The Everest Three Pass trek is an epic journey across the Khumbu valleys. Spread out like fingers, the valleys are connected by several high passes with amazing views of the eastern Nepalese Himalayan range including Mount Everest, Cho-Oyu, Amadablam, Lhotse, Makalu, Thamserku, Cholatse – just to name a few.

After a spectacular flight over the Himalayas to Lukla, the gateway to Everest, we hike along the Dudh Koshi River passing through small Sherpa settlements to Namche, the largest settlement of the upper Khumbu. It houses a monastery but otherwise feels like a tourist town with a seemingly endless array of shops, cafes, and lodges. Nevertheless, the hospitable Sherpa people and their culture add to the charm of the Everest Three pass trek.

For optimal acclimatization we hike via Dingboche, cross the Kongma La Pass (5535m) to Lobuche, trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar followed by the Cho La Pass (5420m) to the placid glacial lakes of Gokyo, across the Renjo La Pass (5345m) to Thame complete the loop at Namche. Throughout the 3 passes trek, the views are magnificent – 360 ° views of the famous 8000s and numerous other mountain giants of Khumbu, placid glacial lakes and endless barren landscape perfect for soul searching.

With long days in the remote wilderness at an altitude above 4500m, the Everest 3 passes trek isn’t for the faint-hearted or inexperienced hikers but fulfilling for the brave souls who venture off-the-beaten trails in pursuit of otherworldly beauty. Keep Walking Nepal has been running trips in Everest since the last 15 years. Plus, most of our guides and crew are either born in the region or have made it home with yearly visits. Come, join us, for an adventure of a lifetime.

Trip Highlights

• Glimpse of the ranges of the Himalayas – Mount Everest, Cho-Oyu, Amadablam, Lhotse, Makalu, Thamserku, Cholatse
• Walk towards Dudh Koshi and arrive in the tourist spot of Namche with a monastery
• Breathtaking views of the Everest Three Pass Trek – Kongma La Pass, Cho La Pass and Renjo La Pass
• Panoramic sceneries and beautiful mountains in Khumbu with frozen lakes
• Explore the culture, heritage and lifestyles of the native Sherpas

Trip Grade - Challenging

Trip Summary

• Day 1 :Arrive Kathmandu.
• Day 2 :Guided Tours & Preparation 
• Day 3 :Fly to Lukla (2,820 m; 40m) and trek to Phakding (2,610 m; 4 hrs).
• Day 4 :Trek to Monjo (2,900m; 3 hrs)
• Day 5 :Trek to Namche (3,440m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 6 :Acclimatization day (Optional hike to Everest view hotel and Khumjung village)
• Day 7 :Trek to Debuche (3,820m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 8 :Trek to Dingboche (4,410m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 9 :Rest day (Optional hike to Nagarjun hill)
• Day 10 :Trek to Chukung (4730m; 2-3 hrs)
• Day 11 :Trek to Labuche (4910m) via Kongma La (5545m); 9-10 hrs
• Day 12 :Trek to Gorakshep (5288m) and excursion to Everest Base camp (4930m); 8-9 hrs
• Day 13 :Optional early morning excursion to Kala Pattar (5630m; 4-5 hrs); trek to Zongla (4830m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 14 :Trek to Thanknak (4700m) via Chola pass (5420m); 7-8 hrs
• Day 15 :Trek to Gokyo (4790m; 3-4 hrs)
• Day 16 :Ascend Gokyo Ri (5360m; 5-6 hrs)
• Day 17 :Trek to Lungden (4368m) via Renjo La pass (5360m); 9-10 hrs
• Day 18 :Trek to Thame (3820m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 19 :Trek to Namche (3820m; 4-5 hrs)
• Day 20 :Trek to Lukla (2850m; 6-7 hrs)
• Day 21 :Fly to Kathmandu (35 min)
• Day 22 :Rest day & farewell dinner
• Day 23 :End of program

Daily Movements

Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu.

Our representative will pick you up at Kathmandu International Airport and drive you to your hotel. Depending upon what time you arrive, you can enjoy a full day at leisure and go on a welcome dinner with the KEEP WALKING FAMILY.

Look out for the KEEP WALKING NEPAL board behind the railing once you exit the airport terminal.

