Everest Three Passes Trek

Duration: 19 Days
Photo Gallery Thame Gumba Dingboche Village Pheriche Kongma La Pass (5535m) Everest Three Passes Trek Lukla Airport - The starting point of many treks in the Everest Region Namche Bazar - The hub of the Everest Region A Yak with Pangboche village, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Mt. Everest in the background Himalayan Thar Beautiful view on the way from Lungden the Renjo La      Map Everest Three Passes Trek map     

About Everest Three Passes Trek

The Everest Three Passes Trek is the quintessential Everest experience full of adventure and thrills with some of the best scenic trails. 

This tough trek passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Himalayas including the three high passes of Renjo La (5388 M), Cho La (5380 M), and Kongma La (5535 M) with an added hike to the high altitude viewpoints, Gokyo Ri (5483 M), Kalapathar (5545 M) and Everest Base Camp (5364 M).

An adventure-packed trek combined with the beautiful settlements and rich culture of the Sherpa people, a diverse range of flora and fauna, Buddhist monasteries, stupas, chortens and mani walls, glaciers, and stunning views of mountains while passing through the trail. Four of the world's highest peaks; Everest (8848 M), Cho Oyu (8201 M), Makalu (8463 M), and Lhotse (8516 M) including many other peaks that can be seen in this trek which are simply enthralling. The hike to the Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar makes this trek an unforgettable experience with a feeling of accomplishment.

Our 19-day Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary is planned by experts ensuring safety with the utmost level of experience. It is the most difficult trek in the Everest region. However, the experience one gets is simply breathtaking and worth the difficulty. The trek starts from Lukla after a short scenic flight from Kathmandu and ends at the same place Lukla.

Highlights

  • Stunning sceneries of Mt. Everest (8848 M), Lhotse (8516 M), Cho Oyu (8201 M), Mt.Makalu (8463 M) and other peaks below 8000
  • Three challenging high passes Renjo La (5360 M), Cho La (5420 M), and Kongma La (5535 M) with magnificent views 
  • Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site known for its rich wildlife and vegetation
  • Rich culture and tradition of the Sherpa people which is similar to the Tibetan people
  • Ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and beautiful Sherpa villages

Itinerary

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Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1350 M) and transfer to hotel

One of the members of our company will welcome you at the international airport terminal gate and take you to the hotel. You will have a few hours to rest. Later, in the evening, you will meet with the tour guide in your hotel lobby. He will brief you on the day tour program.

  • B&B
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M

You will go on a guided sightseeing tour to several UNESCO World Heritage. You will visit one of the holiest temples of Hindus, the Pashupatinath temple. Nearby this temple is located the largest in Nepal, Boudhanath stupa. After visiting these places, you will head to Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the evening, you will meet with your trek guide who will brief you about the trek. 

  • B&B
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M

In the early morning around 2-3 am, you will take a 4 hours drive to Manthali Airport, Ramechap with your guide. And after breakfast, take a short thrilling flight to Lukla where the rest of the staff will be waiting for you. This flight offers magnificent views of the Himalayas. From Lukla, you will trek to Phakding village through the forested trail passing through numerous Sherpa villages mainly Cheplung, and Nurning with a superb view of Mt. Khumbila, Kongde, etc.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Phakding
  • 2652 M
  • 7 hours

After having breakfast, you will head towards Namche Bazar. On the way, you will pass by several villages like Jorsale and Monjo. Monjo is the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park. From here, you will trek through the national park crossing several small streams, rivers, alpine forests, and small settlements. Upon reaching Namche Bazar, you will be welcomed with excellent views of Mt. Thamserku (6623 m) and Kongdi Ri Himal (5115 M).

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Namche Bazaar
  • 3440 M
  • 5-6 hours

It is the day of acclimatization. You will spend the day exploring the village and its nearby areas. We will go on a hike to Syangboche Airstrip or Everest View Hotel for a stunning view of Mt. Everest (8848 M) and the surrounding mountains. Later in the day, you will visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Namche Bazaar
  • 3440 M

Today, you will leave the classic route of Everest Base Camp and take the left route to Thame Village which was also an ancient salt trade route to Tibet. Thame village is well known for being the home of famous Sherpas climbers like Tenzing Norgay (the first person to climb over Mt. Everest), Apa Sherpa (21 times Everest summiteer), and many others. Trekking through several villages, Chortens, prayer flags, awesome Buddhist rock paintings, monasteries and finally crossing a bridge over Bhote Koshi River, you will arrive in Thame. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Thame
  • 3800 M
  • 4 hours

After breakfast, you will start our trek which will be mostly uphill following the trail of NangPa La Pass (Tibetan Border) to a bridge near Marlung where you will have our lunch. The trail passes through old and small Sherpa villages and yak pasturelands mostly following the Bhote Koshi River. You will encounter many Yak grazing and Yak Caravans carrying goods of the villagers on the trail. From Marlung, you gradually ascend until reaching Lungden.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Lungden
  • 4380 M
  • 5 hours

Starting early in the morning, you will head towards Renjo La Pass, the first pass on this trek. You will gradually ascend till Renjo La Pass where you will pass by small glacial lakes and cross small rivers. From Renjo La, you can observe the panoramic views of the massive peaks of Cho Oyu (8201 M), Lhotse (8516 M), Everest (8848 M), Cholatse (6335 M), Taboche (6367 M), and many others. After spending some time enjoying the stunning views, you descend slowly to Gokyo valley passing by the beautiful third Gokyo Lake.

