The Everest base camp Gokyo lakes trek is in the Solukhumbu Everest region. You visit the world's highest mountain base camp, two different viewpoints (Gokyo Ri and Kalapatthar) to see eye-captivating mountain views, and tranquil Gokyo lakes with experience an adventure crossing the Cho La pass (5420m).
It is a combined trekking package between two different routes Everest base camp and Gokyo valley. You can see four high mountains above eight thousand meters Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu, out of eight mountains Nepal has. Beautiful glacial lakes, landscapes, valleys, flora, and fauna add prettiness to this Cho La pass adventure trek.
Trekking to the Gokyo lakes via Cho La pass after visiting the base camp begins with a regular EBC trail for a few days up to the bottom of Mt.Everest and Kalapatthar, and then goes to Zongla for Cho La. During this Adventure, you can also see two giant glaciers, Khumbu and Ngozumpa. You will make a circle during this Gokyo Everest base camp trekking, which means you only need to trek back on the same route except for the last day from Namche to Lukla.
Once you leave the regular base camp route and take a right toward Cho La, the trail will be quieter and have much fewer trekkers. You spend a night in Zongla before going to cross Cho La. It would be best if you started early morning to go over the pass to avoid the wind and reach on time to the next destination. You get Thangnak for lunch after the Cho La. You can either stay in this place or trek to Gokyo in the afternoon after lunch. It takes another two hours to reach Gokyo from Dragnak and cross a colossal glacier Ngozumpa.
The next day from Gokyo valley, you can visit the 5th lake or Gokyo Ri in the morning. If you have one day for Gokyo, visit Gokyo Ri because it offers magnificent mountain views, probably the best of the Everest Himalayas, lakes, and glaciers. Visiting the 5th lake is a full-day excursion, so we recommend taking snacks from the lodge before heading on. You can see the whole body of Mt.Everest from this place, so if you have some extra days, visiting 5th lake can be worthwhile.
The lodges are close to the 3rd lake, but the 4th and 5th are toward the north. You will pass the 1st and 2nd lakes while walking downwards to Dole after Gokyo. You see ruddy shelducks around these lakes. Today, you walk through Fanga, Machchhermo, and Luza before you arrive at Dole to stay.
After Dole, You descend for around an hour through rhododendron and pine forest. There are some beautiful ice climbing sites where people rise during winter. You can also see musk deer inside this forest while descending to Phungki-Tenga. After Phungki-Tenga, the trail goes upward for about an hour and a half to Mong Danda. There are Himalayan Thars (wild Himalayan goats) around the walking path. You can see celestial views of Mt.Thamserku, Khangteka, and Amadablam from this hill and then start descending towards Sanasa, where the Everest base camp trail joins back. Today, you reach back Namche Bazaar and Lukla the following before taking a flight to Kathmandu.
Frolic Adventure managers are well-known about the trek and update you about any changes in the route, so you can always get factual information before you book your Cho La pass adventure trek. We are a legally authorized trekking operator from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), providing government license holders with English-speaking guides and helpful, friendly assistance.
What to expect from the Cho La pass trek?
- You will be walking through different Himalayan valleys, such as Dudhkoshi river valley, Khumbu valley, Imja valley, and Gokyo valley, with mindblowing mountain views most of the time.
- The natural beauties such as Rivers, waterfalls, and vegetation from the Sagarmatha national park (natural UNESCO world heritage site) graced the EBC Gokyo trekking route.
- The Sherpa are world famous for mountain climbing. With great hospitality, you can see their lifestyle, activities, culture, and tradition.
- Unreal mountain views from vantage viewpoints such as hotel Everest view, Tengboche hill, Nangkar-Tsang hill, Kalapatthar, and Gokyo Ri make the feeling like you are in absolute heaven while doing the EBC Gokyo trek via Choa La pass.
- Step to the foot of the world's tallest mountain and reach very close to the famous Khumbu icefall.
- Explore balmy Gokyo lakes and glacial ponds, and cross giant glaciers with the moonwalk feeling.
- See wildlife like Himalayan Thar, musk deers, Himalayan pika, and birds like mountain hawks, Raven, Tibetan snow cock, golden Brahminy duck, Himalayan Monal, and many more.
- Visit the ancient Religious Buddhist Monastery, Join regular offerings with the monks.
- Meet the Everest climbers in the Sring.
Everest base camp Gokyo Lakes – Who can go on this trek?
The Everest Gokyo Lakes trip is a challenging mountain trek. It could be similar difficulties as the base camp trek most of the time, but the Cho La pass makes it more Adventure and difficult. If you are a regular hiker and have visited higher than 4000 meters above sea level several times, It should not be a problem. However, if you are a first-time trekker, we suggest short treks in Nepal or other Himalayas before going on the EBC Cho La trek.
Altitude with thin oxygen in the air makes breathing difficult while walking in the high Himalayan region difficult. There is ice on the trail near the Cho La pass, and even a bunch of them sometimes heaped. It makes strenuous the path to walk around the top of this hill.
Going over the pass from the Gokyo side to the base camp
You might have seen different trekking itineraries of the Everest Gokyo trek and need clarification about which are the better routes. For your clearance, visiting the base camp first and going to the Gokyo lakes later is a more accessible itinerary because you will have less climbing. If you go over the pass from Zongla, you feel like climbing only a little, but starting to rise from Thangnak is tiring uphill for many hours. But, if you will have knee problems from a long downhill walk, crossing from the Gkyo side is recommended.
Also, it would be best to start early in the morning with a flashlight to cross Cho La from Thangnak. If you are going for the pass from Zongla after the base camp first, you can start with daylight. Although, you have to start earlier than the other regular trekking days.
How to prepare for adventure trekking and the Everest base camp Gokyo lakes?
Most everyone who dreams about Adventure trekking in the Himalayas can complete the Everest Gokyo lakes trek but need some hiking and altitude practice. You can often hike somewhere in nature where the trails are up and down hills and visit some of the high elevations above 4000 meters doing some short treks. Those who do not have hills and mountains for hiking and trekking in your country can do indoor practices with high atmospheric pressure, running, and jogging.
Hill hikes, weight lifting, running, and jogging exercises make your muscle strong and flexible to walk in the high Himalayan region. In the Everest Himalayan Region, prepare to carry a few kilograms of daypack for 6-7 hours of walking daily for 15-16 days.
Besides the physical preparation, you must mentally bustle to trek to Everest base camp Gokyo lakes. Be ready to face any difficulties during the trip, such as changing weather during the trek, what to do if the Lukla flight has been canceled, staying with basic lodges, no showers every day, and altitude sickness.
Go on a trek now to explore Everest base camp and Gokyo lakes
After learning about trekking to Everest base camp Gokyo lakes via Cho La pass, you can explore the beauty of this Himalayan region. We are taking bookings for this adventure Everest trip for 2023 and 2024, so you can make your seat safe now.
You can book the trip directly through the 'book this trip' section or contact us page asking any trip-related questions. We have a special discount for group trekkers to the Everest Gokyo Lakes. And also are ready to make itineraries according to your time frame and physical fitness.
For more details, please check the helpful information and the cost detail sections:
