The Everest Three Pass Trek ranks among Nepal's most challenging and rewarding Himalayan treks. This classic Three Pass trekking route combines the standard classic Everest Base Camp trek with three picturesque high passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,330m), and Renjo La (5,360m) for a grand circuit of the Khumbu region.
In addition to Everest itself, the trek will expose you to the turquoise waters of Gokyo Lakes, the Ngozumpa Glacier, panoramic viewpoints like Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri, and remote Sherpa villages steeped in history and culture. Compared to the standard EBC trek, the Three Pass Circuit immerses trekkers in hidden valleys, off-the-beaten-path trails, and pristine wilderness. The landscape unfolds each day differently: from rhododendron forests and suspension bridges to glacial moraines, icy passes, and windswept high-altitude landscapes.
Strategically positioned acclimatization days in Namche, Chhukung, and Gokyo ensure a safe and gradual high-altitude experience. With its mix of physical challenge, cultural experience, and Himalayan scenery, the Everest Three Pass Trek itinerary is perfect for trekkers seeking the ultimate Everest adventure. Visit Himalaya Treks offers expertly designed itineraries and support to guide you over all three passes safely and in comfort.
Overview of the Everest Three Pass Trek Route,
The Everest Three Pass Trek is a challenging loop linking the Everest Base Camp trail to the remote Chhukung, Gokyo, and Thame valleys. The route crosses three legendary high passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,330m), and Renjo La (5,360m), offering 360-degree views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Along the trail, you will see the Gokyo Lakes, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier, Kala Patthar, and multicolored Sherpa villages. It is the ultimate Himalayan trekking experience in the Everest region.
Detail Specification:
Distance: Approx. 166–170 km
Duration: 18–22 days
Highest Point: Kongma La Pass (5,535 meters)
Start/End Point: Lukla (circuit route)
Stunning view of the Himalayas from Khongma La Pass during the Everest Three High Pass Trek.
📍 Major Stopovers along the Everest Three Pass Trek.
1. Lukla and Phakding.
It starts with a stunning mountain flight to Lukla (2,840m), the gateway to the Khumbu region. Trekkers descend to Phakding through the Dudh Koshi River, suspension bridges, and pine and rhododendron forests. The initial part is relatively easy and offers a gentle acclimatization to the Himalayan conditions for the trekkers.
2. Namche Bazaar.
Namche Bazaar (3,440m) is the thriving Sherpa capital and the liveliest trade town of the Himalayas. Surrounded by breathtaking peaks, Namche is an acclimatization paradise, with bustling markets, cafes, monasteries, and museums. It also offers the first glimpses of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku.
3. Tengboche and Dingboche.
Tengboche (3,860m) has the famous Tengboche Monastery, a religious center in the stunning backdrop of Ama Dablam. Dingboche (4,410m) is a key acclimatization village with wide valleys and views to Makalu and Lhotse. The high-altitude Sherpa ingenuity is demonstrated by terraced fields here.
4. Chhukung and Kongma La Pass.
Chhukung (4,730m) is the base of the first high pass, Kongma La (5,535m), the toughest of the three. It's a hard climb but well worth it with breathtaking views of Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. It's tough, remote, and the first taste of true high-altitude adventure.
5. Lobuche and Everest Base Camp.
Lobuche (4,940m) lies near the Khumbu Glacier and is a stopover on the way to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Trekkers from here proceed to Base Camp itself (5,364m) and climb Kala Patthar (5,545m) to view the classic close-up photo of Mt. Everest. This is one of the most anticipated highlights of the trek.
6. Cho La Pass and Gokyo Lakes.
The second high crossing is the Cho La Pass (5,420m), a difficult cross on snowy paths to the stunning turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes. Gokyo (4,790m) is one of the most stunning rest points of the entire trek. The climb of Gokyo Ri (5,357m) offers perhaps the best all-round view in the Everest region.
7. Renjo La Pass and Thame.
The third and final pass, Renjo La Pass (5,360m), leads the trekkers over yet another breathtaking high-altitude saddle, with stunning views of Everest, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. You come down to the serene Sherpa village of Thame (3,800m) steeped in Sherpa tradition and containing an ancient monastery associated with the mountaineering history of the area.
8. Lukla and Departure.
The trek backtracking is to Namche Bazaar and then descending to Lukla, which is the conclusion of the trek. The destination gives trekkers a chance to reflect on the accomplishments and difficulties of the circuit, having completed one of the most comprehensive and challenging treks in the Everest Circuit.
