Everest Three Passes Trek With Everest Base Camp

Duration: 17 Days(5)of 129 reviews

Overview

  • Duration 17 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Max. Altitude 5,644m | 18,225ft
  • Trip Start and End Kathmandu- Kathmandu
  • Trip Area Khumbu Region
  • Best Season Spring & Autumn

Highlights

  • Brave the challenging trails of the Khumbu region

  • Cross 3 high-altitude passes, Kongma La, Renjo La, and Cho La

  • Reaching Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar

  • Trek to the mesmerizing high-altitude glacier lake system, Gokyo Lakes

  • Ascend basic peaks, Kala Patthar, Chhukung Ri, and Gokyo Ri

  • Enjoy the unique lifestyle of the Sherpa people

  • Witness the history of mountaineering in Everest in museums in Namche Bazaar

  • Take one of the most exciting flights to Lukla

The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of the most challenging hiking expeditions in the Everest Region. This is due to high-altitude trekking through the major passes namely; Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. 

You will cross these high-altitude passes each more challenging than the other. Not just that but you will also get to reach the EBC along with Kalapatthar. 
Trekking this route will take you to scenic viewpoints, challenging trail climbs, and the Sherpa settlements with warm hospitality. Additionally, this trail covers almost all of the Khumbu Region Hikings.

This 17-day trekking journey has all the thrills you’d expect and then some more. 

Among the 3 high passes, we start with the Kongma La Pass and continue to the base camp, Kala Patthar, Cho La Pass, Gokyo Ri, and finally, Renjo La Pass. You will have the privilege of watching the mightiest mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and more from multiple angles and vantage points.

The beauty of the three-pass trek is that it combines the Gokyo Lakes trek, the classic Everest base camp trek, and Chukhung Ri peak climbing. You will spend over a week above the altitude of 4000 meters and crossing 5000 meters becomes a daily task. 

What can I expect from the Everest Three Passes Trek? 

This wider range of hike starts from Lukla alongside the lush rhododendron forests and Dudhkoshi River. The walk starts instantly when you land at the World’s most mysterious airport; the Lukla Airport itself. The vegetation keeps getting sparser as we ascend, and the trail starts getting rockier and icier. 

The trail begins with flatter terrain and even goes downhill on the first day while you hike from Lukla to Phakding. However, the difficulty increases as the days progress. In no time, you will find yourself climbing the most spectacular passes. 

This trekking is challenging because of the risk of altitude sickness as we stay exclusively at high altitudes. However, if you stick to the standard itinerary with enough rest days, an appropriate diet, and enough sleep the risks are next to none.

If you are willing to brave the challenges of the three-pass trek, the rewards are plenty. We promise the most spectacular views among all the treks you will do in Nepal and probably the world. 

Everest Three Passes Trek: Is It Right for Me?

Everest Three High Passes Trek is one of the best choices for challenge seekers. However, if you are not fit enough to risk yourself among the ice lands of Everest, then it is a wide choice to avoid.

Though the challenge, you will never be disappointed seeing the views of mighty mountains in front of you most of the time.

For over two weeks, you will live with the Sherpa people who will treat you like a family member, and by the time you’re done with the trek, you will be glad to have done it just to meet the kind people of the Himalayas.

Best Time of the Year to Trek Everest Three High Passes Trek with Base Camp

Autumn Season:  September, October, and November are the best months to hike or trek to three high passes with base camp and Kalapatthar. The stunning panoramic views, clear blue sky, and best weather attract you to have them there. 

Spring Season: February, March, April, and May are also the high seasons for trekking to the destination. The months are warmer as well as safer to walk on.
However, you should avoid trekking during the mid-winter months as the passes might close due to heavy snowfalls. Similarly, the Summer season due to rainfall and cloudy weather, might not be worth of travel, either.

Itinerary

Show Detail ItineraryClose Detail Itinerary

On Day 1 of the 3 High Passes Trek, your journey begins with a 40-minute domestic flight from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Lukla, also known as Tenzing Hillary Airport. The thrilling flight aboard a Twin Otter plane offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Once you arrive in Lukla, you'll embark on an easy hike that takes approximately 3 hours.

The trail will lead you to descend from Lukla, passing through picturesque landscapes and crossing several suspension bridges over the Thado Koshi River. Finally, you'll reach Phakding, a charming village where you can explore and even visit the Rimishung Monastery, known for its cultural significance.

On Day 2 of your trekking adventure, you'll journey from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, a thrilling 7-hour trek. As you move north along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, you'll encounter the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge. Passing through the charming Monjo Village and Sagarmatha National Park Check Post, you'll climb up into the lush forest. Along the way, catch a glimpse of the majestic Mt. Everest for the first time.

Your trek will continue until you reach Namche Bazaar, famously known as the gateway to Everest. Here, you can rest and stay in a comfortable guesthouse.

Our journey today starts with a delicious breakfast in Namche Bazaar. This is a special day for us to adjust to the high altitude (acclimatize). We stay active and explore the vibrant Namche Bazaar, filled with welcoming locals and quaint shops.

