Everest Three High Passes Trek

Short Introduction of Everest Three High Passes Trek

Everest  Three High Passes Trek is a 20 days long journey. The trek promises to be one of the complete explorations of the Everest region. Also, as the name suggests, the trek consists of Three Passes. The passes are Kongma-La Pass, Cho-La Pass, and Renjo-La Pass. So, each pass has a different scenario to offer and an activity to experience. The Kongma-La Pass is the gateway to the EBC. Cho-La pass has the best outlook on EBC life. The pass also gives the best view of Everest likewise. Finally, Renjo-La Pass opens the way for the Gokyo Valley, where Gokyo Lake sits.

Trip Highlights of Everest Three High Passes Trek

• Enjoy scenic views of the Mt. Everest including Gokyo lake.
• Crossing the three high passes in the Khumbu region- Kongma-La , Cho-La , and
  Renjo-La pass.
• Reaching up to Kala Patthar 5550 m with 360 -degree snow-peaked mountain views.
• Visit the vantage point of Kala Patthar and the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain Everest.
• Visit the highest freshwater system at Gokyo Lake.
• Trek through various Sherpa villages like Namche, Tengboche, Lobuche that showcase local culture.
• Trek through the beautiful Sagarmatha National park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Short Overview

Firstly, the Everest Three High Passes trek starts somewhat moderately with the Kathmandu city tour. The trek preparation follows the next day. The actual trek begins from Lukla to Phakding Village. Namche Bazaar is the first acclimatization point of the trek. The trek continues through Tengboche and Dingboche.

The largest Buddhist monastery of Khumbu, Tengboche Monastery, falls in the path. You will rest at Dingboche before approaching Lobuche via the Kongma-La pass. The pass opens the pathway to Everest Base Camp.

Upon reaching the Everest base camp, you will be welcomed with stunning views of Everest from the nearest distance. The descent goes down to Dzongla from Gorak-shep. After that, Thagnak village arrives via Cho-La pass. Trekkers move to Gokyo Valley where they visit the Gokyo Lakes and hike to the top of Gokyo Ri (5360m). Finally, Renjo-La pass leads to Lumde. After that, the trail from Lumde leads back to Namche and trek back to Lukla.

Conclusion

However, Everest Three High Passes Trek is a perfect experience for all. The three passes present one of a kind scenes of the Khumbu region. Moreover, the trek is best suited from March to April. Autumn months from September to October are also high time for it. Therefore, the weather is consistent.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu.

The Everest Three High Passes Trek begins upon your arrival in Nepal. Enjoy the beautiful aerial view of Kathmandu City as you land at Tribhuvan International Airport. We’ll pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel located at the heart of the city. Stay in one of the finest hotels and enjoy a lavish welcome dinner. Later, you will visit our office to discuss the trek in detail. Your trek guide will help you buy or rent trek gear and equipment — overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Kathmandu city tour and Trek preparation

Spend the day indulging in a scenic sightseeing tour of the beautiful Kathmandu City. Accompanied by an experienced tour guide, you'll embark on a visit to some of the most unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of the heritage sites you'll visit are Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Boudhanath Stupa. Explore the centuries-old history of the heritage sites, observe the ancient architecture, and witness the Hindu and Buddhist adherents paying homage to these sites. You can relish some of the sumptuous Tibetan cuisines such as Po Cha, Thukpa, Thenduk, and Laphing at Boudhanath Stupa. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Kathmandu to Lukla flight and trek to Phakding Village

The trek begins upon your arrival in Lukla, a mountainous town located at the foothills of Mount Everest. Embark on an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. A scenic 25min flight offers a beautiful aerial tour of the snowcapped peaks, lush green forests, quaint villages, and massive rivers. Enjoy your breakfast at Lukla, and embark on the first day of the trek. The trek guide will lead you to the community of Phakding. The trail goes along the beautiful Dudh Koshi River and pristine waterfalls towards Phakding village.

Day 04: Phakding to Namche.

Enjoy an early morning breakfast enjoying the scenic view of the Sherpa village of Phakding. Embark on the trek observing the rich Sherpa architecture along the way. A short hike along the well-paved stone-steps will lead you to Monjo village. Monjo marks the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After getting your permits, you’ll continue on the trail witnessing the unique Himalayan vegetation. If you're lucky, you may see some of the unique Himalayan wildlife such as Himalayan pheasant (Monal), blood pheasant, and musk deer. The outer stretches of the park share international borders with Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. The trail continues through lush forests along the Dudh Koshi River towards Namche Bazaar, the largest Sherpa village in the region.

