How Challenging is Everest Three High Passes Trek?

The Everest region of Nepal is a gem of trekking adventures in Nepal. There are many splendid trekking routes and legendary trekking destinations in the region. The most notable one is the Everest Base Camp – the foothill of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest (8848.86 m). For trekking and mountain lovers across the globe, the region can offer diverse trekking trails. From short and easy to challenging detours; the Everest region of Nepal is definitely the epitome of trekking adventures. Out of all the trekking routes of the region, Everest Three High Passes Trek is considered as the arduous detour trekking trail. Some people say that the trail is long but not challenging while some clearly admit that the trail is the most challenging out of all. So, in this blog, we try to dissect the entire factors of the trail and find out the answer to how challenging the Everest Three High Passes Trek questions are.

Everest Three High Passes Trek Route (Anti Clockwise VS Clockwise)

The trip itinerary of Everest Three High Passes Trek adopts the Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary most of the time. There is ongoing debate among trekkers that doing the Three High Passes Trek anti-clockwise is better than clockwise. The anti-clockwise way of doing the Everest Three High Passes Trek has the first pass crossing at Kongma La Pass 5540 m whereas the clockwise has Renjo La Pass 5357 m as the first pass to cross. However, the most popular route of Everest Three High Passes Trek is the anti-clockwise route.

Chronological Order and Destinations in the Trek

The trip follows a similar trekking route till the Everest Base Camp Trek until the trekkers reach Dingboche. From this place, after acclimatization, the journey takes a different route than of the base camp route. Trekkers cross the Kongma La Pass (5550 m) to reach the Lobuche instead of the Thukla Pass route. Trekkers visit the Everest Base Camp 5364m and return back to cross the Chola Pass (5420 m) to reach Gokyo Lake Valley. Finally, the trekkers cross the Renjo La Pass (5357 m) and reach Namche Bazaar via Thame Village.

Now, let’s learn about difficulties, logistics, attractions, and trail conditions by dissecting the Everest Three High Passes Trek route into three different sections.

These sections are:

• Lukla to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass
• Everest Base Camp to Gokyo Lake Valley via Chola Pass
• Gokyo Lake Valley to Lukla via Renjo la Pass

Lukla to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass Information

Once the trekkers land in Lukla airport, they meet their trekking crew members and start the trekking journey. Lukla is the gateway to Everest. The trail up to Dingboche is relatively easy. It involves two acclimatization breaks. The first one is at Namche Bazaar and the second one is at Dingboche. These acclimatization rest days help trekkers to fully adapt to the high altitude conditions. This section is exactly same as Everest Base Camp Trek. Therefore, until this point we can say that it is relatively easy. Yes, I think until this point your answer to the question that how challenging is Everest Three High Passes Trek is that it is not!

However, you should not underestimate the challenges due to the high altitude. The trail is okay! Dingboche to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass is very challenging. Trekkers have to complete the trekking in rugged terrain on the shores of icy lake with numerous uphill and downhill. Moreover, the trail is through glaciers and there are many confusing trails. You may become stranded if you do not have a trekking guide for the proper navigation. In the winter season or when it is snowing, you may struggle to find the right trail. The altitude and the terrain make it the most challenging section.

Everest Base Camp to Gokyo Lake Valley via Chola Pass

This section is relatively enticing as trekkers reach the iconic place the foothill of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest. Yes, you will be able to leave the footprints at the Everest Base Camp. Another highlight of this section is the sunrise view from Kalapathar (5545 m). Waking up early in the morning and hiking to 5545 m and then returning back to Gorakshep, then trekking to Dzongla via Lobuche walking on the moraine and glacier is definitely tough to walk on the high altitude.

The most important activity on this section after visiting the Everest Base Camp is the crossing of Chola Pass. The trail is well visible but only during the peak trekking season. Therefore, you have to choose to do Everest Three High Passes Trek in Nepal during the spring and autumn season. If you are on this time of the year this section becomes relatively easy. By the time you are here to cross the Chola Pass your body has already adjusted to the high altitude. In this place your experience will count as reaching the place above 5550 m. Therefore, it would be fair to say answer of how challenging is Everest Three High Passes Trek as moderately easy.

Gokyo Lake Valley to Lukla via Renjo La pass

This is the most beautiful section on this Everest Three High Passes Trek. A blue turquoise lake present in the lap of lofty snowy mountains is definitely a sight of a fairyland. Moreover, a small hamlet of teahouses offers picturesque scenery. The time spent on the shores of Gokyo Lake is truly magnificent. Be astounded by the sheer beauty of the landscape. You can get glimpses of many mountains including Mt. Makalu. The crossing of Renjo la is relatively easy in comparison to the Chola Pass crossing and Kongma La Pass crossing.

On the other side of the Renjo La Pass, you will enter the Thame village before reaching the Namche Bazaar. This village has almost every household with a person who has reached the top of Mt Everest. Therefore, the village is considered as the mountaineering legends’ village. Once the trekkers meet the Everest Trek route in Namche, they retrace back to Lukla.

Overall, if I have to answer the question “How challenging is Everest Three High Passes Trek”, I would say that it is challenging! Terrain, altitude and walking days make it a challenging trekking route to trek in Nepal. Lastly, we would recommend to do this trip in the spring and autumn seasons because March to May and September to November are ideal time to trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. The weather remains stable, blue skies with treating breathtaking scenery and comfortable temperature too.