Everest 3 High Passes Trek Guide
20 Nov 2023 Himalaya Trip
Overview
Everest 3 High Passes Trek in Nepal is one of the adventurous treks in the vicinity of the Everest region. An exhilarating flight from Lukla commences this trek. This trek takes past trekkers through beautiful Sagarmatha National Park and its varied flora and fauna. Pass through attractive Sherpa villages and immerse in their culture and lifestyle. The warm hospitality of Sherpas is one of a kind and delightful experience for trekkers.
Following the itinerary schedule, trek on rugged trails adoring the beautiful landscapes and majestic mountain vistas. Traversing challenging 3 High Passes Cho La (5,420m), Kongma La (5,535m), and Renjo La (5,360m) is a great achievement. Alongside this, ascending Gokyo Ri and Chhukhung Ri, Everest Base Camp (5,364m), and Kalapatthar (5,550m) is cherry on the top. Witness close-up views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and other Himalayas from Kalapatthar. It is truly a rewarding experience.
Also, visit Mane Walls, and Buddhist monasteries, and do not miss the largest Tengboche monastery in the region. The trek to Gokyo Valley and an excursion to turquoise Gokyo Lake, 4th, and 5th Lake are mesmerizing. This 17-day trek is truly fulfilling and it ensures an unforgettable experience for the trekkers seeking a challenging trek in the Everest region.
Highlights of the trek
- Sagarmatha National Park and its varied flora and fauna
- Beautiful Sherpa villages and their lifestyle, culture, and hospitality
- Tengboche Monastery, Buddhist Monasteries, stupas, Mane Walls
- Turquoise Gokyo Lakes, 4th and 5th Lakes
- Ascend Gokyo Ri and Chhukhung Ri witness marvelous snow-capped peaks
- Majestic Everest Base Camp and its surroundings
- Kalapatthar (5,550 m) trek and Close-up views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and other Himalayas
- Traversing 3 High Passes Cho La (5,420m), Kongma La (5,535m), and Renjo La (5,360m)
Everest 3 High Passes Trek Outline itinerary
Day 01: Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding
Day 02: Trek Phakding – Namche Bazar
Day 03: Acclimatization day
Day 04: Trek Namche – Tengboche
Day 05: Trek Tengboche – Dingboche
Day 06: Trek Dingboche – Chhukhung
Day 07: Acclimatization day (Hike to Chhukhung Ri or Island Peak Base Camp
Day 08: Chhukhung -Kongma La Pass (5535m) – Lobuche
Day 09: Trek Lobuche – Gorak Shep and Hike to Everest Base Camp (5380m)
Day 10: Gorak Shep – Climb up to Kalapatthar (5550m) close view of Mt. Everest – Dzongla
Day 11: Trek Dzongla – Chola Pass (5420m) – Thannak
Day 12: Trek Thannak – Gokyo
Day 13: Climb up to Gokyo Ri (5330m) and 5th Lake
Day 14: Trek Gokyo – Renjo La pass (5368m) – Lungdhen
Day 15: Trek Lungdhen – Thame – Namche
Day 16: Trek Namche – Lukla
Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu
Everest 3 High Passes Trek Difficulty level
Grade level 5 is designated for Everest 3 High Passes Trek which can be considered the hardest in terms of the difficulty level.
Everest 3 High Passes Trek Duration
The trek duration for the Everest 3 High Passes Trek varies but a standard duration is 17-day including ground transfers to and from Lukla and Kathmandu.
Note: There is a flexibility to customize the itinerary.
Everest 3 High Passes Trek guide
Guide and porters are a quintessential part of trekking in the mountains. They are the one who makes the trekking experience comfortable, effective, and memorable. Himalaya Trip guides are licensed, experienced, and well-versed in the Everest region. They can speak English well. They have in-depth knowledge of mountains and can tackle easily obstacles. Our porters can carry a maximum of 20-25 kg luggage of two trekkers, enhancing your comfort. If you have language preferences, arrangements can be made to meet your needs.
Everest 3 High Passes Trek route
Phakding – Namche – Tengboche – Dingboche – Chhukhung – Kong Ma La – Lobuche – Gorakshep – Everest Base Camp – Gorakshep – Kalapatthar – Dzongla – Cho La Pass – Thannak – Gokyo – Renjo La Pass – Lungdhen – Thame – Namche -Lukla
Note: The trek commences with an amazing Lukla flight from Kathmandu and ends at Lukla after traversing Everest 3 High Passes, Everest Base Camp, and Kalapatthar.
Everest 3 Passes Trekking permit
1. Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit
For Foreigners: NPR 2000 (Approx. USD 20)
For SAARC Nationals: NPR 1000 (Approx. USD 10)
2. Sagarmatha National Park (SNP)
For Foreigners: NPR 3000 (Approx. USD 30)
For SAARC Nationals: NPR 1500 (Approx. USD 15)
3. Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS)
For Foreigners: NRS. 2000 (Approx. USD 20)
For SAARC Nationals: NRS. 1000 (Approx. USD 10)
Best time to visit Everest 3 Passes Trek
Spring (March-May):
- Perfect season
- Moderate Temperature
- Awesome stable weather
- Panoramic Vistas
- Lush Greenery
- Comfortable Trails
- Blooming Seasonal Flowers
- Availability of Teahouses
Autumn (September-November):
- Second-best season
- Clear weather and skies
- Warm temperature
- Comfy trekking trails
- Wonderful scenic views
- Availability of teahouses
Winter (December-February):
- Not favorable
- Extreme cold
- Unpredictable weather and temperature
- Snowy and slippery trails
- Not clear views
- High chances of flight cancelations
- Less availability of teahouses with limited amenities
Summer (June-August):
- Unfavorable as it is Monsoon season in Nepal
- Heavy rainfall
- Cloudy and cold weather
- Unstable temperatures
- Slippery trails
- High chances of flight cancelations
- Less availability of teahouses with limited facilities
Preparation and fitness
For Everest 3 High Passes trek, preparation, and fitness are key factors. The most demanding trek includes traversing multiple high elevations above 5,000 m. The maximum elevation gain during the trek is Kalapatthar at an elevation of 5,550 m. Trekkers must be prepared for long daily hours of walking, high elevations, traversing high passes, uneven trails, altitude sickness, and unpredictable weather. They should be both physically and mentally fit. Hence, we suggest participating in physical exercises, necessary health check-ups, short hikes, and doctor consultations (if necessary) before embarking on this trekking journey.
