Gokyo Chola Pass and EBC Trek Economic 16 Days

Introduction:

Gokyo, Chola Pass and EBC Economic Trek 16 Days, One alternative route get Everest Base Camp cross by Chola Pass, which climbs the valley to the west of Everest to village of Gokyo and five sacred lakes on the moraine beside the Nagozumpa Glacier.

The trials follows the Everest Base Camp route as far as Sanasa, above Namche Bazaar and then branches off the main valley to follow the Dudh Koshi to its source a series of emerald green lakes along the moraine of the Nagozumpa Glacier.

Gokyo Ri 5360m for a heart stopping view over Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Pasang Lhamu, or continue north along the valley to the highest of the sacred lakes. After getting Everest Base Camp from Gokyo valley via cross Chola Pass 5420m then after Dzongla following normal Everest base camp route.

If good weather or no snow falls before week this valley, we can cross Chola pass without rope and axes but Eco Tourism Adventure Pvt. Ltd. Always take the rope and axes with the guide for incase, we are highly recommending one pair of poles and Microspikes or Yaktrax for safety. Anyway warm clothes with Gore-Tex and wind stopper jacket. Please follow our trekking checklist.  

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1330m
Day 02: Fly to Lukla 2880m, trek to Phakding 2610m. 3 hours.
Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m. 5-6 hours
Day 04: Acclimatization Day
Day 05: Trek to Phortse Thanga 3680m. 5-6 hours.
Day 06: Trek to Machhermo 4470m. 4-5 hours
Day 07: Trek to Gokyo 4800m. 3-4 hours
Day 08: Hike to Gokyo Ri 5357m, then trek to Thagnak 4750m. 5 - 6 hours
Day 09: Trek to Dzongla 4830m via Cho La pass 5367m. 7 - 8 hours
Day 10: Ttrk to Lobuche 4910m. 2 - 3 hours
Day 11: Lobuche to Gorak Shep 5140 m, visit Everest Base Camp 5350m.  6-7 hours
Day 12: Hiking to Kalapathar 5545m, back to Dingboche. 6-7 hours.
Day 13: Trek to Namche Bazaar. 8-9 hours.
Day 14: Trek to to Lukla. 6 - 7 hours
Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 16: Final departure

Note: Fill free to customize your trip. click here.

Accommodation for this trip: 

Eco Tourism Adventure Pvt. Ltd provides two kinds of accommodation during Gokyo, Chola Pass and EBC Economic Trek 16 Days. At Kathmandu, we provide budget hotel without breakfast included with twin sharing base. During the trek, we provide basic lodge and guest house in village with common toilet and bath with twin sharing base, if you need a Single room we will charge extra $75 (Kathmandu and trek) but high season not so easy to get single room on the way to Gokyo, Everest base camp.

Food:

Gokyo, Chola Pass and EBC Economic Trek 16 Days, Eco Tourism Adventure Pvt. Ltd not provide food except farewell dinner but different kind of food like Nepali, Continental, Tibetan and Indian with tea, coffee, hot chocolate, water, coke and dessert available on lodge and guest house you can choose on Manu. 

Physical Requirements:

Gokyo, Chola Pass and EBC Economic Trek 16 Days is difficult trek basically hikers have to hike per day 5 to 6 hours with daypack except some days are longer hour than 8 to 9. High altitude hike anyway need energy and experience, we have two days acclimatization day Namche and Dingboche that absolutely help for your altitude fitness, have a positive attitude, self-confidence and physically powerful determination, we can achieve the trek successfully. If Around month jogging regularly before this trip is a great idea to improve our power and performance. Past hiking experience would be a great advantage and glacier hiking skill is required for this trip. Before booking this trip it is a great idea to consult with your doctor and if you have any disease better inform us. 

Best Time to Travel:

We have two best seasons in the year like autumn and spring, Autumn best month is mid September to mid December and spring best month is mid February to May this two seasons are the best seasons for this trek because of the weather is fine and warm with perfect views but the nights are chilly and can drop to freezing level in higher altitude. Winter season is also good for Gokyo, Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp Eco Trek the only problem is cold and lot of snow at chola pass. Trekking in summer season will be affected by rain but the summer trek could. The trekking routes are not crowded like a spring and autumn.

