Annapurna Circuit Trek
19 Day(s)
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Three Passes Trek: Epic 19-Day Itinerary Guide
19 Days
Hard
Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Spring (April-May) and Autumn (October-November)
Private Car/Jeep/Flight
Teahouses/Lodges
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit, TIMS Card
The Everest Three Passes Trek is a dream adventure for adventure lovers and mountain chasers. This route doesn’t just take you to Everest Base Camp; it also pushes you over the Khumbu region’s three wildest high passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,340m). It’s the ultimate test of stamina, spirit, and love for the Himalayas.
Back in the 1950s, when mountaineering legends like Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first climbed Everest, the world’s eyes turned to the Khumbu. That’s when locals and guides started connecting the high-altitude mountain passes (Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La) into one loop. Unlike the classic out-and-back EBC route, this circuit forms a triangle across the Everest region, linking hidden valleys, remote villages, and jaw-dropping views few get to see.
Day | Location | Elevation (m) | Trek Duration |
Day 1 | Kathmandu | 1,300 m | – |
Day 2 | Kathmandu → Lukla → Phakding | 2,850 m → 2,610 m | 40 mins (flight) 3 – 4 hours |
Day 3 | Phakding → Namche Bazaar | 2,610 m → 3,440 m | 6 – 7 hours |
Day 4 | Namche Bazaar (Rest Day) | 3,440 m | – |
Day 5 | Namche Bazaar → Thame | 3,440 m → 3,750 m | 6 hours |
Day 6 | Thame → Lungden | 3,750 m → 4,500 m | 6 hours |
Day 7 | Lungden → Renjo La Pass → Gokyo | 4,500 m → 5,435 m → 4,750 m | 8 hours |
Day 8 | Gokyo (Rest & Gokyo Ri) | 4,750 m → 5,360 m | 1 – 2 hours |
Day 9 | Gokyo → Thangnak | 4,750 m → 4,700 m | 5 hours |
Day 10 | Thangnak → Cho La Pass → Dzongla | 4,700 m → 5,420 m → 4,830 m | 8 hours |
Day 11 | Dzongla → Lobuche | 4,830 m → 4,910 m | 3 hours |
Day 12 | Lobuche → Everest Base Camp → Gorak Shep | 4,910 m → 5,364 m → 5,180 m | 8 hours |
Day 13 | Gorak Shep → Kala Patthar → Lobuche | 5,180 m → 5,555 m → 4,910 m | 5 hours |
Day 14 | Lobuche → Kongma La Pass → Chhukung | 4,910 m → 5,535 m → 4,730 m | 7 – 8 hours |
Day 15 | Chhukung → Tengboche | 4,730 m → 3,855 m | 5 hours |
Day 16 | Tengboche → Namche Bazaar | 3,855 m → 3,440 m | 5 hours |
Day 17 | Namche Bazaar → Lukla | 3,440 m → 2,860 m | 7 – 8 hours |
Day 18 | Lukla → Kathmandu | 2,860 m → 1,300 m | 40 mins (flight) |
Day 19 | Kathmandu (Departure) | 1,300 m | – |
Note: If there are flight issues at Kathmandu Airport, we may need to drive for 4-5 hours to reach Ramechhap and then take a flight to Lukla from Ramechhap Airport.
Body
Timing matters on the Three Passes Trek. With elevations soaring above 5,500 meters and remote terrain stretching across Gokyo, Everest Base Camp, and three high-altitude passes (Cho La Pass, Kongma La Pass, and Renjo Pass), weather can make or break your experience. Here’s a full seasonal guide to help you choose the best time for the Everest Three Passes Trek.
Spring (March to May): Peak Trekking Season
Autumn (Late September to November): Perfect Clarity
Monsoon (June to Early September): Not Recommended
Winter (December to February): Quiet but Harsh
Only suitable for experienced high-altitude trekkers with winter gear and flexibility in their Everest 3 Passes Trek itinerary.
The Three Passes Trek isn’t just a test of endurance; it’s a deep dive into the heart of Sherpa culture. Along the Three Passes route in Nepal, you’ll pass through traditional villages like Thame, Dingboche, and Phortse, where you can:
Whether you're tackling the EBC 3 Passes trek or following the Everest 3 High Passes trek itinerary, these cultural encounters add depth to every step of your journey.
The Everest Three Passes Trek also offers chances to spot rare Himalayan wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
Clockwise or counterclockwise, both of them offer the same views and trails; the itinerary is the same till Namche Bazaar. In clockwise, we need to Thame from Namche Bazaar, while in counterclockwise, we head to Tengboche. Here is a better breakdown:
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
Cons:
Steeper descent at the end: Kongma La descent can be hard on the knees.
The Three Passes Trek is the most complete trekking experience in the Everest region. It combines adventure, altitude, and iconic views into one unforgettable loop. Whether you're looking at the Everest Three Passes High Trek or a detailed Three Passes Trek itinerary, here's what sets this trek apart:
Unlike the standard Everest Base Camp route, the Three Passes Trek Nepal itinerary includes Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,435 m). These passes connect the Khumbu, Gokyo, and Imja Valleys, offering a real high-altitude adventure. You won’t find another trek in Nepal that offers this level of challenge and diversity.