Accommodation and Internet facilities 3 Passes Trek
The appealing teahouses throughout the trek are means of accommodation. These locally operated teahouses are basic with limited facilities. It features rooms accommodating 2-6 people including quilts, mattresses, and pillows. At an additional charge, get facilities like Wi-Fi, hot shower, boiled water, laundry, and charging devices. Internet connections are stable mostly in the lower regions and higher regions it varies.
Foods during Everest 3 High Passes Trek
Throughout the trek, full course 3-time meals are provided. Breakfast and Dinner are mostly at the teahouses where you stayed and lunch is at stop-over places. To stay healthy and energetic, we recommend vegetable foods and avoiding meat. The foods served are healthy and hygienic. Some food options are Dal Bhat, pasta, noodles, eggs, pies, etc. Feel free to inquire for more details.
Drinking water Three Passes Trek
Drinking water available during the treks is natural spring water, mineral water, or boiled water at teahouses (paying some cash). For health safety, we advise carrying a water bottle and water-purifying filter, or iodine tablets. Stay hydrated to prevent altitude sickness.
How to get to Everest 3 High Passes Trek?
The quick and easy option to get to Everest 3 High Passes Trek is the Lukla flight from Kathmandu. From Lukla, begin the trek onward following the itinerary schedule.
Note: In the months of April, May, October, and November due to air traffic in Kathmandu, flight schedules are operated from Ramechhap. Take a 4-hour drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap and then take a flight to Lukla during peak seasons.
What to do in case of Flight cancelations?
Trekking in the mountains in Nepal is full of challenges. One such challenge is unpredictable weather causing flight cancelations. If planning to trek in the mountains, we recommend scheduling 1 or 2 extra days in the itinerary. There is an alternative option of sharing a helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla or Lukla to Kathmandu. It costs around USD 500 per person (one-way).
How hard is the Everest 3 High Passes Trek?
Everest 3 High Passes Trek is a Grade 5 trek that indicates it is the hardest trek. Throughout this trek, trekkers traverse through numerous high-elevation such as Kong Ma La (5,535m), Cho La Pass (5,420m), Renjo La (5,360m), Everest Base Camp (5,364m), and Kalapatthar (5,550m). Alongside this, trekking on rugged trails at high elevations, daily long hours of walking, steep high and low trails, unpredictable weather, temperature, limited availability of accommodation, and altitude sickness can be challenging factors. Despite all the challenges, this trek is achievable with proper planning and preparations.
Packing List For 3 Passes Trek
- Trekking boots (If new boots are purchased, “break them in” to avoid blisters) and spare laces
- Hat (Warm), scarf and gloves
- Trousers (Warm trousers are useful higher up in the mountains in the morning and at night.
- Running shoes, sandals, or thongs (To wear in the camp at night or when your boots are wet).
- Shorts and trousers
- Wool-blend socks, liner socks, and underwear (three pairs)
- Thermal underwear
- Sunhat
- Fleece jacket
- T-shirts (two or three) and a long-sleeved shirt with a collar (a long-sleeved – shirt is particularly suitable for avoiding sunburn.)
- Laundry soap powder or bar
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen (SPF 20+) and lip balm
- Sunglasses
- Pocket knife
- Iodine, water-purification tablets, or filter
- Insect repellent (for lower elevation)
- Stuff sacks
- Earplugs
- Backpack
- Sleeping back and silk liner
- Water bottle
- Torch (flashlight), spare batteries and bulbs
- Duffle bag
- Crampon
- Down jacket or down vest
- Camera, memory card, and battery charger (spare batteries)
- Books and magazines
- Trekking poles
- Quick-drying camp towel
- Day pack (This is a small rucksack to carry personal requirements for the day e.g. toilet items, cameras, towel, soap, chocolate bar, etc.)
- 2-4 large plastic bags: to separate clean clothes from dirty ones
- Personal medical supplies
Conclusion
The Everest 3 High Passes trek is a lifetime experience for trekkers seeking a thrilling adventure in the Everest region. Traversing high passes above an elevation of 5,000m along with peaks ascending like Gokyo and Chhukhung Ri, coupled with the trek to Everest Base Camp, and Kalapatthar all at once is a bonanza. An amazing delight for adventure-seeking trekkers that should not be missed. This 17-day trek ensures natural, cultural, and adventurous treats to the trekkers in the lap of the majestic Everest Base Camp and its beautiful surroundings.
FAQs Everest 3 high passes trek
Is prior trekking experience necessary?
Everest 3 High Passes Trek is a Graded 5 trek and very challenging. Therefore, prior trekking experience is vital for a fruitful and comfortable trekking experience.
Is there an age restriction for this trek?
No, there is not any age restriction. Everest 3 High Passes Trek is one of the hardest treks and we recommend to be fully prepared both physically and mentally beforehand for a better trekking experience.
Is this trek suitable for you?
Traversing through 3 High passes above an elevation of 5,000 m is demanding. But if you have strong determination, previous trekking experience, good physical and mental fitness, and can adjust to the high altitudes, then this trek is suitable for you.
