Everest Chola Pass Trek – 18 Days

As you arrive at the airport in Kathmandu, a representative from Nepal Intrepid Treks will welcome you and transfer you to a pre-booked three-star hotel in Kathmandu. A luxurious cab drive will drop you at the hotel. Check in and rest for a while. If there is enough time, you can roam around the Kathmandu city in the evening. Spend your night at a hotel in Kathmandu! (Breakfast included)

⛰ Max Height: 1200 m || ⏲ Total Travel Distance: 30 Min

Today is the day your Everest Base Camp Trek starts. From the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport, you will take a flight to Lukla– a thrilling experience owning to the dramatic location of its airport. During the flight, you will get some stunning views of mountains arranged like a row of thorns. At Lukla airport, you will take your first step in the Khumbu region of Nepal, home to the highest peak in the world – Mt. Everest.
From Lukla, your guide will lead you along the trail, while passing countless prayer wheels, which you can spin clockwise to activate the mantras that are written on the scrolls. Descending towards the Dudh Koshi River, and crossing a suspension bridge. We then continue the path to Phakding – a small village and our stopping point for the day. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Phakding (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

⛰ Max Height: 3443m || ⏲ Total Travel Distance: 3 Hours

Leaving Phakding, we follow the trail that undulates up and down through some villages and rhododendron forests to Namche. We enter Sagarmatha National Park and walk to a village named Jorsale from where we follow a river. We cross a suspension bridge over two rivers today and pass another village called Monjo. From Monjo, we walk uphill for around three hours to Namche.

Namche bazaar is a popular place in the Khumbu region. It used to be a trading capital for people residing there and Tibetan people in ancient area. Even now it is a happening place in Khumbu region with many shops stalled and nice hotels. If you want to buy anything, you can find it here. Namche bazaar is also the only way to Everest Base Camp therefore, it is also known as the Gateway to Everest. Today, we stay at a guesthouse in Namche for the night. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

⛰ Max Height: 3880m || ⏲ Total Travel Distance: 6 Hours

The acclimatization process in Namche Bazaar involves either a short trek or a more relaxing day roaming around in the town of Namche. According to health experts, trekkers should always move around a little while relaxing, in order to acclimatize at this altitude. This is why we will take you on a short hike or you can walk around at your leisure in and around Namche. The atmosphere of fellow hikers in search of apple pie is hard to beat.

For the short day hike we can take you to the world’s highest placed hotel “The Everest View hotel”. From there you have spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Mt. AmaDablam, Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Khangtega (or The Snow Saddle, unique in its geographical setting as it resembles the saddle of a horse rider), as well as panoramic views of other snowcapped mountains. There will still be plenty of time to visit the colorful town of Namche in the afternoon and find that apple pie (yes, we love it too!).Overnight stay at our guesthouse in Namche (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

⛰ Max Height: 4450m || ⏲ Total Travel Distance: 6 Hours

We continue our journey towards Tengboche. Today, the trail goes uphill and downhill, and is therefore quite tiring. But the majestic views of Mt. Everest and other peaks of the Rolwaling range (Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Thamserku and Mt. AmaDablam) make more than up for it and will keep you going. You will be walking through sweet-smelling pine and vibrant rhododendron forests, crossing rolling hills and pastures with yak herders, all the way up to Tengboche.  

This place is not just popular for the stunning views of surrounding mountains, but also for the artistic monastery built here. With a bit of luck you might even see Buddhist monks play football on the field next to the village Centre, or wake up early to see the sunrise over the monastery, the unrivalled backdrop of Mt. AmaDablam and the tip of Mt. Everest. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Tengboche (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

⛰ Max Height: 5100m || ⏲ Total Travel Distance: 5/6 Hours

After an amazing sunrise, you will have the chance to walk around and visit Tengboche Monastery. Note the beautiful wooden prayer wheels and the prayer flags flying the colors that represent the five Tibetan Buddhist elements: earth, wind, fire, water and consciousness. They believe is that the prayers and mantras written on the flags will be blown into the universe by the wind, in order to spread good will and compassion into all-pervading space.

We continue our Everest Base Camp Trek by slowly descending towards the village of Deboche. Once passed, you will walk through striking forests of rhododendron and conifers, and cross a bridge over the ImjaKhola to Pangboche. As we walk, we come across mani stones and prayer flags adorning the path.  As we reach Dingboche, you will have a very close view of Mt. AmaDablam and it feels as if the mountain is towering over you from up close. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Dingboche (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

⛰ Max Height: 4910m || ⏲ Total Travel Distance: 6 Hours

During an Everest Base Camp Trek, you are increasing your altitude. The air in the atmosphere gets thinner and thinner, which makes acclimatization a must. Therefore, you will be spending this day in and around Dingboche to adapt yourself to the elevation gain and prepare you for the journey ahead. Today, we will hike up to Nagarsan Hill at 5,100 meters; it also offers some of the most spectacular views of the mountains in the Everest region.

