Everest Three Passes Trek

(Drive: 132km, 4-5 hours | Flight: 15-20 minutes | Trek: 8km, 3-4 hours | Elevation Loss: 240m / 787ft)

Your Himalayan adventure begins with the journey to the trailhead. In the peak seasons, this involves a pre-dawn drive to Ramechhap for a short, exciting flight to Lukla; in other seasons, a direct flight from Kathmandu. Once on the ground, the trek begins with a gentle, pleasant descent through fragrant pine forests alongside the Dudh Koshi river. This is the perfect introduction to the trail, allowing your body to begin its adjustment to the mountain air as you walk to Phakding.

(Trek: 11km, 5-6 hours | Elevation Gain: 830m / 2,723ft)

Today’s walk to Namche Bazaar is the first real test of the trek, a solid 5 to 6 hours that introduces you to the rhythm of Himalayan ascents. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi river, crossing it several times on high, prayer-flag-draped suspension bridges, including the spectacular Hillary Bridge. After entering Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, the path begins a long, sustained climb. Our guides will pace this carefully, reminding you to walk bistari, bistari (slowly, slowly). The first glimpse of Everest through the trees on the way up is a profound reward for your effort.

(Hike: 3-4 hours | Highest Point: 3,880m / 12,730ft)

This is not a rest day, but an essential day for adapting to the altitude. We follow the principle of ‘climb high, sleep low’. After breakfast, we will guide you on a beautiful hike up to the Everest View Hotel. The panorama from here is your first grand reward: a stunning vista of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the magnificent Ama Dablam. The afternoon is yours to explore Namche’s unique market, its surprisingly good bakeries, or simply sit with a pot of tea and watch the world go by.

(Trek: 9km, 3-4 hours | Elevation Gain: 360m / 1,181ft)

Leaving the main trail, we head west into the serene Thame Valley. This is a quieter, deeply cultural walk, following an ancient trade route towards the Nangpa La pass into Tibet. You will feel the shift in atmosphere immediately. We visit the historic Thame Monastery, spectacularly perched on the hillside, before settling into our lodge for the night.

(Trek: 7km, 4-5 hours | Elevation Gain: 410m / 1,345ft)

Continuing up the Thame Valley, the landscape becomes more rugged and alpine. We pass through the summer settlement of Taranga and contour high above the river. The views open up to reveal Kongde and other dramatic peaks. The air grows thinner as we reach the small, traditional village of Marulung, where we will prepare for our first high pass crossing.

(Hike: 3-4 hours | Highest Point: ~4,500m / 14,764ft)

This is a crucial day for acclimatization before tackling the Renjo La. We recommend a hike to a high viewpoint above the village, offering stunning previews of the pass and the array of peaks to the east. This effort is key to a safe and successful crossing tomorrow.

(Trek: 10km, 7-8 hours | Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,150m / -570m | 3,774ft / 1,870ft)

An early start is essential. The climb to the Renjo La (5,360m / 17,585ft) is a long, steady ascent on a well-defined trail. The final push is challenging, but the reward is one of the finest views in the Khumbu, a breathtaking panorama of the Everest range across the turquoise Gokyo Lakes. After celebrating at the pass, we descend a series of stone steps into the Gokyo valley, arriving at the shores of the third lake, where our lodge awaits.

(Hike: 3-4 hours | Elevation Gain/Loss: 567m / 1,860ft)

Today we climb Gokyo Ri, a steep but straightforward ascent that is worth every ounce of effort. From the summit, the view is simply sublime: a sweeping vista of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, all reflected in the jewel-like lakes below. Many consider this the single best viewpoint in the region. The afternoon is for rest and exploration around the lakes.

(Trek: 4km, 2-3 hours | Elevation Loss: 90m / 295ft)

A short but dramatic day. We traverse the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest in Nepal, a vast, undulating landscape of rock and ice. The route requires careful footing, and our guides will lead the way across this otherworldly terrain. We arrive at the small settlement of Dragnag (Tragnag) in good time, allowing for rest before the challenge of the Cho La.

