Everest Three Passes Trek Guide

Overview

The Everest Three Passes trek is the grand circuit of the Khumbu — the most complete, most demanding and most rewarding way to experience the Everest region. Rather than walking in and out along a single valley, you string together the area's three great high passes — Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m) and Renjo La (5,360 m) — into one continuous high loop that takes in almost every highlight the region has to offer. Along the way you reach Everest Base Camp, climb the famous viewpoint of Kala Patthar (5,545 m), and visit the turquoise Gokyo Lakes beneath Gokyo Ri (5,357 m).

The whole route lies within Sagarmatha National Park in the Solukhumbu district, and like the classic Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes treks it begins with the dramatic mountain flight into Lukla. From there the trail climbs to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar before committing to the high circuit. Most trekkers walk it anticlockwise, crossing Kongma La first, dropping to Lobuche for the Base Camp and Kala Patthar excursion, then traversing the icy Cho La into the Gokyo valley and finishing over Renjo La back toward Thame and Namche.

Most people complete the trek in 18 to 21 days, sleeping in the region's comfortable teahouses throughout. It is graded strenuous — the toughest standard route in the Everest region. You cross three passes above 5,300 m, spend sustained time above 5,000 m, and tackle some glacier, boulder and icy terrain where microspikes are often useful. The high point of the trek, around Kongma La and Kala Patthar, sits at roughly 5,535 to 5,545 m.

What sets the Three Passes apart is completeness. Where most visitors see one corner of the Khumbu, this circuit links the Everest, Gokyo and Bhote valleys into a single panoramic journey, delivering close-up views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Ama Dablam from a constantly changing series of high vantage points. For fit, experienced and well-acclimatised trekkers, it is the definitive Everest adventure — best taken on once you have a high-altitude trek or two behind you.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

This is a classic anticlockwise Everest Three Passes itinerary built around careful acclimatisation, with the passes spaced so you gain altitude gradually before each crossing. The circuit can also be walked clockwise, and fit groups may trim a day while others add extra rest days. The trek begins and ends with the flight between Lukla and Kathmandu.

Day 1 — Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840 m), trek to Phakding (2,610 m)

The thrilling short flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla, then an easy first walk descending alongside the Dudh Koshi to Phakding to ease into the altitude. (3-4 hours.)

Day 2 — Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

A long, steady day following the river into Sagarmatha National Park, crossing high suspension bridges before the steep climb to Namche Bazaar, the bustling Sherpa trading hub of the Khumbu. (5-6 hours.)

Day 3 — Acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar

An essential rest and acclimatisation day. Take a short hike higher — to the Everest View Hotel or the museum above town — for your first glimpse of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, then return to sleep low.

Day 4 — Namche to Tengboche (3,860 m)

A scenic ridge walk with grandstand mountain views, dropping to the river before the climb to Tengboche, home to the region's most famous monastery set beneath Ama Dablam. (5-6 hours.)

Day 5 — Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410 m)

Through rhododendron forest and past Pangboche, then above the treeline into the broad, terraced valley of Dingboche. (5-6 hours.)

Day 6 — Acclimatisation day at Dingboche

A second key acclimatisation day. Hike up Nangkartshang Hill above the village for sweeping views of Makalu and the Imja valley, then rest before the higher days ahead.

Day 7 — Dingboche to Chukhung (4,730 m)

A short, gentle valley walk to Chukhung, the small settlement that serves as the staging post for the Kongma La crossing. An afternoon hike toward Chukhung Ri aids acclimatisation. (2-3 hours.)

Day 8 — Chukhung to Lobuche (4,910 m) via Kongma La (5,535 m)

The first and highest pass, and one of the toughest days of the trek: a long, steep climb past frozen tarns to Kongma La (5,535 m), marked by cairns and prayer flags, followed by a demanding descent and a crossing of the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Lobuche. (7-9 hours.)

Day 9 — Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,170 m) and Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)

A rolling moraine walk to Gorak Shep, then out across the glacier to Everest Base Camp at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, before returning to sleep at Gorak Shep. (6-8 hours.)

