via Cho La & Everest Base Camp side trek (6 days)
Everest Region, Nepal

View full itinerary: Gokyo Valley

Rating: |

Highlights: Gokyo, Gokyo Ri, Cho La Pass, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar

Difficulty: strenuous

Take the scenic route to Everest Base Camp over the 5420 m (17,782 ft ) Cho La. The route over this glacial clad pass is tough but rewarding. Descending with spectacular views a Ama Dablam the route joins with the traditional trail following the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp. In addition to Everest Basecamp, you will climb to the dizzying height of 5643 m (18,513 ft) and view one of the most magnificent panoramas in the Himalayas atop Kala Patthar.

Weather Conditions in January

change start

January is one of the coldest and driest months, which makes it good for Himalayan views while wearing lots of layers. While there is little rain, skies in the hills and valleys further from the high mountains can be hazy from dust and pollution. The days are short and the nights long, so you can finally catch up on War and Peace while hiking the Himalayas. Now that’s something to be proud of! Go with the e-book version, your back or your porter’s back will thank you for it. At high altitudes, temperatures can drop to well below freezing. Even during the day, temperatures may not rise much above freezing, if at all, and the snow that does fall doesn’t melt and can become hard and icy. This can make crossing high passes more difficult. During this season it may be wise to bring crampons or at a minimum a good trekking pole.

At a glance
On average there are 2 days with precipitation in January. The highest point on the trek is Kala Patthar at 5643 m. During January, expect high temperatures of around -6.5°C (20°F) and lows down to -23.5°C (-10°F) at Kala Patthar.

via Cho La & Everest Base Camp Side trek
(Elevation Profile)

View Itinerary on Map

Itinerary (6 days)

Extra rest days and overnights can be added once the itinerary is created. However any side trips must be added in this step before the itinerary is created.

Sat Jan 3 (day 1)
Gokyo (4750 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about -1.1°C (30°F) and lows of about -18.1°C (-1°F) in January. Overnight more info on Gokyo

Sun Jan 4 (day 2)
Gokyo Ri (5360 m) About 1-2 ascent from Gokyo Expect typical high termperatures of about -4.8°C (23°F) and lows of about -21.8°C (-7°F) in January. more info on Gokyo Ri
Dragnag (4800 m) About 2 hours from Gokyo Expect typical high termperatures of about -1.4°C (29°F) and lows of about -18.4°C (-1°F) in January. Overnight more info on Dragnag

Mon Jan 5 (day 3)
Cho La Pass (5420 m) About 2-3 hours from Dragnag Expect typical high termperatures of about -5.1°C (23°F) and lows of about -22.1°C (-8°F) in January. The Cho La Pass connects the Everest Base Camp Valley with the Gokyo Valley. It is a glacier covered pass but for most of the year does not require crampons. However, if you are trekking in the winter months late December through early March you may want to bring (or rent some crampons). The east side of the pass is very steep and if there is packed snow and ice it may be very difficult to get your footing. more info on Cho La Pass
Dzongla (4800 m) About 2-3 hours from Cho La Expect typical high termperatures of about -1.4°C (29°F) and lows of about -18.4°C (-1°F) in January. more info on Dzongla
Lobuche (4940 m) About 3-4 hours from Dzongla Expect typical high termperatures of about -2.2°C (28°F) and lows of about -19.2°C (-3°F) in January. Overnight

Tue Jan 6 (day 4)
Gorak Shep (5164 m) About 2-3 hours from Lobuche Expect typical high termperatures of about -3.6°C (26°F) and lows of about -20.6°C (-5°F) in January. more info on Gorak Shep
Everest Base Camp (5380 m) About 3 hours from Gorak Shep Expect typical high termperatures of about -4.9°C (23°F) and lows of about -21.9°C (-7°F) in January. more info on Everest Base Camp
Gorak Shep (5164 m) About 3 hours from Everest Base Camp Expect typical high termperatures of about -3.6°C (26°F) and lows of about -20.6°C (-5°F) in January. Overnight more info on Gorak Shep

Wed Jan 7 (day 5)
Kala Patthar (5643 m) About 1-2 hours climb from Gorak Shep Expect typical high termperatures of about -6.5°C (20°F) and lows of about -23.5°C (-10°F) in January. more info on Kala Patthar
Lobuche (4940 m) About 2 hours from Gorak Shep Expect typical high termperatures of about -2.2°C (28°F) and lows of about -19.2°C (-3°F) in January.
Phortse (3840 m) About 5-6 hours from Lobuche Expect typical high termperatures of about 4.4°C (40°F) and lows of about -12.6°C (9°F) in January. Overnight more info on Phortse

Thu Jan 8 (day 6)

via Cho La & Everest Base Camp side trek (6 days) Everest Region, Nepal

Highlights: Gokyo, Gokyo Ri, Cho La Pass, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar

Weather Conditions in January

via Cho La & Everest Base Camp Side trek (Elevation Profile)

View Itinerary on Map

by Derek (United Kingdom) on Nov 20, 2018

via Cho La & Everest Base Camp side trek (6 days)
Everest Region, Nepal

via Cho La & Everest Base Camp Side trek
(Elevation Profile)