This is the 5th part of my epic 19-day trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Gokyo Lake, perched on the Himalayan mountains in Nepal.

Highlights

Scroll down to see photos from my trip, a trail map, itinerary & more travel tips.

Gorak Shep to Dzhongla

Trek path: Gorak Shep (5,164 meters) > Lobuche (4,940 meters) > Chola Lake view point (4,868 meters) > Dzonglha (4,830 meters).

Detour/intersection to Lake Chola & Dzonghla near Lobuche/Everest Memorial site.

Beautiful viewpoint near Chola Lake (4,796 meters)

Lake Chola

Lake Chola formed by melted snow and ice from Cho La Glacier and surrounding mountains.

Sunset at Lake Chola

Dzonghla (Zonghla)

Zhongla, a scenic hamlet surrounded by snow-capped mountains

Dzhongla to Cho La Pass

Trek path: Dzonglha (4,830 meters) > Start of Cho La Pass glacier/ice crossing (5,279 meters) > End of Cho La Pass (5,420 meters) > Dragnak/Thagnak (4,700 meters).

Early morning trek from Dzhongla to Cho La Pass.

Cho La Pass is all the way on top of that really steep rock cliff.

Morning view on the way from Dzhongla to Chola Pass.

Rocky trail to Cho La Pass

Cho La Pass Glacier Crossing

Approaching the Cho La glacier.

Glacier ice crossing at Cho La Pass

View after the ice crossing at Chola Glacier Pass (5,279 meters)

View after the ice crossing at Chola Glacier Pass (5,279 meters)

View from Cho La Pass.

Chola Pass to Dragnak

Long and steep downhill trek over loose rocks from Cho La Pass to Dragnak/Thagnak (4,700 meters).

Dragnak

Tiny stone house at Dragnak village, located between Cho La Pass and Gokyo.

A solar-powered water heater in Dragnak

Ngozumpa Glacier (Dragnak to Gokyo)

Trek path: Dragnak (4,700 meters) > Ngozumpa Glacier crossing starting point (4,748 meters) > Gokyo (4,750 meters).

Crossing the Ngozumpa Glacier on the way from Dragnak to Gokyo.

Glacial moraine pool at Ngozumpa Glacier.

 

Approaching Gokyo village, beside Gokyo Lake, the highest lake system in the World.

EBC Trek Map

Array

EBC Trek Itinerary

See full itinerary & highlights: EBC-Gokyo Circuit Trek (19 days)

Day 10 – Gorak Shep to Dzonglha

Distance hiked: 10.6 km

Starting elevation: 5,164 meters

Ending elevation: 4,830 meters

Elevation change: 334 meters (212 meters up, 560 meters down)

Hike duration: 7 hours (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
0900 Start trek from Gorak Shep (5,164 meters)
1130 Lobuche (4,940 meters)
1315 River Crossing & Intersection OTW to Chola Lake (4,868 meters)
1440 Chola Lake (4,796 meters)
1600 Dzonglha (4,830 meters)
Sleep: Maison Sherpa. Recommended!

Day 11 – Cho La Pass (Dzonglha to Dragnak)

Distance hiked: 8 km

Starting elevation: 4,830 meters

Ending elevation: 4,700 meters

Elevation change: 130 meters (642 meters up, 784 meters down)

Hike duration: 7 hours (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
0630 Start trek from Dzonglha (4,830 meters). Very steep uphill trek to Cho La Pass.
0645 OTW to Cho La Pass (4,906 meters)
0745 OTW to Cho La Pass (5,055 meters)
0845 Cho La Pass glacier/ice crossing (5,279 meters)
0920 End of Cho La Pass (5,420 meters). Very steep downhill trail to Dragnak, over loose boulders.
1120 OTW to Dragnak (5,102 meters)
1240 OTW to Dragnak (5,128 meters)
1345 Dragnak/Thagnak (4,700 meters)
Sleep: Tashi Friendship Lodge

Day 12 – Dragnak to Gokyo

Distance hiked: 3.6 km

Starting elevation: 4,700 meters

Ending elevation: 4,750 meters

Elevation change: 50 meters

Hike duration: 3 hours (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
1100 Start trek from Dragnak (4,700 meters)
1125 Ngozumpa Glacier crossing starting point (4,748 meters)
1240 Ngozumpa Glacier (4,749 meters). Middle part of the crossing.
1315 Start of the last uphill climb at the end of the Ngozumpa Glacier (4,768 meters)
1400 Gokyo (4,750 meters)

EBC-Gokyo trek series

Before you go