Day 10 — Kala Patthar (5,545 m), trek to Dzongla (4,830 m)

An early climb up Kala Patthar (5,545 m) for the classic sunrise panorama of Everest, then descend and traverse to Dzongla, the base for the Cho La crossing. (7-8 hours.)

Day 11 — Dzongla to Thagnak (4,700 m) via Cho La (5,420 m)

The second pass and the most technical: a steep climb to the glaciated Cho La (5,420 m), crossing ice and boulder terrain near the top where microspikes are often useful, then a rocky descent to Thagnak. (7-9 hours.)

Day 12 — Thagnak to Gokyo (4,790 m)

A walk across the rubble-strewn Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal, to the lakeside settlement of Gokyo beside its strikingly turquoise lakes. (3-4 hours.)

Day 13 — Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) and exploration day

A pre-dawn climb of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for arguably the finest viewpoint in the Khumbu — four 8,000 m peaks (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu) above the lakes and glacier. An optional walk to the upper lakes fills the rest of the day.

Day 14 — Gokyo to Marlung (4,210 m) via Renjo La (5,360 m)

The third and final pass: a climb above the lakes to Renjo La (5,360 m), with a last spectacular view back over Gokyo to Everest, then a long descent into the quieter Bhote Koshi valley toward Marlung. (7-8 hours.)

Day 15 — Marlung to Namche Bazaar via Thame (3,440 m)

Down the Bhote valley through the historic Sherpa village of Thame, with its hillside monastery, and back to Namche Bazaar. (6-7 hours.)

Days 16-17 — Namche to Lukla, fly to Kathmandu

Retrace the trail down to Phakding and back up to Lukla, then fly to Kathmandu. Build in a contingency day or two, as Lukla flights are weather-dependent and frequently delayed.

Difficulty & Fitness

The Everest Three Passes trek is graded strenuous and is the toughest standard route in the Everest region. It demands a good level of fitness, previous high-altitude experience, and ideally some comfort on snow and ice. Several factors make it harder than the classic Everest Base Camp or Gokyo Lakes treks.

• Three high passes. Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m) and Renjo La (5,360 m) are all above 5,300 m, each crossed in a single long, demanding day with big ascents and descents.
• Sustained altitude. You spend many nights above 4,000 m and several around or above 5,000 m, reaching roughly 5,535-5,545 m at Kongma La and Kala Patthar. Acclimatisation discipline is essential throughout.
• Terrain. The passes involve glacier, moraine, boulder and sometimes icy ground — Cho La in particular crosses a small glacier where microspikes are often useful and a misstep is consequential.
• Length. At 18-21 days it is a long itinerary, calling for steady stamina rather than just a single big effort.
• Weather exposure. The passes are high and exposed; they should only be crossed in good, settled weather, and conditions can change fast.

On the plus side, the Khumbu has excellent teahouses throughout, so you sleep and eat well even at altitude. You should be comfortable walking 6-9 hours a day on rough mountain trails for two-plus weeks, and previous experience at around 5,000 m is strongly recommended. Train with long hill walks, stair climbs and loaded day-pack hikes for at least a couple of months beforehand.

Permits & Regulations

The Everest Three Passes trek does not fall in a restricted area, so you do not need a special restricted-area permit. You do need two documents:

• Sagarmatha National Park entry permit — around NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals (less for SAARC nationals). Issued by the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or at the park entrance at Monjo.
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit — around NPR 2,000, paid locally (usually at Lukla or Monjo). This local permit replaced the old TIMS card within the Khumbu.

Since 2023, Nepal requires trekkers on most national-park and conservation-area routes to trek with a licensed guide rather than fully independently, and this applies in the Everest region. Given the seriousness of the three passes — route-finding over glaciers and moraine, weather judgement and altitude management — a guide is sensible here regardless of the rules. Carry your passport and several passport photos, and keep permits handy for the checkpoints at Monjo and elsewhere. Rules can change, so confirm the current requirements with a registered agency or the Nepal Tourism Board before you travel.

