- Activities
Trekking
- Trip Grade
Strenuous
- Starting Price
€2600/Person
- Accommodation
Tea house/lodge
- Max. Altitude
5550m
- Best Season
Sep-Dec, Mars-May
- Active Hours
6/7hours
- Group Size
04-15
The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of the most exhilarating and demanding trekking routes in the Everest region of Nepal. This trek is ideal for seasoned trekkers seeking an adventure that combines breathtaking scenery, high-altitude challenges, and a deep cultural experience. It takes adventurers across three major mountain passes—Renjo La (5,360m),Cho La (5,420m),and Kongma La (5,535m),—each offering its own unique challenges and stunning landscapes with the splendide view of Gokyo lake and Gokyo ri (5357m).
This trek not only includes a visit to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and Kalapathar (5,550m) but also takes trekkers through the stunning Gokyo Lakes, the Khumbu Glacier, and remote valleys where Sherpa culture thrives.
This trek is highly recommended for experienced trekkers who are prepared for extreme altitudes, long days of walking, and unpredictable weather. Proper acclimatization, physical fitness, and mental endurance are key to completing this challenging yet unforgettable journey through the heart of the Everest region.
Flight to kathmandu
Arrival at Kathmandu airport (usually in the afternoon) already marks our entry into another world... Customs formalities, baggage collection and welcome by our local French-speaking guide. Crossing the city to the hotel already offers a first discovery of the bustling and colorful capital of Nepal. Buses, trucks, bicycles and sacred cows crisscross in a friendly chaos... Depending on the arrival time, visit the surrounding area or simply settle in and rest at the hotel before your dinner at the hotel.
Free time
Accommodation: In hotel
Early departure from the hotel to reach Kathmandu airport/Manthali Airport then flight of approximately 35/20 minutes to Lukla (2840m). We can see the range of the himalaya from our flight and already observe some mountains with snow covered from lukla. We go to lodge to meet the porters and take a cup of tea and coffee to start our journey. We will check our baggages and give to porters and we will find it only in the camp for the night. After tea break, we pass through the Lukla small city and meet the control point for the permits. We already notice the Buddhist culture and see it's monuments like Stupa, Chorten, prayer wheels with prayer flags. We descents towards Thado Koshi (2550m) for our lunch, Kusum Kanguru (6367m is just infront of us . After 1h 30 minutes of walk by passing some small villages and Buddhist monuments we arrive at our camp Phagding village.
Note :- Flights to the Everest Region now depart from Ramchhap airport due to congestion at the Kathmandu airport. It take around 4/5hours of drive from Kathmandu, so we leave Kathmandu at 1 am to reach there for the early morning flights. The flights are only in the morning.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
•Walking time: between 5h to 5h30
•Accommodation: In lodge
•Height difference: +1200 m/-100m
The day already, we attack to high altitude, we continue climb gradually towards Monjo village by the bank of the Dudh Kosi river, We pass through lots of beautiful village and can see Kusum Kanguru (6367m) and Thermserku Himal(6618m). We enter in the Sagarmatha Nation Park, and check point for the permits at Monjo. Jorsala(2740m) is the best place to lunch just at the bank of the river. We cross the bridge for several times, by passing the last long and high suspension bridge we climb up steepy part from where we can observe first point view of Mt. Everest (8848m). We arrive at Namche Bazar, where we stay for two nights. Namche is the gateway to the Khumbu region and Namche Bazaar is an entrance and a cultural hub as well as the real crossroads for the different treks in the region, don't be surprised to meet a lot of people before entering the city and when leaving.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
•Walking time: between 6h to 6h30
•Accommodation: In lodge
•Height difference: +980 m/-190m
We climb to the altitude. We go towards Thame village, which is very famous for the alpinist. There are lots of sherpas who did the records to climb the Everest. We lunch at Thamo village and visit monastery. after lunch, we leisurely go up the valley of the Bhote Kosi (the "river of Tibet") to the village of Thame (3800m), at the crossroads of the valley which goes towards the Rolwaling by the Trashi Lapsa (5755m) and the one which leads to Tibet via the Nangpa La (5716m).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Walking time: 5h to 6h
Accommodation: in lodge
Height difference: +560m/-80m
As we are above 3500m altitude, we start to talk about the high altitude. Today is the day for acclimatization day going up in a very wild valley to Thengpo (4370m), last "hamlet" before the Trashi Lapsa pass (5755m) which gives access to the Rolwaling Valley. Return back to Thame village for the night .
