The Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass is the “grand circle” of the Khumbu region. It eliminates the redundancy of the standard out-and-back trail. This 14-day journey is designed for trekkers who want to see beyond the standard base camp trail. By crossing the 5,420-meter Cho La Pass, you link the bustling Everest valley with the serene, turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes.
The Everest Base Camp with Cho La circuit is more than just a trek. It is an expert’s way to skip the crowded trails of the classic Everest Base Camp route. While the standard EBC trek has become a well-marked highway, the Cho La circuit takes you to the wild, western side of Sagarmatha National Park, where the landscapes feel far more raw and untouched.
Your trek begins with the standard ascent to Namche Bazaar and the spiritual heart of Tengboche. However, after the high-altitude push to Gorak Shep and Khumbu Icefall, the itinerary takes a dramatic turn. Leaving the classic EBC route and the massive crowd behind, your journey continues toward Dzongla, the gateway to Cho La Pass.
Crossing the Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters is a challenge that demands respect rather than technical mountain gear. Our guides live by the mantra bistarai-bistarai (slow pace). This is not just a saying here; it's a key to managing your heart rate and actually surviving the thinning air of the pass. On the other side, the breathtaking Gokyo Valley, Ngozumpa Glacier (the longest in the Himalayas), and the six sacred sapphire Gokyo Lakes await.
Join Nature Lovers Treks and Tours in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass slots are limited for 2026/2027. Book yours today!
Skip the monotony of the out-and-back standard EBC route. The Cho La circuit takes you on a complete mountain journey in Nepal. Experience the classic Everest Base Camp touchdown and the authentic wilderness of the Himalayas.
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a deep dive into the Khumbu region. Here are the top reasons to book this 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass adventure in 2026/2027.
Completing the Grand Circle: While most trekkers retrace their steps back down the same dusty trails they just climbed, our trek diverts to Dzongla and crosses the Cho La Pass. This ensures the majority of your journey covers entirely new ground. On the way up, you will find the vertical Khumbu and the sapphire-blue glacial lakes of Gokyo greet you on the way down.
The Big Four Panorama: While the Kala Patthar viewpoint is a conventional way to take in the close-up view of Everest, veteran guides often brag about the superior view from the 5,357-meter Gokyo Ri. From this vantage point, you will find the four 8000ers (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu) in a single frame.
A True Glacial Trek: Crossing the Cho La Pass involves a strenuous journey across the blue glaciers. Underneath your boots, you will hear the ice creaking, a sound that is reserved only for high-altitude climbers. You don’t need technical gear, but navigating the icy paths along the “living” glacier gives you a genuine sense of mountaineering.
Escaping the Human Highway: Human traffic jams along the main EBC route are quite common. By the time you reach Lobuche, you will have had enough of the constant queues of hikers and yak caravans. The beauty of the EBC with the Cho La circuit is the diversion to Dzongla. While most of the crowd head back to Pheriche, you will turn west into the silent valley where the trails are narrower, and the lodges are quieter.
Each day of your trek starts at around 6:30 AM with a sharp wake-up call and a hot mug of “Bed Tea.” In the high-altitude villages like Dzongla or Lobuche, the rooms are usually less insulated, and the tea is the only reason you will find to crawl out of your cozy sleeping bag. After tea, breakfast is served, usually consisting of a mix of porridge, eggs, or local Tibetan bread.
You will head the trail at 8:00 AM. The goal is to move before the “Zopkio” caravans take over the trails. In case a caravan passes by you, step aside and stay on the cliff side, or you risk being nudged off the edge.
Your guide lives by the mantra of “Bistarai, Bistarai” (slowly, slowly). In the 4,500+ meter altitude of the Himalayas, even the fittest of trekkers can succumb to altitude sickness if they don’t show respect to the mountains.
Lunch is served in a lodge along the trail. Try the secret weapon, a bowl of garlic soup, after the staple Dal-Bhat to keep your energy high and risks of altitude sickness low. By 3:00 PM, the piercing Himalayan chill settles in. You should aim to reach your lodge by then. Upon checking in, you will head to the dining hall and surround yourself with the central stove fueled by dried yak dung.
