Highly popular for tallest mountains, breath taking landscapes, unique highland culture, beautiful forests and endangered species, Everest region is home to many incredible trekking routes from soft trekking in lower altitudes to longer treks along the high mountain passes. For travelers seeking more challenges, less crowd and journey of a lifetime with unparalleled views and fascinating culture, Everest Three Passes Trek is an ideal adventure that takes you to the off beaten path with some of the most astonishing sights Nepal has to offer. Even the experienced hikers find this trail a true challenge. So, if you are up to take the challenge, this trek has the best of Khumbu in reserve.

Three Passes Trek offers an amazing scenic trails and adventurous crossing of Renjo La (5340 m), Cho La (5420 m) and Kongma La (5535 m) passes that join the four valleys of Imja, Khumbu, Gokyo and Bhote Koshi. Besides the panoramic views of some of the world’s highest mountains such as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Ama Dablam and captivating valleys, you can also experience the rich cultural heritage of Sherpa people of the region during the trek.

Considered as a longer trek, Three Passes Trek takes about 18 days to complete. This adventurous trek commences from Lukla towards the Dudh Koshi valley on a well-marked trail and crosses the green dense forest, scattered rhododendron bushes, beautiful flora and fauna, ever flowing mountain gorges and culturally rich villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar to reach Tengboche, a hilltop settlement with its iconic monastery standing sentinel overlooking the valley. From Tengboche, the trail contours on the side of the valley which offers the stunning views of beautiful mountains of Khumbu including Mt. Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Nuptse (7861 m), and Ama Dablam (6812 m). The path descends downhill and crosses Imja Khola to reach the beautiful village of Dingboche and gradually hikes to the last village of Imja valley; Chhukung, which is famous for a marvelous view of Lhotse’s massive south wall.

Continuing from Chhukung, the trail passes through one of the three Everest High Passes, Kongma la (5535 m) and descends to the section of scree and boulder fields towards Lobuche. The trail then proceeds towards Cho La (5420 m) along the ridge curving towards west with amazing views of Arakam Tse (6423m), Cholatse (6335m), Taboche (6367m) and reaches Dzongla. Out of Dzongla, the trail heads northwest and descends to Dragnag and continues through the treacherous glacial walk across Ngozumpa glacier to a beautiful village of Gokyo, by the side of an enormous turquoise Gokyo Lake. Furthermore, path leads to Gokyo Ri, a perfect viewpoint of remarkable views of Gokyo Lake, Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Cho-Oyu Base Camp.

After the rewarding climb, the trail traverses through the northern shore and slowly ascends towards Renjo La (5340 m) which offers the astonishing views of Makalu and Rolwaling range. The last section of the trail, then, gradually descends on a flat trail marked with cairns and stony steps to the quiet village, Thame and passes through a steady trail strewn with prayer flags and mani stones to Namche Baazar, which then retraces back to Lukla completing the exciting Everest Three Passes Trek.  

Are you fond of beautiful landscapes of stunning highest mountains of the world? Do you like to experience highland culture of Sherpas, the brave mountaineers? If yes, trekking in the land of Everest is just for you. The region offers you one of the most life changing experiences and once in a lifetime memory you will never forget. Everest region has world’s famous trekking routes where you will get to witness the world’s highest peak, Everest (8,848m) which is locally known as ‘Sagarmatha’ and several other mountains over 8000m, like- Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu. Apart from the gigantic snow-white mountains, you can experience the culture of local Sherpa community, mountain ecosystem, highest glaciers, and observe wide varieties of plants and animal life in the region. Some of the major attractions of Everest Treks are Namche Bazar and its Sherpa Museum, monasteries at Tengboche, Khumjung and Pangboche, Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar, Gokyo Lake, three passes that include Cho-La (5300m), Kongma-La (5500m), and Renjo-La (5400m) and many more.

Not just the natural and cultural wonders, the region also has well-developed trails, comfortable teahouses and lodges, and other necessary amenities. So, anyone visiting the region should not have to worry about comfort despite its remoteness. If you ever wish to visit this amazing place, here is a list of some of the popular Everest treks you can pick from.

