The Everest Three High Passes Trek is one of the iconic adventurous trekking trip to do inside the Everest region of Nepal. It is one of the major long detour trekking routes that encompasses legendary high – passes of Khumbu region and the Everest Base Camp. In about three weeks of trekking journey, trekkers can explore almost every parts of the Upper Khumbu region of Nepal. It is the perfect amalgamation of the Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary and Gokyo Lake Trek itinerary along with the activity of crossing three famous mountain passes! The grandeur of this trekking trip is very high. Therefore, lots of people wish to walk on its trekking trail. Despite it being the popular trekking route, few trekkers trek on this route. The main hurdle behind the less number of trekkers trekking in this trail is the Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty. It is the most challenging and arduous trekking trip to do in Nepal. At times, trekkers can get the mini – mountaineering feeling while trekking.
In this blog, we will discuss in depth about the Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty. In addition, we will also try to find out why is it so arduous to trek in the Everest Three High Passes of Nepal.
What are the three passes of Everest region?
The most famous three high passes of the Everest region of Nepal are Chola Pass, Kong Ma La Pass, and Renjo La Pass. These three passes are in the vicinity of the Everest Base Camp Trek route. In addition, these passes are the lifeline for the adventurous wilderness thrill filled trekking trips! To those trekkers who seek wilderness adventure consider these three passes as their favorite places!
Before analyzing about the Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty, let’s know more about the trekking route and the places that fall in the trail. Here is the detailed information about the three passes and iconic places that falls in the trekking trail of the Everest Three High Passes Trek in Nepal.
Kong Ma La Pass Introduction
The first mountain pass in the Everest Three High Passes Trek route is the Kong Ma La Pass. If you take the anti – clockwise route to do the trek then it is the first pass otherwise it is the last pass to cross during the Three High Passes Trek. The pass is about 5540 m from sea level and it is the highest among high passes of the region. You can reach the top of the pass from the Chhukung village route. The trail is narrow and winding uphill until the trekkers reach the first ridge. There are two ridges in the Kong Ma La Pass surrounding separated by a glacial lake.
Trekkers have to trek downhill to the lake shores and trek around the lake before trekking uphill to the second ridge. The trail is narrow and there are many sections where you need to be careful of the falling stones. In addition, you may slip down the gorge if you don’t walk carefully. The majestic scenery of Khumbu valley and mountain vista keep on encouraging you to trek further. On the other side of the Kong Ma La Pass, trekkers can reach the Lobuche Village after walking through the Khumbu glacier.
Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar
Do you know that the Everest Three High Passes Trek Difficulty is worth all the pain because of the presence of many iconic places of the Khumbu in one single trek? Yes, besides these splendid high – altitude passes, trekkers of the Everest Three High Passes Trek journey can explore the majestic base camp of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest. Along with the excursion of the Everest Base Camp (5364 m), trekkers can also get the mesmerizing sunrise from the 5545 m tall Kalapathar. After crossing the Kong Ma La Pass, it takes about 2 nights and 3 days of trekking to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek and Kalapathar Hike before heading towards the village of Dzongla via Lobuche. People consider that the journey of Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar Hike 5545m becomes easy once you have crossed the Kong Ma La Pass. Usually, this is the hardest part while doing the Everest Base Camp Trekking in Nepal. Please check our Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty blog to know more about trekking and things that make the trekking challenging!
Chola Pass (5420 m) Introduction
The Chola Pass is the most famous mountain pass of the region out of other two passes. There is another trekking package besides the Everest Three High Passes that includes the crossing of the Chola Pass. It is the EBC Chola Pass Trek or also called as the Gokyo Chola Pass Trek. The altitude of Chola Pass is about 5420 m from sea level. The pass is usually covered by snow on the one side and rocky boulders on the other side.
Trekkers start the crossing of the Chola Pass from Dzongla village. There are small lakes in the trekking trail which trekkers need to be careful. Lots of crevasses and wilderness path make it hard for the trekkers to easily navigate to the top. In some sections, trekkers have to take the help of fixed rope to climb to the top of the pass. Once you are at the top of the pass, you can get the mesmerizing scenery of mountains including the sights of Everest, Lhotse, Choyou, and Makalu. These are the top ten mountains of the world.
Gokyo Lake and Ngozumpa Glacier
The Gokyo Lake is one of the picturesque place of the Khumbu region. The presence of blue turquoise lake and tea houses located on its shores make this a photographer’s paradise. The small valley surrounded by snowy mountains, glacier, and hills make your stay in this beautiful valley mesmerizing. Even more interesting is the trekking activity through the Ngozumpa Glacier while trekking downhill to Gokyo from Thangnaak after crossing the Chola Pass. The Ngozumpa Glacier is the world’s longest glacier. It is challenging to trek through the rocks and pebbles of the glacier. The distance between Thangnaak and Gokyo Lake is about 3 hours of walking but it feels like 5 to 6 hours of walking because of the rugged terrain.
