Everest Three Passes Trek - 17 Days

Everest · 17 Days

Everest Three Passes Trek - 17 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 5,545m (18,192 ft) at Kala Patthar; passes to 5,535m · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

17 Days

Max Altitude

5,545m (18,192 ft)

at Kala Patthar; passes to 5,535m

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Teahouse / Lodge

Overview

The Everest Three Passes trek is the most complete walking circuit of the Khumbu - a 17-day expedition that crosses Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m) and Renjo La (5,345m), reaches Everest Base Camp, climbs Kala Patthar at sunrise and visits Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri on the same trip. If EBC is the headline, Three Passes is the deep, three-volume edition.

This is not technical mountaineering - no ropes, no crampons, no fixed ice. But it is the most physically demanding teahouse trek in Nepal. You will cross three 5,300m+ passes back-to-back, walk for 7-9 hours on the big days, and spend two full weeks above 3,000m. The reward is an unmatched panorama: Everest from four different angles, the Ngozumpa glacier, the Imja valley and a level of remoteness that even EBC trekkers rarely see.

Highlights

  • Cross three high passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), Renjo La (5,345m)
  • Stand at Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and sunrise on Kala Patthar (5,545m)
  • Climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for the famous four-8,000m-peak panorama
  • Walk the full length of the Ngozumpa Glacier - Nepal's longest
  • Optional summit of Chukhung Ri (5,546m) as a pre-pass acclimatisation hike
  • Visit Tengboche, Pangboche and Thame monasteries
  • See Mount Everest from East, South, North and West - the only trek that delivers all four
  • Quiet Renjo La descent through traditional Sherpa villages of Thame
  • Two scheduled acclimatisation days plus a Gokyo rest day
  • All permits, Lukla flights, porters and contingency-day budgets handled in advance

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

🍽 Welcome dinner

Airport transfer, hotel check-in and evening welcome dinner with trek briefing.

Day 2

Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m), trek to Phakding (2,610m)

⏱ 35-min flight + 3 hours ↔ 8 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning flight to Lukla. After meeting porters, walk down to the Dudh Koshi river and follow it gently to Phakding.

Day 3

Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

⏱ 6 hours ↔ 9 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The famous five-bridges day, enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, then the long pull into the Namche amphitheatre.

Day 4

Acclimatisation at Namche

⏱ 4-5 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hike to Hotel Everest View (3,880m) and Khumjung Sherpa village. Visit the Sagarmatha National Park visitor centre.

Day 5

Namche to Tengboche (3,870m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 10 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ridge walk with Ama Dablam constantly in view, drop to Phunki Tenga, then climb through pine forest to Tengboche Monastery.

Day 6

Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Past Pangboche Monastery into the trans-Himalayan zone. Dingboche's stone-walled barley terraces are unique in Khumbu.

Day 7

Dingboche to Chukhung (4,730m)

⏱ 3-4 hours ↔ 6 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short walk into the Imja valley with Lhotse looming ahead. Afternoon free for short acclimatisation hikes.

Day 8

Acclimatisation - hike Chukhung Ri (5,546m) or Island Peak Base Camp

⏱ 4-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A serious climb to a panoramic summit just shy of the 5,550m mark. Phenomenal views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Island Peak.

Day 9

Chukhung to Lobuche (4,940m) via Kongma La (5,535m)

⏱ 9-10 hours ↔ 12 km ▲ 5,535m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

The longest and hardest day. Pre-dawn start. A steep climb past frozen tarns to the pass, marked by prayer flags. Steep moraine descent to the Khumbu glacier, then a tiring crossing to Lobuche.

Day 10

Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,170m), trek to EBC (5,364m), back to Gorakshep

⏱ 7-8 hours ↔ 13 km round trip 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drop bags at Gorakshep and walk the lateral moraine to Everest Base Camp. Return to Gorakshep for the night.

Day 11

Kala Patthar (5,545m), down to Dzongla (4,830m)

⏱ 8 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pre-dawn climb of Kala Patthar for the classic sunrise. Back to Gorakshep, descend to Lobuche, then a contouring walk past Chola Tsho lake to Dzongla.

Day 12

Dzongla to Thangnak via Cho La (5,420m)

⏱ 8-9 hours ↔ 12 km ▲ 5,420m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

Pre-dawn boulder scramble to the pass, glacier crossing (micro-spikes recommended), then a long scree descent into the Gokyo valley.

Day 13

Thangnak to Gokyo (4,790m)

⏱ 3 hours ↔ 5 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short morning across the Ngozumpa glacier - Nepal's longest - to the third Gokyo lake. Afternoon free to explore the second and first lakes.

Day 14

Climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m), rest at Gokyo

⏱ 4 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pre-dawn climb of Gokyo Ri for the iconic panorama: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu - four 8,000m peaks in one frame. Afternoon rest in Gokyo.

Day 15

Gokyo to Marlung (4,210m) via Renjo La (5,345m)

⏱ 8 hours ↔ 11 km ▲ 5,345m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

The most scenic pass of the trek. Stone staircase descent on the west side, then a long walk past Angladumba Tsho lake to the Bhote Koshi valley.

Day 16

Marlung to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

⏱ 8 hours ↔ 18 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Down the historic Tibetan trade route via Thame village and its hilltop monastery. Long final descent into Namche.

Day 17

Namche to Lukla, fly to Kathmandu

⏱ 7 hours hike ↔ 19 km hike + 35-min flight 🍽 Breakfast

Final descent through the Dudh Koshi gorge to Lukla. Morning flight back to Kathmandu the following day - we always recommend a buffer day for weather.

Ready to walk this?

