Three High Pass Trekking is a dream destination for adventurers from all over the world. This trek connects Everest Base Camp (EBC) and surrounding high peaks and passes. Three High Pass trekking with Everest Base Camp truly gives astonishing experience as it takes one to world’s highest peak Everest, through the valleys, high passes and an opportunity to experience the local culture.
The trek connects the Khumbu Valley in the lap of the Mount Everest and the other two valleys namely the Gokyo Valley and the Thame Valley. While connecting three valleys, Everest Three High Pass Trekking crosses the three high passes which are Kongma-La at 5545 meters, Cho-la 5420 meters and Renjo-la 5345 meters respectively. This trek also includes unforgettable destinations like Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar view points. Therefore, this trek can be said to be a complete journey for any trekker.
Most Important to know can be the itinerary and cost we offer for the Everest Three High Pass Trekking. So following is the very brief itinerary to give you an idea and the costing to complete the Everest Three High Pass Trekking.
Itinerary and expenses for Everest Three High Pass Trekking
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu, meet the guide and prepare, sleep at 1350m. (4428ft)
Day 02. Kathmandu – Manthali, 4 hour drive and rest, sleep at 474m. (1554ft)
Day 03 Manthali– Lukla – Phakding, short flight and 3 hour trek, sleep at 2610m. (8560ft)
Day 04. Phakding to Namchebazaar, 6 – 7 hours trek, sleep at 3440m. (11283ft)
Day 05 – 06 Two days of rest for better acclimatization, 3440m. (11283ft)
Day 07 Trek to Deboche, 6 hours, Sleep at 3800m. (12464ft)
Day 08 Trek to Dingboche, 6 hour trek, Sleep at 4410m (14464ft) Day 09 Half Day Acclimatization, after lunch short trek to Chhukung 4730m (144600ft) Day 10 Kongmala Pass (5545m / 18187ft) and trek to Lobuche 9 hours, sleep at 4910m (16100ft)
Day 11 Everest base camp (5364m / 17598ft) and Gorakshep 5 hours, sleep at 5140m (16860ft)
Day 12 Climb Kalapattar (5644m / 18512ft) and to Zongla 7 hours, sleep at 4800m (15744f)
Day 13 Zongla to Chola Pass (5420m / 17777f) and Thangnag, 8 hours and sleep at 4700m (15416ft)
Day 14 Thangnag to Gokyo 2 hours and rest, sleep at 4700m (15416ft)
Day 15 Gokyo to Renjola (5345m / 17531ft) and to Lungden, 8 hours, sleep at 4380m (14143ft)
Day 16 Lungden to Thame 4 hours and rest, sleep at 3800m (12464ft)
Day 17 Thame to Monjo 5 hours, sleep at 2835m (9300ft)
Day 18 Monjo to Lukla 5 hours and sleep at 2800m (9200ft)
Day 19 Fly out to Kathmandu or Manthali and arrive in Kathmandu, sleep at 1350m (4428ft)
Day 20 Day for Kathmandu
Day 21 Return home!
Three Passes and Everest Base Camp Cost Breakdown
Kathmandu, Manthali Accommodation $ 100.00
Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu $ 500.00 included guide’s ticket, or Manthali transfer if needed
Kathmandu day introductory sightseeing (day 20) $ 45.00
Trekking-Food, accommodation, guide, porter package $ 1490.00
National Park and Municipality Entrance Permits $ 50.00
Total of above $ 2185.00 (Minimum Group Size 2 Persons)
The mentioned price details have been prepared based on expensive meals’ Menu in local teahouses, high airfare to Lukla and operation costs involved.
PS. The Itinerary Can Be Reversed in same time period starting from Thame Valley towards Gokyo and EBC. Actually those who want to do this trek via the more challenging route choose this option. You can find the itinerary on our main trekking page here.
Everest Three High Pass Trekking Practical Information
As mentioned on the itinerary section above, the duration of the trek is 17 nights and 18 days and few days are kept as a cushion for flight delay or cancellation or to do other things in Kathmandu. Trekking starts with a jeep ride from Kathmandu to Manthali (4 hours), then a short flight to Lukla and finally return to Kathmandu at the end. In tourist off-season, there is a direct flight to Lukla from Kathmandu without traveling to Manthali.
Is the Everest Three Pass Trek Suitable and Possible for you?
If you enjoy the outdoors and especially trekking, then this trek can surely be an unforgettable experience of your life. Most of the time of the journey will be in the high Himalayan region where the oxygen’s pressure level is said to be less than at sea level. Thus our body become tired quickly than in our comfort zones. There is also chance of getting Altitude Sickness in the higher elevation we trek. Thus keeping yourself as healthy as possible is wise idea for a successful trek and to minimize any challenging situation during the trek.
