Everest Three Passes Trek – 18 Days

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our office crew will warmly welcome you and escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. During the ride, you get a glimpse of Nepal’s vibrant capital city, where ancient temples stand alongside modern buildings, creating a unique cultural atmosphere.

After settling into your hotel, you’ll receive a comprehensive briefing about the Everest Three Passes Trek. The guide will provide information on the route, safety protocols, and what to expect during your journey. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore popular sites in Kathmandu, such as Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa. You may also skip these and stick to rest and preparation for the adventure ahead.

Your adventure begins with an early morning scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840 meters). You will land at one of the world’s most thrilling airstrips, Tenzing-Hillary Airport, after approximately 30-40 minutes. This flight marks the official start of your trekking journey into the Khumbu region.

After landing and meeting your porters, you’ll begin a gentle descent into the Dudh Koshi River valley toward Phakding. You pass through small Sherpa villages and cross suspension bridges. You also see prayer wheels and mani stones, offering your first glimpse of the culture and traditional mountain life. With a gentle start like this, you gradually acclimatize to the altitude.

The journey to Namche Bazaar is one of the most memorable sections of the trek. You will follow the Dudh Koshi River northward and cross several dramatic suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Twin Suspension Bridge, decorated with colorful prayer flags. Near Monjo, you’ll enter Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where your permits will be checked.

From the park entrance, the trail begins a steep uphill climb through pine and rhododendron forests. As you ascend higher, you will get your first breathtaking glimpse of Mount Everest peeking through the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. The final push to Namche Bazaar is challenging. You will have to climb continuously along a strenuous section with many stone steps. Then you get to the bustling Sherpa capital, Namche, nestled in a dramatic horseshoe-shaped valley. It is often called the gateway to the high Himalayas.

Today is an important day, reserved for proper acclimatization in Namche before continuing the Everest 3 High Passes Trek further. Namche Bazaar is an excellent place to spend a rest day while your body adjusts to the thinner air. It is a vibrant trading hub with numerous eateries, bakeries, gear shops, and cafes that offer Wi-Fi.

However, we strongly recommend taking a short acclimatization hike to higher elevations. The hikes follow the principle of “climb high, sleep low”, helping you adjust to the high altitude. You can visit the Hotel Everest View (3,880 meters), the Sherpa Museum, Khumjung Monastery, Syangboche Airport, or the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters. These all offer spectacular mountain views and cultural insights into Sherpa heritage.

Leaving Namche Bazaar, you will follow a route along the mountainside. Thus, you can get spectacular panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kongde Ri, right from the start of the trek. The path gradually descends to Phungi Thanga, from where you cross the Dudh Koshi River on a suspension bridge next.

From the river crossing, you will enter dense rhododendron and juniper forests and make a steep ascent through with prayer flags and mani stones. The climb eventually leads to Tengboche (3,860 meters), home to the region’s largest and most famous monastery. The Tengboche Monastery offers stunning close-up views of Ama Dablam and distant views of Everest. You can feel the spiritually uplifting atmosphere, perfect for evening prayers and reflection.

From Tengboche, the trail descends through beautiful rhododendron forests to the Imja Khola River. After crossing the same river on a suspension bridge, you’ll begin a gradual ascent to Pangboche (3,985 meters), the highest permanent settlement in the valley. It is also home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region. You will stop for a delicious lunch and some rest here.

After Pangboche, the landscape transforms dramatically as the treeline disappears. You enter more dry, high-altitude terrain of the Everest region. The path continues uphill across open mountainsides where the Imja Khola and Khumbu Khola rivers converge. This eventually leads to Dingboche, a stone-walled village. Upon reaching here, you can see some of the spectacular views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Additionally, it serves as another important acclimatization point.

Day seven is reserved for another crucial acclimatization day at Dingboche. This is important to allow your body to acclimate to the increasing altitude, as you are already over 4,000 meters above sea level. You will acclimate through short hikes to higher elevations, which significantly improves your chances of success on the challenging passes ahead.

