Everest Three Passes Trek – 19 Days
Cross Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La on a demanding 19-day circuit combining Gokyo Lakes, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and remote Sherpa valleys.
From
$2,250
per person · all inclusive
Pricing Per Person
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- Best Season
- Spring, Autumn
- Route
- Kathmandu → Kathmandu
- Group Size
- 1-12 people
- Walking
- 5–7 hours per day / day
- Stay
- Kathmandu hotel and twin-sharing teahouses
TREK OVERVIEW
If you have already done some research, you probably know the Everest Three Passes Trek is not the same trip as the standard Everest Base Camp route. It follows the same trail for parts of the journey, but then it climbs off it, three separate times, over three passes that all sit above 5,300 m!
That is what makes this trek different. You are not walking to one destination and back. You are stitching together Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La into a single loop that also takes in Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and the Gokyo Lakes.
So, before you commit to 19 days in the Khumbu, you will want real answers on difficulty, permits, cost, and what an actual day on a 5,400 m pass feels like.
We have guided this route for years at Adventure Everest Team, and this package covers everything we get asked before departure, in the order most trekkers actually ask it.
Crossing three Himalayan passes above 5,300 m in a single trek: Renjo La (5,360 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Kongma La (5,540 m), each with a genuinely different character and view.
Two full nights at Gokyo (4,750 m), with a rest day used to climb Gokyo Ri (5,360 m) for a sunrise view of four 8,000 m peaks from one spot.
Standing at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) itself, among prayer flags and the Khumbu Icefall, on day 12 of the trek.
Sunrise from Kala Patthar (5,545 m), the highest point of the entire itinerary and the closest viewpoint from which Everest's actual summit is visible.
What Exactly Is the Everest Three Passes Trek?
The Everest Three Passes Trek is a 19-day route through Nepal's Khumbu region that links three high mountain passes, Everest Base Camp, and the Gokyo Lakes into one continuous circuit.
You fly into Lukla, walk up through Namche Bazaar, and instead of returning the way most Base Camp trekkers do, you branch off toward Thame and Renjo La first.
From there, the route drops into the Gokyo valley, climbs back out over Cho La, touches Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, and finishes with a crossing of Kongma La before heading down through Chhukung and Tengboche.
Each pass adds a full extra layer of elevation gain, glacier walking, and route-finding compared to the standard Base Camp trek.
This is considered a teahouse trek, meaning you sleep in local lodges rather than tents, except on the two nights between passes where teahouses thin out and food options narrow.
It is not a technical climb. However, gaiters, and sometimes microspikes, genuinely help on icy pass mornings between November and March.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A representative from Adventure Everest Team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. Kathmandu sits at roughly 1,400 m, so this first day doubles as a gentle, almost unnoticed start to your acclimatization, well before the trek itself begins.
Depending on when you arrive, you can rest and adjust to the time change, or take a short walk through Thamel's narrow lanes before evening. This is where most trekkers pick up last-minute gear, from micro spikes to trekking poles, at one of the many outdoor shops packed into just a few blocks.
In the evening, we run a full trip briefing covering your itinerary, permit documents, and gear checklist for a three-pass crossing specifically, since it differs slightly from a standard Base Camp packing list. You meet your guide here and can raise any last questions before flying out.
We also double-check your duffel bag weight against the Lukla flight's baggage allowance at this stage, since sorting out excess weight is far easier in Kathmandu than at the airport counter the next morning.
The flight to Lukla takes around 30 to 35 minutes and offers genuinely spectacular Himalayan views once you clear the valley rim. Landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport, with its steep incline runway and hillsides closing in on both sides, tends to leave a lasting impression on first-time visitors.
From Lukla (2,860 m), the trail descends gently toward Phakding (2,610 m), a walk of roughly 3 to 4 hours through pine forest and small Sherpa settlements along the Dudh Koshi river. You pass your first mani walls and prayer wheels here, along with porters and yak trains carrying supplies further up the valley.
This shorter first trekking day gives your body a gentle introduction before the real climbing begins. It is also a good chance to settle into trail rhythm over dinner with your guide, and to ask questions about the three passes ahead while everyone is still fresh and the itinerary still feels abstract on paper.
Today's walk covers roughly 10 to 11 km and takes 5 to 6 hours. We pass through Monjo, where your permits are checked at the Sagarmatha National Park entrance gate, so keep your documents easily accessible rather than buried at the bottom of your daypack.
