Awesome Nepal Treks Pvt. Ltd. "Safety, Quality and Integrity"

Everest Three High Passes Trek

Duration: 17 Days
  • Duration: 17 Days
  • Maximum Altitude: 5545m.
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Tea House
  • Group Size: Min- 2 Trekkers
  • Trip Grade: Moderate/Adventure
  • Meals: Breakfast at City; Full Board of Meals on Trek
  • Activities: Trekking in Everest Himalayas, Visits to Sherpa Villages
  • Best Time: March to May/September to December
  • Start / Ending: Lukla to Lukla

“Everest Three High Passes Trek – A test of endurance and perseverance in High Passes of Everest Region”

Highlights

  • A mind-blowing adventure crossing one of the world’s highest passes within the Everest region.
  • Cross three passes: the Kongma La, Cho La and Renzo La with amazing views of Everest and other Himalayan giants
  • An incredible walk with an awesome panorama of the world’s highest mountain with Mt. Everest.
  • Exploring high altitude Sherpa villages enriched with the ancient culture of the Buddhist religion.
  • Walking in the lovely alpine woodland and in remorseless fields of ice and glaciers.
  • Visiting old monasteries of great interest in the backdrop of giant snow-capped peaks.
  • Scenic and panoramic flight both ways from Kathmandu and Lukla with amazing views

Introduction:

Everest Three High Passes Trek in Nepal is the test of endurance and passion. Trekkers will find it challenging to walk on the high altitude passes of the Everest region of Nepal. However, the scenery and the feeling of intrepidity overpower any pains endured during trekking.

Awesome Nepal Treks has knitted the best itineraries for the Everest Three High Passes Trek. One can trek this trail either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Trekkers can opt for any kind of itinerary. If you want to know more about the benefits of walking on the course in these two styles, contact the travel planners of Awesome Nepal Treks.

Trek high and trek magnificently. Everest Three High Passes Trek is the best and most arduous trekking route in Nepal. It has everything. Mountain vistas, high altitude passes, glacial lakes, moraines, glaciers, etc. Moreover, it takes you to almost all the areas of the Khumbu region.

The journey of the Everest Three High Passes Trek starts similar to Everest Base Camp Trek. Refer to our Everest Base Camp Trek package for more detailed information. Until the acclimatization of Namche Bazaar, it follows a similar pattern.

Thame Valley & Renjo La Pass

Trekkers then take the route of Thame Village rather than the Tengboche Route. The village is known as the village of Sherpa who summited Everest many times. There are numerous tales among the villagers regarding Everest Climbing. Therefore, the village is also called as the Sherpa Mountaineer Village. From Thame, trekkers cross the Renjo La towards the beautiful Gokyo Valley.

Gokyo Valley

The mesmerizing valley of Gokyo is adorned by the blue turquoise lakes within the Ramsar Site. There are five lakes in the Gokyo Lake System and trekkers will be spending time in the third lake’s shore. The hiking of Gokyo Ri offers the amazing sight of Mt. Everest from a different angle. The panoramic view of more than 2 dozens of the mountains is also a sight to behold.

Chola Pass &Everest Base Camp

Three High Passes Trek then takes the challenging Chola Pass route. Once you are on the top of the Chola you will experience mini mountaineering. This is spectacularly scenic yet difficult. Once the trek passes Dzongla trekkers will follow the Everest Base Camp Trek route until the return trip up to Lobuche.

Kongma La Pass & Chhukung Valley

The final pass on the trail is Kongma La pass. This is tricky as well as daunting. Trekkers will have to walk cautiously as the trail is highly prone to sudden collapses. On the other side of the pass is the Chhukung Valley. It is also the gateway for Island Peak Climbing. Trekkers will then follow the same EBC route to get back to Lukla.

Book the Everest Three High Passes Trek with us. Relish the mountains and challenge your own soul. It is undoubtedly the best examination of your wilderness adventure dream.

Guideline itinerary:

Day 01:Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel

Day 02:In Kathmandu with sightseeing tour at places of interest

Day 03:Fly to Lukla 2,830 m & trek to Phakding 2,640 m – 04 hrs.

Day 04:Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m – 07 hrs.

Day 05:Acclimatization and exploration day.

Day 06:Trek to Thame village 3,880m – 05 hrs.

Day 07:Trek to Lungden 4, 600m – 06 hours.

