Everest Three High Passes Trek

This is the day your adventure begins with a thrilling 35-minute flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla. After landing, we’ll meet our porter team, organize the gear, and hit the trail. The trek starts with a gentle descent toward the Dudh Koshi River, winding through local villages for about 4 hours until we reach Phakding. Take the evening to ease into the altitude and enjoy your first night in a traditional mountain tea house. 

After breakfast, we push deeper into the beautiful Khumbu region. The trail follows the river valley, crossing scenic suspension bridges as we head toward Monjo for lunch. From there, the terrain steepens significantly for the final push up to Namche Bazaar. Reaching this bustling Himalayan hub is incredibly rewarding. There, you'll be greeted by views of Thamserku and Kongde Ri, vibrant local markets, and the unique energy of the Sherpa capital.

To adapt safely to the thinning air, we spend a dedicated acclimatization day in Namche. Rather than resting entirely, staying active is the best approach. Therefore, we’ll take a scenic hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) for our first proper look at Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Afterward, you can explore the local Sherpa culture museum, visit the national park headquarters, or simply enjoy a coffee at a local bakery. 

The day starts with a relatively flat, winding trail that offers sweeping views of the valley and Ama Dablam. After dropping down to the river for lunch at Phunki Thenga, we face a steady, 3-to-4-hour uphill climb through rhododendron forests. Our destination is Tengboche, a stunning village famous for its iconic monastery. We’ll have time to visit the monastery, learn about its history, and watch the evening mist roll over the peaks.

We catch the early morning light on the mountains before hitting the trail, which gradually leaves the tree line behind. Passing through Pangboche, the landscape shifts into a starker, alpine environment. A gentle but steady climb brings us into the wide valley of Dingboche. Known as the summer valley, this stone-walled village is a welcome place to rest, recharge, and look out at the towering wall of Lhotse. 

As we approach the 4,500-meter mark, a second acclimatization day is vital. To help your body adjust, we’ll take a steep day-hike up the ridge behind the village, or head toward Chhukung Ri (5,550 m). The effort pays off with dramatic views of Makalu, Island Peak, and the massive south face of Lhotse. We’ll return to Dingboche for a relaxed afternoon to rest up for the challenges ahead. 

Today is intentionally short and slow, designed to conserve your energy for the grueling pass tomorrow. We follow a gentle, steady uphill trail through high alpine pastures, flanked by incredible mountain walls. After a 3-hour trek, we reach the small settlement of Chhukung. Use the afternoon to pack your gear, stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep before tackling the first big pass.

We start before dawn for our first high pass: Kongma La (5,535 m). The climb is a steep, demanding slog over rocky terrain, but the panoramic views from the summit at 5,535 meters are absolutely unforgettable. After descending the other side, we stop for lunch near Thukla before navigating the moraine of the massive Khumbu Glacier. We'll pass the poignant climbers' memorials before arriving in Lobuche, exhausted but accomplished.

Note: This is a highly grueling day

We trek along the rocky edge of the Khumbu Glacier for about 3 hours to reach Gorak Shep, our final outpost. After checking into the tea house and having a quick bite, we push onward to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). Walking across the glacier's edge brings you right to the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. Take your time soaking in the atmosphere, snapping photos, and standing at the base of the world's highest peak before heading back to Gorak Shep. 

An early alpine start brings us up the steep trail of Kala Patthar (5,545 m). It is a tough climb in the cold, but standing at the top to watch the sunrise illuminate Everest, Nuptse, and Pumori is the visual highlight of the entire trek. After descending to Gorak Shep for breakfast, we pack up and head back down the trail toward Lobuche, eventually branching off toward the quiet, scenic village of Dzongla.

Today brings our second major challenge: Cho La Pass (5,420 m). The day begins across a gentle basin before turning into a steep scramble over loose rock and boulders. The final stretch requires walking across a crisp, packed glacier to reach the prayer flags at the top. The descent down the other side is steep and requires careful footing on the moraine, but it leads us safely into the small settlement of Dragnag. 

Note: Involves crossing a steep glacier/rock scree.

Compared to yesterday, today is short and visually spectacular. We spend the morning navigating across the rugged, debris-covered Ngozumpa Glacier—the longest glacier in the Himalayas. As we reach the far side, the landscape transforms as the striking, turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes come into view. We’ll check into our tea house early, giving you a relaxed afternoon to explore the lakeside village. 

We catch our breath with another active rest day in the Gokyo Valley. In the morning, we’ll make the steep climb up Gokyo Ri (5,357 m). From the summit, you get a breathtaking, panoramic view of four 8,000-meter peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, alongside the massive glacier below. We’ll head back down for lunch, leaving the afternoon free to rest or walk along the shores of the upper lakes. 

Today we tackle our third and final high pass, Renjo La (5,360 m). The trail climbs steadily away from the Gokyo Lakes, turning into a steep stone staircase near the top. Looking back from the pass offers one of the finest views in the region, framed by prayer flags. From the top, we begin a long, steady descent into a quiet, rarely visited valley, following the trail down to our tea house in Lumde. 

With all three passes behind us, the trail eases significantly as we enter the traditional Bhote Koshi valley. We descend through ancient villages like Marulung and Tarngga, crossing the river along the way. Our stop for the day is Thame, a historic Sherpa village untouched by mass tourism. It’s the childhood home of Tenzing Norgay, and you’ll have plenty of time to visit its stunning, cliffside monastery. 

We loop back into familiar territory today, making our way back to Namche Bazaar. The trail is a comfortable, mostly downhill walk through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests, passing small Sherpa settlements along the valley wall. Arriving back in Namche feels like a return to civilization—enjoy a hot shower, celebrate your achievement at a local cafe, and enjoy a comfortable night’s rest. 

Our final day on the trail is a long but rewarding push back to where it all started. We descend the steep hill out of Namche, cross the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi, and stop for lunch near Phakding. From there, a final, gradual uphill stretch brings us back into Lukla. It’s a great evening to celebrate with your guides and porters, toast to an incredible journey, and prepare for your flight tomorrow. 

We board an early morning flight from Lukla, enjoying one last look at the Himalayas as we fly back to Kathmandu. Once at the hotel, the rest of the day is entirely yours. It’s the perfect time to book a well-deserved massage, do some souvenir shopping in Thamel, or just relax. In the evening, join us for a farewell cultural dinner hosted by Sublime Trails to celebrate your trek. 

Your Himalayan journey comes to an end today. Depending on your flight schedule, our representative will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport for your journey home. Safe travels, until your next adventure.