When talking about the Everest Three Passes Trek, also known as Everest High Pass Trek in the Khumbu region of Nepal, think about all the words that are synonyms with the word challenge. This strenuous trek is difficult for sure, but it is an awesome trek at the same time. Hiking through tough passes, and admiring breathtaking views are some of the perks of doing this demanding hiking journey. Popular as one of the most strenuous treks in the world, this journey takes you on a trip of a lifetime. Be part of the exciting Everest Three Passes Trek that is truly outstanding with World Alpine Trek and take away the golden memories of cruising through the Himalayas of Nepal.
Take on the ultimate Everest Three Passes trek to test out your daringness and explore the exciting mountain galore. This challenging journey includes exploring various natural beauties such as stunning landscapes, mountain rivers, glaciers, large lake basins, and the beautiful greenery of Sagarmatha National Park. The journey starts with an exhilarating 20-minute flight to Lukla Airport and directly heads into the colorful mountain villages. From there the journey takes us on the trail that leads to these amazing mountain passes locally known as Kongma La Pass, Cho La Pass, and finally Renjo La Pass. One can head start this epic journey with Renjo La Pass, Cho La Pass, and then Kongma La Pass. Either way, any route you prefer, World Alpine Trek is always ready to build a trip of your choice under the supervision of our professional travel planner and experienced trekking guides.
The journey up to Namche Bazar is the same as any other trekking route in the Everest region. There are two trekking trails to do the Everest Three Passes trek from Namche Bazar. You can either take the route that leads to Tengboche from Namche or start by crossing Kongma La (5535 m). Or one may choose to trek to Thame from Namche and cross Renjo La (5360 m) first. The most popular one with trekkers commencing with Kong Ma La as it is considered one of the hardest passes to cross. Therefore, most like to cross difficult ones before hiking a comfortable one. Between them is Cho La pass, which requires hiking past a glacier; hence extra trekking gear such as micro-spikes may be necessary. Nevertheless, the checklist for Everest Three Passes trek equipment mostly depends upon the weather and season you are trekking in.
Gokyo Valley, which trekkers reach after crossing the exhausting Cho La pass, is a pleasing addition to this journey. Everest Three Passes Trek venture surely includes picturesque and breathtaking mountain scenery but the emerald beauty of Gokyo Valley and Gokyo lakes is something not to miss while venturing the Everest region. Tucked under the lap of Mt. Cho Oyu, these turquoise six-pool lakes hold mythical values and are quite breathtaking sites to explore for peace and relaxation. On the same note, the 360-degree view from Gokyo Ri, even more, intensifies the beauty of this arduous journey. On the whole, the trip covers most of the Everest region and includes all of the attractions you'd anticipate. So, if you're extremely driven and want to see the finest of the Everest Three Passes Trek, join us on this thrilling adventure.
The first day marks your arrival day in Kathmandu. Clear all the visa requirements and customs clearance, if any, at the arrival section of the airport. As you come out, you will find a representative from World Alpine Treks waiting for you holding a board with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. The representative will shortly inform you about the plans ahead.