Day 08:Cross Renjo- La 5,465m and descend to Gokyo Lake 4,800 m – 09 hrs.

Day 09:Morning hike to Gokyo Ri and rest in Gokyo.

Day 10:Trek to Thaknak 4,700 m – 03 hrs.

Day 11:Cross Tsho-la 5,368 m and descend to Dzongla 4,850m – 09 hrs.

Day 12:Trek to Lobuche 4,930 m – 04 hrs.

Day 13:Trek to Everest Base Camp 5,364 m and return to Gorakshep 5,180 m – 08 hrs.

Day 14:Hike to Kalapathar 5,545 m trek to Lobuche – 07 hrs.

Day 15:Trek to Chhukung 4,750 m on crossing Kongma-la 5,535 m – 09 hrs.

Day 16:Trek to Thyangboche 3, 867 m – 06 hrs.

Day 17:Trek to Monjo 2,860 m – 07 hrs.

Day 18:Trek to Lukla – 05 hrs.

Day 19:Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.

Day 20:International departure for homeward bound

Details Itinerary

Your first impression of arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport is an experience in itself. But don’t be worried by the apparent confusion as your airport representative will be waiting to welcome you with your name written on a placard. Depending on traffic, you will be at your hotel within 20 minutes or so.

You have time to relax and enjoy the ambiance and comfort of the hotel until your evening Group Meeting. This is when we collect your insurance details and discuss how the trip will run for the coming days. After the meeting, we go for our first group dinner. Your tour leader will take you to a traditional Nepali restaurant in Thamel.

A free day in Kathmandu to relieve you from jetlag on long flights, our morning sightseeing tour starts after breakfast in the hotel, where you will be engrossed with tour around world heritage sites around Kathmandu visiting Old Durbar (palace) Square, and ancient stupa of Swayambhunath, after a tour head back to hotel with preparation for Three Passes of Everest Trekking next early morning.

(other options on tour of Hindu Holy Temple of Pashupatinath dedicated to Lord Shiva and Bouddhanath large Buddhist Stupa the area is also known as Little Tibet)

Mornings, flight to Lukla with views of mountain range including Mt. Everest, after 30 mins of great flight reaching at Lukla with its unique airstrip a gateway Sherpa town to Everest base camp and other adventure destination.

From Lukla walk to Phakding village for overnight stop leading past Sherpa farm villages, a nice and pleasant walk with few short ups overlooking beautiful views along the walk to Phakding village located by Dudh Kosi a glacial River.

After breakfast, commence our trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.). The trail follows along the right bank of Dudh Koshi. Thamserku peaks stand majestically skyward on the opposite bank.

Then reach at Benkar, as the trail climbs from the riverbed on the right bank of Dudh Koshi River into the mountain through a forest to Chumoa. Continue along the trail with many ups and downs; cross a stream, and pass by the tiny village Monjo.

We then come to Sagarmatha National Park Service where a park entrance fee is to be deposited. We follow a short walk along the riverbed of this valley where the major river meets each other. Crossing over a high Hillary bridge, the trek begins with a steep ascent to Namche Bazar.

On the way, facing excellent views of Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8516m) surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, Namche Bazaar (3440m) a central hub of the area for food, trekking gears, and other necessary goods with overnight at Namche.

Namche Bazaar is at 3,440mthis level is considered the threshold of altitude sickness. Today will be spent resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatized to the lofty altitude. Go high and sleep low is the best way to acclimatize,best acclimatization hike for the day we recommend is to Everest view hotel, a perfect place  for proper speed acclimatization before heading higher area, morning hike to Everest View Hotel  which is about  2 hrs uphill walk, great spot for magnificent view of Mt Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam and adjoining peaks of the Khumbu Himalayan panorama.

Check out the Sherpa museum for an overview of the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering. On Saturdays, the Hatt Bazaar is open for trading and an intimate look at the locals’ marketplace. It is part of the larger Namche Bazaar, a shopping hub filled with all manner of trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment.

We take a nice walk on the pleasant trail into a forest of rhododendron, oaks and pines trees passing small farm villages following Bhote Kosi River upstream to Thamo village. We walk through the small hydro project supplies electricity around Khumbu villages. From this village, walk continue to reach a small bridge, with beautiful paintings of Buddha on the rock wall, from the bridge; we walk for 45 minutes to Thame, a quiet and sleepy village seldom visited by trekkers.

