Everest Three Passes Trek

Trip Facts
Accommodation:	Standard to Deluxe Hotel's Option in Kathmandu & Tea Houses During Trek
Grade:	Challenging
Max Altitude:	5,545 m/18,195 ft
Transportation:	Private Vehicle/Flight
Meals:	As Mentioned In The Itinerary
Duration :	21 Nights/22 Days
Group Size:	1 to 15 People

Highlights of The Trek

Enjoy World's Adventurous Flight to Tenzing Hillary Lukla Airport
Trek to the World's Inspirational Khumbu, Everest Region and enjoy Sherpa Culture
Trek into the High Passes of Renjola (5,340 m), Chola (5,368 m) and Kongma La (5,535 m)
Visit to the World's Highest Freshwater Lakes, Gokyo Lakes at 4,700 m to 5,000 m.
Witness the best view from Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) of Gokyo Valley, Mt. Everest and its neighbors
Step into Everest Base Camp (5,360 m) and Kalapatthar (5,545 m)
Witness closely World's tallest Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and neighbors from Kalapatthar
Visit Sacred Tengboche Monastery, Khumjung Monastery and Pengboche Monastery
Witness Purported Yeti Scalp in Khumjung Monastery
Visit Khumjung School and Hospital made by Sir Edmund Hillary
Enjoy being in the busting and old salt trade route, Namche Bazaar
Trek through untouched Nangpa La Valley, Marlung Village and Thame Valley.
Visit Sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu
Pay Homage to living goddess, Kumari in Kathmandu Durbar Square
Enjoy Nepali Food, Hospitality and Culture

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350m/4,430 ft)

Day 02: Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu

Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,880 m/9,450 ft)-35 minutes and trek to Phakding (2,650 m/8,695 ft)-4 Hours

Day 04: Trek to Namche (3,450 m/11,320 ft)-6 Hours

Day 05: Day at Namche Bazaar for Acclimatization

Day 06: Trek to Thame (3,800 m/12,500 ft)-4 Hours

Day 07: Trek to Lungden (4,380/14,370 ft) via Marlung(4,210 m/13,810 ft)-6 Hours

Day 08: Acclimatization Day at Lungden

Day 09: Cross Renjola Pass (5,340 m/17,520 ft) and trek down to Gokyo (4,750 m/15,580 ft)-7/8 Hours

Day 10: Exploration and Rest Day at Gokyo

Day 11: Trek to Thagnak(4,750 m/15,585 ft)-5 Hours

Day 12: Trek to Dzongla (4,830 m/15,850 ft) via Cho La pass (5,420m/17,785 ft) -7 hours

Day 13: Trek to Lobuche (4,910 m/ 16,110 ft)- 2/3 Hours

Day 14: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,360m/17,585 ft) & return to Gorakshep (5,160 m/16,930 ft)-8 hours

Day 15: Trek to Kalapatthar (5,545m/18,195 ft) and descend down to Lobuche (4,910 m/ 16,110 ft)-7 hours

Day 16: Trek to Chukung crossing Kongma La Pass (5,535 m/18,160 ft)-8/9 Hours

Day 17: Trek back to Tengboche (3,860 m/12,665 ft)-6 Hours

Day 18: Trek back to Monjo (2,835 m/9,320 ft)-6 Hours

Day 19: Trek back to Lukla (2,880 m/9,450 ft)-5 Hours

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu

Day 21: Contingency Day

Day 22: Departure from Kathmandu

Overview

Everest Three Passes Trek is the most thrilling trek in Everest Region that crosses Three Passes of Renjola (5,340 m), Chola (5,368 m) and Kongma La (5,535 m). Kongma La Pass is the highest pass among the three passes. During our trek, we get the best views of world’s highest mountains, Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Makalu and Mt. Lhotse along with other surrounding mountains. Step in to the Everest Base Camp, climb to Kalapatthar, Gokyo Ri and tours of Gokyo Lakes never left trekkers to admire the beauty of Khumbu Region. The trail passes along with the untouched Nangpa La Valley, Marlung, Thame and other Sherpa villages with famous monasteries.

