Everest Base Camp—Three Passes Trek
- 22 Days
- 21 Nights
If Annapurna Round trek unfolds the beauty of almost the entire Annapurna region, then Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek with Three Passes serves the same purpose in the Khumbu region.
This challenging trek with full of thrill and excitement will lead you to key three passes of the region, unfold the beauty of several peaks along with soaring Mt. Everest, and take you to pristine lakes.
The main characteristics of this trek are it leads you to the seven key sites of the Khumbu region namely Gokyo Ri, Chukung Ri, EBC, Kalapatthar, and three passes—Chola Pass, Renjola Pass, and Kongmala Pass. All mentioned three passes are situated at an altitude of more than 5,300m.
Another feature of this package is that it leads you to the four valleys of the Everest region—Bhotekoshi, Gokyo, Khumbu, and Imja Tse.
Furthermore, the hike will also offer an opportunity to climb minor peaks such as Gokyo Ri (5,483m) and Chukung Ri (5,550m).
This high passes trek beings from Lukla—a gateway to EBC—and goes through Sherpa settlements before we experience climbing in Gokyo Ri. Similarly, we cross Chola Pass followed by Kalapatthar and Chukung Ri climb. Kaongmala is the last pass that we will be experiencing while on this trek.
Trek Summary
Trek Duration: 22 days
Trek Grade: Strenuous
Max Altitude: App. 5,550m
Best Time to Trek: Mid Sept to Nov and Mid-Feb to May
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing/Trek Preparation
Day 03: Flight to Lukla/Trek to Phakding
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Day 05: Acclimatization Day
Day 06: Trek to Thame
Day 07: Trek to Lungden
Day 08: Explore Lungden
Day 09: Trek to Gokyo
Day 10: Explore Gokyo/Climb Ri
Day11: Trek to Thagnak
Day 12: Trek to Dzongla via Cho La Pass
Day 13: Trek to Lobuche
Day 14: Trek to Gorak Shep/Hike to Everest Base Camp
Day 15: Hike to Kalapatthar/Trek to Lobuche
Day 16: Trek to Chukung/Cross Kongma La
Day 17: Climb Chukung Ri/Explore Chukung valley
Day 18: Trek to Pangboche
Day 19: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Day 20: Trek to Lukla
Day 21: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 22: Back to your Destination
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Welcome to the land of the mountains! Our staff will receive you at the airport—Tribhuvan International Airport—and transfer you to the hotel upon your arrival in Kathmandu.
Today’s highlights
- Transfer to the hotel
- Briefing about the trek/ introduce you with your trek guide
- Stroll around Thamel
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
A tour guide will lead you to all UNESCO listed Cultural Heritage sites located in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. We will drive you to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath, Swoyambhunath, and Pashupatinath. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a historic site whereas the remaining three are religious sites. Bouddhanath and Swoyambhunath are key religious sites for Buddhist and Pashupatinath for Hindu.
Today’s highlights
- Introduce you with your tour guide
- Drive you to aforementioned cultural heritage sites
- Brief you about tomorrow’s plan
- Give a final inspection to things required for trekking
Day 03: Flight to Lukla/Trek to Phakding
Finally, here comes a much-awaited day! Early in the morning, we will leave for Lukla from the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport. It is a scenic flight of 25 minutes.
By the time you enjoy a coffee watching Lukla Airport, we will manage porter. This airport—Tenzing-Hillary Airport—is one of the oldest airports in the country and Sir Edmund Hillary constructed it in 1964. The airstrip with lush green hills in the background will capture your heart.
Once we arrange porters, we will head toward Phakding. The walk is relatively easy as the path is flat. The views of Gompas and Chaityas along with Buddhist scripts on the rocks will fascinate you.
Today’s highlights
- Scenic flight
- Observe Lukla Airport
- Lukla is at an altitude of 2,800m approx.
