Three High Passes Trek

The first day of the Everest Three High Pass Trek begins with an amazing early-morning flight from Kathmandu or Manthali (during seasonal restrictions) to Lukla. It is the home of Tenzing-Hillary Airport, one of the most dramatic airstrips in the world. It is perched on a short, sloping runway, with mountains looming at both ends.

Upon landing at Lukla, you’ll meet your guide and porter, greet them, and enjoy a quick, delicious breakfast. You will then head to Phakding, where the trek is mostly downhill for about 8 km and takes 3-4 hours. The path winds through charming Sherpa villages like Cheplung and Ghat, passing colorful mani stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers, spinning prayer wheels, and fluttering prayer flags that signal entry into the sacred Khumbu region.

As you descend alongside the Dudh Koshi River, crossing swaying suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags, you’ll enjoy views of the turquoise waters and first sights of snow-capped peaks like Kusum Kanguru and Khumbila. The trail winds through rhododendron and pine forests, passing traditional Sherpa homes where you may see yaks and friendly locals.

Upon reaching Phakding, a peaceful riverside village, you’ll check into your lodge. You may visit the nearby Rimishung Monastery for a moment of reflection while acclimatizing for your adventures in Sagarmatha National Park.

The second day in the Everest Three Passes Trek itinerary takes you from Phakding to the majestic Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. Along the way, you will pass through small hamlets like Toktok, Benkar, etc., where prayer wheels and mani walls are common along the way.

From Chumoa, you trek for about an hour until you reach Monjo, the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. From here, the river gorge tightens between Monjo and Jorsalle, from where you will follow a shaded forest of pine and rhododendron.

After a short break in Jorsalle, the final stretch to Namche features several suspension bridges and culminates at the well-known Hillary Bridge, which is high above the river and covered with prayer flags. As the trail climbs steeply through the trees, you can see peaks like Thamserku and, on clear days, a view of Everest in the distance.

Eventually, the path levels off, and you reach the Namche police check post before entering Namche, a Sherpa town with stone houses, bakeries, and gear shops that serves as a hub for climbers heading to the high Khumbu. You will enter Namche, check into our lodge, and then stroll around pubs and bakeries, or simply engage with locals before dinner and sleep.

The third day of the Three Pass trek is dedicated to acclimatization in Namche Bazaar. Namche is an ideal place for acclimatization, as it is well situated and offers ample facilities. Despite it being an acclimatization day, we will not stay on the usual itinerary; instead, we will take different side trips.

First, you travel to Syangboche airstrip, a grass runway on the hillside, where you might sometimes hear and see supply helicopters landing and taking off. From here, the trail continues along a path lined with blooming juniper and dwarf rhododendron, leading to Everest View Hotel. The Everest View Hotel is a high-elevation hotel renowned for its clear mountain views, along with hot drinks like Tea and Coffee.

We arrive at the hotel and then soak in the majestic mountain views. If there is time, we will extend your acclimatization hike towards the “Green Valley” villages of Khunde and Khumjung. ​Khumjung’s school, founded by Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust, and a nearby monastery housing a Yeti relic, lend the area a sense of legend.

Khunde features the Hillary Hospital and a meditation cave linked to Guru Rinpoche. After completing the classic “hike high, sleep low” routine by returning to Namche, you can spend the evening exploring its narrow streets, chatting with Sherpa shopkeepers, or visiting the local museum to learn about the history of climbers and communities in the Khumbu.

It’s time to move on from Namche and continue our Three High Passes journey. After leaving Namche, you first walk west along the beautiful Bhote Khosi River. The trail goes through beautiful pine trees, and you will see pink rhododendron flowers, if you are trekking in spring.

You will arrive in Phurte, renowned for its beautiful mud stupa, and then reach Thamo village, where the huge Thamo Gompa, an old monastery, is a major attraction. The trail then descends steeply when you arrive at a small power plant before reaching Thame.

Thame is a quiet, peaceful Sherpa village at the top end of the Khumbu Valley. Not many trekkers come here, so it feels special and calm. This village is known as the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, one of the first people to climb Everest. Despite being small, you can still visit an old monastery called Thame Gompa.

The Gompa features beautiful wall paintings and hosts an annual masked dance festival. You can meet friendly Sherpa families who live simply, care for yaks, and follow traditional Buddhist practices. It’s a great place to feel the quiet and peacefulness of Khumbu away from the crowds. Overnight stay in Thame.

