Introduction: Everest Three Pass Trek
Everest Three Pass is an adventurous trek that needs no introduction and is a challenge that leads you deep into the Everest Region. It is an adrenaline-pumping trek to meet the splendid trio of passes above the 5000-meter mark, known to the world as the Cho La, Renjo La, and Kongma La. This is a formidable trekking circuit for adventure junkies who thrive on challenges and are ready to take one step ahead.
Three passes trekking trail is a intense and fulfilling journey. It provides a closer look into the hostile terrain, freezing climate, and persistent individual struggle at towering altitudes. The High Passes takes you to the lesser-visited trails of Everest Base Camp. The Three High Passes trek ventures through the towering Kalapatthar and serene Gokyo valley with their emerald lakes. It is a trekking tale of the mountain local way of life and its constant struggle for survival in such harsh conditions. Combating such an unfriendly nature around them, they welcome the visitors with warm smiles despite the spine-chilling cold.
Three Passes route takes you into the untouched valley of Nangpa La. It is an age-old Sherpa village where trekkers get to feel the power of nature, which blends well with the vibrant village of Thame. This abode is home to one of the biggest monasteries in the Khumbu Region. It is said to be one of the best in the world. This dramatic adventure begins with lush green vegetation and hills covered in fir, pine, juniper, rhododendron, and birch tree lines to reach the arid and barren arctic zone in between high mountains by crossing scenic passes.
Everest High Pass is an imposing trek that begins with an easy, moderate walk that turns into a challenging, steep climb in the range of 5,000 meters. However, it’s worth the effort, as you will be rewarded with glorious mountain panoramas and scenic views of alluring landscapes.
Higlights of Everest Everest High Pass Trekking
- Conquer the three grand high passes of the Everest region, including Kongma La (5535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Renjo La (5,360 m).
- Visit the iconic Everest Base Camp at the foot of the highest mountain in the world.
- Get the opportunity to witness one of the most astonishing sunrises and sunset views from the vantage point of Kalapatthar (5,545 m).
- Discover and explore the pristine Gokyo Lakes nestled in the Gokyo valley and climb Gokyo Ri for one of the finest views of the Himalayas.
- Witness some of the tallest mountains on planet Earth, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and many others.
- Explore and wander through the remote Sherpa villages of Namche, Chhukung, Dingboche, and Thame, where trekkers can interact with the locals and learn about the rich mountaineering legacy.
- Trek inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sagarmatha National Park, which is rich in alpine biodiversity, including the Red Panda and the elusive Snow Leopard.
- Walk across the Khumbu glacier near Everest Base Camp and the Ngozumpa glacier in the Gokyo region.
Advantage of booking Everest High Pass Trek with Trekking Planner Nepal
- Private vehicles pick up and drop off passengers at all airports.
- First-aid kit box.
- Trekking Planner’s down jackets, t-shirt, and cap, if necessary.
- Arrangement of emergency evacuation service (you should have insurance for emergency evacuation, which will be paid for by your travel insurance company).
- We use an oximeter to check your pulse, oxygen saturation, and heart rate, and we provide oxygen.
- Sim cards are provided by our company for travelers, so there won’t be any networking issues.
Where does the Everest Three Pass Trek Start?
This incredible adventure begins in the capital city of Kathmandu, which is also the commercial hub of the country. Next, after an interesting and pleasant sightseeing tour around the world heritage sites that, Kathmandu has to offer, the next day, a short panoramic flight takes you across to the small airstrip in Lukla. It is a busy Sherpa town where most treks and various adventures around the Khumbu Region of Everest take place. From here, the trek moves forward towards the scenic Dudh Koshi River Valley and gorge, crossing several exciting bridges and walking into nice traditional villages to enter Sagarmatha National Park.
Sagarmatha is a name for Everest in a Nepalese dialect, while the local Sherpas call it Chomolungma, which is of Tibetan origin. Listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1979, this park is home to exotic and rare flora and fauna and is where most of the world's tallest mountains are located. A gradual-paced walk leads us towards a steep climb, and then, leaving the river behind us, we reach the popular Namche Bazaar. This splendid village belongs to the Khumbu Sherpa, where a busy and exciting market is held once a week on Saturday. It is one of the best places for acclimatization and exploration.
