Everest Three Passes Trek-17 Days

Trek Distance: 6.2 km / 3.8 miles
Flight Duration: 40/20 minutes
Highest Altitude: 2,650 m / 8,562 ft
Trek Duration: 3 hours
Your Everest 3 Passes Trek begins with a flight to Lukla. During peak trekking seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), flights may go through Manthali Airport. For early morning flights, we’ll pick you up around 12:30 am for a 5-hour drive to Manthali, followed by a 20-minute flight to Lukla.

Alternatively, you can hire a helicopter from Kathmandu for about $550 per person (cost shared among five).

In the off-peak months (December, January, February, June, July, August), you'll take a direct 40-minute flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Lukla.

Upon arrival in Lukla, you’ll descend to the Thado Koshi River, crossing several suspension bridges before reaching Phakding. This short trek also helps with acclimatization. In Phakding, we’ll visit the local Rimishung Monastery.

Distance: 7.4 km / 4.6 miles
Highest Altitude: 3,440 m / 11,285 ft
Duration: 6 hours
We’ll start our day early in Phakding, trekking north alongside the Dudh Koshi River and crossing several suspension bridges, including the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge.

Our route leads us through Monjo Village, winding through dense forests and rocky paths to the Sagarmatha National Park Check Post, where we’ll register our permits. As we ascend into the forest, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest. We’ll continue on to our destination, Namche Bazaar, where we’ll spend the night.

Today will be an acclimatization day at Namche. We recommend you to explore Namche Bazaar. This town contains numerous Wi-Fi-linked cafes, restaurants, souvenirs, and gear shops. There are other options - visit the Sagarmatha National Park visitor center, traditional Sherpa settlements, Hillary School, Khumjung monastery, Dingboche Airport, and Everest Hotel.

Itinerary Overview
Trek Distance: 6.8 km / 4.2 miles
Highest Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,303 ft
Trek Duration: 6 hours
We’ll depart from Namche Bazaar, trekking towards Thame along the Bhote Koshi River, surrounded by pine and rhododendron forests. En route, you'll see the mud-plastered stupa at Phurte, followed by the charming village of Thamo and its monastery, Thamo Gompa. The trail then descends steeply to the Khumbu Hydroelectric Plant before arriving in Thame, situated at the end of the Khumbu Valley.

Thame is notable for being the home of many renowned Sherpa climbers, including Apa Sherpa, who holds the record for summiting Everest 21 times, and Tenzing Norgay, one of the first two climbers to reach the summit alongside Edmund Hillary.

Distance: 8.2 km / 5 miles
Highest Altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Duration: 6 hours
Today’s trek will take you through picturesque villages, allowing you to soak in the stunning landscapes, diverse vegetation, and majestic mountains. In the bright morning light, the vibrant colors of rocks, lichens, yaks, and snow-capped peaks create a surreal atmosphere.

We’ll pass through Taranga, the last village in the valley, before continuing on to Marulung (4,200 m) and ultimately reaching our destination, Lungden. If time permits, we can explore Nakpa Valley, an ancient trade route to Tibet, or hike to the beautiful Cho Relmo Lake.

Distance: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Highest Altitude: 5,446 m / 17,867 ft
Duration: 8 hours
Today promises to be one of the most thrilling as you tackle the first pass on the route: Renjo La Pass. Departing from Lungden, you’ll head towards the Gokyo Lakes region, where seasonal activities like yak herding may catch your eye.

Upon reaching Renjo La Pass, prepare to be awestruck by breathtaking views of iconic peaks, including Mount Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), and Cho Oyu (8,201 m). You'll also glimpse the third of the five major Gokyo Lakes, Dudh Pokhari, situated near Gokyo village. As you descend into the Gokyo Valley, be cautious of potentially icy sections of the trail.

Trek Distance
1.5 km / o.9 miles
Highest Altitude
5,400 m/ 17,814ft
Trek Duration
1 & ½ hrs
Acclimatization provides us time to climb the Gokyo Ri Viewpoint from where you can see the mesmerizing views of the Everest region - including Thonak Tsho Lake and the Ngozuma Tsho Lake.

Three kilometers north of Gokyo lies Ngozumpa Tsho glacier (5,000m), and within five minutes walk lies Scoundrel's Viewpoint. From here, you get fantastic views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu.

On the north of the fifth Gokyo Lake, you can see astonishing views of the Cho Oyu Base Camp and the Ngozumpa Glacier - the longest glacier in the Himalayas.

Distance: 3.7 km / 2.3 miles
Highest Altitude: 4,790 m / 15,584 ft
Duration: 5 hours
Today, we resume our trek, passing alongside the Ngozumpa Glacier. The trail is rocky and features a series of ups and downs, but the breathtaking scenery will keep your spirits high as you navigate the eastern glacial moraine. As you make your way down the valley, the views will become increasingly stunning and inspiring.

Ultimately, we'll reach Thangnak, a cluster of lodges nestled in a tranquil setting, perfectly situated for our upcoming crossing of the Cho-La high pass.

Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Highest Altitude: 5,420 m / 17,783 ft
Duration: 6-7 hours
Today’s trek presents some challenges as we navigate rocky trails and glacial moraines on our way to Dzongla. The highlight of the day is crossing Cho La Pass (5,420 m / 17,783 ft), which links Dzongla and Thagnak. From this pass, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Everest and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. After taking in the stunning scenery, we’ll descend to Dzongla, where we’ll spend the night.

Distance: 8.36 km / 5.2 miles
Highest Altitude: 4,910 m / 16,175 ft
Duration: 4 hours
After a restful night in Dzongla, we’ll set off toward Lobuche, rejoining the classic Everest Base Camp Trek. Our journey begins by following the moraine and descending alongside Chola Lake. Along the way, you'll encounter memorials honoring climbers who lost their lives in this region. The hike to Lobuche promises to be delightful as we navigate the trails of Imja Khola Valley, leading us to our destination.

Distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles
Highest Altitude: 5,364 m / 17,598 ft
Duration: 6-8 hours
On your eleventh day, you’ll finally arrive at Everest Base Camp. The trek starts with a hike along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier until we reach Gorak Shep.

After dropping off our gear at Gorak Shep, we’ll continue north to Everest Base Camp, the starting point for climbers ascending the mountain.

Reaching Everest Base Camp is a significant achievement, showcasing your determination and resilience. It’s a moment of personal victory, reflecting your perseverance and positive spirit. You’ll have time to soak in the breathtaking views that few people on Earth will ever experience. After capturing those unforgettable moments, we’ll descend back to Gorak Shep for the night.

Distance: 5 km / 3.10 miles
Highest Altitude: 5,555 m / 18,208 ft
Duration: 3 hours
After your visit to Everest Base Camp yesterday, you might have missed a clear view of Mount Everest. Today offers the perfect opportunity to admire the mountain in all its splendor.

We’ll rise early to catch the sunrise at Kala Patthar (5,555 m), renowned as the best viewpoint for Everest. We'll spend some time there soaking in the stunning views as dawn breaks over the peak before heading back down to Gorak Shep for breakfast. After our meal, we’ll continue our trek to Lobuche, our destination for the day.

Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
Highest Altitude: 5,535 m / 18,159 ft
Duration: 7-8 hours
Today, you’ll tackle the final and most challenging of the three passes on our route. The trek begins in Lobuche, where the ascent to Kongma La Pass is relatively straightforward, featuring stunning frozen lakes along the way. A crane wrapped in cloth marks this significant point.

From the pass, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Makalu, Baruntse, and Ama Dablam.

Afterward, we’ll descend from Kongma La to the eastern side of the Nigyang Khola Valley, arriving in Chukhung Village. This area is typically used by Sherpas for yak pasturing, and while there’s no permanent settlement, it has recently gained popularity among trekkers. Many use Chukhung for acclimatization as they prepare for their adventures.

Distance: 12.9 km / 8 miles
Highest Altitude: 4,730 m / 15,580 ft
Duration: 5 hours
Today, we’ll descend the Imja Khola Valley, passing through Dingboche, known for its stone-walled potato fields and lush alpine pastures. Along the way, you'll encounter Kharkas (highland shelters) in the villages of Tsura, Orsho, and Shomare.

Continuing on, we’ll arrive at Pangboche Village, the only year-round settlement in the valley, before making our way to Tengboche. From the Tengboche viewpoint, you’ll be treated to stunning vistas of iconic peaks, including Ama Dablam (6,856 m), Everest (8,848 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), and Lhotse (8,501 m). We’ll also visit Tengboche Gompa, the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region.

Distance: 5.9 km / 3.6 miles
Highest Altitude: 3,855 m / 12,850 ft
Duration: 5 hours
Our journey to Namche Bazaar will take us through forests alive with highland wildlife, including pheasants, musk deer, mountain goats, and even the occasional snow leopard. As we navigate the steep slopes adorned with chortens and prayer flags, you'll catch glimpses of the summit of Everest and the back of Lhotse, enhancing the beauty of our trek.

Distance: 13.5 km / 8.3 miles
Highest Altitude: 3,440 m / 11,285 ft
Duration: 6-7 hours
On our final trekking day, we’ll head back to Lukla. After breakfast, we’ll start by descending a steep trail leading to the Hillary Suspension Bridge. Our journey continues through charming local villages in the Dudh Koshi River Valley until we arrive in Lukla. As your sixteenth day of trekking comes to a close, we hope you’ve had a wonderful experience throughout the trek.

Flight Duration: 40/20 Minutes
If all goes as planned, you’ll be flying back to Kathmandu today. Depending on the trekking season, you may fly to Manthali or directly to Kathmandu. For treks in March, April, May, September, October, or November, you’ll likely take a flight to Manthali, followed by a drive to Kathmandu. For treks during December, January, February, June, July, or August, you'll fly directly from Lukla to Kathmandu.

If you prefer to skip the Lukla-Manthali-Kathmandu route, you can arrange a helicopter ride with four other travelers, which will cost about $550 per person.

We hope your trek has been a rejuvenating experience, and as you reflect on your time in the Everest region, we’ll organize a farewell dinner to celebrate your journey.