Everest Three Passes Trek Overview
The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of the most thrilling and beautiful journeys in Nepal. It takes you deep into the heart of the Everest region, where you can walk beneath the world’s highest peaks and experience the culture of the Sherpa people. This trek is perfect for those who love adventure and want to explore more than just the usual Everest Base Camp trail. Along the way, you’ll see shining glaciers, peaceful valleys, and traditional mountain villages surrounded by snow-capped giants.
What makes this trek special are the three high passes—Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m). Each pass offers a new and stunning view of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Crossing these passes feels like stepping into a different world, with wide mountain panoramas, turquoise lakes, and crisp, fresh air. The journey is challenging but deeply rewarding, giving trekkers an unforgettable experience of both beauty and achievement.
Throughout the trek, you’ll pass through charming Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Thame, and Gokyo, where you can enjoy warm hospitality and learn about Buddhist traditions. You’ll walk beside crystal-clear lakes, cross suspension bridges, and hike to famous viewpoints like Gokyo Ri and Kala Patthar for breathtaking sunrise views over Everest. Every day brings a new scene of natural wonder and peaceful mountain life—making the Everest Three Passes Trek a true Himalayan masterpiece for anyone who dreams of adventure.
Highlights of Everest Three Passes Trek
- Stand at the foot of the world’s highest mountain at Everest Base Camp and see Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse.
- Hike to Kala Patthar (5,555m) for panoramic sunrise views of Everest and surrounding peaks.
- Cross the three high passes: Renjo La (5,360m), Cho La (5,420m), and Kongma La (5,535m) with stunning mountain vistas.
- Explore the beautiful turquoise Gokyo Lakes surrounded by snowy peaks.
- Trek through Sagarmatha National Park, with spectacular scenery and a chance to see Himalayan wildlife.
- Visit traditional Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Thame, and Chhukung and experience local hospitality.
- Enjoy breathtaking views of iconic peaks such as Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kongde Ri.
- Experience high Himalayan landscapes with glacier valleys, moraines, yak pastures, and rugged mountain terrain.
Trip Plan
The representative receives you at the Tribhuvan International Airport and then takes you to the hotel. Visit Thamel on your own in the leisure time.
The tour guide takes you for Kathmandu sightseeing tour after breakfast. You visit the World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley. Swayambhunath Stupa (the Monkey Temple), Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa will be visited.
After returning to the hotel, the team leader gives you the overall briefing about Everest Three-Passes Trek.
Start your adventure with a scenic flight from Kathmandu (40 min) or Manthali (20 min) to Lukla (2840m), one of the most thrilling mountain air routes in the world. Feel the fresh Himalayan air as you land at the gateway to the Everest region.
From Lukla, begin your trek to Phakding (2650m). This gentle 3-hour walk passes Sherpa villages, forests, and the Dudh Koshi River, with your first views of snow-capped peaks and fluttering prayer flags.
Rest tonight in Phakding, a peaceful riverside village, and get ready for the journey toward Everest Base Camp.
Today’s trek takes you from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m), the lively gateway to Everest. The trek takes about 6 hours, following the Dudh Koshi River. You’ll cross suspension bridges with prayer flags, walk through pine forests, and see Thamserku Peak above the valley.
The trail enters Sagarmatha National Park, with beautiful scenery and chances to spot wildlife. The final climb to Namche is a bit steep but worth it for the amazing views.
Arrive in Namche Bazaar, a colorful Sherpa town with cozy teahouses and great views of Kongde Ri and Everest. Rest, explore the town, and get ready for the journey deeper into the Everest region.
Today you rest and adjust to the altitude in Namche Bazaar. You can explore the town, visit the Sherpa Museum, and enjoy the busy local market filled with crafts and mountain gear.
Take a short hike to the Everest View Hotel (3880m) for amazing views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. You can also visit nearby villages like Khumjung and see the local monastery. After returning, relax in Namche and get ready for the journey ahead.
Today’s trek takes about 6 hours as you leave busy Namche Bazaar and head toward the peaceful Sherpa village of Thame. The trail is gentle and scenic, passing through pine forests, mani walls, and small settlements. You’ll walk beside the Bhote Koshi River, with beautiful views of Kongde Ri and Teng Kangpoche along the way.
Thame is a quiet, traditional village known for its ancient monastery and strong Sherpa heritage. It’s also the hometown of many famous Everest climbers. Spend the evening enjoying the calm mountain atmosphere and warm hospitality of this beautiful Himalayan village.
Today’s 6-hour trek takes you higher into the remote upper valley of the Bhote Koshi River. The trail climbs gently through yak pastures and small Sherpa settlements, with stunning views of snow-covered peaks surrounding you. The air becomes cooler and thinner as you gain altitude, reminding you that you’re entering the true high Himalayas.
By afternoon, you’ll reach Lungden (4500m), a quiet village nestled beneath towering mountains. It’s a peaceful place to rest and prepare for the upcoming Renjo La Pass, one of the three great passes of the Everest region. Enjoy a warm meal, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and take in the breathtaking scenery around you.
Today’s trek is long and exciting—about 8 hours. You climb up to Renjo La Pass (5360m), one of the highest and most beautiful points of the trip. From the top, you can see amazing views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
After crossing the pass, you walk down to the Gokyo Valley and reach the lovely Gokyo Lake (4750m). The blue lake and snowy mountains around it make this place feel peaceful and magical. Rest here and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Today you rest and adapt to the altitude while enjoying the beauty of Gokyo. You can take a short hike to Gokyo Ri (5,400m) for an amazing view of Mount Everest and the Gokyo Lakes. The sunrise or sunset from here is truly unforgettable.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the turquoise lakes or relaxing by the water. Enjoy the calm atmosphere and the stunning mountain views before continuing your journey toward Everest Base Camp.