You wake in Thame with a local breakfast and begin walking slowly up the quiet valley. The trail is easy, passing green meadows, small stone walls, and grazing yaks. You will see the beautiful sunlight early in the morning striking the rocks, colorful lichens, and huge snowy peaks like Ama Dablam and Tawoche against the blue sky. First, you pass through tiny settlements like Taranga, then Marulung at 4,200 m, a very peaceful spot with just a few lodges, houses, and prayer flags.

After trekking for about an hour from Marulung, you will reach a small remote settlement of Lungden at 4,380 m. The village is remote and far from everything, apart from views of majestic surrounding mountains. After settling in Lungden, you can take a side trip to Nakpa Valley if you have free time.

Today is one of the most exciting days, as you will reach the first pass of the Three Pass Trek. You wake up early in Lungden and begin your long ascent towards Renjo La Pass. The trail is tough, climbing steadily through rocky paths, yak pastures, and old stone walls draped with prayer flags. As you keep climbing, the air feels thinner yet fresher.

You will then pass small frozen lakes before getting a majestic view of the Ngozumpa glacier. The path steepens near the top, but each step offers better views of major peaks, such as Cho Oyu ahead and the Rolwaling Mountains to the west. Reaching the top of Renjo La Pass at 5,360 m feels like a huge milestone.

From the top of Renjo La, you will get some of the iconic views of Khumbu, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, along with bright purple Gokyo lakes shining far below another huge glacier. This spot was once part of an old trade route used by Sherpas to carry goods to Tibet.

After taking photos and resting, you head down the other side on a steep trail into a wild, empty valley. From here, the trail drops through open meadows and rocky slopes until you reach the peaceful villages of Gokyo, which is situated by the third lake. Here, you can check into your lodge and relax by the calm blue water, with an amazing view of Cholatse and Taboche above us.

The seventh day of the Everest Three Pass trek is another acclimatization day. It is essential to give your body time to adjust to the high-altitude weather and climate. The early-morning view of Gokyo village is majestic, thanks to the blue lakes and the prayer flags along the shore.

Today, you can stroll around the village and meet Sherpa families who run simple teahouses. You will also get to see yaks’ caravans passing through the village, and you can also take a slow walk around the lakes to find out how sacred this place is for locals.

Later in the day, you can also choose the hike up to Gokyo Ri, which is entirely optional. The climb to Gokyo Ri is for those who want to follow the “trek high, sleep low” principle, as it is a steep but straight climb. The top of the Gokyo Ri will reward you with astonishingly wide views of the mountains. As you gain height, the Ngozumpa Glacier appears below, a river of ice stretching into the distance, with Gokyo village becoming a tiny cluster of roofs beside the lake.

From the top, four peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, form an arc, surrounded by lesser-known summits. After breathing in the cold air and enjoying the quiet, you head down to the village for a warm meal. You listen to stories from local Sherpas and trekkers as the last light fades.

On the eighth day of the Three High Passes Trek, you will take a shorter walk from Gokyo to Thangnak. This walk lasts around 3-4 hours. You start by walking north along the shores of the third Gokyo Lake. The lake has bright turquoise water that shines in the sun, and you will see prayer flags waving gently.

Soon, the path climbs steeply up the side of the Ngozumpa Glacier, about 36 km long. From the top of this rocky ridge, you can view the Gokyo valley with its blue lakes and tall distant peaks like Cho Oyu. Next, you will walk down onto the glacier itself. The surface is wild and uneven, with loose rocks, dirt-covered ice, small frozen ponds, and ice tongues peeking out. Cairns mark the way to help you avoid getting lost on this changing landscape.

As you cross the glacier, the scenery is striking, with ups and downs over moraine humps and sandy flats. You might see small meltwater pools reflecting mountains like Taboche and Cholatse. After leaving the glacier, a short descent leads to the quiet ablation valley of Thangnak, a remote spot with a few simple lodges where Sherpa yak herders and guides rest.

Life here is basic: warm tea by the stove, shared stories, and the occasional sound of yak bells. This peaceful stop offers close-up glacier views and a calm break before tackling the steep Cho La Pass the next day, allowing you to experience the essence of the Himalayas.

The ninth day of the Everest Three Pass trek is another exciting day, as you will cross Cho La Pass. Today’s trek is quite tough, but equally rewarding, from Thangnak to Dzongla via Cho La Pass. It takes about 6–7 hours with big ascents and descents. The early trek involves a rocky ascent through loose boulders and icy patches.

