Region – Khumbu or Everest Region
Starting Point – Lukla
Altitude – 5550meters
Nearest Landmark – Chukkung and Lobuche
Best Time – Autumn and Spring
Permits – Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit
Treks Related to the Pass – Everest Base Camp Trek or Three Pass Trek
Kongma La pass is one of the toughest passes to cross that lies in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Khumbu is popular for housing the tallest peak in the world, Everest. This popularity has birthed many popular trekking adventures, including the Everest Base Camp trek. The Kogma La Pass is part of one of the many variations of the Everest Base Camp trek.
The pass lies at a height of 5550 meters and glimpses of various Himalayas in Khumbu. Mountains like Makalu, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Lobuche, etc., can be seen while crossing this pass. The Kogma La Pass trek often comes after the completion of the Everest Base Camp trek and the Kala Patthar hike. A lot of physical strength is already exhausted during the EBC trek. So, continuing the Kogma La Pass trek is quite demanding. However, it is quite an experience. Watching the world’s peak up close and taking up a challenge to complete such an arduous trek is a lifetime achievement.
Highlights
- Get to experience an aerial tour over Khumbu during your flight to Lukla.
- Trek through rare trails of the Sgarmatha National Park alongside the Dudh Koshi River.
- Experience the views of the world’s peak from various parts of the trek, including the Kala Patthar viewpoint.
- Do the challenging Kogma La Pass hike with views of mountains, including Tengboche, Dingboche, Pangboche, Dinggoma, and Mera Peak.
- Be in the midst of the very welcoming hospitality of Namche Bazaar.
- Observe local culture and visit various ancient Himalayan monasteries.
- Familiarize yourself with the Sherpa culture of the remote Himalayan trails.
How to Reach the Kongma La Pass?
To reach the Kongma La Pass, you need to follow the basic route of treks in the Khumbu region. That means you will have to first reach Lukla to start your trek. The route to reach Kongma La Pass is very similar to the one of the Everest Base Camp trek. However, the addition of more destinations to reach the pass makes it more arduous.
The first part of your journey to Kongma La Pass will be to catch a flight to Lukla. You will fly above the scenic airway that shows views of magnificent mountains. Then, you will land at Lukla, which will be the starting point of your walk. You will head towards Phakding, passing through the gorgeous alpine forest and crossing suspension bridges. The trail primarily passes alongside the Dudh Koshi River.
You’ll head towards Namche Bazaar from Phakding. Namche is a very hospitable town with many shops and resources before you head to the remote trails of Khumbu. The trails from Phakding to Namche will also pass alongside Dudh Koshi. From Namche Bazaar, you will head towards a few Sherpa settlement hamlets. The first few will be Tengboche and then Dingboche. From Dingboche, you head to Pangboche and then trek further to cross the Imja Tse Valley. This will lead the road to Chukkung.
The road from Chukkung will eventually lead you to your destination, Kogma La Pass. This pass will allow you to reach Lobuche from Chukkung. Kogma La Pass is often traveled while doing the three-pass everest trek. This is the first pass people encounter.
The trails of this Pass comprise of downhill slopes that lead to the blocks of ice alongside the Khumbu glacier. There are various ponds with moraines and Himalayan rocks en route. After you enter Lobuche, the trail connects you to the path of the standard EBC trek route. You will head to Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep, the next stop after Lobuche.
You could finish your trek here or also take it a step or a few further. There are many fascinating locations like the Kala Patthar viewpoint and the other two passes of Khumbu.
You can reach Kala Patthar from Gorakshep and then continue your trek to Dzongla. From Dzongla, you will cross the next pass, called the Tsho La Pass, to reach Thangnak. From Thangnak, you will walk to Gokyo’s main Third Lake and then towards Renjo La Pass, exiting Gokyo. The trails descend down to Lungdhen after you cross this pass. Lungdhen has a route leading to Namche Bazaar. Then you can trace your steps back to Phakding, Lukla, and take a flight back home.
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