Everest Three High Pass Trek

A Quick Glimpse

• Trip Duration: 19 Days
• Trekking Duration: 15 Days
• Starting Point: Kathmandu
• Ending Point: Kathmandu
• Maximum Elevation: 5,550 meters (18,208 feet)
• Difficulty Level: Strenuous
• Best Seasons: October to December and March to May
• Key Highlights: Mountain views, adventure high passes, scenic flight to Lukla, traditional Sherpa villages with typical architectural houses, cultural and religious monuments, wildlife, rivers, valleys, waterfalls, crossing massive glaciers, stunning viewpoints, tranquil lakes, and more
• Mountain Views: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Pomori, Ama Dablam, and hundreds more
• Customizable: Yes

The Everest High Passes Trek involves crossing three significant hills, which is why it's also known as the Everest Three Passes Trek. It is the most adventurous trekking trip in the Khumbu-Everest Himalayas, and it can be done clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Trekking to the Everest Three Passes begins in Lukla after a short scenic flight from Kathmandu or Ramechhap (Manthali). You stay with the same Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary until Namche Bazaar for the first three days of this trip, even if you take clockwise or anti-clockwise routes.

This Adventure Everest Three Passes Trek offers all the attractions of the Everest region, including iconic high mountains, captivating landscapes, scenic valleys, charming nature, pristine lakes, ancient Buddhist monasteries and monuments, and more. If you are adventurous and plan to visit the mountain regions, often spending around 3 Weeks in Nepal, this Trek can be the best for you. Now, let's have some information on two different Trekking routes of the Everest Three High Passes Trek here:

Clockwise Trekking Routes of the Everest Three Passes Trek

Clockwise Trekking Routes to the Everest Three High Passes Trek go left from Namche Bazaar to Thame on the fourth day. Then, you ascend to Lungden on the fifth day and go over Renjo La Pass to Gokyo Lakes. Then, you visit Gokyo Ri and cross Ngozumpa Glacier before reaching Thangnak to go over Cho La Pass. Now, you Trek to Everest Base Camp and return to Lobuche to cross Kongma La Pass over the Khumbu Glacier. After the final High Pass, Kongma La, you reach Chhukung, visit Chhukung Ri, and then trek down to Lukla through Dingboche, Tengboche, Namche, and Phakding. Check out the outline Itinerary for the Clockwise Everest Three Pass Trekking below:

Day 1: Fly to Lukla (2840m) and Trek to Phakding (2610m). 3 hours

Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m) 6-7 hrs

Day 3: Rest in Namche Bazaar and hike to Hotel Everest View (3880m) for 4 hours.

Day 4: Trek to Thame (3750m) 4-5 hrs

Day 5: Trek to Lungden (4500m) 6 hrs

Day 6: Trek to Gokyo (4790m) via Renjo La Pass (5360m) 8 hrs

Day 7: Hike to Gokyo Ri (5357 m) for 2 hours and overnight in Gokyo.

Day 8: Trek to Thangnak/Drangnak (4700m) 3hrs

Day 9: Trek to Zong La (4855m) via Cho La Pass (5360m) 7-8 hrs

Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep (5180m) for 5–6 hours and hike to Kala Patthar (5550m). 2 hrs

Day 11: Hike to Everest Base Camp (5364m) and Trek back to Lobuche (4910m). 6-7 hrs

Day 12: Trek to Chhukung (4730m) via Khumbu Glacier and Kongma La Pass (5535m) 8-9 hrs

Day 13: Trek to Tengboche (3860m) 6 hrs

Day 14: Trek back to Manche Bazaar (3440m). 5 hrs

Day 15: Trek to Lukla (2840m) 7 hrs

Day 16: Fly out to Kathmandu

Note: The Clockwise Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary can be adjusted to suit your time and physical fitness.

Counter-Clockwise Route for the Everest Three Passes Trek

The Counter-Clockwise Trekking Itinerary of the Everest High Passes Trek is comparatively more straightforward than the Clockwise one. This Route goes to Everest Base Camp first, then to the Gokyo Lakes, and finally to Thame. At the start of this Anti-Clockwise Everest Three Passes Trek from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, the Itinerary goes right towards Tengboche Hill on the fourth day.

