KONGMA LA & CHO LA PASS TREK

The level is more difficult than other trekking programmers. However, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking tries its best to make the journey as easy, adventurous and joyful as possible.

Bottled water is easily available at a low cost. But you can not use plastic bottles in the Everest region. So, they do not sell plastic bottled mineral water. You need to drink mineral water or boiled filtered water in those areas. It is better to use water purification drops and tablets which you can either bring from your own country or buy in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Discovery World Trekking also provides water purifier pills.

Weather on the trail to Kongmala and Chola Pass is always changing and impossible to predict. Here is a list of probable temperature and weather conditions in each month. Month Temperature Weather and Nature January Max 4°C in the daytime to min -17°C in the nights and mornings Blue skies, freezing weather February Max 4°C in the daytime to min -15°C in the nights and mornings Mild and humid, good visibility March Max 7°C in the daytime to min -12°C in the nights and mornings Days are short and the temperature starts to warm up, chances of occasional snow falls April Max 10°C in the daytime to min -5°C in a night Moderate temperature with amazing landscape, rhododendron and wildflowers May Max 15°C in the daytime to min 0°C in a night Days are still long, warm, and sunny June Max 16°C in the daytime to min -1°C in a night Rainy season July Max 15°C in the daytime to min 2°C in a night Hot and humid Auguest Max 16°C in the daytime to min 2°C in a night Max 16°C in the daytime to min 2°C in a night September Max 15°C in the daytime to min 2°C in a night End of monsoon, no clouds October Max 12°C in the daytime to min -6°C in a night Stable weather condition November Max 6°C in the daytime to min -12°C in a night Days are sunny and bright, cold during the night, sleeping bag is most. December Max 4°C in the daytime to min -14°C in a night Foggy and cloudy weather.

Yes, you can. No matter who you are, as long as you are reasonably fit, can walk for 5-6 hours a day and trek/hike a few uphills, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking Trekking team will support you to the fullest to transform your dream of standing at Kongma La and Chola Pass into reality.

The month of March to May in Spring and September to December in autumn seasons are considered the best for the Everest Base Camp Trek as the weather conditions become favorable during this time, providing you with good visibility and a suitable atmosphere for Kongma la and Chola Pass trekking.

No, there is no age limit for the trek to Kongma la and Chola Pass but, you need to be in good physical shape and have a positive attitude. We also suggest you to prior to the excursion though we suggest you to please see your doctor and obtain necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for traveling in extreme altitude prior to the excursion.

During trekking, you will be served meals in the teahouses. Typical meals are noodles, rice, pasta or potato dishes along with vegetables and egg/chicken/meat dishes. Other items mostly served as breakfasts include Tibetan, egg, pancake, bread, porridge, muesli, and toasts with peanut butter and honey.

A teahouse trekking accommodation will be made for you for the Kongma La and Chola pass trekking whereby you will be able to stay at tea house(Local lodge) and have wholesome food and net and clean comfortable bed throughout your trekking journey. This form of arrangement also allows you to carry less baggage; you can trek at your own pace and enjoy the Everest panorama on your own schedule. It is also an eco-friendly way of trekking whereby trekkers can have more contact with the local's sherpa peoples.

Most of the teahouses on the Kongma La and Chola Pass trail have squat toilet facilities but recently built lodges have western-style toilets as well. Nowadays, flush toilets are also being introduced with number of increasing foreign mountaineers each year. It is highly recommended to carry your own toilet paper and other required toiletries. Hot shower facilities are available till Gorakshep. The most common type is a bucket shower, usual buckets with tap filled with hot water and placed in a shower room. Hot shower costs from US$ 4 to 15 per use and the price increases along with the elevation. Attached bathrooms and toilets are not available unless you book for a luxury lodge during the EBC trek.

What you want to wear depends on you but we suggest you wear warm clothes during the Ko'ngma and Chola Pass trekking. A down jacket, thermal longs and top, comfortable trekking trousers, t-shirts, fleece, windproof jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves might be useful. There are numerous trekking shops in the Thamel area of Kathmandu where you can get all of these items in both local and branded stores alike. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking may also accompany and assist you if required.

During the Kongma La and Chola trekking, you will be on a long journey for which you will need two bags to keep your belongings. A rucksack/duffle bag and a day bag for personal items. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will provide you with a duffle bag (which is need to refund after the trek) that you can use throughout your entire journey and even afterward. These bags are durable and hence perfect for any kind of trekking journey. While the duffle bag will be carried by the potters, you will have to carry a day bag on your own. A day bag is a small backpack that has enough room for everything you will need on a day hike such as lunch, water, extra clothing and perhaps a few personnel items like camera, battery chargers, etc.

