The trip starts off with your arrival at Kathmandu via the Tribhuvan International Airport. Once you’re inside TIA, our excellent and friendly staff will be there to pick you up and transport you to your hotel. Once there, you’ll be briefed about the upcoming trek as well as fitted with a few basic supplements and necessities for you to take on your trek.
Day 01 Arrival at Kathmandu.
Day 02 Kathmandu city tour and trek prepation.
This is an optional day, should you choose to take it. We believe in rest and recuperation above all, so if you don’t want to hop directly onto a flight to Solukhumbu and would rather spend a day enjoying the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu city, we completely understand! You can visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered around the city, like Bouddhanath, Swayambhu, Pashupatinath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Or, you can choose to engross yourself in Kathmandu’s colorful marketplaces and shopping centers. In any case, this day should provide you some time to adjust to the Nepalese climate as well as accustom yourself to Nepalese culture.
Day 03 Flight to Lukla (2,860 m) and trek to Phakding (2,610 m).
The Everest Three Passes Trek officially starts after Flights to the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla can vary depending on the season. During spring and autumn, when the number of trekkers is particularly high, flights are redirected through Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. It’s about a 5-hour drive from Kathmandu. Additionally, you should note that flights to Lukla take place early in the morning. So, if you’re coming to Nepal during the busy seasons, you should be prepared to wake up around 2 am and take a transport vehicle provided by the Nepal Hiking Trek team to travel to Manthali. From there, you’ll catch a short 20-minute flight to Lukla. During the off-season, flights leave directly from Kathmandu and take about 45 mins.
Once you reach Lukla (2,860 m) and take in the fresh morning air, you’ll be provided with your choice of breakfast. Then, you’ll be on your way to Phakding (2,610 m). You’ll follow the Dudh Koshi river as you trek through gentle slopes and across suspension bridges. The evergreen hills against the backdrop of snow-clad mountains and white-washed clouds provide a stunning yet serene experience as you hike onwards. If you ask us, this is the perfect introduction to a long trip around the Everest region.
Day 04 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m).
Your day begins early in the morning in the small village of Phakding. You’ll continue along, following the course of the Dudh Koshi river, and eventually pass Monjo Village and enter Sagarmatha National Park. You’ll ascend quite a bit in altitude after reaching the national park and a bit more later as well. Along the way, you can also glimpse the nearby Mt. Thamserku (6,608 m). There’s a check post at the national park where your documents and permits will be checked. Upon entering the park, you’ll be greeted by the magnanimous views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Everest.
Finally, you’ll reach Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) – the gateway to the Himalayas. Every major trek in the Khumbu region starts at this small, bustling settlement.
Day 05 Namche Bazaar, Rest and Acclimatization.
You’ll spend an additional day in Namche Bazaar resting up and acclimatizing. Acclimatization is crucial when hiking or trekking up such high elevations, and one should always be wary of altitude sickness. On this day, you can roam around Namche Bazaar mingling with the local people and getting to know more about the culture prevalent here. If you feel up to it, there’s also a small Irish pub situated here that you can visit. The Syangboche Airport is also nearby, although no passenger flights are directed from there.
If you feel restless, then there are short trails that you can travel around Namche Bazaar itself.
Day 06 Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,860 m).
On this day, we’ll depart from Namche Bazaar and make our way to Tengboche (3,860 m). The trail is fairly easy, and you can enjoy the calm and quiet of the surrounding forests as you make your way to Tengboche. There’s a teahouse at Kyangjuma that you can stop at for a while before continuing on your trek once again. On the way to Tengboche, you’ll also get to see Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamseku, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Mt. Everest itself.
Upon reaching Tengboche, you can rest for a bit and roam around the quiet Sherpa village. There’s also the Tengboche Monastery, which is quite famous and attracts tourists from time to time.
Day 07 Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410 m).
Waking early in the morning in Tengboche, you can really feel the surrounding mountains take hold of you. The magnanimity of these gargantuan rocks becomes tenfold, staring down at you with their cold, steely stares. After taking in the sights and having a light breakfast, you will continue your trek to Dingboche (4,410 m). You’ll cross Deboche and Pangboche on the way and cross the Imja Khola to make your way up to Dingboche. The trail opens up to these wide valleys and passageways with the mountains behind and in front, which make up for a fantastic view. You’ll then stay the night at Dingboche.
Day 08 Dingboche to Chhukung (4,700 m).
