Everest Three Pass Trekking

Welcome to Kathmandu! Our staff will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After he refreshment, you will get a brief briefing on the rest of the day's itinerary.

After breakfast, you will be picked up by our city guide for a half-day tour of the city. You will see the famous and historic Kathmandu Darbar Square, with its precious, ancient wood carvings, and you will visit Sowyambhunath Stupa, one of the capital's two ancient Buddhist monasteries. You will climb the magnificent staircase to the monastery, which is located at an altitude of 1,400 meters providing a magnificent view of the entire valley. Evening, you will meet your trekking guide, with whom you will discuss about the trek and all further arrangements. 

Transfer to the airport and take a 35-minute flight to Lukla (2,800 m) on a small Twin Otter aircraft. You begin your trek. The trail leads past several beautiful Sherpa villages and along the Dudhkoshi River. Along the way, you'll see typical Buddhist prayer sites, called Mani stones, decorated with Tibetan script and reach Phakding village at an altitude of 2,652 m.

The trail follows the Dudh-Koshi River, passing through Sherpa villages where small teahouses invite you to rest. Further on, several suspension bridges must be crossed, one of which was built by Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber of Mount Everest. From here, the trail continues ascending for about an hour to Namche Bazaar.

A day is spent here for acclimatization. Namche Bazaar is the main center in the Khumbu region and has shops, restaurants, a bakery, and several hotels and lodges with hot showers and electricity. This rest day is important for acclimatization to the altitude. If you wish, you can take a day trip to Thami Lake or the village of Khumjung, the largest village in the region. Or you can spend the day in Namche Bazaar and visit the marketplace there.

Today, the hike begins along the valley carved into the rock by the Bhote-Koshi (Nadi) River. You walk along an old trade route and enjoy the view of the imposing Mount Ama-Dablam. Near the Phurte Monastery, a bridge spans the Thesebu-Khola River. Along the way, you will pass numerous prayer stones and small Sherpa villages. You climb ever higher above the river through primeval coniferous forest. Shortly before Thame, you will reach a bridge that crosses the gorge formed by the river over the years. The rock walls are decorated with Buddhist motifs and images. A final climb to Thame famous for the monastery nestled into the rock above the village.

The trail continues north along the Bhote-Koshi (Nadi) River, on the old trade route that once led to Tibet. The vegetation gradually becomes sparse. Juniper bushes and krummholz give way to dense green forests. You reach the village of Marulung at 4,210 meters, where you can take a break then reach the Lumde.

You'll set off early in the morning for your first pass crossing, the Renjo-La Pass at 5,360 meters. The ascent to the top of the pass is partly over rocky and steep terrain. Depending on the time of year, there may also be snow and ice. On the way up, you'll pass three beautiful, deep-blue mountain lakes. The first you'll pass is Renjo Lake, fed by the Renjo-Khola River of the same name. The second lake you'll pass is Relama-Tsho Lake, located at an altitude of 4,970 meters. Shortly before you reach the top of the pass, Angladumba-Tsho Lake lies amidst the rocks, in a picturesque setting. A final climb leads you to the Renjo-La Pass with stunning views of the massifs of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Mount Makalu. From here we descend to Gokyo Alm, which is situated in a fascinating landscape between Dudh-Pokhari, the third of the Gokyo lakes, and the huge Ngozumba glacier.

Early in the morning, you'll begin your climb to Gokyo-Ri, a mountain peak where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the mountains surrounding Gokyo, including Cho-Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Makalu, Mount Cholatse, and Mount Tawachee, among others.

The trail leads along the lake, over the Ngozumpa Glacier, to Thangna, a small village with a few huts just before the pass.

You cross the glacier's moraine and climb steeply up the snow-capped Cho-La mountain (5,420 m), from where you'll have magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding mountains: Mount Lhotse, Mount Ama-Dablam, Mount Thamsherku, and Mount Everest. Spikes, ice axes, a rope, and a climbing harness may be necessary here. After the pass, the steep descent towards Dzong-La.

The trail gradually climbs to the peak of Dzongla, offering impressive views of Cho Yu, then leads to the Sherpa settlement of Lobuche, located beside a small stream. Lobuche lies at an altitude of 4,940 meters, at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier.

A gentle climb leads the entire way up, and after a short descent, you'll reach the final village of Gorakh-Shep, with its several teahouses, around lunchtime. After lunch, leave your luggage at the lodge or camp and, weather permitting, climb Kalapathar (5,540 meters), from where you'll have the best views of Mount Everest, Mount Pumori, Mount Ama-Dablam, and numerous other peaks.

You'll walk for approximately three hours over rocky and icy trails to Everest Base Camp at 5,357 meters, where climbers hoping to reach the summit of Everest gather. You'll then walk back to Gorakh Shep, where lunch and a warm drink await you. Afterward, you'll walk approximately one hour back to Lobuche.

The trail climbs over the Khumbu Glacier to the Kongma La Pass, adorned with colorful prayer flags. After crossing the pass, several frozen mountain lakes lie in picturesque surroundings. The trail then continues along rocky and partly snowy paths into the Imja Khola Valley and further to Chhukhung, a small summer settlement, the last before Island Peak.

The trail leads gently through bush juniper and rhododendron forests, past mani stones and beautiful Sherpa villages to Pangboche. Here stands the oldest Buddhist monastery in the region. The trail continues down to the suspension bridge. From here, it climbs gently through rhododendron forests and alpine meadows to Tengboche. There, the highest Buddhist monastery is located. A special feature is the footprints left in a rock by the Sangwe Dorje Lama, who meditated here and prophesied that a monastery would be built on this site.

The trail leads slowly through bush juniper, mani stones, rhododendron forests, and beautiful Sherpa villages to Pangboche and then down to the suspension bridge. From here, it climbs gently through rhododendrons and alpine meadows to Tengboche with amaizing monastery.

The trail descends to Phunki-Tenga and then climbs gradually through a forest to Kenjoma, from where a long, flat ridge reaches Namche Bazaar.

You'll hike back to Lukla along the same route. Afterwards, you'll celebrate the successful completion of your trek. 

In the morning, fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, shop for souvenirs, or explore any sights you wish to see. Stroll through the bustling Thamel Bazaar.

We'll take you on a tour of the Kathmandu Valley. You'll be accompanied by a trained city guide. You'll see the historic royal cities of Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, as well as the Bauddhanath Stupa, one of two ancient Buddhist monasteries, and the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the largest Hindu shrines. In the evening, you'll be invited to a traditional Nepalese restaurant, where you can admire traditional Nepalese dances and reflect on your vacation.

If you have time and are interested in other adventures like whitewater rafting, a wildlife safari, or other activities can extend your vacation. Otherwise, we'll drive you to the airport and wish you a safe journey home.