If possible, we suggest you bring your own equipment. However, sleeping bags and down jackets will be provided to you by Sherpa Expedition and Trekking. With regards to trekking poles, if you are used to walking with it then take them with you, as you will probably find them useful especially on the way down. They are not essential though and the walk is manageable without them. It is mostly a personal preference. If you prefer to take the trekking poles with you on the trekking then you can either bring your own pole or buy it from numerous options available in Kathmandu itself.

Yes, if you have a bag of extra clothing for when you return from the trekking, you will be able to store it safely in Kathmandu Sherpa Expedition and Trekking office. The storage facility is provided by most hotels and lodges in Kathmandu or you can also store it in our office for the duration of the trekking.

Our itinerary has been specially tailored to prevent any kind of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) while moving up to higher altitudes. Normally, altitude sickness starts from 3,600 meters and above. You will be trekking at a relatively slow and gradual pace as part of the acclimatization process. Cut off caffeinated, alcoholic and smoking items. Drink at least 4 liters of water a day. Trek slow. Don't skip the acclimatization days. Better to continue with Diamox (if any symptoms show up). Drink Garlic Soup. In the higher elevation, there is less oxygen in the air and this is more so while crossing high passes. Our expert guides will advise you on how to avoid AMS and treat it when/ if required.

Make sure to have both medical and evacuation insurance before coming to Nepal for Kongma La and Chola trekking. You should be careful in choosing a policy while traveling to a Himalayan country like Nepal as some insurance companies may make special exceptions for adventure travel. If you are confused about the insurance, please inform us and we will help you. It is usually better to arrange your insurance in your country before travel.

The trekking will be 5-7 hours a day depending upon the landscape and destination.

It takes 6 to 19 days to reach Kongmala and Chola top depending upon the mode of transportation and packages of Sherpa Expedition and Trekking offers.

We at Sherpa Expedition and Trekking Team always have the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of our valued customers as our foremost priority at all times, and we assure you a wonderful and unforgettable time with us in our beautiful country. Sherpa team members of Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will be carrying all the necessary gear, equipment, and first aid kits and they have extensive first aid training. If a trekker falls sick on high altitude, the leader will decide whether to continue the trek. In case of emergency, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking have a rescue helicopter to bring you back from the higher elevation. Moreover, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking also provides oximeter to monitor the oxygen level at high altitude and offers regular health check-up facilities.

You can either trek on foot or by a helicopter. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking offer exciting and reasonable Helicopter trek to Kongma la and Chola pass for 10 days and 14 days. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking can also customize your tour as per your necessity.

The flights are usually regular between September and May. But due to high altitude, bad weather and unforeseen technical issues, you may experience a delay or cancellation of the flight. On the occurrence of such events, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking charter a helicopter to make sure you are on the safe schedule either for a trek or for your flight back home which would cost extra charge as an unexpected event. However, if the visibility is less than 1,500 meters, it is unable to operate helicopter facilities and Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will reschedule the flight.

Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will provide one porter for two trekkers to carry 20 kgs of luggage (maximum 10 kg for each trekker). Please be sure your porters are not overloaded because they do not carry only your equipment but also lift your spirit to reach new heights, and your love, affection, and generosity can be the reason for them to work hard to take you to your destination. However, the weight limit on flights to the Everest region, basically to Lukla is a total of 10 kgs and you need to pay an extra amount per kg for the excess baggage. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking pays up to 5 kgs of extra baggage making your total to 15 kgs with your hand bag.

Garlic soup is a must while trekking. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking recommend trekkers to drink green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon ginger tea and drink at least 2-4 liters of water a day. However, it is better to avoid alcohol and alcoholic beverages, caffeinated items, and hot-chocolates at high altitude.

Sherpa Expedition and Trekking Trekking won’t recommend non-veg items because the meat in such places may not hygienic and healthy. Sherpa Expedition and Trekking also encourage to avoid dairy and cheesy items and strongly suggest not to consume them during the trek. So, our packages are suitable for both vegan and vegetarians.

Your guide and porters are a big reason why you got a chance to feel something very few can have. Apart from guiding and carrying your necessities and being mindful of your safety, they want to see you happily succeeded more than anyone like family and help you successfully complete the trek safely. So, your tips reflect gratitude towards them. So, tipping is a recommended culture for porters and guide in Nepal as a gesture of thankfulness.

Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will introduce dozens of shops selling knock-off gear in Kathmandu. You can also barter those gears at the knock-off places but be sure you keep the receipt safely. Moreover, you can rent the needed gears if you do not want to buy them.

Yes, most guesthouses offer Wi-Fi, for a small charge. it cost USD$5 per day.

ATM services are available only in Namche Bazaar and Lukla. However, the services might not work or run out of cash. Therefore, we suggest you carry a small amount of money to buy snacks, etc during the trekking.

Most of the tea houses/ lodges have electricity whereby you will be able to charge your iPod or camera batteries. Please note that lodges/tea houses will charge you some extra money for the services. The fee may vary from 1 USD to 3 USD per hour.