Everest base Camp Trek with Renjo and Chola Passes

5.0

Experience the adventure of a lifetime with the Everest Base Camp and Renjo-Chola trek. This trek takes you through the Everest region, crossing two high passes over 5,000 meters and exploring beautiful alpine valleys and turquoise lakes.

At a Glance
Location

Everest Base Camp

Duration

18 Days

Activities

Trekking

Accommodation

Lodges

Meals

All included except in Kathmandu

Group size

Min. 2 Pax

Best time

Spring and Autumn

Max. Altitude

5550m.

The Everest Base Camp and Renjo-Chola trek is one of the most thrilling adventures in the Everest region. Surrounded by towering peaks, this trek offers some of the best views of 8,000 and 7,000-meter mountains. Along the way, you’ll experience the rich culture and warm hospitality of the Sherpa people, known for their mountaineering skills.

Your journey starts with a flight to Lukla, situated at 2,800 meters. From there, you’ll hike through alpine trails and take in stunning views of the world’s highest peaks. This trek is designed for those who are comfortable with high-altitude hiking and offers visits to amazing sites like Kalapathar, Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lake, and the Renjo and Chola Passes. With the Renjo Pass at 5,435 meters and the Chola Pass at 5,420 meters, this trek is more challenging than many of the region’s classic routes.

From Namche Bazaar, you’ll head east to the Sherpa village of Thame, home to some of the most legendary mountaineers. You’ll then ascend through the Nang Pa La Valley before reaching the Renjo Pass, where breathtaking views of the Gokyo Lakes and surrounding peaks await.

After descending to the lakes, you’ll hike up Gokyo Ri and cross the Chola Pass to enter the Khumbu Valley. The trek culminates with visits to Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp. Finally, you’ll descend through Tengboche and Namche Bazar before flying back from Lukla. Note that in spring and autumn, flights to Lukla are routed through Ramechhap, adding an extra day to your journey.

Major Highlights during Everest Base Camp

  • High-altitude trek with two passes over 5,000 meters: Renjo La and Cho La
  • Explore Sherpa villages like Namche and Thame
  • Visit Tengboche Monastery, the largest in Khumbu, at the foot of Ama Dablam
  • Encounter yak herds and traverse alpine landscapes
  • Admire turquoise blue high-altitude lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier
  • Enjoy numerous views of Everest and surrounding peaks
  • Ascend Gokyo Peak and Kala Pattar (non-technical, easy trails)
  • Cross high-suspension bridges en route to Namche Bazaar
  • Visit the Sherpa Museum in Namche Bazaar and trek to Everest View Hotel
  • Interact with monks at Tengboche Monastery and witness their prayers
  • Hike to Everest Base Camp and savor the accomplishment
  • Take in breathtaking panoramic views from Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri
  • Discover the serene Gokyo Lakes and traditional Sherpa culture
  • Experience unique Buddhist traditions and diverse flora and fauna
Itinerary

To start your journey, you will travel from Kathmandu to Ramechhap by local bus or private vehicle. Once in Ramechhap, you will spend the night at a lodge.

Early in the morning, you’ll take a flight from Ramechhap to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. You’ll meet your porter team and start your trek. You’ll enter Sherpa territory and pass the first Buddhist monasteries in Chuplung. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River, offering views of barley and wheat fields. You’ll end your day in Phakding, where you’ll stay in a mountain hotel. The trek today involves 4 hours of walking, gaining 50 meters and descending 240 meters.

After having an early morning breakfast you will trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar. You’ll first ascend to Jorsale at 2,800 meters and cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. The climb then becomes steeper, gaining 600 meters in elevation to reach Namche Bazaar, a Sherpa town with shops, a post office, a bank, and a small monastery. You’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Namche. It involves a 6-hour trek involving a 930-meter ascent and a 100-meter descent.

You’ll start the day with a steep 1.5-hour ascent to the village of Khumjung, nestled in the heart of Sherpa country. From your rustic lodge, you’ll have stunning views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and nearby peaks like Ama Dablam and Thamserku. Explore this large Sherpa village, where Sir Edmund Hillary established a school and hospital. The trek today is relatively short, taking about 1.5 hours with a 320-meter ascent.

Today’s 4-hour trek takes you to Thame, a small village known for its beautiful monastery. The path involves a 540-meter ascent and descent, presenting a quieter and more scenic route compared to the main trekking trails.

Today you can enjoy a rest day in Thame. You can take an optional excursion to a small gompa overlooking Thame and explore the valley leading to Trashi Laptsa.

You’ll trek towards the Tibetan border today. The trail follows the Bhote Koshi River, with opportunities to see Tibetans descending to Namche Bazaar to sell yak wool and Chinese goods. You can camp before reaching the Renjo Pass. This trek involves 4 hours of walking, gaining 690 meters and descending 70 meters.

It is a challenging but rewarding day. You’ll make a long ascent to Renjo Pass at 5,435 meters, where you’ll be greeted with breathtaking views of Everest, glaciers, and the Gokyo Lakes below. The descent to Gokyo is long, covering 9 hours of trekking with a 1,065-meter ascent and a 695-meter descent.

