The Everest Three Passes Trek with Tour of Nepal
The Everest Three Passes Trek is an exhilarating, high-altitude adventure through Nepal’s spectacular Khumbu region, where trekkers cross the Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La passes. This trek offers unparalleled views of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mount Everest, and provides a challenging but rewarding experience for seasoned adventurers.
Trip Highlights:
– Everest Base Camp: The iconic starting point to the base of the world’s highest mountain.
– Ngozumpa Glacier: The longest glacier system in the Himalayas.
– Cho La Pass: Known as the most technical of the three passes.
– Four Peaks Over 8,000 Meters: Marvel at Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
– Sherpa Culture: Encounter ethnic Sherpa tribes and their rich cultural heritage.
– Sagarmatha National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site and home to diverse wildlife.
Trip Overview:
Embark on one of Nepal’s most challenging trekking routes, the Everest Three Passes Trek, which offers spectacular views of towering peaks like Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. The journey takes you through remote villages, historic monasteries, and incredible glaciers, offering a deep immersion into the natural beauty and culture of the Everest region.
This trek is suitable for experienced trekkers as it involves crossing three high-altitude passes and trekking to altitudes above 5,000 meters. The route connects iconic locations such as Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri, and Tengboche Monastery, while providing sweeping views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Everest Three Passes:
- Kongma La Pass (5,535m / 18,160ft): The highest and first pass on the trek, offering views of Makalu, Thamserku, and other towering peaks.
- Cho La Pass (5,420m / 17,783ft): Known for its technical difficulty, Cho La Pass connects Everest Base Camp and the Gokyo Valley, passing over loose rocks and glaciers.
- Renjo La Pass (5,435m / 17,832ft): The final pass of the trek, offering panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, as well as the Gokyo Lakes and Ngozumpa Glacier.
Trek Details:
– Duration: 19 days
– Difficulty: Extreme
– Highest Point: 5,545 meters (Kala Patthar)
– Accommodations: As mentioned in the itinerary
– Meals: As per the itinerary
– Transportation: On a private basis
Best Time to Trek:
The ideal time to trek is during the spring (March-May) and autumn (October-December) seasons, when the weather is clear, and the skies are ideal for mountain views. The spring season also coincides with the Mani Rimdu Festival, a significant Sherpa cultural event.
Difficulty:
This trek is considered one of the most challenging in Nepal, involving extreme altitude, long trekking days, steep ascents, and technical passes. Acclimatization is crucial to avoid altitude sickness, and physical and mental stamina are necessary to complete the journey.
If this itinerary doesn’t match your plans, we can customize it to better fit your schedule and preferences. Let us know if you’d like us to create a tailor-made itinerary for you!
The 19-day Everest Three Passes Trek itinerary is a challenging yet rewarding adventure that takes you through the stunning Khumbu region of Nepal, where you will cross three high-altitude passes: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, with a visit to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Ri. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the trek:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
The journey begins with your arrival in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. You will be welcomed by your trekking guide and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, you will have the chance to relax or explore the city, perhaps visiting some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites like Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, or Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
On this day, you will have a guided tour of the key cultural and historical sites in Kathmandu, including Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Durbar Square. In the afternoon, your guide will provide a briefing about the trek and ensure all necessary preparations are made, such as gear checks and permits.
Day 3: Scenic Flight to Lukla and Trek to the Village of Phakding
You will take an exciting early-morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. Upon arrival, you’ll begin your trek to Phakding, passing through small Sherpa villages and enjoying your first views of the mountains. This is a relatively easy day to acclimatize to the altitude.
Day 4: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
After breakfast, you will continue your trek to Namche Bazaar, a bustling town known as the Sherpa capital. The trail involves a steep ascent and a crossing of the Dudh Koshi River, offering stunning views of Everest and other surrounding peaks. Namche is an excellent spot for acclimatization, so you will spend the night here.
Day 5: Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar
This day is for acclimatization, which is crucial for your health as you ascend to higher altitudes. You will take a short hike to the Everest View Hotel, which offers panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other towering peaks. In the afternoon, you can explore Namche Bazaar, visit the local museum, and prepare for the next leg of the journey.
