Everest Three High Pass Trek

An early start takes you to the airport for the scenic mountain flight to Lukla. In spring and autumn, Lukla flights usually depart from Ramechhap, around 4 hours’ drive from Kathmandu. From Lukla (2,860 m) you meet your porters and set off on a gentle, mostly downhill walk through Chaurikharka and small Sherpa settlements along the Dudh Koshi River. Mani stones, prayer wheels and views of Kusum Kanguru accompany you to Phakding, where you spend the first night in a teahouse.

Follow the Dudh Koshi upstream, crossing several suspension bridges, to Monjo and the Sagarmatha National Park entrance. After the checkpoint the trail crosses the high Hillary Bridge and climbs steeply through pine forest, with your first glimpse of Everest on a clear day. Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the bustling Sherpa capital, sits in a horseshoe-shaped bowl and offers bakeries, gear shops and comfortable lodges.

A vital rest day to help your body adjust. Hike up to the Syangboche area and Hotel Everest View (3,880 m) for sweeping views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku, or continue to the Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde, home to the Hillary School and the Khunde Hospital. Back in Namche, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum or the national park visitor centre before resting for the night.

A scenic contour path leads towards Kyangjuma with Ama Dablam ahead, before the trail drops to the Dudh Koshi at Phunki Thanga. A steady climb through rhododendron and fir forest brings you to Tengboche (3,860 m), home of the Khumbu’s most important monastery. Attend the afternoon prayers if you can, and enjoy the evening light on Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.

Descend through forest to Debuche, cross the Imja Khola and climb gently through Pangboche, one of the oldest villages in the Khumbu. The trees fall away as you continue up the Imja valley to Dingboche (4,410 m), a patchwork of stone-walled barley fields beneath Ama Dablam and the south face of Lhotse.

A short walk up the Imja valley brings you to Chhukung (4,730 m), the last settlement before Kongma La. With the afternoon free, you can hike partway up Chhukung Ri for acclimatisation and superb views of Lhotse’s south face, Island Peak and the Imja Glacier. Rest well and prepare your gear: tomorrow is the first and toughest pass.

Set off before dawn for the highest and most remote of the three passes. The trail climbs steadily over moraine and past small frozen lakes to the prayer-flagged summit of Kongma La (5,535 m), with views of Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse and Island Peak. There are no teahouses on this stretch, so you carry a packed lunch and plenty of water. A steep, loose descent leads to the Khumbu Glacier, which you cross carefully to reach Lobuche for the night.

Walk along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep (5,164 m), where you drop your bags and have lunch. In the afternoon continue over rocky moraine to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) beside the Khumbu Icefall. In spring you may see the colourful tents of Everest expeditions. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.

Climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m) in the pre-dawn cold to watch sunrise on Everest, Nuptse and Pumori, the highest point of the trip. After breakfast at Gorak Shep, descend towards Lobuche and branch west on a quieter trail around the slopes above Chola Tsho lake, with Cholatse and Taboche rising ahead, to the small settlement of Dzongla (4,830 m).

Another early start for the second pass. The trail climbs over boulders to the foot of the Cho La, then crosses a short, gently sloping glacier near the top, where microspikes are often needed. From the summit (5,420 m) the view stretches over peaks on both sides. A steep, rocky descent leads into the Gokyo valley and on to Thangnak (Dragnag, 4,700 m) at the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier.

A short but interesting day crossing the rubble-covered Ngozumpa, the longest glacier in Nepal, following a trail that shifts each season. On the far side you reach the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the lakeside village of Gokyo (4,790 m). Spend the afternoon resting or strolling along the shore of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari.

Climb Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) before dawn for one of the finest viewpoints in Nepal. Four of the world’s 8,000 m peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, rise above the Ngozumpa Glacier and the lakes below. Return to Gokyo for breakfast, then enjoy a restful afternoon, or walk up the valley towards the fourth lake if you still have energy.

The third and final pass. A steady climb along the lakeshore and up stone steps brings you to Renjo La (5,360 m), whose view back over the Gokyo Lakes to Everest is often called the best on the circuit. The descent on the western side passes the lake of Relama Tsho into the remote Bhote Koshi valley, reaching the small settlement of Lungden (4,380 m).

Descend through Marlung along the Bhote Koshi, an old trade route towards the Nangpa La and Tibet. The valley is quiet, with yak pastures and stone houses. Thame (3,800 m) is a traditional Sherpa village known as the home of many famous Everest summiteers, with an ancient monastery set on the hillside above.

An easy walk down the Bhote Koshi valley through Samde and Thamo, passing a small hydropower plant and mani walls, brings you back to Namche Bazaar. Enjoy the afternoon with a hot shower, a bakery treat and a well-deserved celebration of the three passes.

Descend the Namche hill, recross the suspension bridges and follow the Dudh Koshi through Monjo and Phakding before the final climb up to Lukla. Celebrate your last evening in the mountains with your guide and porters.

Take the morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, or to Ramechhap followed by a drive to Kathmandu in the busy seasons. After checking in to your hotel, the rest of the day is free for rest or shopping. Because Lukla weather can delay flights, this day also acts as a buffer before your international departure.

Our team transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your flight home, with memories of three high passes, Everest Base Camp and Gokyo to carry with you.