Punam Phuyal
Cho La pass is one of the highest passes in the Everest region, situated at 5,420 meters (17,782 feet) above sea level. It is a popular trekking destination connecting Gokyo Lake to the Everest base camp. The mesmerizing beauty of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Gokyo peak, and many more peaks of the 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.
Interesting facts about Cho La Pass
Trekking to Cho La Pass has two routes. We can choose clockwise or anticlockwise routes via the Everest base camp.
The clockwise route from Gokyo Valley covers the 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 |
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 |
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, steep trail is challenging both while ascending and descending.
The route to Cho la pass is relatively more difficult while descending from Gokyo valley than ascending from Lobuche valley. Therefore, it is always best to take an anticlockwise route to Cho La pass for making the trek easier.
The difference between Cho La Pass and Renjo La Pass is:
| 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.
Two permits are required for the Everest Cho La Pass Trek:
Cho La Pass is the highest pass of the 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 hospitality are worth it. If you more adventure and a challenging trek in the Khumbu Valley, then we suggest you do the Everest Three Passes trek.
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