Everest Three Pass Trek

Upon landing at Lukla airport, we will have our first meeting with our Sherpa/Sherpas (porters). They will be anxiously waiting to welcome us to their work station – The Everest Trekking Trails. We will have our short break here while our Sherpa’s do the needful in arranging our baggage so that it becomes comfortable for them to carry while on trek. As said, every journey starts with a small step… here we go towards Everest Base Camp. Today we are going to walk for around 3 and half hours. The day is just a glimpse of our walking days ahead. To begin we descend gradually up to Thado Koshi for around 2 hours. Then after we start to make our first ascend of the trek which is gradual uphill all the way Phakding which will take another about 1.5 hours. We reach Phakding during our lunch time. Phakding is a small village, which lies in the Dudh Koshi river valley just north of Lukla.

Flight Duration: Approx. 30 minutes
Trek Duration: Approx. 3.5 hours
Altitude (Lukla): 2850 meters
Altitude (Phakding): 2650 meters

We will be starting our trek from the village of Phakding to Namche Bazaar. Today is one of those days when our physical strength, our stamina and our will power will be put on the test. Most part of the day we will be walking uphill with short intervals of flat walking too. With numerous opportunities to cross the high suspension bridges, at about half-way up the ascent is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. The trail gets steeper along the way, and if the weather is clear, we’ll be getting the first glimpse of Mount Everest. After walking for around 4-6 hours we will arrive to the Namche. Namche Bazaar is the Gateway to Everest Base Camp and the Capital Village of Sherpas. Namche is the major trading center and hub for the Khumbu region with many Nepalese Officials, a police check, post, a bank, and even a beauty salon. A bazaar is held here every Saturday where they display foods as well as other Tibetan goods. Namche village is located crescent shaped mountain sloes that offer stunning views of mountains across the valley.

Altitude: 3440 meters
Duration: Approx. 6 hours

assessing our physical ability and endurance against the high altitude that is to come in coming days ahead. Should you feel any uncomfortable with or while on the hike, please do not hesitate to consult with your trekking leader/ trekking guide. He is the best person to listen to and get suggestions. Today our acclimatization hike will take us to Syangboche which is 3860m above sea level. The total hiking hours will be around 3-4 hours. We start our hike with steep uphill walk all the way to National Park headquarters from where we have the opportunity to enjoy the majestic views of various Himalayan Peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam, Thamserku, Kusum, Khangru, Kongde, Phachhermo, Melungtse, Khumbila and Taboche. Along our trail, we have all the opportunity to enjoy the Flora and fauna found in this Himalayan Region. After time spent at Syangboche, we descend back to Namche Bazaar for our Lunch. We have free time to wander around Namche Bazaar, visit local bakeries and shops and do last minute shopping (if required) to buy or hire any trekking gears you may need for the trek.

After breakfast, we come out of Namche Bazar east past the monastery and begin with a short uphill trek. On the left we have the Kongde Ri (6187 m) and the river that flows down into a ravine. On the right is the rocky Khumbi Yul La (5765 m) and behind us is clearly visible on Kusum Kanguru (6,373 m). After an hour walking mostly downhill into the forest, the trip continues. At this juncture, the steep rise up about 50m in altitude to reach a ridge around it. The river bed becomes closer and wider. We reach the village of Phurte and then the small town of Samde along the stretch halfway up a slight slope leading to the bridge over the Bhote Koshi (3650 m). Cross it and about a half hour climb brings us to Thame.

Altitude: 3750 meters
Duration: Approx. 5-6 hours

If the sky is clear, we will see the beautiful peaks that guard the village to the west. We take our breakfast and head for the next camp towards Marlung. The terrain from Thame to Marlung is alpine zone and there is very less vegetation. We enjoy the peace and relative solitude of this little trekked valley. We next bend around the village of Tangmote. After about an hour, we walk parallel to the village of Yellajung on the other side of the Bhote Koshi. We pass by the Tarngga village enjoying superb views of Kongde Ri as we look down the trail. A further 45 minutes or so on a gradually rising trail brings us to Marlung.. After Marlung, we walk for about an hour and then climb a small rising hill. Upon crossing the water stream, we trek 2-3 hours to reach Lungden.

Altitude: 4380 meters
Duration: Approx. 5-6 hours

As we hike further to the top of Renjo La, we get the outstanding views of the surrounding. The Everest itself, Lhotse, Cholatse and Taboche can be seen shining in the sun. Views from Renjo La are much like that from Gokyo Ri with third Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Village beneath the gray smear of Ngozumpa Glacier. We walk further to Gokyo through the glacier. An easy walking down brings us to Gokyo.

Altitude (Renjo La Pass): 5360 meters
Altitude (Gokyo): 4750 meters
Duration: 7-8 hours

Early morning, we hike up to the Gokyo Ri (Gokyo Peak). Climbing to Gokyo Ri is obviously strenuous as it is steep up and takes about 3-4 hours to reach the top. But even from the trial scenery of Gokyo village on the edge of third lake overlooked by Cholatse and the broad Ngozumpa Glacier are mind blowing. We feel like we are surrounded by panoramic mountains like Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori. Sight of sunrays kissing the Everest that towers over all surrounding peaks is unlike from Kala Patthar (from Kala Patthar Nuptse seems taller). Our Gokyo Ri visit will be unforgettable life time memories. We trek down to Gokyo. Upon breakfast we trek to Thagnak for overnight scaling by the second Lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier.

