Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Trek

The guests shall be greeted by a representative of Bharal Adventure who is responsible for taking them to their hotel upon their arrival. The dinner comprising of authentic Nepali food is the preliminary firsthand experience of the Nepali culture that the company offers you.

A guided tour around the historically and spiritually significant landmarks in Kathmandu will be scheduled after breakfast. These landmarks constitutes of Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath – the Monkey Temple, Boudhanath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the afternoon, pre-trip discussion session will be arranged enabling the interaction between trek leader, crew and the guests.

An early morning flight from Kathmandu rewarded by breathtaking views of green and white mountains takes the team to the gateway destination, Lukla from where the trek begins. After assembling other crew members in Lukla, the convoy shall commemorate their trek through the prosperous village of Lukla to Phakding.

A pleasant walk through Dudh Koshi River rewarded with the magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m/21,675 ft) at Benkar village begins just after breakfast. Passing through the villages, trails and bridges takes the team to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. Descending from there to Jorsale village, team starts the climb to Namche Bazaar as they arrive at Hillary Suspension Bridge. The mystifying sights of Kwangde Peak, its sister peaks Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache and many other enchanting snowcapped mountains compels the convoy to take a break at Chautara and admire the spectacle. An hour walk further and the team reaches Namche Bazaar, the colorful city and main trading center of the region.

For acclimatization, either a day’s hike to Thame or Khunde is recommended. If not, exploration of Namche Bazaar itself could be arranged where the travelers will have a chance to discover and learn about the Sherpa culture, biodiversity of the Everest region and assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders. Namche is the major trading center of the region that has restaurants, ATMs, a bakery and colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. Also a few hours’ side trip to Khumjung Valley could be arranged where the travelers could take delight in local culture existing amidst the glorious mountain views.

A steep climb up to Kyangjuma Village is accompanied by the views of Thamserku, Katenga and Ama Dablam peaks. From here begins the most strenuous ascend of the day to Mong La, an extremely charming place perched on the vicinity of Mt. Khumbila accommodating an ancient historical Chorten at the center of its settlement area. A relaxing lunch in the area and the trek ahead is pleasing with the scenery of abundant plants and vegetation including wildflowers and rhododendrons accompanied by wildlife throughout the journey to Dole.

The trail starts up with scenic ridge above Dole and proceeds through amiable summer settlements and fascinating hamlet of Luza (4360m) along the Dudh Koshi Valley towards Maccherma, the last major settlement on the way to Gokyo. This is also the place where the Khumbu people first sighted Yeti in 1974. A visit to Himalayan Rescue Hospital is scheduled where the team attends a lecture regarding the altitude sickness, its precaution and primary treatment.

Climbing through a ridge Chorten, the team moves through Pangka (4480m) to terminal of Ngozamba Glacier towards Lake Longpongo on the bank of which is consigned the Lama footprints on a stone, passing through Lake Taboche Tsho towards the third lake by which Gokyo Village is settled. A relaxing lunch will be further rewarded with an amusing walk along Dudh Pokhari, the third lake.

For acclimatization, a trek to Gokyo Ri will be arranged on this day with the exciting prospect of visiting the other three mesmerizing lakes of the Gokyo Valley. Thonak Tsho and Ngozuma Tsho are the fourth and fifth lakes beyond which the base camp of Mt. Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang being only a stone’s throw away. The further exploration to the sixth lake shall depend upon the interest and time available.

Gokyo Ri will be scaled today if it hadn’t been done the previous day. The three to four hour climb is arduous, however, totally worth it! The views of the glaciers, lakes and peaks are awe-inspiring and mystifying. More mesmerizing is the sight of sunrays kissing the Everest. After descending the Gokyo Ri, lunch will be served just before we proceed on our trek to Thaknak.

One of the toughest days of the journey, trek to Cho-la Pass and Dzongla starts early at around 4-6 am. The steep trek includes a glacier traverse on the eastern side. Passing through frozen lake, steep and rocky trails and some crevasses, the convoy descends to Dzongla after the tough ascend to Cho-La Pass.

A short walk with more time for observation and relaxation fills this day with the transfixing views of Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, Thaboche until the team arrives at Lobuche.

The trail to Gorak Shep goes through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier convoyed with the revelation of Mt. Everest, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern and many more. A small ascend to Thangma Riju with further steep climb through the torrent of Changri Glacier takes us to Gorak Shep. A quick lunch and rest enables us to trek along the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once immense Gorak Shep Lake.

An early morning trek to Kala Patthar will commence on this day to witness the mesmerizing view of first day light embracing Mount Everest. Since it begins before the first light of dawn, dark and cold temperature is expected. After descending from Kala Patthar, breakfast is served. Descend to Pheriche shall commence as soon as all the team members have returned from their morning trek.

The route traverses through Dunghla, Khumbu Khola, Pheriche, Orsho and Shomare until Pangboche from where the footsteps are retraced down to Imja Khola and up through the forest to Debuche. If the trek is organized during the full moon of November or December, the convoy acquires a chance to witness the Mani Rimdu festival in Tengboche. After lunch in Tengboche, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly through pine forests disembarking at Sansa moving further down up to Namche Bazaar.

Despite the route being the same, the journey from Namche Bazaar to Lukla feels completely different blessed with the views of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests and snowcapped mountain peaks.

The forty minute early morning flight to Kathmandu enables the team to either plan more sightseeing in Kathmandu or spend the rest of the day relaxing and shopping for souvenirs in Thamel with or without assistance of representative from Bharal Adventure. To commemorate the end of the adventurous expedition in the land of mountains, a farewell dinner shall be organized where the guests will have one more chance to indulge in the delicacy of authentic Nepali meal before they plan their next tour to the country.

The mountain expedition marks its end today with the team bidding goodbye to each other and sharing their farewell and well wishes during and after breakfast. The guests shall be escorted to the airport by a representative of Bharal Adventure three hours before their scheduled flight.