Accommodation in Everest Chola Pass Trek
Being an off-beaten trail in the Everest region, Chola Pass Nepal is also the tea house trekking route. This means you will stay in small hotels made by locals that let you crash for the night and serve good food. Compared to the classic Everest Base Camp trek route, the tea houses on the Chola Pass Trek map are pretty old and basic.
There are dozens of well-built tea houses with private bathrooms up to Namche. Beyond that, each stop, like Machhermo, Gokyo, and Thagnak, only have a few (3-4 tea houses) with bathroom on sharing basis. Book these accommodations in Chola Pass Trekking in advance in the peak season since they are occupied for most of the Year.
Each room will have 2 to 3 small beds that can be shared among the trekkers. There will be a fine mattress, a small blanket, and a pillow for the trekkers. Since the room has no heating system, you need to carry your sleeping bag that can protect you from the freezing temperature during Chola Pass Trekking Nepal.
Cho La Pass Trekking difficulty
This particular trek takes you beyond Everest to the relatively remote reason of Khumbu. Chola Pass Nepal is among the most challenging treks in Nepal. Since we cross the high pass of Cho La Pass at 5330m, it will be more physically demanding than regular treks in the Everest region.
The path from Lukla to Namche Bazaar is relatively easy, and the accommodation is reasonable. However, from Dhole, you will be exposed to a somewhat higher altitude, i.e. 4,000 m or above. Trek to Gokyo and Gokyo Ri is also challenging. However, the most difficult part is to reach Dzongla from Gokyo by crossing the Cho La Pass. The rough mountain route and the dropping oxygen level at this part of Everest make the trek more difficult. Trekkers might face altitude sickness, which results in headaches, nausea, vomiting, and similar symptoms. You might have to take a Helicopter rescue if the symptoms are severe. There’s even been Chola Pass’ death, so don’t take it lightly.
These 18 days, the Everest Chola Pass Trek demands seven to eight hours daily by crossing about 20 km daily. The Chola Pass Trek distance is about 170 km of round walk. Such walks require some good pre-preparation, i.e. cardio exercises before the trip.
Remoteness and poor accommodation at the Cho La Pass are significant issues during this trek. Choosing the best time for the Cho-la Pass trek, i.e. Autumn and Spring is reactively easy. The Winter trek is the hardest, while the summer trek with the slippery path is also challenging.
Looking for something even more challenging? How about an Everest Three Pass Trek?
Weather and temperature of Everest Chola Pass
At 5000+ above sea level, the weather at Everest Chola Pass is very unpredictable. However, we can differentiate the four climates of Everest based on temperature and precipitation. The average temperature of Chola La Pass throughout the Year is -2.3 °C, but the profound change in weather is observed in different seasons. Information on the weather in the mountains helps you plan a safe and comfortable trek. So let’s get started.
Autumn:
Autumn in Nepal begins in September and ends in November. These are the warmest and calmest months for trekkers. The temperature of Chola La Pass in September is about three °C, and that of Gokyo is about 6°C. The nights are also bearable, with no snowfall. The rainfall in Everest is lowest in November, with an average precipitation of 8 mm. September has about 13 rainfall days, and you should plan your trip accordingly.
Winter:
After the blissful autumn, the harsh winter makes its space in the mountains. The climate of Everest Chola Pass Trek is the biggest challenge for winter trekkers. The temperature drops to -15°C during Nights in January. All three passes mentioned above are covered with snowfall in December. The snow remains up to a few mm in early February. The mountains glitter with the snow, and the overall surrounding looks amusing. The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour is the best option for winter.
Summer:
Summer in Nepal, especially in eastern Nepal, is the time for rainfall. Pre-Monsoon begins in late May with about ten days of rainfall. The climate of Chola Pass marks precipitation of 227 mm in July only. August is relatively dry, with some post-monsoon rain. The average daytime temperature goes up to 15°C, and the night temperature in Namche is about 6°C. Most of the rainfall occurs in the evening and morning. Leaches and mosquitoes are active in summer, and you must prepare accordingly. Everest Short Trek is the better option for Summer.
Spring:
This is another beautiful season for the trek, with stable weather at Everest passes. The March Temperature at passes is about 3°C. However, as the spring becomes prominent, the surroundings become warm, and the maximum temperature can increase to 10°C in May. The chances of rainfall in the Everest region are significantly less, and one shouldn’t worry about the precipitation. The wind speed is about 19km/ hr, which is not that big of a deal. The mountains are still covered with snow remaining from winter, but the trail is clear.