Namche Bazaar is a popular spot for trekkers, and one can take a hike around its scenic viewpoints. The extraordinary views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, along with the majestic Ama Dablam, are some of the best around the Himalayas. Namche is the place from which we start our onward high trail journey toward the iconic three passes. On the trail, we will be greeted by wonderful views of high, snow-capped mountain ranges, the impressive Tengboche Monastery, and Everest and Ama Dablam as well.
We dive deep into the interior and observe monks and high priests engaged in religious activities in the harmony of alpine woodlands and high mountains. The tree lines make way for the actual adventure of rugged high passes, which begins in the Imjatse Valley. The walks become exciting, taking on the moraine and ice traversing from Chukung and Dingboche settlements and climbing to the top of Kongma-la.
We carefully set our fon between the massive walls of Mt. Nuptse and Pokalde Peaks, then take an ideal downhill descent to the Khumbu Glacier to reach our overnight stop at Lobuche. The next morning, we resume from Lobuche, heading straight into the Arctic zone, where Everest Base Camp is in our sights. Making a climb up to the excellent vantage point of Kalapatthar, we get astonishing glimpses of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks. From Kalapatthar and Everest Base Camp, we take the second-highest Cho-la Pass to reach the magnificent Gokyo Valley.
A place that holds a fairy tale glimpse of simmering glacial lakes along with the grandest of views of Mt. Cho-Oyu in the north direction. After enjoying pleasant and absorbing moments at the beautiful Gokyo, the adventure then moves on towardtowarduch-awaited ultimate third pass, the Renjo-la. A steep climbing trail is the last one to be conquered to reach the top of Renjo-la. The rewards here are amazing, as we get a sensational panoramic of the world's four highest mountains: Everest, Lhotse, and Cho-Oyu, with the 5th highest, Mt. Makalu. Being here gives us a feeling of mission accomplished: making it to the famed three passes.
We then slowly descend downhill to the western end of Khumbu at Thame village. It has the oldest monastery in the area and a confluence with the old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route to Tibet. Next, we slowly follow the trekking route leading us back into the lush green forest to reach Namche Bazaar and Lukla. We make our final overnight stay around the Khumbu and Everest Regions. The next morning, we head towards the Lukla Airport for a short, sweeping flight to Kathmandu. This puts the curtain on our 21 Days exceptional high pass trek, which only gave us a mesmerizing and overwhelming experience of the Everest High Himalayas.
Everest High Pass Trekking Altitude and Distance Coverage
| Day | Activity | Altitude (m/ft) | Distance (Approx.) | Duration (Approx.) | Altitude Gain (m/ft) | Altitude Drop (m/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel | 1,350m / 4,429ft | – | – | – | – |
| 2 | Full day in Kathmandu (Tour & trek prep) | 1,350m / 4,429ft | – | – | – | – |
| 3 | Fly to Lukla & trek to Phakding | 2,610m / 8,563ft | 7.5 km / 4.6 mi | 4 hrs | – | 230m / 755ft |
| 4 | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3,440m / 11,286ft | 12 km / 7.45 mi | 5 hrs | 830m / 2,723ft | – |
| 5 | Acclimatization hike to Everest View Hotel (return to Namche) | 3,440m / 11,286ft (max 3,880m/12,730ft) | – | 4-5 hrs | 440m / 1,444ft | 440m / 1,444ft |
| 6 | Trek to Tengboche | 3,860m / 12,664ft | 10 km / 6.2 mi | 4-5 hrs | 420m / 1,378ft | – |
| 7 | Trek to Dingboche | 4,410m / 14,469ft | 12 km / 7.45 mi | 4-5 hrs | 550m / 1,805ft | – |
| 8 | Acclimatization hike to Nangkartshang Peak | 4,410m / 14,469ft (max 5,083m/16,677ft) | – | 4 hrs | 673m / 2,208ft | 673m / 2,208ft |