This village is where Tenzing Norgay spent his childhood days (first person to climb Mt. Everest) and home of another famous climber Apa Sherpa, a record holder who climbed Everest 20th times. Thame village has one of the oldest monasteries of this region.

Today, we will walk about 6 hrs to Lungden, upstream of Bhote Koshi River, the trails pass by many old walled Sherpa villages. During the walk, you can observe varieties of plants and animals with unique Sherpa culture. We can probably also share the trail with Tibetan Yak Canavan until Marlung village who are heading to Nangpa La pass, a trading route to and from Namche to Tibet with the villagers.

After leaving the junction of Tibet trail, the walk continues to Lungdeng on windswept terrain further north-east. We walk for few hours to reach our overnight stop at Lungdeng, a small village with the panorama of high mountains.    

Today is the big day for us. We will cross the first high altitude pass of the trail. The route consists of 1.5 hours uphill, 1.5 hours of pleasant walk and uphill. Once we reach the lake we will have to walk uphill towards the top of Renjo La. From the top relish the view of mountains like Everest, Cholatse, Choyou, Lhotse, Nuptse, etc. The view of Gokyo Lake and village is so picturesque from the top. It is very suited to capture for the wall painting for your room.

After the top we will walk downhill to the Gokyo Village along the shores of Gokyo Lake. Enjoy every moment spend in the Gokyo as it is the quite hamlet of lodges with very nice facilities and gear for the trip of tomorrow early morning.

Morning hike uphill to Gokyo Ri is also the one of the highlights of this trip, a small peak above the lake, Gokyo Ri at 5,357m offers a panorama of Mt. Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, Tawache and far as to Mt. Makalu. Hiking takes about 5 hours as round trip. However, it gives us chance to witness 4 eight thousands meter high mountains i.e. Makalu, Lhotse, Choyou and Everest.

After a wonderful stop at Gokyo Ri, head downhill to Gokyo for lunch and rest, afternoon short walk of few hours to Dragnak at the base of Chugyuma or Tsho-la (Cho) pass, above Na small place located at the foot of Ngozumba glacier.

This is an easy day but we strongly suggest you start early because you will have to walk through the Glacier which is the longest glacier of Nepal called Ngozumpa glacier. By the time of crossing this glacier, you will hear many sounds of the rock falling and ice cracking in the glacier . There are many rocks on the way which has ice underneath. During the sunny day, ice melts pretty fast so we should cross this glacier before the sun gets strong. Once you get into the Thaknak, better to climb up to the small hill for acclimatize. Stay overnight at the lodge.

Tsho-la pass day is the hardest day of the trip. Start your day after early breakfast which is a steep steady climb for two hours and the trail drops down to the bottom of the Tsho-la base. After that, the trail leads you through the unstable rocky mountain face toward the top. There are some Buddhist prayer flags on the top of the pass which has great views of the mountains including Lhotse 8511 m and Nuptse 7879 m. There is an icy part for a while(You might need to use crampon on this section) and again the trail drops down through the huge rock and an easy walk at the end to get to the Dzongla, small lonely valley.

After a great traverse on crossing Tsho-la to Dzongla, today a moderate and pleasant walk to Lobuche as the walk leads on the gentle trail above Thugla, where Khumbu glacier melts into a raging river, coming across stone memorials of unfortunate climbers who died climbing Mt. Everest, Lhotse and other high mountains. From here a nice pleasant walk brings to Lobuche for an overnight stop.

Today we walk towards one of the highlights of this adventure at Everest Base Camp, few hours of a short steep climb in between over glacier and moraine, we reach Gorakshep, beneath Mt. Pumori and Kalapathar.

The walk continues towards Everest Base Camp. At base camp enjoy the view of notorious Khumbu Ice Fall and glaciers, after a grand time with an experience of a lifetime adventure at base camp retrace the journey back to Gorakshep for overnight halt.

Early morning hike of Kalapathar at 5,545 meters, the highest point of this adventure with marvelous views of mountains including Mt. Everest at a mere distance, after a great scenic moment descend to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue to walk towards Lobuche for an overnight stop. Afternoon rest and preparation for the last final pass of the adventure crossing over Kongma-la.

