Trekking · Nepal
Everest Three Passes Trek
The toughest Khumbu circuit — 18 to 20 days crossing Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, taking in Base Camp and Gokyo.
The Everest Three Passes trek is the ultimate Khumbu circuit and the toughest teahouse trek in the region. Over 18 to 20 days it crosses three high passes — Kongma La (around 5,535 m), Cho La (around 5,420 m) and Renjo La (around 5,360 m) — while also taking in Everest Base Camp, the Kala Patthar viewpoint and the Gokyo Lakes. It is reserved for experienced, very fit trekkers.
Overview & highlights
Rather than walking out and back, this route loops the heart of the Khumbu, stitching together everything the region is famous for. You stand at Everest Base Camp, climb Kala Patthar for the classic Everest view, reach the turquoise Gokyo Lakes, and cross three glaciated passes in between. The sense of completeness — and the solitude high on the crossings — is the payoff for the difficulty. If the full circuit is too much, consider the standalone Everest Base Camp trek or the quieter Gokyo Lakes trek.
Itinerary
A condensed day-by-day summary, walking anti-clockwise:
| Days | Route | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Fly to Lukla, trek to Namche Bazaar | Gateway to the Khumbu |
| 3 | Acclimatisation at Namche | Everest View Hotel side trip |
| 4-5 | Tengboche to Chhukung | Ama Dablam views |
| 6 | Cross Kongma La to Lobuche | Highest pass, 5,535 m |
| 7 | Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp | Reach Base Camp |
| 8 | Kala Patthar, descend to Dzongla | Classic Everest sunrise |
| 9 | Cross Cho La to Thagnak | Glaciated pass, 5,420 m |
| 10-11 | Gokyo, climb Gokyo Ri | Lakes and four-peak panorama |
| 12 | Cross Renjo La to Lumde | Final pass, 5,360 m |
| 13-15 | Thame to Namche to Lukla | Return through Sherpa villages |
| 16 | Fly Lukla to Kathmandu | Buffer day recommended |
Always pad the schedule for Lukla flight delays and possible weather days on the passes.
Difficulty & fitness
This is a strenuous, sustained effort. Expect six to eight hour days, long pre-dawn starts on pass mornings, and three crossings above 5,300 m where snow, ice and exposure are possible. There is no technical climbing, but the cumulative altitude and length make it far harder than a single out-and-back trek. Be thoroughly familiar with altitude sickness, train seriously for months beforehand, and ideally have prior high-altitude experience.
Best time to go
October and November offer the most stable weather and the safest pass conditions, with clear skies and firmer trails. April and May is the spring window, warmer but with a higher chance of afternoon snow on the passes. Avoid the monsoon (June to September) and deep winter, when the passes can be blocked by snow and ice.
Permits & cost
You need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit (around USD 25 to 30) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (around USD 15 to 20), plus a licensed guide. See our guide to trekking permits in Nepal. Because of the length, budget roughly USD 1,800 to 2,800 for a guided trip covering guide, porter, permits, lodging and meals; agency packages with extra support cost more. Make sure your travel insurance explicitly covers trekking above 5,000 m and helicopter rescue.
Accommodation
You stay in teahouses throughout, which thin out and grow more basic on the high, remote sections near the passes. Lodges around Namche and Gokyo are comfortable; those at places like Dzongla, Thagnak and Lumde are simple, cold and can fill quickly in peak season, so an early start and a warm sleeping bag both help.
Getting there
The circuit begins with the short flight from Kathmandu (or Manthali) to Lukla, which is weather-dependent — leave buffer days at both ends. From Lukla you walk the full loop and return to Lukla to fly out. For kit lists, fitness advice and acclimatisation strategy, read our Nepal trekking guide before you commit to this circuit.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Everest Three Passes trek?+
Plan on 18 to 20 days from Kathmandu, including the flights to and from Lukla and several acclimatisation days. The circuit is long because it links three high passes with detours to Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and the Gokyo valley.
How hard is the Three Passes trek?+
It is the most demanding teahouse trek in the Khumbu. You cross three passes above 5,300m, walk long days for nearly three weeks and may face snow, ice and exposure on the crossings. It suits experienced, very fit trekkers with previous high-altitude time.
How high are the three passes?+
Kongma La is the highest at around 5,535m, followed by Cho La at around 5,420m and Renjo La at around 5,360m. Each is a strenuous full-day crossing, and conditions can include snow and ice, so trekking poles and sometimes microspikes are useful.
Do you need a guide for the Three Passes trek?+
Yes. A licensed guide is required in the Everest region, and on this route it is strongly recommended for navigation and safety on the passes. Many trekkers also hire a porter given the length and altitude of the circuit.
What is the best direction to walk the Three Passes?+
Most trekkers go anti-clockwise, crossing Kongma La first from Chhukung, then Cho La, then Renjo La last toward Gokyo. This order builds altitude gradually and tends to give better acclimatisation than the reverse.
What permits do you need for the Three Passes trek?+
You need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit, both arranged in Kathmandu or on the trail. A licensed guide is also required.