This Challenging Adventure starts with city sightseeing in Kathmandu and flight to world’s most Adventurous Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla and passes through Dudh Kokshi Valley, Sherpa Settlements, Sub Alpine and Alpine Landscapes, Famous Monasteries, Yak Pastures and Ancient Trade Center of Namche Bazaar.The best season for trekking in this region is Autumn and Spring. Our highly experienced team members at Alpine Holidays provide you the right information and best services from the point of first contact. If you are looking for less adventurous treks, we have so many treks to offer you in this region.

NOTE ON LUKLA FLIGHT:
Due to the congestion in Kathmandu International Airport, Nepal Government has issued notice of flight operation to Lukla Airport from Ramechhap Manthali Airport until further notice to avoid Airport Traffic in Kathmandu. Lukla Flights from Ramechhap (Both ways) will operate from March to May and September to November every year. In other months, Lukla flights will operate from Kathmandu Airport itself. Please write us for the latest updates. Ramechhap Manthali Airport is 136 kms from Kathmandu and can be reached in around 4 hours. Alternatively, we can arrange Helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla if you do not want to drive.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350m/4,430 ft)

Once you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport, our representative from Alpine Holidays will receive you after you collect your baggage and exit the main terminal building. Then you will be driven to the hotel. Check-in and rest. In the evening, our trek manager along with trek guide will brief you about the trek and check your equipment. Later on, we will take you to the Nepalese Restaurant to introduce you with Nepalese food habits and culture.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: D

Activity Duration:

Day 02: Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu

This day, our city tour guide takes you for sightseeing of Kathmandu valley to see few monuments. First, we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square and pay homage to living Goddess, Kumari and walk around the square. Then we drive to Pashupatinath Temple which is a Hindu Temple for Lord Shiva at the bank of Holy Bagmati River. Then we end our day by visiting Boudhanath Stupa which is the biggest Stupa of Asia. In the evening, you can buy or hire equipment at Thamel if you need.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2,880 m/9,450 ft)-35 minutes and trek to Phakding (2,650 m/8,695 ft)-4 Hours

After early breakfast, we drive to the domestic terminal to take a 35 minutes flight to Lukla. Lukla is a gateway to Everest Region. After landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport, we will manage our loads among the porters and start our trek to Phakding. This is the first day of our trek which is the easiest flat trail takes you to the beautiful village of Phakding.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Phakding.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 04: Trek to Namche (3,450 m/11,320 ft)-6 Hours

We follow the level path along the bank of river and climb towards the Dudh Koshi valley. We will pass villages of Benkar, Monjo and Jorsele. There is a beautiful waterfall at Benkar. We trek though so many ups and downs, forests and passing by the view of Mt. Thamserku. After a short climb we will have lunch at Jorsele. Soon, we will be at V shaped valley where Dudh Koshi(on left) and Bhote Koshi(on right) meet. After crossing the high suspension bridge over Bhote Koshi, we make a steep ascend to Namche Bazaar. This is the biggest town in this area. You can walk around to the town.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Namche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 05: Day at Namche Bazaar for Acclimatization

This day, you will be staying at Namche Bazaar to get acclimatize and have an excursion to Everest View Lodge (3,800 m) at Syangboche. If possible, visit Khumjung Village (3,790m) to see Khumjung School and hospital founded by Sir Edmund Hillary and also witness Purported Yeti Scalp at Khumjung Monastery. Evening, you can walk around to the Namche Bazaar.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/ Lodge in Namche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 06: Trek to Thame (3,800 m/12,500 ft)-4 Hours

From Namche, we leave the classical route of Everest Base Camp Trek and heads towards left to Thame. Thame is one of the oldest villages in Khumbu Region and home to the Everest Summiteers Record holders like Appa Sherpa and Kami Rita Sherpa and has famous Thame Monastery. It was also the part of Salt Route from Tibet.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Namche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 07: Trek to Lungden (4,380/14,370 ft) via Marlung(4,210 m/13,810 ft)-6 Hours

Today we walk to the trail passing by small villages and Yak Pasture to get to Marlung. Marlung is a traditional Sherpa Village and one of the biggest villages in Thame Area. After having lunch, we continue to Lungden through descending to narrow valley.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Lungden.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 08: Acclimatization Day at Lungden