Note - We will need to take a packed lunch as there are no settlements on the way

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Gokyo Valley
  • 4800 M
  • 7-9 hours

You will start the ascent of Gokyo Ri early in the morning to view the amazing sunrise over the majestic snow-capped peaks. The stunning views of Everest (8848 M), Lhotse (8516 M), Makalu (8481 M), Nuptse (7861 M), Cho Oyu (8201 M), Pumori (7161 M), Ama Dablam (6856 M), and other peaks. Then you will descend down to Gokyo and continue our trek to Thangnak. You will walk on the icy and slippery path while crossing the massive Ngozumba Glacier before arriving in Thangnak.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Thagnak
  • 4700 M
  • 7 hours

Early in the morning, you will start to ascend gradually on the steep rocky trail leading us to the second pass of the trek, Cho-La Pass (5420 M). Your ascent to the top of Cho La Pass will be a bit steep and difficult as you will have to walk on a slippery path with a difficult icy crossing in some parts. There are sometimes possibilities of rocks falling as well. The top of the pass provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Ama Dablam (6856 M) and Cholatse (6440 M). From the pass, you will descend to Dzongla slowly and carefully as you will have to walk on a slippery trail behind the pass for some time.   

Note - We will need to take a packed lunch as there are no settlements on the way

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Dzongla
  • 4830 M
  • 7-9 hours

Today, you will trek to Gorakshep rejoining with the classic Everest Base Camp Trek trail from a huge riverbank near before Lobuche. With the stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan range in the background, you will continue your trek to Gorakshep. Following the trail on the left side of Khumbu Glacier and ascending slowly you will reach Gorakshep by crossing Changri Nup and Changri Sar glacier.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Gorakshep
  • 5160 M
  • 5 hours

You will take an early morning hike to Kala Patthar for the amazing panoramic views of the Himalayas. The viewpoints offer a stunning view of Everest (8848 M), Nuptse (7861 M), Lhotse (8516 M), Khumbutse (6636 M), and many other peaks of the Khumbu region. Then, you will hike back to Gorakshep and continue trekking to Lobuche by crossing Changri Nup and Changri Sar Glacier. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Labuche
  • 4910M
  • 7 hours

Early in the morning, you will start our trek to Chhukhung via the third and last pass of this trek, Khongma-La Pass (5535 M). You will cross the Khumbu Glacier and continue to gradually ascend towards Kongma-La Pass. The top of the pass provides magnificent views of different Himalayan ranges. After spending some time, you descend to Chhukhung where you pass by several small lakes. 

Note - We will need to take a packed lunch as there are no settlements on the way

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Chhukung
  • 4730 M
  • 7-8 hours

After breakfast, you will start your trek to Tengboche. You will descend slowly on a rocky trail until Bibre. Passing through huge pastureland and Dingboche village you will reach Somore where you will have lunch. Then by descending all the way to a bridge over Imja Khola after Pangboche village, you will reach Deboche from where we will take a short ascent to Tengboche. Today, the trail will pass by different types of monasteries, chortens, mani walls, and the alluring forests of Pine and Rhododendrons. Later, you will visit a monastery in Tengboche which is the biggest in the Everest region.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Tangboche
  • 3860m
  • 6 hours

Leaving behind the village of Tengboche by descending through the forested trail you will reach Phunge Tenga. Then you will cross Dudh Koshi River and ascend to Kyangjuma before reaching Namche through a straight trail. From Namche, you will descend to Monjo following the same trail that we took at the beginning of this trek crossing bridges three times over the Dudh Koshi River.

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Manju
  • 2835 M
  • 7-8 hours

After having breakfast, you will begin descending steeply and cross a suspension bridge. Further, the trail will pass by colorful prayer flags, chortens, mani walls, and small gompas. Trekking through lush forests of pine & rhododendron, small villages, and crossing various streams, you reach Lukla. 

  • B,L&D
  • Lodge
  • Lukla
  • 2840 M
  • 5-6 hours

In the morning, you will fly back to Manthali after a delicious breakfast and then drive to Kathmandu.

  • B,L&D
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M
  • 4-5 hours

In the case of flight cancelation or delay due to various unexpected circumstances like bad weather, political strike or natural calamities, we always keep one extra day as a security/reserve day

  • B&B
  • 3 star category hotel
  • Kathmandu
  • 1350 M

After having breakfast, one of the members of the company will escort you to the airport for your flight back to your home.

  • B&B
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What’s Included

  • One porter for two people (maximum weight: 12 kg per client) and an assistant guide for a group size above 4 people.
  • 4 nights of accommodation in a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu on a B/B basis.
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with hot drinks) during the trek.
  • Kathmandu valley sightseeing with a tour guide in a private vehicle.
  • Government taxes, VAT, service charges, and official expenses.
  • Rescue and evacuation arrangements in case of emergency. 
  • Round flight Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu with airport tax.
  • All Staff’s salary, insurance, and accommodation.
  • Tea house/lodge accommodation during the trek.
  • All the necessary permits and paperwork.
  • Professional English-speaking guide.
  • All airport and hotel transfers. 
  • Excess baggage charges during domestic flights (only 15kg altogether).
  • Tips for the guide, porter, and driver (Tipping is expected).
  • Meals while you are in Kathmandu, Lunch, and Dinner.
  • Medical evacuation cost (In case of emergency).
  • Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees.
  • Your Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
  • Your personal expenses.
  • International airfare.
  • Nepal entry visa fee.
Departure Note

If the departure dates do not match your time frame, leave us a message. And we will customize the trip according to your desire and availability of time.

Useful Information

Since 2019, all the flights to Lukla during high tourist seasons i.e October-November and March-April have been operating from Manthali airport instead of Kathmandu.