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Walking time:5h
Accommodation: in lodge
Height difference: +/-700m
This day hike is very extraordinaire. We can see the beautiful landscap by passing some small villages and crossing the riveres. We head towards the Nangpa La pass and Tibet via a path that can be very busy with caravans trading between the two countries (but the pass is sometimes closed). After crossing the Bothe Kosi, we climb to the village of Lungdhen (4380m).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Walking time: 5h to 6h
Accommodation: in lodge
Height difference: +750 m
After passing a fairly steep moraine front, the path climbs regularly on more or less grassy ridges, and we pass three small high-altitude lakes. From the third lake, the climb to Renjo Pass (5360m) is not very long but quite steep: wide stone staircase! Arrival at the pass rewards all the efforts: incredible view of Everest and its satellite peaks! The descent (very steep at the start) reaches the edge of one of the Gokyo lakes then, following its left bank, we arrive at the hamlet of Gokyo (4760m).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Walking time: 7h to 7h30
Accommodaton: in lodge
Height difference: +1050m/-650
Early in the morning we climb up steep part to Gokyo peak (5357m) to see the sunrise and panoramic view from the summit. Magnificent viewpoint over all the peaks very close to Khumbu, including four over 8000m: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. The best view point. Return back to Gokyo for the breakfast and cross the glacier (moraine) to reach Dragnag (4700m), where we lunch and pass night. Base camp of Chola Pass (5420m).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
•Walking time: between 5h to 5h30
•Accommodation: In lodge
•Height difference: +630m/-700m
On of the important day of the trek, we climb up by the valley then grassy slopes lead us to the first pass of Nyimagawa (5041m), via a steep path with big stones and difficult steep part before reaching to Cho La Pass(5420m). A short passage on the glacier that we have to walk in ice and descends to the gigantic rocky ramp by following moraine and then the hamlet of Dzonglha (4830m), where we pass our night.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
•Walking time: between 6h to 6h30
•Accommodation: In lodge
•Height difference: +800m/-660m
This day is cool day with magnificent views of the valley of Everest Base camp, Tabuche Peak (6495m), Cholotse (6335m), Arakm Tse Peak (6423m), Ama Dablam (6814m), Pumari (7165m), Labuche Peak(6135m) and climb towards by the balcony path leads us to Lobuche (4910m) then we take a quiet valley before passing the moraine in the middle of a gigantic of rocks. We lunch at Labuche. We climb up to Gorekshep with the moraine. After some ups and down in the moraine, we arrive at the “sand lake” of Gorak Shep (5140m).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
•Walking time: between 4h30 to 5h
•Accommodation: In lodge
•Height difference: +540/-140m
We climb to Kala Pattar (5600m) by a path that is sometimes a little steep, but regular. We climb up to do the highest summit of the trek (5550m), which is located at just foot of the almost perfect pyramid of Pumori (7161m), the view of Everest, Ice Fall and Nuptse (7861m), Base camp view, 360 degree mountains view. We then descend to GorakShep. After lunch, we take a rest.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Walking time: 4h30
Accomodation: in lodge
Height difference: +/-450m
We go to Everest Base camp at early in the morning by taking breakfast. We walk alongside the glacier ups and downs and then arrive at the foot on it. It is by walking on this immense moraine that we reach the base camp (5360m), We can see lots of people at Base camp specailly at sping season. The expedtions take place in Spring season. It seems as a small city with colourful tents. We can't see the summit of Everest from the base camp but we can observe the Ice fall and the khumbu glacier. This is the gateway to do the summit of Everest (Top of the World). After some visit and photography. We return back to Gorkshep to lunch and back by same way and passing moraine to go to Labuche.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Walking time: 5h30 to 6h
