The Three Passes trek is the ultimate Everest experience.
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DestinationsThe Three Passes trek is the ultimate Everest experience. This route takes in all the highlights—both in terms of mountain views and local Sherpa culture—and combines them into a complete journey through the Everest region. Keep in mind, that this trek is one of the most challenging teahouse treks in Nepal. The Everest Region is one of Nepal’s top trekking destinations, and the Three Passes Trek is its ultimate trekking adventure, crossing three passes over 5,000m, each offering amazing scenery and views.
Highlights:
-Trek a circuit around the entire Everest region
-Amazing views of the highest mountains in the world
-Cross three challenging 5,000 m passes: Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La
-Leave the crowds of the Everest Base Camp trek behind
DAY 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
Welcome to Kathmandu!
Private transfer · 45 minutes
You will be picked up by one of our office representatives at the airport. He will be holding a placard with your name written on it. Afterward, you will be transferred to your hotel.
DAY 2: Kathmandu
Free day, Evening Trek Briefing
Private group
Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. It's a great time to walk and explore the streets or have a chai overlooking one of the local courtyards or durbar squares.
After breakfast, there are then a number of ways you can spend your day given the numerous famous sights around the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day or we can provide a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private jeep to take you around).
Optional Day Tours:
Sacred Sites of the Valley (Full day): Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Patan Durbar Square. This is a full-day tour and you'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant during the day.
Boudhanath (1 hour): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest spherical stupa (Buddhist shrine). Check out the site’s numerous monasteries, as well as an enormous adorned statue of Maitreya Buddha.
Pashupatinath (1 hour): The most sacred of all Hindu temples in Nepal, located on the holy Bagmati River. This is a large temple complex where you can easily spend an hour exploring.
Bhaktapur (3 hours): A 30-minute drive outside of Kathmandu is the ancient city of Bhaktapur, home of medieval art and wood carving. Founded in the 9th century, visit the town’s narrow alleys and observe villagers going about their day-to-day life.
Everest Mountain Flight (1 hour): A unique opportunity, consider taking a mountain flight to see Mount Everest (one hour).
Shivapuri National Park (half-day): Go hiking or mountain biking in this scenic national park located on the northern fringe of Kathmandu Valley. There are hundreds of species of flora and fauna, including medicinal herbs, as well as historical and religious sites.
However you choose to spend your day, you’ll return to your hotel in Kathmandu in the early evening and meet your trekking guide who will go over details for tomorrow’s adventure.
Later in the evening, head out for dinner at one of the city's great eateries, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
DAY 3: Kathmandu to Lukla
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding (8,563 feet / 2,610 m)
Flight · Private group · 3 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
You'll fly to Lukla (30 minutes). Try to get a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane and keep your camera close: the flight takes you between mountains and through valleys, with great views of the Himalayas on clear days.
DAY4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (11,290 feet / 3,440 m)
Private group · 6 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After breakfast in Phakding, you'll start a steady and steep incline towards Namche. This is a challenging day as you'll start to feel the altitude. The route also consists of a number of high suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River that you need to cross.
Just beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment (your guide will cover your permit fees here). The trail gets steeper along the way, and if the weather is clear, you will get your first glimpses of Mount Everest.
When you arrive at Namche, settle into your accommodations and explore the town. Namche is a great place to stock up on supplies as there are numerous small shops selling snacks and trekking gear, as well as restaurants and bars. If here on a weekend, check out the Saturday market—a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.
Trekking time: 4-6 hours (4.6 miles / 7.4 km)
DAY 5: Namche Bazaar
Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
Private group · 4 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
Today is a rest day so take time to relax and sleep in. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amid the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops, and souvenir markets. It is an ideal place to spend a day acclimatizing to a higher altitude.
To speed up the acclimatization process, you can also head to the Khunde Hospital set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a highly-recommended one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for views of notable peaks like Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. There are also good views from the Sherpa Culture Museum just above the town.
DAY 6:Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (12,687 feet / 3,867 m)
Private group · 5 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After breakfast in Namche, you'll follow the trail along the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi River. You'll get your first views of the Khumbu region's giant peaks: Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Pass by several villages and numerous tea shops, and descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an ideal stopover for lunch and you can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche.
Although this next zigzag path is tiring, your views will include beautiful rhododendron forests, colorful birds, and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in Khumbu, and a spectacular panorama of the aforementioned peaks can be seen from where you'll stop for the night.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours (5.7 miles / 9.2 km)
DAY 7: Tengboche to Dingboche
Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (14,304 feet / 4,360 m)
Private group · 4 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After breakfast, take some extra time to enjoy the scenery around Tengboche Monastery before you start today's journey. With mountains in the background, the monastery looks even more beautiful in the morning sunlight.
