This trek combines a chance to visit Everest Base Camp with a chance to get off the beaten track and see some of the amazing backcountry of the Khumbu Region. It’s a challenging route crossing three high altitude passes but with views of 4 of 10 of the world’s tallest mountains its well worth the effort.
Like the traditional Everest Base Camp Trek the route starts from Lukla and only diverges after Namche. Leaving Namche one treks up the canyon of the Bhote Koshi for several days before crossing the Renjo La pass at 5360m and heading into the Gokyo Valley. Great views are obtained from the top of Renjo La and Gokyo Ri of Cho Oyu (8,201m), Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,516 m) and Everest (8,850m). After crossing the first pass rest at Gokyo and take in the iconic views of mount Pharilapche (6017 m / 19741 ft) as it raises above the milky blue lake of Dudh Pokhari. We leave Gokyo heading down the Ngozumpa Glacier which at 36km is one of the largest in the Himalayas. We head over Cho La (5400m) with great views of Ana Dablum before making our way to Gorekshep and Everest Base Camp. Once again the route diverges from the main route and head over Kongma La (5535m). The pass provides fantastic views of Cholatse, Pokalde, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu and Ama Dablam. We cross the pass and descend into the valley of the Niyang Khola where we stop at Chukkung which is the jump off point for climbs to Island Peak. The rest of the route follows the traditional descent back to Lukla via Tengboche and Namche.
Itinerary
Day 01: Morning flight to Lukla and Trek to Phakding/Monjo
Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft Altitude: 2,800m/9184ft (Lukla) & 2,652m/8,698ft (Phakding) Walking Distance: 8km (3-4 hours) Flight time: 35 min
Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital and cultural hub of Nepal! We’ll be waiting with a warm greeting and easy transfer to your hotel. Plan on an evening briefing on last-minute specifics about your trek and an early lights-out: you have a big day ahead. (B,L,D)
Day 02: Trek Pharding/Monjo to Namche Bazaar
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft Walking Distance: 10-12km (5-6 hours) – All distances and time estimates are approximate.
We’ll have breakfast in Phakding before gearing up for the trek to Namche Bazaar, the biggest sherpa village in Nepal. Our trail takes us first over the Dudhkoshi River via a long suspension bridge, and then through a beautiful pine forest to Monjo, about two hours away. Soon thereafter, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park for a brief permit check and then descend to Dudh Kosi River (spotting Mani stones along the way!) en route to Jorsale. Lunch will be served here, and then it’s uphill to Namche. Our path along the riverbank is flanked by two crossings, one of which is the Hillary Suspension Bridge. It’s a tough climb up the hill to our resting place, but you’ll be rewarded in Namche Bazaar with your first glimpse of Everest in its majesty. (B,L,D)
Day 03: Namche Bazaar – Rest and Acclimatization day
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft
At this point, we take a well-deserved break! Today will be spent resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatized to the lofty altitude. There’s an optional 2 hour hike to Everest View Point, an uphill walk that will help speed acclimatization. Otherwise, spend the day exploring Namche Bazaar. Check out the Sherpa museum for an overview of the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering. On Saturdays, the Hatt Bazaar is open for trading and an intimate look at the locals’ marketplace. It is part of the larger Namche Bazaar, a shopping hub filled with all manner of trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment. (B,L,D)
Day 04: Trek Namche to Thame
Altitude: 3800m/12470ft, Walking Distance: 4 – 5 hrs
Here is where the Three Passes Trek diverges from the typical route to Everest Base Camp by diverging to the northwest towards Thame rather than taking the northeast route to Tengboche. We have excellent views of Kongde Ri (6187 m) to the southwest and behind us to the southeast are views of Kusum Kanguru (6,373 m). We generally follow the course of the Bhote Koshi canyon and cross the river in the afternoon before starting the final climb to the small village of Thame. (B,L,D)
Day 05: Trek Thame to Marlung
Altitude: 4210m/13810ft, Walking Distance: 5 – 6 hrs
Thame is an old village lying on the traditional salt trading route between Nepal and Tibet. Today we leave Thame and head toward the small village at Marlung. The trail continues to follow the canyon of the Bhote Koshi and we have frequent views of Kongde Ri (6187 m). (B,L,D)
Day 06: Trek Marlung to Lungden
Altitude: 4380m/14370ft, Walking Distance: 2 – 3 hrs
This is a relatively easy day with only 2 to 3 hours of trekking between the small village of Marlung and Lungden. Lungden is not really more than a few lodges but it makes for a convenient stop and puts one in good position to tackle Renjo La (5369m) the following day. The word “La” translates as pass. (B,L,D)
Day 07: Lungden to Gokyo via Renjo La
Altitude: Renjo La is 5360m/17580 ft. Walking Time: 8 – 9 hrs
Renjo La is the pass connecting the Thame and Gokyo Valleys. It’s a tough days hiking but the views of Cho Oyu (8,201m), Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,516 m) and Everest (8,850m) are well worth it. (B,L,D)
Day 08: Day hike to Gokyo Ri
Altitude: Gokyo Ri is 5357 m/17,570 ft
Today is a rest day in Gokyo and a chance to further acclimatize. Its also an opportunity to take a day hike and climb Gokyo Ri which offers one of the best views of Mount Everest in the entire region. The small village of Gokyo lies on the shores of Dudh Pokhari (the third lake) and views of the lake with a backdrop of mount Pharilapche (6017 m / 19741 ft) rising above it have almost become iconic. Gokyo is famous for its six lakes and the day affords the chance to visit these as well. (B,L,D)
Day 09: Gokyo to Thanknak
Altitude: 4750 m/15,580 ft Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs
The trek today takes us from Gokyo to Thaknak or (Ngozumpa Glacier). The glacier is the longest in Nepal stretching 36 km from the base Cho Oyu to the first Gokyo Lake. Today’s trek affords excellent views of Cho Oyu and Gokyo Ri. The views of the rock covered glacier and alpine landscape are fantastic. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Thanknak to Dzongla via Chola Pass
Altitude: 5400m/17,717 ft, Walking Time: 7 – 8 hrs
This is one of the more difficult days as the trek crosses over Cho La Pass. It’s a steep climb requiring a short traverse over the glacier on the eastern side. One of the highpoints of the day is arriving at the small village of Dzongla and the fantastic views of Ama Dablam (6812 m). (B,L,D)
Day 11: Trek Dzongla to Lobuche
Altitude: 4940 m/16,207 ft, Walking Time: 4 – 5 hrs
The trek descends from Dzongla and heads towards to Lobuche to once again connect with the route normal to Everest Base Camp. We have great views today of Lobuche Peak, Ama Dablam, Kangtega and Thamserku. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Locuche to Gorekshep and Everest Base Camp – Overnight at Gorekshep
Altitude: 5180m/16,994ft (Gorekshep) & 5364m/17598 (EBC) Distance of walking: 15km (6-8 hours) – All distances and time estimates are approximate.
This is it! Our big day kicks off with an initial, relatively easy trek from Lobuche to Gorekshep. The subsequent, straight trail to Everest Base Camp is harder, involving rocky dunes and moraine, formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris. On the way to our destination, we’ll approach the famed Khumbu Glacier and icefall, located on the slopes of Everest. At the Base Camp, our goal, you’ll have the chance (during the spring climbing season) to meet climbers attempting to scale the mountain’s summit. Break out your cameras for unbelievable views of breathtaking beauty. As the afternoon sun starts to wane, we’ll head back to Gorekshep for some much-needed rest and relaxation after a grueling and busy day.(B,L,D)
Day 13: Gorekshep to Kalapathar and back to Lobuche
Altitude: 5,545m/18,192ft (Kalapathar) & 4,320m/14,173ft (Pheriche) Walking distance: 12-13km (5-6 hours) – All distances and time estimates are approximate.
We’ll wake before dawn today to trek towards Kalapathar (which means “black rock”) for a fiery, glorious sunrise over Mt. Everest. The day’s first light will illuminate your spectacular view of Nuptse Nup, Changtse and Lhotse.This may be, of the whole journey, your most opportune moment to snap amazing pictures of Everest and its neighboring peaks. Afterwards, it’s back to Gorekshep for breakfast and down in the direction of Lobuche, our nighttime stop.(B,L,D)
Day 14: Lobuche to Kongma La to Chukkung Valley
Altitude: Kongma La is 5535m / 18159 ft, Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs
From Lobuche we cross near the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and begin the climb up to Kongma La. Fantastic views down valley of Cholatse, Pokalde, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu and Ama Dablam. We cross the pass and descend into the valley of the Niyang Khola where we stop at Chukkung. (B,L,D)
Day 15: Chukkung to Tengboche
Altitude: 3860 m/12,660 ft Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs
Chhukung is the jump off point for climbing expeditions to Island Peak. Today we start the trek back to Lukla as we head first to Pangboche and then to Tengboche.(B,L,D)
Day 16: Tengboche to Namche/Monjo
Altitude: 3,440m/11,284ft Distance of walking: 13-15km (7-8 hours) – All distances and time estimates are approximate.
The walk from Pheriche back to Tengboche is mainly downhill, although it does, counterintuitively, require an hour scaling a hill. We’ll be in Namche/Monjo by late afternoon and off to bed before our last day on the mountain.(B,L,D)
Day 17: Namche to Phakding/Monjo and Lukla
Altitude: 2,800m/9,184ft Walking Distance: 16km (6-7 hours) – All distances and time estimates are approximate.
After breakfast, we trek toward the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then pass through several local villages. Our arrival in Lukla brings an evening in a proper hotel and, traditionally, a party with your trekking crew: you made it! Thanks to great teamwork and perseverance, you’ve accomplished a physical feat of which others only dream. This is your last night on the mountain, which can be bittersweet. (B,L,D)
Day 18: Lukla to Kathmandu flight
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft Flight time: 35 min
In the morning, you’ll hop a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, where your journey both began and ends. You’ll transfer to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed solo rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas. We’ll reunite in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of the best Nepalese restaurants in town, where we’ll be eager to hear your feedback on the trip.
What Is Included
All domestic flight, hotel/airport transfer
All ground transportation by private vehicles
12 B,L,D Lodging + Breakfast while return flight
Experienced Local Guild and Potter
All necessary paper works and permits
All government and local taxes if necessary
What Is Not Included
Nepal Visa fee (International airfare to & from home city)
Excess personal baggage charges beyond 32kgs
Hotel, Lunch & evening meals during Kathmandu stay
Travel & rescue insurance
Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills etc.
Gratuity for staffs
Optional trips and sightseeing if extend