The trail crosses several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi, including the exposed high Hillary Suspension Bridge just before the final climb. Strung with thousands of colorful prayer flags and swaying gently underfoot, this bridge is one of the more memorable crossings on the entire route.
The final section to Namche Bazaar is the steepest of the day, rising sharply through dense pine forest. Namche itself, the unofficial capital of the Khumbu, comes into view gradually as you round the final bend, terraced into a natural amphitheater in the hillside. Most trekkers arrive tired but genuinely energized here.
Your first dedicated rest day usually includes a short hike higher into the surrounding hills, either toward the Everest View Hotel or up toward Khumjung village, before returning to sleep at the same elevation. This "climb high, sleep low" approach is the single most effective tool for reducing altitude sickness risk on a trek with three separate passes still ahead.
We do not recommend cutting this day short, even if you feel strong on paper. This route punishes trekkers who arrive at Renjo La under-acclimatized far more than it punishes trekkers who spend one extra hour resting in Namche.
Namche's Saturday market, weather notification board, and small museum are worth exploring if your schedule allows extra time.
The market draws traders up from lower villages selling vegetables, textiles, and household goods, and remains one of the best places on the whole trek to see every day Khumbu life away from the main trail.
This is where the Three Passes route genuinely splits away from the standard Base Camp trail, and the difference in trekker numbers is immediate.
The path climbs steadily out of Namche along a quieter valley, with fewer lodges and noticeably fewer trekking groups than the main route toward Tengboche.
Thame is the birthplace of several of Nepal's most decorated Sherpa mountaineers, including summiteers of Everest without supplemental oxygen. The village sits below an old monastery, worth a short visit if your guide's timing allows, set into the hillside above the settlement itself.
The walk takes 5 to 6 hours and gains real elevation, so pacing matters here even though the trail itself is not technically difficult.
Arriving in Thame in the afternoon, most trekkers notice how much quieter the teahouse dining hall feels compared to Namche the night before, a preview of what the rest of this route looks like.
The trail continues up the Bhote Koshi valley, passing small settlements and increasingly stark, high-altitude terrain as trees thin out and give way to hardy shrubs. This stretch feels genuinely remote, and you will likely pass more yak trains than trekkers on a normal day.
Lungden itself is a small cluster of teahouses rather than a proper village, existing mainly to support trekkers heading toward Renjo La the following day. Facilities here are simpler than anywhere you have stayed so far on this trip, and rooms are cold enough that most trekkers retreat to the dining hall stove well before dinner.
This 5 to 6 hour walk marks your entry into genuinely high-altitude terrain ahead of tomorrow's pass crossing. Appetite naturally dips for many trekkers at this point, so we encourage eating a full meal regardless and getting an early night, since tomorrow starts before dawn.
This is your first pass crossing, and the longest single day of the entire trek. You start well before sunrise, climbing steadily on a rocky trail that steepens noticeably in the final hour before the pass itself.
Renjo La is widely considered the easiest of the three passes, since yaks can cross it with supplies, but the reward at the top is genuinely one of the best views in the entire Khumbu. On a clear morning, you can see Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the full Ngozumpa Glacier laid out below.
The descent toward Gokyo is long and knee-testing, dropping past a string of turquoise glacial lakes before the valley opens into Gokyo village itself. This 9 to 10 hour day is genuinely demanding, and most trekkers arrive at Gokyo exhausted but visibly proud of having crossed the first of three passes.
Your second dedicated acclimatization day gives your body time to recover from yesterday's long pass crossing before tackling Cho La in two days. Gokyo sits beside the largest of the six Gokyo Lakes, and a short, flat walk along the shoreline makes a genuinely relaxing option if you want to keep the day easy.
For those who feel strong, a shorter hike partway up toward Gokyo Ri gives extra acclimatization without committing to tomorrow's full sunrise climb. This is entirely optional, and we let each trekker choose based on how their body actually feels after yesterday.
Gokyo village itself has a genuinely different feel from anywhere else on the trek, set against the Ngozumpa Glacier with Cho Oyu visible on clear days. Bakeries here sell surprisingly good pastries, a small comfort worth appreciating before the harder days ahead toward Cho La and Kongma La.
You climb Gokyo Ri before sunrise, a steep but relatively short ascent that rewards you with one of the most complete mountain panoramas in Nepal, including four peaks above 8,000 m from a single viewpoint. This is often cited as the best single viewpoint on the entire three passes route, arguably better than Kala Patthar itself.