Cost & Budget

The Three Passes is more expensive than a standard Everest Base Camp trek, mainly because of the longer itinerary, the extra teahouse nights at altitude, and the value of a capable guide for the pass crossings.

• Guided package: typically around USD 1,600-2,800 per person depending on group size, standard and inclusions. This usually covers the Lukla flights, all permits, an experienced guide, teahouse lodging and meals on the trek.
• Lukla flights: the round-trip mountain flight between Kathmandu (or Manthali/Ramechhap in peak season) and Lukla is a significant, weather-dependent cost.
• Permits: Sagarmatha National Park entry (around NPR 3,000) plus the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (around NPR 2,000).
• On-trail spending: prices rise steeply with altitude. Budget extra for charging devices, hot showers, Wi-Fi, bottled or boiled water, snacks and drinks, all of which cost more the higher you go.

Carry plenty of Nepali rupees in cash — there are ATMs in Namche but they are unreliable and charge high fees, so most trekkers bring enough cash for the whole trek. A generous tip for guides and porters who carry loads over the high passes is customary, and it is wise to keep a contingency budget for delayed Lukla flights and extra nights.

Best Time to Trek

There are two trekking seasons for the Three Passes, and the choice matters more here than on lower routes because the passes must be open and the weather settled.

• Spring (March-May) brings warming days, blooming rhododendron forests on the lower trail, generally good views and well-trodden passes. It is also the Everest climbing season, so the trails and Base Camp are lively.
• Autumn (late September-November) offers the most stable weather, clear skies and the sharpest mountain views after the monsoon, with firm trails. This is the prime window for the high circuit.

Avoid the monsoon (June-early September): clouds hide the mountains, the lower trail is wet and slippery, and Lukla flights are frequently delayed or cancelled. Winter (December-February) is very cold and the passes are often snow-blocked, putting the full circuit out of reach for most trekkers. For the best balance of weather, views and safe, open passes, plan for spring or autumn.

Packing, Safety & Tips

Acclimatisation

With many nights above 4,000 m and a high point around 5,535-5,545 m, altitude sickness is a serious risk on this trek. Keep the built-in acclimatisation days at Namche and Dingboche (and the natural rest at Chukhung and Gokyo), ascend slowly, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol high up, and watch for headache, nausea and dizziness. If symptoms worsen, descend. Never push over a pass while feeling unwell — the crossings only add altitude and exposure.

The passes

Cross Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La only in good weather, starting early to be over the top before the afternoon cloud and wind build. Cho La in particular involves a short glacier section where microspikes (and sometimes an ice axe in icy conditions) are useful — pack a pair and ask your guide about current conditions. Trekking poles help enormously on the long, steep descents.

Gear & packing

Pack as you would for a high, cold trek: a warm sleeping bag rated well below freezing, a good down jacket, layered clothing, sturdy broken-in boots, microspikes, trekking poles, sun and snow protection, and a headlamp. Bring a reliable water-purification method, snacks, and a first-aid kit including blister care and altitude medication discussed with your doctor.

Communications & money

Mobile and Wi-Fi coverage (often via the local Everest Link network) reaches much of the route but is patchy and paid above Namche. There are ATMs in Namche but they are unreliable, so carry enough cash for the whole trek plus a buffer for flight delays.

Safety & insurance

Buy comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking to at least 5,600 m and includes helicopter evacuation — a rescue from the high passes is essential and expensive without cover. Trek with a licensed guide who knows the passes and the weather, keep contingency days for Lukla flight delays, and stay weather-aware on every crossing.

Combining with other treks

The Three Passes already rolls the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes highlights into one loop, so it is a complete Khumbu experience in itself. If you want to go further afield afterwards, the remote and even tougher Makalu Base Camp trek to the east is a natural next step for seasoned trekkers. Base yourself in Kathmandu before and after to arrange permits, flights and gear.