Day 6: Journey from Namche Bazaar to the Monastery of Tengboche
On this day, you will trek towards Tengboche, a beautiful village famous for its monastery, which is one of the largest in the Everest region. The trek involves a mix of ascents and descents through forests of rhododendron and birch, with glimpses of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. The monastery provides a perfect spot for reflection and incredible mountain views.
Day 7: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche
The journey continues towards Dingboche, where you will be trekking through alpine terrain. As you ascend, the landscape shifts from forest to a more barren, high-altitude environment. Dingboche is a popular rest stop for trekkers and provides stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including the iconic Ama Dablam.
Day 8: Acclimatization Day at Dingboche
Another acclimatization day is spent in Dingboche, allowing you to adjust to the higher altitude. You will take a short hike to Nagarjun Hill, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Makalu, Lhotse, and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. Resting today is crucial for your health and well-being as you prepare for the upcoming high-altitude challenges.
Day 9: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass
The trek starts to get more challenging as you make your way to Lobuche, crossing the Kongma La Pass (5,535m), the highest pass of the trek. This day is physically demanding, with steep ascents and descents through rugged terrain and glaciers. From the pass, you will be treated to incredible views of Makalu, Nuptse, and other peaks. Lobuche is a small settlement offering basic amenities for trekkers.
Day 10: Trek from Lobuche to Dzongla
After a challenging day, you will trek to Dzongla, a small village located near the base of the Cho La Pass. This day allows for a slower pace, giving you time to rest and acclimatize while enjoying the breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
Day 11: Trek from Dzongla to Thangnak
On this day, you will trek towards Thangnak, passing through beautiful glacial moraines and rugged terrain. The path becomes steeper as you approach the Cho La Pass, and the trek offers stunning views of the Ngozumpa Glacier and Cho Oyu.
Day 12: Trek from Thangnak to Gokyo via Cho La Pass
This is one of the most difficult days of the trek, as you will cross the Cho La Pass (5,420m), a technical pass known for its icy and rocky terrain. The crossing requires careful navigation, and upon reaching the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, and other towering peaks. After crossing, you will descend into Gokyo Valley, where you will stay for the night.
Day 13: Acclimatization Day at Gokyo
Gokyo is an ideal place for acclimatization, and you will spend the day exploring the Gokyo Lakes and hiking up to Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The views from Gokyo Ri are considered some of the best in the Everest region.
Day 14: Trek from Gokyo to Lunde via Renjo La Pass
Today, you will cross Renjo La Pass (5,360m), which offers some of the most spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Gokyo Lakes. The pass is one of the most tiring days of the trek, but the effort is rewarded with incredible vistas. After crossing the pass, you will descend to Lunde (Lungdhen) for the night.
Day 15: Trek from Lunde to Thame
After crossing Renjo La Pass, you will descend to Thame, a picturesque village near the Tibet border. Thame is known for its rich Sherpa culture and the famous Thame Monastery. The trek here is relatively easier, providing a much-needed break after the previous day’s high-altitude crossing.
Day 16: Trek from Thame to Namche Bazaar
From Thame, you will trek back to Namche Bazaar, retracing your steps through the beautiful alpine terrain. Along the way, you will pass through traditional Sherpa villages and enjoy scenic views of the Himalayas.
Day 17: Return Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
On the final stretch of the trek, you will descend to Lukla, passing through forests and small Sherpa villages. This is the last day of trekking, and upon reaching Lukla, you will have time to relax and reflect on your incredible journey.
Day 18: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
After a final breakfast in Lukla, you will take a flight back to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, you will have time to relax and explore the city before your farewell dinner, where you can celebrate the completion of the trek with your fellow trekkers and guides.
Day 19: Departure from Kathmandu
On the final day, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight, carrying with you the memories of an unforgettable adventure through the Everest region.
This itinerary offers an incredible challenge for seasoned trekkers and is a journey of a lifetime for those who seek to experience the raw beauty and challenges of the world’s highest mountains.