Once you set out, choose the upper trail for better views on the way to Pangboche village where you'll pass several stupas, Mani walls, and small villages. Stop for lunch at a place that serves delicious food with a fantastic close-up view of Mount Ama Dablam.
In the afternoon, walk north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Ama Dablam. From here, the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imja Valley, which gradually unfolds as you approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. Descend towards the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche.
On arrival, you will see a stunning set of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.
Trekking time: (6.7 miles / 10.8 km)
DAY 8: Dingboche
Acclimatization day in Dingboche (14,304 feet / 4,360 m)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
Today is your second acclimatization day of the trip, so sleep in and relax. Enjoy breakfast with great views of Ama Dablam to the south.
To better appreciate numerous other peaks visible from Dingboche, you can climb the ridge behind the village. This is an ideal (and easy) acclimatizing excursion allowing you to see three of the world's six highest peaks: Mount Lhotse, Mount Makalu, and Mount Cho Yu. Meanwhile, look west to see the peaks of Lobuche, Cholatse, and Taboche.
In the afternoon, you can relax in the village checking out the lodges, a bakery, a handful of shops, and even an internet café.
DAY 9:Dingboche to Chukhung
Trek from Dingboche to Chukhung (15,580 feet / 4,750 m)
3 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After breakfast in Dingboche, you'll have time to enjoy the views of Ama Dablam, Tawache, Chalotse, and the ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse as you start the trek to Chukhung. In fact, this trail passes through stone-walled fields and Imja Khola valley before entering glacier moraines amid towering Himalayas.
The trail then continues to Bibre, a yak herdsman place. Directly across the valley are Ama Dablam and the Amphu Labsa mountains, while the trail ahead is intersected by icy streams.
When you arrive, you can also choose to hike further to a rocky knoll off Chukhung Ri, which offers memorable views of Lhotse, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu, and others.
Trekking time: (3.1 miles / 5 km)
DAY 10: Chukhung to Lobuche
Trek from Chukhung to Lobuche (16,210 feet / 4,940 m) via Kongma La Pass
Private group · 7 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After a pre-sunrise breakfast in Chukhung, you'll set out early and begin today's trek to reach the highest part of the entire trip: Kongma La pass. You can either take a trail over a hill which is to the northwest of Chukhung to get to the Nuptse Glacier moraines, or walk back to Bibre and hike on the trail above the Niyang Khola. The top of the pass is marked by cairns and Buddhist prayer flags, so it's easy to spot.
The final descent from the pass is the most difficult part of today’s journey. After climbing the moraine on the far side, the trail turns north through Khumbu Glacier, which then takes you to Lobuche where you'll stay the night.
Trekking time: 7-8 hours (6.6 miles / 10.6 km)
Accommodation: Teahouse
DAY 11: Lobuche to Gorak Shep
Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, Hike to Everest Base Camp
Private group · 7 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
Today, after breakfast, you'll trek all along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Up ahead you'll see the crest of the north ridge of Everest along with Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, and Nuptse, as well as other notable peaks. A small ascent takes you to Thangma Riju where you can admire panoramic views and then ascend on a steep trail to the top of Changri Glacier.
As you reach Gorak Shep, you'll be fully surrounded by the Himalayas. Take some time to rest and enjoy the views before you continue towards Everest Base Camp full passing rocky dunes, moraines, and streams. Once you get to the starting point of the world’s tallest mountain, take photos, explore the camps and surroundings, and then trek back to Gorak Shep for the night.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Overnight: Gorak Shep (17,594 feet / 5364 m)
Accommodation: Teahouse
DAY 12:Gorak Shep to Lobuche:
Trek from Gorak Shep to Lobuche (16,207 feet / 4940 m), Sunrise from Kala Patthar
Private group · 8 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After an early morning breakfast in Gorak Shep, you'll begin the trek to Kala Patthar with enough time to catch views of the first rays of sunlight on Mt. Everest. Prepare for trekking in the dark and cold morning air and chill winds (temperatures vary according to the season). Look for familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse, Everest and Nuptse towering above you.
After several hours of ascent, you'll be on the top of Kala Patthar. The close-up views of Mt. Everest and other Himalayan peaks from this spot are amazing. You'll have more chances to enjoy the vistas as you descend to Lobuche where you'll stay the night.
