Gokyo Cho la Pass

The Gokyo Valley Cho La Pass trek is an adventurous trek in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It offers an exploration of Gokyo lakes [1st—Longpunga Lake, 2nd—Taujung Lake, and 3rd—Gokyo Lake (Dhud Pokhari)], Gokyo Ri, Cho La pass, Everest base camp, and Kalapatther, the hidden treasure of the Everest region.

The total trip is 17 nights and 18 days long. The Gokyo Cho la pass comprises 3 nights and 4 days in Kathmandu (arrival day, Kathmandu day tour - 2nd day and second-to-last day after returning from Lukla, and last day, departure day). The rest of the 14 nights and 14 days will be in trekking sites in the Khumbu region.

The difficulty range of the Gokyo Cho La Pass trek is high, as you have to face extreme temperatures, rocky off-roads, snow-covered crevices, and a windy atmosphere. Although the weather and landscape remain challenging, the services of accommodation at such a high elevation remain very supportive. You will not spend any nights in tents. All days and nights will be facilitated with good food and warm rooms for a night's stay.

Why This Trek Stands Apart

This is a combined trek to Cho La Pass and Everest Base Camp. It is a complete package to explore the mind-blowing view of the Khumbu region from two routes. This route involves clockwise and anticlockwise directions to the Everest South Base Camp.This dual-route approach provides:

• Clockwise Route: Namche Bazaar → Dole → Machhermo → Gokyo Village → Thagnak → Dzongla → Lobuche → Everest Base Camp
• Anticlockwise Route: Tengboche → Dingboche → Lobuche → Gorekshep → Everest Base Camp → Cho La Pass → Gokyo Valley → Namche Bazaar

Both clockwise and anticlockwise routes make Gokyo Lake a major destination. It is the best trek for nature lovers. The trekkers who want to enjoy their holidays in a less crowded environment in the highlands,  then Gokyo Cho La is an excellent choice. You will get amazing experiences with the Gokyo environment and EBC trekking. 

Services and Facilities on the Gokyo Chola Pass and EBC Trek

Accommodation

Tea houses with clean rooms and good food are available. The attached bathroom is found at Namche Bazaar. Above Namche Bazaar, the bathroom will be a bit far from the room. You will get a twin-sharing room.

Food

A variety of food items are available. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the package. Generally, Nepali food, Chinese food, and Indian food are common. For breakfast, you will commonly have tea, coffee, bread, egg items, porridge, pasta, curry, fruits, etc. on the menu. Similarly, Nepali thali (rice, lentil, curry, pickles, and pappad), MO:MO, chowmein, pasta, pizza, etc. are found for lunch and dinner. We suggest you eat veg items to maintain your health.

Drinks

Soft drinks include tea, coffee, milkshake, cane juice, and hot lemon. Don’t think about taking hard drinks before completing the trek. You will be unable to walk at high altitudes in case you drink hard drinks.

Charging gadgets

You can charge your gadget in the dining hall of tea houses. Your bedroom will not be facilitated for charging gadgets. Even you should pay around $5 for charging each gadget. Some tea houses may charge per hour of charging.

Shower

You will get the facility of a hot shower in all tea houses but have to pay around $5 extra.

Mobile tower

The mobile tower is available in EBC and places until Dingboche on the 6th day of the trip. Wi-Fi is available in all tea houses. You should buy a data card for using Wi-Fi.

Alternative Route: Everest Base Camp, then ChoLa Pass and Gokyo Lake

We are delighted to offer this itinerary to trekkers who wish to embark on the challenging journey of Everest Base Camp and Cho La Pass. Our trek begins by first reaching Everest Base Camp through the Dingboche side. Afterwards, we will venture through the Cho La Pass and make our way to the magnificent Gokyo Lake.

Transportation

A private car or taxi will be available to reach the hotel from the airport and vice versa. We will reach Lukla on a mountain flight from Kathmandu and do the same while returning as well. From Lukla, the entire trek is done on foot. In case any emergency arises, we may do a helicopter tour or return in Heli as an option.

Visa

You can come to Nepal on a tourist visa. If there come any difficulties arise, you can take a visa at Tribhuvan International Airport. For the Gokyo Cho La pass trek, you should take a visa of 1 month because a 15-day visa will be insufficient.

Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek Difficulty: What to Expect

Gokyo Cho La pass difficulties are comparable to the classic Everest base camp trek difficulty. Eventually, the trek is moderate, but altitude sickness and the difficult route from Thangnak to Dzongla via Cho La Pass are the major difficulties. The high elevation, low atmospheric oxygen, and reduced air pressure can be fatal to unprepared trekkers. 

How to minimize the difficulty of the Gokyo Cho La pass and Everest Base Camp trek?

The difficulty of trekking due to uphills and rocky trails cannot be minimized. All we can do is apply precautions for altitude sickness. The healthy or strong trekkers can also be victims of altitude mountain sickness. So, everyone, including guides and potters, should be aware of their changing health conditions. 

