Everest Three Passes
Everest, Khumbu
Eighteen days over the Kongma La, the Cho La and the Renjo La, taking in Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and the Gokyo lakes. The most complete circuit of the Khumbu there is.
The Three Passes is the full round of the Khumbu and the hardest walk in this catalogue. It crosses the Kongma La at 5,535 metres, the Cho La at 5,420 and the Renjo La at 5,360, and gathers up Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and the Gokyo lakes along the way.
Eighteen days, three acclimatisation days, several long ones above 5,000 metres. There is no technical climbing, though two of the passes cross glacier, and the whole thing asks for real fitness and a head that copes with altitude.
- Duration
- 18days
- Max altitude
- 5,545m
- Difficulty
Strenuous
- Best seasons
Spring: March to May
Autumn: September to November
From · 3–5 people
€1,700
Day by day
The route
Day 01
Kathmandu → Lukla → Phakding
A mountain flight into Lukla, then a gentle descent along the Dudh Koshi past chortens and prayer wheels, through pine forest and small Sherpa settlements to the riverside village of Phakding.
- Altitude
- 2,610m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs· 8 km
Mountain flight, then a gentle descent
Day 02
Phakding → Namche Bazaar
Upstream along the Dudh Koshi over suspension bridges including the Hillary Bridge, into Sagarmatha National Park and up through pine forest. A hard final climb, with a first view of Everest before Namche.
- Altitude
- 3,440m
- On foot
- 6–7 hrs· 11 km
Suspension bridges, then a sustained climb
Day 03
Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar
A hike to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880 m or to Khumjung, with Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Everest in the distance, then an afternoon among Namche's cafés, bakeries and the Sherpa museum.
- Altitude
- 3,440m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs
Acclimatisation side hike
Day 04
Namche Bazaar → Tengboche
Along ridgelines and down through rhododendron and juniper, across the Dudh Koshi and up a steep climb to Tengboche Monastery, with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam behind it.
- Altitude
- 3,860m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 10 km
Ridge traverse, then a steep climb
Day 05
Tengboche → Dingboche
Down through pine forest to Debuche and over the Imja Khola, then a gradual climb past mani walls and stupas into open alpine valley. Dingboche sits among stone-walled fields under Ama Dablam and Island Peak.
- Altitude
- 4,410m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 11 km
Forest, then open alpine valley
Day 06
Acclimatisation day in Dingboche
A hike up Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100 m for Makalu, Lhotse and the Imja Valley, then a slow afternoon resting and drinking water before the passes begin.
- Altitude
- 4,410m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs
Acclimatisation climb
Day 07
Dingboche → Chhukung
A short, steady walk to Chhukung, under the walls of Lhotse and Nuptse. The afternoon is free: rest, because tomorrow is the first pass.
- Altitude
- 4,730m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs· 5 km
Short steady ascent
Day 08
Chhukung → Kongma La → Lobuche
The first and highest pass, and a hard day. A steep, remote ascent to the Kongma La at 5,535 m with glaciers and high peaks all round, then a careful descent to Lobuche.
- Altitude
- 4,910m
- On foot
- 8–9 hrs· 12 km
Steep remote pass crossing
Day 09
Lobuche → Gorak Shep → Everest Base Camp → Gorak Shep
Along the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep, then on to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m, with time at the site before returning to Gorak Shep for the night.
- Altitude
- 5,164m
- On foot
- 7–8 hrs· 15 km
Glacier moraine, long day at altitude
Day 10
Gorak Shep → Kala Patthar → Dzongla
An early climb to Kala Patthar at 5,545 m for sunrise on Everest and the Khumbu Icefall. The highest point of the trek and the best view of the mountain. Then down and across to Dzongla.
- Altitude
- 4,830m
- On foot
- 7–8 hrs· 12 km
Pre-dawn summit hike, then a long traverse
Day 11
Dzongla → Cho La → Thagnak
The second pass. A steep ascent to the Cho La at 5,420 m including a glacier section, then a dramatic descent into the Gokyo valley to Thagnak.
- Altitude
- 4,700m
- On foot
- 7–8 hrs· 10 km
Steep pass crossing with a glacier section
Day 12
Thagnak → Gokyo
A short day along the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier to Gokyo village, beside the turquoise lakes.
- Altitude
- 4,790m
- On foot
- 4–5 hrs· 5 km
Glacier-edge traverse
Day 13
Gokyo: acclimatisation and exploration
An optional hike up Gokyo Ri for Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu and the whole Gokyo valley, and the rest of the day by the lakes. A rest before the last pass.
