Trip Overview
If communing with nature is equally important to you, together with conquering the altitude, then the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Cho La Pass is the one for you. It’s one of the finest alternatives to trekkers, seeking the ultimate Everest base camp trekking experience; without having to tread the normally jam-packed, regular base camp trail. The combination: Everest base camp –the base camp of the highest mountain in the world, Kala Patthar- the best Everest view point, Cho La Pass- one of the three Everest High Passes, Gokyo Lakes – series of glacier-fed lakes and Gokyo RI- 5,360m high peak, is simply unbeatable and makes this detour (west of Everest) more scenic, serene, challenging and completely worth your time and effort.
Our 18 days Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass trek is a walk to the base camp of the Mt. Everest and Gokyo Lake via Chola Pass and back, after a day tour of the attractions in the Kathmandu Valley. It’s a teahouse trek that starts with a scenic flight to Lukla. From Lukla, you will continue to the base camp on a regular base camp trail and return, taking an alternative route via Chola Pass and Gokyo Lake. Including the arrival, departure, city tour and 2 acclimatization days (at Namche and Dingboche), the entire trip is successfully completed in 18 days.
Kindly check the Cost Details to understand the services and the benefits guaranteed by our standard 18 days Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass package. If the given details do not match your requirements, the package can be tailored to meet your specifications, with 100% departure guarantee on all personalized packages.
Compared to the regular 15 days Everest Base Camp Trek, this trekking in the Everest region of Nepal is more challenging. Therefore, we suggest you prepare your mind and body and choose the right season, autumn (mid-September to November) and spring (March to mid-May) to increase the success rate. Nevertheless, if you are a challenge freak, then our Everest Three High Passes Trek – 19 days is always the perfect option for you.
Please Note:
Due to obstructive weather conditions (even during the best trekking seasons), sometimes they may announce sudden changes regarding the previously provided domestic flight schedule to and from Lukla. The plane many be delayed for few hours or even few following days. This entirely depends upon the weather condition. In order to cope with this situation, AME Treks and Expedition, kindly requests all the trekkers to add a few extra days to your plan. Nevertheless, if everything goes well, we can also make arrangements for you to enjoy other attractions like bungee jumping, jungle safari, rafting, shopping and so on.
Furthermore, trekker’s safety is always the top priority in any trek. Therefore, the team leader, on duty, is given every authority to make changes in the itinerary provided, in case of unexpected weather change, unsuitable health condition of a group member or an unforeseen natural disaster. If needed, team leader might also cancel any part of the itinerary. Hence, in such situations we request you co-operate with our team leader and remain flexible.
Due to the air traffic in Kathmandu International Airport, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) decided to operate Lukla flights to/from Manthali Airport Ramechhap during major trekking seasons. For this autumn, 2022, It is likely that all the flights to/from Lukla will be operated from Ramechhap airport from 1st October. Ramechhap is about 130 km northeast of Kathmandu and takes about 4 hours and 30 min drive. As the flight to Lukla will be in the morning, we should be there on time./ To make sure we would like to do half day city tour on day 3 and drive to Ramechap in the evening. Spend a night near the airport and the next morning fly to Lukla. We will organize a private transfer to/from Kathmandu to Ramechhap for Lukla flight.
