Lake · 4,750 m
Gokyo Lakes
A chain of glacier-fed lakes beside the Ngozumpa glacier, with views of Everest and Cho Oyu from the hill of Gokyo Ri.
Cho La
A glaciated pass linking the Everest Base Camp trail with the Gokyo valley, crossed between Dzongla and Thagnak.
This is the pass in Khumbu, Nepal, between Dzongla and Thagnak, not the Cho La pass between Sikkim and Tibet.
- Altitude
- 5,420 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Mountain pass
- District
- Solukhumbu, Koshi
- Permit
- Permit required
Higher seasonal exposure: altitude (All year), snow (Nov-Apr), seasonal closure (Dec-Feb), cold (Nov-Mar), seasonal closure (Jun-Sep).
Why go
The Cho La is a high pass of about 5,420 m on the ridge between the Khumbu valley and the Gokyo valley. Within the Everest region it is the link that lets trekkers combine Everest Base Camp with the Gokyo Lakes, and it is the middle pass of the Three High Passes route.
From Dzongla on the east side, the trail climbs a rocky valley and then steep boulder slopes to the edge of a small glacier, which is crossed on snow or ice to the top. The western descent is steep and rocky, dropping to Thagnak in the Gokyo valley. The glacier section can be icy, especially in the morning and after fresh snow, and crevasses can open in some years. The full crossing usually takes 7-9 hours.
History and culture
Cho La is a Sherpa name; 'La' means pass. Herders and traders used the crossing to move between the Khumbu and Gokyo valleys before trekking arrived. Fatal accidents have happened on the pass, usually linked to ice, poor weather or altitude illness, so it deserves more respect than its popularity suggests.
Things to do in Cho La
Cross from Dzongla to Thagnak
Start before dawn, rope up or use microspikes if the glacier is icy, and aim to be over the top before the afternoon cloud.
Look back from the top
On a clear day the summit gives views east to Ama Dablam, Cholatse and Taboche and west towards the Gokyo valley.
Weather and the best time to visit Cho La
Weather in Cho La
Forecast for 5,420 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
No overnight stays
There is no accommodation on the pass; sleep at Dzongla before and Thagnak after.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
The Cho La is crossed on foot between Dzongla (east) and Thagnak (west).
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.
- trekDzongla to the pass, about 3-4 hours; pass to Thagnak, about 3-4 hours on a steep, rocky descent.
Getting to Cho La, 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 Dzonglaabout 7-9 h7-9 h Dzongla to Thagnak, roughly 600 m of ascent and 700 m of descent with a short glacier section near the top
The pass is walked in one push between the lodges at Dzongla and Thagnak; there is nothing in between.
When to set off: cross early: parties leave the lodges around 04:00-05:00 so the snow is still firm and the pass is behind them before the afternoon wind
Where people go next
- Thagnakon foot, about 3-4 hSteep rocky descent west off the pass to Thagnak.
- Dzonglaon foot, about 3-4 hEast side, back down to the lodges at Dzongla.
- Gokyo Lakeson foot, about 5-7 hThagnak then across the Ngozumpa Glacier to Gokyo.
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, Gokyo and Everest Base Camp via Cho La.
- Previous stop:
- Dzongla
- Next stop:
- Thagnak
- A typical day:
- About 7-9 hours, roughly 600 m of ascent and 700 m of descent, with a short glacier section near the top.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Cho La
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
The Cho La tops out at about 5,420 m, higher than any lodge on either side. 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 yearNov-Apr
The pass holds snow from late autumn into spring and can be impassable for days after a storm; parties set out before dawn to cross while the surface is still frozen, and turn back when the snow is deep.
Seasonal closurehigh in a typical yearDec-Feb
The high passes are rarely crossed in the deep-winter months, when snow blocks the trails above Tengboche and many of the teahouses on either side do not open.
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.
Othermoderate in a typical yearAll year
A small glacier just below the top is crossed on the way over; crampons are sometimes needed and parties ask for information on the state of the route before setting out.
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.
- Microspikes are often needed on the glacier; ask about conditions the evening before.
- Do not cross in poor visibility or after heavy snow; wait a day.
- Going with a guide who knows the pass is strongly advised.
Questions about Cho La
How high is the Cho La?
About 5,420 m in most trekking sources; maps give figures from about 5,330 m to 5,420 m.
Is the Cho La dangerous?
It is a non-technical pass but includes a glacier that can be icy, steep loose descents and real altitude. Cross in good weather, with traction devices if needed, ideally with a guide.
Which direction is easier?
Most people cross from Dzongla to Thagnak, which puts the glacier and the steepest climbing on the east side early in the day.
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Nearby
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Gokyo Ri, Wikipedia, Cho La, OpenStreetMap, Everest Base Camp Trek, Wikivoyage