Is the Everest Three Passes Trek Suitable for You?
The Everest Three Passes Trek is designed for seasoned adventure travelers who want a high-altitude Himalayan trekking experience beyond the standard Everest Base Camp trek. Featuring challenging Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La passes, this circuit is considered one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. It tests stamina as well as determination to the maximum and is therefore best suited for veteran trekkers with sound physical fitness.
Through it, you will get a taste of Sherpa culture, visiting traditional villages, Buddhist monasteries, and rotating prayer wheels, while relishing the unique mountain lifestyle in the Khumbu district. Nature and mountain lovers will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, alongside glacial valleys, alpine meadows, and rocky high-altitude paths. This trek is a pure test of tolerance and endurance, yet for those who persevere with the challenge, the Everest Three Passes Trek brings an unerasable sense of triumph and an intimate proximity to Nepal's most iconic landscapes.
Stunning view of Arakam Tse 6423 meters and Cholatse 6335 meters from en route to Everest Three High Pass Trek.
What to Expect on the Everest Three Passes Trek?
a. Isolated and Serene Trekking.
The Everest Three Passes Trek is a perfect choice for individuals wanting to be isolated. Unlike the crowded path of the Everest Base Camp, the trek traverses a remote valley with high-altitude passes and lands you in hours of uninterrupted trekking through virgin lands. The serene trails allow you to have plenty of opportunities to bond with nature and the mountains.
b. Breathtaking Variety of Landscapes.
From forested pine and rhododendron in Lower Khumbu to sweeping alpine meadows and glacial wastelands, this trek is a journey through diverse landscapes. You will be traversing rock ridges, moraine terrain, and high altitude passes, seeing the entire gamut of the Everest region's environment.
c. Sherpa Culture Immersion.
Trekking between villages like Namche Bazaar, Thame, Dingboche, and Dragnag is a rich cultural experience. Visit Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, prayer wheels, mani walls, and traditional stone houses amidst day-to-day life in high-altitude Himalayan villages.
d. Unforgettable Himalayan Panoramas:
The hike provides stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and many more. Crossing the Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La passes provides unrivaled 360° views, compensating your hard work with stunning mountain scenery.
e. Physical Challenge and High-Altitude Adventure.
While not involving any technical mountaineering, this trek is a challenging one. Enduring long days of trekking, inclining steep ridges, and crossing three passes above $5,300$ meters need careful acclimatization, endurance, and determination, making it one of the most challenging treks in the Everest area.
f. Comfortable Mountain Teahouses:
Accommodation is simple but hospitable, with decent rooms and healthy meals by Sherpa families. Guesthouses offer you a true experience of being in the mountains while ensuring that you rest and feel warm after a tiring day on the trail.
g. Wildlife and Alpine Flora.
The trail winds along Sagarmatha National Park and remote high valleys. Keep watch for Himalayan blue sheep, blind snow leopards, and the colorful Himalayan monal. Seasonal blooms, especially springtime rhododendrons, add splashes of color against striking mountain scenery.
h. A Total Himalayan Experience.
The Three Passes Trek to Everest is an unusual combination of nature, culture, and adventure. A difficult but highly fulfilling trip, it allows the trekkers to be fully immersed in the mountains, Sherpa culture, and spiritual landscapes of the Khumbu region. Every pass that is traversed is a milestone, and every valley that is explored is a memory of Nepal's high Himalayas.
View of the sunset from Gokyo Ri, featuring Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
Your Ultimate Everest Adventure Conclusion:
Everest Three Passes Trek is a once-in-a-lifetime experience through the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. From Sherpa villages of Namche and Tengboche to the massive glaciers and high passes of Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, the trek has a blend of cultural journey, physical challenge, and unparalleled Himalayan panoramas. It is ideal for trekkers seeking a more remote and rewarding alternative to the classic Everest Base Camp route, allowing for longer exploration, better acclimatization, and a deeper connection with the Khumbu region.
With every step, you’ll witness panoramic vistas of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, traverse glacial valleys, and experience the serenity of alpine lakes and high-altitude meadows. By choosing Visit Himalaya Treks, you get expert guidance, safe arrangements, and personalized care to ensure your trek is comfortable and memorable. Set out on the Everest Three Passes Trek and create memories for a lifetime, reaching some of the highest and most spectacular passes of the Himalayas.