Trip Highlights
- The challenging altitude: Mt. Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Kala Patthar (5,550m), Chola Pass (5,420m) and Gokyo RI (5,360m)
- Sacred Gokyo Lakes (Longponga Tsho, Taujung Tsho, Gokyo Tsho, Thonak Tsho, Ngozumba Tsho and Gyazumba Tsho) – a series of six emerald-green, freshwater lakes on the moraine beside Ngozumpa Glacier
- Sunrise view over jaw-dropping mountain vista (including the highest Mt. Everest) from Kala Patthar
- Opportunity to view 4 of the 10 highest peaks in the world, Mt. Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,481m) and Cho Oyu (8,210m)
- The Khumbu Glacier (world’s highest glacier) and Ngozumpa Glacier (the longest glacier the Himalayas)
- Scenic flight to and from Lukla and the experience of landing on one of the most dangerous airports in the world to land on, the Tenzing-Hillary Airport
- Tengboche Monastery – the largest monastery in the Khumbu region
- UNESCO World Heritage sites – Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, the Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Sagarmatha National Park
- Pristine settlement, lifestyle, culture and the hospitality of the native Sherpa people
Trip Includes
- Airport Pick-up and Drop-off service in a private vehicle
- 3 nights of twin-sharing accommodation (3* Standard Hotel) with breakfast
- Kathmandu guided tour covering 4 monument sites (which are listed in the UNESCO world heritage site)
- Farewell dinner with feedback session after the trek
- Airport transfer for domestic flight (private transport for Ramechap airport during the main trekking season)
- Sagarmatha National Park entrance fees
- TIMS (Trekkers Security Card) Card
- Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight tickets (During the main season all Lukla flights are via Ramechap airport which is 5 hour's drive from Kathmandu)
- Airport departure tax for both way
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
- Twin Sharing accommodation (Lodge or guest house) during the trek (5 hot showers)
- Seasonal fresh fruits after every dinner while on a trek
- Purified (medicated-proof) drinking water while on a trek
- Government-licensed and well trained English speaking guide and his entire expenses
- Porters (One porter for every 2 members) and his entire expenses
- Insurance of Guide and Porter
- Rescue arrangements (Only in emergency cases)
- All required government taxes and service charges
- Local (Khumbu Gaunpalika) Tax
- Down jackets and sleeping bags (rented)
- Company duffel bag as a porter bag (You can keep it after use)
- Trip route map for you to keep as a souvenir.
- Medical kit along with Oximeter
- Adventure certificate (After completion of the trek if needed)
Trip Excludes
- Nepal arrival visa
- Meals in the city except breakfast and above mentioned special dinner
- Extra accommodation and meals in Kathmandu (in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
- Your personal nature expenses eg. Mineral water, Beer, Coke and entire beverage etc
- All kinds of drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance that covers trip cancelation and Helicopter evacuation
- Tips (as an appreciation) and any other extending trips and accommodation.
Useful Information
Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass AME
Useful Information:
Is travel insurance mandatory to do the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass in Nepal? If yes, what type?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory to do the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass in Nepal. While choosing your insurance policy, check for the five major courses: trip cancellation or interruption, medical evacuation (treatment cost, hospital charges, doctor’s fee and the cost of the medicine), flight insurance (cancellation and delays) and baggage insurance (misplaced or lost luggage). Also add up supplemental policies to cover issues like identity theft and security and political evacuation (natural disaster, civil uprising, military coups, political unrest, etc.). Moreover, the best thing to do is to get a comprehensive insurance that covers all of the above mentioned courses plus the expenses caused by delayed trips, misses flights, or any alterations in the itinerary by the tour company. 5550m is the maximum elevation gained during this trek; therefore, do not forget to ensure that the policy covers helicopter and medical evacuation up to 6000 meters (some standard policies only cover up to 4000m) and repatriation cost.
Which are the best seasons to plan the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass in Nepal?
Autumn (October to November) and spring (March to May) are the two best seasons to plan the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass in Nepal. These two seasons are very supportive in terms of weather, climate, visibility and trail condition. Heavy rainfall, during monsoon and heavy snowfall during winter make monsoon and winter not the best time to plan this trek in Nepal. However, if you are ready for these conditions, this trekking in Nepal can be planned any time of the year.
Does the standard Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass trek package guarantee accommodation and meal?
Yes, this package guarantees full board (meal and accommodation), during the trek and bed and breakfast in Kathmandu.
The accommodation in Kathmandu is arranged in a deluxe boutique hotel and lodges/guest houses/teahouses (with shared amenities), during the trek. The rooms are booked on a twin-share basis, where you will be paired up with another member (same sex) of your group. Triple share can be arranged on request, both in Kathmandu and during the trek. Single supplements are also available, but at extra cost. The accommodation options used during the trek are very basic. The room amenities are also basic, which decrease with the increase in altitude. However, the rooms are comfortable and are the best available in the area. Toilets and bathrooms are usually common. Some of these accommodations provide hot shower facility, while the others provide a few buckets of hot water on request (extra charge applicable). This facility also decreases with the increase in elevation.
Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and tea/coffee), during the trek will be served as per the tea house menu. All meals will be freshly made, using organic and local ingredients and will be plentiful. Soft drinks and other snacks can be purchased at your own expenses (the prices significantly increase, with the increase in elevation). Breakfast in Kathmandu will be served as per the hotel breakfast menu (usually buffet). Typical Nepali cuisine will be served for welcome dinner. However, farewell dinner will be as per the restaurant menu.
