Trip Facts
Country:
Nepal
Duration:
20 Days
Max Altitude:
5,545 m (18,192 ft)
Activities:
Trekking
Region:
Everest / Khumbu region
Starting Point:
Kathmandu
Ending Point:
Kathmandu
Grade:
Challenging
Group Size:
1 to 12 pax
Accomodation:
Teahouses, Hotel in Kathmandu
Best Season:
Mar-May & Sep-Nov
Overview of Everest Three Passes Trek 20-Days
The Everest Three Passes Trek is a 20-day loop through Nepal’s Khumbu region that links the three great high passes of the Everest area into one continuous circuit. It crosses Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Renjo La (5,360 m), and on the way it reaches Everest Base Camp, climbs Kala Patthar for the classic Everest view, and drops into the turquoise Gokyo Lakes valley. It is the complete Khumbu experience and the natural step up for trekkers who have already done, or want far more than, the standard Everest Base Camp Trek.
The whole route runs inside Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and circles some of the highest mountains on Earth. From the passes and viewpoints you look out at four of the world’s six tallest peaks: Mount Everest (8,849 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,485 m), and Cho Oyu (8,188 m). The dawn climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) alone shows all four 8,000 m giants in a single sweep (Wikipedia: Gokyo Ri, retrieved 2026-06-17), above the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal and reputedly the largest in the whole Himalayas.
The trek begins with the famous flight to Lukla, then follows the classic trail through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche, with two built-in acclimatization days. From Chhukung you cross Kongma La to Lobuche, visit Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, then traverse Cho La into Gokyo. After climbing Gokyo Ri you cross the final pass, Renjo La, and descend through the quiet Sherpa village of Thame back to Namche and Lukla. Each pass is a full, committing day on rough, often icy ground, which is exactly why this circuit feels like a genuine mountain expedition rather than a walk.
Spade Himalaya runs the Three Passes with licensed Sherpa guides who know each pass, watch the weather windows, and carry a first-aid kit and a pulse oximeter to monitor how you are adjusting. The long acclimatization profile is built for safety on terrain this high. If you want a shorter or gentler Himalayan trek instead, consider the classic Everest Base Camp Trek, the Annapurna Circuit Trek, the remote Manaslu Circuit Trek, or the lower Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Trips Highlights
- Cross all three high passes of the Everest region: Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Renjo La (5,360 m)
- Stand at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) at the foot of the world's highest mountain
- Climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m) at dawn for the finest Everest view on the trek
- Reach Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a single panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu
- See the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the immense Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in Nepal
- Take the dramatic Lukla flight, one of the most spectacular mountain flights anywhere
- Explore Namche Bazaar, the trading and cultural heart of the Khumbu
- Visit Tengboche Monastery, the largest and most revered monastery in the region
- Walk through quiet, traditional Sherpa villages like Chhukung, Dzongla, and Thame
- Experience warm Sherpa hospitality far from the busiest sections of the Everest trail
Kathmandu (1,400 m) → fly to Lukla (2,840 m) → Phakding (2,610 m) → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) → Tengboche (3,860 m) → Dingboche (4,410 m) → Chhukung (4,730 m) → Kongma La (5,535 m) → Lobuche (4,910 m) → Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) → Gorak Shep → Kala Patthar (5,545 m) → Dzongla (4,830 m) → Cho La (5,420 m) → Gokyo (4,790 m) → Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) → Renjo La (5,360 m) → Lumde (4,360 m) → Thame (3,800 m) → Namche Bazaar → Lukla → fly to Kathmandu.
Short version: the trail climbs the classic Everest route to Chhukung, crosses Kongma La to Lobuche, visits base camp and Kala Patthar, traverses Cho La into the Gokyo valley, climbs Gokyo Ri, then crosses Renjo La and descends via Thame back to Lukla.
Trips Itinerary
A Spade Himalaya representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in a private vehicle. You meet your guide for a pre-trip briefing, where the team checks your gear and completes permit paperwork. Bring your passport, two passport photos, and a copy of your insurance. Rest or explore Thamel in the evening.
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
An early flight takes you to Lukla, either 35 minutes from Kathmandu or 20 minutes from Manthali after a pre-dawn drive, depending on the season. After meeting your porter, you trek down through Ghat along the Dudh Koshi river to Phakding, an easy first day with river views and first glimpses of Khumbu life.