Essential Tips for a Successful Gokyo Valley Adventure

• Drink plenty of water to be safe from dehydration.
• Take garlic soup in case of a headache
• Walk slowly from the beginning of the trek.
• Acclimatize properly in Namche or Khumjung and Dingboche while using a clockwise direction to base camp.
• Using Dimox tablets after a good consultation with a physician
• Best preparation of trek to Everest region
• Take rest and sleep properly

Gokyo Cho La Pass vs. Everest Base Camp Trek: Comprehensive Comparison

The Everest Base Camp trek is part of the Gokyo Cho La pass. The adventurous journey to the base camp of the highest peak in the world is incomparable with any trekking, even though we tend to differentiate the major variation between these two outstanding treks in the Everest region. 

Gokyo Cho La pass vs. Everest base camp trek

The table above illustrates that Gokyo Cho La pass is two days longer than EBC trek. Cho La pass is in higher altitude than base camp. The trekking route is less crowdy to Gokyo Cho La pass than EBC. The mountain views are same but wider, and more peaks are visible from Gokyo Ri. 

General clothing is recommended.

• Warm jacket—down jacket,
• Water and windproof jacket (alternatively, bring a poncho or umbrella)
• Long-sleeved synthetic fleece (windproof material, if possible)
• Thermal underwear.
• Hat, a pair of gloves, and a scarf.
• Comfortable hiking trousers. (loose-fitting)
• Shorts and trousers, or a skirt.
• 2 pairs of warm wool-blend socks.
• 2 pairs of running socks or liner socks.
• Proper hiking boots.
• Running shoes and flip-flops.
• 2-3 T-shirts.
• Water bottle.

Altitude Sickness

This is a kind of illness that is caused by ascent to high altitudes. The symptoms will occur within 6 to 24 hours of achieving a high altitude. Altitude sickness is fatal and can result in death if not treated in time. You need to stay alert to any of the symptoms that occur.

Symptoms

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Upset stomach
• Feeling unsteady
• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Difficulty sleeping

An effective measure to recover from early AMS

If you happen to notice any of the symptoms, follow the guideline mentioned below:

• Do not climb any higher for the next 48 hours.
• Descend to a lower altitude if possible
• Take complete rest until you feel well.
• Do not exercise
• Do not smoke.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Take an external oxygen supply if necessary
• Take anti-sickness medicines

If you see no improvement in your health within 48 hours, you will have to be immediately deported to the city for medical support.

Preventive Measures

There is no way to train your body before trekking to adapt to the high altitude. Some ways in which you can prevent it are as follows:

• Take plenty of rest
• Ascend slowly and gradually as you reach higher.
• Keep yourself hydrated.
• Eat high-calorie food
• Do not smoke, drink, or consume tranquilizing medicines.

Permits for the Gokyo Valley, Cho La Pass and EBC trek

Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lamu Rural Municipality entrance fees are required permits. Each permit costs 3000 NPR. 

Insurance

During times of emergencies like acute altitude sickness or a natural calamity, you might have to be immediately evacuated in a helicopter. Health insurance will cover the cost of such deportation. Thus, we should purchase the travel insurance before starting the trek.

Trekking option

• Solo trekking with a private guide and porter.
• Trekking with the Only Guide.
• Trekking with Guide and Porter.
• Trekking in a group with a guide & porter

Important Note:

• You have to send us your passport copy to book a flight to Lukla.
• You must have Insurance, which covers evacuation.
• We use the mountain flight, so sometimes it may be cancelled due to bad weather. In such conditions, we will change your plan for the next day.
• You will not get a luxury hotel on the trail. So you have to adjust whatever you get, but we promise you that we will prioritize a clean room.
• Please carry your valuable things with you; don’t put them in a porter bag.
• Before taking the photographs, you should get permission.
• Avoid bargaining.

Beyond the Trek: Bungee Jumping, Heli Tours, and Peak Climbing

Along with trekking, we can do different other activities in Everest region, such as bungee jumping, Heli tours, and peak climbing.

Everest bungee jump

We can do the Everest bungee jump on the way to Namche from Phakding or returning to Lukla from Namche. The Hillary suspension bridge offers bungee jumping for trekkers. We can enjoy the adventure from the highest bridge (2885 m above sea level).

Heli tour

Heli tour is the best option for those who cannot walk the long trekking route from Lukla to the base camp of Everest, Cho La Pass, and Gokyo. Trekkers can walk to the final destination and return via helicopter as well. 

Peak climbing in the Everest Region

Along with trekking, the Everest region offers different types of peak climbing: Island Peak climbing, Lobuche East peak climbing, and Mera Peak climbing. After reaching the final destination of the trek, we can do peak climbing, which lasts not more than one day. These peaks offer less technical climbing and give the best experience for expeditions.

Trip Booking Proceed 

Booking

Booking your trek prior to your arrival in Nepal will allow time for permits to be issued and questions to be answered and will make the process a lot easier for you.

Payment

When booking one of our tours, you must provide 20% of the cost up front in order to reserve your trip date. The remainder of the cost can be paid later, upon arrival in Kathmandu.

Cancellation Policy

It is a rare occurrence that we should have to cancel a trip on our end, initiated by Mission Summit Treks. However, if so, we will notify you at the earliest possible time and will refund your trip deposit 100%, but there is no compensation policy at this time. In case are cancelling your trip, for whatever reason, there are a few policies to be aware of. -One month prior to the trip, 70% of trip deposit is refundable. -25 days prior to the trip, 50% of the trip deposit is refundable. -15 days prior to the trip, 25% of the trip deposit is refundable. - Seven days prior to the trip, trip deposit is non-refundable.