Duration

16 Days
Max. Altitude

5,545 m. Kala Patthar
Trip Grade

Strenuous
Activity

Tours and Hiking
Group Size

8 People Max

Everest Three Pass Trek 16 Days

Everest Three Pass trek 16 days is a wonderful journey through the Everest Gokyo region offering you the ultimate trekking experience.

You will witness the awe-inspiring mountain views. Along with the glaciers, the ancient valleys and the adventurous passes. This trek is great for the ambitious hikers who are keen to cross three of the highest passes-Kongma La 5,535 meters, Cho-La 5,360 meters and Renjo La 5,385 meters.

Furthermore, crossing the three high passes while hiking to the three pinnacles of Renjo- La, Kongma La, Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp makes this trek more exciting.

On this trek, the trekkers fly from Kathmandu to Lukla before starting the trek. You will walk through the stunning Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche and other equally beautiful places. The locals are the Sherpa people who are famous for climbing the mountains. You’ll be able to experience their unique culture and lifestyle.

The Sagarmatha National Park, which aims to protect diverse flora and fauna, is also situated within the Khumbu region. Here you can see different exotic species such as musk deer, mountain goat, snow leopard, etc.

On the way, you will see many bridges, monasteries, chortens with colorful Buddhist flags that give life to the rough terrain of the mountains.

This is a physically demanding trek, so you need to be physically fit before you go on this trek. And, the previous hiking experience is a bonus for the trek.

Overall, this trek is a perfect blend of stunning landscapes, unconventional culture and exciting adventures that you don’t want to miss.

Feel free to contact us to know more about the journey.

Highlights

Mesmerizing view of the Himalayas and Khumbu Icefall
Amazing sunrise from Kalapathar
Witness the unique culture of the Sherpa people
Cross the enthralling passes (Kongma-La 5,535m, Cho-La 5,360m, Renjo-La 5,385m)
Highly experienced native Sherpa guide

Itinerary

Arrive in Kathmandu

Welcome to the Himalayas, one of our representatives will pick you from the Airport and drive you to your respective hotel.

Once you reach the hotel you will check in and rest for a while. The remaining day you can discover Thamel looking at shops and eating at a restaurant.

Accommodation

Optional
Meal

No
Max. Altitude

1,400m
Time

Rest day

Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding

Everest three pass trekking adventure starts on the second day with a scenic flight from Manthali,Airport to Tenzing Hillary Airport at Lukla (2,804 m).

Update: Kathmandu to Lukla flight has been shifted to Manthali airport, Ramechhap. During peak seasons spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) due to increased traffic as well as renovation in Kathmandu airport since March 2019. Manthali airport can be reached within 4 to 5hour drive from Kathmandu.

This means you need to wake up very early in the morning around 2:30 am to go for a drive and catch your early morning Lukla flight from Manthali. Night travel is required as there are only few hotels available in Mathali and the flights to Lukla all leave in the morning.

The flight is itself a remarkable and exciting 20 minutes across the mountain range. On arrival in Lukla, we start our trek with a 3-hour hike to Phakding Village.

Note: if you wish to avoid the night road journey to Manthali talk to us about taking a helicopter directly from Kathmandu to Lukla.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

2,651m
Time

3 hours

Phakding to Namche Bazaar

This is the second day of your trek to Namche Bazaar, the famous village in the Khumbu region.

On your way to Namche, you cross the beautiful pine forest along Dudh Koshi River. You will pass many suspension bridges through Sherpa villages like Benkar, Chimayo, Monjo and Jorsale.

At Jorsale, you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park, where you will have to check your permits. The trail continues through the river bed of Dudh Koshi to the confluence of the rivers Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi.

Later, you’ll climb gradually and cross the high Tenzing Hillary suspension bridge. On the way, you’ll get an inspiring glimpse of Mt. Everest right up to the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge. About 3 hours of hiking through the magnificent pine forest, you will reach Namche Bazaar, the main economic hub of the region.

From Jorsale, it’s a two-and-a-half-hour hike to Namche with two major points of view on your way. You’ll get a breathtaking view of the Everest on a clear day.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

3,438m
Time

5 – 6 hours

Acclimatization day / Discover Namche

Today is acclimatization day. As you walk through the harsh geography and high-altitude regions, it is important to adjust and adapt before proceeding further.

This will help prevent altitude sickness and unwanted illness. However, you’re not going to spend the day being lazy. Instead, in order to stay active, you will wander around.

You can also visit the visitor center of Sagarmatha National Park on the hillside. Here you can see an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, the Sherpa culture. And learn about the different plants and animal life of the Everest region.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

3,438m

Trek to Tengboche

After your breakfast, you will start your trek to Tengboche. The estimated distance is approximately 10km. With a great view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, etc., the hike leads moderately flat.

By now, you’ll be familiar to the strong wind and rough terrain. The path progressively becomes narrower and steep.