Today, we spend extra night at Lungden for proper acclimatization for next day Renjola Pass. We can hike around the nearby hills.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Lungden.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 09: Cross Renjola Pass (5,340 m/17,520 ft) and trek down to Gokyo (4,750 m/15,580 ft)-7/8 Hours

Today, we start early morning. Until we get to Renjola Lake, most of the ascents are easy and goes to moderate. After we get to Renjola Tso (lake), the trail goes on right and follows steep ascend until another Lake, a lake just before Renjola Pass. From the lake, we walk on the most difficult part of the pass on moraines and gains 400 m. From the top of the pass, we see the jaw dropping views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, other peaks and beautiful 3rd Gokyo Lake on the shore of Gokyo Village and Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest one. After spending sometime at the pass, we follow our descend trail down to Gokyo valley and settle for the night.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Gokyo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 10: Exploration and Rest Day at Gokyo

This is our second night at Gokyo. This day, we hike to Gokyo Ri to get the panoramic view of Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Makalu (8,481), and Mt. Cho Oyo (8,153 m) along with other peaks and the Nepal’s largest glacier, Ngozumpa Glacier. The view from summit is as from Kalapatthar. We also visit fourth and fifth lakes of Gokyo before we settle down for overnight. From fifth lake, we see the Cho Oyu Base Camp.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Gokyo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 11: Trek to Thagnak(4,750 m/15,585 ft)-5 Hours

If we did not climb the Gokyo Ri the previous day, we can do that today. Climbing to the top of Gokyo Ri is demanding as it is steep and takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach the top. But the scenery of Gokyo village, on the edge of third lake overlooked by Cholatse and the broad Nogzumpa Glacier, is magnificent. We are surrounded by panoramic mountains like Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori. The sight of sunrays kissing Everest which towers over all the surrounding peaks is astounding. We trek through the Ngazumpa Glacier to the mountain on the other side. Next, traverse along the edge of that mountain and then meander into Thagnak. It will be a short hike today with an afternoon of rest which will prepare us for long hiking days and elevation gain to come.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Thagnak.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 12: Trek to Dzongla (4,830 m/15,850 ft) via Cho La pass (5,420m/17,785 ft) -7 hours

Today is going to be one of the toughest days of the trip. The Cho La pass is not itself difficult, but it is steep and involves a glacier traverse on the eastern side. We need to be careful as the trail is vertical and the rocks glazed by ice may cause trouble by making the trail slippery. The trail from Phedi climbs through a ravine and a rocky trail. While trekking through the side of a frozen lake, we reach at the top of the pass decorated with prayer flags. The pyramidal Ama Dablam presides over a range of mountains on the south even as Cholatse soars to the west and Lobuche East and Baruntse rises sharply to our right. We need to pass through some crevasses before we reach Dzongla Village. The village provides great views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche Mountains along with the Pheriche Village far below.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Dzongla.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 13: Trek to Lobuche (4,910 m/ 16,110 ft)- 2/3 Hours

This will be a very short trek so we have a lot time to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. We climb down from Dzongla and walk through a grassy trail while enjoying the view of Lobuche Peak. The trail curves through the wide river bed before reaching Lobuche. We can spend the rest of day taking a rest which will help us prepare for the next day’s long trek. Evening, enjoy Sunset at Nuptse peak.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Lobuche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 14: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,360m/17,585 ft) & return to Gorakshep (5,160 m/16,930 ft)-8 hours

This will be the most difficult yet rewarding day of the trek. To go to the Everest beyond Lobuche, the trail follows through besides the Khumbu Glacier. From a high point here, the rubble-covered hill of Kalapatthar in the front of Mt. Mount Everest can be seen at its pass a lake of often frozen. And continue to witness the Everest Base Camp of world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest (8,848m). You can enjoy being on the base camp return back to Gorakshep.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Gorekshep.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 15: Trek to Kalapatthar (5,545m/18,195 ft) and descend down to Lobuche (4,910 m/ 16,110 ft)-7 hours

