Everest Three High Passes Trek

The Everest Three High Passes Trek is a challenging adventure in Nepal that involves crossing three high mountain passes in the Everest region: Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La. Along the way, trekkers can also visit iconic locations such as the Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Ri peak, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Chhukung Ri, and Tengboche Monastery. This trek offers an incredible opportunity to experience the stunning beauty of the Everest area while tackling its high passes.

The Everest Three High Passes Trek is renowned as one of the most stunning high-altitude trekking routes in the world. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the breathtaking Khumbu Valley, home to Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on the planet. This trek will guide you through traditional Sherpa villages and monasteries, offering a glimpse into the rich culture and history of the region.

The trekking route is home to various plants and animals, including the Himalayan tahr, the snow leopard, and Nepal's national bird, the danphe. This trek offers breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and other peaks in the Himalayan range.

The Everest Three High Passes trek typically takes around 18 to 21 days to complete and requires a good level of physical fitness, as well as proper acclimatization to high altitudes. It is highly recommended to be guided by a professional mountain guide and to have valid travel insurance.

The Everest Three High Passes Trek usually begins at Lukla Mountain Airport. There are daily flights from Kathmandu to Lukla, but it is essential to book seats in advance. If you prefer not to fly to Lukla, you can start your trek from Salleri or Jiri Bazaar, which will require several additional days of trekking through the Solu and lower Khumbu Valley.

During the trek, you will follow a lesser-known path from Namche Bazar to Renjo La Pass (5,360 m) and Gokyo Lake (4,750 m). Along the way, you’ll explore the remote and pristine Nangpa La Valley, visit the Sherpa village of Marlung, and discover the monastery village of Thame.

From Gokyo, you have the option to hike to the summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) or to Fifth Lake (4,980 m), the latter being a more strenuous day hike. After visiting Gokyo Lake, you can follow the path to cross Cho La Pass (5,420 m), which is one of the most popular and frequently visited passes in the Everest region.

Once you cross Cho La Pass, you'll continue your trek to Gorakshep (5,140 m) to visit Everest Base Camp and to climb the non-technical peak of Kala Patthar. From this vantage point, you'll enjoy stunning views of Mount Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), and many other majestic snow-capped mountains.

After enjoying the view from Kala Patthar, hike back to Gorakshep and continue your trek to Lobuche. From Lobuche, you will need to cross Kongma La Pass (5,535 m), which is more challenging than the previous two passes. The trek from Lobuche to Chhukhung is a long one but offers an adventurous experience.

From Chhukhung, you will hike in the morning to Chhukhung Ri (5,550 m) and then return to Chhukhung. After this, you will trek for several more days until you reach Lukla, where the trek concludes. From Lukla, take a morning flight to Kathmandu.

The Everest Three High Passes Trek can be completed in both clockwise and counterclockwise (anti-clockwise) directions. The clockwise route is more challenging, while the counterclockwise route is significantly easier. If you prefer to take the trek counterclockwise, we recommend contacting us for a revised itinerary.