You will come across numerous monasteries, suspension bridges, rhododendron forests and waterfalls. And you’ll reach Tengboche after about 2 hours of walking. You can visit one of Nepal’s oldest monasteries in Tengboche. Here you can be a part of the unique and spiritual Buddhist ceremonies.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

3,956m
Time

5 hours

Trek to Dingboche

The trail today descends to Dingboche, which is a small village with chortens, stone Mani walls, and nun’s monastery.

You will cross the suspension bridge over Imja Khola and gradually make your way to Pangboche. You get the towering view of Ama Dablam here.

The trail follows upstream, closer to Imja Khola, towards Imja Valley. And, you will pass a few Sherpa villages then you will reach Dingboche.

With a lovely terraced field enclosed by a stone wall, Dingboche is the last Sherpa settlement.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

4,440m
Time

5 hours

Trek to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass

It’ll be a long day today as you start your day early. You will continue your ascent; you will walk for a few hours to Chhukung, where you can see the beautiful mountains up close.

You’ll take a short break in Chukung before you take today’s highest pass on the trip. As there are no shops on the way, you can carry water and pack lunch. The remoteness of the region and the absolute nature will really make you enjoy it.

From now you can go via any of the two trails. One is by climbing a hill northwest of Chukung over the Nuptse Glacier moraine. Or you can walk to Bibre down the valley and follow a high trail above Niyang Khola.

After some hike, you will get amazing views of the Island peak, valley and jagged ridge of Amphu Lapcha. You will turn west and walk through the sloppy stone trail as you ascend along the east side of the Niyang Khola valley. You will join a wide basin dotted with small frozen lakes.

The trail then goes up over loose scree attempting to gain the Kongma La. You leave Chukung after about 5 hrs. You will see piles of stones wrapped in prayer flags marking the pass once you reach the summit.

The landscape of icy lakes below the Khumbu glacier is behind it. The toughest part of the trek is the final descent. After ascending the moraine on the far side, the route then turns north through Khumbu glacier which arrives at Lobuche.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

5,535m, Kongma La Pass
Time

8 - 9 hours

Trek to Gorak Shep (Day Trip to EBC)

Today’s trail goes the windy and rocky path with the north ridge to Everest along with Mt.Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, Nuptse etc.

The trail continues to Gorakshep along the side of the Khumbu glacier. You’ll check into the hotel and have your lunch here. You will set out to visit the world’s highest base camp, Everest Base Camp in the afternoon.

Everest Base Camp offers an incredible view of Khumbu icefall. And the colorful Everest expedition campsites during the expedition season.

Later you will walk back to Gorak Shep for overnight.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

5,368m, Everest Base Camp
Time

5 hours

Trek to Lobuche (Optional, early Morning Hike to Kala Patthar)

You will begin your trek early in the morning. You’ll get a remarkable view of the sun shining on the face of Everest from Kala Patthar.

It will be all dark in the morning with a cold temperature of about 8 to 15 degrees Celsius. You will trek to Kala Patthar where you will get extraordinary Himalayas views that will take your breath away.

Here you can take gorgeous photos from the top of Kala Patthar to take memories back home.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

5,545m, Kala Patthar
Time

6 hours

Trek to Dzongla

Today’s trek will be short compared to the trek of the other days. The path to Dzongla branches off the main trail, a little further away from Lobuche.

Then you cross a stream through a fork and then curve around the wide graveled river. The trail runs across the river bed and climbs up the ridge. From the grassy ridge ahead, the trails run southeast from which you can see the heights of Ama Dablam and Kangtega to Thamserku.

Pheriche village is also viewable down in the distance. As the ridge changes its direction to the north, the vast Chola Pass speaks below Mt. Cholatse.

The lakes stay with you for a long time until you get to a wide basin. The trail climbs further to the spur and descends slowly to the next basin.

After crossing the basin and shortly after crossing the shaky bridge, you will reach Dzongla. Overnight at the Dzongla lodge.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

4,830m
Time

3 - 4 hours

Trek to Gokyo via Cho La Pass

After having breakfast early in the morning, you’ll move out of your lodge, where you’ll see the Cholatse emerging over you.

Today’s trek will be the toughest days of your trip. The walk begins as you walk through a spur extends westward from Dzongla.

The path descends to a basin, which passes through a stream. In about an hour, you’ll reach the top of the basin, ready to take the Cho La summit. As you gain height, the view gets more thrilling.

The Cho La is starting to appear. It won’t be easy to climb the curve. It is steep with rocks over some of which you have to ascend. The final climb to the Cho La can be a bit tricky.

Upon reaching the summit, you will see peace Buddhist flags flapping in the strong wind. The scene of magical peaks from all direction is breathtaking.