After descending back to Gokyo for breakfast, the trail crosses the Ngozumpa Glacier toward Thangnak, a short but genuinely tricky walk over loose moraine and ice. Cairns mark the route rather than a clear path, so this section moves slower than the distance on a map suggests.
Thangnak is a tiny settlement with limited teahouse options, existing almost entirely to support trekkers preparing for tomorrow's Cho La crossing. Facilities here are basic, and menus narrow considerably. We recommend an early dinner and early sleep, since tomorrow is another demanding pass day.
This is the second and, for many trekkers, the most technically demanding of the three passes. The route climbs steeply from Thangnak, crosses a section of glacier on the pass's eastern approach, and passes a frozen lake before the final push to the top of Cho La.
The descent off Cho La toward Dzongla is steep and often icy, particularly in the shoulder seasons, and this is exactly where microspikes earn their place in your pack. We move carefully and deliberately through this section rather than rushing, since a slip here carries real consequences on the loose, rocky ground below.
Dzongla itself is a small, wind-exposed cluster of lodges with dramatic views of Ama Dablam and the Cholatse face.
This 7 to 8 hour day genuinely tests both legs and nerve, and most trekkers describe Cho La as the pass they remember most vividly once the trek is over.
After yesterday's demanding crossing, this shorter 5-hour day feels like a genuine reprieve, even though it still gains elevation. The trail traverses along a relatively gentle contour before descending briefly and rejoining the main Everest Base Camp trail near Thukla.
Thukla Pass is home to a series of memorial chortens dedicated to climbers who lost their lives on Everest and the surrounding peaks. Each stone marker carries a name, and many trekkers recognize a few from mountaineering history before they ever set foot on this trail. It is a sobering, genuinely moving stretch that most trekkers remember long after the trip ends.
Beyond the memorials, the trail levels out along the Khumbu Glacier's lateral moraine before reaching Lobuche. Facilities here are simpler than lower down the valley, and rooms are cold enough that most trekkers retreat to the dining hall well before dinner.
This is the longest and most anticipated day of the entire trek. The trail follows the Khumbu Glacier's edge to Gorak Shep, a walk of around 3 hours across increasingly rocky, exposed terrain with Pumori looming directly ahead, where you drop your main bag before continuing to Base Camp.
The final stretch to Everest Base Camp crosses uneven glacial moraine, with cairns rather than a clear path in places, and the round trip from Gorak Shep generally takes 6 to 8 hours including time at Base Camp itself. During spring expedition season, the site fills with colorful tents and the sound of generators from climbing teams preparing for their own summit attempts.
Standing among the prayer flags and expedition tents, with the Khumbu Icefall rising directly ahead, is the moment most trekkers came for, and it rarely disappoints even after eleven days of anticipation. You return to Gorak Shep for the night, genuinely exhausted and satisfied, with tomorrow's early start already on everyone's mind.
You wake well before dawn to climb Kala Patthar, the highest point of the entire itinerary and the best viewpoint for seeing Everest's actual summit, which is not visible from Base Camp itself. Headlamps, warm layers, and a thermos of hot tea make this cold, dark start considerably more manageable.
The 2 to 3 hour round trip climb in the pre-dawn cold is genuinely tough, but the sunrise reward across the entire Himalayan skyline makes it worthwhile, with Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Pumori all catching the first light in sequence. Back at Gorak Shep, you collect your bag, have a proper breakfast, and begin the walk back to Lobuche.
This 7-hour day retraces yesterday's route in reverse, and most trekkers find it noticeably easier the second time, if only because the anticipation of Base Camp is now behind them. Tomorrow brings the third and final pass, so an early night here matters.
The third and final pass is also widely considered the most physically demanding of the three, simply because it comes after thirteen days of accumulated fatigue. The climb from Lobuche starts on loose scree before steepening toward the pass itself, with the final approach often holding packed snow well into late spring.
From the top of Kongma La, the view opens toward Makalu, Island Peak, and the full Chhukung valley below, a genuinely different perspective from anything you have seen on the trek so far. The descent is long and knee-testing, dropping steadily toward Chhukung across rough, boulder-strewn terrain.
This 9 to 10 hour day is a real physical test, and we build extra rest breaks into the pacing specifically for this stage. Arriving in Chhukung with all three passes now behind you is, for most trekkers, the single most satisfying moment of the entire itinerary.
