Everest Three Pass Trek – 19 Days
- DURATION: 19 DAYS
- Himalayan Eco-Culture Treks & Research Expeditions
Everest Three Pass Trek: The Ultimate High-Altitude Challenge in Nepal’s Khumbu Region
Everest Three Pass Trek is one of the most daring and exhilarating high-altitude adventures in the world. Designed for seasoned trekkers and thrill-seekers, this expedition traverses the three most formidable mountain passes in the Everest region—Renjo La (5,360m), Cho La (5,420m), and Kongma La (5,535m). It’s a challenging route that rewards grit and resilience with jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas, remote Sherpa villages, and a deep cultural immersion into the high-altitude lifestyle of Nepal.
Whether you’re chasing the thrill of one of the toughest treks in the world or seeking a spiritual connection among the world’s tallest peaks, the Everest Three Pass Trek delivers an unforgettable experience for those willing to brave its extremes.
Why Choose the Everest Three Pass Trek?
Unlike the classic Everest Base Camp (EBC) route, the Three Pass Trek forms a circuit, offering a complete and immersive journey through the Khumbu region. You won’t be retracing your steps — instead, every day introduces a new landscape, a different perspective of Everest, and deeper insight into the Himalayan environment.
The trail gifts you with some of the most spectacular panoramas in the Himalayas. At various points along the trek, including Gokyo Ri (5,357m), Chukkung Ri (5,550m), and Kalapatthar (5,545m), trekkers are greeted with surreal views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and many other iconic peaks.
This trek isn’t just a scenic hike—it’s a test of endurance, altitude acclimatization, and mental strength. Altitudes consistently hover above 4,000 meters, and the three high passes each present steep ascents and descents over rugged, icy terrains. Completing this journey isn’t just a bucket-list accomplishment — it’s a life-defining moment.
Journey Overview: From Lukla to the High Himalayas
Lukla – The Gateway to Everest
Your journey begins with a dramatic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a tiny mountain airstrip perched on a cliff — considered one of the most thrilling airports in the world. From here, the trail winds through Sherpa villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Thame, and Dingboche, each offering a glimpse into traditional life in Nepal’s highlands.
Renjo La Pass (5,360m)
The first of the three passes, Renjo La, connects Namche Bazaar to the Gokyo Valley. As you cross this rugged trail, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of Gokyo Lakes, the Ngozumpa Glacier (Nepal’s largest), and four of the six highest mountains in the world.
Cho La Pass (5,420m)
Next is the steep and icy Cho La Pass, which links the Gokyo region to the Everest Base Camp trail. This section demands caution and crampons, but the adrenaline of scaling this glaciated trail and descending into the sacred valley of Dzongla makes it one of the most thrilling segments of the trek.
Kongma La Pass (5,535m)
Saving the most demanding for last, Kongma La is the highest of the three and least trodden. Crossing it leads to Chhukung and ultimately offers a backdoor entrance to Everest Base Camp, avoiding the more crowded routes.
Cultural and Natural Encounters
This trek isn’t just about mountains—it’s about people. The Sherpa culture is deeply spiritual, centered around Tibetan Buddhism. Along the trail, you’ll visit ancient monasteries like Tengboche, spin prayer wheels, and see rows of colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
The region is also a UNESCO-listed Sagarmatha National Park, home to Himalayan wildlife like the musk deer, Himalayan tahr, snow leopard, red panda, and a variety of high-altitude birds including Impeyan pheasants (Nepal’s national bird).
Trip Highlights
If you’re an experienced trekker seeking a physically demanding adventure, this trek is your Everest. However, it is not suitable for beginners or those unprepared for high-altitude conditions. Proper acclimatization, trekking experience at altitude, and a high level of fitness are essential. Many trekkers opt for guided group treks with support staff to ensure safety and logistics are well managed.
Best Time to Trek
The most favorable seasons are:
Avoid the monsoon (June–August) and winter (December–February) due to heavy snow and unpredictable conditions over the passes.
Final Thoughts: The Everest Three Pass Trek Experience
The Everest Three Pass Trek in Nepal is more than a journey—it’s an expedition that reshapes your limits and perspectives. For those daring enough to attempt it, the rewards are beyond measure: dramatic Himalayan landscapes, a richer understanding of highland culture, and the achievement of one of the most prestigious trekking feats on the planet.
If you’re ready to experience the ultimate trekking challenge in the Everest region, the Three Passes await you with open, snow-laced arms.
Namaste! Welcome to the Land of Himalayas. Once the plane lands at Tribhuvan International Airport, you can get your visa on arrival from the Visa desk. After collecting luggage, a representative of Himalayan Eco-cultures will attend to you with a placard of your name right outside the arrival gate. Then we will proceed towards our hotel, where our travel planner will meet and brief us about the upcoming trekking events. Get Checked-in and get fresh as we will be going out for a delicious Nepali dinner in the evening, where we can also enjoy some cultural shows.
