Everest Base Camp and Cho La Pass Trek - 19 Days

Welcome to Nepal. You will be met by one of our representatives at Tribhuvan International Airport. The team will facilitate your private transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Nepal’s capital or rest. In the evening, a welcome briefing session will be held in our office. Your guide will brief you about the trek’s itinerary, safety protocols, and will also respond to last-minute questions you may have. The evening dinner is from us, as this is the first day of your Nepal travel diary. Overnight in a hotel.

This day is for trekking preparations. We will begin our day with an enriching sightseeing tour of several of Kathmandu’s most significant UNESCO heritage sites. This will include the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, massive Buddhist stupa, and the iconic hilltop temple of Swayambhunath. This tour will provide a deep insight into Nepal’s complex spiritual history and journey. Following the sightseeing, the focus will shift to the practical preparations for the trek. We will have to shop for last-minute gear and essentials. Overnight in a hotel.

Our adventure officially begins with an exhilarating 40-minute scenic flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. This flight is considered one of the most thrilling experiences in Nepal, with the expansive range of mountains in sight. We will meet our team in Lukla and start the gentle trek. Our destination for the day is the scenic village of Phakding. We will get our first glimpse of the Sherpa life here in Phakding. Overnight will be in a lodge, enjoying a peaceful mountain setting.

We will have a more challenging and rigorous trek today. It will involve several crossings over the Dudh Koshi River via high and exciting suspension bridges. We will trek through the pine forests and reach the official entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. There, we will have our permits checked. The final leg of the day is a slow ascent to Namche Bazaar. Namche is a cultural hub of the Everest region and is often called” Sherpa Capital”. We will be greeted with our first panorama of Mount Everest and its neighbouring colossal peaks.

We will take a break and spend a day acclimatizing our bodies. This day is essential for a safe and successful trek to the highest altitudes ahead. We will participate in a soft hike, which will help us adapt to the thinning air better. Options include a trek up to the Everest View Hotel. This will offer a world-class view of Everest. Alternatively, you can choose to stay back and explore the Namche Bazaar and its offerings. At the end of the day, the day is all about exploring and adapting. Overnight in a lodge.

We will begin our trek again. The trail today will begin with a scenic traverse along the Dudh Koshi riverbed. This trail will offer us awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas, including Everest, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. The path will then descend steeply to the river before a significant challenge through rhododendron forests. We will have our destination at Tengboche Village. Tengboche is a very famous village for its Tengboche Monastery. This spiritual center is highly devoted by the locals. We will attend the evening prayer as well. Overnight in a teahouse.

From Tengboche, our trek descends through quiet rhododendron forests to the village of Debuche. We will cross a few suspension bridges before the alpine terrain starts transitioning. The trail climbs past a few mani walls and opens up into a vast alpine valley. We will be rewarded with the striking Island Peak and formidable Lhotse views. The day will conclude upon the arrival in Dingboche, which is a picturesque settlement of stone walls and high snowy peaks. Overnight in a Dingboche teahouse.

To ensure a safer progression of the trek, we will take our second acclimatization day in Dingboche. We will have a side hike to the challenging Nangkartsang peak at approximately 5100m. The peak will reward us with the majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the world. Makalu, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam will be in sight at their full flow. The rest of the day will allow our body to successfully adjust to the thinning air in this tranquil and wide-open landscape of yak pastures. Overnight in a teahouse.

We will move slowly towards the high-altitude path. The surrounding landscape will become increasingly stark and rocky. The glacial path will provide us with a major move towards the Everest region’s magnificence. Our significant stop today is at Thukla, where we will pay our homage to the memorials of the climbers who have perished during the Mt. Everest climb. We will continue climbing over the rocky moraine. We will stop at Lobuche, which is a cold, stark settlement beneath the massive peaks. We will soak in the dramatic views rewarded for an overnight stay in a local teahouse.

This is the most satisfying day of our entire trek. Our first stretch will be a trek across the rugged, glacial moraine to reach Gorak Shep. This is our highest settlement in the area. After a short break, we will make a final push before Everest Base Camp touchdown. This will be the most satisfying and celebratory moment in any trekker’s life. While we won’t be able to witness Mt. Everest, the inspiring Khumbu Icefall will be a significant achievement. We will follow this unforgettable experience as we return to Gorak Shep. Overnight in a teahouse as we prepare for the Kala Patthar push.

