Everest Three Passes Trek – 23 Days

The adventure truly begins with a short but spectacular 35-minute mountain flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla — one of the most dramatic airports in the world. The moment you step off the plane, the fresh mountain air and the energy of the Khumbu region hit you all at once. From Lukla, you trek downhill through pine forests and small Sherpa settlements along the Dudh Koshi River to reach Phakding for your first night on the trail.

Walking time: 3–4 hours.

Today is one of the most iconic walking days on any Everest trek. The trail winds through forests, crosses thrilling suspension bridges draped in prayer flags, and passes through the entry gate of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. After a steep climb through rhododendron forests, you arrive at Namche Bazaar the beating heart of the Khumbu. On a clear day, your first glimpse of Everest appears just above the ridge.

Walking time: 5–6 hours.

Rest days are not actually rest days on the Everest Three Passes Trek — they are strategic. Spending a full day at Namche allows your body to adjust to the altitude before going higher. You will hike up to the famous Everest View Hotel (3,880m), where you can enjoy panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kongde. Visit the weekend market, the Sherpa Culture Museum, and explore the bakeries and gear shops of Namche.

This is where the Everest Three Passes Trek diverges from the popular Everest Base Camp route. Instead of heading towards Tengboche, you take the trail westward toward Thame a quieter, less-trodden path. The trail follows the Bhote Koshi River valley, passing through yak pastures and juniper forests. Thame is a deeply spiritual village, home to the famous Thame Monastery and a community that has produced some of the world’s most legendary Sherpa climbers.

Walking time: 4–5 hours.

From Thame, the trail heads northwest and steadily gains elevation. As you walk higher, the landscape opens up into wide alpine meadows and rocky ridgelines. The trail passes a few seasonal herder huts before reaching Lungdeng (also called Lumde), a remote settlement used as a base before crossing Renjo La the next morning. The views of surrounding peaks begin to feel very close from here.

Walking time: 5–6 hours.

This is your first of the three passes and arguably the most scenic one. The climb to Renjo La is steady and steep, but the moment you reach the top, the world opens up in front of you. Standing at the Renjo La Pass, you see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu all lined up on the horizon — and directly below, the shimmering turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes. The descent down to Gokyo is long but stunning. Gokyo is a magical high-altitude village situated at the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier.

Walking time: 7–8 hours.

After the effort of crossing Renjo La, today is a chance to rest and explore. The hike up Gokyo Ri takes about 2 hours from the village and rewards you with one of the most spectacular panoramas in the entire Himalayas, six 8,000m peaks visible at once, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, and Ngozumpa Kangri. Spend the rest of the day walking along the Gokyo Lakes shoreline. The third lake, Dudh Pokhari, is the most sacred and beautiful of the chain.

Today you leave Gokyo and begin moving toward Cho La. The trail heads south along the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal’s largest glacier, a raw, dramatic landscape of grey ice and rocky moraine. The route can be a little tricky to navigate through the glacial terrain, which is why having a knowledgeable guide here makes all the difference. You overnight at Thangnak, a small settlement used as a base for the Cho La crossing.

Walking time: 4–5 hours.

The second high pass of the trek is the most physically demanding one. The climb to Cho La is a mix of rocky trail and a short glaciated section near the top that requires careful footing. Trekking poles and gaiters are very useful here. At the top, you are rewarded with views across the Khumbu Valley. The descent to Dzongla is steep and leads you into a completely different landscape, a wide valley surrounded by sharp ridges and towering peaks.

Walking time: 6–7 hours.

A shorter walking day that gives your legs some recovery time after the intense Cho La crossing. The trail descends from Dzongla and then climbs steadily to Lobuche, a scattered settlement along the Khumbu Glacier moraine. Above the trail, you will notice the memorial chortens built in honor of climbers and Sherpas who have lost their lives on Everest. It’s a sobering and deeply meaningful part of the route.

Walking time: 3–4 hours.

Today is one of the most anticipated days of the entire journey. From Lobuche, you trek along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Gorakshep — the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. After dropping your bags and having lunch, you continue on to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). You walk across the rocky Khumbu Glacier to reach the base of the Khumbu Icefall. Standing here, looking up at the ice towers and listening to the occasional crack of the glacier, you truly understand why Everest commands such respect. Return to Gorakshep for the night.

Walking time: 7–8 hours.

Wake up before sunrise and begin the steep climb to Kala Patthar. At 5,545m, this is the highest point of the entire trek and the most iconic Everest viewpoint in the world. Watching the first rays of sunlight paint Everest golden against a deep blue sky is an experience you carry with you for the rest of your life. After taking in the views, descend all the way back past Lobuche and continue to Dzongla to prepare for the final pass crossing.

Walking time: 7–8 hours

The final and highest of the three passes. Kongma La (5,535m) is a rugged, remote, and less-traveled crossing that takes you from the Khumbu Valley into the beautiful Imja Valley. The ascent is steep and the terrain is rocky, but the silence and solitude up here are remarkable. Once you cross the pass, the descent leads you down through glacial moraines to the quiet village of Chhukung, nestled beneath the towering face of Island Peak.

Walking time: 7–8 hours.

From Chhukung, the optional but highly recommended hike to Chhukung Ri offers one of the most underrated panoramas of the Everest region. Standing at 5,550m, you look directly at the southern face of Lhotse, the stunning ridgeline of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, and the entire Imja Glacier below. It’s a long hike but a deeply rewarding one. Rest of the day, relax in Chhukung and enjoy some well-deserved rest after three consecutive pass crossings.

Hike time: 4–5 hours return

Heading back towards lower altitudes, you descend through Dingboche and then climb across to Tengboche, home to the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest and most revered monastery in the Khumbu region. If you’re lucky, you may witness the evening puja (prayer ceremony) as the monks chant in the dimly lit gompa surrounded by butter lamps. The views of Ama Dablam from Tengboche are among the most photographed in Nepal.

Walking time: 6–7 hours.

The trail from Tengboche descends steeply through rhododendron forests to Phunki Tenga and then climbs back up to Namche. At this point in the trek, you’ll notice how much fitter and stronger your body feels compared to when you first arrived in Namche. Celebrate with a hot coffee and a slice of apple pie at one of Namche’s famous bakeries. 

Walking time: 4–5 hours

The final full trekking day. You retrace parts of the trail along the Dudh Koshi River, cross the suspension bridges one last time, and climb back up to Lukla. The mood is a mix of exhaustion, pride, and a quiet sadness that the mountains are behind you. Celebrate your incredible achievement with your guide and porter over dinner in Lukla.

Walking time: 6–7 hours.

An early morning flight takes you back to Kathmandu. Mountain flights are subject to weather, so flexibility is important. Once back in Kathmandu, freshen up and enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, or simply relax.

These three days are built into the itinerary as buffer days for potential Lukla flight delays due to weather. If your flight returns on schedule, these days become free time in Kathmandu. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Patan Durbar Square. You can also use this time for any last-minute shopping or a relaxing spa day.

Your journey ends here, but the memories and the sense of achievement will last a lifetime. Our team will transfer you to the international airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!