The path passes small frozen lakes like Cho La Tsho, with bright blue water contrasting with dark rocks. As you climb, Ama Dablam rises to the south, and Cholatse stands sharply to the west. The final stretch involves scrambling over slippery sections and navigating crevasses. At the top, colorful prayer flags flutter on cairns, and the 360-degree views reveal peaks like Everest, Lhotse, and the Ngozumpa Glacier below.

After admiring the view from the pass, you start a long, careful descent on steep, rocky trails that can be slippery due to loose stones or ice. The trail drops through the barren moraine field with occasional glimpses of small meltwater streams and jagged ice features.

After a couple of hours, the route levels out into a peaceful valley of Dzongla. It is a small, quiet settlement of basic lodges along the hillsides, offering cozy spots with stoves and hot drinks. We stay overnight at Dzongla.

Today’s trek from Dzongla to Lobuche starts off mildly, with a clear trail along the hillside. You will get the long views of Ama Dablam and the Khumbu Glacier valley in the distance. As you walk above the dark, still waters of Cho La Tsho, the majestic blue lakes sit just below the steep rock walls.

Today, the route is fairly easy and almost flat, which lets you stop to admire views of Cholatse and Taboche and take wonderful photos. Even in this barren wilderness, you will find small stone yak shelters and scattered mani stones, which will remind you that life continues even in the harshest of conditions.

As we approach Lobuche, the landscape becomes a bit rougher and grayer. The sound of the Khumbu glacier goes silent, and Dzongla’s grassy slopes become quieter. Before reaching Lobuche village, we will make one final stop towards Thukla Pass, where lines of chortens and stone monuments honor climbers who died on Everest and nearby peaks.

Upon arriving in Lobuche, you step back onto the busy EBC route, sharing narrow lanes with porters, yaks loaded with supplies, and other trekkers. Lobuche holds quiet respect for being the highest settlement and final stop before the base of Mt. Everest.

Today is quite the special day in our Three High Pass trail, as we reach the iconic Everest Base Camp. From Lobuche, the trail climbs slowly over the rocky trail beside the Khumbu Glacier. From here, you can see jagged ice towers and deep crevasses, which stretch far into the distance. The air is quite thin here, so hiking slowly and carefully is the best approach. Soon you will approach Gorakshep, a final settlement before Everest, which is surrounded by a small cluster of lodges.

After a short break in Gorakshep, you continue along a winding path that leads to Everest Base Camp. The EBC is a vast area, filled with rocks, ice, and colorful tents. The fluttering prayer flags around the base camp show the desire and bravery of many trekkers who have achieved one of their biggest milestones. In the distance, you will hear the sounds of ice shifting in the Khumbu Icefall.

Standing beneath the towering walls of Nuptse and the hidden summit of Everest, you will feel a blend of tranquility and emotion after days of trekking. So, savor the moment as much as you can before heading back to Gorakshep, tired but uplifted. Reaching Everest Base Camp will be your biggest achievement to date, due to the tough journey you experienced.

After celebrating yesterday’s big achievement of reaching EBC, you will wake up in Lobuche with another big milestone in mind: reaching Kala Patthar. Kala Patthar is the highest elevation of the Khumbu region at 5,545 m. You will begin this climb, before dawn under a dark sky, guided by a narrow beam of headlamps in the cold, snowy path. As you reach higher, the mountain views of Pumori, Lingtren, and the long ridge of Nuptse become clearer.

If you are able to reach Kala Patthar, the view tower, before sunrise, you are in for a treat. A majestic golden sunlight reflects on snowy mountains, creating one of the most beautiful views you have ever witnessed.

After enjoying the views and taking photos, you descend to Gorakshep for breakfast and a rest before leaving. The return to Lobuche is easier, allowing you to spot details like frozen streams and glacial ponds. When you arrive, the lodges feel more inviting, filled with trekkers sharing stories with Sherpas and porters in a friendly atmosphere.

Another memorable day awaits us, as today you will reach the third pass of the Three High Pass Trek (Kongma La Pass). From Lobuche, your trail soon leaves the main Everest route and turns towards a wilder, quieter valley, where prayer flags and cairns guide your route instead of the lodges. As you climb higher towards Kongma La, the landscape changes completely into a world of frozen ponds, slate-colored rocks, and small patches of bluish ice that crack softly in the sun. The final stretch to the pass becomes tough due to thin air and steep paths. You will know when you have reached the top when you see the marker decorated with prayer flags and the famous wrapped crane figure.

