Everest Base Camp via Chola Pass Trek
Nepal · 17 Days · Challenging
Adventure Trek From US $1,890 Mantra Adventure
Trip at a Glance
Destination
Nepal
Duration
17 Days / 16 Nights
Difficulty
Challenging
Activity
Trekking
Transport
Flight KTM-Lukla + Car
Group Size
Max 16 People
Accommodation
Tea House / Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Max Altitude
5,535m / Cho La Pass
Overview
EBC plus the dramatic Cho La Pass crossing — two classic Khumbu highlights in one epic route.
Trip Highlights
- Maximum altitude: 5,535m / Cho La Pass
- Duration: 17 days / 16 nights
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Expert English-speaking certified guide
- All meals during the trekking
- All permits and TIMS card arranged
- Airport transfers included
- Mantra Adventure duffel bag provided
Package Pricing (Per Person)
| Package | Includes | Price / Person |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Quality accommodation & core services | US $1,600 |
| Comfort Recommended | Boutique hotels, private guides | US $1,890 |
| Luxury | Ultra-luxury, full butler service | US $2,320 |
Group Discount Pricing
| Group Size | Standard | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pax | US $1,600 | US $1,890 | US $2,320 |
| 2 - 3 Pax | US $1,440 | US $1,700 | US $2,090 |
| 4 - 7 Pax | US $1,330 | US $1,570 | US $1,930 |
| 8 - 13 Pax | US $1,220 | US $1,440 | US $1,760 |
| 14+ Pax | US $1,120 | US $1,320 | US $1,620 |
All prices are per person. Larger groups receive progressive discounts.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
📍 Kathmandu
Welcome to Nepal. Your Mantra Adventure guide meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. The afternoon is free to explore Kathmandu's chaotic, colourful streets — visit the nearby Boudhanath Stupa or simply acclimatise at a rooftop café. Evening briefing with your trek leader covers the route, equipment check, and permit logistics. Welcome dinner included. Overnight: Kathmandu hotel. Meals: Dinner.
Day 2
Day 2: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m), Trek to Phakding (2,610m)
📍 Phakding
An early transfer to the domestic terminal precedes your thrilling 35-minute mountain flight to Lukla. The Tenzing-Hillary Airport — one of the world's most dramatic airstrips — sits on a cliff at 2,840 metres. Trek begins immediately, descending through pine forest alongside the thundering Dudh Koshi River. Cross your first suspension bridges adorned with prayer flags before reaching the riverside settlement of Phakding. Walking time: 3–4 hours. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 3
Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
📍 Namche Bazaar
Cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge high above the Dudh Koshi gorge and enter Sagarmatha National Park. The sustained 600-metre climb to Namche Bazaar winds through pine forest — your first glimpse of Everest peeks above the ridge at the park checkpoint. Namche, the Khumbu's commercial hub, spreads across a natural amphitheatre with spectacular mountain views. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 4
Day 4: Acclimatisation Day in Namche Bazaar
📍 Namche Bazaar
A vital rest day to let your body adjust to altitude. Morning hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam — the single best viewpoint accessible from Namche. Continue to Khumjung village and its Hillary School. Afternoon free to explore Namche's bakeries, gear shops and the Sherpa Culture Museum. Meals: All included.
Day 5
Day 5: Namche to Tengboche (3,860m)
📍 Tengboche
The trail leaves Namche above the valley, contouring through birch and rhododendron forest with constant views of Ama Dablam and Thamserku. Descend to Phunki Tenga and climb steeply to Tengboche Monastery — the Khumbu's spiritual heart. Attend the late-afternoon puja ceremony if timing permits. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 6
Day 6: Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410m)
📍 Dingboche
Descend through birch and rhododendron forest past Pangboche — home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu — before climbing into the wide glacial Imja Valley. The landscape becomes starker and more elemental as you pass above the tree line into Dingboche, a high-altitude farming village ringed by stone-walled fields of barley and potatoes. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 7
Day 7: Acclimatisation Day in Dingboche (5,100m hike)
📍 Dingboche
Second acclimatisation day — critical for the high passes ahead. Hike to the ridge above Dingboche at approximately 5,100 metres for close-up views of Lhotse's massive South Face and the elegant pyramid of Island Peak (Imja Tse). This altitude exposure prepares your body for the demands of Cho La Pass and Lobuche. Return to Dingboche for the afternoon. Meals: All included.
