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
Dzongla
A tiny lodge stop on a high pasture below Cholatse, the eastern base for crossing the Cho La.
- Altitude
- 4,830 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
Dzongla is a handful of lodges on a high pasture at about 4,830 m, west of Lobuche and directly below the north face of Cholatse. Within the Everest region it exists almost entirely for trekkers crossing the Cho La towards Gokyo, and it is the natural overnight before the pass when coming from the Everest Base Camp side.
The walk in from Lobuche takes about 3 hours, branching off the main trail and contouring round a ridge above Chola Tsho lake, with views of Awi Peak, Cholatse and Taboche. From Dzongla the trail heads west up a valley to the foot of the pass. Lodges are basic and the setting is quiet and exposed, with very cold nights.
History and culture
Like other high stops in Khumbu, Dzongla was a summer yak pasture, a kharka, used by herders from villages lower down. Its lodges appeared as the Cho La crossing became part of popular trekking circuits linking Gokyo with Everest Base Camp. There is no permanent village and the lodges may close in the coldest months.
Things to do in Dzongla
Short walk above the lodges
A climb of a hundred metres or so behind the lodges gives views back towards Ama Dablam and Lobuche.
Prepare for the pass
Check the weather and conditions with lodge owners and trekkers coming the other way; start before dawn.
Weather and the best time to visit Dzongla
Weather in Dzongla
Forecast for 4,830 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
Only a few basic lodges; beds can run short in peak season.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Dzongla is reached on foot from Lobuche in about 3 hours, or from Thagnak over the Cho La.
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.
- trekLobuche to Dzongla, about 3 hours on a high traverse; Gorak Shep to Dzongla via Lobuche, about 5-7 hours.
Getting to Dzongla, 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 Lobucheabout 2.5-4 habout 3 h from Lobuche on a high traverse above Chola Tsho, with little net height change
A short traverse from Lobuche, or a 5-7 h day down from Gorak Shep, taken to be in position for the Cho 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, Gokyo and Everest Base Camp via Cho La.
- Previous stop:
- Lobuche or Gorak Shep
- Next stop:
- Thagnak via the Cho La
- A typical day:
- From Lobuche, about 3 hours with little net height change, on a traverse above Chola Tsho lake.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Dzongla
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
Dzongla is at about 4,830 m, the last lodges before the Cho La from the east. 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.
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.
- Ask about conditions on the Cho La before you set off; ice on the glacier section is common.
- 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 Dzongla
Questions about Dzongla
How high is Dzongla?
About 4,830 m by OpenStreetMap, though trekking sources give heights from about 4,710 m.
How long from Dzongla over the Cho La to Thagnak?
Usually 7-9 hours, including the glacier section on the pass.
Are there lodges in Dzongla?
Yes, a few basic lodges that mainly serve Cho La trekkers.
More in Everest Region (Khumbu)
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Nearby
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Dzonglha, OpenStreetMap, Gokyo Ri (Cho La route), Wikipedia