Gokyo Lakes
& Cho La Pass

Expert Verdict

“Gokyo is the hidden soul of the Khumbu. Most people rush to EBC to say they were at the 'base', but they miss the fact that the view from Gokyo Ri is objectively better—you can actually see Everest's full profile, not just its shoulder. Experienced hikers often suggest spending two nights in Gokyo village. Use the extra day to hike to the 'Fourth and Fifth Lakes' (Thonak Tsho and Ngozumpa Tsho)—the crowds disappear completely and the view of Everest's North Face from the Fifth Lake is haunting. For the Cho La crossing, start at 4:30 AM. You want to be off the glacier before the sun softens the snow and increases the risk of rockfall in the 'gulley' descent. Finally, don't forget your Category 4 sunglasses; the reflection off the Ngozumpa Glacier is blinding and high-altitude snow-blindness is a very real threat here. Budget two nights at Gokyo (4,790 m) before Cho La; the pass day alone often runs 8–10 hours with micro-spikes mandatory.”