Everest Chola Pass Trek Overview
Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass, also known as the Everest Circuit Trek, is an adventurous alternative to the classic Everest Base Camp Trek route, ideal for trekkers seeking more than just the direct path to Everest Base Camp. This route is moderately strenuous, takes you through the serene Gokyo Valley, across the icy challenge of Cho La Pass, and eventually to Everest Base Camp itself. Along the way, you'll experience stunning turquoise lakes, panoramic Himalayan views, and the rich Sherpa culture that defines this region. This trek offers the best pass in the Khumbu region, providing trekkers with the opportunity to explore some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. This strenuous trek combines the best of both worlds, allowing you to experience the famous Gokyo Lake and the iconic Everest Base Camp in one trip.
Starting from the bustling city of Lukla, the trek takes you through a variety of landscapes, including lush green forests, rocky terrain, and pristine alpine lakes. You will trek through the Khumbu Valley and visit some of the culturally rich Sherpa villages like Namche, Thame, and Machhermo, which are much less crowded than Everest Base Camp trekking route. Namche village, Thamo, Thame, Khumjung Phortse village, and Machhermo, Dingboche, Pangboche are home to the legendary Sherpa people, who have made their living in the mountains for generations. Sherpa people are world-famous for their mountaineering society.
The highlight of the trek is undoubtedly the visit to the Gokyo Ri, Chola Pass, and EBC. Gokyo Peak (RI) must be a better viewpoint than Kalapatthar, showing all four 8000-meter peaks, including Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. Moreover, Gokyo Valley Trek offers the world's highest freshwater lake system (Gokyo lakes), consisting of 6 alpine lakes.
From Gokyo valley here, you will continue over the Cho La pass, which is over 5420m high, offering spectacular views of the dramatic Himalayan range.
The trek will also take you to the iconic Everest Base Camp, which is situated at the foot of the world's highest peak. From here, you will trek up to Kalapatthar, which offers stunning panoramic views of the entire region, including the Khumbu glacier, the Pumori peak, and the Everest summit.
The Everest Circuit is a challenging trek that requires a good level of fitness and endurance. However, the rewards of this trek are well worth the effort. The trek offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in the world, as well as the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique and vibrant culture of the Sherpa people.
In conclusion, the Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo and Chola Pass is a fantastic adventure that should be on every trekker's bucket list. The combination of the Gokyo Lake, the Everest Base Camp, and the dramatic Himalayan range makes this trek a truly unforgettable experience. Unlike the traditional EBC Trek, this trek takes you through quieter and more serene Gokyo valley lakes, avoiding huge crowds and providing an unknown perspective of Everest from Gokyo Ri. So, if you're looking for a challenging and rewarding trek that will take you to the top of the world, the Everest Circuit via Gokyo and Chola Pass Trek is the perfect choice for you.
Why Trek with Beyond the Limits Treks and Expedition
These are some of the points that make us apart from most of the other operators.
- Local Expertise with decades of experience
- Led by experienced Sherpa guides born in this region
- Flexible Itineraries built around you.
- Support local tea houses and indigenous people
- Pulse oximeter monitoring
- Emergency rescue arrangements are made when needed
- Porter to the client's weight limit to prevent overburdening, ensuring both human dignity and trek reliability
