Everest Three Passes Trek

Your Arrival Time (?) Our office representative will meet and greet you at Kathmandu Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu.

At. 06:00 PM: In the evening we will meet for a coffee and will brief you on the details of your trek program. If you arrive after 5 PM we will meet the next day for breakfast and brief you on the details about the trek.

At. 10:00 AM: You will visit for a full day sightseeing inside Kathmandu valley. You will visit historical monuments that include Kathmandu Durbar Square which is a collection of medieval architectural buildings that lies in the central part of Kathmandu city. It is also a place that boasts a diverse range of cultural artifacts and wonderful architectural styles, some temples, and a vivid display of Newari culture.

Next, you will visit Swayambhunath also known as the Monkey temple located on top of a hill west of Kathmandu city. Continue your excursion by exploring the Boudhanath Stupa which boasts Buddhist culture along with beautiful architecture and Tibetan culture. Last but not least Pashupatinath, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can get the blessing for the upcoming trek program. Besides sightseeing, you can do the required shopping for your trek in Thamel. Have dinner at the nearby restaurants while returning from sightseeing.

At. 05:30 AM: You will drive towards the airport for your Lukla flight. The drop to the airport will be according to the flight time. The 30-minute thrilling flight to Lukla airport is a unique way to start your trek. Your first-day trek begins from Lukla towards Phakding, the distance between Lukla to Phaking is 8 km which you will cover in 4-5 hours.

The trail then passes through Chaurikharka, Ghat finally leading to the beautiful Phakding village at the bank of the Dudh Koshi river. The terrains of Phakding are beautiful and the Sherpa settlement in most of the areas is very attractive. The Khumbu vibe begins in this area and offers you some mountain vistas from hilly cliffs. Overnight at Phakding.

Important Note: During the peak Everest trekking season, the flights to Lukla operate from Ramechhap, Manthali, if you are traveling in spring (April) and autumn (October/November) you are required to drive to Manthali from Kathmandu. You will drive early in the morning at around 1 AM. The distance between Kathmandu and Ramechap is around 132 km and you cover it in around 5-6 hours. You can upgrade your transfer by helicopter if you want to experience the thrill on the way to Lukla (Optional).

At. 08:00 AM: After breakfast, you will start your second-day trek towards the gateway of Everest, Namche Bazaar. For most people, this second day might be the hardest as you will have to climb steeply before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail follows the upstream of Dudh Koshi river. The trek on this day is fascinating as you will be heading towards the Namche Bazaar, which is popularly known as Sherpa Capital.

The distance between Phakding to Namche Bazaar is around 10 km. The trail passes through the villages of Monjo, Jorsalle, and Benkar before reaching Namche Bazaar. From Monjo, the world’s highest national park, there are three checkpoints for Sagarmatha national park permit and Monjo is the first point. The trek duration is 6-8 hours. Overnight at Namche Bazaar.

At. 09:00 AM: Namche Bazaar is a popular stop on many trekkers' itineraries in the Everest region of Nepal. It is situated at an altitude of 3,440 meters (11,286 feet) and serves as a hub for the area, offering a variety of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and lodges. Acclimatization is an essential aspect of any high-altitude trek, and Namche Bazaar is an excellent place to acclimatize. Trekking at high altitudes can be challenging, and it's essential to give your body time to adjust to the decreased oxygen levels. Acclimatization helps you avoid altitude sickness, which can be life-threatening.

During the acclimatization process, it's essential to take it slow and not push yourself too hard. The goal is to spend time at higher altitudes to allow your body to adjust gradually to the lower oxygen levels. It's recommended to stay at Namche Bazaar for at least two nights to help your body adjust before continuing your trek.

While in Namche Bazaar, you can take short hikes to higher elevations during the day and return to the town to sleep at night. For example, you could hike up to the Everest View Hotel, located at an altitude of 3,962 meters (12,999 feet), to take in stunning views of Everest and other peaks in the region. Remember to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, as dehydration can exacerbate altitude sickness symptoms. Additionally, it's essential to avoid alcohol and smoking and to eat nutritious, high-calorie meals to fuel your body during the acclimatization process.

