Everest Three Pass Trek

                                                            20 Days  |  Maximum Altitude: 5,545 m  | Challenging

Introduction

The Everest Three Pass Trek is the most complete trekking experience available in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Where the standard Everest Base Camp route follows a single corridor up and back, the Three Pass Trek covers the entire Khumbu on a wide loop, crossing three high mountain passes and visiting all of the major valleys and landmarks that make this part of Nepal so extraordinary. The three passes are Kongma La at 5,535 meters, Cho La at 5,420 meters, and Renjo La at 5,360 meters. Together they form a circuit through the heart of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that touches virtually every corner of the Everest region.

The Khumbu is the homeland of the Sherpa people; an ethnic group of Tibetan origin whose name means people of the east. They settled these high valleys centuries ago from Tibet and have built a culture around the practice of Tibetan Buddhism and an extraordinary adaptation to high-altitude life. Every trail through the Khumbu is lined with mani walls, prayer wheels, and strings of prayer flags that carry blessings into the wind. The monasteries at Tengboche, Pangboche, Khumjung, and Thame are living centers of religious practice. The mountains visible on this trek include Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku, Kangtega, and the full sweep of the Mahalangur Himalayan range. The Gokyo Lakes on the western side of the circuit are among the most beautiful glacial lakes in the Himalayas, and the Ngozumpa Glacier below them is the largest glacier in Nepal. This trek is for experienced trekkers who are comfortable at altitude and ready to commit to three weeks of high-mountain walking.

Trip Details

Duration:  20 Days

Three Passes:  Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), Renjo La (5,360 m)

Maximum Altitude:  5,545 m (Kala Patthar)

Difficulty Level:  Challenging

Best Season:  March to May and September to November

Start and End Point: Kathmandu

Trek Style:  Tea House Trek

Average Walking Hours: 6 to 8 hours per day

Trek Region:  Khumbu, Solukhumbu District

Major Highlights

• Three High Mountain Passes in One Trek: Crossing Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La on a single trip gives you a perspective of the Khumbu that the standard trail simply cannot offer. Each pass is distinct in character and the views from the top of each are among the finest available to any trekker in the Himalayas.

• Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri: The Gokyo Valley is the quieter and arguably more beautiful western side of the Khumbu. The turquoise glacial lakes at 4,750 meters and the panoramic view from Gokyo Ri at 5,357 meters, where Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu are visible simultaneously, is one of the finest mountain views in Nepal.

• Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar: The three-pass circuit also includes a visit to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters and the pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters for the most celebrated Everest sunrise view anywhere on a trekking route. This trek covers everything the Khumbu has to offer.

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival in Kathmandu   (1,400 m)

Our team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. The evening is free. This is a long and demanding trek that requires careful preparation, so a proper rest tonight is the best possible start.

Day 2:  Briefing and Trek Preparation in Kathmandu   (1,400 m)

Full briefing at the Friendship Trekking office. Your lead guide will take you through the full 20-day route, explaining each of the three pass crossings, the acclimatization plan, and what to expect on the more technical sections. Permits are arranged and gear is checked. The afternoon is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Day 3:  Fly to Lukla, Trek to Phakding   (2,610 m)

An early morning flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. The short landing on one of the world's most dramatic airstrips is always a vivid introduction to the Khumbu. From the airstrip the trail drops gently through pine forest and over prayer-flag suspension bridges to Phakding. A relaxed first walking day of three to four hours.

Day 4:  Phakding to Namche Bazaar   (3,440 m)

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River north, enters Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, and makes the long steep climb to Namche Bazaar. As you crest the final ridge before town, Everest appears above the ridgeline. It is the first of many extraordinary moments on this trek.

Day 5:  Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar   (3,440 m)

A morning hike to the Everest View Hotel ridge at 3,880 meters for outstanding panoramic views of the Khumbu peaks. The afternoon is free to explore Namche, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum, and browse the Saturday market. Good food, good rest, and plenty of water.

Day 6:  Namche Bazaar to Tengboche   (3,860 m)

The trail climbs out of Namche along a high ridge with wide mountain views and passes through the Sherpa village of Khumjung before descending to the Dudh Koshi and climbing to Tengboche. The monastery here is one of the most important in the Khumbu and the evening prayer ceremony is worth attending.

Day 7:  Tengboche to Dingboche   (4,410 m)

From Tengboche the trail descends through rhododendron forest to Debuche and then climbs through the ancient villages of Pangboche before crossing open moorland to Dingboche. Ama Dablam dominates the view to the south throughout.

Day 8:  Acclimatization Day in Dingboche   (4,410 m)

A hike to the Nangkartshang ridge above Dingboche, reaching around 5,100 meters, for conditioning and outstanding views of Island Peak, Lhotse, Makalu, and the upper Khumbu. In the afternoon, rest and prepare for the demanding days ahead.

Day 9:  Dingboche to Chhukung   (4,730 m)

A shorter day of around two hours up the Imja Valley to Chhukung, a small settlement below Island Peak. Rest and acclimatize here. The views of Island Peak, Imja Tse, and Baruntse from Chhukung are excellent and the afternoon is a good time for a gentle walk around the valley.

Day 10:  Chhukung over Kongma La Pass to Lobuche   (5,535 m / 4,910 m)

The first of the three great passes. From Chhukung the trail climbs steeply onto the moraine and then ascends to Kongma La at 5,535 metres, the highest of the three passes. The top is marked by prayer flags and cairns and the 360-degree view of the Khumbu peaks is outstanding. The descent on the far side involves steep rocky terrain before the trail follows the Khumbu Glacier moraine north to Lobuche.

Day 11:  Lobuche to Everest Base Camp, Back to Gorak Shep   (5,364 m / 5,164 m)

From Lobuche you walk to Gorak Shep, drop your bags, and push on across the rocky moraine to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres. Standing at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall with the full south face of Everest above you is one of the great moments in Himalayan trekking. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.

Day 12:  Kala Patthar Hike, Trek to Dzongla   (5,545 m / 4,830 m)

Before dawn you climb to Kala Patthar at 5,545 metres for the finest Everest sunrise viewpoint on the entire circuit. After the sunrise, you descend all the way to Dzongla, a small settlement at the foot of the Cho La, passing the memorial chortens at Thukla along the way.

Day 13:  Dzongla over Cho La Pass to Thangnak   (5,420 m / 4,700 m)

The Cho La crossing. You leave Dzongla early and climb steadily to the base of the pass. The final section involves a short glacier crossing which requires care and good footwear. At the top of the Cho La at 5,420 metres the views are wide and dramatic. The descent to Thangnak on the far side is steep in the upper section but eases as you drop into the Gokyo Valley.

Day 14:  Thangnak to Gokyo   (4,750 m)

The trail continues north through the Gokyo Valley past the first two sacred glacial lakes before reaching Gokyo village beside the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. The turquoise color of the water against the grey moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier is extraordinary. Gokyo is a beautiful setting and a well-earned rest stop.

Day 15:  Acclimatization Day in Gokyo, Gokyo Ri Hike   (4,750 m / 5,357 m)

The optional but strongly recommended hike to Gokyo Ri at 5,357 metres takes two to three hours and delivers one of the finest high-altitude panoramas in Nepal. Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu, and the full length of the Ngozumpa Glacier are visible simultaneously. The afternoon in Gokyo is free to explore the upper lakes or rest before tomorrow.

Day 16:  Gokyo over Renjo La Pass to Lumde   (5,360 m / 4,360 m)

The third and final pass. From Gokyo the trail climbs north and then west toward Renjo La at 5,360 metres. The pass gives extraordinary views of the Gokyo Lakes below and the full eastern Himalayan panorama including Everest. The descent passes through Angladumba Lake before dropping to the small settlement of Lumde. This is the quietest and most remote section of the entire circuit.

Day 17:  Lumde to Namche Bazaar   (3,440 m)

The trail descends through the remote valley of Thame, an important Sherpa village with a well-known monastery, and then follows the main Bhote Koshi valley back east to Namche Bazaar. Arriving in Namche for the second time on this trek has a particular warmth to it.

Day 18:  Namche Bazaar to Lukla   (2,860 m)

The final full day of walking. The trail drops back through the familiar pine forest, over the prayer-flag bridges, along the Dudh Koshi. Three high passes, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Lakes, and an entire circuit of the Khumbu behind you. The evening in Lukla is a proper celebration.

Day 19:  Lukla to Kathmandu Flight   (1,400 m)

Early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Afternoon free for rest, shopping, and reflection. Farewell dinner in the evening with the Friendship Trekking team.

Day 20:  International Departure   (1,400 m)

Transfer to the airport and safe travels. The Everest Three Pass Trek is the fullest possible experience of the Khumbu region. Thank you for walking it with Friendship Trekking.

                           Thank you for visiting Nepal!