Trekking time: 8-9 hours
DAY 13: Lobuche to Dzongla
Trek from Lobuche to Dzongla
Private group · 4 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
From Lobuche, we trek downhill on a trail alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Our trail splits into two and we choose the trail on our right. On the way, we can better admire the view of the looming Awi Peak. We pass through a stupa and tombstones in the distance. After walking for a while we begin to ascend. During the ascent, we see Chola Tsho Lake nearby. We continue further and pass another lake which is a lot smaller than the Chola Tsho Lake. We cross the Chola Khola on a bridge before reaching Dzongla.
Overnight: Dzongla (4830m/15,850 ft): 3 - 4 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse
DAY 14: Dzongla to Gokyo
Trek from Dzongla to Gokyo (15,584 feet / 4750 m) via Cho La Pass
7 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After breakfast in Dzongla, you'll begin to gain height quickly on a steep incline with boulders. Look for Cho La Lake as well as the Ama Dablam presiding over a range of mountains to the south. The final ascent to Cho La can be a little tricky as the trail curves around a crevasse, but the top of the pass—marked by prayer flags and cairns—offers breathtaking scenery with majestic peaks in all directions.
You'll then take a long but easy path leading down to Thangnak. The trail continues to the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the longest glacier in Nepal. Reaching the other side of the glacier, you'll see the second Gokyo Lake, belonging to a series of six lakes. A short distance away is the third Gokyo Lake, and on the edge stands Gokyo Village where you'll spend the night.
Trekking time: 7-8 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse
DAY 15: Gokyo
Acclimatization day in Gokyo (Climb Gokyo Ri or Visit Gokyo Lakes)
Private group · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
Today is a rest day in Gokyo with a few options on how to spend the day. You can take an easy climb to Gokyo Ri and enjoy views of the incredible mountain vista. You can also tour the fourth Gokyo Lake, which is just under two miles north of the Gokyo Village. If you're up for a more challenging day, you can continue trekking to the fifth lake. At the edge of the lake is a spot called "Scoundrel's Viewpoint" for astonishing views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the Makulu mountains, as well as the massive Ngozumba Glacier. From here, trek back to Gokyo and spend the night.
DAY 16: Gokyo to Marlung
Trek from Gokyo to Marlung (17,585 feet / 5360 m) via Renjo La Pass
Private group · 7 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After your final meal in Gokyo Village, you'll start the morning early in order to complete the long day’s trek ahead. The trail moves alongside Dudh Pokhari (another lake) and you'll walk for a few hours before descending towards the Renjo La pass. Views from the Renjo La pass are similar from Gokyo Ri with the third Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Village visible beneath the Ngozumpa Glacier. You'll also get outstanding views of Mt. Everest from the top of the pass.
Continuing from here, the trail winds down a stone staircase and over a loose scree to reach the south bank of Angladumba Tsho Lake. The presence of ice on the trail while descending down can make this portion of the trek a bit hazardous so be careful. Along the way, you'll see Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake, and then walk down a narrow valley clogged with giant boulders to Lumde. You'll then walk for almost an hour to get to Marlung on the east bank of the Bhote Koshi River.
Trekking time: 7-8 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse
DAY 17: Marlung to Namche Bazaar
Trek from Marlung to Namche Bazaar (11,319 feet / 3450 m)
Private group · 6 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
Start the day with breakfast in Marlung before you descend to Thame along a route that follows a traditional path used for centuries by Tibetan traders. From here, you'll cross the Bhote Koshi River and descend to Taranga and continue moving downwards while crossing two bridges before reaching Thame.
Overlooking Thame is the village's famous Gompa situated on a hill to the west. From here, you'll descend gradually on a trail that passes through a few small villages before reaching Namche Bazaar. This is the biggest hub in the Everest region with plenty of shops, bars, and cafés as well as fellow trekkers passing through.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Teahouse
DAY 18: Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Trek from Namche to Lukla
Private group · 7 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
Wake up for an early breakfast in Namche, then retrace your steps back to Lukla following the Dudh Kosi river valley. It's a long day, but it won't be too difficult as it's downhill and you'll be in good shape from all the previous days of trekking.
You'll make your way through villages like Chumoa, Benkar, Phakding, and Chuthawa, eventually reaching the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate signifying the end of the trek. Though most of the route is an easy downhill slope, the last section of trail before arriving takes you uphill—a fitting way to finish.
With Lukla’s handful of shops, bars, and cafes—and even a faux Starbucks!—there are plenty of things to occupy your time as you reflect on your experience.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours (11.1 miles / 17.9 km)
DAY 19: Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
Flight · 30 minutes · Breakfast Included
You'll fly to Kathmandu (30 minutes). Try to get a window seat on the right-hand side of the plane and keep your camera close: the flight takes you between mountains and through valleys, with great views of the Himalayas on clear days.
DAY 20: Transfer to Kathmandu Int. Airport (KTM), Departure
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