Getting yourself in an absolute dilemma regarding what trek route to choose between in the Khumbu region is not a problem only you suffer with. What would choose between the famous destination ‘Everest Base Camp’ and the alluring gift of Nature: Gokyo lakes? It’s a tough choice, isn’t it? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Trek to Three Passes route is the solution to your problem.

The Three Passes Trek route allows you to trail along the classical Everest Base Camp trek route and also will take you to Gokyo Ri and hence you won’t miss any of the admired destinations in the Khumbu region. This route will bless your eyes with the astonishing panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and bless your soul with the warmth of the Sherpa culture and traditions.

As the name suggests, you will be hiking across three major passes in the region. All of them are located above 5,000 metres: Renjo La (5360m/17,585ft), Cho La (5420m/17,782ft) and Kongma La (5535m/18,159ft). The maximum altitude in the trail would be Kala Patthar situated at 5,545m/18,192ft. Kalapatthar will offer you the most startling view of the highest peak in the world, The Everest. And trust me the view you behold will be pretty much unmatched anywhere in the world.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Three Passes Trek is the optimum amount of time to complete this trek. This also includes a few acclimatization days on the way. The beginning itself is very adventurous as you need to fly into the famous Lukla airport. Not many people seem to have a cheerful expression on their faces while their aircraft descends to land in the 527metres short piece of land in the lap of the Himalayas. That’s crazy, isn’t it? However, you can add a few days to your trip if you choose to start your trek from two other points. You can fly to Phaplu airport (few miles south of Lukla) and start trekking from there or you can travel via road up to Jiri and start hiking. This will add 4 days and 7 days of trekking time respectively on your trip. Either we will fly to Lukla or Trek from Phaplu, Wherever you start, you will eventually meet the Three passes circuit at Namche.

At Namche, you would have two options to choose from. The counter-clockwise version of the trek is said to be comparatively less challenging as the clockwise version needs quick ascending through the trials which can cause problems to some hikers. However, the counter-clockwise version being more popular among the visitors will be discussed further below. If you choose you can also go to Everest Base Camp and it will add one more day on your trek but none if you are a quick trekker.

This trek route is a very challenging trail, probably the most challenging trail in the country. It is also more challenging compared to its sibling treks; Everest Base Camp Trek and Gokyo Trek. Therefore, it is very essential to be careful about choosing the seasons too. Spring (March-May) and Autumn (Oct-Nov) seem to be the perfect time to hit this trek. The monsoon that remains (June-early Sept.) tends to have the least predictable weather so it is not quite recommended to trek during this season.

However many tourists find this time better suited to their vacation schedule and trek during this season. But for whatever reasons, it is less promoted to trek this route during winter (Dec-Feb) because it gets very cold and snow may block the passes and makes the trail very slippery as well. Although winter offers you clear skies.

<strong>Outline Itinerary:</strong>

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 2: Explore Kathmandu

Day 3: Flight to Lukla (2,886m) and trek to Phakding (26100m), 3 hrs.

Day 4: Trek to Namche (3,440m), 6 hrs.

Day 5: Acclimatization Day

Day 6: Trek to Thame (3,880m), 4hours.

Day 7: Trek to Lungden (4,370m), 4 hours.

Day 8: Acclimatization Day

Day 9: Trek to Gokyo (4,750m) via Renjola Pass (5360m.), 8-9 hours.

Day 10: Visit Gokyo Ri (5,357m.) for 4hours, and Trek to Thanga (4,700m) 2hrs.

Day 11: Trek to Zhongla (4,830m) through Chola pass (5,420m), 7-8 hours.

Day 12: Trek to Lobuche (4,910m), 4hours.

Day13: Trek to Gorak Shep (5,180m) and visit Everest Base Camp (5,365m)

Day 14: Climb Kalapathhar (5,545m) and Trek back to Lobuche, 7 hours.

Day15: Trek to Chukung (4,730m) by crossing the Kongma La (5,535m)

Day 16: Climb Chukung Ri 5550m. –Back to Chhukung Village, 6 hours.