With the technical part of the trek complete, today's walk feels like a genuine release. The trail descends from Chhukung through Dingboche and Pangboche, rejoining familiar Base Camp trail terrain that feels almost gentle after the previous week.
Pangboche's old monastery, one of the oldest in the Khumbu, is worth a short stop if your guide's timing allows. Trees reappear gradually as you drop in elevation, and the character of the trail softens noticeably compared to the exposed, rocky ground above 4,800 m.
This 5 to 6 hour walk ends at Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual heart of the Khumbu and home to a resident community of Buddhist monks.
Set on a wide grassy plateau with Ama Dablam rising directly behind it, the monastery courtyard offers one of the most photographed views on the whole trail. If timing allows, the evening prayer ceremony here is genuinely worth attending.
The trail descends through rhododendron forest before crossing the Dudh Koshi one more time and climbing back up into Namche. Many trekkers actually enjoy this stretch more than the outbound leg weeks earlier, since breathing comes easier now and legs are stronger despite the accumulated fatigue.
Your knees will notice this descent more than your lungs will, so trekking poles genuinely earn their place in your pack on a day like this. The forest here looks different in the softer afternoon light than it did on your way up, worth pausing for even this late into the trip.
Arriving back in Namche after nearly two weeks at higher, colder settlements feels like returning to civilization. A hot shower, a proper coffee, and a full night's sleep at a lower elevation make this one of the more comfortable stops on the way back down.
Your final full trekking day retraces the route through Monjo and the lower Dudh Koshi valley back to Lukla. The suspension bridges feel considerably less intimidating on this pass, and the pine forest lower down the trail brings a noticeable warmth back into the air.
This 6 to 7 hour walk is a fitting way to close out the trekking portion of the trip, with time to reflect on nearly three weeks of walking as the trail gradually softens from high-altitude moraine back into familiar forest and farmland.
Most trekkers use the final stretch to properly say goodbye to porters and support staff who carried gear throughout the journey.
Back in Lukla, we recommend a proper farewell dinner with your guide and group. It is customary to tip guides and porters in Nepal, and your guide can advise on a suitable amount based on group size and trek length.
The flight back to Kathmandu takes around 30 to 35 minutes, weather permitting, and gives you one last look at the mountains you just spent nearly three weeks walking along. Morning flights are generally more reliable than afternoon departures, since cloud cover tends to build later in the day.
Once back in Kathmandu, most trekkers spend the afternoon resting, showering properly for the first time in days, and enjoying a real bed again. If energy allows, Thamel is worth a final walk through for souvenir shopping or a celebratory meal with your trekking group.
We recommend building at least one buffer day into your schedule around this flight, since Lukla weather delays are common enough that a tight connection afterward can cause real problems with your international departure.
An Adventure Everest Team representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule, usually 3 to 4 hours ahead of departure.
If your flight home is later in the day, this is a good window for any last souvenir shopping in Thamel or a final walk around the city.
Your trek completion certificate is presented before you leave. And there you have it. You have completed one of the most demanding and rewarding treks the Khumbu has to offer, from Renjo La's quiet solitude to Kongma La's final push, with Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar in between.
Route Map
Included & Excluded
What's Included
- ✓Airport pickup and final airport transfer
- ✓Two nights of twin-sharing hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- ✓Round-trip Kathmandu or Ramechhap–Lukla flights
- ✓Seasonal ground transportation between Kathmandu and Ramechhap when required
- ✓Sixteen nights of twin-sharing teahouse accommodation
- ✓Breakfast and dinner during the trekking portion
- ✓Licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- ✓Guide’s wages, meals, accommodation, transport and insurance
- ✓Sagarmatha National Park permit
- ✓Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local Trek Card or entry permit
- ✓TIMS Card
- ✓Trekking route and permit arrangements
- ✓Government taxes and official service charges
- ✓Trek completion certificate
What's Excluded
- ✕International flights
- ✕Nepal entry visa
- ✕Lunch during the trek
- ✕Bottled drinks, tea, coffee, snacks and alcoholic beverages
- ✕Porter service unless specifically selected
- ✕Porter service unless specifically selected
- ✕Travel, medical and emergency evacuation insurance
- ✕Hot showers, Wi-Fi and device charging
- ✕Single-room or single-teahouse supplement
- ✕Extra baggage charges on Lukla flights
- ✕Additional hotel nights, meals or transport caused by weather delays
- ✕Helicopter flights or flight upgrades
- ✕Personal expenses
- ✕Tips for guides, porters and drivers
Everest Three Passes Trek Cost: What Actually Goes Into the Price
Pricing for this itinerary through Adventure Everest Team runs at USD 2250 per person , and it depends on group size, season, and the exact service level you choose.