How healthy, fit and experienced should I be, in order to plan the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass in Nepal?
The Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass is a challenging trek in Nepal. Trekkers need to cross one of the three high passes - Cho La Pass (5,420m), hike to Gokyo RI (5,360m) and also hike to Kala Patthar (5,550m). Some days require 9-10 hours walking. The trail is demanding. Therefore, high level of fitness, healthy body, excellent stamina and tough determination is required to successfully complete this trek.
Therefore, it is highly suggest that you seek advice, medication and permission from your local General Practitioner, before planning your trek. Especially those with acute or chronic health conditions are highly recommended to consult doctor, prior to trek booking. It is also recommended that you consult regarding the necessary guide walks required to prepare your body for this trek. In the absence of GP, seeking advice from travel clinic is suggested.
No technical skill is required to plan this trek in Nepal. But, prior hiking or camping experiences are a plus point. Also, a few weeks of regular exercise like jogging, running, swimming, cycling, uphill climbing is highly recommended to build the required stamina, before the trip.
(Please Note: We kindly request you to inform us regarding your present health condition, medical situation, ongoing illness and the regular medicines that you are taking. We expect you to be honest regarding these issues, so that we can get prepared for emergencies.)
What happens if I get sick or injured during the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass?
Your safety comes first. Always! Therefore, to ensure top-notch safety, we make sure that your trek is led by one of the most professional, experienced and licensed guide. Also, our guides are first-aid trained and can provide the required first aid treatment, in case of any sickness or injury. However, in case of serious situations, your guide will call a rescue helicopter to fly you back to Kathmandu for further medical assistance.
Should I tip my guide and porter?
Tipping you guide, porter or any other service provider in Nepal is not mandatory, but customary. It’s the sign of gratitude. It also shows that you are happy and satisfied with the service provided. Therefore, a small gratuity is always appreciated, if you are happy with the services provided by your guide and porter.
Is the transportation cost included in the package?
The standard Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Cho La Pass includes the cost of airport transfers, the cost of vehicle used for city tour and the cost of the Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight tickets.
How do I get in touch with my family members, while I am doing the Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake and Cho La Pass Trek?
Most of our night stops provide either internet, or telephone service, which can be used to connect to your family members (extra charges available). However, at places with no access to internet or telephone, or in emergencies, you can use the cellular phone provided to our guide by the company. You can either call or sent a text using this phone to the off-site team in Kathmandu to leave your message, which will further be delivered to the concerned person. Or, you can also purchase a use a prepaid phone card (submission of 2 passport sized photos and passport visa copy is required to purchase the SIM), during your stay in Nepal.
Why should I book my Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake and Cho La Pass Trek with AME Treks and Expedition?
Although, AME Treks and Expedition provides services like any other trekking companies in Nepal, there still are a few things that make us stand out in the crowd. Highly dedicated to perfection and superior service, we offer years of experience to plan an outstanding adventure trip for you. Our partnership with local people will help you explore those areas, culture and tradition in the Khumbu region that have seldom been explored before. We cater to every possible needs of yours, during your stay in Nepal, be it food, accommodation, varied destination or communication needs. If our standard packages do the meet your requirements, we offer an option to fully customize the trip to meet the needs and requirements of each individual traveler. Our best packages are available at the most competitive rates in the market.
Moreover, registered under the government of Nepal, AME Treks and Expedition is fully licensed and certified to organize adventure trips like trekking, hiking, expedition, tour and other tourism related services in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. We believe in and practice responsible tourism. In addition to this, we also are a very active member following organizations:
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)
Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN)
Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP)
Ministry of Finance, Department of Taxation
Company Registration Office, Pvt. Ltd.
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism Industry
What should I bring?
To make it easier for you to pack for your Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Cho La Pass in Nepal, we request you follow the list given below. The items may vary according to the season and the duration of the trek. The weight limitation for this trip is 15 kilograms; therefore, we request you not to carry the things that are not required during the trek. We also suggest you not to bring any valuables and even if you happen to bring any, we request you to leave it in a safety deposit box in your hotel in Kathmandu.
Documents:
- Valid Passport and passport sized photos (4 copies)
- Airline tickets
- Photocopies of passport, visa form and insurance policy
- Cash, in dollars, pounds or Euros to be used in Nepal
- Debit/Credit Card or traveler’s check.
