Dzongla, Nepal: Complete Travel & Trekking Guide

Dzongla: The Remote Gateway to Cho La Pass

Dzongla (about 4,830 m) is a tiny, remote settlement in Nepal's Everest (Khumbu) region, tucked into a high valley beneath the towering north face of Cholatse. It has no village in the traditional sense, just a small cluster of stone teahouses and yak pastures, but it plays a vital role on the Everest Three High Passes Trek: it is the last overnight stop before crossing Cho La Pass (5,420 m) into the Gokyo Valley.

The walk to Dzongla is one of the quietest and most beautiful on the Everest trail. Leaving the busy Everest Base Camp route near Lobuche, the path traverses high above the turquoise Chola Tsho lake, with Cholatse, Taboche and Ama Dablam rising all around. By evening, you're in one of the wildest overnight spots in the Khumbu, with only a handful of fellow trekkers for company.

This guide covers everything you need to know: location, how to get there, what to see, itineraries, difficulty, best time, permits, teahouses and travel tips, followed by the 15 questions trekkers ask most.

Dzongla at a Glance

Detail	Information
Location	Upper Khumbu, Sagarmatha National Park, Solukhumbu District, Koshi Province, Nepal
Altitude	About 4,830 m (15,846 ft)
Position on the route	Between Lobuche / Gorak Shep (east) and Cho La Pass (west)
Famous for	Gateway to Cho La; views of Cholatse and Chola Tsho lake
Nearby peaks	Cholatse (6,440 m), Taboche (6,495 m), Lobuche East, Ama Dablam (6,812 m)
From Lobuche	3–4 hours
From Gorak Shep (after Kala Patthar)	4–5 hours
To Cho La and Thangnak	7–8 hours
Accommodation	A few very basic teahouses
Best seasons	Mid-October–November and late April–May
Permits	Sagarmatha National Park + Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality
Trek that includes it	Everest Three High Passes Trek – 19 Days, from US$ 1,450 per person

Where Is Dzongla?

Dzongla lies in the upper Khumbu, inside Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northeastern Nepal. It sits in a side valley west of the main Everest Base Camp trail, between the Lobuche area and the eastern foot of Cho La. To the south rise Cholatse and Taboche; to the north, the ridge of Lobuche East.

Dzongla matters because it's the only place to stay on the eastern side of Cho La. Without it, trekkers heading from Everest Base Camp to the Gokyo Lakes would face a single, impossibly long day over the pass.

How to Get to Dzongla

There are no roads in the Khumbu. Dzongla is reached on foot after flying to Lukla and acclimatising gradually for more than a week.

1. Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m) via the Kathmandu to Lukla flight, or from Ramechhap in peak season.
2. Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) and take an acclimatisation day.
3. Continue via Tengboche and Dingboche, with a second rest day.
4. Reach Lobuche (4,940 m), either via Thukla or over Kongma La on the Three Passes route.
5. Visit Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar if you're on the Three Passes, then branch west to Dzongla.

Route Option 1: Gorak Shep to Dzongla (Three Passes, Day 11)

Stage	Approx. time	Altitude	What to expect
Sunrise climb of Kala Patthar	2–3 hrs up and down	5,164 → ~5,545 → 5,164 m	Pre-dawn ascent for Everest at sunrise; breakfast back at Gorak Shep
Gorak Shep → Lobuche junction	1.5–2 hrs	5,164 → ~4,900 m	Descend along the Khumbu Glacier moraine
Junction → Chola Tsho traverse	1.5–2 hrs	~4,900 → ~4,850 m	Balcony trail high above the turquoise lake
Traverse → Dzongla	1 hr	~4,850 → 4,830 m	Gentle final stretch into the valley below Cholatse
Total day	7–8 hrs	—	About 11 km

Route Option 2: Lobuche to Dzongla

Trekkers combining Everest Base Camp and Gokyo without Kongma La often walk from Lobuche straight to Dzongla. The trail drops briefly toward the Lobuche Khola, then turns west and traverses above Chola Tsho. It's a short day of 3–4 hours, ideal for extra rest before Cho La.

Route Option 3: Arriving from Cho La (Clockwise)

On the clockwise route, Dzongla is your first stop after crossing Cho La from Thangnak. After a long pass day of 7–8 hours, the gentle valley and warm dining room are a welcome sight.