International agencies booking the same route from abroad often charge considerably more for identical services, since a larger share of that price covers overseas marketing rather than your actual trek.
Our packages include a licensed guide, both required permits, teahouse accommodation, breakfast and dinner throughout the trek, and your Lukla flights. Always confirm what is included before booking, since departure taxes, personal gear, tipping, and porter charges typically sit outside the quoted package price.
Group size directly impacts your per-person cost, as fixed costs like permits and guide fees are spread over a larger number of people.
Season matters too. Autumn and spring departures usually sit at the higher end of typical pricing, while winter departures tend to run cheaper.
And hiring a personal porter, or upgrading to better lodges in Namche and Gokyo, will raise your total further.
How Difficult Is the Everest Three Passes Trek, really?
We rate the Everest Three Passes Trek as strenuous, a clear step above the standard Everest Base Camp Trek. Most days involve 5 to 7 hours of walking, but pass-crossing days regularly run 8 to 10 hours, often starting before dawn.
The difficulty comes from three things layered together. First, the sheer elevation: all three passes sit above 5,300 m, and you are living above 4,000 m for close to two weeks straight.
Second, the terrain: sections of loose scree, glacial moraine, and snow-covered rock require careful footing, especially descending Cho La toward Dzongla.
Third, the limited bailout options between Thame and Gokyo, where teahouses are sparse and weather can close a pass with little warning.
We have guided complete trekking beginners through this route successfully. We have also seen very fit trekkers turn back at Kongma La because they rushed their acclimatization earlier in the trip.
Fitness alone does not determine your success on this trek. Pacing and altitude discipline matter more.
What kind of preparation actually helps? Aim to comfortably hike 6 to 7 hours on hilly terrain with a loaded daypack before you fly out. Three to four sessions a week of stair climbing, hill walking, or steady cardio for at least two months beforehand makes a genuine difference once you are above Dingboche.
Altitude Sickness on a Route with Three High Passes
Acute Mountain Sickness, commonly called AMS, is your body's reaction to reduced oxygen at elevation. According to Wilderness Medical Society clinical guidelines, symptoms typically appear within several hours to three days after ascent above roughly 2,500 m, and include headache, nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
The Three Passes Trek carries a genuinely higher AMS risk than the standard Base Camp route, simply because you spend more consecutive days above 4,500 m and cross three separate high points rather than one.
If left unmanaged, AMS can progress to High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), both life-threatening without prompt treatment.
Our itinerary builds in rest days at Namche Bazaar and Gokyo, following the widely recommended "climb high, sleep low" approach. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water daily, report any headache or dizziness to your guide immediately, and never push through worsening symptoms to keep to schedule.
Medical guidance is consistent here: the most effective treatment for worsening altitude illness is descent, typically 300 to 1,000 m, combined with supplemental oxygen where available.
Moreover, comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking to at least 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation is essential, since standard travel policies frequently exclude both.
Best Time for the Everest Three Passes Trek
Autumn, from late September through November, and spring, from March through May, remain the strongest windows for crossing all three passes safely. Both seasons bring stable high-pressure weather systems and, most importantly, drier, less icy pass conditions.
Winter, from December through February, is technically possible but genuinely harder here than on the standard Base Camp route. Snow accumulation on Cho La and Renjo La increases the risk of a closed pass, and several teahouses between Thangnak and Dzongla reduce services or shut entirely.
Monsoon season, from June through August, brings daily afternoon rain, low cloud that grounds Lukla flights, and a real risk of the passes becoming unsafe due to poor visibility and unstable snow. We generally do not recommend booking a three passes departure in this window.
| Season | Months | Pass Conditions | Lukla Flight Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Late Sept to Nov | Stable, mostly dry underfoot | High |
| Spring | March to May | Stable, warmer, some late-season snow | High |
| Winter | Dec to Feb | Icy, higher pass-closure risk | Moderate |
| Monsoon | June to Aug | Wet, low visibility, risky on passes | Low |
Permits Required for the Three Passes Route (2026 Update)
You need two permits for the entire route: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. Both cost NPR 3,000 each for foreign nationals, bringing your total to NPR 6,000, or roughly USD 45 to 47.