From Dingboche to Chhukung (4,700 m), the trail slowly starts taking a more stony and rugged look. You can really feel the rocky terrain of the mountains taking hold of the surroundings, and it becomes more prominent the higher you climb. Upon reaching Chhukung, travelers can choose to hike up Chhukung Ri for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Mt. Malaku and Ama Dablam.
Day 09 Cross Kongma La Pass (5,535 m) and trek to Lobuche (4,940 m).
On this day, the trek starts getting more challenging. You’ll tacke Kongma La Pass (5,535 m) today and also hike for almost 8 hours. Depending on the weather conditions, this day can really be arduous, even for the most experienced of hikers.
You’ll leave early from Chhukung and head towards Kongma La Pass, the highest of the three mountain passes. There are two ways to get to Kongma La Pass – one over the Nuptse glacier moraines or the other through Bibre and Niyang Khola. On the way, you’ll get to see mesmerizing views of the Khumbu Glacier as well as Lobuche (the mountain, not the settlement). The way up to the pass is quite steep and once you reach the top, you can see prayer flags and cairns adorning the pass. Eventually, you’ll make your way down to Lobuche (4,940 m) for a good night’s rest.
Day 10 Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) via Gorakshep (5,140 m).
While you may have conquered the infamous Kongma La Pass, your share of walking and trekking is far from over. After staying overnight at Lobuche, you’ll once again depart early and head for Gorakshep (5,140 m). Crossing the Khumbu glacier, you’ll traverse through a stony and icy terrain filled with moraines and icy streams. Around midday is when you’ll reach Gorakshep.
Now you’re really at the heart of the mountains, and all around you, you can see the majestic peaks standing strong high above the clouds. Once you have your lunch and rest for a bit, you’ll leave your baggage at Gorakshep and make your way to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). This is the closest you’ll get to Mt. Everest on this trip, as you will require a mountaineering permit to go further. Enjoy the ferocious beauty of Mt. Everest from base camp and also gaze upon Khumbu Icefall – one of the deadliest parts of Everest, should you choose to summit.
Finally, return to Gorakshep and spend the night.
Day 11 Early morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,555m) return to hotel and descend to Dzongla (4840m.).
Descend to Gorakshep (5,181m). We get up early to catch the sunrise on Kalapatthar and enjoy views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and other peaks. Then we trek down to Gorakshep and walk around for acclimatization. We trek down the trail, splitting at Lobuche. There are eye-catching views of Thamserku and Taboche as we go both up and down on a rocky route. We can see a glacial Lake and Mt. Cholatse in the distance. We continue walking through the traverse and cross a wooden bridge before reaching Dzongla.
Day 12 Trek to Thaknak (4,350 m) via Cho La Pass (5,420 m)
After spending the night at Dzongla, you’ll be ready to tackle your second high mountain pass – Cho La Pass (5,420 m). Although not as hard as Kongma La, this pass does require some technical knowledge. Since you’re directly crossing a glacier, wearing crampons and carrying an ice ax can always come in handy. Furthermore, our guides and porters will be right there with you to assist you during your passage.
You’ll start early today too and reach the peak at around midday. From there, you can see Mt. Cholatse (6,440 m) and Ama Dablam as well. The trail is steep and quite rocky, and can make for a difficult ascent as well as descent. You’ll close the day in the remote settlement of Thaknak/Thangnak (4,350 m).
Day 13 Move onwards from Thaknak to Gokyo Valley (4,750 m).
You’ll start fresh in the morning at Thaknak and make your way slowly into Gokyo Valley (4,750 m). On your way from Thaknak to Gokyo, you’ll also cross the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal, behind which Mt. Cho Oyu can be seen standing tall. After Cho La Pass, this part of the trek is fairly easy, and you can take in the scenery as you move along to Gokyo.
Upon reaching Gokyo Valley, you’ll be met with the amazing sight of the azure Gokyo Lakes. There are 6 main lakes in total, with the largest being Thonak Lake. The Gokyo Lakes are also the highest freshwater lake systems in the world. Situated on the coast of the lakes is the settlement of Gokyo Village, and on the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier is Gokyo Ri (5,357 m).
You’ll spend one more day in Gokyo Valley, where lodging will be readily provided for you.
Day 14 Acclimatization Day at Gokyo and visit Gokyo Ri peak (5,357 m).
Today serves as another acclimatization day to keep your body fit and your oxygen levels normal.