Being healthy does not mean that you need body and energy like of an athlete who participates in a competition, but you should have a good fitness. For that, you can prepare by regularly walking, jogging, going to the gym or cycling around. If possible it is better to walk up and down as far as possible. If there is no such facility, you can prepare by walking briskly for at least 2 hours each time 3-4 times a week. Apart from this, doing other general exercises is also beneficial. If you love the outdoors, prefer to walk or do activities in groups as needed and don’t mind walking 5 to 8 hours a day through snow, glaciers and challenging natural terrain, then this trek is definitely for you.
The remote settlements or lodges in the Himalayan region may not have the facilities of great toilets, eating or sleeping facilities as in modern places. In some places these facilities are very basic. These things should also be kept in mind. If you can adjust in these available facilities, challenges and opportunities, you will be able to increase the enjoyment of this trek.
Food and Accommodation Facilities in the Three High Pass Trekking
About 40,000 tourists arrive in the Everest region from the September to November as per recent data. This means the host capacity caters this many travelers in addition to their staff. Guesthouses with attached bathrooms are found in many places except few places on the route of Everest Three High Pass. Clean single, double, and triple bed rooms and dormitory beds are available in those guesthouses. They are run by families from the local Sherpa community. They prepare the necessary food for you. Your guide will book the proper guesthouse in advance at the place according to the itinerary.
The guesthouses have a menu that includes continental and local cuisine. Food is arranged accordingly. After three hours of walk from the start in the morning, you will reach another guest house for lunch. For drinking water, you can get bottled water sold at local shops and lodges. We discourage buying water in plastic bottles.
As an easy alternative for drinking water, you can bring a water bottle and a water purification tablet, filter or a sterile pen with a UV system. Accordingly, in lodges with attached bathrooms for bathing, and in places where such facilities are not available, you can take the service of hot water provided in a bucket. Water can be easily obtained as needed for washing personal clothes or other hygiene purposes.
Clothing Equipment and Accessories for Everest Three High Pass Trekking
Everest Three Pass Trekking goes through high altitude area most of the time. High altitude area over 3000 meters or 10000 ft is not only risky of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) but also usually cold temperature zone. So the priority is to give the warm clothing from head to toe – i.e. warm hat, warm down jacket, inner and outer set of pants and good socks and goretex hiking-boot.
High passes and hillocks are usually windy thus gore-tex jacket, pants are helpful. Warm gloves, extra bandana, buff for the neck, sun glasses, head lamp, and battery backup for electric devices are essentials too. A little day pack for a few personal things for the day to carry by yourself is good. Likewise a big duffel to put everything else and give away to the porter to carry. A warm sleeping bag either bring or rent here in Kathmandu. Hiking poles are also good idea. Toiletry items are also not to forget in packing items. We will provide the list of packing items on request as well.
What to do in an emergency?
There are facilities for treatment and rescue in the Everest region in case of emergencies such as injuries, falls, altitude sickness, etc. during trekking. Places like Lukla, Namchebazar, Khumjung Hospital, Feriche Health Center have treatment facilities with skilled doctors and nurses. If there is a need for rescue, such act is operated by helicopter from Lukla and Kathmandu.
The Three Passes of Everest Region
Kongmala Pass: Among the three passes, Kongmala Pass is the first pass while commencing a trek from Everest Base Camp or Khumbu Valley. Kongmala pass is at a height of 4545 meters. It is also the highest among the three passes. Traveling from east to west, this pass connects the branch valley of the Khumbu Valley, Chukung, and the upper reaches of the Khumbu Valley. For this pass, one has to walk for 9 to 10 hours starting from Dingboche and reaching Lobuche. Out of the three passes, only few travelers travel on this pass because it is separated from the main route of major trekking routes like Everest Base Camp or Gokyo Valley.
Chola Pass connects Khumbu Valley and Gokyo Valley. This pass is at a height of 5420 meters. This pass lies in the middle of the journey from east to west, i.e. from Khumbu Valley to Gokyo Valley or Vice verse. This day’s journey from Jongla to Thangnag on the other side, one has to walk for about 8 hours.
Renzola Pass is located at 5345 meters. This pass connects the famous Gokyo Valley and Thame Valley. From its top, the mountain with the peak of the highest peak, Everest, looks very attractive. This pass is famous for its very beautiful scenery. For Renjola Pass, one has to walk for 9 hours from Gokyo to Lungden. Renzola Pass is the third and last in the journey from east to west during Everest Three High Pass Trek.
Three High Passes Connect Three Valleys in the Everest Region
Khumbu Valley: The Khumbu Valley is the most famous and largest of the three separate valleys in the Everest region. Everest base camp is located at the head of this valley from where climbers proceed towards the summit. Since Everest base camp is a very popular destination, this valley tends to be the busiest. The road to reach here goes from Namche to North East.
