Everest Three Passes Trek
Mountain Hawk Trek
Everest RegionModerate

Everest Three PassesTrek

Cross all three high passes of the Khumbu in 22 days: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m). Reach Everest Base Camp, climb Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri, walk across the Ngozumpa and Khumbu glaciers. From USD 1,975.

View Itinerary
22
DaysTotal trek duration
5545m
Max AltitudeHighest point reached
Sep–Jun
Best SeasonIdeal trekking window
$1,975
FromPer person (twin sharing)
Trip Highlights

The moments that matter most

The Three Passes Trek is the most demanding standard route in the Khumbu, crossing three passes above 5,300 meters and two major glaciers in a single 22-day loop. You gain and lose more than 8,000 meters of cumulative elevation across the circuit. The reward is the most complete view of the Everest region available on any single trek: base camp, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Ri, and three high passes that each offer a different panorama of the Himalayan giants.

The Gokyo Valley section is a stark contrast to the Everest Base Camp trail. Where the EBC route is busy with trekkers between Namche and Gorak Shep, the Gokyo side sees a fraction of the foot traffic. The five turquoise glacial lakes sit at the foot of Cho Oyu (8,188m), fed by meltwater from the Ngozumpa Glacier. From Gokyo Ri at dawn, you see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, four of the six highest mountains on Earth, in a single sweep.

The return leg crosses Renjo La and drops into the Bhote Koshi valley via Thame, one of the oldest Sherpa settlements in the Khumbu. Thame is the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay and is far quieter than the main EBC trail. The descent through Thame back to Namche closes the circuit and gives you a perspective on the Khumbu that most trekkers never see.

Trip Overview

A closer look

The Everest Three Passes Trek is a 22-day circuit through the Khumbu region that crosses every major high pass in the Everest area: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m). The route covers approximately 170 kilometers and visits both Everest Base Camp and the Gokyo Valley, making it the most complete trek in the region.

The standard direction runs Namche to Tengboche to Dingboche to Chukhung, then over Kongma La into Lobuche. From Lobuche you reach Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar (5,545m) before crossing Cho La Pass into the Gokyo Valley. After summiting Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for sunrise over the turquoise lakes and Cho Oyu (8,188m), you cross Renjo La and descend via Thame back to Namche. The circuit walks across both the Khumbu and Ngozumpa glaciers, the two largest in Nepal.

Each pass is a full trekking day. Kongma La involves a steep scramble over loose rock between Chukhung and Lobuche. Cho La has a short glacier crossing with fixed ropes near the top. Renjo La is the most scenic of the three, with Gokyo Lakes spread below and the Everest massif filling the eastern skyline. All three passes are non-technical but require good fitness and proper acclimatization.

Permits required: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (NPR 3,000) and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (NPR 3,000), both included in your trek cost. Teahouse accommodation is available at every overnight stop. TIMS cards are no longer required for the Everest region.

If 22 days is more than your schedule allows, shorter alternatives cover sections of this circuit. The Everest Base Camp Trek reaches base camp and Kala Patthar in 15 days without crossing any passes. The Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek crosses Cho La between Gokyo and the Everest side in 19 days. For Gokyo Lakes without any pass crossing, the Gokyo Valley Trek reaches Gokyo Ri in 15 days via the direct Namche to Gokyo route.

Route & Elevation

The trail, mapped

Elevation ProfileDay-by-day altitude
TrailPeak
5,180m4,221m3,263m2,304m1,345mKathmanduPhakdingNamcheTengboche MonasteryDingbocheChhukung ValleyChhukungGorak ShepDzonglaThangnagGokyoThameNamcheLuklaKathmandu5,180m
Itinerary

Day by day, on the trail

22 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.

Day01

Arrival in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day02

Pre-trip Meeting & Kathmandu Sightseeing

Kathmandu

Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day03

Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding

Phakding

Fly to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,795 m) from Kathmandu, then trek to Phakding (2,610 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,610m3h trekGuesthouse1,265m
Day04

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480m5h trekGuesthouse870m
Day05

Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480mGuesthouse
Day06

Trek to Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche

Trek to Tengboche Monastery (3,860 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,860m5h trekGuesthouse380m
Day07

Trek to Dingboche

Dingboche

Trek to Dingboche (4,350 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,350m6h trekGuesthouse490m
Day08

Day Trip to Chhukung Valley

Dingboche

Day trip to Chhukung Valley (4,710 m) and trek back to Dingboche, approximately 4 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,350m4h trekGuesthouse
Day09

Trek to Chhukung

Chhukung

Trek to Chhukung (4,700 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,700m5h trekGuesthouse350m
Day10

Cross Kongma La Pass to Lobuche

Lobuche

Cross Kongma La Pass (5,535 m) and descend to Lobuche, approximately 8 to 9 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,920m9h trekGuesthouse220m
Day11

Trek to Everest Base Camp & Gorak Shep

Gorak Shep

Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,300 m) and return to Gorak Shep (5,180 m), approximately 8 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

