Everest Three High Passes Trek

Upon your arrival at Kathmandu airport, a Wind Horse representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure until the evening. Later in the evening, there will be a briefing followed by dinner, along with a cultural performance, at a traditional Nepalese restaurant. Overnight in Kathmandu.

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

Your exploration begins at Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you’ll immerse yourselves in the area surrounding the former palace of the Nepalese kings, admiring various temples and monuments.

Subsequently, you’ll journey to Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal’s largest Buddhist stupa, engaging in the act of circumambulation alongside pilgrims and exploring the nearby monasteries.

Lastly, you’ll head to Pashupatinath Temple, revered as Nepal’s holiest Hindu temple. Following these visits, the evening remains free, for last-minute shopping to acquire any necessary supplies or gear for the trek. 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 a duration of around 25–30 minutes.

Upon arrival at Lukla (2800m), you will meet your guides and porters before commencing the trek towards Phakding. Your permits will be entered and checked at the park entrance. Begin the trek by descending gradually for about 2 hours to Thado Koshi, then gradually ascend, crossing several suspension bridges, passing through villages, and finally arriving at Phakding (2610m). Overnight in Phakding.

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

Continue the ascent to 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 set as an acclimatization day, you will embark on a short hike to Syangboche Hotel Everest View, situated at 3880m, which takes about 1-2hrs. This location is renowned as one of the best vantage points, offering breathtaking views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other peaks.

After relishing at the panoramic scenery, a brief descent on the other side 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. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Leaving the classic EBC 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.

Subsequently, there’s a challenging 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. Overnight in Thame.

This morning you will begin your journey towards Marlung, a village nestled at the base of Kajyo Ri, situated south of Lungden. Marlung stands out as one of the largest villages in the Thame Valley and serves as a favored stop for trekkers seeking respite and a delightful cup of tea. Overnight in Marlung.

Today marks the beginning of your journey towards the first of the three high passes, Renjo La. Situated at an altitude of 5360 meters, Renjo La pass is the most accessible among the three passes, presenting breathtaking mountain views.

In preparation for the challenges presented by the high altitude, we’ll begin early. The summit of Renjo La provides breathtaking panoramas, showcasing Cholatse, Lhotse, Taboche, and the Everest. Following this extraordinary experience, the trail descends towards the picturesque Gokyo Valley.

Nestled by the third lake at the foothills of Gokyo Peak, this 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 5,330 meters is an extraordinary adventure that offer 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.

Soak in the beauty 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. 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 Kharka.

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. However, the effort will be rewarded by breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Lobuche, Baruntse, and other majestic peaks at the summit. After crossing over the Cho La Pass, you will descend on the opposite side, and continue your journey towards Dzongla. Overnight in Dzongla.

The hike to Gorakshep is over an easy and downhill trail, with a few uphill sections before reaching 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).

Congratulations on reaching the base camp! 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. The journey to reach the summit of Kalapattha is quite challenging. However, the panoramic that awaits you makes every bit of effort worthwhile.

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). This leg of the journey diverges from the classic Everest Base Camp route, towards eastward across the Khumbu glacier. The Kongma La pass offers breathtaking views of prominent peaks like Mt. Lothse, Nuptse, Amadablam, Makalu, and numerous others.

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. Once the pass is conquered, you then descend to the captivating Chukung Valley, and continue towards Chukung village. Overnight in Chukung.

Today you will ascend the Chukung Ri, situated above the village of Chukung. This round trip takes about 2-3 hours, it is one of the most demanding peak among the three on this trek. The summit provides exceptional view of the Khumbu Valley. The panoramic vista from the top is astonishing.

After enjoying this breathtaking experience, you then descend to Chukung, and continue towards Khumjung village. Khumjung village provides a great opportunity to immerse you in the local Sherpa culture, interact with the locals and explore the village. 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 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 is 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.