Everest Chola Pass Trek

Detail Itinerary

Day 01Arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu/ Pick up from the airport and transfer to the HotelThe trek/tour guide or/and our airport representative holding AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES sign-board and group name-list will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and transfer you to the Hotel on our private vehicle which takes about 20 minutes from the airport. After refreshments, s/he will take you to our office based in downtown Thamel for some welcome drinks, paper works and introduction with the crew. The leader/guide will brief about the trip/ trek.

Day 02Fly to Lukla (2800m/9184ft) and Trek to Phakding (2610m/8561ft) 35 minutes flight/ 3-4 hours trekQuite early in the morning we drive to the Airport for the 35 minute scenic flight to Lukla. Upon arriving at Lukla, we meet our crew members and begin packing and arranging with them. The mountainous landscape becomes quite prominent and the air carries a crisp freshness. From Lukla, the trekking trail slowly moves towards the Cheplung Village. From there, a gradual walk downwards leads to the village of Phakding. The terrain is amazing and offers fascinating views including Khumbila and Kusum Kangaru. The village of Phakding lies in the Dudh Koshi valley north of Lukla which has a bunch of lodges, restaurants and colorful shops.

Day 03Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11283ft) 5-6 hoursWe continue trekking along the Dudh Kosi, crossing the majestic river a few times on thrilling suspension bridges decorated with colorful prayer flags. After entering the Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar is the Gateway to Everest with interesting shops, lodges, bars and bakeries.

Day 04Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazar/ Day HikeWe spend an extra night in Namche Bazaar in order to acclimatize. Today, we trek a short distance to the National Park Visitor's Center located atop the town with breathtaking views to the mountains and down the valley. After that we hike up to the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest-placed hotels in the world with oxygenated rooms. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas including the almighty Mount Everest.

Day 05Namche Bazar to Tengboche (3870m/12694ft) 5-6 hoursThe trek continues along the Dudh Kosi valley with a long descent to the Dudh-Koshi River with magnificent mountain views. After crossing a suspension bridge, we ascent through the pine and rhododendron forests to Tengboche. After refreshments, the group will be taken to observe an evening prayer ceremony inside the monastery. The Tengboche monastery if the biggest and famous monastery in the Everest region which is decorated with ornate wall hangings, 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, Buddhist religious scripts, musical instruments and robes of the Lamas.

Day 06Tengboche to Dingboche (4360m/14301ft) 4-5 hoursWe descent to Devuche through forests of birch, conifers and rhododendrons. Todays trek also reward us with amazing views of the high mountains. The picturesque trail crosses the Imja River and takes us to Pangboche. We trek towards the Imja Valley crossing the Lobuche River and climbing to Dingboche. In Dingboche, we see beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.

Day 07Acclimatization Day in Dingboche/ Day HikeTo acclimatize ourselves well before heading to the Everest base Camp we take an another acclimatization day in Dingboche. We take day hikes to either Nangkarstang peak or Chukkhung Valley depending on the interest of the group members. The mountain views from both the hikes are spectacular.

Day 08Dingboche to Lobuche (4930m/16170ft) 4-5 hoursWe start the day with a gradual climb to Thuglha at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From here, we climb up a steep trail to Chupki Lhara, where we find an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to the mountaineers who has lost their lives in the Himalayas. Then, we continue to the Khumbu Glacier moraine and find ourselves facing towards Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuche.

Day 09Lobuche to Gorakshep then to Everest Base Camp (5360m/17581ft) and back to Gorakshep (5160m/16925ft) 7-9 hoursThe hike to the Everest Base Camp is strenuous due to rocky trail and high altitude. We hike through rocky dunes and moraine to the Everest Base Camp. Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. We get back to Gorak Shep for a good night's rest. Some breathing problems may arise today due to the altitude. In such case, do not hesitate to report immediately to your leader/guide and he will take appropriate action.

