- Length
- 15 days
- Highest point
- 5,545 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–May
- Starts
- Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)
- Group size
- 2–12 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House
Two valleys, one high pass, and Everest Base Camp — cross the legendary Cho La Pass (5,420m) to link Gokyo's turquoise lakes with the classic EBC route in one epic 15-day circuit.
- Cho La Pass (5,420 m) — dramatic glacier crossing between Gokyo and Khumbu valleys
- Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and Kala Patthar sunrise (5,545 m)
- Gokyo Lakes — five sacred turquoise lakes above 4,700 m
- Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) — four 8,000 m peaks visible from the summit
- Ngozumpa Glacier — Nepal's longest glacier
- Classic high-pass adventure combining two iconic Khumbu destinations
- Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Lhotse South Face views throughout
- Sherpa villages, monasteries, and highland culture at every stage
The climb, day by day
Day 1Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m) · Trek to Phakding (2,610 m)2,610 m
Early morning 30-minute flight to Lukla through breathtaking Himalayan scenery. Begin trekking south along the Dudh Koshi river through pine and rhododendron forest to the riverside village of Phakding.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 2Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Cross the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge and enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. The trail climbs steeply 600 m through forest to the colourful Sherpa trading hub of Namche Bazaar.
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Acclimatisation Day — Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Morning hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,962 m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Visit the Sherpa museum and explore the Saturday market. Afternoon rest to aid acclimatisation.
- Distance
- 4 km
- Walking
- 3 hours hike
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,860 m)3,860 m
High trail traverse above the Dudh Koshi gorge with panoramas of the entire Everest massif. Descend to Phunki Thanga and climb through glorious rhododendron forest to the famous Tengboche Monastery.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360 m)4,360 m
Descend to Debuche and cross the Imja Khola. Pass through Pangboche — home to one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu — and climb the broad Imja valley to Dingboche.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Acclimatisation Day — Dingboche (4,360 m)4,360 m
Acclimatisation hike up Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) for stunning views of Makalu, Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Rest well tonight — big days are ahead.
- Distance
- 6 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours hike
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940 m)4,940 m
Climb past the Thukla memorial cairns — a moving tribute to Everest climbers — then follow the Khumbu Glacier moraine north to Lobuche. Altitude effects are common here; take it slow.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,164 m) · Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)5,164 m
Cross the glacial plain to Gorak Shep then push on to Everest Base Camp — a life-changing moment at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. Return to Gorak Shep where your team will celebrate your achievement.
- Distance
- 13 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Kala Patthar (5,545 m) · Descend to Gorak Shep5,164 m
Pre-dawn summit of Kala Patthar for the iconic Everest sunrise. Return to Gorak Shep for breakfast. Rest and prepare for tomorrow — the Cho La Pass crossing.
- Distance
- 4 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 10Cho La Pass (5,420 m) · Trek to Gokyo (4,790 m)4,790 m
A challenging high-mountain crossing. Ascend to the glaciated Cho La Pass at 5,420 m — crampons may be needed on the icy upper section. Descend steeply to the turquoise Gokyo Lakes basin and the village of Gokyo.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 11Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) · Rest at Gokyo (4,790 m)4,790 m
Early morning climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri for a 360-degree panorama featuring four 8,000 m peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Afternoon exploring the stunning Gokyo Lakes chain.
- Distance
- 5 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 12Gokyo to Phortse Thanga (3,680 m)3,680 m
Descend the Gokyo valley south past mani walls and yak pastures. The trail drops steeply to the Dudh Koshi confluence at Phortse Thanga, with Ama Dablam towering ahead.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 13Phortse Thanga to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Gentle traverse above the Dudh Koshi back to Namche Bazaar. Final night in the Sherpa capital — treat yourself to a hot meal and celebrate completing both EBC and the Cho La circuit.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 14Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,860 m)2,860 m
Long descent back through Jorsalle and Phakding to Lukla. Farewell dinner with your guides and porters — an emotional and joyful celebration.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 15Fly Lukla to Kathmandu · Departure1,400 m
Early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel for rest or onward connection. Your Everest and Cho La adventure draws to a memorable close.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Flight
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
The price includes
- Government-certified English-speaking senior trek guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers; 18 kg max)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu round-trip flights (scheduled)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Kathmandu hotel and airport transfers
- Altitude illness prevention kit and pulse oximeter
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal gear
- Tips
The Everest Base Camp via Cho La Pass itinerary covers the complete Khumbu circuit — EBC, Kala Patthar, the glacier crossing at Cho La (5,420 m), Gokyo Lakes, and Gokyo Ri — in 15 days, making it the most scenically comprehensive Everest region trek available at this duration. It requires more fitness and altitude experience than the standard EBC trek, but delivers a proportionally richer experience: two iconic high points (Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri), a genuine glacier crossing, and the full contrast between the EBC moraine landscape and the turquoise Gokyo valley.
The Cho La glacier section takes approximately 2–3 hours on crossing day. Fixed ropes are in place on the steepest sections during the main trekking seasons; crampons are required and are provided by Travel Himalaya Nepal as part of the standard gear kit for this itinerary. Guides are trained in glacier travel and carry emergency equipment including ropes, altitude medication, and emergency oxygen above 5,000 m.
Overnight is at Dzongla before the crossing and at Gokyo after — both excellent acclimatisation stages that allow gradual adaptation to the 5,000+ m threshold before the pass day itself.
Experience Required
We recommend this itinerary for trekkers who have either previous multi-week Himalayan experience OR very strong cardiovascular fitness combined with good cold-weather tolerance. The physical demands on the Cho La day are comparable to a long alpine day hike at sea level — sustained effort at 5,000 m elevation. First-time trekkers are welcome; we ask that you complete our pre-booking fitness assessment so we can help calibrate expectations.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Crampons: Provided. Max altitude: Kala Patthar 5,545 m.