Day 17: Trek down to Pangboche (3,930m), 5 hours.

Day 18: Trek back to Namche (3,340m)

Day 19: Trek back to Lukla (2,886m)

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu

Day 21: Trek Completion/Airport Transfers

Trip Highlights:

Hiking three above 5,000 metres passes
Once in a lifetime experience flight to Lukla.
Acquaint with the warming culture and tradition of Sherpas.
Trek along Nepal-Tibet Border.
Panoramic view of high snow capped mountain peaks all along the hike.
Amazing local food and accommodation facilities.
Includes a climb to Gokyo Ri and Everest Base Camp.
Views of three of the world’s highest mountain peaks, many more peaks above 5,000 metres.

Day 1 :

Arrival in Kathmandu

We will receive you at the airport after what is most probably going to be a long exhausting flight from home to the beautiful nation of mountains. You will be then be transferred to the hotel by Himalaya Family Adventure representative and make sure you get proper rest.

Day 2 :

Explore Kathmandu

The major cultural and religious heritages in the city such as different Durbar Squares, Pasupatinath, Boudanath, and many more sites will be briefly visited today and we will do a pre-trek briefing and gear shopping if you need in the evening

Day 3 :

Flight to Lukla (2,886m) and trek to Phakding (2,610m), 3 hours.

The early morning 30 minutes flight to Lukla is definitely going to give you some Adrenaline rush. A quick tip: Try to sit in the right-hand side seat of the aircraft for mesmerizing views during the final approach to the airport. After landing, the trek begins where you follow Dudhkoshi River valley and meet other trekkers/mules and many Buddhist monuments along the way.

Day 4 :

Trek to Namche (3,440m), 6 hours.

Today we enter into the Sagarmatha National Park World Heritage site. We would have already received a permit to enter the National Park. Along the trail, we can see the astounding view of the majestic Everest. Reaching Namche will make you feel like being in paradise. This place has been the most popular spot for every tourist who visits the Khumbu region.

Day 5 :

Acclimatization Day

In the morning we make an acclimatization hike to Everest view hotel and during the afternoon we explore the local market of Namche Bazaar. There are a lot of things that Namche offers and a single day can be short enough for you to enjoy everything. For a short day of refreshment, you can go for a movie or to a bar for refreshment. There are also a few popular coffee shops in the area. And of course, if you want to have a refreshing massage before you really start climbing; Namche can be the perfect point to do it.

Day 6 :

Trek to Thame (3,880m), 4hours.

As we already said, we choose the clockwise route and start our real circuit trek following the West Bhotekoshi river valley towards Nyangpala pass. These valleys have the high profile of mountaineers and have set records on climbing histories since the first ascent to Mt. Everest by Late Tenzing Norgay to Appa Sherpa who climbed Everest 21 times.

Day 7 :

Trek to Lungden (4,370m), 4 hours.

Today will be a short day of hiking from Thame to Lunden for just about 4 hours in the direction of the Nangpa La, the glaciated pass on Nepal Tibet border. As we go higher and higher, the views of the mountain get better and better. In this part of the trek, two things increase; the magnificence of the landscapes and the altitude.

Day 8 :

Acclimatization Day

We stay in Lungden today in order to acclimatize ourselves because we will be climbing much higher tomorrow as you encounter one of the three passes we will be hiking. Lungden is not really a village but a small teahouse settlement, or you might call it a lodge place. From here you can have a mesmerizing view of few mountains which are less popular but still astounding like Chhupu (5,897m), Thyangmochen (6,500m), etc.

Day 9 :

Trek to Gokyo (4,790m) via Renjola Pass (5360m.), 8-9 hours

Today will be a special day as we will trail the first of our three passes- Renjo La. The start of the day would be gentle but as you will be climbing through the steps of the passes the hike gets more and more challenging. Eventually, the view you get to see makes you forget all the hardships you just faced. You get to see the Majestic Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, and many more gigantic Himalayan peaks which is just incredible.

Day 10 :

Visit Gokyo Ri (5,357m) 4hours, and Trek to Thanga (4,700m) 2hrs.