Nepal Visa

Obtaining a visa for Nepal is straightforward. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you can get a 15-day tourist visa for $30 or a 30-day visa for $50.

Gokyo Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp Trekking Permit

We handle all the necessary permits for your trek. For the Gokyo Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp Trek, you will need:

(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

Day: 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,330m
Arrival at the Airport in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by a representative from Eco Tourism Adventure Pvt. Ltd. will take your hotel. Today the trek leader will check our equipment(s) to make sure for one last time to get us ready for our adventure. This step will also ensure that if any equipment is found faulty we have the rest of the day to fix it or find equipment that works. After checking in the evening there will be a dinner in a Nepali Restaurant where we will be able to enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine if you are agree. Hotel Overnight. Included meal: (No)

Day:  02: Fly to Lukla 2,880m, trek to Phakding 2,610m, 35 min fly, trek 3 hours.
Early morning after breakfast, we will drive to the airport for flying Lukla. After a great 35 minute scenic flight, we reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla.  At Lukla, we meet our boys and after tea break, porter bag arrangements, we start our trek to Phakding via Sherpa villages Cheplung, Thadokoshi and Ghat. We only have a short hike today, however, if interested in more hike, we can take a side trip to a Gumela monastery. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440m. 5-6 hours
after breakfast trek to Namche Bazaar via Jamphute, Toktok, Banker, Manju, Jorsalle and Toop Danda. After hiking for around hour latter the glossy Mt. Thamserku 6,608m on right side and also smoothness the peacefulness of fir pine and juniper forests all the way through our journey, hiking until we reach the entrance gate of Sagarmatha National Park after Manju Sherpa village then officially enter world heritage site after check in our permit, inside park 20 minute from entrance gate we can have lunch break because of no teahouse until Namche except for small fruit and juice shop at Top Danda,  If not cloudy a quick look of first Mt. Everest behind of the Lhotse and Nuptse ridge from Top Danda, after Everest will get to Namche around one and half hour later getaway to Everest and Sherpa Capital. Today we cross five suspension bridges, the last one also known as the Hillary Bridge. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 04: Namche Bazaar 3,440 m.  Acclimatization Day
Acclimatization day must increase altitude overnight same place (climb high sleep low). We can hike Everest View Hotel which is situated at 3880m high altitude from sea level if you are not enough to hike can go further to Khumjung village which is called green valley where we can visit the Edmund Hillary School with the statue and Khumjung Monastery with inside we can see yeti skull then back to Namche visit market and bakery café. Lodge Overnight.  Included meals (No)

