Three High Passes Trek is an adventure and ideal trekking route in the Khumbu region. Challenge your endurance and perseverance against the lofty high altitude Himalayan passes of the Everest region. Embark on the arduous journey of the Khumbu Circuit Trail. Experience the mini mountaineering adventure while trekking in Nepal. Are you an adventure freak? Do you crave adrenaline rush and wilderness thrill in your life? If yes, try Everest Three Pass Trek in Nepal. Cross three iconic high-altitude passes and reach the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest. Trekking to Everest Base Camp is the most famous trekking trip. However, it doesn’t include most of the attractions of Khumbu. However, Three High Passes Trekking offers the overall experience of mountains, Sherpa village, lakes, and glaciers.
Nepal High Trek & Expedition is a reliable trekking agency in Nepal. We offer quintessential and diverse trekking packages. These walking holidays range from easy to arduous and short to long. Therefore, our valued clients can choose the trekking package of their liking. As for the challenging trekking route, Everest Three Pass Trek tops all. It is the epitome of challenging commercial trekking routes.
Khumbu region of Nepal hosts the Everest Three Pass Trek. It is the same locale where there is the famous Everest Base Camp Trek. So, some people argue the value of these two trekking trips.
Trek to Everest Base Camp lasts generally for 14 days. However, the Three High Passes Trek lasts for 15 – 20 days. Everest Base Camp Trek is the individual trekking trail that takes trekkers to one single destination of Khumbu. Likewise, the trip solely focuses on reaching the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain. However, the Three Pass Trek consists of Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Valley too along with three high passes.
If you have ample time, doing the Everest Three Pass Trek is more worthwhile than the Everest Base Camp Trek. It has covered the mesmerizing three passes Kongma La, Chola, and Renjo La Pass. Besides, you can soak into gorgeous Gok Lake too.
The anti-clockwise trekking is the normal route of the high passes trek. The first high-altitude pass on this trekking journey is the Kongma La Pass. It is located between Lobuche and Chhukung Valley. Even if it is the first pass on the trail, it is considered the toughest one because of the terrain. During winter or snowy seasons walking on the trail is very technical and arduous. The narrow trail in the steep ridge line and icy lakes as well as the rugged trail make it harder for the trekkers to walk.
After crossing the Kongma La Pass, trekkers reach the Everest Base Camp via Lobuche and Gorakshep. The place is a legend in itself. Mere words are not enough to describe the grandeur of this place. Moreover, the thrill of being at the foothill of Mt. Everest (8848.86 m) is extraordinary.
Trekkers can get orgasmic bliss while experiencing the sunrise from the top of Kalapathar (5545 m).
The most popular high-altitude pass in the Everest region of Nepal is the Chola Pass. It is located between Lobuche Valley and Gokyo Valley. Crossing the pass offers the mini mountaineering feeling. Throughout the year, the pass is covered by snow. Trekkers need to heed the instructions of the trekking guide while walking on the trail. There are many crevasses as the trail is on the shores of the icy frozen lake. From the top of the pass, you can witness the majestic panoramic view of the mountains.
At the foothill of Gokyo Ri (5357 m) and on the shores of 3rd Gokyo Lake lies the beautiful hamlet of Gokyo village. The blue turquoise lake mirroring the image of lofty snowcapped mountains is a sight to behold. There are five lakes in the Gokyo Lake System. These lakes are within the Ramsar-listed sites. So, the Government of Nepal has preserved it as well. The lake is also regarded as the sacred site of the Sherpa people. Therefore, trekkers can understand the spiritual side of the locals as well.
During Everest Three Pass Trek, Gokyo Ri hiking is not done. Trekkers trek the Renjo La Pass which is similar to the Gokyo Ri height as well as in terms of the scenery.
Overlooking the beautiful Gokyo Village and lake, trekkers trek on the narrow rocky rugged trail to the top of the Renjo La Pass. The panoramic view of mountains seen from the top of the pass is unmatchable. One can get the sight of Mt. Makalu as well from the top. Moreover, the village beyond this pass is equally famous. It is the Thame Village. The village is the home of numerous Everest Summiteers. Every house in the village has a record-breaking mountaineer. Therefore, exploring the village endows an everlasting impression of people’s magnificence and intrepidity. Moreover, it will motivate trekkers to work harder and be satisfied in their life.