You will start the day by ascending to Gokyo Ri at 5,350 meters, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and Everest. Then, descend along the glacier, crossing it to reach Tanghna village. This trek involves 5.5 hours of walking, with a 700-meter ascent and a 750-meter descent.

Today’s trek involves crossing Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters, known for its beautiful views of Ama Dablam. The pass can be challenging due to ice and falling rocks, making it one of the more risky and adventurous spots in the Everest region. Some trekkers even reconsider their journey at this point. After reaching Dzongla, a summer village, you’ll have completed 6 hours of trekking with a 720-meter ascent and a 590-meter descent.

You’ll descend for about 2 hours to reach the village of Dughla, followed by a quite steep ascent of 3 hours to Lobuche along the Khumbu Glacier. The climb provides extraordinary views of the massive south face of Nuptse. This trek takes about 6.5 hours, involving a 375-meter ascent and a 280-meter descent.

You have the option to choose between ascending Kala Pattar at 5,550 meters for a close-up view of Everest or heading to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters. Both options provide incredible views and a sense of accomplishment. You can expect a demanding 8-hour trek with a 700-meter ascent and a 1,005-meter descent.

We will begin a trek with a descent from Lobuche to Pheriche, passing through Dughla. The journey covers approximately 4 hours. Leaving Lobuche, you’ll descend 795 meters, with a brief 120-meter ascent along the way. This trek offers a relatively easy day of hiking after the previous challenging sections.

 

Today, you will start your journey from Pheriche and make your way to Dingboche. The route will take you through Chukhung, where you will climb to get breathtaking views of Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. The trek will involve a 590-meter ascent to Chukung. After enjoying the views, you will descend 320 meters to reach Dingboche, completing a trek of about 6 hours.

Today’s trek takes you from Dingboche to Tengboche, descending through the Imja Khola valley. The trek is relatively short, lasting about 3 hours. As you walk, you’ll experience excellent views of Ama Dablam, which is the highlight of the day. The trek involves a 70-meter ascent and a 620-meter descent.

Today, you will descend from Tengboche back to Namche Bazaar. The hike will take about 6 hours, passing through Khumjung. The day involves a 260-meter ascent and a 680-meter descent. When you retrace your steps through familiar trails, take the opportunity to reflect on your journey and enjoy the changing scenery on your way back to the bustling hub of Namche Bazaar.

We will follow the Dudh Koshi River from Namche Bazaar to Ghat, before making an ascent to Lukla. This day of trekking spans about 7 hours. The trek involves a 300-meter ascent and a 940-meter descent.

On the final day of your trek, you’ll fly from Lukla to Ramechhap. After arriving in Ramechhap, you’ll transfer back to Kathmandu. This marks the end of your memorable trek through the Everest region.

Alternate Treks Variation

GST also offers variations to the main trek route for those seeking different experiences. You can opt for a shorter and more accessible itinerary that includes Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp in just 15 days. Alternatively, you can choose a 16-day trek that combines both Gokyo and Everest Base Camp, providing a broader exploration of the Everest region. These options allow you to tailor your adventure to your preferences and time constraints. Contact us for the detailed itinerary.

Choose Your Comfort Level with GST

For our Everest Base Camp and Renjo-Chola trek, we offer customization options to suit different preferences. Our Comfort Category includes two choices: the Eco category, which involves trekking without a porter for a more minimalist experience, and the Deluxe category, which provides comfortable accommodations and greater comfort throughout your journey. For more details and to choose the option that best fits your needs, please contact us directly.

Cost Includes
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Porter (1 for 2 trekkers)
  • Accommodation during the trek
  • Food during the trek
  • Entry fees to National Parks and TIMS registration
  • Insurance for Nepali staff
  • Round-trip flight Ramechhap/Lukla
  • Transfer Kathmandu/Ramechhap round-trip
Cost Excludes
  • Personal insurance with mountain rescue coverage
  • Nepal visa
  • All personal expenses: hot showers, tips, electronic devices charging, etc.
  • Entrance fees to cultural sites (monasteries, parks, etc.)
Book your spot

Starting from

€1,975

With domestic flights

Instant Booking

Secure Payments

No Hidden Costs

Trip Difficulty

Medium

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FAQs

Yes, the guides on the Everest Base Camp trek with Chola and Renjo La Passes speak English. They are experienced and fluent, providing clear communication and a smooth trekking experience. Their expertise helps you navigate the trails and learn about the region's culture and history.

The trek is extremely challenging and is considered one of the most difficult in the world. It involves trekking 6-9 hours daily for several days, with the trail often above 4,000 meters. The route includes navigating through difficult terrain, slopes, and forests.

The best time for trekking is during the spring season, which includes the months of March, April, and May. The weather is warmer during this time, and the trails are filled with blooming wildflowers and greenery. Additionally, autumn months such as September, October, and November also provide favorable conditions. During this period, the weather is moderate, the skies are clear, and there's less chance of snowfall. However, it can be quite crowded due to being the peak trekking season.

It is important to have previous trekking experience for the Everest Base Camp trek combined with the Renjo La and Cho La passes due to its challenging nature and high altitudes. The trek involves long days of hiking and requires a good level of physical fitness. However, with proper preparation and acclimatization, beginners can also complete it successfully.