High Passes Treks in the Everest Region is the most adventurous trekking in Nepal. This trek lets you have the experience of crossing the three high passes of the Everest region. Moreover, it is an opportunity to do Everest Base Camp trek.
Truly speaking, it is Everest Base Camp Trek but by adding more challenges. The challenges are the three high passes the Renjola Pass trek, the Chola Pass trek, and the Kongmala Pass trek. All of the passes are above 5,000 meters in elevation.
Even while doing High Passes Treks in the Everest Region, you follow the traditional route to the base camp of Mt. Everest (8,848m). But, you have to divert this trial at some points to get this lifelong experience of high passes crossing.
This trek is more than trekking to other popular trekking in Nepal. The beauty of the natural and cultural varieties is more or less similar. But, you have to climb Renjo La (5,370m), Cho La (5,420m), and Kongma La (5,545m) respectively.
Apart from challenging, these high Himalayan passes are the vantage points of the Everest region as well. One can have the breathtaking vistas of the snowcapped peaks and lush valleys from the top. Imagine the mesmerizing view of the Great Mountains unleashed to the fullest!
During the Everest Three High Passes Trek, you travel through the three important valleys. Specifically, you get to visit the Dudh Koshi Valley, Chhukung Valley, and Gokyo Lakes Valley. The Sherpa lifestyle, culture, and tradition are the inseparable prizes of this challenging trek in the Everest region.
Although it may be difficult for beginners, it is a must-do trek in Nepal for adventure lovers. Sometimes, especially in winter, you may have to use the climbing gears to win over these heights. However, the rewards you get cannot be described in any words.
High Passes Trek in Everest Region Itinerary
High Passes Treks in Everest Region itinerary ranges from 16 days to 22 days. If you have enough time, you can book 22 days itinerary for a leisurely trip. But, you have to book 16 16-day package in case you have limited time.
Nepal Trekking Adventure has designed 19 days itinerary. This duration fulfills your desire to do the epic Everest Base Camp trek by adding a more challenge. Within 19 days, you can witness the snowy peaks, green forests, Sherpa villages, and wonderful landscapes of this region.
The brief Itinerary for Everest Three High Passes Treks in the Everest Region goes like this
- Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,429ft)
- Fly to Lukla (2,860m/9,383ft) and Trek to Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft) -4 Hours
- Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/10,958ft) -6 Hours
- Acclimatization Day
- Trek to Tengboche (3,860m/12,664ft) -5 Hours
- Trek to Dingboche (4,410m/14,469ft) – 5 Hours
- Acclimatization Day
- Trek to Chhukkung (4,750m/15,580ft) -3 Hours
- Trek down to Lobuche (4,940m/16,210ft) via Kongma La Pass (5,535m/18,159ft) -7 Hours
- Trek to Gorak Shep (5,140m/16,864ft) and Hike to Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,598ft) – 8 Hours
- Hike to Kala Patthar (5,550m/18,209ft) and Trek to Dzongla (4,830m/15,850ft) – 7 Hours
- Trek to Thangna (4,358m/14,298ft) via Cho La Pass (5,420m/17,782ft) -8 Hours
- Trek to Gokyo Lakes (4,800m/15,580ft) – 8 Hours
- Acclimatization Day
- Trek to Marlung (4,210m/ 13,812ft) via Renjo La Pass (5,360m/ 17,585ft) – 8 Hours
- Trek down to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft) – 6 Hours
- Trek down to Lukla – 7 Hours
- Return Flight to Kathmandu from Lukla -35 Minutes
- Final Departure
High Passes Treks in the Everest Region
the Everest High Passes Trek Route is a little deviation from the traditional Everest Base Camp trekking trail. It begins right from Lukla, the gateway to the Everest Base Camp trek. It has taken a flight to reach this small Sherpa town by flying from Kathmandu Airport.
There are more than a couple of other routes to reach Lukla to begin this challenging trek. Fly to Phaplu Airport (2,413m) or Salleri Airport (2,309m) on domestic flights then start this trek from either of the points.
You get a little different experience of natural and cultural characteristics provided you start from these points. Finally, you can also do this trek from Jiri, also called the Switzerland of Nepal of Dolakha district.
Jiri Everest Base Camp trek can be started by driving along the Kathmandu Jiri Road. If you want to take a domestic flight, you fly to Manthali, Ramechhap, and drive to Jiri as well. This trip lets you follow the footprints of the pioneers Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay during the 1953 Everest Expedition.
Whichever option you use, Everest High Passes Trek formally begins from Lukla. From Lukla, you travel along the Dudh Koshi Valley until you reach Dingboche. Then, the trail diverts towards Chhukung Valley.