Overnight at Hotel (D)

 

Day 2 : Guided Tours & Preparation 

You will embark on a guided tour of two UNESCO world heritage sites; Pashupatinath Temple, the temple devoted to Lord Shiva – the god of creation and destruction, and Boudhanath Stupa – a Buddhist shrine worshipped by Hindus & Buddhists alike.

In the afternoon, your trek guide will brief you about the upcoming days and preparation requirements.

Overnight at Hotel (B)

 

Day 3 : Fly to Lukla (2,820 m; 40m) and trek to Phakding (2,610 m; 4 hrs).

We drive to Kathmandu Domestic airport for an adventurous 40m flight to Lukla’s Tenzing Hillary Airport (2,800m). The flight is an adventure in itself.  In clear weather, one is rewarded with the first glimpse of Everest.

At Lukla, you meet the rest of your crew. The porters will take your duffel bag and will meet you at the lodge (this will continue throughout the trek).

Once out of Lukla, we descend past small fields and cozy little wooden houses with vegetable gardens; all with a picturesque mountain backdrop. Along the way, we might encounter some pack animals as they are the only means of goods transportation up and down the mountain.

Along the way, in clear weather, we can catch views of the ice-covered 6000m high Kusum Kanguru. The trail is marked by impressive black mani stones painted with Tibetan inscriptions and a large stupa which indicates our destination for the day, Phakding, is nearby.

Overnight at guesthouse in Phakding (B, L, D)

 

Day 4: Trek to Monjo (2,900m; 3 hrs)

After breakfast, we continue on the trail. It is a relatively short day as we cross suspension bridges over raging streams, past small hamlets and fields. Though the trail isn’t difficult, it is undulating – what we call the Nepali flat.

We will reach Monjo for lunch and the rest of the day is at leisure. You can visit the local school, visit the local snooker house for some beer or just call it a day.

Overnight at guesthouse in Monjo (B, L, D)

 

Day 5: Trek to Namche (3,440m; 6-7 hrs)

Shortly after Monjo, we come to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hike is beautiful with beautiful pine forests, raging rivers, and mountains in the backdrop. Another hour and we cross the milky river (Dudh Koshi) – over an iconic suspension bridge hanging a 100m above the river bed.

Once across the bridge, we feel the mountain as we climb the steep uphill to Namche. The trail is frequented by porters carrying humongous loads and trains of pack animals.  In clear weather, Everest is also visible.

After the 600m vertical ascent in about 4 – 5 hours, we will arrive at Namche, the Sherpa capital of Khumbu.

Overnight at guesthouse in Namche (B,L,D)

 

Day 6: Acclimatization day (Optional hike to Everest view hotel and Khumjung village)

An important rule for a successful trek is successful acclimatization. Following the mantra, we spend a second night in Namche but visit higher grounds to adapt our body.

There are two options; hike early morning to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) and enjoy a breathtaking 360 panorama of Everest, Taboche, Thamserku, Kongde Ri and Ama Dablam, or hike further up to Khumjung village and visit the gompa (monastery) which has a library and a yeti scalp (actually it’s a goat hide). You can also opt to visit the nearby Khunde Hospital established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1966 and learn about altitude sickness and preventive measures. A little further on is a beautiful viewpoint at 3933m with an even better view of the eight-thousanders Lhotse and Mount Everest.

Overnight at guesthouse in Namche (B,L,D)

 

Day 7: Trek to Debuche (3,820m; 6-7 hrs)

We leave behind the bustling town of Namche and head east as we continue high above the raging Dudh Koshi.

We climb over open slopes, a few houses and sparse pine forest and then descend to the river again at Phunki Tenga we cross the Imja Khola. The trail now sharply ascends through mixed pine and juniper forest to Tengboche.

Tengboche monastery, largest in Khumbu, was completely destroyed by fire some decades ago but has been completely restored thanks to donations, especially from abroad. The double top view of Kongde Ri with the monastery in the front is picture-perfect. The monastery houses art, a large Buddha statue and musical instruments and robes of the Lama.

After a short rest, we descend through Himalayan Birch, pine & juniper forest to the Deboche where we spend the night.

Overnight at guesthouse in Debuche (B,L,D)

 

Day 8: Trek to Dingboche (4,410m; 6-7 hrs)

After breakfast, we continue on the trail towards Imja Khola which we cross on a suspension bridge. On the other side, the view of Ama Dablam twin towering requires a moment to admire.

