Three Passes Trek, Everest High Passes Trek

Three Passes Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu.

Arrive at the historic city of Kathmandu, airport pick up, and check into the hotel on the first day of Three Passes Trek. Our support staff will meet you to give the details about the next day’s plans as well as discuss the trekking plan. You can enjoy the remaining part of the day exploring the city and its famous shopping street called Thamel.

Day 2: Kathmandu to Lukla (2, 860 m / 9,383 ft, 35 minutes flight), then trek to Phakding (2, 652 m / 8, 700 ft): 3 hours.

Today we will check out early and head to the airport for a flight to Lukla. This is a unique flying experience on a small Dornier aircraft, which is generally used in these mountain ranges. The total flying time will be 40 minutes. You will witness some great views of snow-capped mountains and the Himalayan Ranges. Landing at this tiny airport is a thrilling experience. Our guides and porters will be waiting for you at the Airport. We will have a quick breakfast and start our trek to Phakding. It is a small downhill trek that passes through some scenic villages, monasteries, and Buddhist Stupas. We will be crossing the very first hanging bridge during our 3 Pass trek.

Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3, 440 m / 11, 286 ft): 6-7 hours.

We will start our Everest High Passes Trek after breakfast, and it will take us about 6 to 7 hours to reach Namche Bazaar. The trekking trail from Phakding will go alongside the Dudh Koshi River and will pass through several Sherpa Villages till we cross a place called Monjo. After Monjo, we travel to a village called Jorsale, which is the last village before we reach Namche. We will have our lunch at Jorsale, as there will not be anything available after this point. We will cross about 5 hanging bridges before we reach Namche. As we trek for a while, we will see a gigantic view of Mt. Thamserku. We will enter the Sagarmatha National Park after Monjo and the same park covers the entire Everest and Khumbu Glacier zone. This is a protected zone and just before Namche, there is a check post that will verify our permits before they let us in. En route, we will cross the large hanging bridge that is very popular and an ideal spot to click some pictures. The trek begins to get tougher as it sets on an inclined trail till we reach Namche. The trail between Jorsale and Namche Check Post will be a little tough and we recommend that you walk at your own pace. If the weather permits, you may be able to get your first glimpse of Mt. Everest from the Namche Check Post. We will take several steps from Namche Post to reach Namche Bazaar.

Day 4: Namche to Khumjung Village (3, 790m / 12, 430 ft): 1 hour.

Today for everest high passes trek we will start a little late and visit the Namche Museum which is extremely popular for its newly built statue of Tenzing Norgay. After the museum, we will go on a short hike to Syangboche Airport which is just above Namche Bazaar, then follow a trail towards Khumjung Village, en route we cross the famous Everest view hotel. The view from Syangboche is very spectacular as you can see a magnificent view of Everest, Lhotse, and Amadablam. Khumjung is a big village situated at the foothill of sacred mountain Khumbila, in the 1970s mythical creature Yeti was spotted in the same village.

Day 5: Khumjung to Thame (3,800 m / 12, 467 ft). 3 hours.

This will be a moderate trek to reach Thame, where Tenzing Norgay had spent his childhood. The trail from Namche goes alongside the Bhotekoshi River and we get to go past many villages. On this trail, to your right, you will get a wonderful view of the Kongde Mountain. Just before Thame, we will cross the river on an iron bridge. The mighty Bhotekoshi River flows with extreme speed and will be a lovely sight from this bridge.

Day 6: Thame to Lumde (4,137 m / 13, 573 ft). 5 to 6 hours.

Another day of moderate trek to reach Lumde. Like yesterday, this trail goes alongside the Bhotekoshi River till Lumde. We will pass through the beautiful shepherd village of Taranga and the Marlung village. Marlun has some options for accommodation on this trail. We will cross to the other side of the river and reach Lumde. It is a very beautiful small Sherpa village and has several tea houses.

Day 7: Lumde to Gokyo (4, 800 m / 15, 748 ft) via Renjola Pass (5, 465 m/17, 929 ft). 8 hours.

Unlike the last 2 days, it is going to be a tough day of trekking in our Three Passes Trek itinerary. We will cross the Renjo La Pass. The trail from Lumde is mostly an inclined one. The distance to Renjo La Pass is relatively lengthy and the trail is uneven in several places. We will cross 3 lakes on our way, of which, the first two lakes are small ones. The Lake called Angladumba Tso which comes just before Renjo La is the 3rd lake and is the biggest. The toughest part of the trek begins as we cross this 3rd lake. We will have to take several stone stairs to reach the summit of Renjo La Pass. The view from the pass is simply breathtaking. The pass offers clear views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, and several other high peaks. Also, you can get a mesmerizing view of the 3rd Gokyo Lake and the Gokyo village. After some time, we will descend on a downhill trail from the pass and proceed to Gokyo. The trail goes alongside the 3rd lake and the experience of the walk alongside the lake is nice as the views are simply amazing. The locals have named this lake Dudh Pokhri which translates to Milk Lake. Overnight stay at a tea house in Gokyo.

Day 8: Gokyo and visit the 5th Gokyo lakes. 6 hours.

Today we will first go to the 4th Gokyo Lake as it is very close to Gokyo. After that, for everest high passes trek we will trek for about 2 hours and visit 5th Lake. The views from the 5th Lake are the best view that you can get in the entire Everest Zone. We can get a clear view of Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, and The Ngozumpe Glacier, which is the longest glacier in the Himalayan Zone. From the 5th Gokyo Lake, you can see a 100% view of mount Everest! We will return to Gokyo after spending some time at the 5th Lake.

Day 9: Thangnak (4,750 m / 15,580 ft) after hiking Gokyo Ri (5,357 m / 17,575 ft). 6-7 hours.