From here, now the path leading to Thanknak is long but you can easily make it out from the Cho La Pass because it is just decent. Then you’ll get to Thanknak, a small village. Stepping out of the settlement, the trail takes you to the edge of the Ngozumpa glacier after a short walk.

As you reach the other side of the glacier, you’ll see the second of the Gokyo lakes in a series of six lakes. The third lake of Gokyo is a little further.

The village of Gokyo stands on the edge of the lake, where you will finally rest from a tiring day.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

4,830m
Time

8 – 9 hours

Rest day

Today is a rest day at Gokyo Valley. You’ll love the view of the charming village of Gokyo. (Optional, If the day is pleasant you can climb the Gokyo Ri and enjoy the view of the Everest region).

The Gokyo region not only offers a view of the Gokyo peak, but also gives you a wonderful opportunity to witness a series of six emerald lakes.

In addition, you can climb the hill and enjoy stunning views of Mt. Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, etc.

Cho Oyu base camp lies beyond the fifth lake, from where you can see the Ngozumpa glacier.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

5,367m

Trek toMarlung/lungden via Renjo La Pass

Today, you have to start the trek at dawn break as you have to go down to Marlung after summit of the Renjo La Pass.

You leave the main trail from Gokyo Valley and turn to Renjo La Trail through Dudh Pokhari. After about 3 hours, you will reach the Renjo La top where an amazing vista awaits!

The view of Renjo La is similar to that of Gokyo Ri with the third Gokyo lake and the Gokyo village under the Ngozumpa glacier. As you proceed from the pass, the trail winds down a stone staircase and ascends over loose stones to reach the small lake, Angladumba Tsho.

You will see Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake along the way. From here you walk down the narrow valley with big rocks to Lumde. mAfter about an hour from Lumde, you’ll reach Lungden (4,350m).

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

5,360m Renjo La Pass
Time

7 hours

Trek to Namche Bazaar

The path from Lungden to Namche is mostly downhill.Thame is one of the most popular villages in the region.

This village has hundreds of years old Buddhist monastery. This is a beautiful village of Sherpa, home to world-famous mountaineers situated to the west of the Khumbu region. Continuing our journey further we will reach Namche Bazaar.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

4,380m
Time

5 hours

Trek to Lukla

After having breakfast, you’ll continue your trek to Lukla along the Dudh Koshi River. The route descends steeply down with rocky terrain.

You’ll pass through the Rhododendron, pine and oak forest. Overnight at the Lukla.

Accommodation

Lodge
Meal

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max. Altitude

2,860m
Time

6 hours

Fly to Manthali (25 mins flight) and then drive to Kathmandu, drive4 – 5 hours

Flights from Lukla to Kathmandu are usually scheduled early in the morning to avoid strong winds.

Please note that the flight may sometimes get delayed or canceled due to weather conditions. In that case, we expect the guest to be patient.

We’ll take a scenic flight back to Kathmandu or Manthali across the Himalayas. Arrive in Kathmandu, you can take a rest or spend the rest of your day strolling around Thamel.

In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant with culture show.

Free day / Fly to home

You can either stay back in Kathmandu today and enjoy a free day or leave for your respective countries.

As per your flight schedule, our representatives will drop you off at the Airport.

What to Expect

What's Included

Airport transfers pick-up and drop-off.
Airfare both ways (Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu).
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek.
All accommodations during the trek.
English speaking Sherpa trek guide.
Staff insurance and necessary ground transport for support staffs.
Everest National park entry permit and local entry permits.
Porter to carry your luggage during the trek (1 porter for 2 trekkers).
Magical Summits duffel bag.
Hiking pole for the trek, if needed.
Trek map.
Farewell dinner including a cultural show.

What's Excluded

International airfares and Nepal visa.
Any personal medical or evacuation expenses incur.
International Travel insurance which included rescue.
Tips for the guide & porter (tipping is expected).
Any others expenses which are not mentioned on the ‘Included’ section.

FAQs

1. How hard is the 3 passes trek?

Everest Three Pass trek is the most popular and challenging trekking in Nepal. And it is considereddifficult to challenging grade trek, as the three passes: Kongma La 5,535m, Cho La 5,360m and Renjo La 5,385m are the mighty three passes.

All these passes lie above 5,000m from the sea level. So, a good level of physical fitness is required for this trek.

2. How much extra money do I need per day for this trek?

3. What is the time to do the Everest Three Pass trek?

Your dream itinerary, crafted with you

I was born and raised in Nepal near the Everest region. I am a proud native Sherpa and have been a mountain guide for over a decade.

Following my passion, I started Magical Summits because I was ready to see a new kind of travel brand, one built on the simple idea of feeling good and doing good.

Since its start, Magical Summits has been super-powered by you, our community; when you “travel” it, we create it. We’re on a mission to make travel better with clean, award-winning adventures that are sustainable and conscious of the planet we share.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey!

Trip Designer

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