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

View full itinerary: Gokyo Valley

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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 May

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May is the end of the ‘Spring Season’ when temperatures are more moderate and the pre-monsoon moisture increases the chance of precipitation as the month progresses. It can be hot and humid in the valleys at low elevations, so make sure you carry enough water. Like the rest of the spring, clear mornings typically give way to cloudy afternoons. At high altitudes, the precipitation can turn to snow, although at trekking elevations the accumulation does not usually get too deep. May is also the season when many 8000 m peaks are climbed so base camps of these mountains will be busy with activity.

At a glance
On average there are 12 days with precipitation in May. The highest point on the trek is Kala Patthar at 5643 m. During May, expect high temperatures of around 3.5°C (38°F) and lows down to -9.5°C (15°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.

Tue May 7 (day 1)
Gokyo (4750 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 8.9°C (48°F) and lows of about -4.1°C (25°F) in May. Overnight more info on Gokyo

Wed May 8 (day 2)
Gokyo Ri (5360 m) About 1-2 ascent from Gokyo Expect typical high termperatures of about 5.2°C (41°F) and lows of about -7.8°C (18°F) in May. more info on Gokyo Ri
Dragnag (4800 m) About 2 hours from Gokyo Expect typical high termperatures of about 8.6°C (47°F) and lows of about -4.4°C (24°F) in May. Overnight more info on Dragnag

Thu May 9 (day 3)
Cho La Pass (5420 m) About 2-3 hours from Dragnag Expect typical high termperatures of about 4.9°C (41°F) and lows of about -8.1°C (17°F) in May. 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 8.6°C (47°F) and lows of about -4.4°C (24°F) in May. more info on Dzongla
Lobuche (4940 m) About 3-4 hours from Dzongla Expect typical high termperatures of about 7.8°C (46°F) and lows of about -5.2°C (23°F) in May. Overnight

Fri May 10 (day 4)
Gorak Shep (5164 m) About 2-3 hours from Lobuche Expect typical high termperatures of about 6.4°C (44°F) and lows of about -6.6°C (20°F) in May. more info on Gorak Shep
Everest Base Camp (5380 m) About 3 hours from Gorak Shep Expect typical high termperatures of about 5.1°C (41°F) and lows of about -7.9°C (18°F) in May. more info on Everest Base Camp
Gorak Shep (5164 m) About 3 hours from Everest Base Camp Expect typical high termperatures of about 6.4°C (44°F) and lows of about -6.6°C (20°F) in May. Overnight more info on Gorak Shep

Sat May 11 (day 5)
Kala Patthar (5643 m) About 1-2 hours climb from Gorak Shep Expect typical high termperatures of about 3.5°C (38°F) and lows of about -9.5°C (15°F) in May. more info on Kala Patthar
Lobuche (4940 m) About 2 hours from Gorak Shep Expect typical high termperatures of about 7.8°C (46°F) and lows of about -5.2°C (23°F) in May.
Phortse (3840 m) About 5-6 hours from Lobuche Expect typical high termperatures of about 14.4°C (58°F) and lows of about 1.4°C (35°F) in May. Overnight more info on Phortse

Sun May 12 (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 May

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)