The “Three High Passes with Everest Base Camp Trek” is a challenging and adventurous trek in the Everest region of Nepal. This trek takes you through three high mountain passes: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, all of which are above 5,300 meters in elevation. Here are some key highlights and details about this trek:
This trek is not for the faint-hearted and requires proper preparation and physical fitness due to the high altitudes and challenging terrain. However, it offers an unforgettable adventure and the chance to explore some of the most beautiful and remote areas in the Everest region of Nepal. If you’re an experienced trekker and seek an extraordinary Himalayan experience, the Three High Passes with Everest Base Camp Trek could be the perfect choice for you.
Outline Itinenary;
Three High Passes With Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary:
Day 01: On arrival at Kathmandu airport (1,340m) and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: At Kathmandu with options for sightseeing tours and trek preparations.
Day 03: From Kathmandu Fly to Lukla (2,820m) – 30 mins and trek to Phakding (2,635m) – 4/5 hrs.
Day 04: From Phakding Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) – 5/6 hrs.
Day 05: Rest day at Namche Bazaar with a short hike to support acclimatization.
Day 06: From Namche Trek to Thyangboche Monastery (3,867m) – 5/6 hrs.
Day 07: From Thyangboche Trek to Dingboche (4,350m) – 5/6 hrs.
Day 08: Rest day at Dingboche and a short hike for acclimatization.
Day 09: From Dingboche Trek to Chukung (4,730m) and prepare for the next day’s trekking through the pass.
Day 10: Trek through Kongma la pass (5,535m) and to Lobuche (4,980m) – 7/8 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Gorakshep (5,180m) and to Everest base camp (5,364m) – 6/7 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Kalapathar (5,545 m) and walk to Dzongla (4,830m) – 6/7 hrs.
Day 13: Trek through Cho-La pass (5,367m) and to Thaknag (4,700m) – 7/8 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Gokyo Lake (4,800m) – 4/5 hrs.
Day 15: Trek through Renjo la pass (5,360m) and to Lungden 4,380 m – 6/7 hrs.
Day 16: Trek to Thame village (3,880m) via Marling – 6/7 hrs.
Day 17: Trek to Namche Bazaar via Thamo – 4/5 hrs.
Day 18: Trek to Lukla – 5/6 hrs.
Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel with a free afternoon.
Day 20: International departure for homeward bound.
Upon landing at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel. After checking in and resting, you’ll meet your trekking group for a briefing on the trek’s details, including accommodations and local customs. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a Nepalese restaurant with cultural entertainment. This day is about getting ready and acclimatizing to the Nepalese environment before embarking on the Everest Three High Passes Trek.
Your first day in Kathmandu is a free day. You have the option to participate in one of our intriguing sightseeing tours. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is rich in historical and religious monuments, many of which are designated as world heritage sites. In the afternoon, you’ll have leisure time to prepare for the Everest Three High Passes Trekking adventure, which begins early the following morning with a flight to Lukla.
Your journey to the starting point of the Everest Three High Passes Trek begins with an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, offering a 30-minute scenic spectacle of the Himalayan peaks, including Everest and Makalu. Upon landing at Lukla’s Tenzing and Hillary Airport, you’ll have a brief respite before embarking on your trek. With a native guide and porters by your side, the trek kicks off with a gentle descent from Lukla. Along the way, you’ll pass through Sherpa villages, encounter prayer walls, and hear the soothing chimes of spinning bells. Your first overnight stop will be in the picturesque village of Phakding, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and prepare for the thrilling days ahead in the Himalayan wilderness.
On the second day of your trek, you’ll embark on a challenging journey, gaining altitude. You’ll pass through Monjo village, cross a bridge, and enter Sagarmatha National Park for permit checks. Continuing through a beautiful woodland, you’ll cross a high suspension bridge and gradually climb, enjoying views of Kongde, Kusum Kanguru, Everest, and Lhotse. Finally, you’ll reach Namche Bazaar, a vibrant town at 3,440 meters, surrounded by stunning peaks. It’s a perfect place to rest and explore.
While staying in Namche Bazaar at an altitude above 3,000 meters, you’ll have a crucial acclimatization day. You can choose to take a short hike to the Everest View Hotel, offering stunning views of Everest and Amadablam peaks amidst lush green woodlands. Alternatively, you can opt for a visit to the Park Museum, located at a higher point above Namche, where you’ll enjoy majestic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Amadablam while learning about the Sherpa culture and Khumbu’s history. This day ensures you acclimatize and explore the Everest region’s beauty and culture.
Leaving Namche, you’ll start with a short, steep climb followed by a winding, gradual trail that offers glorious views of Everest and the stunning Amadablam peak, all under the cool shade of the forest. Descending, you’ll cross a bridge over the Imjatse River and reach Phung-Tenga, a possible lunch stop surrounded by a forest. In the afternoon, you’ll hike through the forest, eventually arriving at the small plateau of Thyangboche, where you’ll be treated to an incredible panorama of mountains, including Everest. Here, you can visit the colorful Thyangboche Monastery, where you might witness monks in prayer. Thyangboche is also famous for the annual Mani-Rimdu festival held in October or November, featuring monks wearing deity masks to ward off evil spirits.
The morning trek leads downhill through Deboche and across a steel bridge over the Imjatse River, revealing splendid views of Amadablam. After a slow uphill walk to Pangboche, the last permanent village, you’ll enter dry, arid terrain, cross a small bridge, and reach Dingboche. Here, you’ll stay overnight, with incredible views of Island Peak, Nuptse, Lhotse, Taboche, and the North Face of Amadablam.