Renjo La Pass Introduction
The final high – altitude pass to cross during the Everest Three High Passes Trek in Nepal is the Renjo La Pass. It is located between the Thame Lungden Village Valley and Gokyo Valley adjacent to the famous Gokyo Ri 5357m. The altitude of Renjo La Pass is about 5360 m. The pass is the lowest among three passes and it is less likely to be covered by snow. Trekkers have to trek through lots of rocks and boulders. From the top of the Renjo La Pass, you can enjoy the majestic scenery of 4 mountains that are listed as the world’s top ten mountains. They are Choyou, Lhotse, Everest, and Makalu. Besides these mountains, trekkers can get splendid scenery of mountains like Amadablam, Pumori, Cholatse, Thamserku, Tabuche, Lobuche, Kwangde etc.
What is the level of Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty?
The level of the Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty is very high! If you have read the blog so far then you may have realized that there are many sections where you need to have more than physical strength. An entire journey of the Everest Three High Passes Trek tests your endurance as well as mental strength. Don’t loose the temper and stay focused! The high terrain and continuous wilderness walking may break you down! Glaciers, moraines, passes, glacial lakes, and mountain madness are the usual things to come across during the trek. Therefore, the level of the Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty is arduous and at the top notch level.
What makes the Everest Three Passes Trek Challenging?
The factors that determine the Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty are many! Now, let’s discuss about the various things that makes the Everest Three Passes Trek Challenging.
Here is the list of the factors that determine the difficulty level of the Three Passes Trek:
Steep Uphill & Downhill
Usually, the Everest Base Camp Trek is considered as the easy trekking route in terms of uphill and downhill sections. There are not much steep uphill and downhill sections while doing the EBC trek. However, the Everest Three High Passes Trek encompasses many steep uphill and downhill sections. Walking in the vertically steep slope is always tiring. The gravity of the earth pulls you down and you will have to go against the gravity to trek higher. It tolls a lot of damage to your physical fitness level. The trek is truly tiring and exhausting. These steep uphill and downhill sections make the trek difficult.
Long Trekking Hours
The itinerary of the Everest Three High Passes Trek consists of 21 to 22 days of action. Among these many days, trekkers have to walk for more than 18 days. In an average, trekkers have to trek about 6 to 7 hours per day. Interestingly, you may have to walk for more than 8 hours during the day of crossing the mountain pass. Imagine yourselves walking for more than three weeks continuously in the rugged trail every day for about 6 to 7 hours! Yes, it is indeed tiring and extremely difficult!
High Altitude
The maximum altitude on this trekking journey is the height of the Kong Ma La Pass. It is about 5540 m from sea level. As the altitude rises, the density of the oxygen level in the atmosphere decreases. It makes trekkers to breathe harder. As the level of oxygen decreases in the blood vessel, trekkers start to feel tired and the pace decreases. The fight between uphill trekking and coping with the less density of oxygen level is really hard. Moreover, as we trek uphill the gravity pulls us harder back. Therefore, trekking against the gravity is always tiring and requires lots of energy.
The risk of altitude sickness is very high! Therefore, you must report about your situation to your trekking guide regularly. If you fall victim of altitude sickness then emergency helicopter rescue or canceling the trek is only option.
Rugged Terrain including Glaciers
The trekking trail between Lukla and Chhukung Village is well maintained. Therefore, it is easy to walk in these sections. However, the trekking trail between Kong Ma La to Everest Base Camp, the trekking section between Gorakshep to Dzongla, Chola Pass to Gokyo, and Renjo La Pass to Lungden Village are through rugged trail full of pebbles, rocks, and big boulders. The section between Thame Village and Namche is well maintained and easy. In between these trekking sections, trekkers have to walk over two glaciers. They are the Khumbu glacier and Ngozumpa glacier. Navigating through these rugged terrains and glaciers is always arduous and consumes lots of energy. It is truly the highest possible adventure while doing the regular trekking activities in Nepal.
How to complete the Everest Three High Passes Trekking?
Build the good level of stamina and physical fitness prior to the trek. The Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty will mean nothing if you are well prepared for the trek. Make sure that you are well hydrated throughout the trek. Inform about your physical conditions to your trekking guide frequently. You lose appetite in the high – altitude places. Don’t eat less and eat intermittently so that you get energy to overcome the demands of high – altitude places and steep uphill / downhill sections. Get a travel insurance to get secured in case of any kinds of emergency. Don’t trek independently!
Renjo La Route is better or Kong Ma La Route is better for Three Passes Trek Itinerary
The anti – clockwise direction that makes Kong Ma La Pass as the first pass to cross is the best way to do the Everest Three High Passes Trek. The clockwise route that makes Renjo La Pass doesn’t have enough acclimatization chances. Therefore, it is more risky and arduous.
How to utilize the cost of Everest Three Passes Trek in Nepal?
Complete the Everest Three High Passes Trek without the concerns of the Everest Three Passes Difficulty and you will know the worth by yourselves. By the time you complete the trek, you will realize that you have successfully reached Everest Base Camp and did the Kalapathar Hike. In addition, you will have memories of the beautiful Gokyo Lake and the adventurous crossing of three passes of Khumbu. Yes, the excursion of almost all the regions of the Everest provide immense worth of the cost of the Everest Three Passes Trek in Nepal.
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