May 5 - May 10, 2024 | Change
The most popular of the three passes in the Khumbu region, the trail via Cho La (5420 m) provides stunning vistas along the high route between Everest Basecamp and the Gokyo Valley. With its series of lakes, the Gokyo Valley is probably one of the most beautiful valleys in the Khumbu Region, while the view from Gokyo Re rivals any of the trekking viewpoints in the Khumbu, including a more complete – if a bit further away – view of Mt Everest.
Side trip Fifth Lake & Ngozumpa Tse: Gokyo valley’s 5th Lake and the rocky outcropping between the 5th and 6th lakes known as Ngozumpa Tse is a great day hike option for those who want to spend an extra day in Gokyo. The challenging hike leads up into the remote and desolate upper Gokyo Valley. The view from Ngozumpa Tse is jaw-dropping.
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
Ngozumpa Tse at
5553 m. During
May, expect high temperatures of around
4.1°C (39°F)
and lows down to
-8.9°C (16°F)
at Ngozumpa Tse.
Itinerary (6 days)
Add side trips by clicking '' in the itinerary below.
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.
Sun May 5 (day 1) |
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Lobuche (4940 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 7.8°C (46°F) and lows of about -5.2°C (23°F) in May. |
Dzongla (4800 m)
About 5-6 hours from Gorak Shep Overnight |
Mon May 6 (day 2) |
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Cho La Pass (5420 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 4.9°C (41°F) and lows of about -8.1°C (17°F) in May. |
Dragnag (4800 m)
About 5-6 hours from Dzongla via the Cho La |
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 |
Tue May 7 (day 3) |
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Gokyo 5th Lake (5000 m)
About 4-5 hours from Gokyo |
Ngozumpa Tse (5553 m)
About 1 hour ascent from 5th Lake |
Gokyo (4750 m)
About 3-4 hour return from 5th Lake Overnight |
Wed May 8 (day 4) |
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Gokyo Ri (5360 m)
About 1-2 hour ascent from Gokyo |
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. |
Phortse (3840 m)
About 5-7 hours from Gokyo Overnight |
Thu May 9 (day 5) |
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Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
About 3-5 hours from Phortse Overnight |
Fri May 10 (day 6) |
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via Cho La Itinerary Reviews
Everest Base Camp via Cho La, via Renjo La, and Fifth Lake & Ngozumpa Tse led by Pemba Chiri Sherpa
Everest Base Camp via Cho La led by Lhakpa Sherpa
This side trek was amazing! Lots of snow and a difficult trek, but the views are stunning and less people makes it a very special experience.
Everest Base Camp via Cho La, via Kongma La, and via Renjo La led by Nima T Sherpa
Excellent weather and conditions, though there were some tricky snow traverses. Nima and the team helped us across the snow and ice. Nima was very attentive to our stamina and well being, and was an enthusiastic guide!
Everest Base Camp via Cho La and via Renjo La led by Pasang Dawa Sherpa
Everest Base Camp via Cho La led by Pema Futi Sherpa
Having come without crampons (not our best idea), we almost had to use a pair of socks at the suggestion of another groups guide, which he proceeded to do! Luckily another group passing in the opposite direction generously gave us theirs and we were able to cross the glacier easily.
Fifth Lake & Ngozumpa Tse Itinerary Reviews
Everest Base Camp via Cho La, via Renjo La, and Fifth Lake & Ngozumpa Tse led by Pemba Chiri Sherpa
Gokyo Valley Fifth Lake & Ngozumpa Tse led by Pema Futi Sherpa
Not many people seemed to have done this. It was a long twelve hour day with lots of soft snow / breaking through the crust on the way back in the afternoon which was slow and tiring. The views from the top were fantastic
via Renjo La Itinerary Reviews
Everest Base Camp via Cho La, via Renjo La, and Fifth Lake & Ngozumpa Tse led by Pemba Chiri Sherpa
Everest Base Camp via Cho La and via Renjo La led by Pasang Dawa Sherpa