From the top of the Kongma La, you will get wide and clear views of Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse, and Ama Dablam stretching across the horizon. After soaking in the views, it’s time to descend from Kongma La, on steep and rocky trails that will lead you into the quiet Niyang Khola Valley. From here, you might see yak trails and old stone shelters used by Sherpa herders in the grazing season. As you descend, the path becomes easier and merges with a clearer trail that leads to Chhukung, a small settlement with lodges surrounded by open pastures. The sharp ridges of Island Peak and Lhotse guard this area. Many trekkers stop in Chhukung to rest and acclimatize. In the evening, the dining rooms fill with people who are planning climbs, checking maps, and sharing stories with local Sherpas. The Sherpas know every ridge and glacier in this hidden part of the Khumbu.

From today, the descent starts. We wake up early in Chhukung. The trails begin with a gentle descent through open yak meadows, where you might see herders moving their animals or fixing their shelters before winter arrives. As we move towards Pangboche, we leave behind Lhotse and the ridges around Island Peak. You will see familiar peaks like Ama Dablam once again, from a different angle that shows new cliffs and hanging glaciers. The path passes near small resting spots with prayer flags and mani stones, reminding you that this high valley is not only a trekking route but also a spiritual place for the local people.

Further along, you once again rejoin the busier Imija Khola trail and head towards Dingboche. Here you will see long stone fences and potato fields, which reflect the Sherpa way of farming in this cold environment.

As you approach Pangboche, the scenery turns greener with dwarf juniper and birch. You’ll see more villages and monasteries in this lower region. Pangboche is one of the oldest Sherpa villages, featuring traditional houses, an important monastery, and narrow lanes where children play and trekkers relax in cozy lodges.

Our high-altitude trek of the Three High Pass is coming to an end as we leave Pangboche. The trail initially follows the Imja Khola valley down through old stone houses and terraced fields. You will still get to see huge Ama Dablam behind you, and as you descend even more, the dry ground is replaced by dwarf rhododendron and juniper flowers. The landscape feels softer and greener than the high, rocky passes you crossed a few days ago. Along the way, you pass small chortens and mani walls carved with prayers, and there are a few quiet tea houses where you can stop for tea while watching long lines of yaks and porters move supplies up toward the higher villages.

The trail keeps dropping down the river and crosses one or two suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags. After climbing back up, through pine and fir forests, you re-enter the valley that goes towards Namche Bazaar. From here, the trail becomes busier with returning trekkers and locals heading to the market. Arriving at Namche feels like a blessing, since it is the only developed settlement around. You will spend the night in Namche Bazaar.

After spending your night in Namche, it’s time to move on. From Namche, the trail drops steadily through pine and juniper forest. The expansive views of Kongde Ri and Thamserku, fading behind the terraced houses, make for quite a view. As you pass the checkpost and follow the path to Larja Dobhan, the sound of the Dudh Koshi River grows louder. Small chortens, mani stones, and prayer flags mark the trail, highlighting its significance to the local Sherpa communities. After reaching Monjo and Jorsalle, you exit Sagarmatha National Park and cross suspension bridges. You may see Himalayan birds along the way to the riverside lodges in Phakding, where the lower altitude and cozy dining rooms offer a welcome comfort after days in the thin air.

After taking a break in Phakding, we begin moving gently through the path that follows the Dudh Koshi river. You will first pass small villages like Ghat and Chhuthawa, where stone walls, painted mani boulders, and spinner prayer wheels sit beside teahouses. To reach Lukla, we have to climb a steady uphill stretch. Soon, you will hear the sound of aircraft from Tenzing-Hillary Airport mix with the bells of dzopkyo and yaks moving along the main street. You will enter Lukla through the Pasang Lhamu memorial gate. From here, you will trek through narrow stone-paved lanes lined with lodges, gear shops, and cafes. In the evening, we will celebrate the end of the Three High Passes journey and say thank you to everyone who helped us achieve this.

Today marks the end of your Everest 3 Passes Trek. You have two flight options: one back to Kathmandu, which takes about 30-45 minutes, or a flight to Manthali. If you choose Manthali, you’ll have a short 20-minute flight, followed by a 4 to 6-hour drive to Kathmandu. The choice between landing in Kathmandu or Manthali depends on the season and weather, and whether Kathmandu airport is busy with international flights. We hope you enjoyed our Everest Three High Pass trek and see you on your next adventure.

Note: The flight can be directed to either KTM or Manthali, depending on the season.