Why Choose the Everest Three High Passes Trek
- Feel the excitement of being on the roof of the world's highest base camp, the Everest Base Camp.
- Enjoy the beautiful view of the Khumbu icefall and the mountains in the surroundings.
- Start your journey from one of the most exciting flights at Lukla Airport.
- Crossing three of the highest mountain passes, over 5,000 meters - Kongma La Passes, Cho La Passes, and Renjo La Passes.
- Experience the less crowded, most challenging high passes, and the iconic adventure in the world.
- Hike for four of Nepal's most famous viewpoints - Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri, Everest View Hotel, and Nangkartshang Peak.
- Visit the Tengboche monastery - the oldest and most important Buddhist monastery in Khumbu.
- Enjoy the view of some of the peaks of the world, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Noptse, Amma Dablam, Thamserku, Makalu, and many more.
Everest 3 Passes Trek - 19 days Overview
Make the epic trek to conquer all three of the primary passes in the Everest region in one unbelievable excursion. The Everest High Pass Trek, or rather the Everest Three Passes Trek, takes you on an enormous granite loop on the above three rapid passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m) in the Everest region. This difficult route leads through 160-170 kilometers (100-105 miles) between Lukla and Lukla, comprising backcountry tracks, historical spots, as well as the coarse, intimidating, and beautiful grandeur of Nepal's high elevations.
There are classic Himalaya views along the way, including the Everest Base Camp looking up the Khumbu Icefall, Kala Patthar with all of its sunrise views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam, and the Gokyo Lakes, a series of turquoise lakes so high in the Gokyo Valley. You will walk along the mountain passes and mountain tops, villages of Sherpas, and with a turn of prayer wheels in mountain monasteries, as you go along, the cultural traditions of the Everest region.
The hardships of trekking are as tangible as the rewards: the uphill hiking, sometimes slippery paths, and the low oxygen at an altitude of over 5,000 meters challenge your physical strength and concentration each day. Nevertheless, each ascent pays you with expansive vistas of Everest and Makalu, Thamserku, and many other mountains, as well as the deep stillness of the distant high-altitude valleys.
Usually taking 17 to 19 and even 22 days, including the preparation and the buffer day in KTM, the Everest 3 high passes trek begins with a short flight to Lukla. It goes over various land-from semi-forested valleys to wind-swept glaciers of Khumbu and Ngozumpa and Lakes. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) are the most preferable seasons as it is the clarity of the skies. To enter this region, you must acquire both the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (which is all organized by our trusted team, Index Adventure).
Kongma La (5535m | 18,159ft)- The first among the three passes of Everest
Our Everest three high passes hike will be crossed at the first pass, Kongma La, which stretches up directly above Dingboche to 5,540-5,550m. It is the most difficult and also the tallest of the three passes and connects Chukhung and Lobuche through steep slopes and the Khumbu Glacier. The towering peaks of the Himalaya brutally spread out in front of our eyes. While Makalu's far summit slices the sky with blue-white blades of steel, Everest stands tough, Nuptse and Lhotse shoulder to shoulder like towers of ice. The beautiful, distant mountain Ama Dablam seems decorated with wind and prayer.
Cho La Pass (5,420 meters | 17,782 ft)- Legendary Everest 3 High Pass trek
Cho La is the second of the 3 High Passes of Everest at an altitude of 5,420 meters, and it separates Thagnak in the west and Dzongla in the east. The route rises through loose hills into the Cho La Glacier, which is mostly covered in slick ice and snow throughout the year. The glacier's western slope is facing rapidly down onto rocky terrain; however, the eastern slope has a longer run toward the glacier’s icy terrain. The Ama Dablam and Cholatse are magnificent peaks that rise high above, and the vast Ngozumpa Glacier directs one to look above at the high alpine lakes of Gokyo. Cho La is the icy bridge between Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp and is steep, barren, and way above the treeline.
Renjo La Pass 5,360 meters (17,560 feet) - Popular high-altitude pass in Khumbu
The last gateway of the Everest High Three Passes hiking in Nepal is Renjo La, which ascends to 5,360 meters above the Gokyo crystalline valley. The path climbs above dabs of glass, frozen cascades, and weather-kissed cairns, only to open up into the wind-carved ridge where turquoise Gokyo Lakes burst in flames under the sky. The summit, like a black pyramid of Everest, topped by silver bastions of Cho Oyu, the Rolwaling range, and the remotely towering citadels of Lhotse and Makalu, makes a cathedral of ice and air. Weak and helpless on the horizon, even Ama Dablam appears to lean in the fashion of a composed prayer toward the emptiness.
Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary
Our Nepal High Altitude Three Passes trek in the Everest region of 19 days starts and ends from Kathmandu to Lukla and vice versa. Along the way, you’ll be walking past several Himalayan Sherpa settlements, including Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and many more. We head on to Lobuche via Kongma La, Dragnak via Cho La, and Lunden via the Renjo La is a challenging one.
You’ll also get to stay overnight at the beautiful Gokyo Valley and stand at the shore of the pristine Gokyo Lakes. Everest High Passes Trek also offers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand at the foothills of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
The Everest high-altitude pass trip will surely fulfill your thirst for living in local villages and getting a taste of the Sherpa culture and hospitality. We travel across the rocky ridges, alpine and glacial lands, amongst the beautiful backdrops of the Everest region. As we explore the ethnic communities and their way of life, we also observe the valley’s art, culture, and prevalent religion (Buddhism).
Difficulty & Challenges
Each of the three passes of the Everest trek is over 5,300 meters and needs careful preparation and acclimatization. Altitude sickness (AMS) is even common at lower levels, like at Namche (3,440 m) and Dingboche (4,410 m). Trail status of Everest High Pass Hike is likely to be dense forest, Alpine, frozen, rocky, and icy in places at passes, and more specifically, Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. The 3 pass trek requires top quality trekking gear such as nice trekking boots, crampons, as well as not going over sun-thawed glacier ice in the mornings. You must be prepared to take 6-9 hrs of a day-long walk with jagged lines of ascent and descent in a rough topography.
Instant weather changes in the high altitude climates may trigger snow or wind, or fog, and within a few words, may change safe directions to unsafe ones.
Does not suit absolute novices. We only recommend this Everest High Passes Trek package for those with prior high-altitude exposure. But: This is something healthy hikers with prior mountaineering experience (typically Everest Base Camp or other high-altitude hikes) can succeed in by carefully pacing themselves and gradually acclimatizing.
Everest High Passes Trek with Nepal Local Trekking Operator
Walking in the trails of Khumbu for the past two decades, we have crafted this Everest Three Passes Tour package itinerary with real field experience. With proper consideration of altitude, carefully chosen teahouses, highly trained and skilled professional trekking leaders, and complete logistics, we make sure your Everest high-altitude trek is in safe hands with us.
When it comes to the Everest High Pass Trek, the question of safety is not even a concern with us. Our record shows zero deaths and no cases of severe altitude sickness, thanks to our careful handling and acclimatization planning.
We, as a trusted trekking company, are ready with a 19‑day Everest High Pass Trek package for your next adventure in Nepal. With the affordable cost, add-on options and services for your Everest Region High Pass Trek, and customization offer, we are all set for your trip. Book now and let your inner spirit reach what it truly seeks.