Day: 05: Trek to Phortse Thanga 3680m. 5-6 hours.
After breakfast, trek to Phortse Thanga via Kyangjoma, Sanasa, and Mong La. It is an easy hike from Namche Bazaar to Sanasa, after Sanasa we are not following Everest Base Camp route climb uphill to Mong La following Gokyo valley route, Mong La is one of the amazing Mountain View point to Ama Dablam, Taboche, Kangtega, Thamserku and best time to have lunch break. After lunch easily get Phortse Tenga because of downhill. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 06: Trek to Machhermo 4470m. 4-5 hours
after breakfast, trek to Machhermo via Dolle, Lhabarma, and Luza. Today around hour and half hike uphill to Dole 4090m, after Dole also another around hour uphill to Lhabarma 4330m, after Lhabarma trail switch steep to gentle and easy with amazing mountain view to Luza then continuing mountain view we will get Machermo Village. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 07: Trek to Gokyo 4800m. 3-4 hours
today is short day hike we can start little behind schedule as usually start because of short and easy hike to get Gokyo just problem is gaining altitude that’s why go slow, today passing through like Phanga, first lake local named by Lingponga Tsho 4650m, second lake local name Taujung Tsho 4730m, then third lake Gokyo Tsho or Dudh Pokhari is our destination of today.  If you have some energy left or interested to take capture of Everest sun set picture don’t miss this chance, if perfect weather you have to hike around hour up hill on the way to Gokyo Ri then you can capture fantastic sun set picture from there. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 08: Hike to Gokyo Ri 5357m, then trek to Thagnak 4750m. 5 - 6 hours
Today we have to start early in the morning to Gokyo Ri viewpoint before two hours of sunrise because normally people take to climb Gokyo Ri two hours, don’t miss the great chance to capture one of the best panoramic pictures in the world from Gokyo Ri, after Gkyo Ri we will have breakfast then hike to Thagnak around two hours crossing by biggest Nagozumpa Glacier in Gokyo Valley. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 09: Trek to Dzongla 4830m via Cho La pass 5367m. 7 - 8 hours
after early breakfast, trek to Dzongla via Chola Pass. Today we start to hike early in the morning because of don’t miss a chance to see great view of Lobuche Peak and hide a strong wind of Chola pass, before crossing pass will moraine, cross icy slop, after pass big ice block and rocky steep down, today better to take pack lunch, enough water to drink and power par or portions bar. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 10: Trek to Lobuche 4,910m. 2-3 hours
today is shortest day hike in this trek we can start little behind schedule as usually start because of short and easy hike to get Lobuche, today is little accompaniment of nonofficial rest day after crossing high pass, way easy and gentle steep today.  Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 11: Trek to Ghorakshep 5140, Everest Base camp 5350m and return to Ghorakshep. 7-8 hours.
after early breakfast, we start with an easy then cross to Lobuche Pass, after pass we cross moraine to get Gorakshep, Gorakshep is our highest overnight lodge which is situated at 5140m from sea level, check-in room get ready for Everest Base Camp after getting some food then back to Gorakshep get some rest if you have some energy left or interested to take capture of Everest sun set picture don’t miss this chance, if perfect weather you have to hike around hour up hill on the way to Kalapather then you can capture fantastic sun set picture from there. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 12: Trek to Kalapathar 5545m, than Dingboche 4410m. 6-7 hours.
Today we have to start early in the morning to Kalapather Viewpoint, if you want to see sunrise early otherwise we can start after breakfast then hike back the same way to Dingboche, do n’t miss the great chance to capture one of the best panoramic pictures in the world from Kalapather. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 13: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m. 8-9 hours.
After early breakfast trek to Namche Bazaar via orsyo, syomare, Pangboche, Milingo, Debuche, Tengboche, Phungi Tenga, Lausysa, Sanasa, and Kyeangjoma. We took two to get here from Namche but on the way back taking one because of we are not having altitude issue for descending.  Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)

Day: 14:  Trek to Lukla 6-7 hours
after early breakfast trek to Lukla via Toop Dada, Jorsalle, Manju, Banker, Toktok, Jamphute, Phakding, Ghat, Thado Koshi, and Cheplung. We took two to get here from Lukla but on the way back taking one because of we are not having altitude issue for descending. Lodge Overnight. Included meals (No)
 

Day: 15: Fly to Kathmandu
early morning get a flight back to Kathmandu then we have many options to do at Kathmandu, sightseeing, shopping, massage, buying some souvenir and more as guest wish we can provide guide, transportation. Hotel Overnight. Included meals (D)

Day: 16: Airport Departure.  Included meals (No)

Cost Includes

•  Airport pickup and drop.
• During trek and 2 night accommodation twin sheering room at budget hotel in Kathmandu as per as program.
• Guide, porters (1 porter between 2 Clint bags), food, accommodation, salary, equipments and insurance.
• Accommodation twin sheering room during trek.
• Porter load 13kg.
• Two way flight from ktm and to ktm.
• Group First Aid medical kit.
• Sagarmatha National Park permits.
• Khumbu trekking Permit.
• Eco Tourism Adventure print porter bag for client.
• All government taxes.
• Office Service charge. 

Cost Excludes

• Any meals in Kathmandu other than farewell dinner.Meals, internet, Drinks, shower, battery charge, and others needs during the trek.
• Accommodation if single $75.
• Cargo for to Lukla and from Lukla if more load airline facility.
• Porter extra load more than 13kg per kilo $7.
• Travel insurance International air fare to and from Nepal.
• Nepal entry visa fee.
• Tips for staffs.

Important documents and items

• Ø Valid passport,
• Ø Two extra passport size pictures.
• Ø Cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport.
• Ø Bank cards (for withdraw money at Nepal).