At. 08:00 AM: After breakfast, you will move towards the village of the monastery. Tengboche has one of the biggest monasteries in the Khumbu region. The trail to Tengboche first starts with a flat surface gradually going steeply down to cross the river at Phunki Tenga and finally starting the steep climb to the Tengboche village. (The distance between Namche to Tengboche is around 10 km which you can cover in around 6-7 hours)

At. 03:00 PM: Tengboche monastery visit, which is also called the blessing point of the Everest region as trekkers visit the monastery for a successful trek. The monastery is one of the oldest and biggest Buddhist monuments in the Khumbu region. It acts as an abode of spirituality and Buddhism practices. Here you can explore the authenticity of the Buddhist culture, the lifestyle of monks, and the spectacular Himalayas in distant sight and enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, and other surrounding peaks. Overnight at Tengboche village.

At. 08:00 AM: After breakfast, you will start from the Tengboche Monastery, take a trail through the rhododendron forest to Deboche, and further to Imja Khola. Then you will climb to Pangboche village (3,930m), a Sherpa village with the oldest monastery in the region. Dingboche is a popular stop in the Khumbu region for trekking. It is a sherpa village that offers a wide range of cultural and natural attractions in this area. It takes about 6 hours of trekking to reach Dingboche village. (The distance between around 10 km which you can cover in around 6-7 hours)

You will move further towards another village Somare and reach the beautiful Dingboche village (4410m). Overnight stay in Dingboche village.

At. 08:00 AM: After breakfast, you will start your trek towards Chukkung village. You will follow the upstream of Imja Khola. From Dingboche, you will be leaving the main trail that leads to the Everest base camp. You will cover around 5 km today which will take around 4-5 hours through the stone-walled fields and alpine landscape. The view along the trail is spectacular and there are some mountain panoramas of the Khumbu region to explore.

After reaching Chhukung you will go for an exploration of the area which will help you to acclimatize for your past day. Overnight at a local lodge.

At. 05:00 AM: Today you will be crossing the first pass of your three-pass trek, the Kongma La Pass (5535m/18160 ft). The trail for the pass is strenuous and challenging. This is the highest pass on the three-pass trek. You will be carrying enough water and snacks for the day as there are no tea shops or tea houses available on the trail. The crossing of the pass is difficult however the mountain panoramas are spectacular and other mountain vistas offer the joy of a lifetime. (You will walk early in the morning to avoid the strong wind in the pass in the noon) You will cross the pass and reach Lobuche within 7- 8 hours covering around 15 km.

Experience the majestic views of Lhotse Shar, Imja Tshe, Amadablam, and other numerous peaks seen throughout the trail. A beautiful lake is seen from the pass before you head down toward the Lobuche village. Overnight at the teahouse.

At. 08:00 AM: Today is another important day of your trek as you will be at the base camp of Everest. The walk towards Everest is along the Khumbu Glacier. You will reach the small village of Gorak Shep, where you will have your lunch. Gorak Shep is a popular place in the Everest Base Camp trek and it has some incredible natural attractions to offer. (The distance between Lobuche to Gorak Shep is around 5 km/1 hour 15 mins) you will rest your bags at the teahouse at Gorak Shep and walk towards Everest base camp which is 4 km/1 hour away.

After having your lunch the trail will lead you to the Mt. Everest base camp at an altitude of 5,364 meters. Everest base camp gives you an exceptional view of Khubutse, Mt. Pumori, Changtse, and Khumbu icefall instead of Mt. Everest as the base camp is right below Mt. Everest you don’t get to see the entire Everest. Reaching Everest Base Camp and not seeing Everest can be upsetting but the beauty of Everest is spectacular from Kala Pathar and surrounding areas.

At. 05:00 AM: Early morning you will climb to Kala Patthar (5,645m) for a sunrise view. The distance between Gorak Shep to Kapa Patthar is just 2 km and takes approximately 1.5 hours due to the higher elevation climb. From the top, you will see a 360-degree view of some of the highest peaks in the world including Mt. Pumori (7,169m), Mt. Everest (8,848m), and Lhotse (8,516m), the Tibetan peak Changtse, Nuptse (7,861m), Amadablam and countless other smaller peaks.

Gorak Shep to Dzongla is a segment of the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek, as well as a part of the extended EBC trek known as the Three Passes Trek, in the Solu-Khumbu region of Nepal. This route takes trekkers from Gorak Shep, the last stop before reaching Everest Base Camp, to Dzongla, a small settlement on the way to the Cho La Pass.

