- Undertake one of Nepal's daring and epic trekking journeys
- All the passes exceed the impressive height of 5000 m above sea level.
- Capture the glorious yet thrilling experience of flying over to Lukla Airport, also known as the world dangerous airport because of its short runway strip
- Explore the Khumbu Valley's rich culture by visiting old monasteries, mountain stupas, and shortens.
- Discover the culturally rich Khumbu Valley by interacting with local families and learning about their traditional lifestyle
Everest Three Passes Trek
Trip Highlights
Detailed Overview
When talking about the Everest Three Passes Trek, also known as the 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.
Trekking to Everest Three Passes
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 commences with Kong Ma La, as it is considered one of the hardest passes to cross. Therefore, most likely 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 microspikes may be necessary. Nevertheless, the checklist for the Everest Three Passes trek equipment mostly depends on 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 in 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.
Expert Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Day in Kathmandu (TIA)
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.
Day 2 Fly to Lukla (2843m/9325ft) - 30 minute and Trek to Phakding (2610m/8699ft) - 3 Hours
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 the 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).
Day 3 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11283 ft) - 5 Hours
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 in 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).
Day 4 Acclimatization Day & Hike to Everest View Hotel (3880m/12725ft) - 3 Hours
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 the 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).
Day 5 Trek to Tengboche (3860m/12660 ft) - 5 Hours
As we ascend, our trail traverses through the forests of rhododendrons with brilliant views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Amadablam, and Mt. Lhotse in 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).
Day 6 Trek to Dingboche (4410m/14464ft) - 5 Hours
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 in sight. If the weather is favorable, one can relish the fantastic views of the sunset over the Ama Dablam Himal in the Everest region. Tonight, we are staying at a guesthouse/ lodge in Dingboche. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 7 Dingboche to Chukkung (4700m/15416ft) - 2 Hours
We leave Dingboche and start walking on 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 serves trekkers 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 in Chukkung. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 8 Trek to Lobuche (4910m/16104ft) Via Kongma La Pass (5335m/17498ft) - 7 Hours
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 Glacie,r which takes us to Lobuche. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Lobuche. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 9 Trek to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17594ft) via Gorekshep (5180m/16994ft) - 8 Hours
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 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).
Day 10 Hike to Kalapatthar (5545m/18188ft) back to Gorekshep and then Trek to Dzongla (4830m/15840ft) - 7 Hours
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 retraced our steps back to Gorekshep and descended to Dzongla. Tonight, we stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Dzongla. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 11 Cross Chola Pass (5360m/17780ft) and Trek to Dragnak (4700m/15415ft) -7 Hours
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).
Day 12 Trek to Gokyo Lake (4790m/15710ft) - 3 Hours
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 the 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).
Day 13 Hike to Gokyo Ri (5360m/19083ft) - 4 Hours
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).
Day 14 Cross Renjo La pass (5360m/17843ft) and Trek to Lunden (4368m/14104ft) - 7 Hours
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 a height of 5435 meters. The steep ascent up the pass and the 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).
Day 15 Trek to Thame (3820m/13464ft) - 4 Hours
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)
Day 16 Trek to Namche (3440m/11283ft) - 4 Hours
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).
Day 17 Namche bazaar to Lukla (2800m/9184ft) - 7 Hours
We further descend to Lukla via Phakding. We stay at a guesthouse/ lodge in Lukla for the night. (Inclusive of Breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Day 18 Fly back to Kathmandu - 30 minute
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).
Day 19 Rest Day in Kathmandu
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).
Day 20 Farewell Day - Departure
Before a few hours of your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to the international terminal of Tribhuwan International Airport. (Inclusive of Breakfast).
Want something more personal?
Our team can customize this trip perfectly for your pace, budget, and specific interests.
Cost Breakdown
What's included
All the services mentioned in the cost breakdown are included in 20 days Everest Three Passes Trek price.
- International/ Domestic Airport pick-up/ drop-off facility by Tourist Car.
- 3-night accommodation in a three-star category hotel in Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu flight, including domestic Airport tax.
- Full board meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trekking days and Breakfast in Kathmandu.
- 16-night accommodation in Guesthouses/Lodges during the trekking journey.
- Highly Qualified, English-speaking, knowledgeable trekking Guides with their salary, accommodation, food, and airfare.
- 1 helpful porter for 2 trekkers to carry your trekking equipment and personal stuff with their salary, accommodation, and food.
- Seasonally available fresh Fruit during trekking days.
- All necessary Permits: Trekkers Information Management Permit, Sagarmatha National Park Entry Fees, and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entrance Permit.
- World Alpine Treks' Duffel bag, trekking Map, Company T-shirt, and Sleeping Bag( You must return the Sleeping Bag after completing the Trip).
- World Alpine Treks First Aid Kit.
- Oximeter to measure Oxygen & Pulse Levels during the trekking days.
What's not included
- International airfare to/from Nepal.
- Nepal entry visa fees - You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days visas. You need 2 passport-size photos.
- Travel insurance to cover emergency evacuation and medical expenses.
- An extra night hotel in Kathmandu in case of early arrival or late departure.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
- Personal refreshment expenses - soft drinks, hard drinks, mineral bottled water, cigarettes, chocolates, etc.
- Utility expenses like telephone, electricity for charging, internet (WI-FI), laundry services, etc.
- Tips for support crew members of your trekking team.
Select Departure
Select your preferred date. (Trip privately with your own group)