After a great walk completing high scenic two passes, the path leads towards complete wilderness away from the main trekking area. Our walk follows over moraine and towards Khumbu glacier, on the zig-zag path we have to walk carefully in case of fallen rocks slide, then climbing steeply towards the other side of the glacier nearby the Nuptse Wall, near Mehra Peak (Khongmatse) and Pokalde peak by the base of Kogma-la at 5,200m.

From this spot walk leads towards top of Kongma-la at 5,535 the highest pass on this trip, we will then descend towards the glacial pond and the walk leads on the rocks and moraine path most of the way and it is downhill walk to Chhukung.

Return journey is much easier losing heights every hour, walking downhill with few short ups to Pangboche and then to the bridge with an hour climb to Thyangboche for overnight stop.
It is a beautiful spot with an interesting and famous monastery overlooking magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kangtenga, Thamserku, Kwangde and majestic Amadablam.
Evening time we will take a tour of the monastery, which was burnt by an accidental fire in 1991 at present back into normal form, where you can witness young monks and elderly priest and Lama on evening prayer.

After a great time descend to Imjatse River, with a steep climb for an hour to Sanasa, from here on the gradual path with short ups and downs to Namche Bazaar, a break here and then walk back to Dudh Kosi river valley and to Monjo for an overnight stop.

Morning walk reaching at Phakding from here retrace the journey back to Lukla with the last climb, on reaching Lukla celebrate last night dinner with fellow trekkers and staff.

From Lukla taking an early morning flight back to Kathmandu with views of mountains, at Kathmandu domestic airport our staff transfers you back to respective hotels with rest of the day free at leisure

Your last day in amazing Nepal in the land of Himalayan wonders, after wonderful experience and fond memories of Three Passes of Everest trekking, our staff transfer you to the airport as per your time for international flight for your final departure towards homeward bound.

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick-up and transfer
  • Three nights hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • Kathmandu-Lukla0Kathmandu flight
  • Necessary paper works and permits
  • An experienced English-speaking Govt. registered trekking guide and Sherpa porters to carry luggage
  • Guide & porter salary, insurance, equipment, transport, food, and lodging
  • Full meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) during the trek
  • Hot drinks
  • All mountain accommodations
  • Medical kit
  • All government and local taxes
  • Trekking equipment such as down-filled sleeping bag and duffel bag

Cost Excludes

  • Meals, accommodation and transportation Kathmandu
  • All kinds of bottled drinks in Mountain
  • All kinds electronic device re-charge
  • Hot Shower and boiled water
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance & evacuation
  • Tip to the staffs
  • Any extended trip

FAQ

Yes, our airport representative will come to pick you up at the airport. He/She will hold the placard with your name or group name. You will be transferred to the agreed hotel and later in the evening, the agency will hold the welcome dinner for you.

You will need a Covid Vaccination certificate certified by any government agency.

Yes, you can join our fixed departure group as well. However, we can arrange the solo trekker trekking too. You can hire a porter guide for the trip who will carry your stuff as well as a guide you through the trekking. You can get either female or male trekking guide according to your preference.

Yes, you can book the private trip as well. After covid pandemic the agency is operating many private trips. Feel free to ask our travel planners for the arrangement.

We use 3 star to 5 star hotels for your accommodation in the Kathmandu. It depends upon your request and preference. Most of the hotels that we use are within the city center (Thamel area). Yes, you can extend your stay in Nepal. If you want, you can do the hotel booking on your own in which we can assist you. You can also buy the tour package with us as well. It is up to you to decide. We can arrange for any kinds of extended stay in Kathmandu or any other major cities of Nepal.

Yes, you can upgrade hotel to luxury hotel in Kathmandu but the price will be adjusted. The package hotel cost will not be redeemed but can be transferred to your luxury hotel cost. If you buy the luxury trek or tour package then the luxury hotel in Kathmandu is included in your trip itinerary.

During the trek don’t expect luxury accommodation facilities. However, in some places you can get the room with attached bathrooms. In high altitude and also during the peak season; you will have to share the room with other trekkers. It depends whether you get to shower or not. In some places you can shower in your own room. However, most of the lodges/tea houses you will have to pay extra for the hot shower.

You will get breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek. Hot water is extra. You can carry the purifying pill which you can use for the normal tap water as well. The food is from the menu.