- Altitude
- 4,790m
- On foot
- 3–4 hrs (optional)
Optional summit hike, otherwise rest
Day 14
Gokyo → Renjo La → Lungden
The third pass, and the most scenic viewpoint on the trek. A steady climb to the Renjo La at 5,360 m, then down into the remote Bhote Koshi valley to Lungden.
- Altitude
- 4,380m
- On foot
- 7–8 hrs· 13 km
Steady pass climb, then a remote valley descent
Day 15
Lungden → Thame
Down through quiet valleys and traditional Sherpa villages, with a visit to Thame Monastery, one of the oldest in the region.
- Altitude
- 3,800m
- On foot
- 5–6 hrs· 9 km
Valley descent through villages
Day 16
Thame → Namche Bazaar
Back onto the main Everest trail and down to Namche for a comfortable night and a last look round the shops and cafés.
- Altitude
- 3,440m
- On foot
- 4–5 hrs· 8 km
Descent rejoining the main trail
Day 17
Namche Bazaar → Lukla
The familiar trail back down to Lukla, with the last views of the Khumbu and an evening with the team to mark the end of the circuit.
- Altitude
- 2,860m
- On foot
- 6–7 hrs· 19 km
Long descent
Day 18
Lukla → Kathmandu
A morning flight back to Kathmandu. A buffer day afterwards is worth building in, Lukla flights are weather-dependent and delays are common.
- Altitude
- 1,400m
- Driving
- ~35 min flight
Mountain flight
What’s included
Licensed female guide
Experienced and licensed, with all salary, meals and accommodation covered.
All meals on trek
Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two servings of tea, coffee or another hot drink each day.
Accommodation
High-rated teahouse stays throughout the trek.
Transport
All transportation related to the trek.
Permits and taxes
All necessary government and local permits, paperwork and taxes.
Trekking essentials
Trekking poles, microspikes or crampons, and seasonal fruit on the trail.
What’s not included
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended for high-altitude treks, and required for helicopter evacuation cover.
Personal expenses
Wi-Fi, laundry, battery charging, bottled or hot water, hot showers.
Alcoholic and personal drinks
Tips for your guide
You can add
A porter
Hired from the region you are walking through, so the work and the money stay in the villages on your route, and you walk with a lighter pack and someone who knows the ground.
[PRICE TBC]
Permits
Sagarmatha National Park · Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality: arranged for you. Restricted areas require a licensed guide by law.
Safety
Our altitude protocol
Altitude is the thing most people worry about, so here is exactly what we do about it. This is our operating protocol, not medical advice.
A guide trained in mountain safety and first aid
Licensed, and trained specifically for the conditions on these routes.
Daily health monitoring
We record your SpO2 and heart rate each day with a pulse oximeter, alongside an AMS assessment, and keep it in a wellness log you can see.
A first aid kit on every trek
Essential emergency supplies, including altitude sickness medication.
Pre-trek safety briefing
Altitude awareness, pacing, weather and emergency procedures, before you start walking, not on the trail.
Emergency coordination
With local health posts, rescue services and helicopter evacuation. The evacuation itself is covered by your travel insurance.
Questions
Before you go
Why is Everest called "Sagarmatha" and "Chomolungma"?
In Nepal it is Sagarmatha, "Goddess of the Sky". In Tibet it is Chomolungma, "Mother Goddess of the World". Both names point to how sacred the mountain is to the communities around it.
What wildlife can I spot along the trek?
Sagarmatha National Park holds Himalayan thar, musk deer and, rarely, snow leopard. For birds, look for pheasants, Himalayan monals, Nepal's national bird, and snowcocks.
What is the highest point on the trek?
Kala Patthar at 5,545 m (18,192 ft), which gives one of the best close-up views of Everest, better than from Base Camp itself.
What cultural influences will I experience?
The trail is rich with Sherpa culture, prayer wheels, mani walls carved with Buddhist mantras, and centuries-old monasteries such as Tengboche, which gives blessings to climbers.
How does the trek support local communities?
Every cup of tea in a teahouse and every guide or porter hired supports Sherpa families directly. With 8Mountains, a portion of the trek cost also goes to community projects that support education and preserve culture.
Not sure this is the right trek?
Book a free call with someone who has walked it. We will tell you honestly if another route suits you better. That happens often, and it is the whole point of talking first.