Popular acclimatization options include hiking to Nangkartsang Peak (5,083 meters) for panoramic views of Makalu, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, or trekking toward Chhukung Valley (4,730 meters). Both routes offer stunning Himalayan vistas while helping your body produce more red blood cells to cope with reduced oxygen levels. Return to Dingboche for overnight rest.

Today presents one of the trek’s most challenging and rewarding days. You will climb Kongma La Pass (5,535 meters), the highest of the three passes. The day begins with a steep climb from Dingboche across rocky terrain and moraines. You will climb relentlessly until you witness cairns and prayer flags that mark the summit of the Kongma La pass.

On top of the summit, you’re rewarded with 360-degree views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and Ama Dablam. After spending some time here, you will descend on the western side. Here, the route involves navigating rocky moraines along the Khumbu Glacier until you reach Lobuche. It is a small temporary settlement where you gather before attempting to reach Everest Base Camp.

The morning trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep is relatively short, and the altitude gain is also steady. The trail follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier through a stark, rocky landscape with limited vegetation. After reaching Gorakshep (5,140 meters), the last settlement before Everest Base Camp, you’ll check into your teahouse. Here, you will first have lunch and a brief rest before continuing the trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters).

The route to EBC features rocky moraine along the mighty Khumbu Glacier. After some hours, you reach the base of the world’s highest mountain, surrounded by ice seracs and the Khumbu Icefall. Standing here is an unforgettable achievement. The summit of Everest isn’t visible from base camp itself, but the surrounding giants and the sense of accomplishment make this moment truly special. You’ll then retrace your steps back to Gorakshep for the night.

Today begins before dawn with a challenging climb to Kala Patthar (5,550 meters), which is also the trek’s highest point. You start with a steep ascent in the pre-dawn darkness. Once you reach the top, you get rewarded with arguably the best panoramic views of Mount Everest, bathed in golden sunrise light, along with Nuptse, Changtse, and the sprawling Khumbu Glacier below. The 360-degree mountain vista from this viewpoint is simply breathtaking and worth every labored breath.

Then, you’ll descend back to Gorakshep for breakfast. After that, you pack your bags and start trekking to Dzonglha (4,830 meters). This section takes you through rocky moraines. You gradually descend through the Khumbu Valley, where you get different perspectives of the peaks you’ve come to know. Dzonglha is a small settlement that serves as the base for crossing Cho La Pass. Arriving at the teahouse after a long day offers a sense of accomplishment and much-needed rest.

The second of the three high passes awaits today as you tackle Cho La Pass (5,420 meters). This pass is often considered the most technically challenging due to potential ice and snow conditions. You begin early with a steep ascent across rocky terrain that may require microspikes or crampons, depending on the season. You will have to climb over large rocks and walk through a narrow, rocky path.

When you finally reach the prayer flag-adorned summit, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Ama Dablam and the surrounding peaks. You again descend to the western side. The descent is equally demanding. You have to cross potentially icy slopes and rocky moraines before gradually easing into the valley leading to Dragnag (4,700 meters). This small settlement near the Ngozumpa Glacier serves as a gateway to the Gokyo Valley and provides well-deserved rest after a strenuous crossing.

Today’s trek is shorter and easier, giving you a nice break before the upcoming climb. The trail moves along the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas. You’ll see interesting ice formations, deep cracks, and shifting shades of gray and white. As you continue, you’ll pass the lower Gokyo Lakes, their bright turquoise water standing out sharply against the rocky landscape.

When you reach Gokyo village (4,790 meters), the third Gokyo Lake comes into full view, calm, blue, and one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. The village sits in an amazing spot, facing Cho Oyu (8,201 meters), the sixth-highest mountain on the planet. Since the walk today is shorter, you’ll have extra time to rest, explore the lakes, and get ready for tomorrow’s early morning hike up Gokyo Ri.

