Compare Everest Base Camp Trek by G Adventures vs Everest Chola Pass Trek-15 Days by White Hill Adventure

Day 1 Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Attend the group welcome meeting.

Day 2 Kathmandu/Phakding

Catch the mountain flight to Lukla, enjoying stunning views of the Himalayas. Meet the Sherpas and begin the trek to Phakding.

The mountain flight into Lukla is spectacular and the landing an exciting beginning to the trek – one end of the runway is 60m (197ft) higher than the other. The flight is on a small Dornier / Twin Otter flight and flight duration is generally around 25 – 30 minutes. Once in Lukla, head through pine and cedar woods along the Dudh Kosi to Phakding. Spend the next three nights trekking in the area and acclimatizing in preparation for heading to base camp. This is a challenging trip and involves difficult trekking at high altitudes but the whole experience is simply awe-inspiring!

In the Himalayas weather can cancel or delay the scheduled flight(s) to/from Lukla airport. To be sure that you make your trek, or return from it, it may be necessary to make this flight by a chartered helicopter. Helicopters can operate in some weather that aircraft cannot. Should a helicopter be needed, it will be at the expense of the travellers, and not something covered by G Adventures. Please keep approximately USD 500 (one way) accessible in case this situation presents itself. This suggested amount is in addition to the emergency fund suggested in the tour details.  Hopefully weather delays will not occur, or if they do it will be for a limited time. Should the delays stretch into days and neither helicopter nor flight are a viable option, a collective decision will be made by the group on how to proceed. This is especially true if the delays are prior to the trek, as the original trek may no longer be feasible. Your CEO will be there to help with this process.

Day 3 Phakding/Namche Bazaar

Hike to Namche Bazaar, gateway to Everest Base Camp and spend two nights acclimatizing for the trek. The group will hike mostly uphill today from Phakding and it will take around 6 hours to reach Namche Bazaar.

An acclimatisation day allows for an excursion to Thame and Khumjung, the green village.

Day 4 Namche Bazaar

During today's acclimatization day the group will hike up to Syangboche at 3860m. Weather permitting, you will be able to spend some time here and enjoy tea or coffee while viewing the mighty Himalayas and of course Everest Peak. Return back to Namche where the remainder of the day is yours to rest as you please. Total time spent hiking today will be around 3 hours.

Day 5 Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

Set out on a 5–6 hr trek through pine and rhododendron forests before arriving in Tengboche. Tengboche is a small village, and home to the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in Khumbu region.

Day 6 Tengboche to Dingboche

Trek to Dingboche, crossing bridges and rivers with sweeping views of the Himalayan region. Walk through forests and alpine meadows and search for wildlife along the way. The group will spend 2 nights in Dingboche to acclimatize.

Day 7 Dingboche

Today is an acclimatization day. Opt to hike to Chhukung or Nagarzhang Peak.

An acclimatization day here can be used to hike up the Imja Khola to Chhukung or Nagarzhang Peak, a small summer settlement from where stunning views of Island Peak, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and the fluted ice walls flanking the Amphu Lapcha pass can be seen. These views are one of the highlights of the entire trek.

Day 8 Dingboche/Lobuche

Hike through alpine meadows and summer yak pastures towards the end of the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche, which has spectacular views of Nuptse. Today the group will walk for around 5 hours gradually following the trail uphill along a glacial river and through small settlements at Dughla and Thukla.

Day 9 Everest Base Camp (Gorak Shep).

Today includes a challenging climb past the Khumbu Glacier, arriving in Nuptse. From there the group will cross the Changri Glacier to Gorakshep, and then finally enjoy the highlight of reaching Everest Base Camp.

Day 10 Gorak Shep/Pheriche

Enjoy an early morning trek to Kala Pattar for stunning sunrise views of Everest and surrounding vistas. Later, trek to Pheriche along a mostly downhill route.

Day 11 Pheriche to Kenjuma

Today the group descends through Pangboche, the highest permanent settlement in the region, with its great gompa. The trek finishes in Kenjuma. After a long day on the trail, the evening will be spent resting and recouping

Day 12 Kenjuma to Monjo

Continue our trek, following a path that has both ascents and descents. The group will finish today’s downhill trek in the evening upon arrival to the small village of Monjo.

Day 13 Monjo/Lukla

The final day of our trek takes us back to Lukla, where we have a chance to relax after the rigorous adventure we just undertook.

Day 14 Lukla/Kathmandu

Catch the short flight back to Kathmandu, where the rest of the day is free for shopping, sightseeing, or relaxing in one of the many rooftop cafés.

