Everest Three Passes Trek - 20 Days

Trip Overview

The Everest Three Passes Trek is a demanding high altitude trek in the Khumbu region that crosses three passes, Kongma La at 5,535 m, Cho La at 5,420 m, and Renjo La at 5,360 m, while linking Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and the Gokyo Lakes in one trek. Unlike the standard Everest Base Camp Trek, this route loops through the eastern, central, and western valleys of the Khumbu, offering wide views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Cho Oyu, and passes through Sherpa villages such as Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Thame, all within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is a serious high altitude trek, not a standard trekking holiday, recommended only for trekkers with prior high altitude experience and strong physical fitness. The repeated pass crossings and extended time spent above 4,500 m demand careful acclimatization and preparation. In return, you get one of the most complete and rewarding journeys in the Khumbu, taking in glaciers, moraine, and high alpine terrain alongside the region's deep Buddhist heritage.

Trip Detail

Itinerary Overview

This 20 day, 19 night trek follows an extended route through the Everest region, combining the three major high mountain passes with Everest Base Camp and the Gokyo Valley. You fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek through Phakding and Namche Bazaar before reaching Tengboche, Dingboche, and Chhukung. From Chhukung, you cross Kongma La Pass and continue toward Lobuche, Everest Base Camp, and Gorak Shep, with a climb to the Kala Patthar viewpoint for close views of Everest. The route then descends toward Dzongla and crosses Cho La Pass to reach Dragnag and Gokyo, where a hike to the Gokyo Ri viewpoint overlooks the Gokyo Lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier. From Gokyo, you cross Renjo La Pass and descend toward Lungden and Thame before returning through Namche Bazaar to Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu.

Here is a quick look at how your 20 day trek unfolds.

• Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu at 1,400 m.

• Day 2: Fly to Lukla at 2,840 m and trek to Phakding at 2,610 m.

• Day 3: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m.

• Day 4: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar with a hike to Hotel Everest View and back.

• Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche at 3,860 m.

• Day 6: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche at 4,410 m.

• Day 7: Acclimatization day at Dingboche with a hike toward Nangkartsang Peak.

• Day 8: Trek from Dingboche to Chhukung at 4,730 m.

• Day 9: Trek from Chhukung to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass at 5,535 m.

• Day 10: Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp and then to Gorak Shep.

• Day 11: Early morning hike to Kala Patthar and descend to Dzongla.

• Day 12: Trek from Dzongla to Dragnag or Thagnak via Cho La Pass at 5,420 m.

• Day 13: Trek from Thagnak to Gokyo.

• Day 14: Hike to Gokyo Ri and return to Gokyo.

• Day 15: Trek from Gokyo to Lungden via Renjo La Pass at 5,360 m.

• Day 16: Trek from Lungden to Thame.

• Day 17: Trek from Thame to Namche Bazaar.

• Day 18: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla.

• Day 19: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu.

• Day 20: Final departure from Kathmandu.

Everest Three Passes Trek Highlights

• Fly to Lukla: The trek begins with a scenic mountain flight between Kathmandu and Lukla, offering early views of the Himalayan foothills before the trail even starts.

• Cross Three High Passes: The route crosses Kongma La at 5,535 m, Cho La at 5,420 m, and Renjo La at 5,360 m, the three defining challenges of the trek through some of the highest terrain in the Everest region.

• Stand at Everest Base Camp: The trail leads through the Khumbu Glacier area to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m, set below Everest's southern approach.

• Hike to Kala Patthar: An early morning climb to Kala Patthar at 5,555 m, the highest point of the trek, offers one of the best close up views of Everest in the region.

• Visit the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri: The turquoise waters of Gokyo Lake and the climb to the Gokyo Ri viewpoint at 5,357 m reveal the Ngozumpa Glacier and a wide sweep of the Khumbu Himalaya.

• Visit Tengboche Monastery: The trail passes through Tengboche, home to one of the largest and most important Buddhist monasteries in the Everest region.

• Experience Sherpa Mountain Villages: Overnight stays in Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, Chhukung, Gokyo, Lungden, and Thame offer a close look at Sherpa culture, hospitality, and daily mountain life.

• Experience a Complete Khumbu Circuit: The trek links the eastern Chhukung valley, the central Khumbu valley leading to Everest Base Camp, and the western Gokyo valley in a single 20 day journey through Sagarmatha National Park.

Altitude and Activities

The trek begins at Kathmandu at 1,400 m before flying to Lukla at 2,840 m and gradually ascending through Phakding and Namche Bazaar, with acclimatization days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche to adjust before higher elevations. From Dingboche, the trail continues to Chhukung before crossing Kongma La Pass at 5,535 m to reach Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m and the Kala Patthar viewpoint at 5,555 m, the highest point of the trek. After descending to Dzongla, the route crosses Cho La Pass at 5,420 m to reach Gokyo, where a hike to Gokyo Ri overlooks the Gokyo Lakes, before the final crossing of Renjo La Pass at 5,360 m and the descent through Lungden, Thame, and Namche Bazaar back to Lukla.

Accommodation and Meals

You will stay in a comfortable 3 star hotel in Kathmandu and mountain lodges or teahouses during the trekking portion of the journey. Full board meals consisting of breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided in the trekking areas. In Kathmandu, breakfast is provided, with a welcome dinner on arrival and a farewell dinner after completing the trek.