Everest Three Passes Trek

Fly to Lukla 2,860 m and trek to Phakding 2,610 m | Distance 6 to 8 km | Duration 3 to 4 hours

During peak trekking seasons such as March, April, May, September, October, and November, flights to Lukla are usually operated from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap due to air traffic at Kathmandu airport. Manthali is about a 5 to 6 hour drive from Kathmandu. On this day, you will leave very early, usually between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM, and travel by shared tourist vehicle to Manthali, followed by a 20 minute flight to Lukla.

In non peak months including January, February, June, July, August, and December, flights normally operate directly from Kathmandu. You will leave your hotel early in the morning around 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM and take a 35 minute flight to Lukla.

A helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is also available as an alternative during busy seasons. This helps avoid the long drive to Manthali. The cost is around USD 550 per person on a sharing basis.

Flights to Lukla usually operate early in the morning due to mountain weather conditions, so it is important to prepare your gear the day before.

After landing in Lukla, you will have breakfast while your guide arranges porters. Typically, one porter is assigned for two trekkers.

The walk to Phakding is a gradual and straightforward start. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River, passing through local villages such as Chaurikharka and Ghat. You will walk through forested sections and cross suspension bridges while getting your first experience of the Everest region.

Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Phakding.

Today is one of the most important days of the journey as you enter Sagarmatha National Park and gain significant altitude.

The trail continues along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing several suspension bridges, including the well known Hillary Bridge. The route passes through villages such as Monjo, where permits are checked before entering the national park.

After crossing the final bridge, the trail climbs steadily through pine forest toward Namche Bazaar. This section is physically demanding due to continuous uphill walking and increasing altitude.

On a clear day, you may get your first distant view of Mount Everest along the climb, along with views of Lhotse and other surrounding peaks.

Namche Bazaar is the main hub of the Khumbu region, located at 3,440 meters. It offers better facilities including bakeries, cafes, gear shops, and communication services, making it an ideal place for acclimatization.

Today is an important acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar, helping your body adjust to the increasing altitude before heading higher into the Everest region.

Instead of resting completely, you will take a short hike above Namche following the principle of climb high and sleep low. The trail leads to the Everest View Hotel 3,880 meters, one of the best viewpoints in the lower Khumbu.

From here, you can enjoy clear views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. This is often the first proper panoramic mountain view of the journey.

The route also passes through Khumjung village, known for its traditional Sherpa culture and monasteries. This section gives insight into local life in the Everest region.

After spending time at higher elevation, you return back to Namche Bazaar to continue proper acclimatization. Staying active today helps reduce the risk of altitude sickness in the coming days.

The trail from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche is one of the most scenic sections of the Everest region, with continuous views of major Himalayan peaks.

The route begins with a gradual walk along a ridge, offering clear views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the iconic Ama Dablam. This section is relatively easy and allows steady movement at altitude.

After reaching Kyangjuma, the trail descends to the Dudh Koshi River at Phunki Tenga. From here, a steady uphill climb through forest leads toward Tengboche. This ascent is one of the more physically demanding parts of the day.

As you gain elevation, the landscape becomes more alpine, and the views open further across the Khumbu valley. Tengboche is known for its famous monastery, the largest in the Everest region, set against the backdrop of Ama Dablam.

This section of the Everest Three Passes route provides a balance of gradual trail, steep climb, and wide mountain views, making it one of the most rewarding trekking days.

The trail descends through forest from Tengboche and crosses the Imja Khola before continuing toward Pangboche, one of the oldest Sherpa settlements in the Everest region.

As you move higher, the landscape gradually changes from forest to open alpine terrain. The route passes through Somare and follows a steady climb with wide views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and surrounding peaks.

After Pangboche, vegetation becomes limited and the terrain feels more exposed. This section clearly marks the transition into higher altitude trekking above 4,000 meters.

The final stretch leads into Dingboche, located at 4,410 meters, a key acclimatization stop in the Khumbu region. The village sits in a wide valley with stone walls used to protect crops from cold winds.

This day is important for gradual altitude gain and preparing the body for higher elevations in the coming days of the Everest Three Passes route.

