Everest Three High Passes Trek

Upon your arrival at Kathmandu airport, a Wind Horse representative will meet and greet you, and transfer you to your hotel. No activities are planned for this day, so you will have the rest of the day at your leisure until the evening.

Later in the evening, your trip guide will meet you and present you with a brief orientation about the trek. After the briefing, you will enjoy dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, you will visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar (palace) squares in Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu Durbar Square is rich with its intricate wood carving and its history. Also known as the “Musuem of Temples” there are over 50 temples in the square. You will explore the area around the former palace of the kings of Nepal, viewing various temples and monuments.

Following the visit, you will drive to Boudanath Stupa. Boudanath Stupa is one of the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and also a World Heritage Site. Boudanath signifies peace and tranquility, and is a Centre of religious and spiritual significance. You will see thousands of pilgrims circumambulating the stupa, you will circumambulate with pilgrims and visit the surrounding monasteries.

Afterward, you will proceed to Pashupatinath Temple. The Pashupatinath temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati river and is one of the most revered Hindu temple in Nepal. The main temple complex is not accessible to non-Hindus, but you can explore around the periphery of the temple complex which is quite large and impressive. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The mountain flight into Lukla is spectacular, and the landing is an exciting experience. One end of the runway is 60 meters higher than the other. The flight is typically on a small Dornier or Twin Otter aircraft, with duration of around 25–30 minutes.

Upon arrival at Lukla (2860m), you will meet your porters before commencing the trek towards Phakding. You will begin your Everest Three High Passes Trek from Lukla. You will descend gradually for about 2 hours to Thado Koshi, and then you will make your first ascent, gradually uphill all the way to Phakding (2610m). It takes about 2 hours from here to reach Phakding. Overnight in Phakding.

Following the Dudh Koshi River, the trail traverses through Sherpa settlements such as Bengkar and Chumao, and then enters into the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. You will than cross over the Hillary suspension bridge, and continue with a steep uphill climb to Chautara, where you get the first glimpse of Everest through the trees.

You will continue the ascent until you reach the vibrant Namche Bazaar (3440m), the pulsating heart of the Sherpa community, offering accommodations, cafes, and stores vending souvenirs and trekking essentials. Namche Bazaar serves as an ideal location to procure any forgotten items and acclimatize to the altitude for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Today is your acclimatization day, it is important to acclimatize so that your body get used to the ever increasing altitude. To do this you will embark on a short hike to Everest View Hotel at Syangboche, situated at an altitude of 3880m. The Everest View Hotel is considered to be one of the best vantage point, offering breathtaking views of the mountains such as Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse and other peaks.

After relishing at the panoramic scenery, you also have the option to visit Khumjung village. A brief descent on the other side from the Hotel Everest view leads you to the large village of Khumjung, home to Hillary’s School. Following the visit, you will descend back to Namche, where you have the rest of the afternoon to relax or explore on your own. The whole journey including the Everest View Hotel will take about 5-6 hours round trip. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Leaving the classic EBC route, you will continue on your Everest Three High Passes Trek route, the trail ascends through a stunning landscape, with Kongde Ri to the left and Khumbi La to the right. The trail then descends to a junction, gradually rising towards the delightful villages of Phurte and Samde.

The trail then further descends, leading to a bridge spanning the Bhote Koshi River. Crossing over the bridge, you will arrive at the Khumbu Hydro electricity power plant. Hereafter it is a steep climb lasting about an hour before reaching the scenic village of Thame.

Situated at a significant crossroads, Thame has a rich history as a crucial point along the ancient trade route connecting Tibet via the Nagpala Pass. Thame is also home to some distinguished mountaineers including Appa Sherpa, who holds the record of summiting the Everest for 21 times, and it is also the childhood home of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. Overnight in Thame.

Your Everest Three High Passes Trek begins alongside the Bhote Koshi river, following the ancient trading route towards Marulung. The trek from Thame to Marulung is a scenic and less-traveled route, offering a peaceful and immersive experience in the Himalayas.

You will descend down to the village of Thametang, and then follow a wide that climb alongside the river. The trail than climbs gradually past the villages of Hungmo and Tarangga and finally arrive at the village of Murulung. Situated south of Lungden, Marulung is a small village that serves trekkers seeking respite and a delightful cup of tea. Overnight in Marulung.

Today marks the beginning of your journey towards the first of the pass in this Everest Three High Passes Trek, the Renjo La pass. Situated at an altitude of 5360 meters, Renjo La pass is the most accessible among the three passes, presenting breathtaking mountain views.

Today will be a long day, as you will have to cover lots of ground to reach Gokyo. Therefore you will begin early at day break. Leaving Marulung behind, you will climb gradually to the village of Lungden and continue ascending until you come across 2 lakes beneath the pass.

From the lakes the hike is over well maintained path mostly over stone steps. Upon arriving at the pass, you will have breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains. Everest and Lhotse dominate the view but Kangtega, Makalu, Cholatse, and Cho Oyu is also equally impressive.

Following this extraordinary experience, you will then descend steeply towards the Gokyo valley. Nestled by the third lake at the foothills of Gokyo Peak, Gokyo village provides not just a resting haven but also reveals some of the captivating views of the world’s highest peaks. Overnight in Gokyo.

Hiking up to Gokyo Ri at an altitude of 5,340 meters is an extraordinary adventure that offers panoramic vistas of some of the world’s tallest peaks such as Mount Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Pumori, Nuptse, and others.

Begin your hike early in the morning to make the most of the daylight and to witness the sunrise over the Himalayas. Once at the summit of Gokyo Ri, take your time to absorb the incredible vistas. The view of the mountains and the surrounding Gokyo Valley is truly captivating.