- Duration: 3 to 4 hrs Hike
- Max Altitude: 2,840 m
The trail crosses several suspension bridges, including the high Hillary Bridge, and enters Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where permits are checked. After lunch at Jorsalle, a steep climb brings the first view of Everest before you reach Namche Bazaar, the lively Sherpa town that anchors the Khumbu.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 3,440 m
A rest day that follows the climb-high, sleep-low rule. A morning hike to Hotel Everest View, one of the highest hotels in the world, opens up views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Back in Namche you can visit the Sherpa Museum and shop for any last gear.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 3,880 m
The trail contours high above the Dudh Koshi with constant mountain views, then drops to Phunki Tenga before a steady climb to Tengboche. The village is home to the region’s largest monastery, with Everest and Ama Dablam filling the skyline behind it. Arrive in time for the afternoon prayer ceremony.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 3,860 m
You descend through rhododendron forest to Deboche, cross the Imja Khola, and pass below the soaring face of Ama Dablam. The trail climbs gently through Pangboche to Dingboche, a patchwork of stone-walled fields and an important acclimatization stop before the higher camps.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 4,410 m
Your second acclimatization day. A steady climb up the ridge behind Dingboche reaches the Nangkartshang viewpoint at 5,083 m, with a wide panorama that includes Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak. Climbing high and sleeping low at 4,410 m helps your body prepare for the passes ahead.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 5,083 m
A shorter day up the Imja valley past stone-walled farms and yak pastures to Chhukung, a small settlement beneath the Lhotse and Ama Dablam walls. The gentle climb and early finish are deliberate, leaving you rested and well acclimatized for the first and highest pass tomorrow.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 4,730 m
The first pass, and the highest. You start early for the long climb past glacial tarns to the prayer-flag-draped top of Kongma La, with sweeping views of Lhotse and Makalu. A steep, careful descent crosses the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Lobuche. There are no teahouses on the pass, so you carry packed food and water for the day.
- Duration: 8 to 9 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 5,535 m
You follow the glacier to Gorak Shep, rest, then continue over rock and ice to Everest Base Camp, with the Khumbu Icefall tumbling down ahead. Reaching base camp, the closest you can get to Everest without a climbing permit, is a major milestone. You return to Gorak Shep for the night.
- Duration: 8 to 9 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 5,364 m
A pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar, the highest point of the whole trek, for the clearest Everest sunrise on the route. After photos and the view, you return to Gorak Shep for breakfast, then descend past the Thukla memorials to Lobuche for the night. A demanding but unforgettable day.
- Duration: 7 to 9 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 5,545 m
A shorter, scenic day. The trail leaves the Khumbu valley and traverses toward Dzongla, passing stupas and crossing the Chola Khola, with the glacial Chola Tsho lake glinting nearby. Dzongla is a tiny cluster of lodges at the foot of Cho La, where you rest and prepare for the second pass.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 4,830 m
A very early start to cross the glaciated Cho La before the weather turns. The pass involves steep, loose rock on the approach and a glacier crossing near the top, where micro spikes help. From the summit the views are immense. You then descend across the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in Nepal, to the lakeside village of Gokyo.
- Duration: 8 to 9 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 5,420 m
An early, steep climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri, one of the great viewpoints of the Himalayas. From the top you see four 8,000 m peaks at once, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, above the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the vast Ngozumpa Glacier. The afternoon is free to rest by the lakes before the final pass.
- Duration: 3 to 4 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 5,357 m
The third and final pass. A long but steady climb leads to the top of Renjo La, which gives one of the most beautiful framed views of Everest on the entire trek, with the Gokyo Lakes below. You then descend the quiet western valley to Lumde, leaving the crowds well behind.
- Duration: 7 to 8 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 5,360 m
A descent through high pasture to Thame, a traditional Sherpa village and the home of some of the most celebrated Everest climbers in history. Above the village sits Thame Monastery, perched on the hillside, which hosts the spring Mani Rimdu festival. It is a peaceful, deeply atmospheric place well off the main Everest trail.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 4,360 m
A pleasant walk in and out of forest along the canyon side, with fine mountain views, brings you back to Namche Bazaar. After days at altitude, the bakeries, cafes, and warm rooms of Namche feel like a luxury. It is the perfect place to celebrate completing all three passes.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 3,800 m
The final trekking day follows the Dudh Koshi back through Monjo and Phakding to Lukla. It is a chance to thank your porters and guide and to celebrate the journey in one of Lukla’s lively lodges before the morning flight.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 3,440 m
A morning flight returns you to Kathmandu, either directly (35 minutes) or via Manthali with a 5 to 6 hour drive, depending on the season. The rest of the day is free to rest. In the evening, Spade Himalaya presents your trip-completion certificate over a farewell dinner.