Today might be the day when we need to wake up the earliest because missing the sunrise view from Gokyo Ri might be a waste of the hike. So, we start an early morning hike and walk for about 4 hours for an amazing views along the route. In the afternoon we cross the glacier sections on the way to Thangna for the overnight stay at local teahouse (lodges).

Day 11 :

Trek to Zhongla (4,830m) through Chola pass (5,420m), 7-8 hours.

We start walking early morning because we need to avoid unforeseen situations during the midday. Frozen conditions have more advantages of stability so there are fewer chances of fallen loose rocks before the pass. After the Pass, there are no hazardous sections to come across.

Day 12 :

Trek to Lobuche (4,910m), 4hours.

Beholding the panoramic view of mountains should be normal by now. Today is no exception. Getting mesmerized by the views of the snow-capped peaks we traverse high pastureland before we reach Lobuche normally by lunchtime.

Day 13 :

Trek to Gorak Shep (5,180m) and visit Everest Base Camp (5,365m)

Today we can also make a visit to Everest Base Camp (4hours); pretty sure nobody wants to miss this opportunity. We walk Westside of Khumbu glacier and pass the moraine on the way to Gorak Shep. We continue our trip today to Legendary Everest Base Camp but before that, we make sure to fill our belly with some light lunch.

Day 14 :

Climb Kalapathhar (5,555m) and Trek back to Lobuche, 7hours.

Early morning we make an ascent to Kalapathhar, which is these days being a very popular destination for tourists. Tourists, who cannot trek due to any reason, choose to fly to this place in a chopper. The panoramic view of 8,000 meters high mountains we get to see is something you will cherish the rest of your life.

Day 15 :

Trek to Chukung (4,730m) by crossing the Kongma La (5,550m) 7-8 hours.

The route leads for another absolute wilderness away from the main trekking area. We have to be very careful while climbing and crossing the glacier to reach the Nuptse wall. We climb steadily along the highest pass on our trip-Kongma La pass. The walk leads higher up and then we descend towards the glacier pong and the walk leads to the Chukung village.

Day 16 :

Climb Chukung Ri 5550m, 6 hours.

Chhukung Ri, 5550metres is being open from the year 2015 for the free trekking peak which used to be an NMA peak required climbing permits to scale it. For this trekking peak, no specific climbing gear and skills are required. The view of Mt. Nuptse, Makalu, Lhotse, Amadablam, Chholaste, Thamerku, Kantega and Tawache, Baruntse, the peak is simply breathtaking.

Day 17 :

Trek down to Pangboche (3,930m), 5 hours.

By today, the trek becomes pretty much easier as we descend along the windy trail to Pangboche passing the beautiful village Dingboche set on the Imjatse valley. There is a very popular monastery in the Khumbu valley which is the oldest in the place. We can visit the place after lunch.

Day 18 :

Trek back to Namche

Another popular Tengboche monastery setting in the lap of snowy peaks can be a great place to visit today. Trekkers also tend to rush in order to get proper hot showers but eventually, everyone ends up visiting the monastery. When we spend some time in the monastery we start walking down to the bottom of riverside then continue towards Namche uphill initially to level the elevation.

Day 19 :

Trek back to Lukla

By now, we would have collected awesome memories to rejoice. With a heart full of reminiscences we descend back to Lukla where our flight to Kathmandu would be waiting for us.

Day 20 :

Fly back to Kathmandu

Usually, the flights to and from are completed in the early morning because of the unpredictable weather patterns in the afternoon. So we can expect to be in our hotel in Kathmandu by early afternoon.

Day 21 :

Trek Completion/Airport Transfers

Transfer to the airport to fly back home with heartwarming memories from the Three Passes Trek Experiences from Everest Region. Our Staff will drop you to the airport before 3 hours of your flight. Hoping to see you next time. Naturally this country, one time is not enough. See you and Good Bye…

Three Passes Trek

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Trip Highlights:

Itinerary

Cost Included

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Trip Fact

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Trip Highlights:

Itinerary

Cost Included

Cost Excluded

What we Need??

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Trip Fact

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