Nepal Holiday Treks and TOurs

Everest Three High Passes Trekking in Nepal

Duration
24 days
Max. Elevation
5635m
Group size
+1
Level
ADVANCE
Transportation
Kathmandu to Salleri by jeep
Best Season
During spring- March to May, During autumn September to November
Accomodation
stay at tea houses
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Starts at/ Ends at
Salleri / Lukla
Trip Route

Highlights

    - Climb to the Three High Passes of Kongma La (5535m), Cho La (5420m) Renjo La (5345m)

    - Visit the holy grail of trekking destinations; the incomparable Everest Base Camp

    - Explore the glacial lakes of the Gokyo Valley

    - Have an adventurous yet, challenging time while crossing three passes

    - Take delight in the breathtaking panoramic views of Everest from Kala Patthar

    - Experience the unique culture of the Sherpa people

    - Lodge trekking with full support crew


Overview

Everest Three High Passes


Everest Three Passes trek: a challenging and rewarding journey to reach Everest Base Camp. Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure?  It offers unparalleled alpine beauty and undoubtedly the grandest mountain scenery in the world. The magnificent views of mountains such as Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Nuptse, Mount Thamserku, and many more await you. Walk through shifting glaciers and lunar landscapes, pass traditional Sherpa villages, sway across metal bridges spanning deep rivers, and witness the diverse flora and fauna of the region, including the Himalayan tahr, snow leopard, and the national bird of Nepal, the Danphe.

Trekking to the base of the world's highest peak Mt. Everest (8848.86m), is fascinating. Everest, the trek to its three passes, namely Everest Three high Passes trek, is one of the most exciting and adventurous treks that start at 2362 meters Salleri, mid at Everest Base camp 5,364 m/17598ft from sea level and end at 2880 meters Lukla. the distance is 103 miles and 166km.

The highlight of the trek is reaching Everest Base Camp, where you can stand in the shadow of mighty Mount Everest. But the adventure doesn’t end there! You’ll also conquer three high passes: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, each offering its own unique challenges and stunning vistas. The reflection of surrounding peaks in tranquil waters is a sight you won’t soon forget."


"Breathtaking Mountain Views: Throughout the trek, you’ll be treated to awe-inspiring views of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and many more. The sight of these majestic mountains will leave you speechless!


Everest Base Camp: You’ll have the opportunity to visit Everest Base Camp, where mountaineers start their ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. Standing at the base of the world’s highest peak is an experience like no other.


Sherpa Culture and Hospitality: Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich Sherpa culture. You’ll visit traditional Sherpa villages, interact with the friendly locals, and learn about their way of life. The warm hospitality of the Sherpa people will make you feel right at home.


Unique Landscapes: The Everest region is known for its diverse and stunning landscapes. From lush forests and cascading waterfalls to rugged valleys and glacial moraines, every step of the trek will present you with a new and captivating view.


Sense of Achievement: Completing the Everest Three High Pass Trek is an incredible accomplishment. It will test your physical and mental strength, but the sense of achievement you’ll feel upon reaching each pass and milestone along the way is absolutely priceless.


Best time to Visit Three high Passes Trek

The best time to visit the Everest Three High Pass varies with each season, offering unique experiences throughout the year. In the Spring Season, from March to May, you’ll witness blooming rhododendrons and clear skies, making it ideal for trekking with pleasant temperatures. Summer, from June to August, brings lush greenery but also the monsoon rains, which can make trails slippery and challenging.
Fall from September to November, is a popular time with stable weather, clear views, and colorful landscapes as the foliage changes. Finally winter, from December to February, offers quite trails and snowy scenery. But be prepared for colder temperatures and the possibility of some passes being closed due to heavy snow.
Each season has its charm, so choose the time that best suits your preferences and trekking style for an unforgettable Everest Three High Passes adventure! However, it’s important to note that weather conditions in the Everest region can be unpredictable, so it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast and be prepared for changes.


Difficulty level; Landscapes, Terrain and Altitude

The Everest Three High Pass Trek is considered a challenging trek, a good level of physical fitness and trekking experience. The trek involves crossing three passes, which can be physically demanding. The terrain is rugged and steep at times, and you’ll be trekking for almost hours each day. It’s important to be prepared, physically and mentally, and to take proper for altitude sickness.
The landscapes you’ll encounter are breathtaking, with towering peaks, terrain, and serene valleys that will leave you in at every turn. The terrain varies from rocky paths to snowy slopes, demanding both physical endurance and mental resilience.
At high altitude, the thin air can make each step feel more strenuous, need acclimatization and careful pacing to prevent altitude sickness. The altitude adds an extra layer of difficulty, but the sense of achievement when conquering each pass is unparalleled. Despite the challenges, the stunning views and the sense of accomplishment make the Everest Three High Passes an once-in-a-lifetime experience for adventures seeking a true test of their skills and spirit all over.