5,180m8h trekGuesthouse260m
Day12

Kala Patthar & Trek to Dzongla

Dzongla

Early-morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,555 m), then trek down to Dzongla (4,800 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,800m7h trekGuesthouse380m
Day13

Cross Cho La Pass to Thangnak

Thangnak

Cross Cho La Pass (5,030 m) and descend to Thangnak (4,700 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,700m7h trekGuesthouse100m
Day14

Trek to Gokyo

Gokyo

Trek to Gokyo (4,800 m), approximately 4 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,800m4h trekGuesthouse100m
Day15

Gokyo Ri & Return to Gokyo

Gokyo

Early-morning climb to Gokyo Ri (5,360 m), then return to Gokyo. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,800mGuesthouse
Day16

Cross Renjo La Pass to Arye

Arye

Cross Renjo La Pass (5,338 m) and descend to Arye (4,300 m), approximately 8 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,300m8h trekGuesthouse500m
Day17

Trek to Thame

Thame

Trek to Thame (3,800 m), approximately 4 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,800m4h trekGuesthouse500m
Day18

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480 m), approximately 3 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480m3h trekGuesthouse320m
Day19

Trek to Lukla

Lukla

Trek to Lukla (2,795 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,795m6h trekGuesthouse685m
Day20

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel1,450m
Day21

Leisure Day in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day22

Departure

Kathmandu

Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.

1,345mTransfer
Good to Know

Before you commit

Trek Cost

TierPrice
Per Person
USD 1,975
Package Details

What's in, what's out

What's Included

11

Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.

Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel in Kathmandu (4 nights), breakfast included.

Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus.

Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) and teahouse accommodation during the trek.

A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, the required number of porters (1 porter for every 2 trekkers), and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.

Sagarmatha National Park Permit, TIMS card, and all other necessary permits.

Flight fare from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu, including airport departure taxes at Kathmandu and Lukla.

Surface transfer from Kathmandu.

Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).

All applicable government taxes.

Tourist service charge and VAT.

Not Included

8

Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu.

Travel insurance (compulsory).

Nepal entry visa fee.

Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, laundry, and hot showers.

Personal trekking equipment.

Tips for trekking staff and driver.

Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.

Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Add-on

Extra Nights in Kathmandu

Single Room$60per night · breakfast included
Twin Sharing$35per person / night · breakfast included

Dear guest, should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.

The Reward

Why you'll love it

Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.

Scenery

Three sunrise-worthy passes in 22 days. Kongma La shows you Island Peak and Ama Dablam. Cho La reveals the Khumbu Glacier from above. Renjo La spreads the Gokyo Lakes below with Everest behind.

Thrill

You visit both Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes on one ticket. No need to choose between the two most iconic destinations in the Khumbu.

Connection

The Ngozumpa Glacier crossing is raw Himalayan terrain: lateral moraines, glacial ponds, and ice walls with Cho Oyu towering at the head of the valley.

Honest Check

Is this trek for you?

A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.

Expectations

Before you book

5

You can walk 6 to 8 hours a day on technical terrain for 18 consecutive trekking days. This is the most physically demanding standard route in the Khumbu.

You have previous high-altitude trekking experience above 4,500m. Three back-to-back passes above 5,300m require reliable acclimatization.

Cho La has a short glacier crossing that can be icy in the morning. Basic crampon use or microspikes are recommended. No roped climbing.

You sleep above 4,000m for 14 consecutive nights. Cold tolerance and a good down sleeping bag rated to minus 20 degrees Celsius are essential.

You want the most complete Khumbu experience in a single trek: base camp, Gokyo, three passes, two glaciers, and the quiet Thame valley.

Gear Up

What to pack

The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.

Equipment

Packing checklist

36 items

Duffel or Rucksack bag (This should be nice with good zipper)

Daypack

Down Jacket (Company also nice and clean down jacket provide)

Sleeping bag 4 season ( also provide )

Hiking pants

Waterproof jacket

Full, sleeves shirt

Jumper or pile jacket

T, shirts

Trekking boots (Water proof)

Camp shoes/Sandal

Polypropylene/wool socks

Light cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)

Woollen socks to wear with boots

Sun hat

Beanie

Gloves

Sun block for lips

Sun lotion

Goggles or sunglasses ( with spare)

Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)

Insulated pants

Nylon windbreaker

Nylon wind pants

Water bottle

Sewing kit

Medical & first aid kit

Flash light ( with spare batteries)

Walking stick. (company also provide or you can buy in Kathmandu)

Camera ( don’t forget to buy the spare film and batteries to go with it before you leave.)

Personal stereo/radio

Book ( buy them before you leave or in Kathmandu)

Multipurpose knife or Swiss army knife

Personal towel

Personal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please.

Notepad (writing a diary in the evening by the fireside is a favorite past time of trekkers)

Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially on women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer then please pack something to wear over the top of them.

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.

FAQs

The most asked

8
Trail Stories

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