In the evening, your guide will perform the mandatory “Oximeter Check” after dinner. On the night before the Cho La Pass trek, the briefing is more focused.
Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass: Cost for Transportation, Permits, Guides, and Porters
The 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass is a serious commitment. It demands complex logistics as the circuit crosses the standard EBC trek, into the more remote Cho La and Gokyo Valley. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours manages all logistical arrangements, from the probable Manthali diversion to ensuring your permits for both the Everest and Gokyo sections.
Our package includes a 1-porter-per-2 trekker ratio, ensuring you can focus more on the trekking experience. While most arrangements are made in advance, we always suggest carrying extra local cash. You will spend some rupees on battery charging, the Everest Link Wi-Fi card, or the celebratory drink at one of the legendary bars in Namche Bazaar once the trek is over.
The Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass is a comprehensive journey that includes the high-altitude Cho La Pass and the pristine Gokyo Lakes. While Nature Lovers Treks and Tours delivers a seamless itinerary, we understand no two trekkers share the same rhythm at 5,000 meters.
To cater to different needs and interests, we offer a fully customizable EBC with the Cho La Pass package. With this option, you can spend extra nights at Gokyo Lakes or opt for a helicopter exit to save your knees from the grueling descent.
Discuss your interests with Nature Lovers Treks and Tours travel experts, and together we will craft an itinerary that specifically meets your goals.
Our friendly team will greet you at Kathmandu airport with a warm smile and a signboard, then transfer you comfortably to your hotel in Thamel. After check-in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore Thamel’s lively streets, colorful shops, cozy cafés, and rich Nepali atmosphere, a perfect introduction to your Himalayan adventure.
The journey begins with a thrilling flight in a Twin-Otter or Dornier to Lukla. Upon landing, a surprisingly gentle descent awaits. You will pass various Mani walls. It is customary to keep them on the right, as locals believe walking clockwise earns you merit for the journey ahead. As you reach your overnight destination of Phakding, you will cross the Dudh Koshi River. Remember, bistarai-bistarai is the mantra for a safe and successful trek.
Today’s trek includes the infamous Namche Hill. Before the climb, you will cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge. A look down from here reveals the rusted cables of the original bridge hanging below. At around halfway up the hill, your guide will point out “Top Danda.” This is a small gap in the trees that offers you the first distant glimpse of Mount Everest.
Today is the first crucial acclimatization day. This ensures your lungs adjust to the increasing altitude. As a part of this process, you will hike to the Everest View Hotel. You can ask your guide to take the hidden trail behind the military camp for a quieter ascent, away from the crowd. On the way back, you can stop at the Sherpa Culture Museum. Ensure you are well-rested to take on the demanding trails of the Khumbu region.
The trail to Tengboche takes you around the mountainside, offering stunning views of Ama Dablam. Toward Phunki Tenga, you can spot the Himalayan monal or Danphe, hiding behind the rhododendron bushes. You will reach the spiritual heart of Khumbu, Tengboche Monastery, at around 3:00 PM. This is the best time to witness the monks engage in afternoon prayers. Embrace the sound of the Dungchen longhorns resonating through the valley.
Today, you will notice the tree line fade. As you enter the high-altitude farming village of Dingboche, you will find stone walls. These ancient windbreakers are built to protect the delicate crops of barley and buckwheat from the fierce valley gust.
Today, you will hike to Nangkartshang Peak to ensure proper acclimatization. This is a steep lung-burner, but from the top, you will get clear views of Mount Everest and Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak. If you are feeling the altitude, you can try the local Vitamin C-dense sea buckthorn juice in Dingboche lodges.
The climb up the Thukla Pass takes you through the climbers’ memorial. You will see stone chortens honoring the lost lives on Everest, including the legendary Scott Fischer. Your trek takes you to a significant altitude; drink plenty of garlic soup for dinner in Lobuche. Locals swear by this magical drink as it is considered a natural remedy to thin blood, helping carry more oxygen as you move toward 5,000 meters.