Food and Accommodation

When it comes to tackling the Everest Three High passes, food and accommodation are crucial aspects of the journey. Along the challenging trails, you’ll find the tea houses and lodges offering a variety of meals to fuel your adventure. These cozy lodgings provide a warm beds and heartily meals allowing you to rest and recharge for the next day’s trek. The local cuisine, such as Dal Bhat and Sherpa strew, not only satisfies your hunger but also gives you a taste of the region’s rich flavors.
Staying in these tea houses lets you immerse yourself in the mountain culture, connecting with some trekkers and sharing stories of your high altitude escapades. Its unique experience that blends comfort with the thrill of high-altitude exploration, making your Everest Three High Passes journey truly unforgettable!


Monasteries

Exploring the monasteries along the Everest Three High Passes trek is a spiritually enriching experience. Some notable monasteries you might encounter include Tengboche Monastery with stunning mountain views; Thame Monastery, known for its peaceful setting and cultural significance; and on e of the oldest monasteries in the region with intricate artwork and a serene atmosphere.
These monasteries offer glimpse into the rich religious and cultural heritage of the Himalayan region, adding a profound dimension to your trekking adventure.


Local village

The local village along Everest three high passes trek is like hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Each village has its own charm, offering a glimpse into the traditional Sherpa way of life. From Namche Bazaar, a bustling Sherpa town known for its vibrant market and stunning mountain views, to Dingboche, a picturesque village surrounded by fields and stone walls, every village has a story to tell.
As you trek through these villages, you’ll encounter warm hospitality, colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and cozy tea houses serving delicious local cuisine. The sense of community, the simplicity of life, and a breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas make the experience of visiting these local villages truly magical.


Costs and Worth

When it comes to the costs and worth of trekking the Everest Three High Passes, it’s essential to consider the overall experience you’ll gain. While the trek may involve expenses like permits, guides, accommodation, and meals, the breathtaking views, cultural immersion, and personal growth make it truly priceless. The sense of achievement, the bond with nature, and the unique encounters with local communities along the way add immeasurable value to the journey. So, despite the costs, the worth of embarking on the Everest Three High Passes trek is beyond monetary value-it’s an investment in unforgettable memories and a deeper connection with the majestic Himalayas.


Guide and Porter

Guides and porters are essential for trekking and mountaineering expeditions here. They are friendly and helpful, with a ready-to-serve attitude at all times, they enhance the safety of trekkers and ensure responsible, as the guides are trained to handle emergencies and are well-versed in local terrain and culture." They can deal all diplomatically with the local problems and conflicts if raised accidentally.


Travel insurance

An insurance plan is an necessary  factor in the Everest base camp trek. Accidents, illness, injuries, stolen or lost baggage, natural calamities, and other unforeseen circumstances they are a potential risk of altitude. A proper insurance plan that includes Helicopter rescue and coverage up to 6000m above sea level.
 

Trip Itinerary

Welcome to Kathmandu: the gateway to all treks in Nepal. You’ll be warmly welcomed by a member of the Nepal Holiday Treks and Tours team and transferred to your hotel. You’ll meet our trekking experts, who will explain your itinerary and review all of the trekking equipment and essentials that you’ll need for your Ever est Three Passes Trek. Overnight stay.

Depart from Kathmandu in the morning and take a jeep or bus to Salleri. The drive takes around 8-9 hours approx. the trails lead  through beautiful villages, lush forests, and winding mountain roads to reach our destination for the night.


In the journey of Everest three-pass treks, today is your first trek.Today is comparatively the easy and comfortable day of the trek as we pass through small streams and hilly gorges. We’ll cross the pine trees and reach the traditional village of Ringmo. We then incline toward Takshindo Gompa. At Takshindo, you can visit the Gompa and the old cheese factory. After descending from here, you will reach Nunthala.



After breakfast, continue your trek with a gentle descent, passing towards the Dudh Koshi River. Walking through the trail adorned with colorful Buddhist flags, you will climb to Kharikhola.

Distance: 8 miles/ 13km

Today's trek will be adventurous. We’ll pass through rhododendron and oak forests with some tea shops and scattered Sherpa settlements along the way. The breathtaking views of the Himalayan panoramic vista include Cho-Oyu, Gyangchung Kang, Numbu, and Thamserku mountains.
 Passing through lush woodlands, you'll arrive at Paiyu village. Since the village lies in the middle of the forest, the views and the cold breeze coming from the forest are very refreshing. Stay Overnight.