- Nearly a walk of 3hrs. will bring you in Phakding
- Encounter yaks
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Today’s walk is going to challenge your stamina, so get ready to challenge the challenges! Despite the difficulty, the walk is rewarding as it will unfold the beauty of winding Dudh (Milk) Koshi river and greenery of the area. You will be walking through the woods—birch, pine, and rhododendron. Before entering into Namche Bazar, we have to pass through the hill of Top-danda (Cannon Hill). This hike will test your endurance.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 3,450m in Namche Bazar,
- Enjoy the lush green vegetation and the beauty of winding Dudh Koshi river
- A total of nearly 7hrs. walk
- Suspension bridges witnessed from a distance after crossing Jhorsalle will compel you to take pictures
- If the weather is clear, you will get a distant view of Khumbila, Kusum Kangroo, and Thamserku
- Stroll around Namche Bazaar and enjoy the scenic beauty of Kwangde mountain
Day 05: Acclimatization Day
Wow, it’s a leisure day and we need to have it to acclimatise with the elevation gained. This will minimise the chances of being arrested by altitude sickness. However, we will not spend it idly as we have a lot of things to do on this day.
Today’s highlights
- Hike to Everest View Hotel which is located at 3,880m
- Enjoy the curtain-raiser view of Mt. Everest from the hotel
- A cup of coffee observing the tallest peak of the world will be your lifetime moment
- Visit Sherpa museum
Day 06: Trek to Thame
Following the clockwise direction with respect to the first base camp of Everest, we proceed toward Nyangpala Pass. The pass is one of the traditional routes to Tibet. Finally, we arrive at Thame. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa—the first person to climb Mt. Everest in 1953 with Sir Edmund Hillary—was born in this village. Also, Apa Sherpa—he is the one who climbed the Mt. Everest the most, 21 times—belongs to this village.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 3,750m
- A walk of nearly 5hrs.
- The hike will present you an opportunity to acquaint with Sherpa culture
Day 07: Trek to Lungden
We will head toward the north to get in Lungden. We prefer to be in the village of Lungden because spending a couple of nights here will minimise the chances of being arrested by altitude sickness.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 4,380m
- A walk of nearly 4hrs.
- Observe the beauty of the surrounding
- Witness Nangpala. It is a glacial pass situated between Nepal and Tibet border
Day 08: Explore Lungden
It is a leisure day and this is necessary to acclimatise with the gaining elevation. Despite this, we will explore the local area witnessing the influence of Tibetan culture are the area shares border with Tibet.
Today’s highlights
- Observe local culture
- Prepare for tomorrow’s climb
- Prepare for tomorrow’s climb to Renjola pass
Day 09: Trek to Gokyo
You will be experiencing an exciting episode of the trek today. Normally, in the mountains, the weather is favourable in the morning hence; to get at the top of the pass of Renjola, we leave Lungden early in the morning. This we do generally while climbing.
The trail has multiple curves and is slippery, so we suggest you be careful while climbing the pass. You will be excited after getting at the top of the pass as it offers you with mesmerising views of mountains.
From Renjola Pass, we follow a downhill trail to get in Gokyo village.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 5,368m at Renjo La Pass and 4,800m at Gokyo
- A walk of nearly 8hrs.
- Observe Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Makalu from the top of Renjola Pass
Day 10: Explore Gokyo/Climb Gokyo Ri
Today’s hike will unlock the beauty of Khumbu from Gokyo Ri. If you are ready, then we will also visit the fourth and fifth lakes. We get back to Gokyo to spend the night.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 5,357m at Gokyo Ri
- A walk of nearly 5hrs.
- You will be observing Mt. Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Makulu along with Ngozumba Glacier
Day11: Trek to Thagnak
The hike today is quite short as against yesterday's, but at the same time, you will also get a glorious view of a few peaks, including Mt. Everest.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 4,65m
- A walk of nearly 4hrs.
- Observe Mt. Everest
Day 12: Trek to Dzongla via Cho La Pass
Today you are going to experience a thrill at the pass of Chola. The path to Chola is slippery and steep, so we suggest you be careful while walking today.