This isn’t a there-and-back hike. The Three Passes itinerary forms a full circuit through some of the most remote and beautiful areas of the Khumbu. That means you won’t be retracing your steps like on the classic EBC route. You’ll pass through major landmarks like Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, and Tengboche.
The trek offers jaw-dropping views of the world’s highest peaks from multiple angles. You’ll see Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
This isn’t just a trek, it’s a deep dive into Sherpa culture. The trail takes you through villages like Dingboche, Pangboche, and Thame, and past iconic sites like Tengboche Monastery. It’s a living experience of Himalayan life that you won’t find on the more tourist-heavy trails.
The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of Nepal’s most challenging and rewarding adventures in the Everest region. This rugged loop takes you across three high-altitude mountain passes, connects with the classic Everest Base Camp route, and delivers unmatched panoramic views. But before lacing up your boots, it’s crucial to understand the distance, elevation, and difficulty involved. Here is a proper breakdown for easier readiness:
The Everest Three Passes Trek itinerary typically spans around 160 kilometers. This includes detours to Everest Base Camp (EBC), Kala Patthar, and various side trips. You’ll start and end in Lukla, making a loop that includes the three high passes. Each section of the Three Passes route in Nepal adds its own physical demand and scenic rewards. When combined, it’s a serious endurance test with steep climbs, rock scrambles, and long descents.
The highest point on the trek is Kala Patthar at 5,550 meters, a famous viewpoint for sunrise over Everest. Here’s how the major elevations line up:
Trekking above 5,000m for multiple days demands excellent acclimatization. This is not your average EBC trek. The Everest 3 High Passes Trek is rated challenging due to its:
The Everest Three Passes Trek is best suited for trekkers with previous high-altitude experience or those in strong physical condition. It’s not technical, but it demands both physical and mental strength.
The Everest Gokyo Trek reaches altitudes over 5,000m, making altitude sickness a real concern. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness; you shouldn’t ignore them.
Trekking to Everest Three Passes trek requires Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit and Sagarmatha National Park Permit.
Choose the Three Pass Trek with Hi Nepal Travels and Treks Pvt. Ltd for a safe, well-organized, and unforgettable adventure. With over 9 years of experience in the tourism industry, we specialize in high-altitude treks like this one. Our local guides, personalized service, and attention to detail ensure you get the most out of every step across Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La. Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on the journey.
Guide and Porter: The experience level will determine how much the guide and porter cost.
During the trek, accommodation is in local teahouses and basic mountain lodges found along the trekking route. Rooms are simple, usually twin beds with blankets. Facilities get more basic as you gain altitude, especially near Cho La Pass and Gokyo Ri. Food is hot, hearty, and carb-heavy to keep your energy up. Common meals include dal bhat, noodles, soups, pancakes, and momo.
The Three Passes Trek refers to a high-altitude loop in the Everest region of Nepal that crosses three major mountain passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m). It’s considered one of the most complete and scenic routes in the Himalayas, often combined with the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek.
The standard and most recommended route is counterclockwise: starting from Renjo La, then Cho La, and finally Kongma La. This allows better acclimatization and is safer for most trekkers. While some attempt the Three Passes Trek clockwise vs anti-clockwise, the clockwise direction is tougher due to steeper ascents early on.
The Everest Three Passes Trek is considered strenuous. With altitudes over 5,500m, steep climbs, and long days, it demands strong fitness and proper acclimatization. This is tougher than the classic EBC trek or Gokyo Lakes trek, but also more rewarding.
The full Three Passes Trek Nepal itinerary covers about 160 km (100 miles) over 17 to 21 days, depending on pace, weather, and acclimatization. It includes iconic stops like Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Ri, and all three high passes.
Yes, the Three Passes hike can be done without a guide, but it’s not recommended unless you're an experienced high-altitude trekker. The trails are remote, and conditions can change quickly. For most, hiring a local guide ensures safety and a deeper cultural experience.
Training should include cardio, strength, and altitude conditioning. Hike regularly with a loaded backpack and build stamina. Pack for cold, wet, and windy weather. Read up on Three Passes Trek weather and make sure your Everest 3 Passes trek itinerary includes acclimatization days.
The trek starts from Lukla, a mountain airstrip reachable by flight from Kathmandu. From there, trekkers usually head toward Namche Bazaar before beginning the Three Passes route Nepal.
The Three Passes Trek is a challenging loop in the Everest region of Nepal that links the Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Valley, and three major passes. It offers sweeping views of Everest and surrounding peaks, making it the ultimate Everest 3 High Passes Trek.
You need the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit for the Three Passes Trek.
The Three Passes Trek includes Everest Base Camp, but adds three high passes and Gokyo Lakes, making it longer and harder than the standard EBC trek.