On the second day, you will be headed to the domestic terminal of Tribhuwan Airport for a flight to Lukla. The flight to Lukla in itself is an enriching experience where you will be able to enjoy some wonderful views of the mountains. As you land in Lukla, you will meet our other crew members at the airport. From Lukla, we walk down the trail along with hotels and lodges to Dudhkoshi River. We cross a long suspension bridge over the river and follow a path that takes us to Phakding. We stay at Phakding for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We wake up early and enjoy our breakfast. Then we follow our trail that goes through an undulating path up and down via traditional villages, fields, and rhododendron forests. We gradually ascend and enter Sagarmatha National Park with magnificent views of Mt. Thamserku on sight. We pass villages like Jorsale and Monjo on the way to Namche. Namche Bazaar is an old but lively Sherpa village. It is a gateway to all the trekking routes to the Everest region. There are many vibrant shops, cyber cafes, restaurants, hotels, and lodges now. Namche Bazaar never rests. It always gets a lot of visitors and is always crowded. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Namche for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
The narrow streets of Namche are always crowded. Do not be surprised if the yak bells and other horns wake you up. Today is a day set aside for acclimatization purposes. As we gain height, our body needs to be well adapted to the altitude change. Therefore, we have set aside an extra day in Namche. Today, we hike up to Everest View Hotel for close-up views of the mountains in the Everest region. From the hotel, we can enjoy some striking views of mountains like Kwangde, Thamserku, Kangtega, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, etc., and we walk towards the village of Khunde and Khumjung. We explored the villages and visited a museum and a photo gallery on our way back to Namche. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Namche for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
As we ascend, our trail traverses through the forests of rhododendrons with brilliant views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Amadablam, and Mt. Lhotse on sight. After a while, the trail descends to the Dudh Koshi River at Phungi Thanga. From here, the trail further ascends through the forests of pine and rhododendron to Tengboche. Tengboche is accessible from the Tengboche monastery and has astonishing views of Mt. Ama Dablam along with other peaks in the region. Tengboche monastery is considered the largest monastery in the region. Today, we stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Tengboche for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We leave Tengboche and start climbing up the trail for around six hours to Dingboche. As we ascend, we can notice the change in vegetation. We can find ourselves moving above the tree line with pastures and meadows along the way. On the way, we can see small fields enclosed by stone walls to protect crops from cold winds. As we open up to the meadows of Dingboche, we will find ourselves in a spectacular location with wonderful views of Lhotse and Nuptse Ridge on sight. If the weather is favorable, one can relish the fantastic views of the sunset over the Ama Dalam Himal in the Everest region. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse/ lodge in Dingboche. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We leave Dingboche and start walking to the trail for around two hours to Chukkung. You will likely come across the different Himalayan animals like Mountain Goats, Yaks, and Mules grazing on the lush grassland that lines the trail.Chhukung village serve trekker Nuptse Peaks by the Lho Glacier and Nup Glacier . Chhukung Valley is a good place for acclimatization, several guesthouses have been built here. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse/ lodge inChukkung. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We begin today’s trek very early in the morning to reach the highest part of the entire trip which is Kongma La Pass. We can either take a trail over a hill which is to the northwest of Chhukung over the Nuptse Glacier moraines or we can walk back to Bibre and trek on the trail above the Niyang Khola. The top of the pass is marked by cairns and Buddhist prayer flags. The final descent from the passes 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. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Lobuche. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today is one of the most rewarding days of our journey. Our week-long hard work is going to pay off as we will be stepping into the Everest Base Camp – the dream of every single travel lover. From Lobuche, we follow a rocky path to the last village of the trail – Gorekshep. From Gorekshep, we continue towards the world’s highest base camp, i.e., Everest Base Camp through the Khumbu glacier. It is considered one of the most dangerous sections of the Everest Base Camp Trek. As we reach the base camp, we will be showered with some mesmerizing views of glaciers, lakes, caves, and icefalls. Though the views of Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Nuptse are quite clear, Mt. Everest hides back behind the shades of Lhotse and Nuptse. After spending some time in base camp, we return to Gorekshep via the same route. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse/ lodge in Gorekshep. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Today, we woke up a little early to catch the sunrise views from Kalapatthar. We hike up for around two to three hours from Gorekshep to Kalapatthar. As we ascend, we get the first glimpse of the mighty Mt. Everest along with the other peaks like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Changtse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Ama Dablam, etc. The golden rays of sunrise glittering over the snow-clad mountains in the region look amazing. After having this fantastic view from Kalapatthar, we retrace our steps back to Gorekshep and descend to Dzongla. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Dzongla. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
