Everest Three Passes Trek in Nepal

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly greeted by our office representative and transferred to the hotel. After check-in and some refreshments, our senior Sherpa guide will meet you to provide a brief orientation about the Three High Passes Trek. You can then take a stroll to explore the neighborhood, have dinner, and retire for the night. This marks your first overnight stay in the unique and culturally rich city of Kathmandu.

We will take a flight to Lukla, where we will experience a landing on a steep mountain runway, marking the beginning of our trek in the village of Lukla at an altitude of 2850m. Upon meeting the crew, we will trek up the Dudh Kosi Valley along a well-marked trail and spend the night at Phakding, situated at an elevation of 2652m, in a local lodge.

We begin our day with a hearty breakfast at Phakding before embarking on our trek to the mountain junction town of Namche. During the journey, we traverse high, airy suspension bridges, crossing and re-crossing the river. Passing through Monjo, we reach the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, established to safeguard the delicate mountain environment. A steep hike takes us to Namche, where, weather permitting, we may catch our first glimpse of Mt. Everest.

Namche serves as the primary trading village in the Khumbu and hosts a bustling Saturday market, attracting Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans that have traversed the glaciated Nangpa La. As the gateway to the Khumbu, Namche is where we will spend the night, lodging in a lodge at an elevation of 3440m, with all meals provided.

Namche, nestled between two ridges amidst the towering peaks of the Khumbu, boasts numerous lodges, tea shops, and souvenir stores. It offers an ideal setting to acclimate to the new altitude before proceeding towards Syangboche. As part of the acclimatization process, you can explore the Khunde Hospital, established by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a one-hour walk to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for a breathtaking sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest.

Next, we visit a school established by Hillary in Khumjung before embarking on our hike, following a lunch stop and bypassing the Khimde route. Additionally, there are splendid views from the National Park Centre and Museum located just above the town. Following our acclimatization activities, we return to our lodge to unwind with some drinks and enjoy a restful night's sleep.

Following breakfast in Namche, we embark on our trek towards Tengboche, relishing a stunning vista of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and a close-up view of Thamserku. Our journey unfolds along a gradual trail with occasional inclines and declines, offering magnificent panoramas of the majestic Himalayas.

En route, we may have the opportunity to spot wildlife such as pheasants, musk deer, or a herd of Himalayan Thar. The path descends gradually until we reach Kyangjuma. As we continue, we reach Sanasa, a significant trail junction leading to the Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp.

The trail then winds through pine forests, and after crossing a bridge adorned with prayer flags over the Dudh Kosi River, we arrive at Phunki Tenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post nestled amidst the alpine woods. Following a leisurely lunch at Phunki Tenga, we face a challenging uphill climb through the pine forests before reaching Tengboche.

Tengboche offers exceptional close-up views of Ama-Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest, and is home to the largest Buddhist Monastery in the entire Khumbu region. We spend the night at a lodge in Tengboche.

Against the stunning mountain backdrop, the monastery in Tengboche appears particularly magnificent in the morning light. We capture images of the monastery and the surrounding landscapes before embarking on our day's journey with high spirits. Opting for the upper trail to Pangboche village and its ancient Monastery, we pass by numerous Chortens, Mani walls, and small villages, reveling in the picturesque scenery.

During lunch, we savor breathtaking close-up views of Ama-Dablam. In the afternoon, we head north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Ama Dablam. As we enter the Imja Valley, the terrain becomes relatively moderate.

The valley gradually unfolds as we near the confluence of the Lobuche River. Descending to the river, we commence the final and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche. Upon reaching Dingboche, we delight in the sight of fields enclosed by stone walls, protecting the barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the elements and grazing animals. We spend the night at a local lodge in Dingboche.

After breakfast, we set out for a leisurely 3-4 hour hike to Chhukung. The trek takes us through the Imja Khola valley, offering breathtaking alpine scenery and passing by stone-walled fields. Along the way, we are treated to spectacular mountain vistas of Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, and Island Peak. The distinctive pyramid shape of Imja Tse, with its rocky steps and icy south face, adds to the awe-inspiring surroundings.

Chhukung provides an excellent opportunity to explore the glacier and the imposing snow-covered mountains that envelop the area. We spend the night at an elevation of 4,750m, where the air becomes thinner, in a local lodge.

This additional day for acclimatization is essential for our bodies to adjust to the altitude before tackling the passes, starting with Kongma La (5,535m). Today, our plan involves a day trip to Nagarjuna Hill. Positioned on the slopes of the Chhukung valley directly above Dingboche, Nagarjuna offers stunning vistas. After breakfast, we embark on the journey to Nagarjuna, which may take approximately 5 hours to reach.

