Everest Gokyo Chola Pass Trek

We head to the airport early for the 35-minute flight to Lukla. Try to get a seat on the left side of the plane for the best mountain views. Once we land on that famous hillside runway, we will meet our porters and start walking. Today’s trek is mostly a gentle downhill walk along the Dudh Koshi River, which gives your legs a smooth introduction to the trail before the big hills start.

This morning we enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. The first half of the day is beautiful, crossing several high suspension bridges over the river. The second half is a different story—it is a long, steep, zigzag uphill climb to Namche Bazaar. We will take it very slowly. On a clear day, there is a specific resting spot halfway up the hill where you can get your very first view of Everest between the trees.

Your body needs time to adapt to the thin air, so we spend a second night in Namche. To help your lungs adjust, we will do an active day-hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m). It is a steep walk up, but sitting on the terrace with a hot tea looking at Everest and Ama Dablam is unforgettable. In the afternoon, you can explore the local markets or visit the Sherpa Culture Museum.

The day starts with a relatively flat, winding path with incredible views of Ama Dablam directly ahead. After a midday descent to the river for lunch, we face another major uphill climb through rhododendron forests to reach Tengboche. The village sits on a high ridge and is famous for its large monastery. We will aim to arrive in time to sit quietly in the back during the monks' late afternoon prayer ceremony.

Today you will notice the landscape change completely. We cross the tree line, meaning the lush forests disappear, and the terrain becomes wide, dry, and rocky. We will pass through quiet Sherpa settlements where fields of crops are protected by old stone walls to keep out wandering yaks. We finish the day in Dingboche, a village tucked away in a valley where the air feels noticeably colder.

This is your second mandatory adaptation day before going above 5,000 meters. We will hike up Nagartsang Hill, which is a steep, rocky scramble. Pushing your lungs to this height today makes the coming days much safer and more comfortable. From the top, you get a massive view of Makalu and Island Peak. The afternoon is all yours to rest in the teahouse and save your energy.

We start with a gentle walk along a wide, grassy valley toward a tiny settlement called Thukla. From there, we climb a short but incredibly steep hill to the top of Thukla Pass. This is where the moving climber’s memorials sit—dozens of stone monuments built for those who lost their lives on Everest. It is a very powerful, quiet place. Afterward, we follow the rocky edge of the Khumbu Glacier up to Lobuche. 

This is a long, milestone day. We hike over rough glacial rocks to Gorak Shep, check into our basic lodge, and eat a quick lunch. Then, we walk for another few hours along the moving ridge of the Khumbu Glacier to reach Everest Base Camp. You will stand right beside the massive Khumbu Icefall under a sea of prayer flags. After taking photos and celebrating, we walk back to Gorak Shep to sleep.

We wake up in the dark and freezing cold to climb the steep dirt trail of Kala Patthar. It is hard work, but this is the absolute best spot to see the sunrise right behind the summit of Everest. After coming down for breakfast, we pack up and head in a new direction. We leave the main commercial trekking highway behind and walk toward Dzongla, a very quiet, isolated village at the foot of the pass.

This is the most physically challenging and adventurous day of the trip. We leave before dawn to climb the steep, rocky slopes up to the Cho La Glacier. You will need to put your microspikes on your boots here because we will walk directly across the solid, slippery glacial ice. The views from the top are spectacular. The descent into Thangnak is steep, rocky, and requires total focus on your footing. 

Though shorter in distance, today's walk takes us across the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal. The trail here changes constantly as the ice moves beneath the rocks, so it involves a lot of short ups and downs over sandy moraine hills. The reward at the end is incredible: the deep, bright turquoise water of the third Gokyo Lake appears, with the quiet village sitting right on its edge.

We make an early morning climb up the steep switchbacks of Gokyo Ri. From the summit, you get a rare, massive view of four 8,000-meter peaks at the same time: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After hiking back down for a late breakfast, we pack our bags and follow a rushing stream down the valley, passing the lower lakes until we reach the quiet pastures of Machhermo. 

Today we bid farewell to the high, dry alpine zone. The trail winds lower through valleys and heads back into green rhododendron and mossy pine forests. As the elevation drops, your breathing will instantly feel easier because the air is much thicker. We finish the day back in the familiar, lively streets of Namche Bazaar, where you can finally enjoy a hot shower and internet access. 

This is our longest walking day, but it is mostly downhill. We trace our steps back down the big Namche hill, cross the high suspension bridges one last time, and follow the river path back through Phakding. There is one final uphill push before we reach Lukla. In the evening, we will have a celebratory dinner to thank our porters and guides for getting us through the circuit safely.

We take the morning flight out of Lukla, offering one last look at the massive peaks from the air. Once back in Kathmandu, we drive you to your hotel in Thamel. You have the whole afternoon to rest, do laundry, or shop for gifts. In the evening, the Sublime Trails team will take you out for a traditional Nepalese farewell dinner with local food and cultural music to celebrate your trek. 

Your mountain adventure comes to an end this morning. After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, our private vehicle will pick you up and drive you to the international airport for your flight home.