Please note that certain departures for this trip will be subject to an itinerary change. During this time, the Kathmandu airport will be closed for maintenance and as a result, we will be flying to Ramechap and taking a private bus back to Kathmandu.

Day 15 Kathmandu

Depart at any time.

Day 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla at Tenzing-Hillary Airport early morning 30 minutes scenic flight then and trek to Phakding 2,612 m / 8,570 f - 04 hrs.

Early morning our guide and staff will pick you from your hotel for short drive to Kathmandu domestic airport, after security formalities board in a small aircraft, where scenic flight with views of Himalayan range of mountains includes Everest, then landing in Lukla at Tenzing-Hillary airport. From here after a short refreshing morning break continue walk on gradual easy trail with down-hill and gradual path with few short ups to reach at first overnight stop in Phakding village, a nice Sherpa village situated above near Dudh-Kosi River.

Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m / 11,287 ft via Sagarmatha National park check post - 06 hrs.

A slow an easy morning walks towards Sagarmatha National Park entrance gate, with time here crossing bridge to reach at Jorsalle the last village before Namche Bazaar with possible lunch stop, afternoon walk on river bed within forested area with climb to last and high bridge that reaches you at famous and colorful Namche Bazaar after walking strenuous uphill on winding trail facing views of peaks. At Namche transfer into nice and cozy lodge, with time to wander around the shops and streets of interesting Namche Bazaar, the hub and main town or large village of Khumbu area where colorful and busy Saturday market held once a week.

Day 3: Acclimatization and Rest day in Namche Bazaar.

Rest day in Namche for acclimatization before heading higher areas, where short walks takes you up at view point and towards Everest View Hotel of near four hours walks both ways, rewards you with excellent panorama of mountains with Everest and magnificent Amadablam. At Namche visit interesting museum with much information of Khumbu Sherpa, culture, flora-fauna as well of mountaineering expedition history with rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 4: Trek to Tengboche Monastery 3,860 m /12,665 ft - 05 hrs.

After pleasant and enjoyable time at Namche morning walk leads to a short climb and then on good wide trail facing views of Everest and Amadablam with array of peaks, as our route leads into woodland then descend towards Imjatse River to reach at a small place in Phunke-Tenga, possible lunch stop in the middle of a wood. Afternoon climb into forested areas facing views of Kangtenga-Tharmasarku and other peaks as walk brings at a wide open plateau in Thyangboche with its beautiful colorful Buddhist monastery, with time to visit the interior of the monastery where you can witness monks and priest on religious activities with prayer. A scenic spot surrounded by high peaks with views of Everest and magnificent looking Amadablam amidst forest of rhododendron-magnolia-oaks-juniper-birch and fir tree lines, truly a great place for overnight stop. In the month of October-November great colorful festival takes place called Mani-Rimdu with mask dancers by monks of the monastery.

Day 5: Trek to Dingboche 4,410 m /14,468 ft - 05 hrs.

Morning catching the views of surrounding peaks, where walk leads downhill to Deoboche, within green forested area and further walk to reach at Imjatse River and then cross over a steel bridge, from here end of tree lines as walk leads into windswept dry and arid country to reach at Pangboche. The last permanent village on route Everest base camp where other settlement with Many good lodge to cater needs of travelers and trekkers. Slowly walk leads past Pangboche heading higher with ups and down to a river, with last climb of the day for an hour to reach a scenic Imjatse valley at Dingboche facing North Side of Amadablam with views of Island Peak towards east direction.

Day 6: Acclimatization (rest) day in Dingboche.

Another enjoyable rest day for acclimatization options for hike of few hours on high Nakarjun Hill 5,100 m /16728 ft). above Imjatse valley and Dingboche, where you can catch awesome panorama of peaks with world 5th highest Mt. Makalu in the east direction beyond famous Island Peak. Afternoon free to wander around Dingboche located within beautiful Imjatse valley beneath might peaks of Amadablam North Face.

Day 7: Trek to Lobuche 4,940 m /16,208 ft - 05 hrs.

After enjoyable rest day in Dingboche, morning walk leads to short climb on a ridge top, marked with Buddhist prayer flags and monuments facing views of high close peaks and then on good gradual path to walk. Our route leads on winding path above Pheriche valley with views of Cholatse and Taboche peaks as walk comes to a small place at Thugla, where massive Khumbu glacier melts into a raging river. After crossing a short bridge and climb to Thugla for possible lunch stop and rest, before heading higher up to Lobuche, having break and lunch start with slow climb to a ridge top lines with memorial of unfortunate mountaineers who risk their life climbing high mountains around Khumbu and Everest. From here a good walk with gradual up to reach at Lobuche located on the corner of a wide valley beneath peaks of Lobuche East and West.

