Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake Trek by Cho La Pass are often regarded as the ultimate adventure in the Nepalese Himalayas, technically advanced, calling all adventurers around the world. It is one of the most adventurous trekking routes in the Everest region, offering trekkers a perfect blend of the major highlights such as alpine Gokya Lake, Cho La Pass, and the base camp of the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest itself, including the scenic Vantage Point of Kala Patthar at an elevation of 5,644 m, which is also the highest altitude of your overall journey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake by Cho La Pass.
The trekking route follows the classic Himalayan Trail, famed amongst all sorts of thrill lovers, including trekkers, mountaineers, hikers, and so on, leading to the foothills of Mt. Everest with an awesome added side trip to the turquoise alpine Gokyo Lake and valleys on making a way through one of the high mountain passes, Cho La, at an elevation of 5,367m. Throughout this extraordinary voyage to the Khumbu/Everest trekking region of Nepal, you will be able to witness several snow-capped peaks, including four of the eight-thousanders in Nepal and the tops of the world: Mt. Everest (8,848m), Mt. Makalu (8,485m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), and Lhotse (8,516m).
Trekkers are bound to be mesmerized by the unique and diverse landscape seen on the way to the Everest Base Camp, extending up to Gokyo Lake and passing by Cho La Pass in a surreal blend with the region's rich cultural and historical heritage, still retaining the authentic feel of it, rooting to the Himalayan nature and its warm people as you rest for the night at locally regulated tea houses and local lodges, providing trekkers and travelers with an intimate insight into the life of the Sherpa, often referred to as the “Tigers of Snow,” for their exceptional ability to adapt to the highland effectively.
Therefore, the Everest Base and Gokyo Lake Trek via Cho La Pass is a challenging yet fascinating journey through the majestic Himalayas of Nepal, offering you four of the major iconic gems of the Everest trekking region: Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Cho La Pass, and Gokyo Lake, while trekking aspirants, mountain climbers, and hikers immerse themselves in the distinctive Sherpa culture of the realm, evoking a once-in-a-lifetime experience to relish during your holiday.
What makes the joint tour to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass special?
The merged trek to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake on passing by the adventurous Cho La Pass offers a top-notch fusion of some of the secret hidden natural marvels of the region, diverse landscapes, demanding terrain, spectacular mountain views, and a true sense of achievement on successfully completing the 18-day journey encircling around the tallest mountain giant in the universe, Mt. Everest (8,848m).
Further, the thrilling Himalayan expedition to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass gives you greater exposure to the Sherpa communities and their unique way of living in the heart of the Himalayas, making it one of a kind of special voyage to create unforgettable memories ensured by:
The paradise of adventurous spirit, Everest Base Camp
It is no wonder that every adventurer has at least once dreamed of summiting the highest peak in the world, Mt. Everest, which might not be feasible for everyone considering the overall climbing difficulty level and budget. You will be glad to reach the base camp of it for sure, granting you the equally gratifying experience of being at the top of the earth, winding all the way through the picturesque Sherpa valleys, verdant lowlands, alpine meadows, and varying landscapes during an incredible odyssey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass.
Making it to the center of the Himalayas at a high altitude of 5,364 m (17,598 ft) is a testament to the determination and extra adventurous spirit for exploration as trekkers and travelers hike through tough terrain, scenic Sherpa dwellings, snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and many other spectacular natural formations, finally landing at the base of the highest mountain in the earth, Mt. Everest (8,848 m), epitomizing adventure and inspiring a sense of awe and wonder in an incredible voyage to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass, where you might get to encounter groups of climbers in the peak trekking and climbing seasons of autumn and spring.
The challenging Cho La Pass
Located at 5,420 m (17,782 ft) above sea level, the Cho La Pass is one of the formidable challenges trekkers and travelers come across during the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake Trek, traversing through some steep ascent, rocky terrain, and potentially snowy and icy encounters requiring a notable navigation skill, physical preparedness, and a strong determination.
However, on crossing the high Cho La Pass, you will be rewarded with the never-before-seen sight of the regional top peaks such as Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, and Mt. Pumori, including Mt. Everest (8,848 m), marking a moment of triumph and exhilaration on conquering the pass connecting you to the Everest Valleys in isolation called Dzongla (4,830 m/15,850 ft) to the east and Thagnak (4,700 m/15,400 ft) to the west, making the journey worthwhile a challenge leading you to the another major highlight of the entire region, Gokyo Lake, adding much to the true sense of accomplishment and jaw-dropping beauty.
The turquoise water bodies of Gokyo Lake and its valley
One of the most enchanting places to exist on earth, the vibrant blue lake of Gokyo and its valley, in stark contrast to the snow-capped mountain atop and rugged terrain creating an otherworldly sight to behold, is one of the major highlights of the overall odyssey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass.
Nestled amidst the towering Himalayan giants at an elevation of 4,800m above sea level, Gokyo Lakes are a series of serene glacial lakes, granting trekkers and travelers the gorgeous panorama of the azure water in the backdrop of the totally snow-covered peaks, whether you are hiking along the lakeshores or taking an alternative side trip to the vantage point of Gokyo Ri.
Flowing directly from the melting of glaciers from the surrounding mountains, the Gokyo Lake and its valley are just the perfect tranquil setting for trekkers seeking an opportunity to self-reflect and explore as the alluring Gokyo Lake charms spiritual individuals across the world, making it a once-must-visit destination for adventurers worldwide. Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks is offering a must-grab special group discount for the years 2024 and 2025 on this combined trek package heading to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass.