As we move ahead from Dzongla, we come across a stone-paved flat path. We walk along the trail and ascend steeply to the Chola pass. The trail along the pass is rocky and icy, which makes our walk quite difficult. However, the views of mountains and glaciers that the pass offers are more than enough to overshadow all the difficulties. From the pass, we make a steep descent down to the village of Thangna/ Dragnak. From the village, we can rejoice in some stunning views of Machhermo Peak. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse/ lodge in Dragnak. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
From Dragnak, we climb up to a ridge that offers splendid views of Gokyo Valley and Mt. Cho-Oyu. From the ridge, we walk through a trail that widens up and passes through Pangka. From here, the trail descends to a riverbank. No sooner, we climb on through the moraine of Ngozumpa glacier. The climb up the moraine is quite steep, but the first view of Gokyo Lakes is enough to get rid of all the hasty moments during our journey. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse in Gokyo Valley. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
From the Gokyo Valley, we hike up to Gokyo Ri for stunning views of mountains and serene emerald lakes in the valley. Gokyo Ri is often considered one of the best viewpoints in the Everest region. As you hike up the Ri, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Mahalangur Himalayan range. The peaks of Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cholatse, and Mt. Tawache rising tall in a row look amazing. Even the view of glaciers, icefalls, and groups of lakes in one shot is alluring. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse in Gokyo Valley. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Moving ahead from the Gokyo Valley, we continue along our trail to Lunden. Today is an adventurous day as we will be crossing the Renjo La pass at the height of 5435 meters. The steep ascent up the pass and walk through the pass can be a bit difficult. The pass might be rocky and slippery; however, we cross the pass, enjoying some majestic views of mountains, glaciers, and valleys. After crossing the pass, we descend to the village of Lunden. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Lunden. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Leaving Lunden, we descend to the village of Thame, enjoying the splendor of mountain peaks in the backdrop. We pass the forested area on the way to the village. Thame is an interesting village in that region, mostly inhabited by people of the Sherpa community. Upon arrival, we trek to Thame monastery and explore around the village areas. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse in Thame. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Today, we descend to Namche Bazaar via the same path that we had taken earlier. We descend through the same path to Namche Bazaar. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse/ lodge in Namche. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We further descend to Lukla via Phakding. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Lukla for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
We take a return flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel room in Kathmandu. You can relax in your room for the rest of the day. (Inclusive of Breakfast).
After eighteen days of long journeys, today is a free day in Kathmandu. You have two options for the day – you can either explore some unexplored UNESCO-listed heritage sites around Kathmandu or go to the shopping malls for shopping. You can also collect some souvenirs for your family and friends back home. (Inclusive of Breakfast).
Before a few hours of your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the international terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport. (Inclusive of Breakfast).
On Everest Three Passes Trek, you will stay in carefully chosen hotels and mountain lodges that serve the best.
While in Kathmandu, we choose hotels that offer a great location, a high standard of comfort and quality, and a solid value to our guests. We want to make sure your 3-day stay in Kathmandu, before the trek and after the trek is comfortable and satisfying.
Alternatively, while hiking, which is 15 days of the total journey, you will be staying in cozy and traditional mountain lodges with a welcoming atmosphere and authentic charm.
Mountains lodges in Lukla, Phakding, and Namche range from simple to luxury lodges offering various services. In luxury mountain lodges, you will find spacious rooms with private bathrooms with hot water, electricity, internet services, and many more amenities. While in standard lodges, you will find rooms with twin beds, a communal dining hall, and shared bathroom facilities. These standard teahouses surely do not seem fancy but are comfortable and grant integral and distinctively memorable parts hiking in the Nepalese Himalayas. However, if you'd like to enhance your stay during your stopover at these locations, please let us know. We are more than happy to accommodate your requests.
However, please note that, as you trek higher, only standard lodges are available because of the high altitude and challenging terrain. Thus, the mountain lodges beyond Namche bazar are basic but welcoming and have a lively social atmosphere.
Everest Three Passes Trek is a strenuous trekking journey that takes place at a great elevation. Therefore, having nutritious and healthy meals is significantly important and we highly value that as well.