Dinner and accommodation in the 3-star hotel included
Wake up early, as we will be taking an early flight to Lukla, the gateway of Everest. After a thrilling 30 minutes flight extravagant with marvelous Himalayan panorama and green valleys, We will meet the rest of our crew in Lukla. Our groovy trail will go through an alpine forest, undulating rivers, and an enticing waterfall before reaching the beautiful Sherpa village of Phakding.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
After breakfast, we will resume our trek. Today we will cross the small village of Toktok, enjoying the beautiful waterfall. Then we will reach the Everest National Park entrance gate in Jorselle, where our permits and IDs will get checked and documented. The trail will be relatively easy before getting to the Edmund Hillary Bridge, from where it will escalate to a tougher ascend through dense forest. The climb will end in the Namche, an unofficial Sherpa Capital of the Khumbu region.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
As we are close to 3500m, our body will need to recuperate with the demising presence of oxygen in the atmosphere. So, following the international acclimatization guide, today we will ascend towards the viewpoint (3962m) from where we will get a spectacular glimpse of the Himalayas such as Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and the mighty Mount Everest. After spending plenty of time looking at those gorgeous mountains, we will climb down to Namche, where we will spend the night.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
Walking on the foothill of the Everest viewpoint, we will march through the wide paved trail towards Sanasa village. Beautiful Ama Dablam will accompany us to the side, growing more beautiful and enchanting with our every step. The course will lead us further toward Tashinga, from where we will go across the Dudh Koshi River and begin to ascend towards Tengboche. The village of Tengboche is famous for its marvelous monastery and opportunity for the sightseeing of many Himalayan birds and wildlife. We will spend the night here and explore the area as much as possible.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
Through Rhododendron forest, we will ascend towards the drier and rocky terrain. The tree lines will slowly end, and memorial boulders will begin to appear on the further Pangboche. The uphill journey will continue till we reach Dingboche.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
As we are above 4400 meters, we will take our second acclimatization rest in Dingboche. Again we will hike to Nangkar Tshang Peak for the scenic views of Tabuchi, Cholastse, Chukkung Ri, and Makalu (5th highest mountain). After descending, we will explore Dingboche and the small cafes and bakeries it offers, listening to the local people’s stories and memories.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
Following the rocky trail, we will ascend gradually. Enjoying the scenic view of Ama Dablam and Cholatse, we will walk across the array of huts that shepherds use during Summer. Crossing them we will reach the Chhukung village where we will set the camo for the day.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
After an early breakfast, we will continue our trek through the unhabituated trail that leads us towards Bibre and then to Niyang River Valley. The track then will get rough with an icy path alongside lakes. A short and steep ascent will mark the Kongma La Pass, the highest pass of our trek. Views of Ama Dablam and Makalu become more enticing but leaving them behind, we will walk towards the Khumbu glacier and our camp for the day, Lobuche.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
Pump yourself with adrenaline as we will be reaching the final destination of our journey today. A slight ascent through the Khumbu glacier will lead us to Gorakshep, where we will re-energize ourselves with Lunch. Enjoying the close-up view of Pumori, and Khumbustse, among many more, we will climb towards the Everest Base Camp, marked by giant boulders, prayer flags, and memorials. Then we will descend back through the Khumbu glacier to rest for the day in Gorakshep as a very momentous morning awaits us.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
Early morning, we will hike toward the Kalapatthar, a viewpoint above EBC. The strenuous walk will award us the surreal experience of a panoramic view of the Himalayas: Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lhotse, Nuptse, and many more, including the mighty Mount Everest. The sunrise view from above is absolutely to die for. Tears of joy might run in you, and that moment’s beautiful memories will haunt you forever. After breakfast in Gorakshep, we will cross the Khumbu river and walk northwest to reach Dzongla.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
Starting our trek on a flat path, we will gradually climb a rocky hill. As expected in the high pass route, the trail can be slippery due to ice, plus the strong wind will make our exploration more challenging. The climb will grace us with another stunning panoramic view of the Khumbu region’s mountain ranges and bring us towards the steep climb down on the other end. Beware of the loose rocks. Careful Navigation would bring us to Thagnak. We will climb up a short distance to reach the beautiful valley of Gokyo.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
Early morning, we will climb Gokyo-Ri, a viewpoint near the valley. The hour and a half climb will give us a 360-degree view of Gokyo valley and Khumbu region mountains such as Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Everest, among many more. After enjoying the experience, we will climb down to explore the rich culture and history of the valley.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
The beautiful 3rd lake of Gokyo reflects the golden rays of sunrise spectacularly. We will head towards the gradual climb for a few hours along the river before a short steep ascent of the Renjo-La Pass. Prayer flags mark the arrival of the pass where the majestic views of the mountains bewitch us. Then the trail will further cruise downward, crossing the Renjo Lake. Through the narrow passage, we will arrive at Marlung.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
Descending from Marlung, we will re-enter the green valleys with alpine forests. We will cross the village of Thame, known for its unique Sherpa culture and oldest monastery in the Khumbu area. The route will lead us back to the radiant village of Namche. Visit the cafes, buy souvenirs, and enjoy your time with the area’s ever-smiling, warm locals.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
We will descend back through the same route of Alpine forest, Edumand Hillary Bridge, Toktok, and Phakding to reach Lukla. You can celebrate the success of your trip with your crew member and explore the village you haven’t been able to during your initial trek.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner accommodation in the mountain lodge included
We will take the adventurous flight from Lukla to Kathmandu again and proceed to your hotel room. Either rest in the comfy bed or roam around the Thamel, enjoying the local delicacies, shopping experience, or hitting the spa.
Breakfast and accommodation in the 3-Star hotel included
“The city of thousand Temples,” Kathmandu, is a cultural hub of Nepal. Today, we will be exploring some UNESCO heritage sites:
Breakfast and accommodation in the 3-Star hotel included
Our representative will escort you to Tribhuvan International Airport three hours before departure. We hope you had a wonderful experience with us, and we will soon meet again on your next adventure.
Breakfast included
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