- Max Altitude: 2,840 m
After breakfast, a Spade Himalaya representative transfers you to the international airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your Everest Three Passes Trek.
Trips Include
- Airport transfers in a private vehicle.
- 2 nights' hotel in Kathmandu (arrival and post-trek), with breakfast.
- Round-trip flights between Kathmandu (or Manthali / Ramechhap) and Lukla.
- All ground transfers to and from Manthali / Ramechhap in peak season.
- All teahouse accommodation during the trek.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek.
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- A licensed, experienced Sherpa guide (pay, insurance, meals, lodging)
- Porter support, one porter per two trekkers (pay, insurance, meals, lodging)
- A 75 litre Spade Himalaya duffel bag (yours to keep)
- Guide's first-aid kit, pulse oximeter, and daily health monitoring
- Trip-completion certificate and a farewell dinner in Kathmandu
Trips Exclude
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa (US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days)
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory; must cover trekking above 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation)
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
- Drinks, snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging on the trail
- Sleeping bag and down jacket (available to rent for about US$35 each)
- Optional Kathmandu to Lukla helicopter transfer (about US$550 per person, 5-person sharing)
- Tips for guide and porters
- Personal expenses and any costs from early departure or itinerary changes
Trips Altitude
Packing List
General
- Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag (available to rent for about US$35)
- Sleeping bag liner
- Puffy down jacket (available to rent for about US$35)
- Daypack, 35 to 45 litres, with a rain cover
Upper Body
- Sun hat or cap
- Knitted hat or beanie
- Neck gaiter, buff, or scarf
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Technical base-layer tops (light for warm months, heavy for cold months)
- Short and long sleeve technical shirts
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Waterproof, windproof shell jacket
Lower Body
- Technical base-layer trousers (weight to suit the season)
- Hiking trousers (2 pairs)
- Comfortable trousers for the teahouses
- Hiking shorts
- Waterproof, windproof shell trousers
Hands
- Wool or technical liner gloves
- Insulated hard-shell outer gloves
Feet
- Waterproof trekking boots (well broken in)
- Warm wool or technical socks, and hiking socks
- Liner socks (optional)
- Ice cleats or micro spikes (essential for the passes, especially Cho La)
- Gaiters (light for dust, heavier for snow)
- Casual shoes for the evenings
Undergarments
- Quick-drying technical underwear
- Sports bras (women)
- Sleeping clothes or pyjamas
First Aid Kits
(Your guide carries a kit, medication, and a pulse oximeter, but a personal kit is strongly recommended.)
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Antiseptic ointment and blister care
- Cough syrup (the dry "Khumbu cough" is common at altitude)
- Personal medication and any altitude medication advised by your doctor
- Water purification tablets or a UV purifier
Others
- Passport and extra passport photos
- Reusable water bottle and a hydration bladder
- Toiletry kit, quick-dry towel, toilet paper, pillowcase
- High-protein snacks (bars, nuts)
- Waterproof or dry bags for documents and money
- Earplugs and trekking poles
Optional
- Power bank and spare batteries
- Camera or phone for photos
- Binoculars
- Cards or a book
- Whistle, thermos for hot water, and a comb
Good to Know
Before you go
- Permits and ID. Bring your passport, two passport photos, and a readable copy of your insurance to the pre-trip meeting so Spade Himalaya can arrange your Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permits.ssss
- Money. The Khumbu runs on Nepalese rupees in cash. Draw cash in Kathmandu or Namche and budget for drinks, snacks, charging, hot showers, and tips. There is no reliable ATM beyond Namche.
- Fitness. This is a challenging route. Train for months with cardio, hill walking, and back-to-back long days, ideally with prior multi-day trekking and some altitude experience.
Each pass is a long, committing day. Kongma La (5,535 m) is the highest, Cho La (5,420 m) is glaciated and the most technical, and Renjo La (5,360 m) is the most scenic. You start before dawn on pass days, carry packed food and water where there are no teahouses, and your guide checks conditions and turns back if a pass is unsafe. Micro spikes are essential, especially on Cho La.