Accomodation: in lodge
Height difference: +280m/-590 m
Early in the morning we attack for the third pass of the trek. We cross the glacier which descends from Everest then climb a fairly steep slope to Kongma La (5535m), at the foot of Nuptse (7861m). From the pass, we cam see the beautiful view of Makalu (8463m). And after pass we descent (steep at the start) to the hamlet of Chhukhung (4730m).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Walking time: 7h
Accommodation: in lodge
Height difference: +675m/-850m
We descends to wards one big village Dingboche. One of the big village, where some villagers live whole year. People cultive potatoes, barley et vegetables. This is the gateway to climb Island Peak (6189m), famous peak for the people who want to do the alpinist. We descends by following Imja Khoa by passing Somare (4010m). This day is the day of Bouddhist old and famous monasteries visit like at Pangboche (3939m) and Tengboche (3860m), which carry the historic importance of khumbu region. We lunch at Tengboche and steep descends up to the river dudh koshi at Phunki (3250m), the steep climb up steadily up to Kenjoma (3550m), we will do the one circuit trek. We join the path, from where we climb up to Gokyo lake. Nice view hotel of Ama Dablam and other peaks.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
•Walking time: between 6h
•Accommodation: In lodge
•Height difference: +580/1320m
We reach Namche Bazar (3440m) by the same way, we go to visit museum of climbers and to see the culture of Sherpas, We lunch and short visit at Namche Bazar, then go down to Jorsale and Monjo (2835m).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
•Walking time: between 4h to 4h30
•Accommodation: In lodge
•Height difference: +120/940m
Return back to Lukla (2840m), The last day hike of the trek in the mountains, end of the trek and find everyone at the evening together to celebrate the conquered of the trek. The guide will explain you all the necessary briefing for the last day of the trek for Nepali staffs.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
•Walking time: between 5h to 5h30
•Accommodation: In lodge
•Height difference: +550/450m
Flight back to Kathmandu or Ramechap. Mostly in big season will be Lukla to Ramechap/ Manthali airport to avoid the traffic jam at Kathmandu. And 5 hours of vehicles to arrive Kathmandu.
Breakfast included
Accommodation: In lodge
Kathmandu ( Visiting Day)
This one day is extra day which is putted for the security of flight from Lukla to Kathmandu/ Manthali because of bad weather. If we can't fly in the date which was planned or booked because of bad weather. We can manage in another day by plane or helicopters.
Breakfast included.
Accommodation: In lodge
Flight back to the destination
Arrival at the destination End of the trek
Three Passes Trek takes in all the highlights of the Khumbu region of Nepal, including Everest Base Camp, and three high alpine passes at Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La, that take you over 5,000m above sea level.
There are five camps on Everest approaching from the southern / Nepali side: Base Camp, and then Camps 1 – 4. Camp 3 is located on the steep Lhotse Face, with tents pitched between 7,100m – 7,300m. Each team pitches their sleeping tents on narrow hard-snow ridges, usually after bashing out a flat surface with ice axes.
The Three Passes trek is the toughest Everest base camp trek there is. Taking 21 days in total it is also the longest trek we run in Nepal. So this is one for the really hardened trekker. If you are up to it, the Three Passes trek really offers all the best of the Khumbu region. The total kilometers of this trek is 166km / 103Miles.
Then the Three Passes Trek Without a Guide in Nepal might be just the adventure you're looking for. This trek takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world, including high mountain passes, glacial lakes, and snow-capped peaks. And the best part? You can do it without a guide.
Altitude sickness can affect even the most healthy people, so it's worth being prepared for the possibility. It is most common above 2500m altitude, so you're unlikely to be significantly affected in Kathmandu (1400m) or much of the rest of the country.