The short answer
Cho La (about 5,420 m) links Dzongla with Gokyo and includes a glacier crossing; Renjo La (about 5,360 m) links Gokyo with Lungden and Thame. Both are high, cold and weather-dependent.
Key facts
- Cho La
- About 5,420 m
- Renjo La
- About 5,360 m
- Glacier
- Cho La has one
- Season
- Oct to Nov, Mar to May
How it works
- Check the weatherA clear window is essential.
- Start before dawnPass days are long.
- Use the right gearMicrospikes or crampons may be advised.
- Move steadilyStop only in safe places.
- Plan a spare dayDelays are common.
Two high passes
Cho La and Renjo La are high passes used on longer Khumbu treks. They link valleys and add challenge, with rocky ground and sometimes snow or ice.
The crossing days are long and cold, so they suit experienced trekkers with good acclimatisation. Conditions vary by season and weather.
Safety and planning
Hire a licensed guide, carry suitable boots and warm layers, and be ready to turn back if conditions are poor. Do not cross a pass alone.
Allow spare days in your plan. Ask your operator about the equipment, such as traction devices, that may help in icy conditions.
Insider tip
Cross passes with a guide in settled weather; ask about recent snow.
Avoid this
Do not cross Cho La alone or after fresh snow without equipment.
Related questions
Is a guide required?
Strongly advised for passes.
What about the Three Passes trek?
See the named treks guide for Cho La, Renjo La and Kongma La together.
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