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Three Passes Trek with Everest Base Camp Trek – 20 Days
The Three Passes Trek with Everest Base Camp is a challenging 20-day trekking adventure in Nepal’s Everest region, combining three high mountain passes with Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri.
The route crosses Kongma La Pass (5,535m), Cho La Pass (5,420m) and Renjo La Pass (5,360m) while taking you through remote Himalayan valleys, traditional Sherpa villages, glacial landscapes and some of the most impressive mountain scenery in the Everest region.
Designed as a private guided trek, this itinerary is suitable for solo travellers, couples, friends and private groups looking for a more varied Everest experience. Along the route, you can explore Gokyo Lakes, climb Gokyo Ri, reach Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres and enjoy sunrise views from Kala Patthar at 5,545 metres.
The trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and follows a circuit through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Thame, Lungden, Renjo La, Gokyo, Cho La, Dzongla, Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Kongma La, Dingboche and Tengboche before returning to Lukla and Kathmandu.
Why Choose the Everest Three Passes Trek?
The Everest Three Passes Trek is ideal for trekkers who want to experience more than the classic Everest Base Camp route. Instead of following one main valley, this itinerary takes you through different valleys and across three major high mountain passes.
The route combines:
- Three high passes: Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La
- Everest Base Camp
- Kala Patthar
- Gokyo Lakes
- Gokyo Ri
- Traditional Sherpa villages
- Buddhist monasteries
- Remote alpine landscapes
- Views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Ama Dablam
As a private trek, the itinerary also provides greater flexibility than a fixed-departure group trek. You can travel with your own group and enjoy the journey at your own pace, with additional time for acclimatisation or photography where required.
Everest Three Passes Trek Highlights
- Cross Kongma La Pass (5,535m), the highest of the three passes.
- Cross Cho La Pass (5,420m) between the Gokyo and Everest areas.
- Cross Renjo La Pass (5,360m) on the route from Lungden to Gokyo.
- Visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m).
- Climb Kala Patthar (5,545m) for panoramic sunrise views of Mount Everest.
- Explore the beautiful Gokyo Lakes.
- Hike to Gokyo Ri (5,483m).
- Experience Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries.
- Trek through Sagarmatha National Park.
- Enjoy views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Ama Dablam.
- Travel with an experienced English-speaking trekking guide.
- Enjoy porter support during the trek.
- Experience the Everest region through a private trekking itinerary.
Private Everest Three Passes Trek for Solo Travellers, Couples and Groups
Solo Travellers
Solo travellers can book the Everest Three Passes Trek as a private guided experience. You will have an experienced trekking guide and porter support throughout the trek whilst retaining the flexibility of a private itinerary.
The private format allows solo trekkers to experience the Everest region with local trekking support rather than joining a fixed-departure group.
Couples and Friends
Couples, friends and small groups can travel together on a private itinerary. A private trek provides a more personalised experience and allows the group to enjoy the route together without being tied to a larger group schedule.
Shared guide and porter arrangements can also help make the trek more practical for small private groups.
Single Supplement and Private Room Option
Twin or double-sharing rooms are standard during the trek. Trekkers who prefer additional privacy can request a single supplement for private room accommodation where available, particularly in Kathmandu and selected tea houses.
Accommodation During the Everest Three Passes Trek
Accommodation during the Everest Three Passes Trek is mainly in traditional tea houses and lodges operated by local families.
The tea houses provide simple and comfortable rooms along the trekking route, together with locally prepared meals. Twin-sharing accommodation is standard during the trek.
Private rooms may be available in selected locations for trekkers who request a single supplement.
Comfortable hotel accommodation in Kathmandu is included before and after the trek.
Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty
The Everest Three Passes Trek is a challenging high-altitude trek because of its long trekking days, rugged mountain terrain and multiple passes above 5,000 metres.
The route crosses:
- Renjo La – 5,360m
- Cho La – 5,420m
- Kongma La – 5,535m
The itinerary also reaches Gokyo Ri at 5,483m, Everest Base Camp at 5,364m and Kala Patthar at 5,545m.
Previous trekking experience is helpful, although fit and well-prepared trekkers can undertake the route with proper preparation and acclimatisation. The itinerary includes acclimatisation days in Namche Bazaar and Lungden before the high-pass crossings.
Because of the altitude and demanding terrain, the Three Passes route is more challenging than a straightforward lower-altitude trekking itinerary.
Best Time for the Everest Three Passes Trek
NepalHiking currently lists autumn and spring as the best seasons for the Everest Three Passes Trek.
Autumn Season – September to November
Autumn is one of the most popular trekking seasons in the Everest region. The season generally offers stable weather, clear skies and excellent mountain visibility.
Spring Season – March to May
Spring is another excellent season for the trek, with moderate temperatures, blooming rhododendron forests and beautiful Himalayan scenery.
Everest Three Passes Trek Route
The 20-day itinerary follows a circuit through several major valleys and settlements of the Everest region.
Kathmandu → Lukla → Phakding → Namche Bazaar → Thame → Lungden → Renjo La → Gokyo → Gokyo Ri → Dragnag → Cho La → Dzongla → Gorak Shep → Everest Base Camp → Kala Patthar → Lobuche → Kongma La → Dingboche → Tengboche → Monjo → Lukla → Kathmandu
This route combines the three high passes with Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Ri, Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar before returning to Lukla.
See the complete day-by-day itinerary below for detailed information about each trekking day.