Today is a second acclimatization day in Dingboche, which is important before moving above 4,500 meters on the Everest Three Passes route.

You will take a hike toward Nangkartsang Peak 5,083 meters, following the principle of gradual altitude gain. The trail climbs steadily above Dingboche and offers clear views of Ama Dablam, Makalu, and the surrounding alpine landscape.

The hike can be physically demanding due to the altitude, but it plays a key role in helping your body adjust to lower oxygen levels. You can ascend as high as comfortable before returning.

From the higher points, you get wide views of the Imja Valley and the route toward Chhukung, which you will follow in the coming days.

After spending time at higher elevation, you descend back to Dingboche. Staying active today improves acclimatization and reduces the risk of altitude related issues on higher sections of the journey.

Today is a shorter trekking day as you move deeper into the Imja Valley, heading toward Chhukung, an important stop before crossing high passes in the Everest Three Passes route.

The trail gradually ascends from Dingboche, following a wide valley with open alpine terrain. As you walk, you are surrounded by impressive peaks including Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak.

The landscape becomes more rugged and less vegetated as you gain elevation. This section gives a clear feeling of high altitude trekking, with wide views and fewer settlements along the route.

Chhukung at 4,730 meters is a small settlement used as a base for climbing Island Peak and for trekkers preparing to cross Kongma La Pass.

The shorter distance today allows proper rest and preparation for the upcoming high altitude crossing.

Today is one of the most challenging days as you cross Kongma La Pass 5,535 meters, the highest pass of the Everest Three Passes route.

The trail starts early from Chhukung with a steady and demanding ascent over rocky terrain. There are no settlements along this section, so it is important to carry enough water and move at a consistent pace.

As you gain elevation, the route becomes more remote and rugged, with views of Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and surrounding high peaks. Weather conditions can change quickly at this altitude.

From the top of Kongma La, you get wide views over the Khumbu Glacier and eastern Himalayan range. The descent toward Lobuche involves loose rocks and glacial terrain, requiring careful footing.

After a long and demanding crossing, the trail reaches Lobuche 4,910 meters, where it joins the main Everest Base Camp route.

This is a physically demanding day due to high altitude, long walking hours, and remote terrain, making proper pacing and hydration essential.

Today is one of the main highlights as you reach Everest Base Camp 5,364 meters, the base of the world’s highest mountain.

The trail from Lobuche follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, passing through rocky terrain and gradually ascending toward Gorak Shep. The landscape here is rugged and fully alpine.

After a short break at Gorak Shep, the route continues toward Everest Base Camp. The trail includes uneven rocky sections and glacier moraine, requiring steady pacing due to altitude.

At Everest Base Camp, you stand at the foot of Mount Everest surrounded by ice formations and the Khumbu Icefall. This is a major achievement and one of the most iconic locations in the Everest region.

After spending time at base camp, you return back to Gorak Shep 5,164 meters following the same trail.

This is a long and physically demanding day due to high altitude and distance, so maintaining a slow and consistent pace is important.

Today is a shorter and more relaxed day as you leave the main Everest Base Camp trail and head toward Dzongla, a quieter section of the Everest Three Passes route.

The trail gradually descends from Lobuche before traversing along the side of the valley. The route offers views of Cholatse, Taboche, and surrounding high peaks.

Compared to previous days, the walk is less demanding, allowing some recovery after the long days around Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.

As you move away from the main trail, the number of trekkers decreases, and the environment feels more remote and peaceful.

Dzongla at 4,830 meters sits below Cho La Pass and serves as an important stop before the next high pass crossing.

Today is another challenging and rewarding day as you cross Cho La Pass 5,420 meters, linking the Khumbu valley with the Gokyo Valley.

The trail begins early from Dzongla with a gradual climb that becomes steeper as you approach the pass. The terrain is rocky and can include icy sections depending on the season, especially in spring and autumn.

Near the top, the route involves crossing a glacier section where careful footing is required. This is one of the more technical parts of the Everest Three Passes route.

From the top of Cho La, you get wide views of surrounding peaks including Ama Dablam and the glacier landscapes of the region.

After crossing the pass, the trail descends toward the Gokyo Valley, passing along the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal.