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What's included

Included

  • Round-trip Kathmandu-Lukla flights including airport tax
  • All airport pickups and drops in private vehicle
  • Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality permit
  • Senior government-licensed English-speaking guide (salary, food, lodging, insurance covered)
  • 1 porter for every 2 trekkers (maximum 20 kg load, insurance and food covered)
  • Twin/double sharing teahouse accommodation throughout the trek
  • Three meals a day during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Packed lunches on the pass-crossing days where lodges are not available
  • Emergency evacuation co-ordination (you provide the insurance)
  • Trekking maps and trail briefings each evening
  • First aid kit and pulse-oximeter carried by the guide
  • All applicable government taxes and service charges

Not included

  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance (compulsory - must cover trekking to 6,000 m and emergency helicopter)
  • Hotel and meals in Kathmandu
  • Hot showers, Wi-Fi, device charging in lodges
  • Bottled water, sodas and alcoholic drinks
  • Personal trekking and pass gear (gaiters, traction devices)
  • Tips for guide, porter and driver
  • Any cost arising from flight delays, weather or political disruption

Trek guide

The Circuit That Closes the Khumbu

Three Passes is not a single linear trek - it is a loop. You enter at Lukla, walk anti-clockwise across the Khumbu, and exit at the same airstrip. By the end you will have crossed three glacial valleys (Imja, Khumbu, Gokyo) and four mountain ridges, sleeping in lodges most trekkers never see (Chukhung, Dzongla, Marlung).

Why Anti-Clockwise?

We run the trek anti-clockwise (Kongma La first, Renjo La last). This gives you the slowest, gentlest acclimatisation: Namche - Tengboche - Dingboche - Chukhung gives 7 days of climb before the first pass. The reverse direction starts with Renjo La cold, before your lungs are ready.

The Three Passes

  • Kongma La (5,535m) - The highest and most technical-feeling, with a long boulder field on the east side. Cleared early morning to avoid afternoon cloud build-up.
  • Cho La (5,420m) - A short glacier crossing (no ropes needed but micro-spikes or crampons strongly recommended in snow), then a long scree descent into Dzongla.
  • Renjo La (5,345m) - The most scenic, with the classic photo of Gokyo Lake framed by Everest. Easier underfoot than the other two.

Acclimatisation Strategy

Two scheduled rest days (Namche and Dingboche), plus a third in Chukhung before Kongma La. Each rest day includes a higher hike (Hotel Everest View, Nangkartshang ridge, Chukhung Ri) and a descent to sleep low. Pulse-oximeter readings are taken every morning above 4,000m.

Permits

  • Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
  • Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

Both are issued in our Kathmandu office before you fly to Lukla.

Best Season

  • Spring (April-May): Warmer pass conditions, stable weather, blooming rhododendrons up to Tengboche
  • Autumn (October-November): Clearest visibility, drier passes, cold mornings

Crossing the passes in winter is technically possible but the snow can be hip-deep and Lukla flights are unreliable. We do not run this trek in monsoon.

Fitness

Among the hardest teahouse treks in Nepal. You should be comfortable walking 8-9 hours at altitude with a daypack. Prior multi-day high-altitude experience is strongly recommended. Four to six months of cardio and lower-body strength training is the baseline.

Packing list

Clothing: Down jacket -15C, mid-weight fleece, waterproof shell, soft-shell trousers, 3 trekking shirts, thermal base layers, 5-6 pairs trekking socks, warm beanie, sun hat, neck buff, insulated and liner gloves

Footwear: Stiff-soled waterproof trekking boots, gaiters, micro-spikes or instep crampons for Cho La, camp shoes

Accessories: 40L daypack, 65L duffel for porter, -18C rated sleeping bag, telescopic trekking poles, headlamp with spare batteries (pass starts are pre-dawn), polarised sunglasses (UV400, side-shields), 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank (15,000+ mAh), universal plug adapter

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, insurance certificate, 4 passport photos

Medical: Diamox 250mg, painkillers, antihistamines, blister care, broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, rehydration salts

Frequently asked questions

Is this harder than EBC?
Significantly. EBC is 14 days of moderate walking. Three Passes is 17 days of strenuous walking with three 5,300m+ pass crossings. Prior multi-day high-altitude experience is strongly recommended.

Do I need crampons?
Not full crampons. Micro-spikes or instep crampons are strongly recommended for Cho La, especially in October-November when there is ice. We can arrange rentals in Kathmandu.

Which direction is best?
We run anti-clockwise (Kongma La first). This builds acclimatisation gradually. Clockwise is possible but starts you cold over Renjo La.

What happens if a pass is closed?
Heavy snow or high wind can shut a pass for 24-48 hours. We build a flexible contingency day at Lobuche. If one pass cannot be crossed safely we re-route via the standard EBC trail - your safety is non-negotiable.

How fit do I need to be?
You should be able to walk 8-9 hours at altitude with a daypack on multiple consecutive days. Six months of focussed cardio + leg strength + at least one multi-day high-altitude trek beforehand is the recommended baseline.

How cold do the passes get?
Pre-dawn at Kongma La in November can be -20C with windchill. A -18C sleeping bag and proper down jacket are essential.

How crowded are the passes?
Quiet. EBC sees 40,000+ trekkers per year. Three Passes sees roughly 3,000. You may meet 1-2 other groups on each pass.

Can solo trekkers join?
Yes - our small-group departures are perfect for solo travellers. A licensed guide is now mandatory in Sagarmatha National Park.

What about Wi-Fi and charging?
Wi-Fi via Everest Link available up to Gokyo. Charging in every lodge for USD 2-5 per device. Bring a 15,000 mAh power bank.

Can I add Island Peak?
Yes - we offer a 21-day Three Passes + Island Peak combo. Speak to the office.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $1795

per person

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