Trekking · Nepal
Cho La Pass
A 5,420 m glaciated pass linking the Everest Base Camp trail with the Gokyo valley in the Khumbu.
Cho La is a 5,420-metre glaciated pass in the heart of the Everest region, the rocky, icy link between the Everest Base Camp side of the Khumbu and the turquoise Gokyo valley. It is the most striking of the three crossings on the famous Three Passes circuit — a short glacier traverse hemmed by serrated peaks, where trekkers often rope up over the snow in early morning light.
Where it is
Cho La crosses a high ridge between Dzongla, below Cholatse, in the east and Thagnak, above the Ngozumpa glacier, in the west. It connects the Everest Base Camp corridor with the Gokyo Lakes and is the central of the three passes on the Everest Three Passes trek. Along with Kongma La and Renjo La, it is one of the seven great Himalayan passes of Nepal.
Crossing the pass
The crossing is usually made west from Dzongla. After a steep, boulder-strewn climb to the eastern foot of the pass, trekkers cross a small glacier — snow-covered and sometimes icy — to the prayer-flag saddle, then pick their way down a rocky descent to Thagnak. The day is long and starts in the dark to reach the glacier while the snow is still firm. Microspikes or crampons and trekking poles are commonly carried.
Difficulty and altitude
Cho La is non-technical but more demanding than the Annapurna passes because of the glacier, the loose rock and the exposure. There is no need for mountaineering skill, but sure footing and good acclimatisation are essential. Trekkers reach the pass having already spent days high in the Khumbu, often after Everest Base Camp, so they arrive acclimatised — but anyone with symptoms of altitude sickness should not attempt the crossing.
Best time and conditions
The safe windows are autumn (October to November) and spring (April to May). In winter the glacier is buried in deep, unstable snow and the pass is frequently closed; the monsoon brings cloud, fresh snow and poor visibility. Even in season the glacier can become hazardous after snowfall, so flexibility and an early start are key.
Plan your crossing
Cho La is best tackled as part of the Three Passes circuit or a Gokyo crossover, never as a stand-alone day. Read the Nepal trekking guide for kit and acclimatisation, hire an experienced licensed guide for the glacier section, and carry buffer days for weather on the pass.
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Frequently asked questions
How high is Cho La pass?+
Cho La sits at about 5,420 metres in the Everest region of Nepal. It is one of the three high passes on the Everest Three Passes trek and links the Everest Base Camp side of the Khumbu with the Gokyo valley over a short glacier crossing.
Is Cho La dangerous to cross?+
It is not technical, but it is more serious than Thorong La. The eastern approach is a steep, rocky scramble, and the pass itself crosses a small, often icy glacier where crampons or microspikes and trekking poles are useful. Early starts avoid soft afternoon snow and crevasse risk.
Which way do trekkers cross Cho La?+
Most cross from Dzongla in the east to Thagnak and Gokyo in the west, often after visiting Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. On the Everest Three Passes circuit it is the second pass, between Kongma La and Renjo La.
When is the best time to cross Cho La?+
October to November gives the safest, most stable conditions, with April to May the spring alternative. The glacier can be heavily snowed up and dangerous in winter, and the monsoon brings cloud and fresh snow, so autumn is the prime crossing season.
