- Length
- 20 days
- Highest point
- 5,535 m
- Difficulty
- Extreme
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Starts
- Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)
- Group size
- 2–8 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House
The Khumbu's ultimate challenge — 20 days crossing Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La while visiting Gokyo Lakes, EBC, and Kala Patthar. Three passes, zero shortcuts.
- Three high passes: Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), Renjo La (5,360 m)
- Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and Kala Patthar (5,545 m) — the classic Khumbu twin goals
- Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) — four 8,000 m peaks visible from one summit
- Five sacred Gokyo Lakes — Nepal's highest lake chain at 4,700–5,000 m
- Chhukung Ri (5,550 m) — aerial panorama over the Imja Valley
- Ngozumpa and Khumbu Glaciers — the Khumbu's two great ice rivers
- Complete Khumbu circuit: EBC + Gokyo + three passes in one 20-day adventure
- Suitable for experienced trekkers with prior altitude exposure above 5,000 m
The climb, day by day
Day 1Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m) · Trek to Phakding (2,610 m)2,610 m
Early morning flight to Lukla. Begin the three-high-passes circuit heading south along the Dudh Koshi to Phakding — the calm before an extraordinary high-mountain adventure.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 2Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Cross the Hillary Bridge and enter Sagarmatha National Park. Climb 600 m through forest to Namche Bazaar — base camp for acclimatisation and the last major resupply point before the high passes.
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Acclimatisation Day — Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Rest and acclimatise. Hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,962 m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Visit the Sherpa museum. Briefing on the three passes ahead.
- Distance
- 4 km
- Walking
- 3 hours hike
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,860 m)3,860 m
High traverse above the Dudh Koshi gorge with magnificent Everest views. Climb through ancient rhododendron forest to Tengboche Monastery — a spiritual gateway to the upper Khumbu.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360 m)4,360 m
Cross the Imja Khola and pass through Pangboche to Dingboche. The wide Imja valley and distant Lhotse South Face dominate the horizon as altitude climbs above 4,000 m.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Acclimatisation Day — Dingboche (4,360 m)4,360 m
Crucial second acclimatisation day. Hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) for views of Makalu, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. High-altitude hike, low sleep prepares you for the Kongma La crossing.
- Distance
- 6 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours hike
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Kongma La Pass (5,535 m) · Lobuche (4,940 m)4,940 m
The first and highest of the three passes. Climb steeply from Dingboche to the Kongma La at 5,535 m — the highest trekking pass in Nepal. Descend through glacial moraine to Lobuche. A long and challenging day.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) via Gorak Shep5,164 m
Cross the glacial terrain to Gorak Shep then push to Everest Base Camp — standing at 5,364 m at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall with Everest directly above. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.
- Distance
- 13 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Kala Patthar (5,545 m) · Gorak Shep5,164 m
Pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar for the iconic Everest sunrise panorama. Return to Gorak Shep and rest — tomorrow the Cho La Pass crosses to the Gokyo valley.
- Distance
- 4 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 10Cho La Pass (5,420 m) · Gokyo (4,790 m)4,790 m
Cross the second high pass — the Cho La at 5,420 m. The upper section is glaciated and requires care. Descend into the beautiful Gokyo Lakes basin, arriving at Gokyo village beside the third sacred lake.
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 11Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) · Rest at Gokyo (4,790 m)4,790 m
Dawn climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a breathtaking 360-degree view of Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Lhotse. Afternoon rest and lake exploration before tomorrow big Renjo La crossing.
- Distance
- 5 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 12Renjo La Pass (5,360 m) · Lungden (4,380 m)4,380 m
The third and final high pass — the Renjo La at 5,360 m. A steep but rewarding climb with stunning views back over the Gokyo Lakes and Cho Oyu. Descend the remote western valley to Lungden.
- Distance
- 13 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 13Lungden to Thame (3,820 m)3,820 m
Descend the Bhote Koshi valley through remote Tibetan-influenced villages. Thame — birthplace of Tenzing Norgay and Apa Sherpa — is a quiet gem rarely visited by trekkers on the main routes.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 14Thame to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Final descent to Namche Bazaar. Celebrate completing all three passes with your team — Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. A hot shower and a hearty dinner well deserved.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 15Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,860 m)2,860 m
Descend the Dudh Koshi trail through Jorsalle and Phakding back to Lukla. Farewell dinner with your guides and porters.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 16Fly Lukla to Kathmandu1,400 m
Early morning flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel and rest. Afternoon sightseeing at Boudhanath or Thamel shopping.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Flight
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 17Kathmandu — Rest Day1,400 m
Recovery day in Kathmandu. Optional cultural tour of Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa. Farewell dinner at a top Kathmandu restaurant.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Sightseeing
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 18Kathmandu — Buffer Day1,400 m
Buffer day for weather delays or extra rest. Optional day trip to Bhaktapur Durbar Square or Changu Narayan temple — UNESCO World Heritage Sites within easy reach of Kathmandu.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Rest Day
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
Day 19Kathmandu — Leisure Day1,400 m
Final day in Nepal. Visit Pashupatinath temple, the largest Hindu temple complex in the country, or simply relax with a spa treatment. Last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Leisure
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
Day 20Departure Day1,400 m
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. Your Everest Three High Passes adventure comes to a triumphant close — a genuine Himalayan achievement.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- B
- Night
- –
The price includes
- Government-certified senior trek guide + assistant guide for high passes
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers; 18 kg max)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu round-trip flights (scheduled)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Altitude illness prevention kit and pulse oximeter
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
- Meals not listed in daily itinerary
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Tips for guides and porters
- Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure
The Everest Three High Passes Trek is considered the most complete trekking experience in the Khumbu region. You cross three high mountain passes, visit Gokyo Lakes, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar — all in one ambitious 20-day adventure.
The Three Passes
- Renjo La (5,360m) — spectacular views of Gokyo Lakes from above
- Cho La (5,420m) — glacier crossing between Gokyo and Dzongla
- Kongma La (5,535m) — highest pass, views of Makalu and Lhotse
This route demands excellent fitness and acclimatisation. Our NMA-certified guides pace the itinerary carefully to minimise altitude sickness risk.