Distance:

The trek from Paiya to Phakding descends to Surke, where you can witness Lukla to your north. The trail passes several villages, forests, and suspension bridges. You might even spot yaks peacefully grazing, their floppy coats blending with the natural colors of the mountains.
We’ll reach Phakding, stay in a comfortable teahouse, warm up by the crackling fireplace, and treat you to a comforting cup of yak butter tea - the perfect way to wrap up a rewarding day on the trail. Stay Overnight.

Distance: 22 miles/35km

The day starts with good scenic walking along the trail through lovely villages, particularly Benkhar. The Dudh Koshi River is followed and crossed at the Hillary suspension bridge. In Manjo, we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park where our permits will be checked. Lunch will be on the way.

Distance: 4miles/ 6.5km

Today is a day to let the body acclimatize as we have quickly ascended in altitude. The best way to acclimatize is to be active. Either by exploring Namche, you can walk around the Khumjung valley, Hillary School, and Khunde hospital.
Here you can find Khumjung Monastery, which dates back hundreds of years, although it was reconstructed after the 2015 earthquake. We will also hike up to Syangboche Airport and the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest-placed hotels in the world. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas, including Mt Everest. after exploring we'll back at guesthouse.

Distance: 3miles/5km

Throughout the Everest trek route, Tengboche Monastery is the main attraction for trekkers, mountaineers, and everyone else, which sits on a hill at the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and the Imja Khola. We’ll climb a series of switchbacks to earn a marvelous look at the mighty summits of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
 Set amongst impossibly scenic Himalayan Mountains, the monastery is the largest of its kind in all of Khumbu. The fields are walled to protect crops from icy winds and animals during the short growing season. After admiring the stunning artistry of its murals and sculptures, we’ll return to our guesthouse to spend the night.

Distance: 5 miles/ 8km

After having breakfast, you’ll head out to Dingboche. Traditional Sherpa settlements, nunneries, monasteries, mani stones, chortens, yaks, and wildlife pastures are the best features of the Tengboche to Dingboche hiking route.
Along the trek, you will pass by the village of Pangboche as well as the famous mountain of Ama Dablam, surely making this a memorable day of your hiking experience. After then reaching Dingboche for the night stay.

Distance: 6miles/10km

Today's route is shorter and gentler than the past few days, but the mountain scenery is no less impressive. You can see the Imja Tse summit, which has a rocky and frosty aspect. In a short while, a dramatic view of Island Peak is offered.
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. Soon after, within an hour of walking from Bibre, we arrive at Chhukung for stay.

Distance: 3 miles/ 5km

Today  the day is devoted for further acclimatization. The air level is getting thinner, so you need to adjust to the increasing altitude. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit still. If you didn’t make it to Chukkung Ri yesterday, a sunrise hike to the viewpoint to watch dawn break across the Himalayas makes for an experience you won’t forget
However you choose to spend the day, we’ll return to Chhukung in the afternoon to prepare our supplies for tomorrow and to spend another night.

Distance:1 miles/ 1.6km

Today, you need to walk quite a bit longer than earlier times. After descending from Chhukung through Kongma La Pass, in Lobuche, you will envelop the ice-covered river in the Thukla glacier and ascend the hill to witness the glorious views of Cholatse, Lobuche, Nuptse, and Pumori. Plus, the blue glacier walls seem to inspire the neighboring buttresses to stand strong and proud on their fee.
The whole mountain families appear extraordinary from the Kongma La Pass, where you’ll get to see some of the best views of the Everest region. Mountains, glaciers, iced lakes, valleys, hills - you can capture the whole horizon from there. After enough time at the top, you will descend through a stone and rough trail towards Lobuche. Your overnight stay will be there.

Distance: 3 miles/ 5km



On this day, you’ll finally be at the base camp, which will definitely make you proud and excited to be near the top of the world. 2-3 hours after leaving Lobuche, you’ll arrive in Gorak Shep, the final settlement before the base camp, with views of the Khumbu glacier and mountains. Starting the trek again from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp, we’ll pass through rocky dunes, moraines, and streams before reaching the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest. From there, we'll admire Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori Mountain.
 It’s a historic moment in itself to be able to trek up to Everest Base Camp. After spending some proud and beautiful moments at the base camp, you will return to Gorak Shep for the night stay.