We continue to ascend towards Pangboche past mani stones inscribed with mantras. The village monastery is said to have the skull and legs/hand of a yeti but has been recently stolen so that they are unfortunately no longer visible. However, the monastery is quite worthwhile. Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Lhotse, Nuptse, Lobuche Peak, Pumori, and many other giants give one the justified feeling of walking among the highest peaks in the world.

As we ascend the change in vegetation is dramatic. We continue our way up to the traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche (4350 m). The village is one of the highest permanently inhabited places in the world. The stone houses are spread far apart between the fields. Along the way, we walk along one of the most famous peaks of the Himalayas: the Ama Dablam, so famous for its peculiarly tilted shape.

Overnight at guesthouse in Dingboche (B,L,D)

 

Day 9: Rest day (Optional hike to Nagarjun hill)

We spend another night at Dingboche for better acclimatization. To better adapt our bodies we follow the old mantra of hiking up to a higher altitude and sleeping at a lower one.

Nagarjuna hill in the south of Dingboche at about 5100m has brilliant views of Lobuche, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. We return back to Dingboche for an afternoon of rest.

Overnight at guesthouse in Dingboche (B,L,D)

 

Day 10: Trek to Chukung (4730m; 2-3 hrs)

Today is a comparatively short hike to Chukkung as we prepare for our first pass, Kongma La (5545m). We follow the Imja Khola river with beautiful views of Lhotse and Ama Dablam to Bibre, a small settlement of yak herders. Chukkung is the last settlement in the Imja Khola valley. Formerly temporary pastureland, it has now a few basic lodges.

We can either rest at Chukkung or visit the Island Peak base camp. Island peak, also called Imja Tse, is a trekking peak visible and doesn’t require a permit but requires a good level of fitness and excellent physical conditioning along with some technical knowledge. The trail to the base camp through moraines with rugged high-altitude scenery of glaciers, vertical walls, sharp ridges and huge peaks is worth the effort.

Overnight at guesthouse in Chukkung (B,L,D)

 

Day 11: Trek to Labuche (4910m) via Kongma La (5545m); 9-10 hrs

Today is a long and difficult day as we traverse over one of the most difficult passes of the Himalayas.

We head up through the Niyang Khola Valley through a gorge with frozen lakes to Kongma La pass. The pass offers views of Nepali and Tibetian peaks including Nuptse, the north face of the Ama Dablam and Lobuche Peak. Deep below the tiny little huts of Lobuche next to the giant brown-grey Khumbu glacier is a welcome sight. After a short break, we descend via the Khumbu glacier and Lobuche to Gorak Shep. The descent is steep and difficult plus we cross the Khumbu glacier on a path that winds up and undulates through the ice and debris fields.

Overnight at guesthouse in Labuche (B,L,D)

 

Day 12: Trek to Gorakshep (5288m) and excursion to Everest Base camp (4930m); 8-9 hrs

We hike along the glacier to the valley to Gorakshep. Marked by rubble slopes, on a glacier and the sandbar nearing Gorakhshep, the hike isn’t long but is hard on the feet.

After lunch at Gorakshep, we head towards the Everest Base camp – one of the highlights of our trip. It’s an astounding feeling as only a few make it to the top. The trail to EBC is over the Khumbu glacier which runs all the way to Khumbu icefall above Camp 1. In spring expeditions set up base camps to overcome the gigantic crevasses and ice towers that make up the icefall.

We hike back to the Gorakshep after spending some time taking pictures of the milestone.

Overnight at guesthouse in Gorakshep (B, L, D)

 

Day 13: Optional early morning excursion to Kala Pattar (5630m; 4-5 hrs); trek to Zongla (4830m; 4-5 hrs)

In the morning we climb Kala Pattar. At the top, the black pyramid of  Everest looms over the horizon while the Khumbu Glacier flows beneath. The 360 degrees view of snowy peaks and glaciers is worth the painful and cold early morning hike.

After breakfast, we backtrack to Lobuche and leave the hustle and bustle of the Everest trail. Descending for a bit we hike along a beautiful mountain lake to Zongla. The northern face of the Chobo Labtsan where occasional pieces of ice break off and the cleft glacier in the distance that gives access to the Cho La is a fantastic end to a long day.