Gokyo Valley: The Gokyo Valley is located on the west side of the Khumbu Valley, in the lap of the Cho Oyu Peak. To go here, the trail starts from near Namche towards the north. Gokyo Valley is famous for various beautiful lakes including Gokyo lake itself. Also, Gokyo Ri is a very famous view point to see Mt. Everest.
Thame Valley: To travel to Thame Valley, the route from Namche goes north-west. This trail has historical importance. From here, the world-famous Sherpa people came to the Khumbu region from Tibet. Until the beginning of 2000, Tibetans used to come from Tibet to do business up and down via Nangpala Pass at the border. Unfortunately, this historic trade route is now closed.
Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp is located at the height of 5364 meters and admired by many adventurers from around the world. A two-week journey from Lukla is required to travel here. During the climbing season, more than 1000 climbers and workers gather here. It is also called the city of tents because of the crowd during the climbing season that’s in every April to June. Everest base camp is located on top of Khumbu Glacier that originates from Everest and Lhotse. The nearest human settlement or lodge from here is Gorkshep. From there, trekkers do a day trip to the base camp.
Kalapattar : A stunning View Point During Three High Pass Trekking With Everest Base Camp
The last lodge on the journey to Everest Base Camp is Kalapathar Pahad, directly north from Gorakhep. From the lodge it is a 3 hour trek to reach its peak. Kalapatthar is located at 5650 meters and this place is famous for its beautiful view of Everest.
Gokyo Ri
Gokyo Ri is located at the head of the Gokyo Valley, at 5357 meters above sea level. From here, mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Chooyu, etc. are seen in a very beautiful panorama.
Cho Oyu Base Camp Nepal
Cho Oyu Mountain at the head of Gokyo Valley is one of the 14 mountains above 8000 meters. This mountain is considered safe and easy to climb from Tibet side. Although climbing from Nepal side is difficult, recently some climbers have successfully climbed from Nepal side as well. A day trip can be done here from Gokyo, which is the last lodge of Gokyo Valley.
Sherpa Villages or major settlements enroute Three High Pass Trekking
Lukla: Lukla is the departure point of the trek to the Everest region. The famous Tenzing Hillary Airport is located here. During the busy tourist season, small planes make up to 50 flights here in a day. The small Sherpa village here has developed into a town of tourist markets and lodges. There are lodges with good facilities to stay and eat here. Coffee shops and bars are also available.
Namchebazaar: Namchebazaar is the most famous tourist center in the high Himalayan region of Nepal. There are well-equipped lodges, handicrafts, bakeries and cafes, as well as world-famous brands of outdoor gear outlets. Check out this short youtube video for an idea of Namchebazaar !
Friday market Namchebazaar has a market every week from Friday to Saturday morning. During the market, local farmers and traders from far away sell their goods, while the locals and lodge-keepers of Khumbu area come to buy the essential materials they need.
Khumjung: Khumjung village is a large Sherpa settlement in Khumbu region. Sir Edmund Hillary has built a high school and a hospital here. Lodge and food facilities are also available here.
Pangboche: Pangbache is an important village in Khumbu region. Here is the oldest monastery in this area where climbers go to worship before going to the mountain.
Thame: Thame is another old village in the Everest region. Located on the way to Tibet, this village has a 300-year-old monastery as well as the cultural heritage of the Sherpa community.
Lawudo: Lawudo, a meditation center that has become famous recently, has a cave where the world famous late Lama Zopa meditated. If you have two to three hours’ spare time between the route from Namche to Thame it’s worth to visit this cave and monastery.
Guide and Porter
Although there is not much chance of losing the way during the trip to the Everest region, it is wise to take a guide and a porter on the trip. By working with tourists, Nepali youths from the remote mountain are taking in the positive message from tourists they are associated. They certainly give back sense of security, comfort and happiness to the guests they work for.
Tourism is an important source of employment as there are no large industries for economic activity in Nepal. Therefore, traveling with a guide and porter staff is a significant contribution at large by every tourist. Guides and porters should be experienced, trained and able to communicate well with their guests. We assure to provide service of only such skilled guides and porter staff in the trekking trips managed by us.
Why trek with Three Jewels Adventures?
Three Jewels Adventures was founded 24 years ago by Amber Tamang and his family from Solu in the lower part of the Everest region (Solukhumbu). Even though many of his colleagues have migrated to foreign countries or big cities using tourism as a connection to the modern world, he is still active in the field of trekking. The fact that not any client has been dissatisfied in his career spanning over two decades in trekking is the biggest testament that Three Jewels Adventures and team cares about every guest.
We believe that joining us in a trip is not only a mere trekking trip, but it is another exciting experience and the beginning of a new dimension for our guests and to our team as well.
