The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most renowned treks in the world, but have you also heard about another famous trek called the Three Passes trek? The similarity between these two trekking journeys has made trekkers all around the world consider either of the treks as alternatives. Likewise, unlike the past, the three-pass trek has now gained more popularity among trekkers because of the widespread media advertisement and talks. But what makes these treks different from one another?
Be sure to read till the end of this article to know more!
Everest Base Camp Overview
The Everest Base Camp is the base camp to the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, or Sagarmatha. The highest altitude you will reach when you’re on this journey is at 5,545 m, when you reach Kalapathar. You will get to enjoy the closest view of Lhotse and Mount Everest from here. If you didn’t know already, this location is not only the base camp to Mount Everest but also Mount Lhotse, which is in very close proximity to the EBC.
Everest Base Camp is known for its immersive experiences like a visit to Tengboche Monastery, which is one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region, exploration of Namche Bazaar, Lukla airport, Kalapathar viewpoint, and villages like Dingboche, Gorakshep (last village of Khumbu), etc. When you visit the Everest Base Camp, you can also get to know more about the unique yet beautifully followed Sherpa culture. Trekkers worldwide consider the journey to Everest Base Camp one of the most accomplished ones.
Three Passes Trek Overview
In the Everest Three High Passes trek, you will be passing three major passes of the Khumbu region, including Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. If you are an experienced trekker, then you are more than likely to enjoy this trek without much hassle. On the other hand, a beginner trekker can take on this journey as an adventure of a lifetime that they will likely never forget. The highest elevation that you will reach during this journey is 5,535 m at Kongma La pass.
Some of the interesting landmarks that you will enjoy during this trek include Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Thame, Renjo La, Gokyo, Cho La, EBC, Kongma La, Chhukung, etc. Why does Three Passes Trek make for a slightly more immersive journey is because you will also be visiting the Everest Base Camp during this trek. In addition to this, you can expect to find more adventurous elements in the Three Passes trek than you would in most trekking journeys in the Everest region.
Which One is Right for You: Everest Base Camp vs. Three Passes Trek
With the growing popularity of trekking activities among trekkers and adventurers from all around the world, there has been just as much of a growing debate as to whether Everest Base Camp is right for you or the Three Passes trek. The answer cannot be direct! No matter your expertise, a beginner or an experienced trekker, the suitability of the EBC trek and the Three Passes Trek depends on several factors. Some such factors are as follows:
Scenery
When you go to the Everest Base Camp, you will see possibly some of the best views of the mountains like Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, etc. from the base camp. However, when it comes to enjoying such views, you can do just that from the Three Passes trek as well. The common vibrant scenery includes rhododendron forests, prayer flags, chortens, monasteries, Sherpa habitats, etc.
Similarly, when you’re in Everest Base Camp, you can explore the beauty of the Kalapathar sunrise, Tengboche monastery, Khumbu Glacier, etc. These elements are absent in the Three Passes Trek. As for the latter journey, you can enjoy a visit, which can also be considered a pilgrimage, to Gokyo Ri and Gokyo Lake, Ngozumpa glacier, Thame, Lungden, and needless to say, the three extravagant passes.
Difficulty Level
As mentioned before, you have to be well enough to go on the Three Passes trek because of the steep ascents and descents. While you can also expect to pass several steep pathways in the Everest Base Camp trails, the pathways are likely to seem simpler to trek. You will also face difficulty adjusting to the changing altitude during each journey. As for the more difficult journey, it is for sure the Three Passes trek.
Crowd
You will find more crowds in the Everest Base Camp trek trails. The Three Passes trek is not a very common trail for the trekkers to follow since it has not gained as much popularity as the EBC trek. If you want to trek in peaceful trails, then you can opt for the Three Passes trek, and if you want to go on a more engaging trek with better chances of camaraderie, then you can simply go for the Everest Base Camp trek.
Goals of a Trekker
As a trekker, you need to set certain goals for yourself to accomplish. If your goal is simply to explore the Everest region and don’t quite feel like going on a hectic adventure, then you can settle for the Everest Base Camp trek. If you want to go on a more physically demanding adventure that will drive your adrenaline to a higher level, then the Three Passes trek might just be the best option for you.
Time Consumption
The Three Passes Trek takes a longer time to complete than the Everest Base Camp trek. Hence, if you are okay with spending an additional number of days on your trek, then going to the Three Passes Trek, which will at least take you 17 days, would be appropriate. For time-conscious trekkers, it would be best to choose the Everest Base Camp trek that lasts around 12 to 14 days.
Availability of Amenities
Since the Everest Base Camp trek is more common, you will find the availability of more amenities on this journey. While you can still enjoy the facilities in Namche Bazaar in both treks, as you go higher up in each of your destinations, you may find yourself settling for more basic amenities, including accommodation, food options, and infrastructure during the Three Passes Trek. This, whatsoever, does not mean that it is less suitable for you. If you don’t mind living like a rural inhabitant as a part of the whole experience, you’re good to go!
Acclimatization
Acclimatization opportunities are available in both the trekking journeys. A beginner-level trekker would benefit more when they go on a journey to the Everest Base Camp, as the acclimatization possibilities, as well as the trekking landmarks, are suitable for balanced respiration and an overall healthy and safe trek. If you are more seasoned, then acclimatizing in the more-demanding Three Passes Trek can also be effective, though you always need to be as careful as you can from the beginning till the end.
Cultural Immersion
Knowing and exploring the Sherpa culture becomes simpler, fun, and wholesome in both journeys. But, if you are a trekker who wants to keep the focus more on knowledgeable and interactive aspects than the adventurous ones, then the Everest Base Camp trek would be more suitable for you. A trekker who does not want to go on a journey that’s less adventurous than it is culturally immersive can go on the Three Passes Trek.
Trekking Independently vs. Guided During Everest Base Camp Trek and Three Passes Trek
You need to be mindful about trekking independently. A trekker who has not trekked before can go on a guided trek, that too without second-guessing, in both treks. Guided treks have been made mandatory for trekkers in regions like Khumbu as well. Hence, not only is it a safety method, it is also a necessity. A guide will help you track the landmarks in the EBC itinerary better, and if you’re going to the Three Passes Trek, you can successfully get through all the passes without too much difficulty.
As for the experienced trekkers, it is understandable that you may want to trek independently. But, taking along a guide who will keep your safety in check while ensuring that you get the peaceful trekking experience you seek from a distance, should be the only wise choice. Also, the guides are more than likely to know the trails better than you, even if you know the pathways. You can also choose to hire a single guide for a group of trekkers. This is a feasible, affordable, and preferable option for all kinds of trekkers.
Conclusion
Going on the Everest Base Camp trek is an adventure, one of a kind at that! But, going to the Three Passes trek can be just as much, or even more, of an adventurous journey. The preference level of either of the treks? It depends on the trekker. Keeping in mind everything we’ve mentioned in this article, you can choose which is the right trek for you, without too much thinking!