On this day, you’ll need an early start for the climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 meters). This is one of the Everest Three Pass trek’s most impressive viewpoints. The ascent is steep and takes about 2-3 Hours, heading straight up the ridge behind Gokyo village. The altitude makes it tough, but the trail is clear and marked with cairns, so navigation isn’t an issue.

At the top, you’ll get a jaw-dropping view of four of the world’s six highest peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, along with endless surrounding mountains. Below, the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the vast gray stretch of the Ngozumpa Glacier create a scene you won’t forget. Once you’ve taken in the views and snapped your photos, head back down to Gokyo village for a well-earned rest.

After climbing up the Gokyo Ri, you’ll now start descending and take on the third and final high pass, Renjo La (5,360 meters). With this, you officially complete the Three Passes circuit. From Gokyo, you follow the west trail and climb steadily through rocky terrain. As you climb up, you get wider and wider views of the Gokyo Lakes opening up behind you. The slope gets tougher as you get closer to the pass, so slow, steady pacing is key.

From the top of Renjo La, you’ll get one of the best views of the entire trek: the full Gokyo valley with its glowing turquoise lakes, the huge Everest range with Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, and Cho Oyu rising tall on the western side. The descent is steep at first but becomes easier as you drop into the Bhote Koshi valley. You’ll end the day in the quiet village of Lumde (4,380 meters), your final night in the high mountains.

From Lumde, you’ll follow the quieter trail into the less-traveled western side of the Khumbu. As you descend, you’ll pass Marlung, a traditional Sherpa village where daily life still follows old rhythms and customs. The views along the way open up toward Thamserku, Kangtega, and other peaks, while the landscape slowly becomes greener as the altitude drops.

The trail eventually brings you to Thame (3,800 meters), a village with deep cultural importance in the Sherpa community. Thame is known for producing many legendary Sherpa climbers, including members of Tenzing Norgay’s family. The village is also home to the Thame Monastery, set on a hillside, and is one of the key sites for the Mani Rimdu festival. In this quieter, less touristy setting, you’ll get a real sense of Sherpa hospitality and tradition.

Today brings a big drop in elevation as you start making your way back toward Lukla. You’ll trek down from Thame and join the main Everest Base Camp route that reconnects with Namche Bazaar. The descent takes about 2-3 hours, moving through familiar sections that feel different when seen from above. Once in Namche, you can grab lunch, rest, or pick up any last-minute items.

From Namche, the trail drops steeply through pine forests on the busy path toward Monjo (2,835 meters). The downhill will test your knees, but the thicker air at lower altitudes makes breathing much easier. Arriving in Monjo, just before the Sagarmatha National Park exit, marks your final overnight stop before the last stretch to Lukla tomorrow.

This day will be your last trekking day. It follows the same path you took at the start, but it will hit differently now that you’ve completed the Three Passes Trek. The trail drops down to the Hillary Suspension Bridge for one final crossing, then continues through Phakding, the place where this whole journey kicked off nearly three weeks ago. The gentle path along the Dudh Koshi River makes for an easy walk and gives you time to think about everything you’ve accomplished.

The final uphill push to Lukla (2,840 meters) feels meaningful after so many days above 4,000 meters. Reaching Lukla marks the true end of the trek, and it’s where you’ll celebrate with your guide and porters, thanking them for getting you through the mountains. Tonight in Lukla, you’ll finally get to enjoy hot showers, soft beds, and the comfort you’ve been craving before tomorrow’s flight back to Kathmandu.

Your journey officially ends today as you say goodbye to the Khumbu and board your early morning flight back to Kathmandu. You get one last chance to admire the Himalayan peaks, valleys, and glaciers you’ve trekked through. And if the weather cooperates, you may even get a final glimpse of Everest. After you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll be back into the bustle of city life after weeks in the mountains.

As you settle into your hotel, the comforts of hot showers, soft beds, and good food make the transition easier. The Three Passes circuit will stay with you long after the trek is over. It will leave you memories of challenging climbs, stunning views, and quiet mountain mornings. Today will mark the final chapter of an adventure that tested, rewarded, and transformed you in equal measure.