A full day of rest in Dingboche ensures everyone is well-acclimatized for the journey to Everest Base Camp. You can opt for a short hike to Nagarjuna Hill, offering panoramic views of Imjatse Valley, Island Peak, Taboche Peak, and even a distant sight of Mount Makalu to the east. The afternoon is for relaxation and enjoying the mountain vistas from your lodge in Dingboche.
After a pleasant rest in Dingboche, you’ll have a short morning trek to Chukung, a small settlement at the end of Imjatse Valley. Along the way, you’ll enjoy east-facing views of Amadablam, Lobuche, and the towering Island Peak. Following a few ups and downs, you’ll reach Chukung for lunch and an overnight stay. The afternoon offers relaxation and preparation for the tough early morning trek over Kongma-la pass to Lobuche.
Beginning early, you’ll trek beneath Lhotse and Nuptse, eventually reaching the Kongma-La pass at a challenging altitude of over 5,535 meters. The pass sits between Nuptse and Mihara peaks, marked with rock cairns and prayer flags. Descending onto the Khumbu Glacier requires careful navigation over icy terrain and moraines. Finally, you’ll make your way down through rocky terrain to reach Lobuche, marking the end of a tough yet fulfilling day of trekking.
After a night in Lobuche, your morning trek heads towards Everest Base Camp. You’ll hike along a pleasant path, visit the Glass Pyramid meteorological station, and navigate moraines and icy terrain. Descending briefly, you’ll reach Gorakshep, an original Everest base camp site. After a short break, you’ll continue to Everest Base Camp, surrounded by impressive glaciers and the towering Khumbu Ice Falls. While you may glimpse Everest’s peak, the surrounding peaks provide a breathtaking backdrop. You’ll then return to Gorakshep for your final overnight stay at the highest point of your journey.
Gorakshep, nestled under Kalapathar and Pumori peak, serves as your base. In the morning, you’ll embark on a challenging climb, reaching the highest point of your adventure, Kalapathar, at over 5,545 meters. From here, you’ll enjoy a sweeping panorama of towering mountain giants, including Pumori and Everest up close.After savoring the breathtaking scenery, you’ll descend to Gorakshep and then retrace your steps back to Lobuche. Continuing your trek, you’ll arrive in the isolated settlement of Dzongla, with a few simple lodges providing views of Amadablam, Taboche, Cholatse, and other nearby peaks.
In the morning, your challenging journey takes you to the second high pass of the trip, Cho-la. You’ll ascend steep rocky slopes, occasionally encountering icy sections, to reach the top. From there, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Cholatse, Lobuche East and West peaks, and the Nirekha peaks. After a well-deserved rest, you’ll descend to Thaknag in the Gokyo Valley area, navigating rocky terrain and moraines. This remote and peaceful settlement serves as your overnight stop before reaching Gokyo Lake.
The morning trek is comparatively easier as you walk beneath the Ngozumba Glacier, passing the first and second lakes before reaching the picturesque Gokyo area. Lodges are located above the third large glacial lake. In Gokyo, you’ll have a free afternoon to enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Cho-Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest peak, situated on the Nepal-Tibet (China) border. For the more adventurous, there’s an opportunity to hike up to Gokyo-Ri for a panoramic view that includes Everest and Makalu, among other peaks.
On this day, you’ll tackle the final high pass of your journey. In the early morning, you’ll head south of Gokyo Lake and ascend rocky and scree-covered terrain to reach the high Renjo-la pass. From its summit, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panorama of mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, Makalu, and a range of others to the east. After a refreshing break, you’ll descend, passing Renjo’s icy ponds, and finally arrive in Lungden. This village is near the high Nangpa-la pass leading to Tibet. In Lungden, you can relax for the rest of the afternoon while soaking in views of the Kongde peaks.
Leaving Lungden with a sense of achievement after conquering all three high passes, the rest of your journey becomes easier. You’ll start with a downhill walk to the Bhote-Kosi River, near the small farming village of Marlung. Following a pleasant trail, you’ll reach the tranquil village of Thame. Here, you can spend the day exploring the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region, a place rich in ancient artifacts, idols, and sacred Buddhist texts, all while enjoying superb views of the surrounding peaks.
After a pleasant overnight stay in Thame, your morning trek involves an easier descent, followed by a gentle ascent along a lovely path toward Thamo village. From there, you’ll re-enter lush forests and green vegetation, eventually arriving back at the renowned Namche Bazaar. Here, you can spend the night in one of its comfortable lodges.
After a morning with mountain views during breakfast, you’ll leave Namche Bazaar and descend to the confluence of the Imajatse and Bhote Kosi rivers, forming the Dudh Kosi River. You’ll continue to Jorsalle and then climb briefly to reach the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. After passing through, you’ll arrive in the village of Monjo for the night.
On your last trekking day, you’ll follow the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding, then make your way through Ghat and Tade-Kosi with one final climb to reach Lukla’s main gate. The rest of the walk is easy, leading through Lukla town and its markets. You’ll spend the night in a comfortable lodge in Lukla, with some free time in the afternoon for short walks or relaxation.
As per our regular morning flight schedule, we’ll transfer to Tenzing and Hillary Airport terminal and board our respective airline’s plane for a breathtaking flight back to Kathmandu. During the flight, we’ll be treated to sweeping panoramic views of the mountains. Upon arriving at Kathmandu airport and completing the necessary procedures, we’ll transfer back to our respective hotels. The afternoon offers free time for leisure and individual activities.
After an incredible time in Nepal, filled with amazing experiences in the high Himalayan mountains during the Everest Three High Passes Trekking, it’s time to conclude your journey. On your last day in this land of awesome adventures, our staff and guide will ensure your smooth transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to your next destination.
