The Three Passes (Everest Region) - 24 Days

Rapidly becoming one of the favourite treks in the Everest region, the Three Passes trek takes in some of the best that the region has to offer. The three pass crossings are challenging but there are low level routes bypassing them in case of bad weather. Not a beginners’ trek but an experience to be remembered.

Key Information

Trip Duration 24 Days
Price fromUS$ 2258 | Contact Us
Destination Nepal
Trip Difficulty Difficult
Trip Style Trekking
Accomodation Lodge

Day 01 :Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel
Day 02 :Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu
Day 03 :Transfer to the airport for a spectacular forty five minute flight to Lukla at the entrance to the Everest region. A four hour trek will bring you to your overnight halting place, the village of Phakding.
Day 04 :Today’s trek follows the banks of the Dudh Koshi (Milk River, so named because of its colour). After four hours the trail crosses the river on an airy suspension bridge before beginning the final climb to the village of Namche Bazar.
Day 05 :This day is for acclimatisation to the altitude. An optional day trip to the village of Khumjung gives the first clear views of Everest and is well worth while. Overnight in Namche.
Day 06 :Leaving Namche you are greeted by some of the best scenery to be had in this part of the world. As you crest the rise above the village you are met by massive ranges of mountains including Ama Dablam, Lhotse and, right at the head of the valley, Everest. The day’s trek ends with an uphill climb to the monastery of Thyangboche, one of the most idyllic settings imaginable.
Day 07 :The trail from Thyangboche winds down through dense rhododendron forest before climbing above the tree line and passing through the Sherpa village of Pangboche. From here the trail climbs and the vegetation becomes even more sparse. Eventually you reach the summer grazing village of Dingboche where you will spend two nights acclimatising to the altitude.
Day 08 :Today you will take an acclimatisation walk above the village climbing high on the shoulder of Bibre. The views from here extend north towards the mountains surrounding Cho La.
Day 09 :A short day up valley, with the massive face of Lhotse looming ahead of you. The night stop is at the small settlement of Chhukung.
Day 10 :The longest day of the trek. An early start climbing above Chhuking towards the first of the three passes, Kongma La. Lunch will be taken near the lake at the approach to the pass and then, after the crossing, the trail heads down before crossing the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche. It is likely that the trek from Chhukung to Lobuche will take in excess of twelve hours.
Day 11 :Now you are really in the mountains. The altitude is almost 5000 metres and on all sides there are Himalayan giants. Today you will only have a short trek, but it will be tiring, to the last habitation before Everest, Gorak Shep. If the weather is clear an afternoon climb up the hill of Kala Pattar gives excellent views of the mountains including Everest, Nuptse and Pumori.
Day 12 :Another early start for the walk along the Khumbu glacier to Everest Base Camp. This desolate spot is transformed during the climbing season into a colourful settlement of nylon tents and prayer flags. Returning back down the glacier you will spend the night at Lobuche.
Day 13 :Leaving the main trail the route towards Cho La climbs up through high meadows, past the lake of Cho La Tzo to Dzongla, a small group of trekking lodges below the pass.
Day 14 :Another challenging day as the route climbs steeply up to Cho La and over into the Gokyo Valley. The climb can be tricky in places as the trail crosses the small glacier flowing from the pass. The decent from the pass to Dragnag is short but steep.
Day 15 :From Dragnag it is a short days’ walk crossing the Ngozubmba Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal, to reach the village of Gokyo set on the shore of Dudh Pokhari, the third of the Gokyo lakes.
Day 16 :An early start to climb the hill, Gokyo Ri, opposite Gokyo village from where the views are, if anything, better than those from Kala Pattar. From here you can see four 8000 metre peaks (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu). The rest of the day can be spe
Day 17 :This day marks the crossing of the final pass, Renjo La. The trail skirts the lake shore before climbing steeply over scree slopes to the pass. From here the route drops steeply at first before crossing more gentle slopes to the settlement at Khusum where a couple of lodges have been established.
Day 18 :The trail now follows the traditional trade route from Tibet along the Bhote Koshi valley, passing through several traditional Sherpa villages before arriving at Thame. This large village was where Tenzing Norgay (Sherpa Tenzing of Mt. Everest fame) spent
Day 19 :A short day along a delightful trail into Namche Bazar for an experience of modern facilities, not to mention a hot shower.
Day 20 :A leisurely walk back down the trail to Phakding.
Day 21 :The last morning of the trek climbing back up to Lukla for the traditional last night party with the staff.
Day 22 :Transfer by flight back to Kathmandu for a hot shower at your hotel.
Day 23 :At leisure for shopping and sightseeing.
Day 24 :Transfer to the airport for your international departure.