• Everest Base Camp Trek:

Everest is more than a mountain and the journey to its base camp is more than just a trek. Considered as “The Steps To Heaven”, Everest Base Camp Trek, is a spectacular high altitude trek in the mountains of Nepal. One of the most popular Everest Treks in the world where one can experience the jaw-dropping scenery and unique cultural experience, the trek takes us through challenging routes towards the base of the highest mountain. The picturesque views of the world’s highest mountain such as Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Mt Makalu (8485 m), Mt. Amadablam (6812 m), Mt Cho Oyu (8201 m) etc. can be experienced during this trek.

You can begin the trek from Lukla at an elevation of 2840 m. Over the course of the first 8 days, you will slowly make your way further into Sagarmatha National Park as you hike during the day and sleep in local teahouses at night. During the trek, teahouses provide modest selection of foods from typical Nepali dal-bhat, soups, snacks, momos, fried rice to Chinese and continental dishes like noodles, spaghetti, and spring rolls etc.

EBC Trek Overview:

Difficulty: Moderate to hard

Trek duration: 12 days+

Max. elevation: 5,545m

Accommodation: Trekking lodges or tea houses

Starting point: Lukla

EBC Trek Itinerary Overview :

Day 1: Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding

Day 2: Phakding – Namche bazaar

Day 3: Namche (acclimatization)

Day 4: Namche – Tengboche

Day 5: Tengboche – Dingboche

Day 6: Dingboche (acclimatization)

Day 7: Dingboche – Lobuche

Day 8: Lobuche – Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp – Gorak Shep

Day 9: Gorakshep – Kalapatthar – Pheriche

Day 10: Pheriche – Namche

Day 11: Namche – Lukla

Day 13: Lukla – Kathmandu

• Gokyo Trek

Gokyo Trek, one of the adventurous trek in Nepal is trip in which one traverses through delightful valleys, crystal clear turquoise lakes and world’s biggest ice glacier called Ngozumpa glacier dominated by the nearest mountain of Everest Himalayan range. The main attraction of this trek is Gokyo lake. The glacial Gokyo Lake is a holy pilgrimage place for both Hindu and Buddhist. Gokyo Ri is nearby Gokyo Lake. From the top, you can have one of the most stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam and Cho Oyu. The majestic Gokyo region is inhabited by Sherpa people following Tibetan- Buddhism. They still practice ancient way of life dating back to centuries old time. This trek is less travelled and has peaceful route.

Gokyo Trek Overview:

Difficulty: Moderate to hard

Trek duration: 12-14 days

Max. elevation: 5360m

Accommodation: Trekking lodges or tea houses

Starting point: Lukla

Gokyo Itinerary Overview:

Day 1: Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding

Day 2 : Phakding – Namche

Day 3 : Namche (acclimatization)

Day 4 : Namche – Khumjung via Syangboche

Day 6 : Khumjung – Dole

Day 7 : Dole – Machermo

Day 8 : Machermo – Gokyo Lake

Day 9 : Gokyo Lake and Glacier Excursion

Day 10 : Gokyo Lake – Machermo

Day 11: Machermo – Namche

Day 12 : Namche – Lukla

Day 13 : Lukla – Kathmandu

• Three Passes Trek

One of the most challenging and thrilling trek, Three Passes Trek offers an amazingly scenic circular route with crossing challenging passes Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La. This trek route not only proffers the stunning view of mountains and glaciers but also encourages you to experience the local Sherpa culture in the region. If you are planning to do this trek and other treks in Everest region, March – May and October – November can be the best months as weather is clear during this time and beautiful landscapes can be seen in these months. There are adequate number of lodges and teahouses serving good meals and accommodation during the trek.  

Three Passes Trek Overview :

Difficulty : Moderate to Challenging

Trek Duration : 15 Days

Maximum elevation : 5545 m ( Kalapatthar )

Accomodation : Tea houses

Trek starting Point : Lukla

Three Passes Trek Itinerary Overview:

Day 1 : Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding

Day 2 : Phakding – Namche

Day 3 : Namche (Acclimitization)

Day 4 : Namche – Thame

Day 5 : Thame – Lungden

Day 6 : Lungden – Renjo La Pass – Gokyo

Day 7 : Gokyo ( Acclimatization)

Day 8 : Gokyo  – Thagnak

Day 9 : Thagnak – Cho La Pass – Dzongla

Day 10 : Dzongla – Lobuche

Day 11 : Lobuche – Kongma La- Chhukung

Day 12 : Chhukung – Tengboche

Day 13 : Tengboche – Namche

Day 14 :  Namche  – Lukla

Day 15 : Lukla – Kathmandu

Kongma La 18,159ft / 5,535m, Cho La 17,782ft / 5,420m & Renjo La 17,930ft / 5,465m – trekking across three elevated passes is incredibly a challenging and fascinating Himalayan trekking that caters the best of cultural and natural aspects of eminent Everest Region. Three Pass Trek in Everest Region is probably one of the most challenging treks in Nepal that most of the times take you to the region above 4500m in the wilderness of Himalayan Region dominated by the world’s highest peaks including Everest.