At Nagarjuna, we are treated to magnificent views of Lobuche East, Lobuche West, Lobuche Peak, Thamserku, Kangtega, and Ama Dablam. On a clear day, we may even catch a glimpse of Makalu, the world's fifth highest mountain. Subsequently, we descend back to Chhukung to spend the night at a comfortable teahouse lodge.

We set out at dawn from Chhukung, preparing to conquer the highest pass of the journey today. Carrying ample water, snacks, and a packed lunch, as there are no tea shops along the way, we embrace the seclusion and unspoiled nature of the area. We have the option to choose from various trails, either ascending over the hill northwest of Chhukung across the Nuptse Glacier moraine, or descending to Bibre and following a high trail above the Niyang Khola.

Shortly into our trek, we are treated to stunning views of the Island Peak valley and the rugged ridge of Amphu Lapcha. As we ascend along the east side of the Niyang Khola valley, we veer west and navigate through a rocky, sloping trail. Entering a broad basin adorned with small frozen lakes, the trail ascends over loose scree, leading us to Kongma La after approximately five hours from our departure from Chhukung.

Upon reaching the summit, we are greeted by a cairn adorned with prayer flags, serving as markers of the pass. Behind us unfolds a landscape of icy lakes, while ahead lies the descent toward the Khumbu Glacier. The final descent poses the most challenging stretch of today's trek. After ascending the moraine on the far side, the trail turns north through the Khumbu Glacier, ultimately leading us to Lobuche, where we spend the night.

After a hearty breakfast at our lodge, we ascend through meadows and stone steps to reach Gorakshep. Upon arriving, we have the option to either climb to Kalapathar or continue toward Everest Base Camp.

We recommend heading straight to Everest Base Camp. It's worth noting that from Everest Base Camp, Mount Everest is not visible. However, from Kalapathar, we are treated to a panoramic view of the entire south face of Mt. Everest and other prominent peaks nearby, including breathtaking vistas of the Tibetan plateau. We spend the night at our lodge, situated at an elevation of 5,364 feet.

Today, at the break of dawn, we set out on our trek to witness the stunning sight of the sun's rays illuminating the face of Everest from Kalapathar. Surrounded by darkness and facing chilly temperatures of around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, the morning presents a stark contrast.

The ascent to Kalapather is a challenging one, given the high altitude and biting cold. However, upon reaching the summit, we are rewarded with unparalleled views of the mountains, a sight that is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We capture as many breathtaking photographs as we can from the peak of Kalapathar, ensuring that we carry home with us the indelible memory of majestic Everest. We then make our way back to Lobuche for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will set out towards Dzongla, a trek that typically takes around 3 to 4 hours. The trail follows alongside the riverbed, offering scenic views of the imposing peaks of Ama Dablam and Kangtega-Thamserku to the southeast. Additionally, Taboche stands prominently just a short distance away.

As we progress, we will also have clear views of the ancient Pheriche village. Passing through a mound at Chukpi Lhara, we bid farewell to this picturesque spot and continue our journey. Along the way, we are treated to the sight of Chola Lake, nestled below Mt. Cholaste, adding to the beauty of our route.

The journey provides us with captivating vistas of the lakes as we descend into a basin. We then ascend a spur and descend steeply into another broad basin. After an hour's walk, we arrive at Dzongla, crossing a bridge along the way. Our accommodations for the night will be at local guest houses in Dzongla.

The next leg of our journey is the trek from Dzongla to Gokyo, a route that typically takes around 7 to 8 hours. Following breakfast, we will commence our trek from Dzongla, immediately treated to a magnificent view of Cholatse as we leave the hotel. We will then proceed towards the western side of Dzongla. The day's journey presents a more challenging terrain than before, with a descent alongside a stream, at times covered with icy patches.

After approximately an hour, we will reach the top of the basin, where we will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Chola Lake, Ama Dablam, and the towering Cholaste. The path from this point onward becomes somewhat arduous, involving a steep incline with boulders that may require some scrambling, posing a slight risk as the rocks could be glazed with ice. Upon reaching the summit, we will be greeted by prayer flags adorning cairns, fluttering in the brisk wind, offering an exhilarating sight.

