Everest Base Camp Cho La and Renjo La Pass Trek - 16 Days

Ideal Time

The best seasons to visit EBC, Gokyo, Cho La, and Renjo La Passes stand out to be Spring, starting from March to May, and Autumn from September to November, where you can expect the weather and climatic conditions to remain stable, with clear mountain views and landscapes. During this timeframe, the temperature stays mild and moderate, neither too hot nor too cold, with less chance of rain and snowfall, making the terrain dry and smooth to pass by without being physically and mentally drained out, while passing through the two passes. 

During the springtime, the whole green lush valley thrives with the red rhododendrons, along with other wildflowers, and the greenery surrounding the hills, and the day sunlight hours also last longer, making the trip intriguing and the trail easy. Whereas, in Autumn, it is considered a peak time, where the route experiences a heavy inflow of trekkers, as the major festivals of Nepal, Dashain and Tihar, fall within this span of the year, attracting local visitors and cultural enthusiastic trekkers across the globe. As the season comes, after the end of the monsoon, the possibility of precipitation is typically low, and the navigation pathway remains well maintained, well paved, where you do not have to worry about the success of the trek, and achieve the odyssey smoothly, with the crystal clear vista of the giants, and golden-covered hills.

On the other hand, the season of winter and monsoon is regarded as the off-season period, where there is no certainty of stable weather; rather, it experiences heavy snowfall at high altitudes, and gloomy, cloudy, with cloud bursts, questioning whether the trip can be worth it or not, due to awful climate conditions. During monsoon (June to August), the temperature takes a peak rise, and the trails at lower altitudes stay muddy, slippery, and chances of natural hazards such as landslides and falls, whereas, at winter, the terrains becomes more challenging due to icy, slippery and route blockage, which demands great fitness level, and extra buffer days, if any uncertainty happens, and the duration gets extended to further 2-3 days.

Hence, the ideal seasons are Spring and Autumn; however, if you have prior himalayan experience, then this trip can be commenced by experienced trekkers, even during the monsoon and winter times, as well.

Everest Base Camp with Cho La and Renjo La Pass Trek Difficulty

The EBC with Cho La and Renjo La Pass Trek is marked as a moderately challenging high altitude trip, which combines the classic EBC route with two high passes. Considering the daily hours, daily distance coverage, and the walk along the diverse terrains, with several ups and downs, makes the trekking more difficult; however, as it does not include any technical sections, it stands as a beginner doable excursion, with prior preparations as well. If you have a basic knowledge of hiking and are fit enough to face the long hours of the odyssey, then you are good to go. The expedition gradually adopts the elevation, aiding in the altitude risk-free and safe compared to other steeper, isolated, or faster-paced routes.

The only challenging part that you might feel physically is when crossing the two high passes, Cho La and Renjo La (5300 - 5400 meters), as it includes a steep uphill walk, through rocky, rugged, and sometimes even icy (especially in winter), but it is well marked and non-technical, which can be achieved easily by fit trekkers, and do not demand a climber or a mountainner. Just avoid late startings, and begin the day hike at an early morning, with a steady moderate pace and walk along the trekking guide, throoughout and be mentally strong, and don't panic and zone out.

When compared to the full Everest Three High Passes (Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La, altogether), this inclusion of only Cho La Pass and Renjo La is much easier, and has a higher success rate, as it avoids the technical Kongma La climbing, the most challenging one, and rather follows more gentle, established, and smooth terrains. With just a basic fitness level, or even first-time trekkers with a few months or 1 month of training, and adherence to the acclimatisation schedule, this version can be a bit demanding, but achievable.

Altitude Sickness - Risks and Preventive Guidelines

No matter which high altitude treks, that you undertake, the risk of altitude sickness is always there, and that stays the same for this odyssey, which takes you to different viewpoints of EBC, Gokyo, Renjo La, Cho La, and reaches its highest at 5545 meters at Kala Patthar. It is a complete high elevation trip, where the air drops as you go higher, and the altitude rises day by day, so you must pay attention from the very beginning till the end by following safety guidelines. Meanwhile, to minimise the possibility of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), we've tailored the 16-day Everest Base Camp with Cho La and Renjo La Trek, with 3 acclimatisation days at Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, and Gokyo Valley, letting you take a good rest, and adapt to the elevation slowly, and then, take a furter ascend.

