggage weight 20 kg per person.
There are always 1 or 2 additional porters with the crew who take care of clients who get sick or unable to even carry their daily private luggage.
Shower possibilities every 3-4 days during the trek but the cost in not included at trip, no laundry service available.
A prepayment of 30 % has to be paid directly after reconfirmation at our company bank account. Final payment becomes upon arrival in Kathmandu before starting date of the tour.