Everest Region
3 Pass Trek

We will pick you up at Tribhuvan International airport and transfer you to our hotel in Thamel (tourist section of Kathmandu). Enjoy some down time to rest, have showers and eat. Our group will join together for dinner, team introductions, and a fun orientation meeting. Drink copious amounts of water in route, as flying and traveling will certainly dehydrate you. Self-care begins immediately.

We will day trip to the village of Kakani to distribute solar lights to the primary school that Seth has supported for years.  It is a culturally immersive experience as we meet Karuna's partnering organization, students, and families. The afternoon is free in Kathmandu so enjoy exploring and making final preparations for the trek.

We will tour some of the most beautiful and sacred sites of Kathmandu including Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath (Cremation Ganga Temple), and Boudhanath Stupa (world's largest Buddhist stupa). In the afternoon, we drive to Manthali to prepare for the breathtaking flight through the mountains to Lukla.

Trekking Distance: 3.9 miles (6.28 km)

Lowest Elevation: 4593 feet (1400 m)

Highest Elevation: 9383 feet (2860 m)

Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

Landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport is not something you sleep through. This short runway is perched on the side of a mountain. We will be immersed in the Sherpa and Tamong cultures of the Khumbu Valley and meet our porters for the expedition. This begins our journey to Everest Base Camp as we walk slowly to the village of Phakding. Today’s walk is mostly downhill and the route follows a nicely worn footpath through Sherpa countryside. It is the long-established 'highway' used every day by locals. There's no road connecting the various villages of the Sherpas. Expect to share the path with tourists and Sherpas alike, as well as yaks, horses and mules. Upon arrival in Phakding, we will check into our tea house and have down time to take in the area before being served our nutritious Nepali dinner. 

Trekking Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km)

Lowest Elevation: 8,700 feet (2652 m)

Highest Elevation: 11,286 feet (3440 m)

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

We embark on a journey to the Sherpa capital, the famous Namche Bazaar! We cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges as we enter a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sagarmatha National Park, established to protect and preserve this unique mountain environment. Today's trek ends in a steep climb up to Namche Bazaar. If the weather is clear, we will have our first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu Valley and has a traditional busy market. Hindu traders from the lowlands would meet Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. Upon arrival, we will check into our rooms, change clothes and have some free time for exploration or rest.

Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the magnificent peaks of the Khumbu and has much to offer curious trekkers. In the morning we choose to either visit the Khunde hospital, which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a walk up to the ridge above Namche for the amazing view of the mountains Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest from the 'Hotel Everest'. The afternoon is free for you to explore! With an abundance of guest houses, tea shops, and souvenir shops, we recommend drinking Chia (tea) and hanging out around the fire with the locals. There are also supply shops and a few ATMs to stock up on snacks and other items; however, supplies are limited and ATMs occasionally do not work. Plan to bring enough rupees with you. 

Trekking Distance: 3.7 miles (5.95 km)

Lowest Elevation: 11,286 feet (3604 m)

Highest Elevation: 12,687 feet (3867 m)

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

Leaving behind Namche Bazaar feels like the moment that you leave civilization behind and enter the high Himalayan environment. We continue walking slowly along the waters of the Dudh Koshi (Milk River). We will follow the ridge for amazing views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Nuptse contouring on a relatively smooth flat route. Eventually the trail descends to the valley floor. And then, to reach Tengboche, there's a big climb. Tengboche is home to the famous Monastery. Inside the monastery we will see large wall hangings, a 20-foot Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the local Lamas. Depending on how our day goes, we might observe a local prayer ceremony.

Trekking Distance: 5.6 miles (9.01 km)

Lowest Elevation: 11,286 feet (3440 m)

Highest Elevation: 14,297 feet (4357 m)

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

We depart on "Nepali flat" terrain (lots of ups and downs) passing through the villages of Debuche and Pangboche. Today we reach the magical 4000 metre elevation mark. The trekking is wonderful as you climb up the Imja Khola valley, walking through woods and enjoying increasingly spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks towering around, but pace yourself and drink plenty of water - this is the day where most people really begin to feel the altitude! From Dingboche we will have amazing views of Mt. Lhotse, Imja Tse and Ama Dablam.

Trekking Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)

Lowest Elevation: 14,297 feet (4357 m)

Highest Elevation: 15,518 feet (4730 m)

Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

From Dingboche, the trail gently rises to the northeast through the Imja Khola valley to Chukhung. It passes by stone-walled fields and eventually enters glacial moraine territory just before reaching Chukhung. Glacial moraine is the pummelled rock and soil left behind by moving and receding glaciers.

It's an acclimatization day in Chukhung to help bodies adjust to the ever-increasing altitude. Optional hike for those feeling strong to further acclimatization by climbing high and sleeping low. The optional climb is up Chukhung Ri peak at 18,208 ft (5,550 m). The return trip will take approximately four hours and is very steep. We will depart early morning for the best views and the best chances of reaching the summit.   