After lunch, we gear up for a scenic hike. Our destination is the Everest View Hotel, at a height of 3,880 meters. We'll walk at a relaxed pace, taking around four hours.

The hotel offers stunning views of the Everest region. Grab a hot chocolate and enjoy the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, right from your seat. This visit helps our bodies adapt better to higher altitudes.

We return to Namche Bazaar by evening. Remember, safety is key. It's important to listen to your body, drink plenty of water, and take rest if needed. Let's enjoy this unique day, full of natural beauty and thrilling exploration!

Today, we'll leave Namche Bazaar and trek toward the beautiful Tengboche. Our journey will be packed with sightseeing during the trek. Our route goes through charming Sherpa villages like Kenjoma and Phunki Thanga.

We'll stop in Kenjoma, a traditional Sherpa village. Here, you can see the unique blend of Buddhism and Sherpa culture.

Continuing, we'll cross the Dudh Koshi River and hike uphill to Phunki Thanga, another scenic Sherpa village. Enjoy the refreshing green landscapes here.

After Phunki Thanga, we'll start the steep climb to Tengboche. Upon reaching Tengboche, you'll be greeted by the iconic Tengboche Monastery. It's the largest monastery in the Everest region. You shouldn't miss the chance to explore this tranquil place.

As we conclude our 7-hour trek for the day, rest and take in the stunning panorama of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam from Tengboche. Get ready for more adventures tomorrow!

Our day begins with a hearty breakfast in Tengboche. We'll then set out towards Dingboche, a Sherpa town that's like a hidden gem. You'll enjoy lots of sightseeing during the trek to Dingboche.

Our path takes us through enchanting forests and Sherpa villages. Some villages like Deboche and Pangboche are the epitome of tranquility. Take in the unique Sherpa culture and the serene environment.

Upon reaching Pangboche, look out for the oldest monastery in the region. It's a special place that's worth exploring.

As we continue our journey, we'll cross the Imja River and move uphill towards Dingboche. The view here is fantastic. Snow-capped mountains like Ama Dablam, Island Peak, and Lhotse surround this town.

After a 6-hour trek, we reach Dingboche. Rest well and look forward to another day of exciting adventures tomorrow in the Everest region.

Welcome to the acclimatization day at Dingboche! Today, we explore the charming town at our leisure. Remember, it's not just about rest, we need to keep active to adjust to the high altitude.

Start with a visit to the local Dingboche Bazar. This market is the heart of the town, filled with a blend of local and tourist goods. It's perfect for buying unique souvenirs!

For sightseeing in Dingboche, hike to the beautiful ridge behind the village. It offers an unforgettable panoramic view of numerous Himalayan peaks.

Also, don't miss out on the local cuisine. Try out a Sherpa stew or momos, a local favorite. Make the most of this day exploring, learning, and enjoying the unique Sherpa culture and breathtaking sights. Tomorrow, we'll hit the trails again, refreshed and better adjusted to the altitude.

After breakfast, the trek goes through Imja Khola valley and some stone walled fields. On the way, we will also have beautiful views of Mt Lhotse, Mt Ama Dablam, and Island Peak. The path ahead is crossed by ice streams. We continue our walk for half an hour and reach Chhukung. Then, we start our trek toward Chhukung Ri. From the top, we have a stunning view of Ama Dablam and Amphu labcha peaks. We descend back to Chhukung. Overnight stay at guest house.

Early morning, we continue our trek to reach the highest part of the entire journey which is Kongma La pass. We can take a trail over a hill which is to the northwest of Chhukung over the Nuptse Glacier moraines. The top of the pass is marked by cairns and Buddhist prayer flags. The final descent from the pass is the most difficult part of today’s journey. After climbing the moraine on the far side, the trail turns north through Khumbu Glacier which takes us to Lobuche. Overnight at Lobuche.

Along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, our trial moves ahead. Through the path, we see the crest of the north ridge of Everest along with Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, Nuptse, and other mountains. Next, we admire panoramic views of the Himalayan vista.

We climb on a steep track up to the top of Changri Glacier. As we touch Gorak Shep, we are bounded by the Himalayas with beautiful nature. After resting for some time, we continue to Everest Base Camp.

We cross along the rocky dunes, moraines, and streams before reaching the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest. From here we admire Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori mountains. We trek back to Gorak Shep and spend the night.

Get ready for an exhilarating day! We're off to Kalapatthar, a famous viewpoint in the Everest region. This is a challenging hike, so it's important to pace ourselves.

At 5,555 meters (18225 feet), Kalapatthar offers us an unmatched view of Everest, along with its neighboring peaks like Nuptse, Changtse, and Lhotse. The sunrise here is a spectacle not to be missed. It bathes these icy peaks in a golden glow.

After our time at Kalapatthar, we descend back to Lobuche. Although a tiring day, the stunning sights and experience of conquering Kalapatthar will fuel our spirits. Tonight, we'll rest and recharge for more Everest region explorations tomorrow.