Before dawn, we will embark on a pre-sunrise hike up the challenging slopes of Kala Patthar (5,550m). This effort is justified by arguably the most famous and spectacular view in the world: a golden sunrise illuminating the summit of Mount Everest, along with Lhotse and Nuptse. After descending back to Gorak Shep for breakfast, the trek heads onto a less-traveled, more tranquil route toward the village of Dzongla. The trail offers peaceful, remote scenery and continuous panoramic mountain views, preparing you for the formidable challenge of the Cho La Pass the following day.

It will arguably be the longest day of the entire trek. While being demanding and technical day, this will be a rewarding experience on the trek. The ascent will involve a steep and rocky field over the snow and potentially icy glacier fields. We will be requiring a careful footing and concentration today. The summit of the pass will be very exhilarating and offers dramatic, rugged alpine views of sky and snow-covered mountains. The steep and careful descent on the other side will lead us to a small village of Thangnak. This will be a magical journey that is deeply rewarding for the sheer adventure and high-altitude beauty.

Following the demanding Cho La Pass, we will have a short but incredibly rewarding walk. We will traverse along the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. Ngozumpa glacier is the longest glacier in the Himalayas. It emerges from the glacier path. We will arrive at the beautiful Gokyo Valley. The Gokyo Village will reward us with the magical Gokyo Lake surrounded by towering peaks and pristine glacial landscape. We will relax along the lake in the afternoon while exploring the immediate area. Overnight in a teahouse.

We will leave the stunning Gokyo Lakes behind. Our day will involve a steady descent along the quiet and less-frequented section of the Everest region. This path will offer us excellent views of the Gokyo Valley and the pristine lakes. We will pass through the traditional Sherpa settlements and yak pastures. The journey will conclude in a small settlement of Luza, where we will spend a peaceful evening. Overnight in a teahouse.

We will descend further down to the lovely valley and the village of Khumjung. There is a picturesque scene behind the sacred Khumbila Peak. Khumjung is one of the most historically significant Sherpa villages in the Khumbu region. We will also visit Khumjung Monastery, which is said to have a “Yeti Scalp”. Khumjung also serves as a perfect example of traditional and enduring Himalayan life. We will have a deep, insightful day in Khumjung. Overnight in a teahouse.

We will have a gradual and comfortable descent while retracing a familiar portion of our journey. But with a completely new perspective and a sense of accomplishment. We will trek through beautiful forests covered by rhododendron and fir. It will be a massive altitude decrease, so the air will also feel crisp and heavy. We will reach Phakding by evening. This familiar village will offer a chance to rest and relax. Overnight in a teahouse.

This marks our final day of trekking, which is a relatively easy hike back along the Dudh Koshi River to the airstrip town of Lukla. The day is filled with a sense of finality and accomplishment. Upon arrival, we will celebrate the successful completion of the trek, including the challenging Cho La Pass, with our trekking team over a well-deserved farewell dinner. We will have time to explore the small town of Lukla, perhaps buy a final souvenir, and prepare all necessary logistics for our early morning return flight to Kathmandu.

It is the final day of our trek. We will board a flight back to Kathmandu, leaving the Khumbu region behind. We will be greeted by the breathtaking aerial views. Upon landing in Kathmandu, you will be transferred back to your hotel. It is a reminder of our enduring trek, which is now successfully over. The evening will be set for the celebrations and reflections on your Everest Base Camp and Chola Pass trek. Overnight in a hotel.

The enduring Everest Base Camp and Cho La Pass Trek’s adventure finally comes to an end. After a final breakfast at our hotel, we may have some time for last-minute sightseeing or a brief visit to local cafes around Thamel. We will help you ensure you will have a good reception before you head to the airport. As you depart, the memories of Nar Phu and the triumph of the high passes will remain. We hope you like Nepal Travel Experiences’ company and wish to see you again for more adventures like this. Have a good time. See you.