The cost of the Everest Three Pass Trek ranges from 1400 to 1900 USD per person. It depends upon the includes and excludes of the amenities. People argue about the execution of the itinerary. They get confused about doing the trek anti-clockwise or clockwise. Both ways of trekking are possible. However, the anti-clockwise way of following the itinerary of the Everest Three High Passes Trek in Nepal is the best.
Reward yourselves with the fantastic perspectives of mountains. Challenge the mighty Himalayan landscape of the Everest region. Explore the Sherpa Villages of Everest Summiteers. Cleanse your soul in the monasteries and bask in the morning sun ray coming out of lofty mountain peaks. Book the Everest Three Pass Trekking in Nepal with us. Embark on the arduous yet magnificent trekking journey up in the Himalayas of Nepal.
Upon reaching Kathmandu International Airport received by our staff and guide with a warm welcome then a short drive to your hotel in the main areas of Kathmandu city, here joining with other members of Everest Base Camp Trek, our guide will brief with full information about the trek – hotels-culture with do’s and don’ts, include welcome dinner in a nice Nepali restaurant with folk programs.
Everest Base Camp Trek begins with a sweeping short flight to land at Lukla, during 30 minutes on air view of the stunning mountain range with Mt. Everest, as the plane lands at Lukla named as ‘Tenzing-Hillary Airport’ in honor of the legendary climbers’ first summiteers of Mt. Everest.
From Lukla, our first-day walk starts on a winding downhill path with a short climb passing many traditional Sherpa farm villages with views of peaks, after a pleasant walk reaching at Phakding for an overnight stop near the glacier-fed Dudh Kosi (river).
After a pleasant overnight stop in Phakding, the morning walk starts following Dudh Kosi, and crossing bridges to reach Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo village, from here walk to last Jorsalle village before Namche Bazaar and then on crossing a last high bridge climb leads with beautiful views of Everest and other peaks, walk finally ends at famous Namche Bazaar for two overnights in this prosperous town or large village with facilities of ATMs, Cybercafes, stores, shops, restaurants, banks and fresh bakery with a busy colorful Saturday market.
Namche an ideal spot for rest and acclimatization, free day with a morning short hike up to the park museum with the necessary information on mountaineering, flora/fauna with Sherpa culture, and Buddhist religions, this scenic spot offers grand views of mountains Mt. Everest, and stunning Amadablam, for interested people hike uphill to Everest View Hotel for best views of Mt. Everest and other mountains.
A good day walks with a pleasant trail through an enchanting forest of rhododendron, oaks, and pines trees, then passing small farm villages following the Bhote Kosi River upstream and to Thamo village with a small hydro project that supplies hydroelectricity to most of the Khumbu area, from this village continue to walk then reaching a small bridge, with beautiful Buddhist Rock Wall Paintings on the rocky wall, from the bridge a short walk to Thame a quiet and sleepy village seldom frequented by trekkers, at Thame with time visit one of the oldest monasteries of the region.
Morning with time visit of the monastery and then walk towards our first pass of the adventure, as the route leads to Marlung village above Bhote Kosi River, past the villages of Thyangmoche and Hungmo, and then walking into complete wilderness passing yak grazing land, onwards walk leads to arid terrain of sparse vegetation, finally, our walk reaches our overnight stop at Marlung after Taranga village
The journey continues to Lungden near an old salt trade trail of Khumbu and Tibet, our route diverts from the Tibet border route heading northeast, walking for few hours to our overnight stop at Lungdeng a small village with fantastic views of the surrounding high snow mountains.
From Lungden a long tough day to cross over the first high pass of the adventure, the walk follows to frozen ponds beneath Renjo La pass, our walk leads to cross the pass with marvelous views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, and Taboche, and then crossing Renjo La pass at 5,465 m / 17,929 ft, one of the most difficult section of this adventure, after enjoying the views downhill to Gokyo valley for an overnight stop in the comfort of a nice lodge overlooking Gokyo glacial lake.
A rest day allows you to acclimatize better, with time to skirt the surrounding area of this valley with stunning views of the first and the second lake of Gokyo valley.
A steep hike uphill early morning to catch striking sunrise over mountains from Gokyo Ri at above 5,357 m, after a climb rewarded with brilliant views of the world’s highest mountains from Mt. Cho Oyo 8,201 m, straddles the border with Tibet along with Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest 8,848 m, worlds 4th highest Mt. Lhotse 8,516 m, Cholatse, Taweche and towards east worlds 05th highest Mt. Makalu at 8,463 m. After a great time on top of Gokyo Ri, downhill to Gokyo and then continue a few hours walk to Thangnag along the glacier and moraines to reach a small settlement of Thangnag for an overnight stop.
