Trekking · Nepal
Renjo La Pass
A 5,360 m pass above Gokyo with one of the finest Everest panoramas in the entire Khumbu.
Renjo La is a 5,360-metre pass above the Gokyo valley in the Everest region, and for many trekkers it offers the single finest mountain view in all of Nepal. From its prayer-flag saddle, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu line up to the east above the chain of turquoise Gokyo lakes, while the great Ngozumpa glacier — the longest in Nepal — sprawls below. It is the westernmost and most scenic of the three high Khumbu passes.
Where it is
The pass crosses the ridge west of Gokyo, linking the Gokyo lakes basin with the Thame valley and the village of Lumde. It is one of the seven great Himalayan passes of Nepal and a highlight of both the Gokyo Lakes trek and the Everest Three Passes trek, on which it is usually the final crossing after Kongma La and Cho La.
Crossing the pass
From Gokyo, the eastern ascent follows a well-built stone staircase that switchbacks up to the saddle, making this the most straightforward of the three passes underfoot. The top is a classic Khumbu viewpoint, draped in prayer flags. The western side drops more roughly down to Lumde and on toward Thame, a historic Sherpa village. The day is long and high but free of any glacier, so it is the least technical of the trio.
Difficulty and altitude
Renjo La is non-technical and, by Three Passes standards, relatively gentle, though it remains a strenuous day above 5,300 metres. Good acclimatisation from time spent in Gokyo is what makes it manageable; trekkers who arrive via Cho La are already well adapted. As with every high pass, anyone showing signs of altitude sickness in Nepal should descend rather than cross.
Best time and conditions
For the famous view and safe trail, aim for autumn (October to November) or spring (April to May). Winter snow can bury the staircase and close the pass, and the monsoon hides the panorama in cloud. Mornings are clearest, so an early start rewards you with the full Everest skyline before any haze builds.
Plan your crossing
Renjo La pairs naturally with a Gokyo trek or the full Three Passes loop. Read the Nepal trekking guide for acclimatisation and kit, time your crossing for clear morning skies, and allow buffer days for weather in this high, remote corner of the Khumbu.
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Frequently asked questions
How high is Renjo La pass?+
Renjo La sits at about 5,360 metres above the Gokyo valley in the Everest region. It is the third pass on the Everest Three Passes trek and is regarded as the most scenic of the three for its sweeping view of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.
Is Renjo La hard to cross?+
It is the most straightforward of the three Everest passes, but still a serious high-altitude day. The eastern climb from Gokyo follows a good stone staircase, while the western descent toward Lumde is rockier. There is no glacier, so it is the least technical of the three.
What is the view from Renjo La?+
The saddle offers one of the great panoramas in Nepal: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cholatse rise to the east, with the Gokyo lakes and the Ngozumpa glacier laid out below. Many trekkers rate the view as the finest of the entire Three Passes circuit.
When should you cross Renjo La?+
October to November offers the clearest skies and safest conditions, with April to May as the spring alternative. Snow can block the pass in winter and the monsoon brings cloud and poor views, so autumn is the best season for both safety and the famous panorama.
