Cho La Pass
Punam Phuyal
Cho La pass is one of the highest passes located at 5420 meters above sea level. It is a popular trekking destination that enroutes Gokyo lake via Everest base camp. The mesmerizing beauty of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Gokyo peak and many more peaks of Mahalangur range are great to explore from Cho La.
The distance between Everest base camp and Cho La pass is around 17 km. We can continue the trek towards Cho La Pass after reaching the Everest base camp. Three passes trek, Gokyo Cho La pass trek are the two trekking that includes Cho la in Everest region trekking.
Interesting facts about Cho la pass
- One of the highest passes in Everest region at 5420 m
- Snowy landscapes
- Ice crevaces
- Viewpoint of Mount Everest, Gokyo peak, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Lobuche East and Baruntse
- Linking point between EBC and Gokyo Lakes.
- Adventurous trekking route
Route to Cho La Pass
Trekking to Cho La Pass has two routes. We can choose clockwise or anticlockwise routes via Everest base camp.
1. Clockwise route from Gokyo valley
The clockwise route from Gokyo valley covers same trekking route from Lukla to Namche and diverts towards Dole and reaches Gokyo lake. From Gokyo, the route descends to Cho La pass, Thangnak, Dzongla and Lobuche.
The brief itinerary of Cho La pass via Gokyo valley
| Days | trekking |
| Day 1 | Lukla to Phakding |
| Day 2 | Phakding to Namche |
| Day 3 | Rest in Namche |
| Day 4 | Namche to Dole |
| Day 5 | Dole to Machherma |
| Day 6 | Machherma to Gokyo valley |
| Day 7 | Gokyo valley to Cho La pass to Thangnak |
| Day 8 | Thangnak to Dzongla |
| Day 9 | Dzongla to Lobuche |
| Day 10 | Lobuche to Gorekshep to Everest base camp |
| Day 11 | Gorekshep to Pheriche |
| Day 12 | Pheriche to Namche |
| Day 13 | Namche to Lukla |
2. Anticlockwise route from Everest base camp
We can use the anticlockwise route to Cho La Pass by covering the entire trek to base camp of Mount Everest. After reaching base camp we should descend to Lobuche and ascend to Dzongla. It takes around two hours to reach Cho La pass from Dzongla.
The brief itinerary of Cho La pass via EBC
| Days | trekking |
| Day 1 | Lukla to Phakding |
| Day 2 | Phakding to Namche |
| Day 3 | Rest in Namche |
| Day 4 | Namche to Tengboche |
| Day 5 | Tengboche to Dingboche |
| Day 6 | Rest day in Dingboche |
| Day 7 | Dingboche to Lobuche |
| Day 8 | Lobuche to Gorekshep to Everest base camp |
| Day 9 | Gorekshep to Dzongla |
| Day 10 | Dzongla to Cho La pass to Thangnak |
| Day 11 | Thangnak to Gokyo valley |
| Day 12 | Gokyo valley to Dole |
| Day 13 | Dole to Namche |
| Day 14 | Namche to Lukla |
How hard is Cho La pass?
Cho La pass is moderately difficult with its snowy and fragile landscape. The trekking route from Dzongla to Cho La Pass is relatively difficult. It takes around two hours to reach Cho La pass from Dzongla. The rocky steepy trail is challenging both while ascending and descending.
The route to Cho la pass is relatively difficult while descending from Gokyo valley than ascending from Lobuche valley. Therefore, it is always best to anticlockwise route to Cho La pass for making the trek easier.
What is the difference between Cho La pass and Renjo La pass?
The difference between Cho la pass and Renjo La pass are:
| Difference | Cho La pass | Renjo La pass |
| Altitude | 5420 m | 5360 m |
| Distance from Gokyo lake | 7 km | 13 km |
| Difficulty level | Moderate to difficult | moderate |
| Mountain views | Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche and Makalu | Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu |
| Trekking duration from Lukla | 10 days from Lukla via EBC | 12 days from Lukla via EBC |
Both Renjo La pass and Cho La pass are amazing trekking destinations that let us to explore mountains and enjoy the adventurous trail of Everest region. Trekking to Renjo La Pass is relatively easy as compared to the go through Cho la pass.
Permits for Cho La pass
Two permits are required for Cho La pass:
- Khmbhu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- Sagarmatha national park permit
Cho La pass conclusions:
Cho la pass is highest pass of Khumbu region where trekkers can experience three best destinations: Everest base camp, Gokyo lake and Cho La. It takes 14 days to complete walking distance from Lukla to Cho La and return to Lukla. The mountain views, trekking trail and Sherpa’s hospitality worth it.
