NEPAL DAY9

THAGNA ̶ CHO LA ̶ DZONGLA
Thagna is the last stop before the Cho-La pass which we needed to get over to get to the Everest Base Camp. We prepared for another long day by getting up early, 4.30am. The trail started pretty easy with a gentle slope going from 4700m up to a pass around 5100m. From here we could get a first good look at Cho-La pass, and it looked both steep and rocky. Unfortunately we had to go down a bit again and cross a valley to start the climb up to the Cho-La pass. It was a narrow, rocky trail with big boulders. Due to the challenging conditions there were sometime queues along the way. At 5330m we finally reached the pass. The view towards the other side was beautiful. For the first time we were close to snow, and a winter wonderland stretched out beneath us, surrounded by high peaks.
The way down from the pass was initially very steep, and our Sherpas had to guide us through a bit of climbing. It was amazing to come down to the glacier and walk for a bit through the snow. When we got out from the glacier and reached a rocky landscape again we stopped for a picnic lunch by a small lake. The view of Ama Dablam 6812m, and Cholatse 6501m was real good for the appetite. After the lunch break the trail went steep down and was pretty rocky until we reached plain ground bringing us to Dzongla at 4850m.
Dzongla is the last/first stop on the other side of the Cho-La pass and can get very crowded. It’s not possible to make reservations in the lodges as a tourist, so if you travel without local guides you will have to be prepared to continue to the next village for an available room. The Sherpa guides can reserve rooms for your group which is a huge advantage traveling with a guide.

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