My experience of the Everest Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek

My experience of the Everest Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek

Blog Article

I had always wanted to view Mount Everest with my own eyes. However, I wanted to take a quiet path. I didn’t want to take the most popular route. For that reason, I chose something a little different, the Everest Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek. Beautiful lakes, high mountain passes, and the possibility of reaching the Everest Base Camp sounded ideal. I was a little anxious and excited before I started. Would I have enough strength? Could I tolerate the cold? I was willing to try even though I didn’t know. Picking this trek turned out to be one of my greatest life choices.

Getting Ready for the Trek



Although it required a lot of preparation, the Everest Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek was an exciting experience. I had to find a reputable trekking company. I found a local trekking agency, Click Here, with a good safety record, friendly guides, and positive reviews. After I booked the trek, I had to prepare the gear. I had to pack warm clothing, such as a sleeping bag that could handle cold nights, a down jacket, thermal layers, high-quality trekking boots, and gloves. I also packed basic items like lip balm, sunscreen, snacks, and water bottles.

I walked a lot before the trek to prepare my body. On certain days, I carried a bag and climbed stairs to experience what it might be like. But to be honest, nothing could fully prepare me for the high altitude, no matter how much I trained. I kept telling myself to calm down, be positive, and enjoy each moment.

Beginning the Journey

The true journey began when I took a plane from Kathmandu to Lukla. It was a flight I will always remember. The aircraft was tiny. The Lukla airport is one of the most dangerous in the world. As we touched down between the mountains, I was scared and excited at the same time.

The chilly mountain air greeted me as soon as I got out of the airplane. I could see cheerful people, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and small colorful houses all around me. I had the impression that I stepped into a lovely, quiet, and simple world. We started to walk from Lukla, and each step felt like a step toward a big dream.

Trekking to Gokyo

We traveled through wonderful forests, across suspension bridges, and through small villages. The cows and yaks roamed freely throughout the first portion of the journey. We walked for 5-7 hours each day, gradually going higher.

Getting to Gokyo was one of the most incredible experiences. The deep blue water of the Gokyo Lakes, surrounded by the mountains, was more beautiful than I had expected. It was mystical and felt calm. While I was staying close to the third lake, I spent one morning climbing Gokyo Ri, a little mountain close to the lake. One of the most breathtaking experiences of my life was seeing the sunrise from Gokyo Ri. The whole world seemed to be shining as the golden sunlight hit the tallest peaks, including Makalu, Lhotse, and Everest.

Cho La Pass crossing

The most challenging part of the journey was crossing the Cho La Pass. When it was still dark, we started pretty early. I could see my breath in the air, and it was icy cold. There was snow and ice on the steep trail.

I had to use all my strength and focus to keep going. The ascent seemed to go on forever, and there were times when I wanted to stop because it was so difficult to breathe.

However, our guide encouraged us to proceed slowly. I kept in mind to take everything one tiny step at a time. I was surrounded by the wilderness of the Himalayas when we arrived at the Cho La Pass. I felt proud, tired, and full of life at the same time.

Traditional Everest Base Camp Trail

We arrived at the main Everest Base Camp trail after crossing Cho La Pass. All of a sudden, there were more teahouses, more trekkers, and a greater sense of excitement along the route.

We moved through Dzongla, Lobuche, and Gorakshep. Small stone homes, cozy eating areas with wood fireplaces, and friendly residents offering hot tea were distinct features of each village.

Everything seemed more real as we approached Everest Base Camp. I was walking in the footsteps of well-known climbers, it was more than just a dream.

Arriving at Base Camp on Everest

The time had finally arrived for the trek to Everest Base Camp. Despite the challenging terrain, I had a lot of excitement in my heart. I finally spotted it after hours of walking, the “Everest Base Camp” sign and the colorful prayer flags flapping in the wind.
It was a wide, rocky area at the base of the world’s tallest peak, not a big building or fancy gate. However, I was happy as I stood there and gazed at the majestic Khumbu Icefall and the neighboring peaks. I had succeeded! It was about the entire process of getting there, not simply getting there.

Climbing Kala Patthar

The climb of Kala Patthar in the next morning was one of the highlights of the trek. We began climbing in the dark after a very early 4 AM wake-up. My legs were tired from days of trekking, and it was icy cold.

However, the sky gradually began to change from a deep blue to pink and orange hues. I had the most amazing view of Everest, glowing in the dawn light, when I arrived at the summit of Kala Patthar. It was so close and magnanimous. I vowed to never forget this sense of wonder as I stood there in silence, feeling small but thankful.

Return Trip to Lukla

It was time to go back after all the excitement. Walking downhill was more difficult on the legs and knees, but easier on the lungs. Everyone in the group felt content and at ease despite our fatigue.

We celebrated in the tea houses at night while sipping hot tea, laughing, and telling stories. We felt as though we had made a full circle when we arrived back in Lukla. I was thrilled, a little scruffy, and tired. Everything passed by so quickly on the flight back to Kathmandu, but the memories would last a lifetime.

The Difficulties I Faced

The journey wasn’t always easy. The altitude was the biggest challenge. Although I didn’t experience severe altitude sickness, I did get headaches and fatigue on several days. Resting, drinking lots of water, and taking it slow all helped.
Another difficulty was the cold at night. Sometimes I had to sleep with all of my clothes on in the basic teahouses without heating. Also, walking for several hours each day tested my strength and patience. Each difficulty made my experience more meaningful.

Conclusion

Finally, I can say that the Everest Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek changed my life. It was a journey within me as well as a walk through the mountains. I had difficult days, freezing temperatures, and sore legs, but each experience strengthened me. I was moved by the fascinating Himalayas and the warmth of the locals. I recommend this trek if you dream of adventure. If I can succeed, you can too!