Treks That Include Dzongla

Trek	Duration	Dzongla on the route	Best for
Everest Three High Passes Trek	19 days	Day 11 overnight, before Cho La	Fit, experienced trekkers
EBC + Gokyo via Cho La (custom)	15–17 days	Overnight between EBC and Cho La	Trekkers wanting EBC and Gokyo in one trip
Gokyo + Cho La + EBC (clockwise, custom)	15–17 days	Overnight after crossing Cho La	Trekkers who prefer Gokyo first

See every route on our Everest Region Treks page, or design your own with our trip planner.

What to See In and Around Dzongla

1. Chola Tsho Lake

The trail to Dzongla traverses high above Chola Tsho, a striking turquoise glacial lake at the foot of Cholatse. Seen from the balcony path, its colour contrasts beautifully with the grey moraine and white peaks above. It's one of the most photogenic stretches of the entire Three Passes circuit, and far quieter than the main EBC trail just a few kilometres away.

2. Cholatse (6,440 m)

Cholatse dominates the view from Dzongla. Its steep, fluted north face rises almost directly above the lodges and glows pink and gold at sunset. Together with neighbouring Taboche, it forms one of the most dramatic mountain walls in the Khumbu.

3. Taboche, Ama Dablam and Lobuche East

Looking south and east from the trail, you can see Taboche (6,495 m) beside Cholatse, the distinctive spire of Ama Dablam in the distance and the snowy ridges of Lobuche East to the north. On clear evenings, the light on these peaks makes Dzongla one of the most memorable overnight stops of the trek.

4. Short Viewpoint Walks

If you arrive early, short walks up the slopes above Dzongla give wider views of the valley, Chola Tsho and the approach to Cho La. Keep these walks gentle: you're at 4,830 m, and the next day is a big one.

5. The Gateway to Cho La Pass

From Dzongla, the trail climbs west up a rocky valley toward Cho La (5,420 m), crossing a boulder field and a small glacier before dropping to Thangnak and the Gokyo Valley. Watching the route ahead in the evening light helps you prepare mentally for pass day.

Dzongla Highlights at a Glance

Attraction	Where	Time needed	Why go
Chola Tsho lake	On the trail from Lobuche	Seen en route	Turquoise lake beneath Cholatse
Cholatse north face	Directly above Dzongla	Sunset and sunrise	Dramatic alpenglow on a 6,000 m peak
Viewpoint walks	Slopes above the lodges	30–60 mins	Valley and Cho La approach views
Cho La Pass	3–4 hrs west of Dzongla	Next day	Glacier crossing to Gokyo

Sample Itineraries Through Dzongla

Option 1: Everest Three High Passes Trek (19 days)

Day	Route	Overnight altitude
9	Cross Kongma La (5,535 m) to Lobuche	4,940 m
10	Everest Base Camp, return to Gorak Shep	5,164 m
11	Kala Patthar sunrise, trek to Dzongla	4,830 m
12	Cross Cho La (5,420 m) to Thangnak	4,700 m
13	Cross the Ngozumpa Glacier to Gokyo	4,790 m

See the full Three Passes itinerary.

Option 2: EBC to Gokyo via Cho La (custom, 15–17 days)

1. Trek from Lukla to Namche, Tengboche and Dingboche with two acclimatisation days.
2. Continue via Thukla to Lobuche, then to Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
3. Walk to Dzongla (from Gorak Shep or Lobuche).
4. Cross Cho La to Thangnak, then on to Gokyo.
5. Climb Gokyo Ri and return to Namche via the Gokyo Valley or Renjo La.

This route is a great way to combine the Classic Everest Base Camp Trek with the Gokyo Lakes Trek. Ask us to build it through our trip planner.

Option 3: Extra Rest Day at Dzongla

If you feel tired or slightly unwell after Kala Patthar, spending an extra night at Dzongla before Cho La gives your body time to recover. Your guide can adjust the plan on the trail.

Altitude, Acclimatisation and Difficulty

By the time you reach Dzongla on the anticlockwise Three Passes route, you've usually spent a night at Gorak Shep (5,164 m) and climbed Kala Patthar, so you are well acclimatised. Even so, 4,830 m is very high, and the day before Cho La matters.