The route continues toward Gokyo 4,800 meters, known for its high altitude lakes and open mountain views. This section feels more spacious compared to the narrow Khumbu valley.

Today is one of the most scenic days in the Everest Three Passes route with a hike to Gokyo Ri 5,357 meters, one of the best viewpoints in the entire Everest region.

The climb to Gokyo Ri is steep but relatively short. From the top, you get a wide panoramic view of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, along with a clear view of the Ngozumpa Glacier.

The Gokyo Lakes below create a unique landscape, with turquoise water surrounded by high peaks and glacial terrain. This area is less crowded compared to the Everest Base Camp trail and offers a more open and peaceful environment.

After spending time at the viewpoint, you descend back to Gokyo and can explore the surrounding lakes and glacier area.

This day allows proper recovery while still reaching one of the highest and most rewarding viewpoints of the journey.

Today involves crossing Renjo La Pass 5,360 meters, the final high pass of the Everest Three Passes route. This section is known for its wide panoramic views and relatively less technical terrain compared to Cho La.

The climb from Gokyo starts early and ascends steadily along a clear trail. As you gain elevation, the view opens toward the Everest range, including Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.

From the top of Renjo La, you get one of the best viewpoints of the entire journey, overlooking the Gokyo Lakes and surrounding Himalayan peaks.

The descent from the pass leads into a quieter and less visited part of the Khumbu region. The trail gradually drops toward Lungden through open alpine terrain.

This section feels more remote compared to the main Everest Base Camp route, offering a different perspective of the region with fewer trekkers.

Today’s route descends from Lungden into the quieter Thame Valley, offering a different perspective of the Everest region away from the main trekking routes.

The trail gradually descends through open alpine terrain before entering areas with more vegetation. The walk is easier compared to previous high pass days, allowing your body to recover as altitude decreases.

Along the way, you pass traditional Sherpa settlements and experience a more authentic local lifestyle compared to the busier Everest Base Camp trail.

Thame at 3,800 meters is a historic Sherpa village known as the home region of several famous Everest climbers. The area is also culturally important, with monasteries and traditional mountain life still well preserved.

This section of the Everest Three Passes route feels more peaceful and less crowded, making it a good transition toward the final days of the journey.

The trail today follows a gradual descent from Thame back toward Namche Bazaar, rejoining the main Everest region route.

The path passes through traditional Sherpa villages and follows the Bhote Koshi valley. Compared to earlier days, the walk is easier with decreasing altitude and more comfortable breathing conditions.

As you approach Namche, the trail becomes more familiar and slightly busier, marking your return to the central hub of the Khumbu region.

Namche Bazaar at 3,440 meters offers a good opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy better facilities after several days in more remote areas.

This day provides a steady and comfortable transition toward the final stage of the Everest Three Passes journey.

Today is the final trekking day as you descend from Namche Bazaar back to Lukla, following the same trail along the Dudh Koshi valley.

The route involves a long descent through forested sections, suspension bridges, and familiar villages such as Monjo, Phakding, and Ghat.

Compared to earlier days, the walk is easier due to decreasing altitude, but the distance makes it a full day of trekking.

Along the way, you get a final chance to enjoy views of the river valley and reflect on the journey across the Everest Three Passes route.

Reaching Lukla marks the completion of the trekking section, where the journey first began.

Today you leave the Everest region with a morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu or Manthali, depending on the season and flight schedule.

During peak trekking seasons, flights usually operate between Lukla and Manthali Airport, followed by a 5 to 6 hour drive back to Kathmandu. In non peak months, flights typically operate directly to Kathmandu.

The flight offers one last aerial view of the Himalayan range before returning to the city environment.

Due to weather conditions in the mountains, flight schedules can sometimes be delayed, so flexibility is important on this day.

After returning to Kathmandu, you have time to relax and recover after completing the Everest Three Passes journey.

Today marks the end of your Everest Three Passes journey. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward departure.

Our team will arrange your airport transfer and ensure a smooth departure process.

After completing one of the most demanding high altitude routes in Nepal, you leave with a full experience of the Everest region, including its remote valleys, high mountain passes, and Himalayan landscapes.

We hope you had a safe and memorable journey with Next Trip Nepal and look forward to welcoming you again.