Typical Trekking Day consists of 6-7 hours of average walking hours. You will start the trekking after breakfast and stop for the lunch on the way. In between you will have briefings and information regarding the area’s landscape, mountains and culture as well. Breakfast is normally at 7 o’clock in the morning and lunch is at around 12-1 o’clock in the afternoon and dinner is at 7-8 o’clock in the evening.

Mobile connectivity is available in almost every trekking trails of Nepal. However, in some parts the connectivity is very less. If there is not mobile connectivity then you will have to buy the internet wifi card from the lodge.

Acclimatization is dependent upon the type of the trekking that we are doing. For Example, Everest Base Camp Trekking has two acclimatization rests, one at Namche and other at Dingboche. However, for the low altitude trekking you might not need acclimatization at all or just one day’s acclimatization is fine.

We follow the safety protocols text to text. Every evening our clients’ oxygen level, heart rate and blood pressure is measured. In case of emergency the team will decide whether to continue or not. If you have the travel insurance, during emergency, we might have to use that for the emergency evacuation.

If you are on full package, the agency will bear your meal, accommodation and tea/coffees so you will not need much cash. However, in an average you will need Nrs. 3000 to 4000 per day if you are on your own for the trip like in service trekking. Credit cards are not accepted on the trail.

In some places you will get the laundry service but it is possible to do laundry only during the acclimatization rest days. Therefore, you will have to collect all soiled clothes and use the laundry while you are back in the city.

Yes you can recharge your electronic devices in the teahouse/lodge. The charge is incurred per device.

Yes, you can do Everest Base Camp Trekking without prior trekking experience also. However, you need to be physically fit. One month prior to the trekking date, do some exercises in your home country.

There is no alternative way if the flight is canceled. However, you can hire a helicopter back to Kathmandu.

The weight limit is 15 kgs including day pack.

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for the EBC Trek. The insurance must cover medical aid, accidents and emergency helicopter rescue.

Yes, all our guides are Nepal Government license holder. They are well versed in the basic first aids as well. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about minor injuries.

The trekking guide will assess your situation and decide whether you can continue the trek or not.

Yes all our guides are certified by the Government of Nepal and TAAN.

Tipping is not mandatory but expected. You can tip according to your liking.

You can add extra days to your trekking but the cost increases.

Yes you need to make the advance deposit of 20% of the trip to guarantee. Once you land in Kathmandu, you will have to clear the trip cost before commencing the trip.

Cost & Date

Route Map

Client Reviews

Lorraine Morgan

Trip Name: Short Poon Hill Trek

Booked this trek from the comfort at home in the UK. Communication with Dil was brilliant, his response to all my emails were quick and courteous. He tailored the trek around us, as a small group of 4 adults ranging in age from 29 to 69 (who was still recovering from an ACL op last May). His pace was brilliant for our group.

Dil arranged to meet us in our hotel in Kathmandu and talked us through the trek, bringing maps, holdalls and T-Shirts.

The trek was for 3 nights, 4 days staying in good, clean lodges. All was included except our drinks.

We experienced trekking in glorious sunshine up to Poon Hill. There was still snow on the ground and Dil provided the group with crampons, which made walking easier and safer.

Our trek started and ended in Pokhara. Dil and his team collected us from our hotel in Pokhara promptly at the time agreed.

Dil and the porters were brilliant, the porters were more than porters and made our trek even more enjoyable. We felt totally safe and Dil was an excellent guide. The scenery was spectacular.

Would certainly use Awesome Nepal Treks again as Dil arranges trips to Tibet and Bhutan.

Ryan Schult

Subject: Thanks for a great trek
Message: We have just completed a 15 day Himalayan trek with Awesome Nepal Treks and it could not have been better! The trek was very well organized, had excellent food and accommodation, there was no problems whatsoever and our guide Dil was a very informative, well-spoken and absolutely entertaining guy. The whole experience was amazing and I would strongly recommend Awesome Nepal Treks to anyone who wants a great, enjoyable, hassle-free trip.

Derek Manhas

Subject: Humbling & Surreal Experience

My cousin and I traveled to Nepal in 2011 and completed the Everest Basecamp Trek with our guide Dil Thapa.
Dil absolutely made sure this trek would far exceed my expectations and I am grateful for the time we shared together in Nepal.
There are an endless amount of photos and videos online for us to see the natural beauty of Nepal before arriving there. The greatest compliment I can give Nepal (more specifically, Dil Thapa) is this, the beauty of Nepal is its people first and foremost.