Day 05: Namche Bazar Rest day

Along with being the largest Sherpa village, Namche serves as the first stop for trekkers commuting to different parts of the Everest Region. Wake up to the beautiful view of Kongde Ri Peak (6187m). After having a delicious breakfast, you'll embark on a day hike. The residents of Namche are busy serving guests, running shops, restaurants, and curios.

You can make a round of the village before hiking uphill towards Khumjung Village. It may take 45-50 minutes to cover the distance of 2km from Namche to Khumjung. Upon arrival, you can visit the historic Khumjung Monastery. Witness the purported Yeti scalp and paw preserved inside a glass box at the monastery. The locals believe that they belong to the mystical mountain creature called “Yeti.” From here, you can hike towards Hillary School, the largest school in the entire region.

Day 06: Namche to Tengboche

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a trek to Tengboche. The trail begins to rise through the stone-steps along the Dudh Koshi River. The initial trek can prove to be difficult as you make way towards Phungi Thanga. Walk past the Everest Memorial en route to Tengboche. Catch the first sight of Mount Everest (8848m) from the local Everest Viewpoint. The trail continues through the uneven paths towards Tengboche. Tengboche Monastery, at 3,860 meters, marks the highest monastery in the entire region. Spend the evening enjoying the beautiful view of the pristine Ama Dablam Peak (6,812 meters).

Day 07: Tengboche to Dingboche

The century-old Tengboche Monastery hosts the annual festival of Mani Rimdu. The festival runs for 19 days, where only the last three days remain open for tourists and locals. Consider undertaking Everest trek during October and November to witness the festival.

Leaving Tengboche, you’ll continue climbing uphill towards Debuche, a quaint Sherpa settlement. Descend towards the Imja Khola and cross a bridge en route to Pangboche. The scenic trail from Pangboche to Dingboche is home to thousands of decorated Mani Stones. You will find literature painted on the stones depicting the history of Tibetan Buddhism. The trail continues along a short hike towards the Sherpa village of Dingboche.

Day 08: Dingboche Rest Day.

Dingboche is the best place to rest before heading uphill. You can use this day to make an exciting hike of Nangkartshang peak (5,083 m). The easy 2-3hrs trek will take you along the glaciated path towards the top of the Nangkartshang peak. Once at the top, you can witness the magnificent mountainous view of Tawache, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Lhotse, Mount Everest, and Pumori. Retrace your path back to Dingboche and spend the evening chatting with other trekkers inside the dining area.

Day 09: Dingboche to Lobuche via Kongma-La Pass.

Today, you'll conquer the first high-mountain pass Kongma La (5,535m). Leaving Dingboche, you'll take a turn west and cross a small creek to continue trekking towards the mountains. Although off-beat, the trail is well-defined. It continues through the rocky path and winds up along the winding trail. Continue traveling for almost 3km until you arrive at the large lake located below the pass. From here, you'll begin climbing the treacherous Kongma La Pass. You'll continue along the western trail of the pass and cross rock boulders and moraines to reach to the top. Witness beautiful Buddhist prayer flags and some of the highest mountains from the top — the trail drops along the Khumbu Glacier towards Lobuche village. Lobuche is a quaint Sherpa village located below Lobuche Peak.

Day 10: Lobuche to Gorakshep and trek to Everest Base Camp

Enjoy your breakfast at Lobuche and then, embark on a trek towards Gorakshep Village. Walk along the Khumbu Glacier overlooking the beautiful mountains. You will witness many people coming up and going down through Gorakshep. Enjoy a warm lunch and take a brief rest before embarking on a trek to Everest Base Camp. The trail climbs along the Khumbu Glacier. It continues through boulders and moraines towards the rocky patches at the base camp. Everest Base Camp lies about 3.5km from Gorakshep. You’ll complete the hike in a matter of 2hr. Spend some time exploring the base camp and the climber’s campsite before heading back to Gorakshep. Overnight in Gorakshep.

Day 11: Gorakshep to Dzongla via Kalapatther.

The day begins early. Make an hour-long hike to the local landmark of Kala Patthar. Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters lies above Everest Base Camp and offers a close view of Mount Everest. Enjoy a panoramic view of the glaciated valley along with a natural sight of the Khumbu Icefall. Retrace your path back to Gorakshep and enjoy a delicious breakfast. From here, you'll embark on a downhill trek and head towards Dzongla village. Make a short hike towards Lobuche village while enjoying the majestic sights of Nuptse, Changtse, and Lhotse peak. Take a detour and begin climbing west towards Dzongla village. Spend the evening enjoying the magnificent view of Awi Peak (5245m).

Day 12: Dzongla to Thagnak Village via Cho-La Pass.

You'll begin early to avoid any strong wind that may disrupt your journey to Cho La pass. The trail steepens and becomes more challenging as you continue climbing up. Continue trekking through Cho La Glacier and climb through the thick snow. A short descent will follow a steep ascent that takes you to the top of the pass. Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters is the most technical of the three passes. Enjoy a beautiful view of the glaciated valley before heading down to the other side of the pass. The trek continues through boulders and goes towards Thangnak Village. Thagnak or Drangka is a small Sherpa settlement. Spend the evening drinking a warm Sherpa tea.

Day 13: Thagnak to Gokyo Valley visit around Gokyo Lake

Leaving Thangnak, you’ll continue trekking towards Gokyo village. Although the trail is short in distance, you will have to walk past Ngozumpa glacier carefully. Continue traveling over the thick ice, snow, and boulders towards Gokyo. The sight of Gokyo village is accompanied by a sizeable oligotrophic lake of Dudh Pokhari. Spend the rest of the day, exploring the beautiful lakes. Gokyo is home to six freshwater lakes located at an altitude of 4,700m-5,000m. The largest among these lakes is Thonak Lake.

Day 14: Gokyo Village to Lumde via Renjo-La Pass.

Leaving Gokyo village, the trail takes a turn east and heads towards the third high pass, Renjo La (5360m). The trek begins early morning. Embark on a path leading through snow and boulders. Continue walking high above the glacier. The steep trail goes through some technical sections. Catch the magnificent sights of Cho Oyu Peak (8201m), Mount Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), Cholatse, and Taboche Peaks from the top of the pass. The trail follows a steep descent towards the Lumde village. Lumde is a small village of Yak herders. You will witness many yak pastures in the village.

Day 15: Lumde to Thame.

Leaving Lumde, you'll take up the main trail going along the Dudh Koshi River. Continue walking downhill through Dinjung, Taranga, and Yilajung villages en route to Bhote Koshi River. The trail continues downhill along with several monasteries and reaches a steep moraine. Climb down the steep moraine to arrive at Thame village. Thame brings you back to the standard Everest trail. You will witness many trekkers passing the village, most of them coming from either Tengboche or Namche Bazaar.

Day 16: Thame to Namche.

From Thame, the trail takes a detour towards the main path and begins descending towards Namche Bazaar. You'll stumble across many small Chortens, Buddhist Stupas, and monasteries a route. Leaving the Bhote Koshi trail, you'll arrive beside Dudh Koshi River. Walk past Everest Memorial and continue heading downhill along the Dudh Koshi River towards Namche. Catch the beautiful sight of Kongde Ri Peak glistering in the light of the setting sun. Overnight in Namche.

Day 17: Namche to Lukla.

Wake up to the beautiful sight of Kongde Ri Peak. After breakfast, you'll embark on a trek and retrace your path back to Lukla. The trail goes along the forested way and crosses few suspension bridges until you arrive at Monjo. Upon exiting Sagarmatha National Park, the trail descends towards Phakding Village. You can choose to have your lunch at Phakding before heading downhill. Continue trekking along the majestic waterfalls and massive Dudh Koshi River towards Lukla. You can spend the evening celebrating the completion of the trek.

Day 18: Lukla to Kathmandu flight

An early morning flight will take you back to Kathmandu. We’ll try to book you the earliest flight possible to avoid any delays because of the changing weather conditions. Catch the last sight of the Khumbu valley and the high Himalayas as you make your way back. Enjoy a beautiful aerial tour of the lush green hills. After landing in Kathmandu, you'll drive to your hotel and enjoy your breakfast. You can choose to spend the day as you wish — overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 19: Rest day/Shopping in Kathmandu

On the rest day, you can choose to either explore the Kathmandu city or embark on a short tour. You can also choose to shop around at Thamel. At Thamel, you can visit the Massage Center and enjoy the Trekkers Massage to relax your body. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 20: Airport Departure.

Today is the last day in Kathmandu. Bid farewell to your guide and the beautiful city as you make your way back to the airport. We’ll drop you off almost two hours before your flight time.

Cost Information

Equipment

For head

1. Sun hat / Scarf
2. Sunglasses and Headlight

For Upper Body

1. Water Proof Jacket
2. Down Jacket / Warm Jacket
3. Light Weight T-shirt (At least 1 pair)

For Lower Body

1. Water Proof Pants
2. Running tights
3. Light Weight Pant

For Hand

1. Gloves

For Feet

1. Thin Inner socks (At least 2 pairs)
2. Woolen socks
3. Trekking boots (preferred comfortable boots)

Other Asseceries

1. Sleeping bag
2. Water bottle etc
3. Suncream
4. Water purification tablets
5. Toiletries (Toilet paper etc)
6. Warm hat
7. Trekking Bag Etc.

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