The following path involves a descent, which, although relatively easier, requires caution if the rocks are glazed with ice.  As we continue, we will arrive at Thangnak, where we will be greeted by stunning mountain views as we pass through the village. A brief walk will lead us to the edge of the Ngozumpa glacier, and upon crossing to the other side, we will be treated to a mesmerizing view of the beautiful Gokyo Lake. Situated on the edge of Gokyo Lake is the Gokyo village, our final destination where we will spend the night.

During our stay in Gokyo village, we will take a day of rest and immerse ourselves in the enchanting surroundings. If the weather permits, we may opt to ascend Gokyo Ri and revel in the breathtaking vistas of the Everest Region. The Gokyo region offers not only a view of Gokyo peak but also the chance to behold a series of six lakes, including Thonak Thso Lake (fourth lake) and Ngozuma Thso Lake (fifth lake).

The fourth lake in this series is bordered by towering cliffs and peaks, located approximately 3 km to the north. The turquoise-colored water of the lake presents a stunning sight. Additionally, ascending a nearby hill will grant us a magnificent panorama of Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Makalu. Beyond the fifth lake lies the Cho-Oyu base camp, offering a closer view of Mt. Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang.

From the northern part of the fifth lake, we can observe the Cho-Oyu base camp and the world's largest glacier, the Ngazumpa Glacier. If conditions allow, we may even venture towards the sixth lake. Following our explorations, we will return to Gokyo village and spend the night at the lodge.

Following a day of rest and sightseeing in Gokyo, our next trek takes us to Marlung via Renjo-La pass. It's important to make timely progress as there are no accommodations available at Renjo-La. Once we depart from Gokyo valley, we will veer onto the Renjo-La trail by Dudh Pokhari. Approximately 3 hours into our trek, we will arrive at Renjo-La, where we can admire the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest (8,848m), along with Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Mt. Cholaste (6,440m), and Mt. Tabuchi (6,542m).

The panoramic view from Renjo-La is reminiscent of the vista from Gokyo Ri, offering a sight of the third Gokyo Lake and Gokyo village nestled beneath the Ngozumpa glacier. Continuing our journey, the trail descends via a stone staircase and requires some scrambling to reach the south bank of the stunning Angladumba Tsho lake. There may be icy patches along the way as we descend.

As we proceed, we will encounter Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake during our walk, eventually descending into the narrow valley to Lunde, where we may find a hotel, although it is often closed. From Lunde, it will take us roughly an hour to reach Marlung, situated to the east of the Bhote Koshi, where we will spend the night.

After spending a night at Marlung, we will begin our descent towards Namche Bazaar in the early morning. Following the ancient route used by Tibetan traders, we will cross the Bhote Koshi and descend towards Taranga, traversing the valley of Langmuche Khola, a stream that drains from the glacial lake named Dig Tsho.

In 1985, this lake burst, leading to floods that impacted the Dudh Koshi valley and Thame. Thame, a picturesque village, offers several hotels and captivating views of mountains such as Thamserku, Katanga, and Kusum Kanguru. Additionally, a renowned Gompa, believed to have been established 325 years ago, is situated on a hill to the west. This Gompa features three large images of Chenresig (Avalokiteswara), Guru Rimpoche, and Buddha Sakyamuni. If visiting in May, one can witness the vibrant Mani Rimdu festival, characterized by colorful mask dances.

Continuing our journey, we will cross a bridge and arrive at Samde before descending further to Thamo village. Here, we can visit the Khari Goma monastery, a nunnery housing nuns and monks. Moving ahead, we will reach the world's highest hydroelectric power station, constructed with Austrian assistance, followed by a visit to Purthe, where the Laudo monastery, overseen by the Kopan monastery of Bouddhanath in Kathmandu, is located. This monastery is popular among westerners for Buddhist study and meditation centers.

Finally, we will reach Namche Bazaar, encountering Gompas, colorful prayer flags, and Mani stones along the way, where we will spend the night.

After breakfast in the morning, we'll proceed with our trek towards Lukla along the Dudh Koshi River. The trail descends steeply over rocky terrain, presenting a completely different experience despite following the same route. We traverse through rhododendron, pine, and oak forests, while catching sight of several snow-covered peaks, before spending the night at a local lodge.

Typically, flights from Lukla to Kathmandu are scheduled for the early morning. The scenic flight takes approximately forty-five minutes, after which we transfer to your hotel for refreshment. However, it is important to note that flights in mountainous regions can be delayed or canceled due to adverse weather conditions and other unforeseen reasons beyond our control.

Today, we will transport you to the international airport three hours prior to our scheduled flight, ensuring that you have ample time to catch your flight back home.