Today, is another Big Day! Crossing the high Cho-la pass ( Tsho-la) with an early breakfast walk leads to a step up and then crossing the glacier of the eastern side. The top of Cho-la at 5,367m and sometimes it can be challenging to cross in snow conditions; the top offers excellent views of high mountains and of Cholatse Glacier, from here descend carefully to a small lake on the way to Dzongla for an overnight stop after a tough morning and day walk.
Today’s walk leads to Lobuche following a path that descends to yak herder’s summer pastures. Then the walk climbs up to the terminal debris of Khumbu Glacier and continues on the pleasant gradual path all the way to Lobuche for an overnight stay, Lobuche a small hidden settlement with about ten or more nice lodges.
The morning walk leads on a gradual trail with a few short steps up gaining high altitude with superb views of Mt. Pumori, Lingerie, Khumbutse, and Mt. Everest. After a few hours of scenic trekking reaching at Gorakshep after walking past the moraine and glaciers, Gorakshep with few nice lodges for an overnight stop, this isolated spot is located beneath Kalapathar Hill and Pumori peak on route Everest base camp.
Everest Base Camp is located beneath massive Khumbu Ice Falls and glaciers, this super spot with immense views can be crowded during peak expedition season around April and May months, here enjoy surrounding views with Mt. Everest hidden behind the high peaks of Lho-la and Nuptse and walk back to Gorakshep for an overnight stop.
Morning climb to Kalapathar for a fantastic view of Mt. Everest and other adjoining peaks, Kalapathar at 5,545 m offers the entire south face of Mt. Everest at the closest, after an exciting moment heading back to Gorakshep and continue the journey all the way to Lobuche for lunch and overnight stop, afternoon at leisure rest and preparation for the last high pass of the adventure.
Today is our last tough and Big Day! crossing the last pass over Kongma La, starting early before dawn, the morning walk leads towards Khumbu glacier and moraine, walk with care on the misleading icy glacial path, from here onwards our route leads on a rocky trail beneath Kongma-la and the peak of Kongma or Mehra, after a short good rest traverse the Kongma-La pass at 5,535 m / 18,159 ft enclosed between the great Nuptse wall, Mehara and Pokalde peaks, after a long descend walk leads on a pleasant trail to join at Imjatse wide valley with incredible views of Island peak, Amadablam, and other high peaks. On reaching at Bibre at Imjatse valley a few hours of nice walk brings you at Dingboche village with many fine lodges, after a hard day walk retires in one of the nice and cozy lodges for overnight at Dingboche.
Leaving Dingboche with super morning views of Amadablam, and then on a downhill walk with a short climb then losing altitude heading past Pangboche and from the bridge back into tree lines with an hour climb to Tengboche Monastery, a beautiful and scenic spot surrounded with mountain views including Everest and majestic Amadablam, time here to visit Tengboche interesting monastery.
The morning walk leads to a long descent reaching at Imjatse River in Phunge Tenga, after crossing a bridge with a short steep uphill and then on a gradual winding trail to Namche Bazaar, after a short break at Namche, continue to walk on the downhill to Dudh Kosi River valley, and then with short ups and downs to reach at the entrance and exit gate of Sagarmatha National Park, a short walk from brings you at Monjo village for an overnight stop.
After a marvelous and enjoyable time on high Khumbu valley and ridges with super Everest Three Passes trek, our last day walks of this adventure leads you back to Lukla, reaching by Lunch and for last overnight stop, after lunch free and celebrate dinner with fellow members, staff and guides.
Waking early morning to catch the flight back to Kathmandu, transfer to Lukla airport terminal and then board in a small aircraft either twin otter or Dornier, for a super scenic flight to reach at Kathmandu, on arrival in Kathmandu airport, transfer to your respective hotels with rest of day free for individual activities and souvenirs shopping.
It an important and necessary to have one extra day in Kathmandu in case of flight delay and cancellation, due to bad unfavorable weather which can happen sometimes as Himalayan weather is unpredictable. If all goes well as per our itinerary days, one can join in our delightful and interesting tour of Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur, all these places full of world heritage sites of historical-culture and religious importance.
Your last day in Nepal, an amazing country of Himalayan wonders, as per your flight time leaving your hotel where our staff transfers you to an airport, after a great memorable adventure with an enjoyable time on Everest Three Passes Trek.