The distance between Gorak Shep and Dzongla is approximately 10-12 kilometers (6-7.5 miles). The trek from Gorak Shep to Dzongla usually takes 5-7 hours, depending on your pace and weather conditions. It is a moderately difficult trek, with a mix of ascents and descents, and some steep sections. From Gorak Shep, you will backtrack to Lobuche and then head westward, following the valley of the Lobuche Khola river. You will continue to descend until you reach the small settlement of Dzongla. The trail offers stunning views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, and other surrounding peaks. There are a few basic teahouses in Dzongla where you can rest and stay overnight. These teahouses provide basic facilities such as food, hot drinks, and shared rooms with basic bedding. Be prepared for limited amenities, and make sure to carry extra layers of clothing for warmth during cold nights.

At. 05:00 AM: Today you will ascend the second pass of the trail and will start early with a gentle climb at first hours towards the Cho La Pass (5,420m). The trail crosses the glacier which is marked by cairns. This is the most technical pass of your entire three-pass trek. Though the pass is difficult and requires some technical skills to cross, the views along the barren trail have an incredible experience to offer. The significant elevation crossing is always difficult but the scenery is mindblowing the whole other passes. (The distance between Dzongla and Thannag is around 8 km which you will cover in around 6-7 hours.)

Once you reach Cho La Pass, the trail goes downward to Thannag. From Thannag the views of Cho Oyu mountain and other Tibetan mountains are seen. Overnight at Thannag Teahouse.

At. 07:30 AM: After breakfast, start your trek passing by the lakes at Gokyo which pours down to the western division of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You will go diagonally through the three outstanding lakes and traverse the third lake, Dudh Pokhari, and on the east bank, you can see the community of Gokyo. Walking along the lake, you can view the splendid summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang. (The distance between Thannag to Gokyo is 4 km)

You will have lunch at Gokyo before starting to climb Gokyo Ri (5,360m) which lies above the village.  The steep climb of about 3-4 hours to the top is quite strenuous, yet rewarded with one of the best views of Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Lhotse. After spending some time at the top, you will return to Gokyo. Overnight stay in Gokyo.

At. 05:00 AM: Today you will ascend the last pass of the trail. Renjo La (5,360m) is the most beautiful pass among all three passes. The views of the Rolwaling Himalayas and Khumbu Himalayas are seen at 360 degrees. You will start early in the morning and reach the pass before the strong winds and clouds start to build up. (The distance between Gokyo to Lunde (Lungdhen) is 11 km/7-8 hours)

The views of Ngozumpa glacier (which is one of the longest glaciers in the world), upper Gokyo valley, and the implausible peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Cho-Oyu, and Gychung Kang are amazing from the past. After the pass, they start to descend to Lunde village. Overnight stay in a local lodge.

At. 08:00 AM: Today after breakfast, you will further descend to Thame village (The distance from Lunde (Lungdhen) to Thame is around 10 km which you can cover in around 4-5 hours). You will mostly descend from Lunde to Thame. As you get closer to Thame you will notice Thame monastery where you get a scenic view of the monastery nestled among many houses of monks and locals. This is the place where the most important Sherpa festival called Rimdu festival is celebrated each year in spring about the middle of May. Thame village holds the highest number of Everest summits, one in every house. In the afternoon you will visit the Thame monastery and observe the Buddhist and Sherpa culture.

At. 08:00 AM: After breakfast, you will further move downwards towards the Namche bazaar. The distance between Thame to Namche is 9 km which you will cover in around 4-5 hours easily. Namche Bazaar is a popular stopover that offers a wide range of attractions in the Khumbu area. It is a hub for the area, offering a variety of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and lodges. You can celebrate your successful trek here at Namche for the last time.

At. 08:00 AM: Today is the last day of your three-pass trek and will further move downwards to reach your last destination of the trek, Lukla. The distance between Namche to Lukla is 18 km which you will cover in 7-8 hours. You will descend to the lowland of the Everest region. Overnight at Lukla.

At. 07:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel in Lukla and you will take a flight back to Kathmandu. You will then be transferred to the hotel.

You will have your day leisurely, you will have enough free time for shopping or roaming around Kathmandu Valley. However, if you want to go for authentic shopping for items such as handmade goods for souvenirs, and treat yourself to a relaxing spa after a week-long trek Thamel is the place for you. Enjoy the leisure time as you wish, and in the evening, join us for a traditional Nepali Dinner (Thakali Cuisine) with a live performance of folk songs as a farewell (If you want to visit other places, we can arrange it for you with extra add-ons)

You will have breakfast at the hotel and then have free time. Our office representative will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International airport 3 hours before your flight time. Carry loads of souvenirs, memories, and lifetime experiences back home, and Have a safe home return! We hope you enjoyed the trip! If you plan to extend your stay, we (Altitude Himalaya) are happy to make your visit memorable and enjoyable.