Today’s trek takes about 5 hours as you leave Gokyo and walk through the peaceful Gokyo Valley. The trail goes past small lakes, yak pastures, and snow-capped peaks, with great views of Cho Oyu and other high mountains.
You will reach Thangnak (4700m), a quiet village surrounded by high mountains. It’s a perfect place to rest, enjoy the fresh mountain air, and prepare for the next day’s trek over the Cho La Pass.
Today is a challenging but rewarding day, taking about 6–7 hours. You climb up to Cho La Pass (5420m), one of the highest points of the trek, with spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.
After crossing the pass, the trail descends to the small village of Dzongla (4855m). Rest here and enjoy the calm mountain surroundings, preparing your body for the final stretch toward Everest Base Camp.
Today’s trek is about 4 hours, a shorter day to help your body adjust to the high altitude. The trail goes through rocky paths and small mountain settlements, with views of Everest, Lhotse, and surrounding peaks.
You will reach Lobuche (4910m), a quiet village near the base of the Khumbu Glacier. Rest here and enjoy the crisp mountain air as you prepare for the final approach to Everest Base Camp.
Today is the highlight of your trek! You hike from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp, reaching 5364m and standing at the foot of the world’s highest mountain. Along the way, enjoy close-up views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the Khumbu Glacier.
After soaking in the incredible scenery, you return to Gorak Shep (5185m) for the night. Gorak Shep is a small settlement where you can rest and admire the surrounding snow-capped peaks, preparing for the early morning hike to Kala Patthar.
Start early with a hike to Kala Patthar, the best viewpoint for Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori. The climb is steep but short, and the sunrise or morning view is truly unforgettable.
After enjoying the panoramic views, descend back to Lobuche (4910m), taking about 3 hours. Rest and relax in Lobuche, reflecting on the incredible high Himalayan landscapes you have just experienced.
Today’s trek is challenging but spectacular, taking about 7–8 hours. You climb up to Kongma La Pass (5535m), one of the three highest passes of the trek, with breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
After crossing the pass, the trail descends to the quiet village of Chhukung (4730m). Rest here and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, preparing for the final days of your Everest Three Passes adventure.
Today’s trek takes about 5 hours as you descend from the high mountains back into the beautiful Khumbu Valley. The trail passes through rocky paths, forests, and small Sherpa villages, with great views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and other Himalayan peaks.
You will reach Tengboche (3855m), famous for its ancient monastery and stunning mountain backdrop. Rest here and enjoy the peaceful village atmosphere after the high pass adventure.
Today’s trek takes about 5 hours as you descend through forests and small villages back to Namche Bazaar. Enjoy views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtega along the trail.
Arrive at Namche Bazaar (3440m), the lively Sherpa town. Rest here, explore the market, and enjoy a warm meal after the long trek over the high passes.
Today’s trek takes about 6–7 hours as you descend from Namche Bazaar through forests, rivers, and small villages back to Lukla. Enjoy your last views of the towering Himalayan peaks along the trail.
Arrive at Lukla (2850m), the gateway to the Everest region. Rest, celebrate the completion of your incredible journey, and prepare for your flight back to Kathmandu.
After completing your trek, take a scenic flight from Lukla (40 min) or Manthali (20 min) back to Kathmandu. From Manthali, enjoy a 5-hour drive through beautiful valleys and hills back to the city.
Arrive in Kathmandu, where your unforgettable Everest Three Passes adventure concludes. Rest, celebrate, and cherish the memories of the high Himalayas.
Today, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for your final departure. This marks the end of your amazing journey in Nepal.
Cost Details
Includes
- Services Included for Everest region trek Package
- Pickup/drop off from airport
- Transportation via Tourist coach bus or Jeep
- A professional guide
- Accommodation in twin sharing basis (Extra fares for private accommodations)
- Daily breakfast package during Everest Trek
- A trek map for Everest Region Trekking
- First aid kit and Emergency evacuation arrangements
- Government taxes
- Round trip flight costs for guide
- Kathmandu Lukla Flight and Lukla KTM Flight
- Service charges and fees
- Necessary Conservation permits
- Equipment and Insurance for guide
- Accommodation, meals & daily allowance for guide
Excludes
- Services Excluded in the Package
- All lunch and dinner meals during trek
- All drinks (Hot/cold/bottled) during the trek
- Recharge cost of electronic devices during the trek
- Hot shower cost
- Personal expenses
- Travel/ Medical Insurance
- Emergency evacuation cost
FAQs
The three high passes are Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m). These are some of the highest trekking passes in the Everest region.
The best season for the Everest Three Passes Trek is autumn (Sept–Nov), with spring (Mar–May) as the second best.
It is considered challenging due to high altitudes, long walking days, and steep ascents/descents. Prior trekking experience and good fitness are highly recommended.
A guide is highly recommended because the trail between the passes can be confusing, especially in snowy or cloudy weather. Guides also help with safety, altitude management, and navigation.
Accommodation is in teahouses with simple rooms. Higher up, facilities become more basic, especially near the passes.
It is not recommended for complete beginners. You should have previous high-altitude trekking experience and good physical preparation.