Meant for adrenaline hungry experienced trekkers, the Three Pass Trek begins with the thrilling Trans Himalayan flight to the airstrips of Lukla. An alternative but tougher trail that leads trekkers to Everest Base Camp across Kongma La Pass, Three Passes Trek not only highlights the major landmarks that fall in classic Everest Base Camp Trekking Trail; it also caters opportunities to conquer all the major viewpoints of Everest Region like Chukkung Ri, Kalapattar and Gokyo Ri, from where the beauty of Himalayas simply resembles the imaginary snowy land described in fairy tales. The cultural encounters at the villages that has unique and authentic Sherpa culture and the highland monasteries nestling at the foothills of towering Himalayan peaks are the bonus rewards of the trek. The trek that allows opportunities to capture the images of mesmerizing Everest Landscapes also offers chances to sight the endangered floral and faunal species prospering in the ideal habitats inside Sagarmatha National Park.

Recently, a solo trekker Ms. Maria Hendrika Van Horen from Netherlands undertook the challenging Everest Three Passes Trek. A very happy trekker, Hendrika expressed few beautiful lines regarding the trek before she headed off for another intriguing trek to Dolpo in Nepal.

 Eh: Overall Trek experience

“It was very good. I really enjoyed it. It was beautiful; mountains were beautiful, people were beautiful. We had good weather and hence we could do all the passes. We went to different tops like Chhukung Ri, Kalapattar and Gokyo Ri. We were a lot high in the mountains and the experience was wonderful.”

Eh: Best thing about Everest

“I liked the mountains, which were spectacular. The culture in the lower region was great and the facilities catered throughout the trek, were wonderful.”

Eh: Trek safety in Everest Region after the Quake

“It is safe. To me it looked like every trekking trail of Everest Region is safe to trek. All the bridges were okay. There were some damages in the teahouses in certain villages and everybody is repairing them. We could always stay in safe places that had no problem at all.”

Eh: Traveling solo in Nepal

“I didn’t find any sort of challenges traveling solo in Nepal; rather it is easier to travel solo in Nepal than many other countries across the world. However, when trekking higher in the Himalayas, it is more fun to be with other people or join the group undertaking the same trek. Nevertheless, it is hard to find the trekking partner because it low trekking season in Nepal and after the quake not many travelers have visited Nepal.”

Eh: Areas we could improve to cater better services

“I am really happy. I got good information before we started the trek and the briefing was wonderful. The quality of your office is great. The guide to be honest who really makes the difference during the trek, Megh (trek guide) did a great job. He told us a lot about Nepal and Himalayas. He chose a good place to sleep. He made sure we were safe. We could always talk to him about shortening the trip or the day trip or make it bit longer so that we could overnight in a better place. It was always good to negotiate with him. The service was great before and after the trek, though I came back in a very different time. I don’t think the company needs to improve in any area. You people did a great job.”

Eh: Anything you wished had been better

“I wish the flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla had been on the scheduled time. I waited couple of days in Lukla to fly back to Kathmandu because; the weather was not clear enough and hence no flight could fly back to Kathmandu. However, this is understandable.”

Eh: Trekking in Nepal after the quake

“Nepal and Everest Region is safe to trek. It is as beautiful as it was before. Anybody who loves the culture of Nepal in combination with mountains should travel to Nepal. For example, my friends back home think Nepal is not yet safe country to travel. They think roads are unsafe, trekking trails have been hindered heavily and the hotels to accommodate are not in good shape, which are not true at all. People in the west now consider that Nepal is in miserable condition, where people still live in the tents, but I did not see anything like that. My message is that Nepal has become normal and the beautiful country with beautiful people deserves more travelers than ever. Himalayas are the best mountain ranges and if anyone who likes trekking and climbing should travel to Nepal. There is plenty of trekking options hard trek like the one I did or the easy treks for novice trekkers; Nepal caters many easy treks as well.”