Everest Three Passes Trek
The most challenging of Everest treks, Three Passes crosses high mountain passes and glaciers, rewarding trekkers with sweeping panoramas of the world’s tallest peaks.
Overview
The Everest Three Passes Trek is the ultimate circuit in the Khumbu region, combining the highlights of Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, and remote valleys linked by three challenging high-altitude passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m). This adventurous journey offers trekkers an unparalleled 360° experience of the Everest region, with dramatic crossings over glaciated passes, visits to iconic viewpoints, and encounters with local culture.
Spanning 18 days, the trek takes you through lush forests, bustling Sherpa villages, high alpine valleys, and icy wilderness, culminating in legendary spots such as Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri, and the sparkling turquoise Gokyo Lakes. Compared to the classic Everest Base Camp route, the Three Passes Trek is more challenging but rewards adventurers with quieter trails, diverse landscapes, and panoramic views of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, and more.
- Max Elevation: Kongma La Pass (5,535m)
- Best Season: Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November)
Duration
17 Days
Location
Solukhumbu
Difficulty
Challenging
Altitude
5535 m
Best Season
Spring
About the Region
The Everest Three Passes Trek is the ultimate circuit in the Khumbu region, combining the highlights of Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, and remote valleys linked by three challenging high-altitude passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m). This adventurous journey offers trekkers an unparalleled 360° experience of the Everest region, with dramatic crossings over glaciated passes, visits to iconic viewpoints, and encounters with local culture.
Spanning 18 days, the trek takes you through lush forests, bustling Sherpa villages, high alpine valleys, and icy wilderness, culminating in legendary spots such as Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri, and the sparkling turquoise Gokyo Lakes. Compared to the classic Everest Base Camp route, the Three Passes Trek is more challenging but rewards adventurers with quieter trails, diverse landscapes, and panoramic views of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, and more
Route
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What to Expect
Physical Challenge: High-altitude trekking with demanding pass crossings; requires stamina and acclimatisation.
Accommodation: Teahouses along the trail – basic but warm and welcoming.
Food: Dal bhat, Sherpa stews, noodles, momos, and occasional Western dishes.
Weather: Cold nights above 4,500m; clear skies and stable conditions in autumn/spring.
Trip Highlights
- Cross three iconic high passes: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La.
- Visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and climb Kala Patthar (5,545m) for sunrise views of Everest.
- Explore the stunning turquoise Gokyo Lakes and climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m).
- Trek through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and remote alpine valleys.
- Enjoy diverse landscapes, from rhododendron forests to vast glaciers and icy passes.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1–2:Arrive in Kathmandu; sightseeing and trek preparation
- Day 3–4:Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding, then Namche Bazaar.
- Day 5:Acclimatisation in Namche; optional hike to Everest View Hotel/Khumjung.
- Day 6–8:Trek to Tengboche, Dingboche then to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass and Everest Memorials
- Day 9 - 10:Trek to Everest Base Camp; and sunrise climb to Kala Patthar, and trek to Dzongla.
- Day 11–12:Cross Cho La Pass to Gokyo; explore Gokyo Lakes and climb Gokyo Ri.
- Day 13 - 14:Cross Renjo La Pass to Lungden, and trek onward to Thame.
- Day 15–16:Return via Namche to Lukla.
- Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu.
Itinerary
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1
Day
ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (1,400M)
Activities: Arrive in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, and rest.
Accommodation: Nepali Ghar or Hotel Manaslu.
Meals: Self-paid
2
Day
KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING AND TREK PREPARATION
Activities: (Optional) Explore Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath Temples. Make necessary preparations for the trek such as permits, gears.
Accommodation: Nepali Ghar or Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu.
Meals: Self-paid.
3
Day
FLY TO LUKLA (2,840M), TREK TO PHAKDING (2,610M) – 3/4 hours trek
Activities: Take a short, scenic Mountain flight to Lukla, and begin your trek via a gentle descent through pine forests to Phakding.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Phakding.
Meals: Self-paid.
4
Day
PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR (3,440M) – 6/7 hours trek
Activities: Trek along the Dudh Koshi River, cross multiple suspension bridges, and ascend steeply to Namche Bazaar, a vibrant Himalayan town in the Everest region.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Namche.
Meals: Self-paid.
5
Day
ACCLIMATISATION IN NAMCHE BAZAAR
Activities: Optional hike to Everest View Hotel or Khumjung village; rest and acclimatise.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Namche.
Meals: Self-paid.
6
Day
NAMCHE TO TENGBOCHE (3,870M) – 5/6 hours trek
Activities: Resume the trek, and follow the trail as it ascends to Tengboche, home to the region’s most revered monastery.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Tengboche.
Meals: Self-paid.
7
Day
TENGBOCHE TO DINGBOCHE (4,410M) – 5/6 hours trek
Activities: Walk through pleasant meadows and rhododendron forests to cross the Imja Khola through a suspension brigdge and pass through Pangboche. Walking ahead, notice the change in vegetation as we make our way towards the rugged alpine terrain.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Dingboche.
Meals: Self-paid.
8
Day
DINGBOCHE TO LOBUCHE (4,940M) – 5/6 hours trek
Activities: Now in the high-Himalayas, we trek past our first of the three passes, the Kongma La Pass, which offers stunning and panoramic views of Makalu, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Lobuche.
Meals: Self-paid.
9
Day
LOBUCHE TO EVEREST BASE CAMP (5,364M), RETURN TO GORAK SHEP (5,140M) – 7/8 hours trek
Activities: On the 9th day, we arrive at Everest Base Camp following a trail along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We return to Gorak Shep for the night.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Gorak Shep.
Meals: Self-paid.
10
Day
KALA PATTHAR (5,545M) SUNRISE & TREK TO DZONGLA (4,830M) – 6/7 hrs
Activities: Early climb to Kala Patthar; descend to Dzongla.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Dzongla.
Meals: Self-paid.
11
Day
CROSS CHO LA PASS (5,420M) TO GOKYO (4,790M) – 7/8 hrs
Activities: Cross the Cho La Pass, a glacier crossing, and the second of the three passes before descending to Gokyo Lakes.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Gokyo.
Meals: Self-paid.
12
Day
GOKYO RI (5,357M) & LAKES EXPLORATION – 5/6 hrs
Activities: Early morning climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri for stunning views of the Everest region, and enjoy a panoramic view of the Gokyo lakes system.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Gokyo.
Meals: Self-paid.
13
Day
CROSS RENJO LA PASS (5,360M) TO LUNGDEN (4,380M) – 7/8 hrs
Activities: Final pass – the Renjo La Pass which offers panoramic views of Everest, Rolwaling, and Gokyo Valley.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Lungden.
Meals: Self-paid.
14
Day
LUNGDEN TO THAME (3,800M) – 5/6 hrs
Activities: Trek from Lungden to Thame, a traditional Sherpa village, following an ancient trade route once used by Tibetan merchants.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Thame.
Meals: Self-paid.
15
Day
THAME TO NAMCHE (3,440M) – 5/6 hrs
Activities: An easy and light walk through yak pastures and monasteries.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Namche.
Meals: Self-paid.
16
Day
NAMCHE TO LUKLA – 6/7 hrs
Activities: Final trek along Dudh Koshi.
Accommodation: Teahouse in Lukla.
Meals: Self-paid.
17
Day
FLY TO KATHMANDU
Activities: Return flight; rest in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Nepali Ghar or Hotel Manaslu.
Meals: Self-paid.
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