By crossing Kongma La (5,545m), you trek towards Lobuche. From Lobuche, you trek to Gorakshep and then to the base camp of Mount Everest. After spending a night at Gorakshep, you hike up to Kalapatthar.
Then, you trek to Dzongla from Gorakshep for the night stay. Afterward, you trek to Thangna via Cho La (5,420m) to enter into Gokyo Lakes Valley. From here, you move towards Marlung via Renjo La (5,370m) to reach Namche Bazaar. Finally, by trekking down to Lukla, you fly back to Kathmandu.
The Major Sites and their Rewards
You have a day’s acclimatization at Namche Bazaar. Here, you will visit the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) and the Sherpa Museum. Everest View Hotel is one of highest highest-altitude hotels in the world.
You can have a picturesque view of Mt. Everest and other peaks while having breakfast and lunch. The Sherpa Museum gives you all information about Sherpa's lifestyle, culture, and tradition. The Hall of Fame is a gallery of the photos of Tenzing and Hillary from the 1953 Everest Expedition.
By observing Tengboche Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist Cultural site in the Khumbu region, you move further. When you stay at Dingboche for a day for acclimatization, you move towards Chhukung Valley. From Chhukung, you trek to Lobuche via Kongma La (5,545m), the highest pass of Everest three passes.
From Lobuche, you hike up to the base camp of Mt. Everest (8,848m). Next morning, you hike up to Kalapatthar (5,550m). This is the best vantage point of the entire Everest region. From here, you can see the Mt. Everest Summit and other peaks looming far and wide.
Your High Passes Treks in the Everest region continue towards Gokyo Lakes Valley. For this, you should go across Cho La (5,420m) from Dzongla to Thangna and Gokyo Valley. Here, you spend a day exploring the channel of 5 glacial lakes with turquoise water.
The next morning, you hike up to Gokyo Ri (5,357m) to have the breathtaking vistas of the surroundings, from the top, you see the mesmerizing view of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Mt. Makalu (8,463m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8,188m) and many more.
Gokyo Ri is one of the most significant vantage points of the entire Everest region. The view of the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Valley itself is no less enchanting from here. It is also a lifelong memory of peak climbing in Nepal.
How Difficult is the Everest High Passes Trek?
The difficulty of any trek is determined by a few factors like high passes, trekking duration, condition of the trail, and availability of teahouses. It is challenging to cross the high passes. Sometimes, you should also use the climbing gears to scale such difficult sections.
As the most famous region of trekking in Nepal, there are many teahouses and lodges in the Everest region. You can find food and accommodation facilities in all the stops during the journey. Nevertheless, “the higher you trek, the more basic facilities of food and accommodation you find.”
Talking about the trails to the Everest region trekking, they are well-defined and maintained. Except in winter, they are not disturbed by the heavy snowfalls. Even in winter, you can do High Passes Treks in the Everest region except in heavy snowfalls.
Everest High Passes Trek difficulty is measured based on trekking duration and high passes. Especially, while crossing the high passes, you have to walk for 7/8 hours per day. It is difficult to walk along the steep uphill and downhill trails for such a long time.
Another factor to adds to the difficulty of the Everest High Passes Trek is high passes. You have to cross these passes, which are above 5,00m. In some circumstances, you have to use the climbing gears to defeat the passes.
Primarily, altitude is the other difficulty to consider during this trek. As you have to spend most of the nights above 3,000m, there is the possibility of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). If you don’t follow the instructions of the trekking guide and take the required precautions, AMS may also result in death.
Three Passes Trek Distance in Kilometers
Everest High Passes Trek is the best trekking package in the Himalayas for the ones seeking something adventurous in life. It not only gives you an astounding view of the Himalayas but also the firsthand experience of the Sherpa culture of this region.
You have to cover quite a long distance during High Passes Treks in the Everest region. The total length you have to cover throughout the whole trek is 166 kilometers (103 miles). To cover the given distance, you need to walk between 6 days to 12 days.
As you have to walk above 3,000m, you may not be able to cover long distances in a day. The longest distance to walk is 15 km while the shortest is 4 km. The average duration you have to walk during this trip is 6/7 hours.
AMS is the main difficulty in doing this trek to the Everest region. You have to walk slowly by taking enough rest to avoid this problem. Likewise, drinking enough water, having hygienic food and sound sleep can be helpful as well.
You should be quite careful on the day when you are going across the high passes. The path may be snow-covered, so, slippery. If you don’t keep patient and be careful, you may get some accidents. Sometimes, you should also use climbing gears like rope, ice axes, crampons, and hand lines.