The Three Passes on the Everest Trek
Renjo La Pass – 5,360m
Renjo La is the first major high pass on the itinerary. The route crosses Renjo La from the Lungden area before descending towards Gokyo.
From the pass, the route provides views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape before continuing towards Gokyo and the Gokyo Lakes.
Cho La Pass – 5,420m
Cho La is the second high pass on the itinerary. The route crosses the pass between Dragnag and Dzongla before continuing towards the Everest Base Camp section of the trek.
The crossing forms an important part of the Three Passes circuit and adds a more challenging high-altitude section to the itinerary.
Kongma La Pass – 5,535m
Kongma La is the final and highest of the three passes on this itinerary.
The route crosses Kongma La from the Lobuche area before descending towards Dingboche and continuing through Tengboche and Monjo towards Lukla.
Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary – 20 Days
The 20-day itinerary combines acclimatisation, high-pass crossings, Gokyo, Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar before returning to Kathmandu.
- Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu – 1,350m
- Day 2: Fly to Lukla – 2,860m and Trek to Phakding – 2,610m
- Day 3: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar – 3,440m
- Day 4: Acclimatisation Day in Namche Bazaar – 3,440m
- Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Thame – 3,820m
- Day 6: Trek from Thame to Lungden – 4,350m
- Day 7: Acclimatisation Day in Lungden – 4,350m
- Day 8: Cross Renjo La Pass – 5,360m and Trek to Gokyo – 4,790m
- Day 9: Hike to Gokyo Ri – 5,483m and Trek to Dragnag – 4,700m
- Day 10: Cross Cho La Pass – 5,420m and Trek to Dzongla – 4,830m
- Day 11: Trek from Dzongla to Gorak Shep – 5,164m
- Day 12: Visit Everest Base Camp – 5,364m
- Day 13: Climb Kala Patthar – 5,545m and Descend to Lobuche – 4,910m
- Day 14: Cross Kongma La Pass – 5,535m and Trek to Dingboche – 4,360m
- Day 15: Trek from Dingboche to Tengboche – 3,860m
- Day 16: Trek from Tengboche to Monjo – 2,835m
- Day 17: Trek from Monjo to Lukla – 2,860m
- Day 18: Fly Back to Kathmandu – 1,350m
- Day 19: Contingency / Leisure Day in Kathmandu
- Day 20: Final Departure
Everest Three Passes Trek FAQs
How difficult is the Everest Three Passes Trek?
The Everest Three Passes Trek is a challenging high-altitude trek because of its long trekking days, rugged terrain and three high mountain passes above 5,000 metres.
Previous trekking experience is helpful, and proper preparation and acclimatisation are important for the route.
How many days does the Everest Three Passes Trek take?
The NepalHiking itinerary takes 20 days, including arrival and departure from Kathmandu, acclimatisation days, trekking days, Lukla flights and a contingency/leisure day in Kathmandu.
The actual trekking itinerary can vary depending on acclimatisation, trekking pace and conditions.
What are the three passes on the Everest Three Passes Trek?
The three high passes included in this itinerary are:
Renjo La – 5,360m
Cho La – 5,420m
Kongma La – 5,535m
Does the Three Passes Trek include Everest Base Camp?
Yes. Everest Base Camp is included in the itinerary on Day 12, at an elevation of 5,364 metres.
Does the trek include Gokyo Lakes?
Yes. The route travels through Gokyo after crossing Renjo La and includes a hike to Gokyo Ri.
Does the trek include Kala Patthar?
Yes. The itinerary includes a climb to Kala Patthar at 5,545 metres on Day 13, with sunrise views of Mount Everest.
Is a guide included in the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Yes. The NepalHiking package includes an experienced English-speaking trekking guide.
Porter support is also included, with one porter sharing between two trekkers.
Are Lukla flights included in the package?
Yes. The package includes domestic Lukla flights, listed as Kathmandu/Ramechhap–Lukla–return.
Can solo travellers book the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Yes. The trek is offered as a private guided experience for solo travellers, couples, friends and private groups.
What accommodation is available during the trek?
Accommodation is mainly in traditional tea houses and lodges, with twin-sharing rooms as standard.
Private rooms may be available in selected locations for trekkers who request a single supplement.
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu is included before and after the trek.
What is the best season for the Everest Three Passes Trek?
The best trekking seasons listed by NepalHiking are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November).
Autumn is known for stable weather and clear mountain views, whilst spring offers moderate temperatures and blooming rhododendron forests.
Is travel insurance included?
No. Travel insurance is listed under the exclusions of the trekking package.
NepalHiking recommends travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation.
What is the highest point on the Three Passes Trek?
The highest point on this itinerary is Kala Patthar at 5,545 metres.
Among the three passes, Kongma La at 5,535 metres is the highest.
Is the Three Passes Trek harder than the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The Three Passes Trek is a challenging route because it includes three high mountain passes above 5,000 metres, in addition to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo and Kala Patthar.
It is therefore suited to trekkers looking for a more demanding and varied Everest experience.
Book Your Everest Three Passes Trek in Nepal
Ready to explore the Everest region beyond the classic Base Camp route?
The Three Passes Trek with Everest Base Camp – 20 Days combines Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La with Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Ri, Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
The private guided package includes Lukla flights, accommodation, meals, permits, an experienced English-speaking guide, porter support and trekking logistics.
You can choose your preferred departure date and book the trek for 2026, 2027 or future trekking seasons.
Early booking is recommended during the main Everest trekking seasons for better availability of Lukla flights and preferred accommodation.
Contact Nepal Hiking to plan your private Three Passes Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.