The Sherpa Capital of Nepal, Namche Bazaar
Serving as the gateway to the Everest region, Namche Bazaar is a natural amphitheater providing a very first refined look out at the region's sky-soaring Himalayas, including Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and others, which is also functioning as the melting pot of various cultures, majorly dominated by the Nepalese ethnic communities of Sherpa, admired for their extraordinary mountaineering skills and resilience even in the arduous high Himalayan surroundings that you will be exploring to the fullest in the 18-day Himalayan expedition to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass.
The picturesque Himalayan town of Namche Bazaar owns numerous religious monasteries, Chortens (holy Buddhist shrines), Mani walls, and Gompas, usually adorned with colorful prayer flags in between the typical mountainous houses with stone-paved alleyways and terraced fields, which once were a crucial trading center for the Khumbu/Everest region and are still a lively stopover for trekkers and climbers before and after heading deeper into the Everest Himalayas.
Unlike several other typical mountain villages of the Everest region and other high Himalayan trekking destinations such as the Manaslu Circuit Voyage, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and Annapurna Circuit Expedition, Namche Bazaar at an elevation is well facilitated with modern amenities for travelers, including a teahouse, lodges, restaurants, and shops selling essential trekking gear, equipment, and souvenirs, along with wifi and a few ATM booths to spend at least two nights before embarking for a higher altitude to prevent acute mountain sickness or altitude sickness.
The side excursion to Kala Patthar
Although the scenic vantage point and the maximum elevation you will reach during the 18-day adventurous journey to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass do not lie on the direct trekking route, according to the itinerary set by Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks, you will get to clamber this iconic black stone at an altitude of 5,544m above sea level in 14 days.
Situated near the verdant village of Gorak Shep, the small rocky hill is a notable landmark in the Everest trekking region of Nepal, offering the most unparalleled iconic vistas of the gigantic snow-capped peaks such as Nuptse, Lhotse, and Changtse, including that of the tallest mountain range in the planet, Mt. Everest (8,848 m), that might not have been possible to see from the base camp.
Besides the unmatchable panoramic 360 views of the mountain ranges, the viewpoint of Kala Patthar is specifically famous for the otherworldly sunrise and sunset when the first and last ray of sunlight illuminates the snow-capped peaks in golden hues with the changing colors to capture this dramatic play of light and shadow in the lens hence Kala Patthar otherwise is called a photographer's paradise.
Therefore, the optional side trip to Kala Patthar is a must, which is often used by mountaineers to access weather and terrain conditions before ascending Everest’s southern side to include as a part of the 18-day trekking route to the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar via Cho La Pass for an overall enhanced Himalayan experience.
Why is the 18-day trekking route to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass the best itinerary?
The 18-day journey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass begins with a rigorous 25–30 minute mountain flight to Lukla upon arriving in the country of hills and mountains on the first day and strolling around the UNESCO world heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley on the second day.
The official trek begins with Lukla resting for the night at Phakding, blessing you with the glazing glances of Mt. Nupla (5,885m) and Kusum Kangaru (6,367m) on crossing a few wooden suspension bridges, following the footsteps of the local Sherpa guide. From Phakding, you will gradually jaunt through several Sherpa dwellings, such as Namche Bazaar, Phortse Thanga, and Macchermo, before reaching the pristine Gokyo Lakes and Valleys, where Namche serves as the major cultural and trade hub of the Khumbu/Everest region.
Throughout the trekking route to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake, you will be hiking past the subtropical woods simultaneously upgrading to the high alpine vegetation, where the lowland primarily consists of forests of rhododendron, fir, junipers, and fir, where the very common to internationally elusive wildlife plays hide and seek with nature’s grandeur, making a thrilling ascend to the bluish water of Gokyo Lake and its valleys in around a week.
Upon venturing the group of Gokyo Lakes for better acclimatization, you can climb one of the highly elevated viewpoints of the Everest region, Gokyo Ri, so that the steep declining trek on the following day to Thangnak can be easier, which can observe fluctuation in between experiencing a steep ascend to the Cho La Pass and a coherently declining trekking trail to Lobuche and Gorak Shep.
Based on the 18-day itinerary to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake by Cho La Pass, you will make it to the base camp of Mt. Everest on the same day as you descend to Gorak Shep for a dramatic Himalayan landscape and the ultimate satisfaction of being at the foothills of the top of the planet. You will return to the lake bed of Gorak Shep with pasture grassland for the night, relishing the unforgettable moments on the base camp, while the next morning marks the hike to the highest elevation of your holistic journey to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass in Kala Patthar.
On a sharp climb to Kala Patthar, you will make it all the way to Pheriche then to Namche and Lukla to catch a flight back to Kathmandu on the 17th day and departure for your home country lastly disclosing the overall 18-day package to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass providing you profound exploration, acclimatization, and a wonderful guided Himalayan embarkment at an affordable price with Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks that further can be customized as per the needs and preferences of our client.
Hence, the 18-day itinerary to go trekking to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass is considered one of the most amazing trekking routes to circumnavigate Mt. Everest, locally known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in China, embodying a true sense of adventure.
However, suppose you are looking for a short Himalayan expedition to the Everest Base Camp with equivalent natural and cultural experience. In that case, you may like the 14-day voyage to the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, whereas if you are more into short Himalayan journeys, you might want to consider:
Group Discounted Trekking Cost to the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass
Although the cost of the standard 18-day trekking package to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake via Cho La Pass can range anywhere from USD 1875 to USD 2,500, usually providing coverage for most of the accommodation, meals, permits, guides, porters, and transportation used during the trek, as a team of expert Himalayan travel and trek operators, at Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks we provide you with a special discounted price on groups of trekkers consisting of more than 10 members, which is:
- USD 1875 for 1 pax
- USD 1775 for 2-3 pax
- USD 1725 for 4-6 pax
- USD 1675 for 7–10 pax
