Cho La Pass (5360m) connects the Everest base camp and Gokyo Lakes treks. Many trekkers will be crossing this high pass in the Everest region every day during the high trekking seasons. We see people walking from both sides to cross this hill, like from the Gokyo side and the base camp side. Here, we are going to talk about the counter-clockwise route of Cho La Pass, which means a trek to the Everest base camp first and then going to the Gokyo Lakes later in this post.
Anti Clockwise Trekking Itinerary for EBC Gokyo Ri Trek
Anti-Clockwise EBC Gokyo trekking itinerary is 14 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. The trip begins flying to Lukla from Kathmandu domestic terminal or Ramechhap airport. After landing at the Lukla Tenzin-Hilary airport, you start walking toward Phakding on the same day through traditional Sherpa villages Chhepulung, Thadokoshi, and Ghat. You just walk around three hours today on descending trail.
After spending the first night in Phakding, you trek to Namche Bazaar on the second day. The second-day walk is long, but most of the waking hours go gradually ascending except for the last two hours of steep ascending. You cross five different suspension bridges on the same river Dudhkoshi.
The third day is a rest day, but it is not actual rest. You hike to the Everest view hotel after breakfast. It is about two to three hours of a hike for the altitude practice, so you cross the highest airport in Syangboche before reaching the hotel Everest view. You see some helicopter landings on the Helipad close to the hotel. The travelers during the Everest base camp helicopter tour land here for breakfast during the scenic landing flight trip. You can have hot drinks and see amazing mountain views of Thamserku, Kusum Kangaroo, Khangteka, Ama Dablam, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and more high peaks from its terraces. Then, you hike back to Namche Bazaar. You may also visit Khumjung village, which is a few minutes lower from this hill station. You can see the skull of Yeti in one Buddhist monastery in Khumjung.
On the fourth day, you trek to Tengboche. The day begins with ascending path through the town, and then the trail stays wide, mostly flat, and comfortable for another 2 and a half to three hours. After this smooth path, you descend another hour to Phunki-Tenga, cross a bridge, and ascend to Tengboche through pine and rhododendron forests for the last two hours. You visit an ancient Buddhist holy monastery in the evening here and see magnificent Himalayan views.
You trek to Dingboche on the 5h day. The day begins with descending trail for about 15 minutes and stays on the flat part inside the dense forest for another hour. You reach above the tree line after crossing a suspension bridge before reaching Pangboche village. You have open views of the Everest Himalayas every moment from today. It takes around 5-6 hours to reach Dingboche from Tengboche today.
After Dingboche, you feel altitude because there is less oxygen in the air. Here you have the second altitude practice day and trek to Lobuche and Gorakshep before encountering the base camp. Then, you hike to Kalapatthar and trek to Zongla before crossing Cho La Pass in a counter-clockwise route. Some trekkers are on Helicopter Return Everest Base Camp Trek, flying out to Kathmandu after the Kalapatthar hike, so if anyone suffers and can not trek more can join with those trekkers and fly to Kathmandu.
The day from Zongla is adventurous because you are going over to Cho La. It is less climbing trail from this side compared to crossing from the Gokyo side, so counter-clockwise Cho La Pass Trek is much easier. It takes around 2-3 hours to reach the top and the trail goes a long descent for another three hours to Thangnak. You stop for lunch in Thangnak and trek another two hours to Gokyo crossing Ngozumba Glacier.
You hike Gokyo Ri the next. The Gokyo Ri is probably the best hill station in Everest, which offers magnificent views of the Everest Himalayas at 360° angles all around with a massive glacier and tranquil lakes.
After enjoying the views from Gokyo Ri, you trek to Dole walking on an easy descending trail through Machchhermo. Then, you trek to Namche and Lukla before taking a flight back to Kathmandu. Here, you can see an outline itinerary of the Counter-Clockwise Cho La Pass Trek:
Day 01: Fly to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding (2610m) 3 hrs
Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m) 6-7 hrs
Day 03: Acclimatization rest day and hike to Hotel Everest View (3880m) 4 hrs
Day 04: Trek to Tengboche (3860m) 5-6 hrs
Day 05: Trek to Dingboche (4410m) 5-6 hrs
Day 06: Second altitude practice rest day and hike to Nangkar-Tshang Hill (5100m) 4-5 hrs
Day 07: Trek to Lobuche (4910m) 5-6 hrs
Day 08: Trek to Gorakshep (5180m) 3 hrs and hike to EBC (5364m) 2-3 hrs (one way)
Day 09: Hike to Kala Patthar (5550m) 2 hrs and trek to Zongla (4830m) 4 hrs
Day 10: Trek to Gokyo (4790m) via Cho La Pass (5360m) 8-9 hrs
Day 11: Hike to Gokyo Ri (5360m) 2 hrs and trek to Dole (4110m) 5 hrs
Day 12: Trek back to Namche Bazaar (3440m) 6-7 hrs
Day 13: Trek to Lukla (2840m) 7 hrs
Day 14: Fly out to Kathmandu or Ramechhap
Conclusion
The Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes trek taking Counter-Clockwise Itinerary is easier compared to the Clockwise route. However, it is a longer route. It has two acclimatization rest days, but if you go from the Gokyo side, you just have one rest day in Namche Bazaar. For anyone who has a knee problem walking on a long descending trail, Anti-Clockwise Cho La Pass might not be good.
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