Day 10Hike to Kalapattar (5545m/18188ft) then back to Gorekshep and trek down to Lobuche (4930m/16170ft) 5-6 hoursWe prepare for an early morning departure, amid pre-dawn darkness and cold temperatures. Be prepared for chilly winds which are quite common. This will be one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek. Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse tower to the east as Everest begins to reveal itself. The ascent is demanding but we get the most magnificent mountain panorama: Everest, the highest peak on earth towers straight ahead and on all sides loom the giants such as Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless others. We make a quick descent to Gorak Shep and have hot breakfast, and then trek down to Lobuche.

Day 11Lobuche to Dzongla (4830m/15842ft) 2-3 hoursToday's destination is the village of Dzongla, which is actually at a lower elevation than Lobuche. Heading south out of Lobuche we follow the EBC track until it forks approaching the top of Thukla Pass. We take the right fork and follow the ridge.
The well-defined trail curves west and offers awesome views of Cholatse (6335m/20779ft) and Taboche (6367m/20884ft). The trail is up and down and ends up descending quite a bit before eventually beginning a climb up to Dzongla.

Day 12Dzongla to Thangnag (4700m/15416ft) over Cho La (5420m/17778ft) 7-9 hoursThis could be the most challenging day of the trek as you go over the Cho La (pass). Fortunately, having already visited Everest Base Camp you should be well acclimatized and getting used to the high altitude. If there is a lot of snow the pass can be difficult. Microspikes can be very helpful if there's lots of snow. It's a tough climb to the top but the splendid views are more than worth it.

Day 13Thangnag to Gokyo (4750m/15580ft) 2-3 hoursWe continue down into the Gokyo Valley and cross the Ngozumpa glacier the longer glacier in this part of the Himalayas and an impressive sight. We should reach Gokyo by lunch. After lunch you should have time to walk up to one of the lakes in the valley and get some great views of the surrounding peaks.

Day 14Climb Gokyo Ri (5357m/17570 ft) then day hike to the Fourth Lake 7-8 hoursWe will hike to Gokyo Ri in the morning and enjoy the breathtaking views of the entire Khumbu region. As we ascend, the views become even more fantastic and we can see four of the seven highest peaks of Nepal, Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.

Later today, we hike to the fourth lake, Thonak Tsho. We take pleasure in the lake’s serene beauty after which we trek back along the retracing trail to the third lake. We may take an additional hike up to the fifth lake, Ngozumba Tsho if time permits and depending on our physical conditions. From here, the view of Ngozumba glacier, the longest glacier of the Himalayas, is so fascinating.

Day 15Gokyo to Dole (4090m/13415ft) 6-7 hoursAfter breakfast, we descend on a trail along the Dudh Koshi river passing the first Gokyo lakes. The views of Cholatse and Taboche peaks along the way are fascinating. After reaching a Chhorten (stupa) at the edge, the glimpses of Thamserku, Cho Oyu and Kangtega mountains are awe-inspiring. Walking past tiny villages of Machhermo, Luza and Lafarma, we reach Dole.

Day 16Dole to Namche Bazaar (3420m/11218ft) 5-6 hoursIn the morning, we get ready to head back to Namche. Along the trail, we spot a lot of Himalayan wildlife, waterfalls and rhododendron forests. The astonishing views of Taboche, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtega mountains are ours to admire. From Mong La, we can admire the beauty of Khumbila peak. After reaching an intersection in Sanasa, we meet EBC trail. We then follow a pleasant trail back to Namche Bazaar.

Day 17Namche Bazar to Lukla (2800m/9184ft) 6-7 hours The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk cautiously as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, the trail becomes more level and natural. After our arrival in Lukla, we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. In the evening, have a few celebratory drinks and dance with your trek mates.

Day 18Fly back to Kathmandu (1335m/4379ft) 35 minutes flightWe catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. After reaching Kathmandu, we can take a rest or do some souvenir shopping. If we want to explore any other areas of Kathmandu, we may do that today. Our guides can help you with both souvenir shopping or sightseeing. There will be a farewell dinner with Nepalese cultural program in the evening to celebrate the successful completion of our journey.