Section	Time	Difficulty	Notes
Lobuche → Dzongla	3–4 hrs	Moderate	Mostly gentle traverse; good acclimatisation
Gorak Shep → Dzongla (after Kala Patthar)	4–5 hrs (7–8 hrs incl. Kala Patthar)	Hard	Long day at very high altitude
Dzongla → Cho La → Thangnak	7–8 hrs	Very hard	Boulder scramble, glacier and steep descent

Acclimatisation tips:

• Arrive at Dzongla only after sleeping at least one night above 4,900 m (Lobuche or Gorak Shep).
• Rest well in the afternoon; avoid long side hikes before Cho La.
• Drink 3–4 litres of water and eat a good dinner.
• Tell your guide about any headache, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness at rest.
• Never start Cho La with worsening symptoms; descend toward Pheriche instead.

For a deeper look at the challenge ahead, see the difficulty section on our Everest Three High Passes Trek page.

Best Time to Visit Dzongla

The best times to visit Dzongla, and to cross Cho La the next day, are mid-October to November and late April to May.

Season	Months	Day / night at Dzongla (approx.)	Conditions	Verdict
Autumn	Late Sep–Nov	3–10°C / -15 to -8°C	Clear, stable, best views of Cholatse; Cho La usually passable	Best
Spring	Late Mar–May	5–12°C / -12 to -5°C	Warmer; snow may linger on Cho La early in the season	Excellent
Winter	Dec–Feb	-8 to 3°C / -25 to -15°C	Very cold; lodges may close; Cho La often impassable	Not recommended
Monsoon	Jun–Aug	5–10°C / -3 to 3°C	Cloud, rain and poor visibility	Not recommended

Temperatures are approximate; nights at Dzongla are below freezing in every season except the height of summer.

Permits and Costs

No special permit is needed for Dzongla. The two standard Everest-region permits cover the whole route.

Permit	Fee for foreign nationals	Where checked
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit	NPR 3,000 + 13% VAT	Monjo
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit	NPR 3,000	Lukla

Both permits are included in all Nepal Trip Services Everest packages. Prices at Dzongla are among the highest on the trek, because everything is carried up by porters and yaks. Budget about US$ 25–35 per day for extras such as hot drinks, boiled water, charging and snacks. There are no ATMs above Namche Bazaar.

Teahouses and Food in Dzongla

Dzongla has only a handful of small, simple lodges, so beds fill quickly in October, November and April. Booking through an operator ensures you have a room.

• Rooms: basic twin-sharing rooms with beds and blankets; bedrooms are unheated and very cold at night.
• Toilets: shared, often squat-style and outside the main building.
• Showers: usually unavailable or very limited.
• Dining: a warm communal dining room heated by a yak-dung stove; the social heart of the evening.
• Food: dal bhat, noodle soup, fried rice, potatoes, porridge and Tibetan bread; menus are shorter than in lower villages.
• Charging and Wi-Fi: limited, paid and often unreliable; carry a power bank.
• Pass-day lunch: ask your lodge the night before to pack lunch for Cho La.

Packing List for Dzongla and Cho La

• Warmth: down jacket (rated -20°C), thermal base layers, fleece, windproof shell
• Sleeping: four-season sleeping bag rated -15°C to -20°C, plus a liner
• Head & hands: warm beanie, buff, liner gloves and insulated gloves, Category 3–4 sunglasses
• Traction: microspikes for the Cho La glacier, trekking poles
• Water: insulated bottles (keep them in your sleeping bag at night so they don't freeze)
• Power: large power bank, as charging is limited
• Hygiene: toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitiser
• Health: personal medicines, altitude medication on your doctor's advice, rehydration salts

Responsible Travel at Dzongla

1. Carry out all rubbish, including wrappers, batteries and tissues; waste management is very difficult at this altitude.
2. Refill bottles with boiled or filtered water instead of buying plastic.
3. Never pollute Chola Tsho or the streams around Dzongla.
4. Conserve fuel and power: share stove time, limit charging and hot showers.
5. Stay on established trails to protect fragile alpine plants.
6. Treat porters fairly and make sure they have warm gear and microspikes for Cho La.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dzongla, Nepal

1. Where is Dzongla in Nepal?

Dzongla is a small settlement in the upper Khumbu (Everest region), inside Sagarmatha National Park in Solukhumbu District. It lies west of the Everest Base Camp trail, between the Lobuche area and the eastern foot of Cho La Pass, beneath Cholatse.

2. What is the altitude of Dzongla?

Dzongla sits at about 4,830 m (15,846 ft). Some maps list slightly different figures, but it's consistently one of the higher overnight stops on the Three Passes route.