You go to Dingboche and Chhukung and go over the Kongma La pass to cross the first hill of the Three Big Hills. Now, you Trek to Everest Base Camp and go over the Cho La Pass to visit Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri. After spending a few nights in Gokyo, you go over Renjo La and reach the Himalayan hidden valley (Thame) before meeting Namche Bazaar. Then, you Trek to Lukla to fly out to Kathmandu at the end of the trip. For the detailed Itinerary of the Anti-Clockwise Everest Three Passes Trek, check our package's Itinerary section.

Everest High Passes: Clockwise vs. Anti-Clockwise Route

You can find two trekking itineraries for the Everest High Passes online, taking Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise routes. It might make choosing the Route challenging. What are the differences between these two routes of the Everest Three Passes? Which Route is more difficult to take? Check them out below:

The counter-clockwise Route is more straightforward and has less climbing than the Trek's clockwise Route. You can see the altitude variation in the Itineraries between these two routes. If you take the anticlockwise trail, you do not miss visiting the world's highest mountain base camp, but if you get tired from the first Pass, you may miss the chance of going to Everest Base Camp from the Clockwise route.

Everest Three Passes Trek Cost

The Cost of the Everest Three Passes depends on the services offered, the length of the trip, and the group size. Hiring just a guide costs less than an all-inclusive trip, but at the end of the Trek, the expenses are similar to those of an all-inclusive trip, even if you pay for food and lodges in the mountains.

It costs 1550-1625 USD for a single trekker, but the cost might be lower if you book this trip as part of a group. Check the Trek Cost for the Everest High Passes according to the group size below:

We provide special discounts for family and group bookings of more than 4 people for this Trekking Package. To get a better offer, contact us through WhatsApp or direct email.

Preparation for Adventure Treks and Everest High Passes

Crossing the Three High Passes is difficult, so you must be physically fit and mentally prepared for this Trek. Make it your mindset to face any difficulties on the High Pass Trail. Mind control is for the body, so I can do it if you make your mind strong and think. Then, it makes you more comfortable.

After the mental preparation, you must be physically fit for this adventurous Trek. To practice altitude climbing, visit high altitudes above 4000m in the Himalayas, such as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal, a couple of times.

Start hiking regularly, or at least once a week, on the uphill and downhill trails for a few hours with 5–6 Kg of weight on your back. You can also do some physical exercise and juggling every day for about a month, along with leg exercises targeting the thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. You have many uphill and downhill trails for many days, so this type of trail can cause body and leg pain if you are not a regular hiker or have not done any physical exercises.

What to Expect from the Everest High Pass Adventure Trek

The first thing to expect from this High Pass Trek is the pride of an adventure. Walking through traditional villages and lush forests for the first few days after the scenic flight to Lukla, you reach the open surroundings and see magnificent mountain views.

On the Everest Three Passes Trek in the Everest region, you walk through charming valleys and see captivating landscapes. Vantage points like Hotel Everest View, Tengboche Hill, Nangkartshang Hill, Kala Patthar, Kongma La Pass, Cho La Pass, Gokyo Ri, and Renjo La Pass offer alluring views of the high mountains, including the four highest mountains above 8,000 meters.

In the adventure, you will also walk on two famous glaciers, Khumbu and Ngozumpa. TrekTrek's outstanding achievement is reaching the summit of the world's tallest mountain. Another attraction of the trip is seeing pristine glacial lakes such as the Gokyo Lakes. In addition to the natural attractions, seeing wildlife and religious monuments adds extra excitement to the Everest High Pass Trek. You will surely love the great hospitality from the locals during your Everest High Pass journey.

Everest High Pass: What makes TrekTrek difficult?

The considerably challenging adventure, the High Passes Trek, is altitude sickness. Coming from sea level and flying directly to Lukla (2840m) is already high enough. You reach 5500 m+, plus, within a few days of walking, but you have some acclimatization rest days in lower areas like Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. However, the high altitude may not be an issue for everyone. Only a few trekkers might get altitude sickness on the trek.

Trekking camps, especially when crossing the High Passes. It would help if you started walking early in the morning with a flashlight to cross the Pass. These walks might make the trek tiring and difficult. The long ascending and descending trails in these areas can cause knee pain.

Crossing the glaciers is also not easy because the glaciers melt and change the walking routes every year. If you follow the wrong direction after seeing some trails, you might miss the main path, so always walk with the guide. Getting food during the High Passes is also tricky. No lodge or restaurant is in the middle when you go over the Pass from one place before reaching the next for 7-8 hours. Taking some energy bars or snacks for the High Pass trails is a better idea.

Get an Adventure Experience from the Everest High Passes