Everest High Passes Trek Cost
The cost of any trekking package is indeed determined by various factors associated with this. Some of the responsible factors are duration, acclimatization day, the type of food and accommodation facilities you want, and the mode of transportation you want to use.
The short duration of trekking hours per day and acclimatization day make the Nepal trekking itinerary longer. On the other hand, if you increase the trekking hours and decrease the rest day, the same itinerary becomes short.
The cost of a longer itinerary is higher than that of a short itinerary. Everest High Passes Trek cost cannot be an exception to this rule. If you think you can walk longer and don’t need a rest day, you can cut the given itinerary short.
Besides this, you can break down the trekking package into smaller ones as well. It means you can do one pass at a time or two passes at the same time. If you do this, the cost of Everest High Passes Trek becomes quite low.
To decide about doing all three passes or only one or even two passes, Nepal Trekking Routes helps you further. You have to consult with us via phone call, email, WhatsApp, or web booking tool. Visit Our website Nepal Trekking Routes for detailed info about the itinerary and price.
Highlights of Everest High Passes Trek
- Scenic flight back and from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Crossing Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, the three passes above 5,000m
- Exploration of five glacial lakes of the Gokyo Lake Trek.
- Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for the astounding view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu and other snowcapped peaks
- Sherpa lifestyle, culture, and traditions of Sherpa people
- Ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries including Tengboche Monastery, the largest shrine of the Solukhumbu region
- Everest View Hotel and Kalapatthar viewpoint for 360-degree panoramic view of Mt. Everest and other peaks
- Flora and fauna of Sagarmatha National Park
- Traveling through the Dudh Koshi River Valley and the Chhukung Valley
Best Season for High Passes Trek in the Everest Region
Except in heavy snowfalls, one can do High Passes Treks in the Everest region at all times of the year. The heavy snowfalls cover the tracks that you may not find them easily. Depending upon the most unfavorable conditions, you can plan some extra days in case you want to do this trek.
The best season for High Passes Treks in Everest Region is spring and autumn. Spring in Nepal falls in March, April, and May. The autumn season runs in September, October, and November.
In spring and autumn, the climate is fine with stable weather. The days are warm while mornings and nights are cool. The skies are clear and you can have the eye-catching views of the snow-clad mountains and diverse landscapes.
The weather in the Monsoon season is unpredictable as heavy rainfall may occur at any time. However, many trekkers plan their Everest region visit in this season as they have long vacation then. The visibility is fine except at the time of heavy showers.
Notwithstanding you can do the Everest High Passes Trek in winter, but you must be more cautious. You know, most of the nights should be spent over 3,000m during the trek. Additionally, you have to cross the passes all above 5,000m.
It is almost certain that the places above the given altitude are snow-covered 24/7. The frozen snow layers up to 8/10 meters so you can’t remove it. If you don’t find the right track, you may meet with some accidents. So, we highly recommend you abort the idea of organizing High Passes Treks in the Everest region in the winter season.
High Passes Trek in Everest Region Seasonal Beauties
Moreover, you can see the colorful rhododendron flowers covering the entire Sagarmatha National Park in spring. In autumn, you can taste the juicy fruits and participate in the major festivals of this region.
Mani Rimdu Festival which falls between October and November is the most colorful festival of this region. It is celebrated in Tengboche Monastery for 19 days according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar.
The monks of the monastery perform circle dances in traditional music at the premises of the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. The Sherpa people of the entire Everest region gather in the venue to exchange their happiness and well wishes.
Permits for High Passes Trek in the Everest Region
The Government of Nepal has provisioned a rule that the foreign tourists need some legal documents during Nepal visit. This provision has some specific objectives of the government. Firstly, it is for tracking the information about the tourists, and next is for income generation.
The entire tourist destination of the country is broadly divided into two groups. The restricted trekking area and free individual trekking area. If you want to do the restricted area trekking, you need to purchase a special permit by paying a certain amount.
For the free individual trekking (FIT) area, you need just a TIMS card, a conservation area entry permit, and any other permit imposed by the local government. TIMS Card costs USD 10 if you book a trekking package via a local tour and trekking operator.
The tour operator manages the required permit by including the fee at the overall cost of the package. If you want to buy the TIMS for FIT, you have to pay USD 20. You get this permit from the Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap, and Trekking Agencies Association Nepal (TAAN), Maligaun, Kathmandu.
However, for Everest High Passes Trek, you need a TIMS Card, Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, and Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit. You get a Sagarmatha NP Entry Permit by paying USD 30 from Monjo near Phakding. For Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit, you have to pay USD 20 and it is issued by the local body.