You will get unobstructed views of four of the highest peaks Mt Everest (8,848m), Cho Oyu (8,210m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Makalu (8,463m). Soak in the beauty, and appreciate the natural magnificence of the Himalayas before descending to your lodge at Gokyo.

After lunch, depending on your energy levels and available time, you can take a walk around the 4th or 5th Gokyo Lakes. These locations provide different vantage points and perspectives of the surrounding mountains. Overnight in Gokyo.

Begin your adventure across the Ngozumpa glacier. The trail goes through the rugged terrain of the glacial moraine with the breathtaking beauty of the icy landscape. Today’s destination, Thangnak Kharka, represents the last human settlement before ascending over the Cho La Pass. Overnight in Thangnak.

Today will be one of the most challenging days on this trek. You will begin early, around 5-6 am, due to the considerable distance that needs to be covered. Although the pass itself is not particularly difficult, but the path leading to it is steep and over rugged terrain.

You will start with a gradual climb through a ravine, which becomes more challenging as you approach the Pass. The trail from Cho La Phedi climbs through ravine and rocky path to the top of the pass decorated with prayer flags. The pass will reward you with the breathtaking views of Ama Dablam to the south, Cholatse on the west, and Lobuche to the east and Baruntse to the right.

Enjoy the incredible moment from the pass for some time and then you will descend sharply past some crevasses and pine trees to Dzongla. Another beautiful settlement, with the view of Lobuche, Cholatse, Ama Dablam and the Pheriche village. Overnight in Dzongla.

The hike to Gorakshep is over an easy and downhill trail, you will follow north with a few uphill sections and arrive at Lobuche. Upon reaching Lobuche, the trail merges with the classic Everest Base Camp route. The stretch from Lobuche to Gorakshep is predominantly flat, with intermittent gentle inclines across rocky terrains with beautiful views of the Khumbu glacier, Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse.

Gorakshep is a small settlement that stands as the final permanent outpost, adorned with trekking lodges perched on the periphery of the Khumbu Icefall. Taking a short break, you will traverse alongside the Khumbu glacier moraine for an additional hour and a half to finally reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m).

Capture the breathtaking scenery around you, including the majestic peaks, the sprawling Khumbu Glacier, and the mesmerizing Khumbu Icefalls. Absorb the vibrant sight of expedition tents, creating a colorful contrast against the natural backdrop. Afterwards, make your way back to Gorakshep for an overnight stay. Overnight in Gorakshep.

Kalapatthar is the most popular vantage point in this trekking route, celebrated for its breathtaking sunrise views. You will be treated to stunning panorama of majestic peaks of Mt. Nuptse, Lhotse, and the entire Everest range. The sunrise view from Kalapatthar stands as one of the trek’s main attractions, providing an unforgettable experience amid the beauty and grandeur of the Himalayas.

Beginning your day early will allow you to witness the breathtaking spectacle of the sunrise, where the interplay of light on the majestic mountain peaks creates a truly magical experience. After departing Gorakshep, the trail ascends sharply. After about a 100m climb, you’ll be treated with views of Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse.

Continuing the climb, a grand panorama of the Khumbu glacier and Nuptse massif unfolds before you. The final ascent to the rocky viewpoint of Kala Patthar places you in the midst of an unbelievable Himalayan panorama, featuring peaks, icefalls, and glaciers. After witnessing the breathtaking sunrise, you will make your way back to Gorakshep and then proceed towards Lobuche. Overnight in Lobuche

Today will be another long day on this trek as you will cross over the third of the three high passes, the Kongma la pass (5540m). Of the three passes, this pass is regarded as the most challenging. The Kongma La pass offers breathtaking views of prominent peaks like Mt. Lothse, Nuptse, Amadablam, Makalu, and numerous others.

This leg of the journey diverges from the classic Everest Base Camp route, towards eastward across the Khumbu glacier. Departing from the conventional Everest Base Camp route, the trail offers an unparalleled perspective, revealing the unrefined magnificence and expansive expanse of the Khumbu glacier.

From the Kongma La pass, you will descend to the eastern side of the Nigyang Khola Valley, with great views of Island peak and Amphu Lapcha along the way to Chhukung. Chhukung was a summer pastoral village with no permanent settlement. As Imja Tse gained popularity as a trekking peak, and Chhukung a good acclimatization spot for side trip to Everest Base Camp, several lodges have been built to facilitate the trekkers in this region. Overnight in Chhukung.

From Chhukung, the trail descends alongside the Imja Khola and proceeds towards Dingboche. From Dingboche, you will descend to Orsho, Somare, Pangboche, and crossover the suspension bridge and climb up to Tengboche.

From Tengboche, you will descend to Dudh Koshi river, past forests of rhododendron and pine forest to Phunki Thenga. At Phunki Thenga, you will cross over the Dudh Koshi river and gradually ascend past Sanasa, and then to the village of Khumjung.

Khumjung itself is a picturesque Sherpa village located at the base of Khumbila, a sacred peak. The village is known for its traditional Sherpa culture, the famous Khumjung Monastery, and the nearby Hillary School, established by Sir Edmund Hillary. Overnight in Khumjung.

Your goal for today is to reach Lukla and spend the night there. The hike ahead is mostly downhill and relatively easy, with the exception of the last section from Namche to Dudh Koshi. This particular part could be a bit challenging due to its steep gradient. Hereafter, it is a gradual uphill hike until Lukla. Overnight in Lukla.

Board an early morning flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, proceed to transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure, allowing you to relax and unwind. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today has been designated as a contingency day in case the flight from Lukla gets canceled due to the unpredictable mountain weather, which unfortunately occurs quite frequently.

In the event that everything proceeds as scheduled, you are free to spend this day as you wish. You might opt to go souvenir shopping or, if you prefer, you can request for a additional sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight.