Accommodation Options During the Everest Chola Pass Trek
Accommodation in City
During our 18-day Everest Chola Pass Trek, we provide a three-night stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis. If you prefer more privacy, we can arrange a single room for an additional charge.
Accommodation During the Trek
- The Chola Pass Trek involves a 14-night stay in local teahouses. Accommodation is provided on a twin-sharing basis, with meals served in a communal dining area. Rooms are basic, typically featuring a mattress, blanket, and pillow.
- This is a very high-altitude trek, with seven nights spent above 4,000 meters; the Chola Pass itself reaches 5,420 meters. Due to the extreme altitude and harsh mountain environment, temperatures can fall significantly below freezing, particularly after dark. As teahouses are basic and unheated, a four-season sleeping bag rated to at least -10 degrees Celsius is mandatory. Sleeping bags are available for rent in Kathmandu, generally costing $2 to $3 per day.
- Private or attached bathrooms are generally limited to lower-altitude villages like Lukla, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar. In higher settlements along the route, shared bathroom facilities are the standard. Hot showers are usually available at most teahouses, though there is a fee, typically ranging from 500 to 1000 NPR, depending on the altitude.
- During the peak trekking seasons (autumn: September to November, and spring: March to May), teahouses frequently reach full capacity. Therefore, early booking and being flexible with accommodation arrangements are highly recommended.
Hotel Upgrade Options
For an enhanced experience in Kathmandu before or after your trek, you have the option to upgrade to a luxury category hotel. These hotels provide superior service, better amenities, and a more comfortable level of accommodation.
- Upgrade to a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu - 120 USD per night pp in BB
- Upgrade to a 5-star hotel in Kathmandu - 250 USD per night pp in BB
- Single supplement - 300 USD per person
Transportation During the Everest Chola Pass Trek
- We provide all ground transportation, including airport pickup and drop-off, in a private tourist-standard vehicle.
- The Everest Base Camp with Chola Pass begins with a scenic 30–40 minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
- Flight delays due to bad weather are common, which may cause you to be delayed in Kathmandu or Lukla. We strongly recommend booking extra days into your itinerary or securing flexible return flights to your home country to accommodate such unforeseen delays.
- If flights are grounded due to weather, guests have the option to arrange helicopter travel from either Kathmandu or Lukla (extra charges apply).
Note: During peak trekking seasons, flights to Lukla operate from Ramechhap Airport (also known as Manthali Airport) instead of Kathmandu due to heavy air traffic. Reaching Manthali requires an approximately 5-hour drive from Kathmandu, followed by a 15-minute flight to Lukla.
Permits and Entrance Fees Required for Everest Chola Pass Trek
For Everest Chola Pass trek, trekkers are required to obtain three major permits
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: NPR 3,000 per person for foreigners and NPR 1,500 per person for SAARC nationals.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: NPR 2,000 per person for both foreign and SAARC nationals
- TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card: NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals and NPR 2,000 for other foreign nationals.
For the Chola Pass trek, all necessary permits are mandatory and will be secured for you before your trip. Although some sources may indicate the TIMS card is not necessary for the Everest region, it is legally required. We advise carrying several photocopies of your passport and permits. These documents must be presented at various checkpoints throughout the trekking route.
Internet Electricity & Phone Access on Chola Pass Trek
Mobile Network
Mobile network access is available along parts of the trail, with NTC generally being the most reliable provider, especially in remote and high-altitude areas like Dole, Machhermo, Gokyo and beyond. Ncell primarily functions in lower villages such as Lukla, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar, but its coverage is poor or non-existent at higher elevations.Please note that there is no mobile network coverage around the Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp.
Wi-Fi Access
Wi-Fi is available along the route via Everest Link Wi-Fi cards, which can be purchased throughout the trail. Prices range from USD 20 to USD 30 for packages of 10 to 20 GB with a 30-day validity. Smaller data packages are sometimes available for USD 2 to USD 4.Internet speed may be slow, particularly at higher altitudes.
Charging Facilities (Electricity)
Teahouses rely on limited power sources (solar or micro-hydro), so electricity supply is restricted, especially at higher elevations.Charging points are usually located in the dining areas. Charging costs increase with altitude; from Gokyo and above, expect to pay around NPR 500 per hour, with a full charge potentially costing up to NPR 700 per device. Due to limited electricity in higher villages like Machhermo and Gokyo, we strongly recommend carrying a power bank or solar charger.
Meals and Dining During the Everest Chola Pass Trek
- The Everest Chola Pass trek includes a full board meal plan: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and dinner are provided at the teahouses, while lunch is freshly prepared along the trail. To help you stay warm at high altitudes, the meal plan includes three servings of tea or coffee and one serving of soup daily.
- The menu in Everest region features a mix of local Nepali and Sherpa cuisine, alongside some simpler Western options. Staples include Dal Bhat (lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry with free refills), noodles, pasta, soups, vegetables, bread, and seasonal fruits. Breakfast options typically feature porridge, eggs, Tibetan bread, chapati with jam or honey, and pancakes.
- We are happy to accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets upon request. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements for your entire trek.