We are going to cross the famous Cho La pass. An early morning uphill struggle towards the pass challenges us in the very beginning of the day. When we reach Cho La pass, a spectacular view of the mountain peaks greets us. After spending few memorable minutes at the pass, we descend to Thagnak to stay overnight. The descent is a bit tricky, so we trek down carefully not to slip off.

As we gain height, the Cho La Lake begins to appear and the Ama Dablam presides over a range of mountains in the south, and Cholatse soars in the west. Climbing the incline is not easy; it is steep but made worse by boulders over some of which we will have to scramble.

The final climb to the Cho La can be a little tricky as the trail curves round a crevasse. The top of the pass is marked by prayer flags and Cairns. The scenery of majestic peaks in all directions is breathtaking. Although long, the path leading down to Thangnak is not difficult.

Our trail brings us to the edge of the Ngozumpa glacier, which is the longest glacier in Nepal. Reaching the other side of the glacier, we see the second Gokyo Lake on the series of six lakes. A short distance away is the third Gokyo Lake. On the edge of this lake stands the Gokyo Village where we spend the night.

We climb Gokyo Ri today and enjoy views of the incredible mountain vista. We can also tour the fourth Gokyo Lake today which is only 3km north of the Gokyo Village. Next, continue trekking to the 5th lake. The view from ‘Scoundrel's Viewpoint, located at the edge of the 5th lake, is astonishing. Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makulu mountains and the huge Ngozumba Glacier are ours to admire. We trek back to Gokyo and spend the night.

We start the day early in the morning to complete the long day’s trek ahead. Our trail moves alongside Dudh Pokhari (lake) for a while. We walk for around two hours before descending towards the Renjo La pass.

On the way, we are rewarded with extravagant views of the Himalayan and Rolwaling ranges and others. Views from the Renjo La pass are much like that from Gokyo Ri with the third Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Village beneath the gray smear of the Ngozumpa Glacier.

We also get outstanding views of Mt. Everest from the top of the pass. Continuing on from the past, our trail winds down a stone staircase and then moves over loose scree to reach the south bank of Angladumba Tsho Lake. The presence of ice on the trail while descending down can make our descent a bit hazardous.

Along the way, we see Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake. We walk down a narrow valley clogged with giant boulders to Lumde where there is a support lodge, but it is often closed. We walk almost for an hour from Lumde to get to Marlung on the east bank of the Bhote Koshi River. Overnight at Marlung.

The descent from Marulung to Thame follows a traditional route used for centuries by the Tibetan traders. We cross the Bhote Koshi River and descend to Taranga. The trail continues to descend, and we cross two bridges before reaching Thame. Overlooking Thame is its famous Gompa situated on a hill to the west. From here, we descend gradually on a trail that passes through a few small villages before reaching Namche Bazaar which is probably the biggest town in the Everest region.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

It’s the last day of trekking when we trek to Lukla today.

We walk past Monjo village cross suspension bridges and walk past Phakding and advance towards Lukla. Once we reach Lukla to bring our trekking part to an end, we duly thank our supporting team members. If it were not for their amazing effort, our journey would be very difficult. We celebrate the joy of making it to the base of the highest peak in the world.

We take a morning flight from the Lukla airstrip leaving the mighty mountains behind us. Another exciting flight with adventure takes us back to the city civilization. Once in Kathmandu, we spend leisurely time back in the chaos of the city after so many days of serene mountain air and incredible adventure city's.

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Cost Details

Included

  • Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek
  • Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
  • All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
  • Domestic flights (Kathmandu- Lukla -Kathmandu) or (Manthali-Lukla-Manthali)
  • One highly experienced, helpful, and friendly trekking guide.
  • Porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary, and equipment. 
  • Accident insurance for all staff
  • Himalayan Scenery trekking map, Trekking Hat, and duffel bag for trekking
  • First aid medical kit and oximeter to check pulse, heart rate, and oxygen saturation at higher altitudes.
  • Sagarmatha National Park Permit & TIMS Card Fee- Trekkers' Information Management System (Please bring 2 passport size photos for permit)
  • Worst case, help with all rescue and evacuation arrangements.
  • Government taxes & office service charge

Excluded

  • Personal Travel insurance
  • International airfare
  • Nepal entry visa. 
  • Snacks /Drinks and other personal expenses
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Single Supplement Fee- $200
  • Tips and gratuities for trekking staff and drivers

Useful Info

Required Permits for Everest Three High Pass Trekking

Are you planning to trek Three high passes on Everest and worried about permits and entry fees? To do Three high passes trekking on Everest, you have to obtain different kinds of permits. There are 2  permits required. The first one is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry fee which is obtained at Lukla, the 2nd one is Sagarmatha National Park entry permits, Which are obtained at Monjo. You don't need to worry about it, your guide will settle all the required things. 

Let, Himalayan Scenery Treks & expedition serve you with the excellent services you deserve as we believe every individual is special in one or another way. Come and join us for an amazing lifelong experience.
 

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