Day 8: Trek to Gorak-Shep 5,164 m / 16,942 ft after lunch hike to Everest Base Camp 5,364 m /17,598 ft) back to Gorakshep.

Adventure today leads to our goal at Everest base camp, as morning walk follows a flat valley with slow climb to reach further and then a steep climb to reach a ridge near above Khumbu glacier. As walk continues over rocky moraines and ice to reach a scenic flat areas at Gorak-Shep located at the bottom of Kalapathar and Mt. Pumori on route Everest base camp, at Gorak-Shep with short break. From Gorakshep heading further east to reach to reach highlight destination at Everest Base Camp with marvelous views of Khumbu Ice-Falls, glaciers looking above peaks of Nuptse, Everest and Lhotse, in high mountaineering season of April to May this grand spot flooded with tents of expeditions. After an exciting times achieving our target walk back to Gorakshep for overnight stop before heading downhill back to Lukla with climb of Kalapathar.

Day 9: Early morning hike to Kala Patthar 5,545 m /18,192 ft and trek to Dzongla 4,830 m /15,440 ft) - 05 hrs.

Early morning before breakfast climb on top rocky hill above 5,545 m to reach highest spot of the adventure, where you will be rewarded with glorious panorama of giant surrounding peaks with close views of Everest and Mt. Pumori. After a great wonderful moment descend back to Gorakshep for breakfast and then carry on trekking down to Lobuche walking further to reach high point above Thugla, where our route diverts towards Dzongl at the base of Chola Pass, close to Cholatse peak for overnight stop, in this remote and quiet place.

Day 10: Trek to Thangnag / Dragnak 4,700 m /15,416 ft via Cho La Pass 5,420m /17,780 ft - 08 hrs.

One of the big day of the adventure, crossing high Cho-la pass also spelled as Tsho-la where morning leads to steep-up to cross over a glacier on eastern side then slowly with enough time for rest reaching at the top of Cho-la.. The top located at 5,367 m, can be challenging sometimes to cross in snow conditions, offers views of high peaks with Cholatse and its glacier and then descend carefully to Thangnag for overnight stop after crossing over second pass of the adventure.

Day 11: Trek to Gokyo Lake 4,700 m/15,710 ft - 03 hrs.

After a great adventure crossing over Cho-la pass where morning leads to an easy walk following on the main Gokyo trail and beneath Ngozumba glacier. Slowly walk leads at Gokyo Lake also called Dudh Pokhari at the bank of the shore where summer settlement of Gokyo located at above 4,700 meters high.

Day 12: Climb to Goyko RI 5,483m/19,083ft trek to Dole 4,200m-13,775ft - 07 hrs.

Morning an option hike to Gokyo Ri above 5,483 m another highlight of the adventure, Gokyo Ri offers stunning panorama of world’s highest peaks from Mt. Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Cholatse, Taweche and to the east Mt. Makalu. After a grand vista descend to Gokyo facing awesome views where walk continues on downhill with few ups past Gokyo 2nd and first lake.   A long day walk but easier on loosing much altitude heading past Machherma and Luza settlement to reach back into green woodland at Dole for overnight stop before Lukla and Namche Bazaar.

Day 13: Trek to Namche Bazaar - 06 hrs.

From Dole an easy walk on near flat ground and then further down to reach at Phortse-Tenag by the Dudh Kosi River, where walk leads to a an hour climb on top Mong a small place on top of scenic hill. From here a slow enjoyable downhill walk with few short ups on nice scenic trail to reach at Namche Bazaar for last night in Khumbu before Lukla.

Day 14: Trek to Lukla 2,860 m / 9,383 ft - 06 hrs.

Our last final day of the adventure with long day treks to reach Lukla starting with descend to reach a river valley and at Sagarmatha National Park entrance and exit to Monjo village, where walk continues past Phakding with last short climb to reach at last overnight stay in Lukla before flying back to Kathmandu.

Day 15: From Lukla fly to Kathmandu end of our service with transfer to your hotel.

Lukla Airport chola pass trekAs per flight time for Kathmandu, morning with last breakfast within Khumbu and at Lukla, then transfer to air terminal named after Tenzing and Hillary, first to conquer Mt. Everest in 1953. As per flight schedule board in a smaller aircraft for sweeping short air journey to reach Kathmandu airport and then transfer back to your respective hotels.