The national park permit funds conservation work across Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in 1976.
Adventure Everest Team processes both permits before you arrive in the mountains. You only need a copy of your passport and two passport-sized photos to get started, and we handle the paperwork from there.
In practical terms, every foreign trekker is recommended to have a licensed guide booked through a registered trekking agency to cross the Monjo checkpoint. Good news is that every Adventure Everest Team package already includes a professional, government-licensed guide as standard!
On a route that crosses three passes above 5,300 m, having an experienced guide managing your pace and reading pass conditions matters for safety anyway, regulation aside. Guides on this route also carry the local knowledge of when a specific pass has iced over, something no app or forecast fully captures.
Getting to Lukla and Back
The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes around 30 to 35 minutes and clears the Kathmandu valley rim before opening into genuinely spectacular Himalayan views.
Weather in the mountains changes quickly, so flights can be delayed a few hours, or occasionally pushed to the following morning.
Landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport is an experience in itself. The runway sits on a steep incline, and hillsides close in on both sides as the plane touches down. We build a buffer day into every itinerary for exactly this reason, since even a short weather delay can otherwise disrupt your entire schedule.
During peak autumn and spring weeks, we reroute Lukla flights through Manthali or Ramechhap airport, roughly a 4 to 5 hour drive from Kathmandu, to reduce morning congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Where You Sleep: Teahouses on the Three Passes Route
Teahouse is what covers the entire trek, with twin-sharing rooms standard practice above Namche Bazaar. Facilities stay comfortable through Namche and Tengboche, then grow progressively more basic the higher and more remote the route becomes.
The stretch between Thangnak and Dzongla has the thinnest lodging options on the whole route. Some nights here mean simple stone lodges with limited menus, since almost everything arrives by porter or yak over a pass rather than by road or trail from a larger village.
Gorak Shep, your overnight stop before Base Camp, similarly runs on basic facilities for the same reason.
Room heating is not available anywhere on this trail. Most teahouses rely on one shared stove in the dining hall, so evenings are best spent layered up in the common area. Don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag rated for genuinely cold nights, not a lightweight three-season bag, especially for Gokyo and Lobuche.
Food on the Trail: What to Eat and What to Avoid
Dal Bhat remains the most reliable meal throughout the Khumbu, and most teahouses offer unlimited refills of rice, lentils, and vegetable curry. Trekking guides often joke about "Dal Bhat power, 24 hour," and after a long pass-crossing day, you will genuinely understand why.
Breakfast typically includes porridge, eggs, or Tibetan bread, while noodle soup, momo, and thukpa cover most other meals outside of dal bhat itself.
Menu options narrow and prices climb the higher you go, since fresh ingredients become harder to transport, especially between Thangnak and Dzongla.
Meat is to be best avoided above Namche Bazaar, since refrigeration becomes unreliable at altitude and freshness cannot be guaranteed that high up.
Vegetarian meals are safer, more consistent, and easier for your body to digest at elevation anyway. That’s where we’d like to add the pros of Garlic soup that are worth ordering once you cross 4,000 m. Many trekkers find it genuinely helps with mild altitude headaches, even without hard clinical evidence behind the claim.
What to Pack for Three High-Altitude Passes?
Packing smart matters more on this route than on almost any other trek in Nepal, since the passes themselves demand a slightly different kit than a straightforward Base Camp trek.
Below is what genuinely earns a place in your duffel bag:
- Microspikes or light crampons, since Cho La and Renjo La regularly hold packed snow or ice on their upper sections, especially before mid-morning.
- A warm sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures, since nights at Gokyo, Lobuche, and Dzongla are consistently the coldest of the trip.
- Sturdy, broken-in trekking boots with ankle support for the loose scree and moraine sections near every pass.
- Trekking poles, which genuinely help with balance on the steep, sometimes icy descents off Cho La and Kongma La.
- A headlamp with spare batteries, since two of the pass-crossing days start well before dawn.
- Gaiters to keep snow and scree out of your boots on pass mornings, particularly useful between November and April.
- Cash in Nepali rupees, since ATMs stop working reliably past Namche Bazaar and do not exist at all beyond that point.
- A basic first aid kit, including any altitude sickness medication discussed in advance with your doctor.