However, apart from our itinerary being safely tailored, following the safety guides is crucial to avoid AMS along the route, which are suggested below:

• Daily, hydrate your body well enough, with 3-4 L of water, and fuel the body with whole foods, packed with proteins, carbs, and some fats, as well. Do not restrict having enough meals.
• From Namche (above 3500 meters), avoid smoking cigarettes, even vapes, and drinking alcoholic beverages, carry snacks, like dry fruits, protein bars, mini chocolates, or even dry fruits, which you can munch on when you feel less energetic.
• At every stopping point, check your oxygen level via oximeter, and be aware of how your body is coping with the low oxygen. If you feel any discomfort or signs such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, loss of sleep and appetite, breathing issues, then inform the guide immediately.
• Walk at your own pace, do not get influenced by the fellow trekkers that you meet en route, and follow the guide throughout, stick to the scheduled itinerary, and avoid rushing the trip.

Travel Insurance

During such remote and himalayan treks, such as the Everest Two High Passes Trek, travel insurance is essential, as the region does not have proper hospitals, health care posts, or facilities. If any unseen event occurs, the only way out is by helicopter evacuation. Even though such serious conditions happen rarely, it is still always best to be prepared rather than regretting and panicking at the last minute. Ensure that the insurance policy covers all the essentials, such as trip delays, cancellations, theft, medical expenses, flight cancellation, and most importantly, the air evacuation upto 6000 meters.

Meals and Accommodations

Throughout the trip, you'll be accommodated at tea houses, run by the local Sherpa people themselves, which are simple and very basic, especially when you are covering the Gokyo routes, as the EBC trail does have some luxury accommodation options. Although the rooms are simple, it is hygenically maintained, well-sanitised and include comfortable bedding, ensuring your comfort and cosiness. The rooms are on a twin basis or group sharing basis, but if you are trekking solo, then a single room can be arranged. The rooms only have basic things, like one bed, and maybe a table, with a mattress, pillow, blankets and clean sheets. 

At lower trails, the rooms are well facilitated with attached bathrooms; however, as you ascend higher, typically from Namche, the washrooms are of the eastern style and non-attached, however can be managed with an extra charge (as it falls more on the luxury side). Throughout every lodge, there are all kinds of essential amenities like wifi, a charging station (at the dining area), a shower, a laundry, but it costs an extra $3-$4 depending on the service.

Whereas, for the meals, it has a wide variation in terms of menu, from western cuisine, to indian to asian to local meals, and several beverages, from cold to hot ones. Regarding the foods, you won't find any discomfort, as it caters for the taste and preferences of every trekker across the globe.

Required Permits

For this trek, you'll need two essential permits: firstly, the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and secondly, the local Khumbu permit. No restricted area permit or TIMS Card is required, whereas they can be obtained either at Kathmandu or at the gate itself, at the Monjo checkpoint. All the paperwork and the trekking permits are included in our package and will be arranged soon after your booking is confirmed.

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit costs approx NPR 3000 (USD 28) per head
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit costs around NPR 2000 (USD 18) per head.

Booking Procedure

Destination Himalaya Treks and Expeditions has been operating services for treks, climbing, and tours in Nepal for 15 years, and we are affiliated with NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association) and TAAN (Trekking Agency Association of Nepal); hence, your booking is surely safe with us. To secure the booking, you just have to pay 10% to 20% to secure the booking, and the rest of the amount (remaining cost) can be paid after you arrive in person. For further queries, you can contact us via WhatsApp +977 9851016814, make a direct call, or you can just send us an email at info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com. We are available to assist you 24/7 hours so feel free to contact us.