Distance: 3 miles/ 5km


The hike from Gorak Shep to Kalapatthar is challenging but totally worth it for the incredible views. The hike remains difficult with increasing altitude and unmarked trails. This will be one of the loveliest days for us as we ascend towards 5545 meters to explore the mighty Himalayas.
After some time, we’ll reach Kala Patthar. Kala Patthar is not a very scenic mountain itself, but it is perhaps the best location to view Mount Everest without doing technical climbs. The views you will see will be unlike anything you have ever experienced. We’ll enjoy the stunning Himalayan vista and descend to Lobuche, where we will stay the night.

Distance 3miles/5km

Our journey from Lobuche to Dzongla offers us more stunning views without the crossing of glaciers, schlepping up high passes, or testing our limits with extreme altitude. We’ll pass by a stupa and tombstones in the distance. On the way to Dzongla, you’ll also enjoy the scenic Cho Tsho Lake along with the greatest views of mountains like Mt Everest, Mt Nuptse, Mt Pumori, Mt Ama Dablam, and many more.
We can better admire the view of the looming Awi Peak. We continue further and pass another lake, which is smaller than Cho La Lake. We cross the Chola Khola on a bridge before reaching Dzongla. Stay overnight at Dzongla.

Distance: 2 miles/3km

Today our route will take us from Dzongla to Dragnag via Cho La Pass, one of the more technical of the popular “Three Passes”. Starting our trek, you will get some stunning views of the surrounding mountains and landscape, but you will also trek on an actual glacier. The Cho La Pass is the highlight of the day's trek, with dramatic views of snow-capped peaks appearing that we have never seen before.
 While following these ascents and descents, we take proper care of ourselves to avoid any risks of being injured as there may be slippery ice glazed around rocks. In this way, after a short while, we’ll finally arrive at Dragnag where we will be staying overnight.

Distance: 3miles/5km

Today's trek is short but provides some of the most picturesque views and landscapes we have ever seen. You will hike towards the north to get to Gokyo and move further on the trail above the tree line. You'll walk alongside the Ngozumpa Glacier and descend towards it.
 The panorama of the Himalayas and the view of the glacier and lakes look spectacular from there. We can relish the wonderful environment. After then we'll be in Gokyo for night.

Distance: 2 miles/3km

on this day, you'll take a break from trekking and spend an extra day in Gokyo to allow your body to adjust to the high altitude. During the acclimatization day, you have couple of options to make the most of your time.
and after having breakfast we'll hike to gokyo ri, a viewpoint that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Everest, Cho Oyu and Makalu. The hike up to Gokyo Ri is quite steep, but the views from the top are absolutely worth it!
you can also take a leisurely walk around the lakes, enjoy the tranquil atmoshphere, and soak in the natural beauty of the surrounding. After exporing we back to Gokyo for night stay.

Distance: 1mile/1.6 km

We trek from Gokyo to Lungden via Renjo La Pass, which will take quite a hike with some rest in between. You can look into the distance and spot prayer flags that mark the Renjo La Pass. The trail leads with a steep, requiring cautious steps through the challenging terrain, strewn with loose stones.
The colossal 8000-meter peaks appear remarkably close, providing some of the most remarkable views of Mount Everest along any Everest trail. Afterward, the trail descends toward Lungden for the overnight stay.

Distance: 2 miles/3km

Lungdhen village is nestled at the base of a massive hill, receiving sunlight later in the morning. The journey from Lungdhen to Thame involves relatively easy terrain with numerous switchback ascents. Upon crossing the water stream, we trek for 2-3 hours to reach Thame village.
 Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, who, with Edmund Hillary, first climbed Mount Everest, spent his childhood here. We'll visit the historic Thame Monastery and experience spiritual Buddhist practices as well. Stay overnght at Thame.

Distance:3 miles/5km

After having breakfast, it’s time to trek back to Namche. You will pass through other Sherpa settlements and forested trails before reaching Namche Bazaar. The scenery looks absolutely different on the return journey as well. We trek past Tengboche and reach Namche Bazaar. It is bonus time to explore there, if you missed out on the first encounter.

Distance:6 miles/10km

Today is our final day of the Everest Three High Pass Trek. The trail involves a steep descent with several river crossings. You'll retrace your journey along the same trail, passing through Jorsalle, Manjo, and Phakding before ultimately reaching your overnight stop in Lukla.

Distance: 9 miles/15km

Shortly after breakfast, we head back to Kathmandu after our long and grueling mountain adventure. During this flight, you can still enjoy the view of the mountains. Most likely, you will be thinking back on our trip to Everest Base Camp and back home. After arriving in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.

40 min flight

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Art representing various natural and cultutal heritages of Nepal