In Gorak Shep, you will find yourself on a frozen lake bed. Here, you will drop your main duffel and take only your essentials as you follow the crest of Khumbu Glacier to the legendary Everest Base Camp. In EBC, you will see expedition camps and hear the deep groaning of the glacial ice shifting beneath the rock. It is a chilling reminder that you are standing on a moving river of ice.
The hike to Kala Patthar takes place before dawn. You will reach the summit, the pinnacle of your trek, just before sunrise. Enjoy the majestic sunrise before continuing west toward Dzongla. The trail is quieter and takes you in the shadow of the massive north face of Cholatse.
Today’s trek is the most technical part of the 14-day journey. You will leave your hotel at 4:00 AM to cross the Cho La glacier. You will need to cross the pass before the sun warms the ice, making it mushy and slippery.
Navigate the trails with great caution, and watch for black ice on the rock scramble just before the summit. From the Cho La Pass summit, you will descend into the Gokyo Valley, catching the first glimpse of the Gokyo Third Lake. The lake is known to change colors from milky blue to sapphire depending on the sun’s angle.
Compared to Kala Patthar, the view from Gokyo Ri is considered far more breathtaking. You can view four 8000-meter peaks in a single frame. After the Gokyo Ri summit, you can opt for a side-trek to Gokyo Fifth Lake (Scaum Pokhari) or Ngozumpa Tsho. This is a quiet and isolated destination. From here, you can directly look at the longest Himalayan glacier.
Leaving the pristine lakes behind, your journey continues to Mong La. This quaint village is the birthplace of Lama Sange Dorje, the patron saint of the Khumbu. From Mong La, you will find a perfect alignment of the chorten on the ridge with Ama Dablam. This is considered the most balanced photo spot in the entire region.
Prepare for a long day of descent to Lukla. You will cross the Jorsalle checkpoint, where the reality of completing the trek starts to set in. To reach Lukla, you will take on a final 45-minute climb. This climb is surprisingly tough on tired legs.
Complete your Himalayan adventure in Lukla with celebratory drinks. Locally, it's tradition to share a 'farewell' snack or drink in Lukla to celebrate the bond formed on the trail.
You will board the earliest flight possible to Kathmandu. Enjoy the final views of the jagged Himalayas as you enter the bustling capital. Pro tip: Try to sit on the right-hand side to enjoy the Himalayan panorama.
Upon landing in Kathmandu, you will find our representative who will transfer you to your hotel.
At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Our team will ensure a smooth and timely transfer, marking the end of your journey with us and wishing you a safe onward travel.
Ask any Sherpa or trekker who has completed the Cho La circuit lately, and they will tell you the mountain is literally shifting under our feet. Planning the EBC Trek with Cho La and Gokyo Lakes is a matter of science.
In recent years, the Himalayas have been experiencing monsoon slipping into late September, turning the glacier into a slushy, unpredictable challenge. The post-monsoon autumn months (October and November) are still the golden period for capturing the panoramic mountain views. By October, the lingering rains have passed, and the ice along the high-altitude passes is firm enough for a steady grip.
Spring (March to May) offers stunning views of rhododendron blossoms in the lower regions. But watch out for rockfall zones near Dzongla, as the rapid melt makes the region increasingly prone to rockfall.
To complete the trek safely in 2026/2027, you need to trust your guide’s experience and carefully follow their instructions, especially in high-risk zones.
The Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass is a significant step up from the standard EBC trek. Crossing the 5,420-meter Cho La Pass is the most demanding stretch of this journey. Though not technical (no technical gear needed), you will navigate over loose rock in high altitude regions.
Overall, the journey is a serious challenge, requiring 7–8 hours of daily treks. The real challenge is the fatigue of living at over 4,000 meters for days, making the Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass suitable for trekkers with strong endurance and mental resilience.
The 14-day Everest Base Camp and Cho La Pass is an all-inclusive trek built for experienced trekkers looking for challenges beyond the standard trails. This trek is specially suited for:
Here is a comprehensive list of gear and equipment for the 14-Day Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La Pass.
