Everest Three Pass Trek - 21 Days

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our representatives will greet and escort you to your Kathmandu hotel. You'll have an opportunity to relax, unpack, and recover from your flight. In the evening, get a detailed trek briefing by your guide. Your guide will discuss trek arrangements, safety procedures, an awareness of altitude, and an introduction about what to expect over the next three weeks. You may also exit to nearby streets or enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner at a local restaurant.

Spend the day sightseeing for UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley. Tour the Pashupatinath Temple, which is a holy Hindu pilgrim site; Boudhanath Stupa, which is a Tibetan Buddhist complex; Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) atop a hill with panoramic views of the city; and Patan Durbar Square, renowned for its exquisite architecture and craft. This sightseeing day helps you acclimatize to the elevation of Kathmandu and provides cultural context to your Himalayan experience. Top off the day with a welcome dinner complete with traditional Nepali music and food.

Board a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, famous for its dramatic Himalayan approach and small airport perched on a cliff. From Lukla, follow the Dudh Koshi River valley, passing small villages, mani walls, and prayer flags. Descend slightly to Phakding, a quiet village with tea houses, where you’ll spend your first night on the trail and adjust to the Himalayan environment.

The trail continues to ascend steadily via pine and rhododendron forest, over suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. Pass Jorsale (park entry) and Sherpa village Monjo. Steep climb to reach Namche Bazaar, the bustling Sherpa capital. Enjoy vistas of Thamserku (6,623 m) and Kongde Ri (6,187 m) along the way. There are cafes, shops, and an opportunity to view Sherpa culture in Namche Bazaar, together with acclimatization at a higher altitude.

Rest day for acclimatization at altitude. Optional trek to Everest View Hotel or Namche Hill, with glorious views of Mount Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), and Ama Dablam (6,812 m). Visit local markets, monasteries, and cafes and experience Sherpa culture. This day gives your body a chance to acclimatize gradually to prevent altitude sickness on higher passes.

The trail for the day is north along the Dudh Koshi valley, passing through Khunde and Khumjung, typical Sherpa villages. Enjoy a glimpse of Ama Dablam and Thamserku while trekking through forests, suspension bridges, and open valleys. Thame Village is rich in culture with monasteries where one can witness local religious practices. Overnight tea house stay, preparing for high-altitude trekking.

Trek through alpine valleys, gradually going higher in elevation. Trek over streams, moraine paths, and boulder-scattered ridges with expansive views of the mountains. Arrive at Lungden Village, a small and remote village, where Sherpa existence continues relatively unspoiled. The village provides a peaceful night to acclimatize before the high passes ahead.

A physically challenging day of hiking across Renjo La Pass (5,360 m). Ascend through moraine trails and boulder routes with tremendous views of Ngozumpa Glacier, Cho Oyu (8,188 m), and Gokyo Lakes. Descend to Gokyo Village, a peaceful village by the lakes. This hike is worth it with one of the world's most dramatic panorama mountain views. Overnight in the tea house.

Early morning hike to the famous Gokyo Ri, one of the world's most renowned viewpoints. Enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Descend down to Gokyo Village and relax, and pay a visit to the lakes. Today is just perfect for photography and observing Sherpa as well as yak herder's daily life.

Depart from Gokyo and walk east across valleys and moraine trails. Cross low-altitude lakes and scenic landscapes with stunning views of Cho Oyu and surrounding peaks. Reach Thangnak Village, a high-altitude teahouse village where trekkers spend the night, preparing for crossing the Cho La Pass the next day.

A challenging day across the Cho La Pass (5,420 m), one of the three major passes of the trek. Climbing today is steep and rocky, with glacial streams, moraine paths, and snowfields. Enjoy close-up views of Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. Descend to Dzongla Village, a small village with basic teahouse accommodation, having gone over the pass. 

Descend following rocky ridges trails from Dzongla into the Khumbu Valley. Pass through memorials of deceased climbers and enjoy views of Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. Arrive at Lobuche Village, a small settlement with lodges and tea houses. Prepare for the Everest Base Camp trek the next day.

From Lobuche, trek to Gorakshep (5,164 m), last stop before Everest Base Camp. Hike to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) after lunch, where mountaineers gear up for summit climbs. Enjoy panoramic views of Khumbu Icefall and other surrounding mountains.

Wake up early for a hike to Kalapatthar, the most popular viewpoint of Nepal for 360-degree views of Mount Everest and the Khumbu valley. Rest and photography after sunrise, and then hike down to Lobuche Village. This day combines challenging high-altitude hiking with unforgettable mountain scenery.

Ascend on ridges high to Kongma La Pass, a moderately difficult high pass with Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam views. Descend from the pass to Chukung Ri Village, a scenic village in the high Khumbu valley.

Descend step by step down moraines, alpine valleys, and rhododendron woods, through small Sherpa settlements. Arrive at Pangboche with one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu. Observe local ways, prayer flags, and everyday Sherpa life. Spend nights in tea houses with meals provided.

Continue descending in the Khumbu Valley along the Dudh Koshi River. Cross villages like Phortse and Mongla, with cultural interactions with host families. Return to Namche Bazaar, the lively Sherpa town, for rest, souvenir shopping, and relaxation.

Proceed on along forest trails and riverbed tracks, through smaller hamlets and suspension bridges. Reach Lukla Village, where trekkers signify the end of the challenging three-pass trek. Overnight in a tea house and book tickets to fly back to Kathmandu the following day.

Fly from Lukla early in the morning to Kathmandu with breathtaking air views of the Himalayas. After arrival, transfer to your hotel, take some rest, and explore the city freely.

Shop during the day, visit additional cultural attractions, or take a farewell dinner with the trekking staff. Re-experience the incredible highlights of the Everest Three Pass Trek, from Himalayan scenery to Sherpa towns and high passes and glaciers.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. Carry home memories of glacial landscapes, majestic peaks, and Sherpa culture, and cherish your achievement of completing one of the world’s most spectacular trekking adventures.