WiFi, SIM Cards, and Staying Connected
WiFi is available at most teahouses through Everest Link cards, purchased by the hour or by data volume. Speed and reliability both drop noticeably the higher you climb, and connections at Gokyo, Lobuche, and Dzongla can be genuinely patchy on a busy day.
An NTC SIM card, purchased in Kathmandu before you fly out, generally gives more consistent mobile data through the lower half of the trail. Coverage becomes unreliable past Dingboche and largely disappears on the passes themselves, so plan on limited connectivity for several consecutive days.
Device charging is available in most teahouses for a small fee, since solar panels and small hydropower systems power the electricity supply the higher you go. A power bank is worth carrying anyway, particularly for your early starts on pass-crossing days.
Trekking Responsibly in the Khumbu
Tourism income is central to daily life throughout the Khumbu, and choosing locally owned teahouses while hiring Nepali guides and porters puts that income directly into Sherpa communities.
Ask permission before photographing people, remove your shoes before entering monasteries, and always pass mani walls and prayer wheels on your left, following local custom.
Avoid single-use plastics wherever the trail allows it, and carry a reusable bottle with purification tablets instead of buying bottled water at every stop.
Moreover, buying snacks, tea, and small souvenirs directly from village shops supports the same local economy your trekking fee already contributes to.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a beginner realistically attempt the Everest Three Passes Trek?
A beginner can attempt it, but this is not the trek to learn high-altitude trekking on. We recommend at least one shorter Himalayan trek beforehand, so you know how your body responds to altitude before committing to three passes in one trip.
- What is the difference between the clockwise and counterclockwise three passes’ routes?
The clockwise route, which we follow, crosses Renjo La first, then Cho La, then Kongma La, gaining elevation gradually. The counterclockwise route starts with the higher Kongma La, which front-loads the difficulty and carries a slightly higher early altitude sickness risk.
- Do you need technical climbing skills or a rope for any of the three passes?
No. All three passes are non-technical, meaning no ropes, harnesses, or climbing skill are required. You do need proper footwear, and often micro spikes, since the trail surface on each pass can be icy or snow-covered depending on season.
- Is the Everest Three Passes Trek harder than the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Both go to similar high altitudes, but the Three Passes Trek involves three separate high-altitude crossings rather than just one, so it is generally more physically demanding overall, even if Manaslu’s Larkya La is similar in height.
- Can porters cross the three passes as well?
Yes, experienced local porters regularly cross all three passes, though the loads they carry are adjusted on pass days for safety. Adventure Everest Team porters are trained specifically for high-altitude, technical terrain, not just standard trail walking.
- What happens if bad weather closes one of the passes on our scheduled day?
Our itineraries include buffer days specifically for this. If a pass is genuinely unsafe, your guide will delay the crossing by a day or reroute you back through the standard Base Camp trail rather than risk crossing in poor visibility.
- Is mobile signal available on top of Renjo La, Cho La, or Kongma La?
Coverage is unreliable to nonexistent at all three passes. Most trekkers lose consistent signal well before reaching any of the high points, so plan on being offline during each crossing.
- How many trekkers successfully complete all three passes each season?
Exact figures vary by operator, but well-prepared trekkers on a properly paced 19-day itinerary with built-in acclimatization days have a strong success rate. Most incomplete attempts come from compressed schedules that skip rest days, not from poor general fitness.
- Can this itinerary be shortened without skipping a pass?
It can be tightened slightly by combining some lower-altitude walking days, but we do not recommend cutting the Namche or Gokyo rest days, since doing so meaningfully raises altitude sickness risk on the passes that follow.
- Is Everest visible from anywhere on this route besides Kala Patthar?
Yes. Renjo La, Gokyo Ri, and sections of the trail near Dzongla all offer clear views of Everest's upper flanks, though Kala Patthar remains the closest and most complete summit view on the entire trek.
- What is the coldest point of the whole trek?
Nights at Gokyo, Lobuche, and Dzongla regularly drop below minus 15 degrees Celsius during autumn and spring, and considerably colder in winter. A sleeping bag rated for sub-zero conditions is genuinely not optional at these stops.
- Should we do the Three Passes Trek instead of, or in addition to, the standard Everest Base Camp Trek?
If you have the time and fitness for 19 days, this route already includes everything the standard Base Camp Trek offers, plus Gokyo Lakes and all three passes, so it makes the shorter itinerary largely redundant for most trekkers.
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