You will be aware of the thin air as you ascend. But once you arrive at the top, you’ll understand the physical importance of this beautiful hike and you will be rewarded with magnificent views of Island peak, Mt. AmaDablam, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Nuptse and many others. Light as a mountain goat, you will skip down to the valley floor, secure in the knowledge that you are now ready for the grand finale. Overnight stay at our guesthouse in Dingboche (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Leaving Dingboche, we head towards Lobuche, our destination before for the most important 2 days. We will continue walking the valley floor towards Dugla and will be leaving the Khumbu glacier behind us. On the way to Lobuche, you’re passing the cemetery where climbers who lost their lives during their attempt to climb Mt. Everest are resting peacefully. Stand here for a few moments, quietly thinking of those who started their adventure at Everest Base Camp.

You can feel the air in the atmosphere getting thinner as you continue. At this critical point in the journey, the key is to go slow, so as not to exhaust yourself. At Lobuche, we will be blessed with splendid views of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Khumbutse and Mahalangur. As we cross the Khumbu glacier, the beautiful peak of Mt. Nuptse also comes into sight. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Lobuche (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Today is the most important day of your journey, as you will fulfill your ultimate dream of facing the ‘Goddess Mother of the Universe’: Mt. Everest, at Everest Base Camp. Leaving Lobuche, we will head towards Gorekshep with a view of the northern ridge of Everest, along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. As we walk down to ThangmaRiju, we are blessed with a 360 degree view of snow-clad mountains. After a steep climb up the Changri glacier, Kalapatthar comes into sight and we continue walking until we reach Gorekshep. Here we have a quick break to prepare for the 2 hour walk to Everest Base Camp.

Driven by adrenaline, you will pass glaciers and frozen rivers, a fairy tale world of snow and ice. The last hundred meters of rocky terrain will finally bring you to the prayer flags at Everest Base Camp. Looking up you will see the towering peaks rising up in front of you, and your eyes will keep wandering to take it all in. This is the place where the ultimate adventurer starts his climb to the top of the world.  Be proud of what you accomplished, for it is a spectacular moment indeed. We retrace our steps back to Gorekshep for an overnight stay at a guesthouse in Gorekshep (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

We wake up before the sun and head towards Kalapttar for the views of glorious sunrise over the white snowy mountains. The view of the mountains as the first light of sun illuminate over the mountains is fascinating. The hike to Kalapattar can be an awesome experience for all the photographers who would love to save the memories with nature. After beholding the memories of the mountains, we descend down to Gorekshep and then to Lobuche. From Lobuche, we again ascend up to Dzongla. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Dzongla (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Today, we walk on the flat stone paved path for some time and pass through a dry and barren valley. Then we ascend up steep until we reach Chola pass. Chola Pass is an icy trail along the Chola glacier. As we reach Chola pass, we descend down through a stony path and follow our trail until we reach Phedi. Then we descend down to Thangna. Thangna is a small village that has few tea houses and lodges. We can get a view of Macchermo peak along with other peaks at this point. Spend you night at a teahouse in Thangna. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Today, we continue our walk along the Ngozumpa glacier route until we get the view of the first glacier lake of Gokyo. Our walk for the day is comparatively easy as we walk over a flat path following Dudh Koshi River up to Gokyo. As you reach to the lake at Gokyo, you will be tantalized by its beauty of Dudh Pokhari Lake. The serene and tranquil azure lakes embedded in the laps of towering mountains is fascinating. Spend you night at a teahouse in Gokyo Lake. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

We spend the day admiring the beauty that resides in the azure lakes at Gokyo. Early in the morning, we hike up to the Gokyo Ri. Our climb up to Gokyo Ri is strenuous as it is steep climb up for around 3 to 4 hours. But the fascinating scenery of Gokyo village that lies on the edge of third Gokyo Lake and the views of Ngozumpa glacier will keep you going. The experience of being surrounded by the mountains like Kusum Kanguru, Lhotse, Thamserku, Makalu, Kangtega, Nuptse, Taboche, Cholatse, Changtse, and Pumori is rejoicing. The view of sunrise above the Mt. Everest is a memorable sight to be preserved. After our climb up the Gokyo Ri, we descend down Gokyo and then to Dole. Overnight at guesthouse in Dole (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

We retrace our journey back to Namche. We cross the Dudhkoshi river and descend down through rhododendron forest to Namche. Overnight at a guesthouse in Namche (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

We continue our journey back to Phakding via the same path, and further still until we reach Lukla. The Dudh Koshi River, suspension bridge and the lush landscape are reverse flashbacks of the trail you took earlier on. Only this time you walk it with the knowledge that you are one of the fortunate people who reached Everest Base Camp. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Lukla. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Today you bid a goodbye to the Khumbu region of Nepal. After so many highlights, such an exhilarating experience and so much beauty this region has showed you, you will take a flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla airport. Upon your arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is at your convenience, whether you want rest or just wander around. Overnight stay at the hotel (breakfast included).

Spend this day at your leisure in or around Kathmandu. You can take one of our optional day trips, relax or roam around Kathmandu city. Perhaps go for a massage – you deserve it – or do some last-minute shopping. Take a leisurely lunch in one of the many tea gardens or dine on one of the rooftop terraces. Overnight stay at the hotel (breakfast included).

After this wonderful adventure, it’s finally time to bid you a farewell. We will pick you up from the hotel and escort you to the airport for your journey home!
We hope with all our hearts that we serve you well and look forward to seeing you or your friends again someday.
Goodbye!