Three Passes Trek
Tour Type
Hiking Mountain
The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of Nepal’s most adventurous high-altitude routes, crossing Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La while offering breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Ama Dablam. This challenging circuit blends rugged landscapes, glacier crossings, Sherpa culture, and pristine Himalayan valleys—perfect for trekkers seeking the ultimate Everest region adventure.
Include/ Exclude
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Accommodations
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Breakfast In Kathmandu
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Transportation
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Activities
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Guides
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Mountain Permits
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Airfare
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Food ($35 /Day)
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Optional Activities
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Travel Insurance
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Personal Expenses
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Tip for Sherpas (approx. $80 )
Tour Plan
- Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport; transfer to hotel in Thamel.
- Check trekking permits (TIMS & Sagarmatha NP permit) — guide/agency normally arranges these.
- Final gear check, buy snacks/filters, meet your guide, quick briefing about the trek.
- Overnight in Kathmandu; rest and hydrate.
- Early morning flight (20–35 min) to Lukla; spectacular mountain views.
- Trek: Lukla → Phakding (approx. 3–4 hours, gentle uphill/river trails).
- Activities: register at Lukla, enjoy riverside tea houses, short walk to acclimatize.
- Overnight in Phakding; light dinner and early to bed.
- Trek along Dudh Koshi valley, pass several suspension bridges and Sagarmatha NP entrance.
- Climb to Namche Bazaar (5–6 hours). Spectacular views of Kongde, Thamserku and Ama Dablam en route.
- Arrive in Namche: market, internet cafes, bakeries — rest and short stroll for acclimatization.
- Overnight in Namche (tea-house).
- Hike to Everest View Hotel / Sagarmatha National Park viewpoint (optional) for sunrise panoramas including Everest and Lhotse.
- Visit Sherpa museums/shop for local crafts; short 3–4 hour walks at moderate elevation to help acclimatize.
- Hydrate, rest and prepare for the higher-altitude trekking days ahead.
- Overnight in Namche.
- Walk through rhododendron and pine forests; gradual climb to Tengboche (approx. 5 hours).
- Visit Tengboche Monastery — one of the most important in the Khumbu, with classic views of Everest, Ama Dablam and Thamserku.
- Overnight at Tengboche — early night, good for acclimatization.
- Trek via Debuche and Pangboche; cross the Imja Khola valley and climb to Dingboche (5–6 hours).
- Views of Ama Dablam grow larger; terrain becomes more alpine and drier.
- Overnight in Dingboche — prepare for acclimatization hike tomorrow.
- Short hikes (e.g., Nangkartshang Hill) to gain altitude then return to sleep lower — essential acclimatization (3–5 hours).
- Check gear for Kongma La (boots, crampons, warm clothing, headlamp) and ensure water/food supplies.
- Early night to rest before the first high pass.
- Short trek to Chhukung (approx. 3–4 hours), a good staging point for Kongma La.
- Optional: short afternoon hike to Chhukung Ri for acclimatization and views of Lhotse/Nuptse; final checks for glacier gear.
- Overnight in Chhukung (tea-house).
- Long, challenging day: ascend to the Kongma La Pass (~5,535 m) — snow/ice conditions likely; use crampons/axe as necessary.
- Descend toward Lobuche (a long descent across moraines and rocky terrain), plan 7–9 hours depending on conditions.
- Overnight in Lobuche; rest and hydrate well.
- Walk to Gorak Shep then continue to Everest Base Camp (EBC) — enjoy the glacier and base camp atmosphere (total 6–8 hrs depending on stops).
- Return to Gorak Shep for overnight; if weather permits, climb Kala Patthar at sunset or early next morning for famous panoramic views.
- Overnight in Gorak Shep (basic teahouse; very high altitude).
- Early morning ascent to Kala Patthar for sunrise (if not done previous day) — then descend to Gorak Shep.
- Continue trek toward Lobuche and on to Dzongla (or Pheriche then up to Dzongla) to position for Cho La pass — 4–7 hours depending on chosen route.
- Overnight in Dzongla or nearby (prepare for cold night).
- Early start: ascend to Cho La, a rocky/snowy pass requiring careful travel (crampons/ropes may be used in tricky conditions).
- Descend into the Gokyo/Thagnak valley; this is a long day and can be technical in parts.
- Overnight in Thagnak or nearby teahouse.
- Trek up to the Gokyo Valley and the scenic Gokyo Lakes; arrive in Gokyo village (Gokyo, 4,800 m) in 3–5 hours.
- Optional short walk to the third lake for spectacular reflections of Cho Oyu and Everest massif.
- Overnight in Gokyo.
- Early climb to Gokyo Ri for sunrise — unrivaled views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.
- Rest of day: short walks around Gokyo for recovery and photos; prepare for Renjo La crossing the next day.
- Overnight in Gokyo.
- Ascend to Renjo La early — one of the three passes with impressive views; descent into the valley on the other side toward Lungden/Marulung.
- This is a long, strenuous day (6–8+ hours) across rocky/snow sections.
- Overnight in Lungden/Marulung (basic tea houses).
- Continue descending through Sherpa villages and rhododendron forests toward Namche; total 5–7 hours depending on route and pace.
- Arrive in Namche — take a proper hot shower and celebrate crossing three high passes.
- Overnight in Namche (more comfortable lodgings available).
- Long day of descent: Namche → Phakding then on to Lukla (may be split over two days if preferred).
- Plan ~6–8 hours trekking; enjoy lower-elevation sights and farewell to the Khumbu villages.
- Final night in Lukla — prepare bags for early flight to Kathmandu.
- Early morning flight back to Kathmandu (weather permitting).
- Transfer to hotel or connect to international departure depending on flight schedule.
- End of trek — celebrate, rest, and optionally do souvenir shopping in Thamel if you have time.