Day 8
Day 8: Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940m)
📍 Lobuche
The trail follows the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, gradually ascending through increasingly barren, wind-swept terrain. At the Thukla Pass (4,830m), a poignant memorial of cairns and prayer flags marks the resting place of climbers lost on Everest and neighbouring peaks. Continue to Lobuche — a sparse cluster of lodges on the glacier's edge, battered by afternoon winds. Walking time: 5–6 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 9
Day 9: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,164m), Visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
📍 Gorak Shep / EBC
One of the great days in Himalayan trekking. The trail crosses the rocky lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep — the last settlement before Base Camp. After dropping your pack and taking a light lunch, push the final 3 kilometres across the glacier moraine to Everest Base Camp itself. The camp, surrounded by towering seracs and the deafening crack of the icefall, is a place of raw, overwhelming beauty. Return to Gorak Shep for the night. Walking time: 7–9 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 10
Day 10: Kala Patthar (5,545m), Trek to Dzongla (4,830m)
📍 Dzongla
Pre-dawn start for the 90-minute ascent of Kala Patthar — the definitive Everest viewpoint. As the sun rises over Nuptse, it illuminates Everest's summit pyramid in shades of gold and amber. This is the photograph of a lifetime. Descend through Lobuche and veer west towards Dzongla, a small cluster of lodges below the imposing Cho La. Rest and prepare for tomorrow's pass crossing. Walking time: 6–7 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 11
Day 11: Cross Cho La Pass (5,420m), Descend to Gokyo (4,790m)
📍 Gokyo
The Cho La is the most dramatic and technically demanding section of the entire route. An early start is essential to cross before afternoon clouds roll in. The ascent to the pass (5,420m) involves a short but steep scramble over glacial ice and rock — crampons may be required. At the top, a sea of prayer flags and a panorama of Cholatse, Lobuche East and the Gokyo Valley below. A long descent brings you to the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the village of Gokyo itself. Walking time: 7–8 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 12
Day 12: Gokyo Ri (5,357m) and Gokyo Valley
📍 Gokyo
Early morning ascent of Gokyo Ri for what many trekkers consider the finest panoramic viewpoint in Nepal — a 360-degree vista of Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and the enormous Ngozumpa Glacier stretching far below. Back at Gokyo, spend the afternoon exploring the sacred fifth lake (Ngozumpa Tso) or simply resting beside the glacial waters. Walking time: 3–4 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 13
Day 13: Gokyo to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
📍 Namche Bazaar
Follow the Dudh Koshi valley south through Dole and Machhermo, descending steadily through alpine meadows and yak pastures into the rhododendron zone. The gradient is gentle and the views are rewarding throughout. Arrive in Namche with the afternoon free for a celebratory slice of apple pie. Walking time: 5–7 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 14
Day 14: Namche to Phakding (2,610m)
📍 Phakding
Retrace the familiar downhill trail south from Namche, crossing suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi and descending through pine forest to Phakding. The lower altitude brings noticeably warmer air and easier breathing — a relief after days above 4,000 metres. Walking time: 3–4 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 15
Day 15: Phakding to Lukla (2,840m)
📍 Lukla
Final trekking day: a short 3-hour ascent back to Lukla, retracing the initial descent. In Lukla, a farewell ceremony with your Sherpa and porter crew — tika blessings, marigold garlands and genuine expressions of friendship from people who have kept you safe and happy for two weeks. Walking time: 3 hours. Meals: All included.
Day 16
Day 16: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
📍 Kathmandu
Weather-dependent morning flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel; afternoon free for Thamel shopping, a spa visit, or exploration of Boudhanath Stupa. Celebration dinner in the evening. Overnight: Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.
Day 17
Day 17: Final Departure
📍 Kathmandu
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey home. End of Mantra Adventure services. We hope this journey has given you memories, perspective and a deep connection to the Himalaya that will last a lifetime. Safe travels. Meals: Breakfast.
What's Included & Excluded
✓ Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Domestic transport per itinerary
- All accommodation during the trip
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Experienced English-speaking certified guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers, max 15kg)
- All trekking permits and national park fees
- TIMS card
- Mantra Adventure duffel bag
- First aid kit
✗ Not Included
- International flights
- Nepal visa (USD 30-100 on arrival)
- Personal travel insurance (mandatory)
- Meals in Kathmandu/Pokhara
- Accommodation in Kathmandu (available on request)
- Alcoholic beverages, hot showers, personal items
- Personal trekking gear
- Tips for guide and porters
Travel Tips & Useful Information
➤ What is the best season for this trip?
The best seasons are Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November). Spring brings rhododendron blooms and stable weather; Autumn offers crystal-clear post-monsoon visibility. Nepal trips in these windows deliver optimal mountain views.
➤ How difficult is the Everest Base Camp via Chola Pass Trek?
This trip is rated Challenging. Requires good fitness and ideally prior high-altitude or multi-day trekking experience. Begin cardio and hiking training 3 months before departure.
➤ Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities get Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport for USD 30 (30 days). Indian nationals do not require a visa.
➤ What permits are required?
Sagarmatha National Park (USD 30) + TIMS card (USD 20) required. All permits arranged by Mantra Adventure. No extra hassle for you.
➤ What is included in the price?
Included: Airport transfers; domestic flights/transport per itinerary; all trek accommodation; all meals during trek; English-speaking guide; porters (1 per 2 trekkers); all trekking permits; Mantra Adventure duffel bag. Not included: International flights; Nepal visa; personal travel insurance (mandatory); personal gear; tips.
➤ What fitness level is required?
For Everest Base Camp via Chola Pass Trek (Challenging): Cardiovascular fitness built over 3-4 months including hill walks with a pack. Prior trekking experience strongly recommended.
➤ Is altitude sickness a concern?
Maximum altitude is 5,535m / Cho La Pass. Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,500m. Our itinerary includes acclimatisation days and our guides carry supplemental oxygen. Diamox can be taken as prophylaxis — consult your doctor. Emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory.