Overview
The Everest Three high Passes Trek also known as the Everest Three Pass Trek is as the name suggest all about crossing the high passes of the Everest region. As we are trekking around Everest it just natural to take a stop at Everest Base Camp. We at Rediscover Nepal take you on a journey with one of the best treks in Nepal. Encountering with the unique Sherpa culture, crossing streams, climbing up to mountain passes higher than 5000 meters is an adventure you can’t imagine!
The Everest three high passes trek follows a route around the Everest region in Nepal. Our first pass is the famous Kongma-La Pass at a stunning height of 5820 meters! Heading further west after seeing Mt. Everest up close from Everest Base Camp we get to cross the famous Cho-La Pass at an altitude of 5420 meters to reach the deepest lake in Nepal, Gokyo Lake. To end this amazing Three Pass Trek crossing the final Pass Renjo-La at 5360 meters on the way to Lukla is amazing. This trek is an incredible adventure and we at Rediscover Nepal advice you to take some form of exercise before undertaking this breathtaking journey.
Taming the highest passes
The route across the three passes of Everest takes about a 17 days trek in Nepal. After arriving in Kathmandu we hold a trek briefing and equipment’s check at the Rediscover Nepal office to make sure we are fully prepared for this amazing trek. Most of the hotels are located in and around Thamel where every kind of equipment can be bought or rented, quite convenient and useful.
The flight to Lukla marks the start of our challenge to cross the mighty plus 5000 meters Passes. The views are just incredible and after arriving at Lukla we make sure to hold a last briefing and equipment’s check. Now the trek begins, as we head to Phakding the landscape completely takes us in and the adventure is underway. Seeing those amazing views and being captured by the natural beauty of this region after another day of trekking we reach to Namche Bazaar. Here we hold our first break to get used to the high altitude. A hike to Khumjung to see the Yeti skull at the Khumjung Monastery is an amazing way to get ready to face our first Pass the Kongma-La. This Pass is the highest and you can imagine what the views will be from up there. Absolutely breathtaking! Seeing Mt. Everest next to Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Lhotse is stunning and we make sure to get some pictures! Now we can reach Everest Base Camp and head more west wards to Gokyo. In order to reach Gokyo and its pristine lake we need to cross our second pass at 5420 meters the Cho-La. The climb is a little bit easier as we are getting used to the terrain and high altitudes. After facing the Cho-La we get to have an amazing time at Gokyo. The Holy Lake is just incredible and refreshing. Hiking up to Gokyo Ri and seeing those views makes for a great photo opportunity! Now it’s time to head back towards Lukla by climbing our last and smallest Pass the Renjo-La Pass at 5360 meters. Those last panoramic views of the entire Everest Himalayas is just incredible.
The Everest Three High Passes Trek is an incredible adventure filled with culture, legends, amazing landscapes and trails, the highest mountains in the world and breathtaking views.
EXTRA:
Ridiscover Nepal donates 20% of all bookings to the Minerva Foundation in order to rebuild Dhading and to provide care for the orphans of the 2015 earthquake.
During the trek there is no mention of any lunch hours as every participant has their own pace.
This itinerary can be made shorter or longer depending on your booking choice
Short itinerary
Day 01: Kathmandu arrival
Day 02: Fly to Lukla (2,860 m) and Trek to Phakding (2,610 m)
Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m)
Day 04: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day
Day 05: Trek to Tengboche (3,860 m)
Day 06: Trek to Dingboche (4,350 m)
Day 07: Acclimatization at Dingboche
Day 08: Trek to Chhukung (4730m)
Day 09: Trek to Lobuche via Kongma La pass (5820m). (1st Pass)
Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep (5,184m), and visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
Day 11: Hike to Kalapathar (5,550m) and trek down to Dzongla (3,830m)
Day 12: Cross the Cho La pass (5420m) (2nd Pass), and trek to Thangnang (4,700m)
Day 13: Trek to Gokyo (4,790m)
Day 14: Explore Gokyo Lake and Gokyo RI (5,360m)
Day 15: Trek to Lumde (4,380m), via Renjo-La pass (5,360m) (3th Pass)
Day 16: Trek to Thame (3,820m)
Day 17: Trek to Monjo - (2,835m)
Day 18: Trek to Lukla - (2,840m)
Day 19: Morning flight back to Kathmandu
Day 20: Free day in Kathmandu
Day 21: Departure to the International airport
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : Kathmandu arrival
- After arrival at the TIA one of our representatives will be waiting for you
- Transfer to your hotel and take a rest from the long flight
- In the evening we meet and greet at our travel office to discuss your trek route
- The rest of the day is free at leisure
- Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu
Traveler’s note: Most of the hotels in Kathmandu are located around or in Thamel, a touristic area, filled with charming restaurants, souvenir and trekking equipment shops. Thamel is also known as backpacker’s paradise, definitely worth roaming around!
Day 2 : Fly to Lukla (2,860 m) and Trek to Phakding (2,610 m)
- Hotel breakfast and check out
- Transfer to Kathmandu Domestic Airport
- The flight to Lukla takes about 40 minutes
- Beautiful views of the Himalayas can be seen from this short flight
- Arrival at Lukla and trek preparation
- The Trek begins by heading to Phakding
- It’s an easy descending trail
- Crossing of a suspension bridge with amazing views
- Arrival at Phakding
- Dinner and overnight stay in the guest house
- Traveler’s note: Did you know that Lukla airport also known as the Tenzing Hillary airport is located up high with one of the world’s most spectacular landing lanes! It happens more than often during the cold season that flight get delayed, it’s better to book an extra vacation day to anticipate this.
Day 3 : Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,450m)
- Early breakfast and departure
- The trail ascends and descends as we pass through Benkar and Monjo
- Permit check and rest at Monjo
- Trekking through forests of blue pine, rhododendron and cedar
- Ascending a ridge and arrive at Namche Bazaar
- Dinner and overnight stay at the guest house
Traveler’s note: Did you know that Monjo is the official entry point of the Sagarmata National Park. The entry in to Everest territory! The next day we go on an excursion to Khumjung and explore around Namche, better charge your cameras because there will be lots of photo opportunities.
Day 4 : Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar.
- Breakfast at the guest house
- Sightseeing at Namche:
- Visit the German Bakery
- Explore around the Sherpa Museum
- See spectacular views of Everest and Ama Dablam
- hike to Khumjung via the Khumjung ridge
- Head up to the Khumjung Ridge and see some of the best views of Everest and its surrounding neighbors
- From the Khumjung ridge we head down to Khumjung village
- Sightseeing here is amazing, visit the monastery, take pictures with the Hillary Statue and enjoy breathtaking views
- Hike back to Namche Bazaar
- Dinner and overnight stay at the guest house in Namche Bazaar
- Traveler’s note: Did you know that Namche Bazaar is the biggest Sherpa settlement in the entire region. In the Khumjung Monastery is a Yeti Skull! We can also visit the local school.
Day 5 : Trek to Tengboche (3,867m).
Morning breakfast
Around three hours trek
Trek continue passing well-known Buddhist monasteries
Enjoy remarkable views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Cholatse, Kantaiga, Ama Dablam and Thamserku
Explore Tibet Buddhist monasteries
Witness meditations in the Buddhist Monasteries
Enjoy wonderful sunset views from the altitude of 3,900 meters
Overnight and dinner at the guest house
Day 6 : Trek to Dingboche (4,240m)
Morning breakfast
Trek with the views of the enormous Mountain and deep valley
Explore the natural scenarios of the place
Meet lots of yaks.
Descend down to Devuche by crossing the Imja River.
Overnight at the guest house in Dingboche
Day 7 : Acclimatization at Dingboche
Morning breakfast
Rest at Dingboche, high peak and enjoy many stunning mountains view
Around 2 to 3 hours you can hike to reach Dingboche peak or Chhukung Valley
Enjoy with wonderful views of Himalayan ranges, special views for island peak and Ama Dablam Mountain
Overnight in Dingboche
Day 8 : Trek to Chhukung (4,730m)
Morning breakfast and departure
Head through stone walled fields
Trek through the Imja valley
Overnight and dinner at the Chhukung guest house
Day 9 : Trek to Lobuche via Kongma La pass (5,820m) (1st Pass)
Morning breakfast and departure
Descend towards the Kongma La Pass
The pass is marked by cairns and Buddhist prayer flags
After climbing the moraine, we trek towards north through the Khumbu Glacier
After this the trail leads to Lobuche
Overnight and dinner at the guest house
Day 10 : Trek to Gorakshep (5,184m), and visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
Morning breakfast
Continue trek almost 2 hours to reach Gorakshep
Enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Everest, Pumori, and other so many Himalayan ranges
At Gorakshep, take lunch and continue trek Everest Base Camp
Enjoy the spectacular views of the Khumbu Icefall from the world-renowned Mt. Everest Base Camp
Overnight at Base Camp
Day 11 : Hike to Kalapathar (5,550m) and trek down to Dzongla (3,830m).
4 am wake up and prepare for a hike
Ascend to Kalapathar
See the phenomenal sunrise from of Mt. Everest and Pumori
Trek back to Gorakshep for breakfast and check out
Head back to Dzongla
Stay overnight and dinner at the guest house
Day 12 : Cross the Cho la pass (5,420m) (2nd Pass), and trek to Thangnang (4,700m)
Early wake up and departure (before 5 am)
Head up to the Cho La Pass
Short brake at the top of the Pass for those memorable photos and views
Head down until reaching Thangnang village that rests next to the south side of Mt. Cho-Yu
Overnight stay and dinner at the guest house
Traveler’s note: The views from the Cho-La are amazing ask your guide for the Himalayan names of the various mountains!
Day 13 : Trek to Gokyo (4,790m)
Breakfast and departure
Short walk towards the Ngozumpa Glacier ( longest glacier in Nepal)
After crossing the glacier we pass the lakes of Gokyo until reaching the third lake
At the third lake we reach Gokyo village
Overnight and dinner at the guest house
Traveler’s note: Gokyo Lake is one of the biggest and deepest lakes in Nepal
Day 14 : Explore Gokyo Lake and Gokyo RI (5,360m)
Early wake up (4am)
Climb up to Gokyo Ri
Relax and enjoy the amazing 90 degrees views from the top of the Gokyo Ri
Head back down to Gokyo
Explore around the lake
Overnight stay and dinner at Gokyo
Traveler’s note: if we have enough time we can head further down to Machermo, the sightseeing points at Gokyo Ri are: Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Yu and Makalu.
Day 15 : Trek to Lumde (4380m), via Renjo-La pass (5360m) (3th Pass).
Morning breakfast and departure
We start our day moving towards the Renjo-La Pass
On the way of Renjo La Pass, we’ll get extravagant views of Himalayan and Rolwaling ranges
After crossing our last Pass we head down to Lumde
Dinner and overnight stay at the guest house
Day 16 : Trek to Thame (3820m)
Morning breakfast and departure
Starting with a downhill hike
After we cross the river the trail becomes flat and easygoing
Passing by the many Yak pastures we reach Thame
Dinner and overnight stay at the guest house
Day 17 : Trek to Monjo (2,835m)
Breakfast and departure
Enjoy the last views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Kangtega and Everest
Trekking through the National Park Leads us to Monjo
Dinner and overnight stay at the guest house
Day 18 : Trek to Lukla (2,840m)
Breakfast and departure
The trail is familiar and as our last day of trekking we enjoy the day to the fullest
Passing along the Dudh Khosi River and Phakding
Heading up back to Lukla
Dinner and overnight stay at the resort
Traveler’s note: as it’s our last day in the Everest region a party can be organized with the locals to celebrate a successful trek! Please consult with the guide to organize a nice farewell event! We have a morning flight back to Kathmandu so better don’t go to sleep too late.
Day 19 : Morning flight back to Kathmandu
Early breakfast and check out
After flight preparation we fly straight back to Kathmandu
At the domestic airport our representative will be waiting to transfer you back to the hotel
The rest of the day is free to relax, rest or roam around Kathmandu
Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu
Traveler’s note: Kathmandu has a lot to offer and it would be a waste to let the day go by staying in the hotel. Please consult with us to organize a sightseeing tour to discover the secrets of Kathmandu!
Day 20 : Free day in Kathmandu
Hotel breakfast
The rest of the day is free at leisure
In the evening we organize a special farewell dinner with live Nepali culture show
Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu
Day 21 : Departure to the International airport
Hotel breakfast and check out
One of our representatives will transfer you to the international airport approx. 3 hours before your departure
We hope you enjoyed the Everest Three High Passes Trek, have a safe journey and get ready for your next Rediscover Nepal adventure