1. What is the best time to do the Gokyo Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp Trek?

Answer: The best time for this trek is during the pre-monsoon (March to May) and post-monsoon (September to November) seasons. These periods offer clear skies, moderate temperatures, and stunning views of the mountains. The trail is most accessible and safe during these times.

2. What level of fitness is required for this trek?

Answer: The Gokyo Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp Trek is a strenuous trek that requires a good level of physical fitness. Trekkers should be prepared for long days of hiking, high altitudes, and challenging terrains. Prior trekking experience and cardio training are recommended. Eco Tourism Adventure can provide training tips to help you prepare.

3. Do I need prior trekking experience?

Answer: While prior trekking experience is not mandatory, it is highly beneficial. This trek is demanding and involves high-altitude hiking, so having previous experience in multi-day treks will enhance your comfort and enjoyment.

4. What kind of accommodation is provided on the trek?

Answer: Eco Tourism Adventure arranges twin-sharing tea house accommodations during the trek. In some places, rooms with attached bathrooms are available. There are also options to upgrade to luxury lodges at an extra cost. In Kathmandu, you will stay in a 3-star hotel for 2 nights.

5. What should I pack for this trek?

Answer: Essential items include a good-quality sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking boots, thermal layers, gloves, trekking poles, and a first aid kit. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for UV protection. Eco Tourism Adventure provides a detailed packing list to help you prepare.

6. Are there any age restrictions for this trek?

Answer: There are no strict age restrictions, but participants should be in good health and physically fit. Trekkers aged 12 to 65 are generally accepted, with special consideration given to those outside this range based on their fitness level and medical clearance.

7. What is the Lukla flight cancellation policy?

Answer: Lukla flights are often subject to weather delays or cancellations. If your flight is canceled, Eco Tourism Adventure will assist in rebooking or arranging alternative transportation, such as a helicopter, to minimize disruptions to your trek.

8. How are meals arranged during the trek?

Answer: If you choose the full-board package, Eco Tourism Adventure provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek. Meals include a variety of options, such as Nepali dal-bhat, soups, momos, fried rice, and continental dishes. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated upon request.

9. Do I need to carry my own water?

Answer: It’s recommended to carry a reusable water bottle. You can refill it at tea houses or use water purification tablets. Bottled water is available but may be expensive at higher altitudes due to the cost of transportation.

10. What permits are required for the trek?

Answer: For this trek, you will need a Sagarmatha National Park Permit, a Khumbu Local Government Tax, and a TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card. Eco Tourism Adventure handles all the necessary permits and paperwork for you.

11. What is the tipping etiquette for guides and porters?

Answer: Tipping is a common practice in Nepal. It is customary to tip around 10% of the trek's total cost to your guide and porter, depending on the quality of service. Eco Tourism Adventure can provide guidelines on how to distribute tips.

12. Is travel insurance mandatory for this trek?

Answer: Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this trek. It should cover high-altitude trekking (up to 5,500 meters), emergency evacuation, trip cancellations, and medical expenses. Eco Tourism Adventure can recommend reputable insurance providers if needed.

13. How do I book the Gokyo Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp Trek?

Answer: You can easily book the Gokyo Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp Trek through Eco Tourism Adventure's website by visiting our inquiry page or by contacting them directly. To confirm your booking, a 25% trip deposit and a copy of your passport are required. Once your deposit and passport details are received, you'll receive a confirmation letter with all the necessary trek details. For any inquiries or to book over the phone, you can reach out to Kishor Khadka at Phone: +977-9851183648. Alternatively, you can also email at info@nepalecotourismadventure.com or kiss.khadka7@gmail.com.

14. What should I do in case of altitude sickness?

Answer: Altitude sickness is a common concern at high elevations. It's essential to acclimatize properly, stay hydrated, and take it slow. If symptoms persist, inform your guide immediately. Eco Tourism Adventure's guides are trained in first aid and will assist with necessary precautions or evacuation if required.

15. Can I customize my trek itinerary?

Answer: Yes, Eco Tourism Adventure offers customizable itineraries to suit your preferences and schedule. Whether you want to shorten or extend the trek, or add cultural experiences, they can tailor the trip to your needs.