We will start early for the hike to Gokyo Ri. In the morning, the views of high peaks are much clear from Gokyo Ri. The views of Gokyo Lakes are simply breathtaking from Gokyo Ri. The sky scarping Himalayan ranges will be visible from this point. We will return to Gokyo and trek further for 2 to 3 hours to reach Thangnak which is situated on the other side of Ngozumpa Glacier. The trail to the Ngozumpa glacier will pass through the third Gokyo Lake and go down onto the glacier, the trail goes up and down on the glacier. Once we cross the glacier, the trail of the Three Passes Trek is mostly flat.

Day 10: Thangnak to Zongla/Dzongla (4, 830 m / 15,850 ft) via Chola Pass (5, 368 m / 17,611 ft). 7-8 hours.

This is the toughest day of our trekking expedition as we set ourselves to cross the mighty Chola Pass. It is one of the highest mountain passes in the Khumbu Region. Therefore, we should start early and give ourselves enough time to trek at our pace. Once we cross Thanganak, the trail begins to ascend and goes alongside the stream. The trail then goes over rocks and becomes a steep incline to Chola Pass, making it the toughest part of today’s trek. Please be a little careful as this part of the trek will have many loose screes that can cause you to slip. While it may appear an endless task to reach the Chola pass, the scenic beauty makes the effort a rewarding one. The pass is filled with prayer flags and is a favorite spot for photography. The view of the Cho La Glacier is also spectacular. After spending some time on the pass, we will cross the Cho La Glacier. It is better to be careful as some places might be slippery. After the glacier, the trail is a complete downhill and flat till Zongla.

Day 11: Zongla to Lobuche (4, 940 m / 16,207 ft). 3 hours.

It is going to be a short and easier trek in comparison to the previous day. We will trek from only 2 to 3 hours and reach Lobuche. On our way, we will get to see the Chola Tso Lake and Thokla Pass memorials. The view of Mount Amadablam is spectacular from the trail after Zongla. Don’t miss the sunset on Mount Nuptse in Lobuche.

Day 12: Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,164 m / 16,942 ft) and visit Everest Base Camp (5,364 m /17,598 ft). 8-9 hours.

The trek, in the beginning, will be a flat trail till the Lobuche pass. After we cross Lobuche pass, the trail becomes uneven till we reach Gorakshep. You will get some gigantic views of Mt. Nuptse and Pumori on the way as well as Gorakshep. Once we reach Gorakshep, we will keep our bags at the tea house and proceed to Everest Base Camp. The trail will be very much like the one we just got before Gorakshep. Mt. Everest is not fully visible from the base camp and only a portion can be seen from the Base Camp. We will get down to the Khumbu Glacier to reach the Base Camp. The base camp is at the glacier and has several flags there. From the base camp, the most dominating view is Mount Nuptse. We will then return to Gorakshep after spending some time at the base camp.

Day 13: Kala Patthar Hike (5,645 m / 18,519 ft) from Gorakshep then descent to Lobuche . 6-7 hours.

For everest high passes trek, we will start early for our hike to Kala Patthar. It will take about 3 hours to reach the summit of Kala Patthar. You will get a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges and a full vertical view of Mount Everest. If the weather is clear, we can get a mesmerizing view of the sunrise falling on Mt. Everest. The early morning temperature varies depending on the season. After spending some time here, we will descend on a complete downhill trail to Lobuche.

Day 14: Lobuche to Chukung village (4, 750 m / 15,580 ft) via Kongma La pass (5,535 m / 18, 159 ft). 8 – 9 hours.

Today we will start early. We will be crossing the last and mighty mountain pass (Kongma La) of this Everest High Passes trekking expedition. It is also the toughest pass to cross, the Kongma La pass is visible from Lobuche and may not seem that difficult to hike, but once you get to hiking this, you will understand the challenge. To begin with, we will hike the Khumbu Glacier wall to cross the glacier. The trail will go through several ups and downs while we are crossing the Khumbu Glacier. Once we cross the glacier, we will get a complete uphill trek to reach atop the Kongma La. While hiking, we will get awesome views of Chola Pass on the other side. The last stretch to reach Kongma La is very difficult. It is advised that you be careful on this trail as there are possibilities of slipping over the screes. Once atop the pass, you are surely going to be surprised by the views. You will get a massive view of Mt Lhotse, Makalu, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, and many more. Right under the pass, there is a Lake that looks beautiful from the pass. You are advised to apply caution while descending from the Kongma La as the decline is steep for a shorter portion. Once we get down from Kongma La, we will get a complete downhill trek up to Chukung Village. The view of Mount Amadablam is massive and spectacular from the trail before Chukung.

Day 15: Chukung to Namche Bazaar. 7-8 hours.

For the everest high passes trek today’s trek will be moderate to easy. We will go past many Himalayan villages like Dingboche, Shomare, Pangboche, and Deboche. Also, we will cross the village of Tengboche which is beautiful and is home to one of the biggest and most beautiful Monasteries in this region. After Tengboche, it will fully downhill trek till Phungi Thanga. Only one portion between the village of Phungi Thanga and Namche Bazaar is a little tough.

Day 16: Namche Bazaar to Lukla. 6-7 hours.

It is our last day of trekking. The entire trail is an easy one, baring the portion just before Lukla is a little tough as we will have to climb several steps to reach Lukla.

Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu.

We will fly back to Kathmandu in one of those small aircraft that we had taken while coming to Lukla. After you arrive at Kathmandu the entire day is a leisure day so you can roam around and visit some of the must-see places in Kathmandu.

Day 18: Departure.

The last day of your memorable Everest High Passes Trek / 3 Passes Trek. Kindly check out by 11 am and we will drop you at the airport.