Safe Drinking Water on Everest Chola Pass Trek
- The cost of bottled water varies by altitude. At lower elevations, expect to pay around NPR 100–150 per liter. However, at higher altitudes, particularly locations above Gokyo and Renjola Pass, the price increases to approximately NPR 200–250 per liter.
- Teahouses offer boiled water for a safer and often more sustainable option, typically costing NPR 600–700 per large pot, depending on the location.
- Due to the limited availability and higher cost of bottled water at high elevations, we strongly recommend that trekkers ensure a safe water supply by carrying water purification tablets or a filter, or by relying on boiled water purchased from teahouses.
Group Leader and Crew
- Your trek will be fully supported by our team of licensed mountain guides. They are highly experienced and trained in essential wilderness skills and first aid to ensure your safety.
- For groups with more than five trekkers, we include an additional assistant guide to provide even more personalized care and support.
- To significantly ease your journey, we assign one porter for every two trekkers to assist with carrying your luggage and gear.
Trekking Equipment
- You do not need to purchase an extensive amount of gear before your Chola Pass trek, as most necessary items can be easily bought or rented in Kathmandu.
- Essentials include layered clothing for cold temperatures, waterproof trekking boots, camp shoes, gloves, warm hat, backpack with rain cover, trekking poles, crampons, headlamp, a four-season sleeping bag, sun protection, and water purification. A basic medical kit will be carried by our guide.
- We will provide you with a comprehensive packing list to ensure you are fully prepared for the high-altitude conditions along the Everest Chola Pass route. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding your what to pack fro the Everest Chola Pass trek.
Trekking Grade
The Everest Chola Pass trek is an 18-day, challenging high-altitude journey suitable for trekkers with excellent fitness and some prior experience at elevation. The route involves 5–8 hours of walking daily, reaching a maximum height of 5,429 m at Chola Pass. It does not require technical climbing skills, yet it rewards trekkers with spectacular views of the Himalayas, glacial lakes, and authentic Sherpa villages.
High Altitude Sickness
Everest Chola Kala Patthar Trek would be a lifetime memory in your life. If you are unfit we will not recommend going this trekking. While you are going toward the high place, You have to take food and liquid a lot and walk slowly, better take Diamox ( high altitude medicines). If you have a serious problem you have to admit the hospital soon in this case you call the helicopter for rescue and our staff will help you with your treatment. If you have medical insurance the rescue helicopter payment will be cover by the insurance company so medical insurance is necessary to go this trekking.
Weather and Climate
The Everest region experiences a cold high-altitude mountain climate. The best trekking seasons are pre-monsoon (March–May) and post-monsoon (October–November), offering clear skies and stable weather. Summers (June–August) bring heavy monsoon rains, while winters (December–February) are extremely cold with snow possible at all high-altitude points. Daytime temperatures range from 0°C to 15°C, but can drop well below -10°C at night, especially near Chola Pass and Everest Base Camp.
Travel Insurance
Given the high altitude of the Everest Chola Pass trek (up to 5,545m ), comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Your policy must specifically cover high-altitude trekking, emergency evacuation, and all medical expenses. Due to the remote location, unpredictable weather, and lack of extensive medical facilities along the route, a robust insurance plan is strongly advised.
Tipping
While tipping on the Everest Base Camp with Cho La Pass trek is not compulsory, it is an essential way to acknowledge the hard work of your guide and porter, as tips constitute a significant portion of their earnings.
We generally suggest the following guidelines:
- Porters: 10–12% of the total trek package price.
- Guides: 12–15% of the total trek package price.
Please feel free to adjust this amount based on the quality of service you receive and your overall trekking experience. It is recommended to provide tips in Nepalese Rupees or a widely accepted currency such as USD.
Booking and Cancellation Policy
How to Make a Booking
To secure your Everest Chola Pass trek package, we will require photocopies of each traveler's passport to make your booking. You should also provide us with a copy of your Nepal arrival flight schedule or an estimated date of arrival so we can arrange your trek package at your convenience. Finally, you can finalize your booking by paying an advance of 20% of the cost of the trek package. You can go through our entire booking process and conditions so that you have a smooth experience from start to finish.
Cancellation Charges & Conditions
- 25 or more days before departure: 20% of the total cost
- 18–24 days before departure: 40% of the total cost
- 10–17 days before departure: 50% of the total cost
- Less than 10 days from trek start date: 70% of the total cost
- Once the trek starts from Kathmandu, no refunds will be provided.
Rescheduling: You can reschedule your trek to a future date without any extra charges, as long as you notify us at least 15 days before your originally scheduled start date.
Customize Itinerary and Trip Extensions
As per your time schedule if there is not suitable date for trekking departure from Kathmandu so the place mentions your suitable time and date then we will organize your great trip to Everest Chola Kala Patthar Trek. In addition to Everest Chola Kala Patthar Trek, we can organize a trip to Annapurna Trekking, Langtang Trekking, Manaslu Trekking, Mustang Trekking, Mountain Flight, the water rafting, jungle safari, City tour (Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Lumbini ), homestay Tour, Nepal Cultural Tour, Tibet tour, Bhutan tour or India tour extension as per your time frame.