Altitude (Gokyo Ri): 5357 meters
Altitude (Thagnak): 4700 meters
Duration: Approx. 7-8 hours

Today will be one of the most challenging and long walks of the Trek. The Cho La Pass itself is not difficult, but it is steep and includes a glacier crossing on the east side. We have to be careful because the path is vertical, and smooth ice rocks can cause problems by making the trail slippery. The road from Phedi leads through a gorge and a rocky path. As we walk along the side of a frozen lake, we reach the top of the pass, which is decorated with prayer flags. The pyramid shaped Ama Dablam presides over a series of mountains, while Cholatse in the west and Lobuche in the east and Baruntse rise to our right. We have to go through some cracks before we reach the town of Dzongla. The village offers you a great views of Cholatse, Lobuche, Ama Dablam, and the Pheriche village far below.

Altitude (Cho La Pass): 5420 meters
Altitude (Dzongla): 4855 meters
Duration: 7-8 hours

Today’s walk will be a bit shorter. Thus, we would get more time to observe and relax. We climb down from Dzongla and cross a bridge and then transverse through grassy trail. Enjoying the view of Lobuche Peak we stretch up eventually through a ridge. Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku Taboche are seen looming prominently. Curving round through the wide gravelly river bed, we will be at Lobuche.

Altitude: 4910 meters
Duration: Approx. 3-4 hours

This is the big one, the day of Everest Base Camp. From Lobuche, follow the broad valley that runs parallel to Khumbu Glacier, with a gradual ascent enabling you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. When you reach the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, you will make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that eventually leads to the surprising glacial sands of Gorakshep (5140m) – reached after about three hours of walking. Now’s the time to grab a quick bite, gear up appropriately, and then head off towards Everest Base Camp. The trek to the base camp can be achieved in around three hours, and if trekking in the popular climbing period of March to May, you will almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditions here. From Everest Base Camp you will not get views of Mount Everest, but you are able to see glorious glaciers, lakes, caves, and the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm. It’s regarded as technically the hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain. The return journey from the Base Camp to Gorakshep takes the same amount of time.

Altitude (Everest Base Camp): 5364 meters
Altitude (Gorakshep): 5185 meters
Duration: 7-8 hours

Today we’ll hike to Kala Patthar to see the sunrise over Mt. Everest. Kala Patthar which means “”Black Rock”” in Nepali, is a hill 5545 m above sea level just beside Gorakshep. the trail is stony and windy up the hill and big rock which we have to climb over. After enjoying the sunrise we’ll return back to Gorakshep. It will take us around 2 hours to back and forth. After returning back we’ll start our trek to Lobuche. From Gorakshep to Lobuche we’ll descent and pass several hills and the trail is stony.

Altitude (Kala Patthar): 5545 meters
Altitude (Lobuche): 4910 meters
Duration: 6-7 hours

From Lobuche, we pass through Khumbu Glacier. Climbing up we reach Kongma La. There is a Pyramid shaped Italian Research Centre at just over 5,000m. We enjoy the views of the wide basin dotted with frozen lakes. Again we enjoy the marvelous views of Cholatse, Pokalde, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu and Ama Dablam. Then we turn and walk through the stony trail. While descending down the Niyang Khola valley, we enjoy the great views of Amphu Lapcha Pass and Island Peak. Trekking further, we get to Chhukung.

Altitude (Kongma La Pass): 5535 meters
Altitude (Chhukung): 4730 meters
Duration: Approx. 7-8 hours

We descend the Imja Khola valley, trek through the village of Dingboche, famous for its stone-walled potato fields, alpine pastures, and continue forward. On the way, you will also see Kharkas (highland sheds) at Tsura, Orsho, and Shomare. As we continue our hike, we will reach Pangboche Village – the place for year-round settlement in the valley, and then to Tengboche. From the Tengboche viewpoint, you can see awe-inspiring views of distinctive peaks like Amadablam (6856 m), Everest (8848 m), Nuptse (7861 m), Lhotse (8501 m). We will also be visiting Tengboche Gompa – the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region.

Altitude: 3855 meters
Duration: Approx. 5-6 hours

The trail to Namche Bazaar takes us through forests inhabited by highland wildlife like pheasants, musk deer, mountain goats, or even snow leopards. We will be climbing on the steep slopes around which lie chortens and prayer flags. From the path, you can enjoy the view of the tip of Everest and the backside of Lhotse.

Wake up for an early breakfast in Namche, then retrace your steps back to Lukla following the Dudh Koshi river valley. It’s a long day, but it won’t be too difficult as it’s downhill and you’ll be in good shape from all the previous days of trekking. You’ll make your way through villages like Chummoa, Benkar, Phakding, and Chuthawa, eventually reaching the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate signifying the end of the trek. Though most of the route is an easy downhill slope, the last section of trail before arriving takes you uphill—a fitting way to finish. With Lukla’s handful of shops, bars, and cafes—and even a faux Starbucks!—there are plenty of things to occupy your time as you reflect on your experience.

Altitude: 2850 meters
Duration: Approx. 6-7 hours

From Ramechhap, it takes approx. 5 hour drive via B.P. Highway to reach Kathmandu, that covers a distance of about 143 km. After your tiresome trek, and a pitstop at Ramechhap, you head towards the busy road of the city via Dhulikhel and beautiful landscape on the way to Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a diverse, historic city with amazing architecture, exquisite wood carvings and metal craft which showcase the skills of the Newar artisans of centuries ago. Hinduism and Buddhism have co-existed in Kathmandu valley from time immemorial and the valley residents make little distinction as they worship in both Hindu and Buddhist shrines. Kathmandu is a city where ancient traditions are zealously guarded while at the same time embracing modern technology.

Flight Duration: Approx. 30 minutes
Drive Duration: Approx. 5 hours