Trekking · Nepal
Kongma La Pass
At 5,535 m the highest of the Everest Three Passes, a remote crossing between Chhukung and Lobuche.
Kongma La is the highest of the three great passes in the Everest region, cresting at about 5,535 metres between Chhukung and Lobuche. Remote, rugged and lightly travelled, it is the first crossing on the classic anti-clockwise Three Passes circuit and, for many trekkers, the most demanding day in the Khumbu thanks to its sheer altitude and its long approach over wild moraine and glacier.
Where it is
The pass crosses the ridge east of the Khumbu glacier, linking the Imja valley village of Chhukung with Lobuche on the Everest Base Camp trail. It is one of the seven great Himalayan passes of Nepal and the highest of the trio on the Everest Three Passes trek, where it precedes Cho La and Renjo La.
Crossing the pass
The crossing is usually made north from Chhukung. The trail climbs steadily past a string of small glacial tarns to the prayer-flag saddle, from where Makalu, Ama Dablam and the Khumbu peaks fill the horizon. The descent is steep and rocky down to the Khumbu glacier, which trekkers must cross on a faint, cairned path before reaching Lobuche. It is a long day of eight hours or more, and the route is less travelled than the other two passes.
Difficulty and altitude
Kongma La is non-technical, but its altitude makes it serious — at 5,535 metres it is higher than Everest Base Camp itself. The approach is rough and the trail faint in places, so a licensed guide is strongly recommended. Trekkers usually cross having already acclimatised in the Khumbu, but understanding altitude sickness in Nepal is essential and any symptoms mean descending, not crossing.
Best time and conditions
The reliable windows are autumn (October to November) and spring (April to May). Winter snow can bury the high, faint trail and make the glacier crossing risky, while monsoon cloud cuts visibility. As on all the Khumbu passes, an early start gives firmer snow and the best chance of clear morning views.
Plan your crossing
Kongma La is only crossed as part of the Three Passes circuit, never alone. Prepare with the Nepal trekking guide, build in plenty of acclimatisation days lower in the Khumbu, and carry trekking poles, microspikes and buffer days for weather on this, the highest of the great trekking passes.
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Frequently asked questions
How high is Kongma La pass?+
Kongma La sits at about 5,535 metres, making it the highest of the three passes on the Everest Three Passes trek and one of the highest non-technical trekking passes in Nepal. The altitude makes it a serious, demanding crossing.
Is Kongma La the hardest of the three Everest passes?+
Many trekkers find it the toughest, mainly because of its height and the long, rough approach over moraine. It is non-technical, but the day is strenuous, the trail is faint in places and you cross the Khumbu glacier on the Lobuche side, so a guide is strongly advised.
Which way do you cross Kongma La?+
Most trekkers cross from Chhukung in the south to Lobuche in the north, making it the first pass on the anti-clockwise Three Passes circuit. The route climbs past small tarns to the saddle, then descends to and across the Khumbu glacier to reach Lobuche.
When is the best time to cross Kongma La?+
October to November offers the safest and clearest conditions, with April to May the spring alternative. Snow can make the high, faint trail dangerous in winter, and monsoon cloud and fresh snow reduce visibility, so autumn is the prime crossing window.