Head/Face:
- Bandana or head scarf
- Light balaclava or warm fleece/wool/synthetic hat that covers your ears
- Headlamp with extra bulbs and batteries
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Neck warmer (Optional)
- Lip balm (SPF 20 at least)
- Sunscreen (SPF 40 at least)
Upper Body:
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece wind-proof jackets or pullover
- Waterproof shell jacket (breathable fabric)
- Down jacket
- Waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex jacket with hood
- Polypropylene shirts (both half and long sleeves)
- T-shirts
Hand:
- 1 pair of lightweight liner gloves (thin wool or synthetic)
- 1 pair of warm gloves ( wool or heavier fleece gloves)
- 1 pair of mittens or shell gloves (Gore-Tex preferred)
Lower Body:
- 4 Underwear/briefs (non-cotton)
- 2 pairs of hiking shorts (Nylon preferred)
- 2 pairs of lightweight long underwear
- 1 pair of soft shell pants
- 2 pairs of trekking pants
- 1 pair of cotton pants
- 1 pair of hard shell pants (waterproof and breathable fabric; Gore-Tex preferred)
Feet:
- 1 pair of light weight socks
- 4 pairs of liner socks (synthetic/capilene)
- 3 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
- 1 pair of light to medium weight Trekking boots with spare laces
- 1 pair of sneakers or light trekking shoes
- 1 pair of hiking gaiters (optional)
- 1 pair of trainers or running shoes/sandals
- Crampons
General:
- 4 season sleeping bag
- Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
- 1 large duffle bag
- A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables
- Small padlock for duffle-kit bags
- 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)
- Down Jacket (optional)
- Trekking poles
- Durable wallet for travel documents, money & passport
Medicine:
- Personal First Aid kit
- Aspirin, first-aid tape and band aids
- 1 skin blister repair kit
- Medicines for headache, diarrhea, cough and cold, Diamox or Acetylzolamide,
- Antibiotics: Ciproflosacin
- Water purification Iodine tablets or water filter
- Prescription glasses, contact lenses
Miscellaneous:
- Pocket knife
- Toiletry kit: Toilet paper, hand wipes, liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, face wash, sanitary pads, 1 medium-sized quick drying towel, deodorants, nail clippers, face and body moisturizer, small mirror,
- Reading book, journal and pen, iPod, travel games, plug adapter
- 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
- Digital camera with extra batteries
- Large Ziplocs and waterproof and disposable rubbish sacks
- Water bottles
Optional:
- Snacks, chocolates or energy bars
- Binoculars (optional)
- Stainless steel thermos
Passport and Visa Information:
It is very easy to obtain Nepal’s visa. You may either apply for a visa at your nearest Nepalese Embassy/Consulate or Mission offices in your own country, or you can buy this upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. To apply for a visa, you need 2 passport size photographs, Visa fees in US dollars and your passport that is valid for at least 6 months, before the trip. Indian Nationals do not require any visa to enter Nepal and Chinese Nationals can obtain visa absolutely free of cost. Transit visa for foreign nationalities is only provided for 3 days. Therefore, visa is required for longer stays. However, for the convenience or foreign nationals, a visa is also provided from the borders listed below:
Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu)
Tel: 977-1-4485173/4113045
Fax: 977-1-4113090
Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
Tel: 977-23-562054
Fax: 977-23-563569
Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
Tel/Fax: 977-51-5527447
Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border of Nepal)
Tel/Fax: 977-11-840196
Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Western Nepal)
Tel/Fax: 977-71-520629
Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Mid Western Nepal)
Tel/Fax: 977-81-412005
Mohana, Dhangadhi (Far Western Nepal)
Tel/Fax: 977-91-523246
Kanchanpur (Far Western Nepal)
Tel/Fax: 977-99-402004
Rashuwagadi
Tel: 977-10-6922722
Fax: 977-10-540133
Tourist Visa Fees:
Transit visa (3 days) Free of cost
Minimum USD 30 for up to 15 days
After 15 days USD 2/day (extension of the tourist visa, the fees chargeable for 15 days shall be levied if the period is less than 15 days in every extension)
Extra USD 20 for MRE facility for valid visa period.
Late fee to be charged extra USD 3/day
In case of minor, below 10 years of age, the visa is free of cost
(For more information, please visit http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np or contact the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu.)
Tel: 977-1- 4429659/4429660/4438862/4438868.
Fax: 977-1- 4433934/4433935
Email: dg@nepalimmigration.gov.np, mail@nepalimmigration.gov.np