Hence, our 20-day Everest trek package includes 19 Breakfasts, 18 Lunches, and Dinners with seasonal fruits. Lunch and Dinner while in Kathmandu are not included in the trek package. And trekkers will have to take care of any extra expenses they make on the trek.
While in Kathmandu, your designated hotel will serve a warm and healthy breakfast every day. For lunch and dinner, you will easily find several restaurants serving different types of cuisines. Similarly, trekkers with dietary restrictions can also find restaurants that serve foods based on their preferences.
As per during trek days, our chosen mountain lodges will serve you the warm and delicious meals on their menu. Their menu consists of Western as well as local cuisines such as Momo (dumplings), pasta, noodles, Daal Bhat (rice with lentil soup and vegetable curries), omelets, fried rice, oatmeals, bakery goods and much more. For anyone, who would like to have non-veg, the options are available yet we would recommend sticking to veg meals for the trekking duration. Non-veg meals are difficult to digest and can cause stomach problems besides, the trek routes lie in Sagarmatha National Park which is an animal cruelty-free zone. Hence, all meat items are frozen and brought from the city to the trail. Thus, staying veg while trekking is highly recommended.
Similarly, staying off alcohol or soft drinks is also advised for health reasons. And it is greatly suggested to drink soups and hot drinks while on the trail.
The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of the most challenging and rewarding trekking routes in the Himalayas, offering spectacular views and an immersive experience in the Khumbu region. The best time to undertake this trek depends on the weather, temperature, and scenery, which vary significantly across the four seasons: spring, summer(monsoon), autumn, and winter.
Autumn season on Everest Three Passes Trail
Well to start, autumn is considered one of the best times to do the Everest Three Passes Trek. Autumn season in Nepal runs from September to November. This post-monsoon and pre-winter season hence, you get the mild weather conditions. It is neither hot nor wet. Also, the skies are clear and offer great mountain visibility. Less greenery is seen but autumn colors will create a stunning backdrop for trekkers to view. Also, it is one of the ideal times to capture the best faces of surroundings as bright skies and striking contrast.
As it is pre-winter season, the daytime temperature would range around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F) at lower elevations; and -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F) at higher elevations. And during night time, the temperature ranges around 10°C to -5°C (14°F to 23°F). The weather can become extremely cold so being prepared with the right gear is essentially important.
Winter Season on Everest Three Passes Trail
It is an extremely challenging time to do Everest Three Passes Trek. Winter in Nepal lasts from December to February. During this time, it snows a lot, creating snow-covered landscapes and extreme weather conditions. Similarly, due to snowing, crossing mountain passes becomes difficult. However, it is best to consult with an experienced person about the trail and its conditions before attempting this adventure. Nevertheless, the trail is almost crowd-free thus you can comfortably enjoy the pristine conditions of the trail. Similarly, this time around clear skies are common, but the weather remains unpredictable.
At time around daytime temperature ranges from 5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F) at lower elevations; and -10°C to -20°C (14°F to -4°F) at higher elevations. And during nighttime, it can drop to -20°C (-4°F) or lower at higher altitudes. Hence, if you decide to opt for this around, it is very important to have the right gear with you.
Spring Season on Everest Three Passes Trail
Another wonderful time to attempt the Everest Three Passes Trek is spring season. March to May is the spring season in Nepal and this time around, the weather is stable and the skies are clear, making excellent trekking conditions. One might experience occasional precipitation towards May. Similarly, the landscape is vibrant with blooming rhododendrons and other alpine flowers. Still is present at higher elevations but it is no trouble walking through them. Also, visibility is excellent thus mountain scenery at this time is simply majestic.
And daytime temperature ranges from 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) at lower elevations; 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F) at higher elevations. And night time temperature can drop to 5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F) at higher altitudes.