Day 19Kathmandu valley sightseeing/ UNESCO World Heritage SitesToday, we will visit three spots in Kathmandu valley of historical, cultural and religious importance which are also the UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Sites. We first visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, and observe old palaces, beautiful temples and have a quick glimpse of the Living Goddess “Kumari.” After exploring the historical, religious and cultural center on Kathmandu we will take short drive of about 20 minutes to the Swoyambhunath Stupa, which is popularly known as the Monkey’s Temple as many hundreds of monkeys hang around the temple and amuse the visitors. Monkey’s Temple is situated atop a hill which is believed to have self-existed and its hill top location provides great view down the city and also the Himalayas in a clear day. Then, we drive to another ancient town of Patan and explore its people and their art, culture, tradition and lifestyle. Observing beautifully decorated age old temples and monasteries, we may also have a chance to have a personal audience with the Patan Kumari (Living Goddess). Patan is famous for its temples, fine arts, metal works, stone & wood carvings. We can witness local artists working on their workshops. Patan used to be separate kingdom from Kathmandu and Bhaktapur and different kings ruled this ancient city until the 17th century. There has been little damages at the above sites by the recent earthquake but still beautiful and definitely worth a visit. The renovation is going on most of these sites.

Day 20Drop to the airport for farewell and departure or extend the trip with other activitiesYour adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! A representative from Authentic Adventures will drive you to the airport approximately 3 hours before your outbound flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.
However, If you have more time in Nepal and are interested in extending the trip with us, there are many options such as trekking to other regions, jungle safari, river rafting, sightseeing tour, mountain biking, adrenaline activities etc.

Photos of Everest Chola Pass Trek

Useful Info

Accommodations
You will be accommodated in a 3-4 star hotel in Kathmandu and mountain lodge/tea-houses during the trek. All accommodations are on twin-sharing basis. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional US$ 225. Authentic Adventures will arrange rooms with attached washrooms when possible; however, mountail lodges/teahouses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations during peak trekking season.

Meals
During our trek, we can enjoy authentic Nepalese food as well the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served in the lodge/teahouse where we spend the night whereas lunch will be served on the way around mid-day. All meals will be provided during trekking while only breakfast will be provided in Kathmandu. However, there will be fabolous welcome and farewell dinners for the group before and after the trek.

Physical Condition & Experience Requirements
Everest Chola Pass Trek is a moderate to strenous trek suitable for passionate walkers who have the ability to walk at least 5 to 7 hours a day with a light rucksack. In some days we might even need to walk for 7 to 9 hours. We need to cross over a high pass called Cho La (5420m/17778ft). Walking in higher altitude is more physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes; however, if we are in excellent health with average physical fitness, have a positive attitude and strong determination, we can accomplish the trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly is good idea to enhance our strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung and blood diseases should inform Authentic Adventures before booking the trek. We also recommend that you consult your doctor before the trip.

Best Months to Travel
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October and November) are the best months for this trip. Although this trip can be done throughout the year. However, during winter, the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone and during monsoon, the trails are a bit wet and the views are not always clear.

Safely Request
Your satisfaction and safety is of paramount concern while traveling with us. Please note that your leader/guide has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the original itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we are exposed to weather conditions, health condition of the crew, unexpected natural disasters etc. The leader/guide will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Domestic Flights

The Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flights are very sensitive to the weather conditions. Such conditions may arise even in the best trek seasons. Hence, in such cases, you must be prepared for long waits either at Kathmandu or Lukla airports.

We can organize Helicopter shuttles in such conditions with some extra charge, if it is available and the weather is okay for that. The helicopter charges around US$ 3500 and it can lift 4-5 persons per flight.

Any Additional Information
Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. However, if you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us by phone or email. If you want to talk to us directly feel free to call us at: 00977 98511 11907 and/or 00977 98066 00888 or email us on [email protected]. You can also video chat with us on Skype. Our Skype id is bhuwan.stha