3. Why do trekkers stay in Dzongla?

Dzongla is the last place to stay on the eastern side of Cho La. Sleeping here splits the journey from Everest Base Camp to Gokyo into manageable days and lets you start the pass crossing early the next morning.

4. How long does it take to walk from Lobuche to Dzongla?

The walk takes about 3–4 hours. The trail branches west from the Lobuche area and traverses above Chola Tsho lake, with fine views of Cholatse and Taboche.

5. How long is the walk from Gorak Shep to Dzongla?

From Gorak Shep, it's about 4–5 hours of walking. On the Three Passes itinerary, you first climb Kala Patthar for sunrise, making the full day around 7–8 hours.

6. How far is Dzongla from Cho La Pass?

The climb from Dzongla to the top of Cho La (5,420 m) takes about 3–4 hours. The full crossing to Thangnak on the western side takes 7–8 hours.

7. What is Chola Tsho?

Chola Tsho is a turquoise glacial lake below Cholatse, seen from the trail between Lobuche and Dzongla. It's one of the most scenic sights on the route and much quieter than the busy EBC trail nearby.

8. What mountains can I see from Dzongla?

The most dramatic view is the north face of Cholatse (6,440 m) directly above the lodges. You'll also see Taboche (6,495 m), Lobuche East and, from the trail, Ama Dablam in the distance.

9. What are the teahouses like in Dzongla?

Dzongla has a few very basic lodges with simple twin rooms, shared outdoor toilets, little or no hot water, limited charging and a warm dining room heated by a stove. Expect cold nights and short menus.

10. Do I need to book teahouses in Dzongla in advance?

In peak season (October, November and April), yes, it's strongly recommended. There are only a handful of lodges, and they fill quickly. Nepal Trip Services books your rooms in advance.

11. How cold is Dzongla at night?

In autumn and spring, night temperatures usually range from -5°C to -15°C, and colder in winter. A four-season sleeping bag rated -15°C to -20°C and a warm down jacket are essential.

12. Is there Wi-Fi or phone signal in Dzongla?

Connectivity is very limited. Some lodges offer paid Wi-Fi, but it's slow and unreliable, and mobile signal is weak or absent. Let family know you may be offline for a day or two.

13. Is altitude sickness a risk at Dzongla?

Yes. At 4,830 m, altitude sickness is possible even for acclimatised trekkers. Rest in the afternoon, drink plenty of water and tell your guide about any symptoms. Never cross Cho La with worsening symptoms.

14. What should I do if Cho La is closed?

If snow or weather makes Cho La unsafe, your guide may wait a day at Dzongla or take the alternative route via Pheriche and Phortse, then up the Gokyo Valley. This adds 3–4 days, so buffer days are important.

15. Which trek includes Dzongla?

Dzongla is part of our Everest Three High Passes Trek, a 19-day circuit from US$ 1,450 per person, and any custom EBC-to-Gokyo trek via Cho La. Contact us or use our trip planner to build your route.

Plan Your Dzongla and Cho La Adventure with Nepal Trip Services

Dzongla may be small, but it's one of the most memorable nights on the Everest Three High Passes Trek. After the crowds of Gorak Shep and Lobuche, the quiet valley beneath Cholatse, the turquoise Chola Tsho and the warm stove of a remote lodge feel like a true Himalayan hideaway, and the perfect launch pad for crossing Cho La into the Gokyo Valley.

With 16 years of experience in the Everest region, Nepal Trip Services takes care of every detail:

• Pre-booked teahouses at Dzongla, Thangnak and Gokyo, even in peak season
• Licensed, experienced guides who know the Cho La route and its changing conditions
• Well-paced acclimatisation and daily health checks with a pulse oximeter
• All logistics handled: Lukla flights, permits and porters
• Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag on loan, plus help renting microspikes
• Flexible plans, including extra rest days or alternative routes if Cho La is closed

Ready to stay in Dzongla and cross Cho La? Explore the full itinerary and group prices on our Everest Three High Passes Trek – 19 Days page, browse all our Everest Region Treks, or plan a custom trip combining Everest Base Camp and Gokyo via Cho La. Spring and autumn departures fill quickly, so we recommend booking 2–3 months ahead.

• WhatsApp / Viber: +977 982-8696557
• Email: info@nepaltripservices.com
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