Early morning, we steep ascent to Kalapatthar or Black Hill. This might be the most challenging but the trekkers get the most magnificent panoramic views of the mountains. Mt. Everest(8,848m), the highest point in the earth towers directly ahead and all the sides loom the giants, Nuptse, Pumori, Chantse, Lhotse and countless other peaks. After spending few times at Kalapatthar, we descend down to Gorakshep and continue to Lobuche.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Lobuche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 16: Trek to Chukung crossing Kongma La Pass (5,535 m/18,160 ft)-8/9 Hours

Today is the day for final pass and the highest pass of our Everest Three Passes Trek. Early morning, we start our trek and walk on the Khumbu Glaciers. After descending on the moraine, the final ascend to the Pass is challenging. The pass is marked by cairns and prayers flags. After spending few times at pass, we descend to Imja Valley and reach Chukung. You can see few Island Peak climbers here. Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Chukung.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Chukung.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 17: Trek back to Tengboche (3,860 m/12,665 ft)-6 Hours

After breakfast, we descend to Imja valley through Dingboche to Pangboche. We will have lunch at Pangboche and spend few times visiting Pangboche Monastery. After crossing Imja Khola, we get to Debuche. From Debuche, we ascend for around 45 minutes crossing long Mani wall and through rhododendron forest. Finally we get to the Tengboche. We spend our evening time visiting again Monastery and enjoy the sunset over Mt. Everest and Mt. Amadablam.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Tengboche.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 18: Trek back to Monjo (2,835 m/9,320 ft)-6 Hours

We descent down to the river at Phunki before ascending up for around 2 and half hours passing by small villages to another side of the valley. We continue along the side of mountain to get to the Namche Bazaar. After lunch at Namche, we steeply descent until the bridge and cross Bhote Koshi River. Our way follows ups and downs, forest and rocky trails and finally we get to a small village of Monjo after crossing Jorsele. We can stay at Namche for overnight as well.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Monjo.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 19: Trek back to Lukla (2,880 m/9,450 ft)-5 Hours

From Monjo, we trek to Benkar where beautiful water is. The next village is Phakding. From Phakding, Lukla is an easy walk of around 2 and 1/2 Hours. Upon arrival at lodge in Lukla, get fresh. In the evening, you can host farewell party to all the crew to thank them.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tea House/Lodge in Lukla.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu

In the morning, fly back to Kathmandu and rest of the time is free unless you have some last minute shopping. In the evening, we host farewell dinner to celebrate the success of our trek.

Accomodation: Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 21: Contingency Day

We keep one day extra as a contingency for the trek and passes. Also Lukla flight highly depends on weather. So, we keep one day extra if incase flight to/from Lukla get cancelled because of weather.

Accomodation: Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 22: Departure from Kathmandu

After breakfast at hotel, our representative will drop you to the airport before 3 hours of your flight time.

Accomodation:

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Cost Info

Cost Includes:

Garland welcome, arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu with office representative.
4 nights in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
17 Nights/18 Day All inclusive treks in Everest Region with breakfast, lunch and dinner and tea/coffee each time in meals in local tea houses/lodges.
Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu or Ramechhap/Lukla/Ramechhap flight with necessary transfers.
Meals as indicated in the Itinerary.
English Speaking Trek Guide with a reliable team of porters (2:1 Ratio) and additional Sherpa as per the group size.
Insurance for Guide, porters and Sherpa with their meals, accommodation and daily allowances.
First Aid Kit and Duffel Bag.
Kathmandu full day sightseeing with English Speaking Tour Guide with all applicable entrance fees.
Welcome and Farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Everest National Park Permits and Trekkers Information Management System, TIMS Fees.
Village Municipality charges to enter Khumbu Region.
Bottle Drinking water in vehicle for sightseeing drives and transfers.
All drives, sightseeing and transfers by Deluxe Vehicle as per the group size.
24/7 hours Assistance.

Cost Excludes:

International Airfare to/from Kathmandu.
Nepal Visa fees on Arrival at airport (USD 50/- for 30 Days).
Meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu except welcome and farewell dinners.
Bottle drinking water, hot beverages, charges for hot shower, mobile/camera charges during the trek.
Personal Euuipments.
Personal nature of expenses like tips, bar bills, laundry and personal expenses.
Cost may arise of natural calamities, flight cancellation, illness, hospitalization, tour cancellation, blockade etc.
Cost for Emergency Helicopter Evacuation Charges in case of emergency.
Other than in our include section.