Summer/Monsoon season on Everest Three Passes Trail
Summer/Monsoon season sees fewer crowds because of heavy rainfall, especially in lower elevations. Summer and monsoon coincide in Nepal and go on from June to August. The weather is often cloudy with limited visibility but trekkers can experience lush greenery and solitary of the trail. Lower region especially experiences rainy season thus trails become muddy and slippery; hence, one must be prepared with the right gear. Likewise, please keep some contingency days as flight cancellations are quite frequent at this time. Therefore, it is best to consult with experts before planning the journey this time around.
Despite rainfall and wet trails, the daytime and nighttime temperatures remain mild. The daytime temperature ranges from 5°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) at lower elevations, and 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F) at higher elevations. And nighttime temperature can go on from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F) at higher altitudes.
Everest Three Passes Trek is a difficult trek on a difficulty level ranging from easy to difficult. You start from Lukla which is at an altitude of 2860 msl and reach an altitude of 5545 msl at Kala Patthar in a matter of 10 days.
For the most part, it is a moderate hike through the valleys of Nepal, but the terrain becomes difficult as you get closer to Everest Base Camp. Some days even involve walking for 8 hours. Also, crossing mountain passes is not an easy task. It requires being careful and patient as it is quite challenging due to their rugged terrain.
While all three passes present significant challenges due to their high altitude and difficult geography, Cho La Pass stands out as the most difficult due to its glacier crossing, and steep rocky sections. Also, unpredictable weather makes the journey a bit more challenging.
Though the journey presents its own set of difficulties, the thrill of embarking on the trek, encountering breathtaking scenery, and the profound sense of achievement upon reaching Everest Base Camp and navigating through three towering mountain passes make every stride worthwhile. Adequate preparation, encompassing physical fitness and adjusting to high altitudes, is crucial for enhancing the experience and ensuring a smoother journey.
A skilled guide can elevate your journey from ordinary to extraordinary, shaping it into a truly unforgettable experience. Our carefully selected professionals boast diverse backgrounds, all sharing a deep-rooted love for Nepal's untamed wilderness. With extensive outdoor expertise and a genuine passion for exploration, our guides ensure that every adventure is both inspiring and enjoyable while prioritizing safety above all else. They are trained in mountain safety and First Aid so they are capable of handling challenging situations that might occur.
Similarly, we routinely check the oxygen level of trekkers to ensure the well-being of every participant. And in case of emergencies, your immediate evacuation will be our utmost priority, thus consulting with your insurer, we will manage emergency helicopter rescue and fly you out to the city to seek immediate medical assistance. Lastly, while we prioritize your safety and well-being with great caution, it is equally your effort as a team that will make this journey even more memorable and smooth.
Flawless, thoughtful, and amazing experience!
I had a wonderful experience with this company and Deepak and Nabin. They were very flexible to all my needs and put together the perfect Everest Mountain Flight and Nagarkot Hiking for my requirements, attending to every detail. I did not lift a finger. I felt confident that I got the best experience possible, from the best restaurants to hotel rooms and locations visited, to interesting conversations. Very good people and made me feel safe and welcome the moment I arrived. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone and wish them success.
What an amazing Journey to EBC
It was an incredible trek to Everest base camp with friends, guides Durga, and all the porters. The teahouses and meals each night were good. We would highly recommend World Alpine Treks to everyone! World Alpine was organized, clear, and quick to communicate with. They provided a detailed packing list and all necessary information before the trip started which we found very helpful and made the entire experience easy.
Perfect EBC trekking with Friends
We had an unforgettable experience trekking to Everest Base Camp in September with World Alpine Treks. Our group of 5 was guided by Durga, who provided all the necessary information and ensured a smooth journey from start to finish. Durga’s leadership and expertise made us feel safe and well-prepared for each day's challenge.
A special shoutout to our porters, Bishnu, Ramesh, and Megh, who were absolutely fantastic—helpful, friendly, and always ready to assist. The entire team went above and beyond, and the trek was perfectly organized with stunning views, comfortable accommodations, and great company.
Thank you Deepak for organizing this trek! We highly recommend World Alpine Treks to anyone looking for EBC hiking!
