Firstly, you need a visa to enter Nepal, which you will get upon arrival at the airport. It would be best if you had $50, a passport-size photo, and a passport with six months of validity. Besides these, you need two more permits to trek in the Khumbu/ Everest region.
First, you need a local area permit, which costs about $20, and next is the Sagarmatha National Park permit, which costs USD 30. The local license is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit, issued at Lukla upon landing. You can get The National Park permit in Monjo, just before Namche Bazaar at the National Park gate. It would be best not to worry about collecting tickets in Kathmandu. If you have your passport, visa, and photos, the officers will prepare them within minutes.
Accommodation in Everest Chola Pass in the Everest region
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 has a few (3-4 tea houses) with bathrooms on a sharing basis. You can book these accommodations in Chola Pass Trekking in advance during peak seasons.
Each room will have 2 to 3 small beds. 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.
Food in Everest Chola Pass Trek
Exploring the delicious food of the Everest Chola Pass trek is an absolute treat. Regarding food options for trekkers, Dal Bhat is a clear favourite. This traditional Nepali cuisine is budget-friendly. However, the options available are not limited to just that.
Tea houses offer fried rice, chicken curries, burgers, pizzas, stir-fried noodles and cheesy pasta meals. So, whether you’re craving a Dal Bhat or pizza, the Everest Chola Pass Trek provides wonderful services after an adventure-filled day
Cho La Pass Trekking difficulty
This particular trek takes you beyond Everest to the relatively remote region of Khumbu. Chola Pass Nepal is among the most challenging treks in Nepal. Since we cross the high pass of Cho La Pass at 5,330m, 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 go to a somewhat higher altitude, i.e., 4,000 m or above. Trek to Gokyo and Gokyo and the lake 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.
For the next 15 days, the hike to the Everest base camp via Cho La pass will require a daily trek of seven to eight hours, covering approximately 20 km each day. The Chola Pass Trek is a round trip of about 170
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 relatively 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.
Best Time for Everest Cho La Pass Trek / EBC Trek
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 3 °C, and that of Gokyo is about 6°C.
The nights are also bearable, with no snowfall. Everest’s rainfall is lowest in November, with an average 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 presence felt in the mountains. The climate of Everest Chola Pass Trek is the biggest challenge for winter trekkers. The temperature drops to -15°C during the night in January. Snow covers all three passes mentioned above in December.
Snow remains up to a few mm in early February. The mountains glitter with snow, and the surroundings look amusing. The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour is the best option for winter.
Summer:
Summer in Nepal, especially in eastern Nepal, is a time for rainfall. The 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 in Namche is about 15°C, and the night temperature 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, so one shouldn’t worry about precipitation. The wind speed is about 19km/ hr, which is not that big of a deal. The mountains are still covered with snow from winter, but the trail is clear.