| 9 | Trek to Chhukung | 4,730m / 15,518ft | 5 km / 3.1 mi | 4 hrs | 320m / 1,050ft | – |
| 10 | Cross Kongma La to Lobuche | 4,940m / 16,207ft | 11 km / 6.8 mi | 7 hrs | 1,018m / 3,340ft | 807m / 2,648ft |
| 11 | Trek to Gorakshep & hike Everest Base Camp | 5,364m / 17,598ft (sleep 5,164m/16,942ft) | 8 km / 4.9 mi | 5-7 hrs | 424m / 1,391ft | 194m / 656ft |
| 12 | Hike Kala Patthar & trek to Dzonglha | 5,545m / 18,192ft (sleep 4,830m/15,846ft) | 13.8 km / 8.5 mi | 6-8 hrs | 400m / 1,313ft | 750m / 2,461ft |
| 13 | Cross Cho La to Thangnag | 4,700m / 15,420ft | 10 km / 6.2 mi | 7 hrs | 400m / 1,313ft | 750m / 2,461ft |
| 14 | Trek to Gokyo | 4,790m / 15,715ft | 4.4 km / 2.7 mi | 4-5 hrs | 90m / 300ft | – |
| 15 | Climb Gokyo Ri & return | 5,357m / 17,575ft (sleep 4,790m/15,715ft) | 2 km / 1.2 mi | 3 hrs | 630m / 2,066ft | 630m / 2,066ft |
| 16 | Cross Renjo La to Lungden | 4,380m / 14,370ft | 12 km / 7.5 mi | 7 hrs | 600m / 1,969ft | 980m / 3,215ft |
| 17 | Trek to Thame | 3,800m / 12,467ft | 9.5 km / 5.9 mi | 4 hrs | – | 580m / 1,900ft |
| 18 | Trek to Monjo | 2,835m / 9,301ft | 13.9 km / 8.6 mi | 6 hrs | – | 965m / 3,166ft |
| 19 | Trek to Lukla | 2,860m / 9,383ft | 13 km / 8 mi | 5 hrs | 25m / 82ft | – |
| 20 | Fly to Kathmandu | 1,350m / 4,429ft | – | 35 min | – | 1,510m / 4,954ft |
| 21 | Final Departure | – | – | – | – | – |
Outline itinerary for Everest High Pass Trek
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,350 m / 4,430 feet and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Full day in Kathmandu option for tour and trek preparations.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,828 m / 9,279 feet 35-minute flight and trek to Phakding 2,780 m / 9,121 ft- 04 hours.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m /11,287 feet -06 hours.
Day 05: Rest day for acclimatization in Namche Bazaar.
Day 06: Trek to Tengboche 3,850 m / 12,632 feet -05 hours.
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche 4,350 m / 14,272 feet -05 hours.
Day 08: Rest Day for acclimatization in Dingboche.
Day 09: Trek to Chukung 4,730 m / 15,518 feet-04 hours.
Day 10: Cross Kongma-La 5,540 m / 18,175 feet, and trek to Lobuche 4,910 m / 16,109 feet approx. 08 hours.
Day 11: Trek to Gorakshep 5,180 m / 16,995 feet -04 hours and hike to Everest Base Camp 5,364 m/17,600 feet -06 hours both ways.
Day 12: Climb to Kalapathar 5,545 m /18,193 feet -03 hours and trek to Dzongla 4,830 m / 15,847 feet -05 hours.
Day 13: Climb to Cho La 5,420 m / 17,782 feet-04 hours and descend to Thaknag 4,700 m / 15,420 feet- 03 hours.
Day 14: Trek to Gokyo 4,750 m / 15,584 feet -04 hours.
Day 15: Climb to Gokyo-Ri 5,463 m / 17,923 feet approx. 03 hours.
Day 16: Climb and cross Renjo-La 5,345 m / 17,536 feet downhill to Lungden 4,380 m / 14,370 feet. Approx. 07 hours of trekking.
Day 17: Trek to Thame 3,800 m / 12,467 feet Approx. 05 hours.
Day 18: Trek to Monjo 2,800 m / 9,187 feet-06 hours.
Day 19: Trek to Lukla 2,828 m / 9,279 feet-04 hours.
Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu 1,350 m / 4,430 ft approx. 35 min flight
Day 21: Final Departure for homeward bound.
Why Trekking Planner Nepal for Everest High Pass Trekking?
So Trekking Planner Nepal presents the Everest High Pass Trekking package, an all inclusive with no hidden cost except the excluded costs. In this High Pass Trekking package, Trekking Planner Nepal covers everything when the payment is made for the booking from permits, accommodation, maps, itinerary and everything, including the guide and porters for trekking is covered.
Check the itinerary, maps, and suggested gear lists carefully before booking the package. Always check what the package covers when you pay, and check all the things included and excluded.We are available 24/7 for queries.