Overnight at guesthouse in Zongla (B, L, D)

 

Day 14: Trek to Thanknak (4700m) via Chola pass (5420m); 7-8 hrs

The trek begins with an ascent to the hilltop of Zongla.  In the distance, the Cholatse mountains offer an incredible view.

We head west and descend to the bottom of the wide valley and further to the foot of the pass. It’s a steep stretch over rock plates just before we step onto the ice. The top of the pass is formed by a flat glacier with no gaps. The pass can be impassable under bad weather conditions. Even though not technical, the descent from the Cho La on the Gokyo side is steep and prove difficult because of loose stones. After we descend another short climb follows before we finally descend over the bumpy grassy plains to Tagnag where we spend the night.

Overnight at guesthouse in Thanknak (B, L, D)

 

Day 15: Trek to Gokyo (4790m; 3-4 hrs)

We start today with the crossing of the Ngozumpa glacier, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hrs. From Tagnag on the east side of the glacier to the north until Gokyo Lake is almost opposite of us on the west side of the glacier. We walk on the moraine and into the rubble over an undulating path marked by boulders and blocks,  glacial lakes and ice walls. In the end, we go back to the moraine to the blue-green Gokyo lake.

Gokyo itself is a flat spot on a beautiful blue lake at an altitude of 4790 meters. There are a number of comfortable lodges where we can relax in the afternoon while overlooking the lake and the surrounding white peaks.

Overnight at guesthouse in Gokyo (B,L,D)

 

Day 16: Ascend Gokyo Ri (5360m; 5-6 hrs)

We start today with the crossing of the Ngozumpa glacier, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hrs. From Tagnag on the east side of the glacier to the north until Gokyo Lake is almost opposite of us on the west side of the glacier. We walk on the moraine and into the rubble over an undulating path marked by boulders and blocks,  glacial lakes and ice walls. In the end, we go back to the moraine to the blue-green Gokyo lake.

Gokyo itself is a flat spot on a beautiful blue lake at an altitude of 4790 meters. There are a number of comfortable lodges where we can relax in the afternoon while overlooking the lake and the surrounding white peaks.

Overnight at guesthouse in Gokyo (B, L, D)

 

Day 17: Trek to Lungden (4368m) via Renjo La pass (5360m); 9-10 hrs

The final challenge of our trip, we have to cross the 5360m high Renja Pass to Lungden in the Bhote Koshi river valley.

After the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the route was restricted for a period but now is allowed. The Bhote Koshi valley is closed on the northern side by the high mountain ridges that form the border with Tibet. Less than 20km away is the 5700m high Nangpa-La, the pass that was used by many Tibetan refugees to escape Chinese rule.

It’s a tough two-hour climb to the top of the pass but the views compensate for the effort. After the pass, we descend almost 1500m down to the Bhote Koshi valley.

Overnight at guesthouse in Lungden (B, L, D)

 

Day 18: Trek to Thame (3820m; 4-5 hrs)

The walk to Thame through the spectacular valley is now a breeze. We have included the overnight stay instead of hiking straight to Namche in case of bad weather. Along the way, we may meet Tibetans with their yaks on their way to Namche to sell their wares.

Thame has a beautiful monastery perched on top of a hill against the backdrop of mountain peaks. We can either visit the monastery or rest.

Overnight at guesthouse in Thame (B, L, D)

 

Day 19: Trek to Namche (3820m; 4-5 hrs)

The hike to Namche is a short one as we’ll arrive for lunch. We will cross the Bhote Koshi and make our way via the quaint little villages of Thamo, Samde, and Phurte to Namche.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at guesthouse in Namche (B, L, D)

 

Day 20: Trek to Lukla (2850m; 6-7 hrs)

We backtrack on the busy Everest highway via Monjo to Lukla.
Rest of the day is at leisure and maybe an evening farewell party with the crew, a treat for their hard work!

Overnight at guesthouse in Lukla (B,L,D)

 

Day 21: Fly to Kathmandu (35 min)

We fly back to Kathmandu and drive to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel (B)

 

Day 22: Rest day & farewell dinner

You have the whole day at leisure to explore Kathmandu valley.
In the evening there will be a farewell dinner by Keep Walking Nepal to celebrate your achievements.

Overnight at Hotel (B, D)

 

Day 23: End of program

An office representative will drive you to the Kathmandu International Airport 3 hrs prior to the scheduled flight time.

Meals (B)

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