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Mount Everest Area Treks: Nepal's Magnificent Gokyo Cho La Pass

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Cho La is an outstanding Himalayan pass, 5,420 metres (17,782 ft) above sea level, and the classic Cho La Pass trek (105 kilometers and 20 days round trip) connecting Everest Base Camp and the Gokyo Valley through Khumbu Everest National Park offers truly mesmerizing panoramic views, as well as the marvelous experience of traditional villages with their Sherpa culture and handicrafts.

Everest Base camp Gokyo Trek
NepalIndependentGuide.com

The trek starts with a flight from capital Kathmandu to Lukla Hilary airport, then trekking three hours to the small village of Phakding, 2,630 meters up. The next day brings another trek, of six to seven hours, to another beautiful Sherpa village, Namche Bazaar, at 3,440 meters.

DARIO SEVERI

Many trekkers stay here for a night or two to acclimatize to the altitude, visit the Sherpa museum, headquarters for the Sagarmatha National Park, including the Tibetan Buddhist Tengboche Monastery (above), originally founded in 1916 and rebuilt in 1989. Visitors are welcome, and many aim to arrive for the daily puja (prayer ceremonies). Outside the monastery gate is an eco-center with an exhibition of Sherpa culture, and a small theater where a film on the monastery and the Sherpas is shown every hour.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Gokyo_Lak... 2x" data-file-width="1900" data-file-height="1267" width="800" height="533" />Wang Lama Humla

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The trail to Everest Base Camp (at 5,450 meters) via the Gokyo Trek-Cho La pass starts gradually and becomes steeper and more challenging. Along the way. Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters offers stunning views of Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu peaks, as well as Everest itself. Then after reaching to top of Cho La Pass. continue on down to the 19 Gokyo Lakes (with six main lakes), world's highest freshwater lake system and considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus. The hamlet of Gokyo lies on the shore of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari, and above looms the majestic peak Gokyo Ri. Truly an unforgettable adventure in the Himalayas of Nepal!

More information on Nepalese Himalayan treks at NepalndependentGuide.com.