(Trek: 7km, 6-7 hours | Elevation Gain/Loss: +720m / -590m | 2,362ft / 1,936ft)

This is a demanding day that requires an early start and sure-footedness. The initial climb is steep and rocky, leading to a glacier crossing that may sometimes require microspikes. The final section leads to the prayer-flag-adorned summit of the Cho La (5,420m / 17,782ft) , with its impressive views of Ama Dablam and the Cholatse peak. The descent to Dzongla is steep but short, leading to a small cluster of lodges in a spectacular, high-altitude setting.

(Trek: 6km, 2-3 hours | Elevation Gain: 110m / 361ft)

A relatively short and easy day, allowing your body to recover. The trail contours along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, merging with the main Everest Base Camp trail. We pass the poignant memorials to climbers lost on Everest before arriving back at Lobuche, now familiar ground, but seen from a new perspective.

(Trek: 10km, 6-7 hours | Elevation Gain: 224m / 735ft to Gorak Shep)

The goal is in sight. We trek along the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Gorak Shep (5,164m / 16,942ft). After a quick lunch, we make the round trip to Everest Base Camp (5,364m / 17,598ft). The trail is rough, but the destination is legendary. Standing among the expedition tents at the foot of the treacherous icefall, you feel the raw power and ambition of this place, a moment that defines the Himalayan experience.

(Trek: 12km, 6-7 hours | Elevation Gain/Loss: +381m / -605m | 1,250ft / 1,985ft)

We rise before dawn for the climb to the summit of Kala Patthar (5,545m / 18,192ft). In the freezing stillness, you watch the sun ignite the summit of Everest in a blaze of golden light, the iconic view you have worked so hard to see. After descending for breakfast, we begin our journey down, retracing our steps to Lobuche, the thinner air now firmly behind us.

(Trek: 9km, 7-8 hours | Elevation Gain/Loss: +595m / -1,125m | 1,952ft / 3,691ft)

The third and highest pass awaits. The Kongma La (5,535m / 18,159ft) is the most challenging of the three, a remote and rugged crossing. The ascent from Lobuche is steep and sustained, but the summit offers a spectacular, isolated perspective on the entire Khumbu. The long descent leads past the beautiful turquoise lakes of the Khumbu Glacier and down to the familiar village of Dingboche, a welcome sight after a long, triumphant day.

(Trek: 14km, 6-7 hours | Elevation Loss: 970m / 3,182ft)

A long but beautiful descent. We drop to the river at Phunki Tenga and then make the final climb to the iconic Tengboche Monastery, a spiritual haven you will appreciate even more on the return journey. From here, it is a glorious, contouring path high above the valley all the way back to the bright lights and hot showers of Namche Bazaar.

(Trek: 19km, 6-7 hours | Elevation Loss: 590m / 1,936ft)

The final day on the trail is a long but celebratory walk, mostly downhill. We descend the Namche hill for the last time and follow the Dudh Koshi back to Lukla. Tonight, we celebrate with a farewell dinner with your crew, a time to give thanks and share stories from an incredible journey.

(Flight: 15-30 minutes | Drive: 132km, 4-5 hours)

An early morning flight is taken from Lukla, schedule permitting. During the peak season, this will likely be a flight to Ramechhap, where our vehicle will be waiting for the four to five-hour drive back to Kathmandu. On occasion, flights may operate directly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for a well-earned rest and a hot shower.

This day is our essential buffer for any unforeseen delays, particularly flights from Lukla, which are common in mountain weather. If all goes to plan, it is a free day for last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping in the vibrant streets of Kathmandu. We will host a final farewell dinner to properly celebrate your monumental achievement.

We will accompany you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure. Though the journey in Nepal ends today, the spirit of the Himalaya travels with you. We hope these mountains will call you back again for new adventures.