Once you’re in the Gokyo Valley, climbing Gokyo Ri peak is a must-do activity. For this, you’ll start early in the morning. The ascent will take about 3-4 hours, but it is well worth it. Once on top of the peak, you’ll be greeted with the majestic views of the surrounding Himalayan vistas including Cho Oyu, Everest, Makalu, Lhotse and Nuptse. You’ll also get to see the magnanimous size of the Ngozumpa Glacier.
Alternatively, you can also visit the nearby Gokyo Lakes and take a peek at the mountains from the cleverly named ‘Scoundrel’s Viewpoint’, which is located near the 5th lake. This vantage point provides you a unique north-side view of Mount Everest. You’ll then return back to Gokyo village and settle in for the final part of your journey.
Day 15 Descend from Gokyo Valley to Lumde (4,380 m) via the Renjo La Pass (5,360 m).
On this day, you’ll tackle the third and final of the high mountain passes of the Khumbu Region – the Renjo La Pass (5,360 m). You’ll start your day early since you’ll be hiking for a long period of time on this day. Renjo La Pass, although a bit slippery and rocky, is not as difficult as the other two passes. Leaving Gokyo Valley, you’ll traverse this high mountain pass and look back at the Gokyo Lakes and the surrounding mountains, staying silent and strong as ever. On the way to Lumde (4,380 m), you are bound to see a few different lakes- namely, Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake. As you move closer to Lumde, you’ll leave the snowy landscapes of the Himalayas behind and enter more rocky and plateau-like terrain.
You’ll spend the night at Lumde.
Day 16 Nearing Thame (3,800 m) from Lumde.
With the three passes all done, it is now time to head back. You’ll start the day early in Lumde and trek the last bits of mountainous terrain. Here, you can see many different kinds of wildlife and flora, maybe even catch glimpses of the Himalayan Thar or yak herding. The hike from Lumde to Thame (3,800 m) will be a gentle downhill descent, so you can really take in the sights as you move to your destination. You’ll cross the Bhote Koshi River and, around mid-day, reach the village of Thame at the foot of Kongde Peak. After resting up and having lunch, there’s another Buddhist monastery in Thame that you can admire from a distance if you feel like it.
Day 17 Trek from Thame to Jorsale (2,740 m).
Jorsale (2,740 m) is a small village located a bit further from Namche Bazaar. While others would probably have you circle back to Namche Bazaar, we at Nepal Hiking Trek choose to opt for Jorsale simply for a more exciting, unique, and cultural experience. As you approach Jorsale from Thame, you’ll again align yourself alongside the Dudh Koshi river and cross many suspension bridges just like how you started the trek. There is also the small settlement of Thamo, housing the Thamo Gompa, that you will pass on your way to Jorsale.
Jorsale is a small but bustling settlement made to accommodate trekkers like yourself, so you should feel comfortable here. After spending the night in Jorsale, you’ll prepare for one final hike back to Lukla.
Day 18 Victory lap back to Lukla (2,860 m)
Congratulations! You have nearly completed the Everest Three High Passes Trek. It surely has been no easy feat, and therefore, you deserve every bit of respect and recognition as you make your way back slowly to Lukla (2,860 m). You’ll pass many of the spots that you first saw when arriving at Solukhumbu with one major difference – when you came, you were only acquainted with the mountains, and now, you’re a part of them. Most people only choose to hike to Everest Base Camp and back and therefore, miss much of the beauty, serenity, and diversity that the Khumbu Region has to offer.
As you settle in Lukla for the night, enjoy the victorious feeling upon the completion of a long and arduous but satisfying adventure.
Day 19 Fly back to Kathmandu
On this day, you’ll be up early and on your way back to Kathmandu. The departure flights follow the same route as before – during the busy seasons, you’ll take a short flight to Manthali, Ramechhap, and then drive for about 5-6 hours to Kathmandu. If you’re visiting during the off-season, then the flight will be directly routed to Kathmandu, taking approximately 40 minutes and covering an aerial distance of 134 km.
During the flight, you can glance upon the majestic Himalayas one last time and ponder upon your wonderful experience hiking and trekking through these magnificent mountains. Once you’re in Kathmandu, we’ll transport you to your hotel and arrange for a farewell dinner later in the evening. Take this time to socialize and relax after a trek well completed.
Day 20 Departure.
On this day, you’ll depart for the Tribhuvan International Airport should you choose to conclude your stay in Nepal. Our representative will drive you to TIA. Note that you must manage international flights and airfare by yourself.
Alternatively, you can choose to extend your stay in Nepal and visit other popular places like Pokhara, Butwal, Mustang, etc. We have a list of other similar treks if you’re interested in trekking through the various sceneries of Nepal.
