Three Passes Trek in Nepal below the world's highest mountain Mt. Everest (8848 m) is a challenge for all alpine tourists longing for a real adventure in a country with a huge natural and cultural wealth, where smiling people have lived for centuries in the middle of the Himalayas. This is a more challenging variant of the trek to Everest base camp. The reward for overcoming three passes of more than five thousand is a visit to more remote and deserted parts of the Himalayas.
During the trekking area of Solo Khumbu, unbeatable views of four 8,000-meter peaks will open up to us: Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. We will have other famous glaciated giants in the palm of our hand - Pumori, Nuptse, or Ama Dablam. Our route will lead from the landing area in Lukla to the center of the Sherpa people - Namche Bazaar. From here we will start to climb, the character of the landscape will change with increasing height and the terraced fields will be alternated by the alpine landscape with unique views of the surrounding mountains and cracking glaciers.
We will go up the route around the Tengboche monastery and through the settlement of Periche. Here we separate from the busy trekking route leading directly to the base camp below Mt. Everest and we will go on a circuit over the Kongma La pass (5368 m) to Lobuche and base camp. Next, we cross the Cho La pass (5368 m) to the Gokyo valley and from there over the last Renjo La pass (5350 m) to the Bhote Khosi river valley. At every step, we will encounter Buddhism, which will be remembered not only by monasteries, prayer wheels, and monks, but also by the ubiquitous prayer flags, stupas, and stone walls of mani.
In Kathmandu, we will meet Hinduism again. During this trek, it is possible to ascend to the scenic peak of Kala Patthar (5600 m), from where there are unique views of Mt. Everest and other peaks, and at Gokyo Peak (5357 m). It is a crossing of mountain loggias, whose hospitality we will use for accommodation and meals. We will only bring our own sleeping bag and personal belongings, we will always buy all the food on the spot, so there will be no need to carry any supplies and it is therefore almost easy to go. The trek can be done by anyone who has basic experience with mountains and good physical condition.
We will move for a long time at higher altitudes - several times over 5000 m. Essential for successful movement in these conditions is gradual and sufficient acclimatization, on which we place maximum emphasis. We will spend 18 days in the mountains, of which 3 days always serve as acclimatization day trips. Daily stages usually last 5-7 hours, including breaks, only crossings overpasses are longer. The daily elevation gain is on average 500 m up and 500 m down, we climb more meters and descend again at the crossings of passes.
All routes lead along mountain paths and trails, the tour does not contain any technically demanding sections, only the crossing of the snowy Kongma La and Cho La pass is slightly more demanding. We will go in a small group of up to 13 travelers. Shorter and less demanding variants of the trip are events Nepal - Everest trek or events with the support of carriers included in the price of the trip Nepal - Sherpa region. If you search for a comfortable and Moderate fitness trek you can choose the traditional Everest Base Camp trek 12 days. or Everest View trek 7 days.
Trip Highlights
- World's Dangerous airport Lukla
- Namche
- Dingboche
- Sunrise from Kala Patthar
- Gokyo Lake
- Three passes Rengo-La pass. Cho-La Pass, Kongma-La pass
Everest Three passes Trek Itinerary:
1st day: Arrival in Kathmandu, hotel accommodation in Thamel district. Completion of trekking formalities.
2nd day: Monjo: Attractive flight from Kathmandu to Lukla to the famous Tenzing-Hillary Airport (2800 m). Trek to the village of Monjo, the gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park. (6 hours, ↑ 350 m, and ↓ 350 m)
3rd day: Namche: Short but steep ascent to the center of the Sherpa people and tourism - the famous Namche Bazaar (3480 m). (4 hours, ↑ 700 m, and ↓ 50 m)
4th day: Acclimatization day - walking tours around. Attractive are the villages of Khumjung and Khunde with a school and hospital founded by Edmund Hillary, or a trek through the Bhote Kosi river valley. Namche is the center of the entire Solo Khumbu Valley, and the local markets are extremely busy. Possibility to replenish supplies and equipment. (5 hours, ↑ 500 m, ↓ 500 m)
5th day: Hike to Pangboche (3980 m).
A visit to the popular pilgrimage site of Tengboche (3800 m) with the famous monastery - gompa, which once belonged to the largest buildings in the area. A unique opportunity to photograph prayer flags, the impressive peak of Ama Dablam (6812 m), and also Mt. Everest (8848 m). (7 hours, ↑ 800 m, ↓ 300 m)
6th day: In the morning acclimatization ascent, possibly to the base camp below Ama Dablam (4576 m) and back (5 hours, ↑ 650 m, ↓ 650 m). Then a short transfer to Periche (4240 m). A long climb through the valley of the river Imja Kola, where the trail is lined with Buddhist stone walls "mani" (according to the Buddhist prayer "Om mani Padme hum"). Pheriche is the last more civilized place on the trek, there is the possibility of medical assistance in the symptoms of altitude sickness (3 hours, ↑ 300 m, ↓ 50 m).