Flights run from Kathmandu (35 minutes) in quieter months and from Manthali / Ramechhap (20 minute flight after a 5 to 6 hour drive) in the peak months of March, April, May, October, and November. Weather delays are normal, so a spare day before your international flight home is wise. A direct helicopter transfer is available for about US$550 per person.
The itinerary follows the climb-high, sleep-low principle with acclimatization days at Namche and Dingboche and a steady build-up before the passes. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day, walk slowly, avoid alcohol high up, and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Carry altitude medication if your doctor advises it. Descending is the most effective treatment for altitude sickness.
- Accommodation. Cosy teahouses with simple twin rooms. On the passes and at Gokyo, rooms are basic and nights are very cold, so a good sleeping bag matters.
- Food. Expect dal bhat, noodles, potatoes, soups, and Tibetan bread. Vegetarian meals are widely available and meat is best avoided at altitude.
- Drinking water. Refill and purify with tablets or a UV purifier rather than buying bottled water, which is costly and creates waste high in the park.
- The Khumbu cough. A dry cough from cold, dry air is common above Namche. A buff over the mouth, plenty of fluids, and lozenges help.
Trips Reviews
Smooth and flexible itinerary in winter
Strong safety management in harsh conditions
Excellent organization on a demanding winter route
Trips FAQs
Trek Difficulty & Altitude
It is graded challenging, the hardest standard teahouse trek in the Everest region. Over 20 days you cross three passes above 5,300 m, walk 8 to 9 hours on pass days, and handle steep, often icy ground, including a glacier on Cho La. There is no technical climbing, but strong fitness, hiking experience, and good acclimatization are essential.
The three passes are Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Renjo La (5,360 m) (Wikipedia: Cho La, retrieved 2026-06-17). Kongma La is the highest and usually the toughest, Cho La is the most technical because of its glacier, and Renjo La gives perhaps the most beautiful framed view of Everest of the three.
It is a real risk, since you spend many days above 4,500 m and cross three passes over 5,300 m. Acute mountain sickness rises sharply with elevation, so the itinerary uses two acclimatization days, a slow profile, and your guide’s daily oximeter checks. Drink plenty of water, walk slowly, and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Descending is the most effective treatment.
Permits, Guide & Insurance
The Everest (Khumbu) region is currently exempt from Nepal’s nationwide mandatory-guide rule, so a guide is not legally required here. In practice, the glaciated passes, route-finding on the moraine, and the altitude make a licensed guide effectively essential on this route. Spade Himalaya provides government-licensed Sherpa guides who handle permits, logistics, and daily health checks.
You need two permits: the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit (about NPR 3,000) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (about NPR 2,000). There is no TIMS card in the Khumbu. Both permits are arranged by Spade Himalaya and checked on the trail at Monjo and beyond. They are paid in Nepalese rupees.
Yes, it is mandatory. Your policy must explicitly cover trekking up to 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation, since standard travel insurance usually excludes high-altitude adventure. Given the remote passes on this route, comprehensive cover is especially important. Arrange it in your home country before you fly, and leave a copy with Spade Himalaya at the pre-trip meeting.
Best Time to Trek
Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) are the prime seasons, with stable weather and open passes. Winter (December to February) brings deep snow that can close Cho La and Renjo La, and is not recommended for this route. The summer monsoon brings cloud and rain. The passes need a clear weather window, so flexibility helps. For how winter affects high-altitude trekking in Nepal more generally, see our Annapurna winter guide.
Trek Highlights & Views
The Gokyo Lakes are a chain of high-altitude turquoise lakes beside the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal. Above them rises Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), a viewpoint that shows four 8,000 m peaks at once, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu (Wikipedia: Gokyo Ri, retrieved 2026-06-17). For many trekkers the Gokyo Ri sunrise is the single best view of the whole trek.
The standard Everest Base Camp Trek is 14 days, tops out at Kala Patthar, and follows one valley out and back. The Three Passes is 20 days, adds Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La, and the Gokyo Lakes, and forms a full circuit. Choose Base Camp for the classic experience and Three Passes for the complete, far more demanding Khumbu adventure.
Transportation & Logistics
Lukla flights are flown by experienced mountain pilots, though weather can cause delays. In the peak months of March, April, May, October, and November, traffic is rerouted through Manthali / Ramechhap, a 5 to 6 hour drive from Kathmandu, then a 20 minute flight. A direct Kathmandu to Lukla helicopter is available for about US$550 per person, 5-person sharing.