The ascending trail on the rocky path begins from Phedi. It is a thrilling walk by the side of an icy lake. From the peak, you will get an astounding view of Amadabalam, Cholatse, Baruntse and the east part of Lobuche. Passing through crevasses, we reach Dzongla.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 5,367m
- A walk of nearly 8hrs.
- Observe Amadabalam, Cholatse, Baruntse and the east part of Lobuche
Day 13: Trek to Lobuche
Today’s walk is quite short and relatively easy. We will have ample time to spend in Lobuche. It is the last village with human settlement while on the way to EBC.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 4,940m
- A walk of nearly 3hrs
- Observe Lobuche peak
Day 14: Trek to Gorak Shep/Hike to Everest Base Camp
Finally, we will materialise our dream to be in the EBC. Following an uneven rocky trail, we will reach Gorak Shep. The hike will unfold the beauty of Pumori (7,145), Nuptse (7,745), Lingtren (6,697), and Mt. Everest.
Today’s highlights
- Being in EBC itself is the main attraction of the day
- Elevation at Gorak Shep is 5,290m and at EBC 5,360m
- Khumbu icefalls and other soaring mountains will spellbind you
Day 15: Hike to Kalapatthar/Trek to Lobuche
It is one of the prominent walks of our trek. We will reach Kalapatthar and a 360-degree view of mountains along with Mt. Everest from here is enthralling for any trekker. We will be spending nearly an hour here. The moment is going to be one of the precious moments of your life. After this, we proceed toward Gorak Shep and retrace the path to Lobuche.
Today’s highlights
- Elevation at Kalapatthar is 5,545m and Pheriche 4,240m
- Nearly a walk of 4 hrs walk to Kalapatthar from Gorak Shep and it takes roughly 5 hrs to get in Pheriche from Kalapatthar
- Sunrise view from the peak of Kalapatthar is mesmerising along with a 360-degree view of mountains
Day 16: Trek to Chukung/Cross Kongma La
Today’s hike will lead us to the remotest part of Khumbu. A few hours of the walk will lead us closer to the Nuptse wall. We will cross Kongmala Pass and a descend trail further will bring us to Chukung village.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 5,528m at Kongma La and 4,749m at Chukung village
- A walk of nearly 8hrs.
- Observe peaks namely Cholatse, Taboche, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Makalu, Baruntse, and Ama Dablam
Day 17: Climb Chukung Ri/Explore Chukung valley
Well, get prepared to climb the rocky peak of Chukung Ri. Despite being a peak, it is the easiest climb.
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 5,546m at Chukung Ri
- A walk of roughly 7hrs.
- Observe panoramic mountains such as Amadablam, Amphu Labcha peaks, Mt. Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse, Cholaste, Thamserku, Kantega, and Tawache peak
Day 18: Trek to Pangboche
Following the downhill trail, we arrive Pangboche. While on the way to Pangboche, the beauty of Imja Tse Valley will mesmerise you
Today’s highlights
- You will be at an altitude of 3,985m
- A walk of nearly 5hrs.
- Observe the beauty of Imja Tse Valley
Day 19: Trek to Namche Bazaar
Walk today is relatively easy. We pass through woods of rhododendrons and juniper. We arrive at Sansha from where you will get an astounding view of a few peaks.
Today’s highlights
- A walk of nearly 5hrs.
- Observe Amadabalam, Nuptse, and Thamserku peak
Day 20: Trek to Lukla
Relatively, an easy walk of nearly five hours will bring us to Lukla. Do not forget to take a coffee while on the way to Lukla from Phakding.
Today’s highlights
- Enjoy the night for the successful completion of our trek
Day 21: Flight to Kathmandu
On this day we will catch an early flight to Kathmandu. We will be in the capital by 9/10 am. We will transfer you to the hotel. In the evening, we will give you a farewell dinner for the successful completion of our trek. During the noon, you can stroll in the streets of Thamel and purchase souvenirs for your friends and family members.
Day 22: Back to your destination
Finally, here ends your Nepal trip. We hope you enjoyed your Nepal stay and will recommend us to your friends.
We will drop you at the airport three hours prior to your scheduled flight. See you again!
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