Three Passes of Everest Trek is a most challenging yet adventure trekking route in the Everest region. The classic trekking route takes you through the different valley and combined with “three high passes” in Khumbu region. During this adventurous trek, you’ll get stunning and unparalleled mountain views including Mt. Everest, Mt. Ama Dablam, and Mt. Lhotse. Despite the challenging trail, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to indulge yourself in breathtaking mountain vistas than in regular Everest Base Camp Trek.
Moreover, during the trekking journey you’ll come across different Sherpa settlement, ancient Buddhists monasteries, Chorten, Stupas, and Prayer Wheels. Visiting these wonderful places will offer you an insight into culturally vibrant Sherpa lifestyle. Furthermore, this challenging trekking trail in Khumbu is often known as Everest High Trek, Everest High Pass Trek or Everest Three Passes Trek. The main center of attraction of this trek is series of high passes in Khumbu that is Renjo La Pass (5,465 m), Cho La Pass (5,420 m), and Kongma La Pass (5,535 m). Likewise, you can do this trek either clockwise or anti-clockwise. You can either start with Jiri or Lukla. If you want to add more adventure and challenge to Three Passes of Everest Trek then you can opt for, Kala Patthar (5,545m), and Chukung Ri (5,550 m).
Highlights of Three Passes of Everest Trek
- Jaw-dropping views of the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest
- Hiking around the entire Everest region
- Walking through the least crowded trail of the Everest region
- Crossing the three challenging passes above 5,000 meters; Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La
- Visit ancient Tibetan monasteries and learn about the ancient Tibetan culture
- Chances to soak into the lifestyle and cultures of the unique Sherpa people
Three Passes of Everest Trek Difficulty
Three Passes of Everest trek is normally graded as “challenging and adventurous” treks in the Everest region of Nepal. This trek involves long days of strenuous trek including crossing the three highest passes of the Everest region. Besides, you also need to walk 6-7 hours per day and reach the maximum altitude of 5,400 meters. So, to complete this trek without any hurdles you need to be both physically and mentally stable. Well, it is quite challenging than classic Everest Base Camp Trek and Gokyo Valley Trek but not as challenging as climbing Island Peak or Mera Peak. Despite being the challenging trek, Three Passes of Everest Trek is very popular among the adventures junkies!
Best Time for Three Passes of Everest Trek
Like all treks in the Everest region, the best time for Three Passes of Everest Trek is autumn (September-November) and spring (March_May). During these months, the weather condition is stable and dry. Besides, the weather stability these months also offer the best mountain vistas. Likewise, you need to avoid Monsoon season (June-August) and Winter season (December-February). Because during monsoon the trail is usually wet and weather at the high Himalayas is unpredictable. So, there will be a high chance of roadblock and flight cancellations. Also, this trek includes crossing the high passes, so in winter it gets quite cold and snow makes impossible to cross the passes.
Three Passes of Everest Trek Map
Overview
Day 01: Pick up from Airport and drive to your hotel (1,300m/4,264 ft)
Day 02: Half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla from Kathmandu Airport and trek to Phakding (2,651m/8,695 ft) 3 – 4 hours, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar Trek (3,430 m/11,283 ft), 5 – 6 hours, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 05: Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar (3,430 m/11,283 ft), Tea House Accommodation.
Day 06: Trek to Thame village (3,880 m/ 12,726) 4 – 5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 07: Trek to Mingbo (3,900 m/ 12,792 ft) after visiting the monastery 3 – 4 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 08: Trek further to Marulung (4,200 m, 13, 776 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 09: Trek to Sumna (4,900 m / 16,072) 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 10: Trek to Chulung (4,380 m / 16,644 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 11: Trek towards Renjo Pokhari (pond) at approx (4,600 m / 15,088 ft) 4 – 5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 12: Trek and cross Renjo-la at (5,345 m / 17,531 ft) and camp at Gokyo (4750 m/15,580 ft ) 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 13: Morning at Gokyo for local hike and trek to Thagnag, (4,700 m / 15,416 ft), Tea House Accommodation.
Day 14: Cross Cho-la 5,400m and camp at Dzong-la (4,850 m / 15,908 ft) 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 15: Trek to Lobuche (4940 m/16,203 ft) 4 – 5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 16: Trek towards Kongma-la (5,150 m/ 16,892 ft) 4 – 5 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 17: Trek and cross Kongma-la (5,535 m / 18,154 ft) and camp at Bibre 5 – 6 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 18: Trek to Dingboche (4,360 m/14,300 ft), 3 – 4 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 19: Trek to Namche (3,430 m/11,283 ft) 6 – 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 20: Trek to Lukla (2860 m / 9380 ft) 6 – 7 hrs, Tea House Accommodation.
Day 21: Morning flight back to Kathmandu. 30 minutes, Hotel Accommodation.
Day 22: Final Departure
Note: Renjo, Tsho-la, and Kongma-la passes are possible all the year round, however in heavy snow condition, one’s has to be extremely careful including the porters. On normal snow condition, ropes are fixed maximum 100 meters or minimum 50 meters. The loose scree or stone fall portion is just for 10 or 15 minutes, nothing serious but although one’s got to be careful.
On availability of your time and interest after your trek, please feel free to choose our DAY TOURS, NEPAL TOURS , Jungle Safaris or other options from our website. Here are some trip extensions that might interest you.