7th day: Acclimatization day.
From Periche we can take many breathtaking treks with views of the surrounding peaks. Possibility of a steep ascent to the lookout peak Nangkartshang (5073 m). (5 hours, ↑ 800 m, and ↓ 800 m)
8th day: Trek to the small settlement of Chhukung (4700 m), where trekkers as well as Mera Peak and Island Peak also head. (6 hours, ↑ 450 m)
9th day: Acclimatization day.
From Chukung we can walk to the base camp below Island peak (6189 m), one of the so-called trekking peaks (5 hours, ↑ 400 m, ↓ 400 m). Alternatively, we can ascend to the lookout peak Chukung Ri (5546 m). (5 hours, ↑ 850 m, ↓ 850 m)
10th day: After sufficient acclimatization, crossing the Kongma La pass (5535 m).
Ascent through a desolate alpine landscape to a pass, in the end through possible snowfields. Then a steep descent and finally the crossing of the Khumbu glacier on a hiking trail to the village of Lobuche (4930 m). (8 hours, ↑ 850 m ↑ 650 m)
11th day: Continuation to the highest place of accommodation
Gorak Shep (5170 m) in a rugged mountain landscape below the highest mountain in the world. Along the moraines of the Khumbu Glacier to Base Camp Mount Everest (5364 m), hosting a climber heading for the summit. (7 hours, ↑ 500 m, ↓ 500 m)
12th day: Morning ascent to the top of Kala Patthar (5600 m) with the most beautiful views of Mt. Everest (8848 m), Nuptse (7861 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Pumori (7161 m), and Cho Oyu (8201 m). Return to Lobuche. (5 hours, ↑ 450 m, ↓ 700 m)
13th day: Shorter trek over the beautiful Chola Tsho lake to the village of Dzonghla (4800 m), the last inhabited place under the Cho La pass with views of the north face of Mount Cholatse. (3 hours, ↑ 100 m, ↓ 200 m)
14th day: Ascent to your own Cho La pass (5368 m), at the end over an easy glacier (without the need for cats or ice ax), descent to the village of Dragnak (4700 m). . Along the way, new views of Cho Oyu (8201 m) will constantly open up to us. Relaxing afternoon on the banks of Dudh Pokhari, one of the five sacred lakes, the source of the Dudh Koshi River (3 hours, ↑ 150 m, and ↓ 100 m). Or the possibility of a trip to Lake Thonak Tso (+2.5 hours, ↑ +100 m, ↓ +100 m)
15th day: Ascent to Gokyo Peak (5357 m). A path from the village of Gokyo to the peak of the same name with a view of the giants: Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse, and Taboche. The outlook is completely different from Kala Patthar and surpasses them in many ways. (5 hours, ↑ 600 m, ↓ 600 m)
16th day: Crossing the third pass of Renjo La (5350 m). Last views of the 8,000-meter peaks and descent up the stone steps to the village of Lungden (4350 m). (8 hours, ↑ 550 m, ↓ 1000 m)
17th day: From Lungden via the village of Thame return to Namche Bazaar. (7 hours, ↑ 200 m, ↓ 950 m)
18th day: Last stage of the trek back to Lukla. (8 hours, ↑ 400 m, ↓ 1050 m)
19th day: Departure from Lukla. A tour of the historic center of Kathmandu forever changed by the 2015 earthquake - wooden pagoda-shaped Hindu temples in Durbar Square, holy men "sadhus", the Tibetan Kathesimbu Stupa.
20th day: Reserve in case of flight delay from Lukla or other sudden circumstances. Otherwise, completion of the tour of Kathmandu: Pashupatinath - burning ghats and ceremonies on the banks of the Bagmati River; white Bodhnath - one of the largest stupas in the world; the great Buddhist stupa of Swayambunath, called the "Monkey Temple" by its animal inhabitants. Alternatively, it is possible to pay for popular rafting. Dinner in one of the famous climbing pubs with numerous traces of Czech climbers.
21st day: Departure from Nepal and Return to home.
Additional information about the trip Local transport: In Kathmandu, we will move taxis. We will fly to the Everest area from Kathmandu to Lukla and back by small plane. Travel documents and visas: A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the time of departure from Nepal are required to enter the country.
A visa to Nepal can be obtained directly at the border crossing, ie at Kathmandu airport. The visa is issued for 30 days and costs $ 50. Vaccination: No vaccination is required to enter the country. We recommend being vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Also, make sure you have a valid tetanus vaccination. In more detail: additional information about the trip (difficulty, tickets, insurance, etc.). More information about buying tickets and paying for a trip.
