A long, demanding circuit of the Khumbu over the Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, all above 5,300 m, taking in Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, the Gokyo Lakes and the Thame valley.
- Days
- 19 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,644 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
Chhukung
A high lodge settlement at the head of the Imja valley, below Lhotse's south face and Island Peak.
- Altitude
- 4,730 m
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Trek stop
- District
- Solukhumbu, Koshi
- Permit
- Permit required
Higher seasonal exposure: altitude (All year), snow (Dec-Mar), cold (Nov-Mar), seasonal closure (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Chhukung is a small group of lodges at about 4,730 m at the upper end of the Imja valley, a few hours east of Dingboche. Within the Everest region it is the starting point for the Kongma La, the first pass on the Three High Passes route when walked anticlockwise, and the base for climbers heading to Island Peak (Imja Tse).
The setting is enclosed by big walls: the Lhotse and Nuptse walls fill the northern skyline, Ama Dablam and Baruntse stand to the south and east, and moraine ridges lead up to the Imja glacier and its lake. Many trekkers come up from Dingboche as an acclimatisation day and climb Chhukung Ri, a rocky viewpoint above the village, before returning or continuing over the Kongma La.
History and culture
Chhukung was a summer yak pasture used by families from Dingboche and lower villages, and its lodges grew with the popularity of Island Peak and the Kongma La. The Imja Tsho glacial lake above it has expanded since the mid-twentieth century; in 2016 engineers lowered its level to reduce the risk of an outburst flood down the valley.
Things to do in Chhukung
Climb Chhukung Ri
A steep climb of 3-4 hours return to a viewpoint at roughly 5,550 m with views of Lhotse, Makalu and Ama Dablam.
Walk towards Island Peak base camp
A moraine path continues up the valley towards the Imja lake area and the climbers' base camp.
Weather and the best time to visit Chhukung
Weather in Chhukung
Forecast for 4,730 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November usually bring the clearest skies and stable weather, with cold nights well below freezing.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold, with snow possible on the trail; some lodges close and the high passes can be impassable.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is warmer and busy, with more afternoon cloud; late spring brings expedition traffic towards base camp.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August brings cloud and rain, poor mountain views and frequent delays on the Lukla flights; few lodges stay fully open.
Where to stay
LodgesTeahouses
A handful of basic lodges serving trekkers and Island Peak climbers.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Chhukung is reached on foot from Dingboche in about 2-3 hours.
Nearest hub: Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport)
- flightKathmandu or Ramechhap (Manthali) to Lukla, roughly 25-40 minutes, weather permitting; in busy seasons many flights leave from Ramechhap.
- trekDingboche to Chhukung up the Imja valley, about 5 km and 2-3 hours with about 300 m of height gain.
Getting to Chhukung, by mode
Nearest hub: Lukla. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By airfrom Kathmanduabout 0.4-0.7 hLukla (Tenzing-Hillary)often delayed or cancelled by weather
A 25-40 minute mountain flight to Lukla, weather permitting, then the walk in. In the busy seasons most flights leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) instead of Kathmandu, a 3-4 hour drive east, which means a night-time road transfer. Cancellations for wind and visibility are routine, so spare days belong in the plan.
When to set off: Lukla flights are scheduled at first light, before the south-west wind builds from mid to late morning; Ramechhap departures leave Kathmandu by road around 03:00-04:00
On footfrom Dingbocheabout 2-3 h2-3 h from Dingboche, about 5 km and roughly 300 m of ascent up the Imja valley
A short half-day up the Imja valley from Dingboche, usually walked as an acclimatisation move before the Kongma La.
When to set off: teahouse stages start after breakfast, usually by 07:30, to arrive before the afternoon cloud and wind
Permits and fees
Permit required
This stop is inside Sagarmatha National Park; the park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit apply. Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: Issued in Kathmandu or at the park entrance near Monjo; check the latest rules and fees.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit: Local permit collected in the Lukla area.
- Licensed guide: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; the local municipality in Khumbu has disputed this, so check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
On the trail
On the Three High Passes trek, Everest Base Camp trek (side trip).
- Previous stop:
- Dingboche
- Next stop:
- Lobuche via the Kongma La
- A typical day:
- From Dingboche, a short 2-3 hour walk and about 300 m of height gain up the Imja valley.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chhukung
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
Chhukung sits at about 4,730 m, in the band where sleeping height matters most. Acute mountain sickness is common on fast ascents - it affects roughly 40 per cent of people who go up quickly to 3,000 m, and more above that. General information, not medical advice: gain height slowly, keep sleeping-height gains small (about 300 m a day once high), build in rest days, learn the symptoms - headache, nausea, breathlessness, broken sleep - and descend if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Snowhigh in a typical yearDec-Mar
Deep winter snow can block the trails above Tengboche, and spring storms leave fresh snow on the higher stages; December to March is the usual snow window at this height.
Coldhigh in a typical yearNov-Mar
Nights are far below freezing from November to March at this height, with wind on the open moraine and unheated bedrooms in the teahouses; a winter-rated sleeping bag and down layer are the norm.
Seasonal closurehigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Lukla flights are the weak link in the monsoon: poor visibility stops operations at the airstrip about half the time in that season and about half of flights are cancelled, and waits of several days happen. Any itinerary built on the flight needs spare days at both ends.
Seasonal closuremoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
Above Tengboche many teahouses do not stay open through the deep-winter months, so the high stages are seldom walked in December to February and food and beds are harder to find.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearMay-Sep
Imja Tsho, the glacial lake at the head of the Imja valley, is listed among the potentially dangerous lakes of the Himalaya and was lowered by over 4 million cubic metres in 2016 to cut the hazard; outburst floods are most likely in the warm, wet months.
Otherlow in a typical yearJun-Aug
The monsoon brings cloud and rain rather than views, and the stages are wet and misty underfoot, although the upper valleys get less rain than the forest below.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- This is high altitude: go up slowly, watch for headache, nausea and unusual tiredness, and descend if symptoms get worse. General information, not medical advice.
- The Kongma La is a long, remote crossing; leave Chhukung early and only in settled weather.
- There is no ATM; carry enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu, Lukla or Namche.
- Charging, hot showers and Wi-Fi, where available, are paid extras and depend on solar or small hydro power.
Treks through Chhukung
Questions about Chhukung
How high is Chhukung?
About 4,730 m, higher than Dingboche, so it works well as an acclimatisation step before the passes.
How long from Dingboche to Chhukung?
About 2-3 hours up the Imja valley.
Do I need to stay in Chhukung for the Kongma La?
Most people do, because the crossing to Lobuche takes 7-9 hours and starting from Chhukung shortens the day.
More in Everest Region (Khumbu)
All of Everest Region (Khumbu)Lake · 4,750 m
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Kala Patthar
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Pikey Peak
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Cho La
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Dingboche
A walled-field Sherpa village in the Imja valley, the usual acclimatisation stop on the way to Everest Base Camp.
Trek stop · 4,038 m
Dole
A small lodge village in the upper Dudh Kosi valley, the first night above Namche on the way to Gokyo.
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Dzongla
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Gorak Shep
The last lodges below Everest Base Camp, on a sandy dry lakebed beneath Kala Patthar.
Nearby
Valley or region
Everest Region (Khumbu)
The Sherpa homeland below Everest, reached on foot from Lukla through stone villages, monasteries and glacial valleys.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Chhukung, OpenStreetMap, Imja Tsho, Wikipedia