Trekking Distance:  6.8 miles (11 km)

Lowest Elevation: 15,551 feet (4740 m)

Highest Elevation: 18,160 feet (5535 m)

Trekking Duration: 8-9 hours

By this time, assuming you have made the appropriate acclimatization stops, you should be fit and ready for the first pass, Kongma La Pass, at 18,160 feet (5535 m). It is the highest point on the Three Passes Trek (it’s even higher than Everest Base Camp). We will depart at first light from Chukhung, to increase our chances of better weather and to avoid crossing the Khumbu Glacier in the dark before reaching Lobuche. There are conflicting reports as to which pass is the “most difficult”. Most agree it’s not Renjo La (the westernmost pass). Some people skip Kongma La and do only two passes: Cho La and Renjo La (but where’s the fun in that?)

Trekking Distance: 6.5 miles (10.46 km)

Lowest Elevation: 16,167 feet (4928 m)

Highest Elevation: 17,590 feet (5361 m)

Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

Today we walk for roughly 2 hours with the most beautiful views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse and Mt. Pumori. Once we arrive in Gorak Shep, we will check into our rooms and have a light lunch. After lunch we will begin walking slowly to Everest Base Camp 17,590 ft (5361 m) At base camp, we will celebrate with treats! There will most likely be teams attempting to climb Mt. Everest. We will have incredible views of the highest mountains in the world and the famous Khumbu Icefall. We will descend back to Gorak Shep for the night. Gorak Shep is the highest village that we will sleep in.

Trekking Distance:  6.7 miles (10.8 km)

Lowest Elevation:  15,850 feet (4831 m)

Highest Elevation:  18,519 feet (5645 m)

Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

The trail to Dzonglha requires rigorous trekking as you climb along the glacier. The Khumbu Glacier is on the left side along with snow-clad Himalayan peaks and turquoise lakes all around. As one of the smallest villages in the region, Dzongla is cute and quaint. Be sure to fuel up and rest up as the next day you will be heading up and over the Cho La Pass towards the Gokyo Lakes!

Trekking Distance: 4.2 miles (7 km)

Lowest Elevation: 15,584 feet (4,750 m)

Highest Elevation: 17,782 feet (5,420 m)

Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

The day up and over the Cho La Pass is not an easy one. We are talking about a 7+ hour day that includes over 720m of elevation gain. Cho La Pass is one of the most iconic places to trek while visiting the Himalayas Sagarmatha National Park. You get more stunning views and trek on an actual glacier during a portion of the trail. You will zig-zag through the glacier until the final climb toward the Cho La Pass begins. Although it is a tough climb up toward the pass, the surrounding landscape is just a beautifully surreal sight to take in!

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Trekking Distance: 2.2 miles (4 km)

Lowest Elevation: 15,584 feet (4,750 m)

Highest Elevation: 17,782 feet (5,420 m)

Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

Gokyo sits in the shadow of Cho Oyu (26,739 ft/8150 m), the world's sixth highest mountain. Directly above the village is Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas at 22 miles (36 km). It's also on the shore of one of the Gokyo Lakes, the world's highest freshwater lake system. The lakes are considered sacred and are regularly visited by Buddhists and Hindus. The trek up Gokyo Ri is no joke. Over the course of just over a mile you will need to gain nearly 1870 feet (570 m) of elevation. Most people take 2-3 hours to slowly climb and enjoy the beautiful landscapes in all directions. From the summit of Gokyo Ri you truly will have some of the major peaks in view including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Makalu among plenty of others.

Trekking Distance: 5.6 miles (9 km)

Lowest Elevation: 13,810 feet (4210 m)

Highest Elevation: 17,560 feet (5360 m)

Trekking Duration: 8-9 hours

Today is our third and final pass. The Renjo la Pass trek is also known as "off-the-beaten-path" in the Everest area. It's a very quiet pass in terms of trekkers. You pass some of the world’s highest freshwater lakes and you may see a few locals. The terrain is rocky and uneven, making it another good day for trekking poles. While descending west over Renjo La we see some remarkable trail work – large steps have been built into the mountain descending from the top of the pass. 

Trekking Distance: 5.6 miles (9 km)

Lowest Elevation: 11,286 feet (3440 m)

Highest Elevation: 13,810 feet (4209 m)

Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

Trekking alongside the Bhote Koshi, the valley is not as affected by tourism as some of the other areas in the region. We pass through Thame, the home to the famous Sherpa mountaineers Tenzing Norgay and Apa Sherpa. If there is time, we may visit the Thame Monastery situated in the rocky cliffs above the village.

Trekking Distance: 10.9 miles (17.6 km)

Lowest Elevation: 9383 feet (2,860 m)

Highest Elevation: 11,286 feet (3,440 m)

Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

On the outward journey we travelled from Lukla to Namche Bazaar over two days, stopping over in Phakding for a night. On the return route, we cover the same distance in one day, our lungs drinking in all that oxygen-rich air as we significantly descend! We return to walking through pine forests and crop fields along the Dudh Koshi River with continued views of the world's highest mountains. 

If the weather is good allowing us to fly, we return to Kathmandu and the afternoon and evening are free in Kathmandu to explore, shop, relax, and reflect.

Contingency day in case the weather did not permit flying out of Lukla yesterday. Provided the weather was good to fly yesterday, today the day is free for visiting Durbar Square and shopping in Kathmandu. We will join together for a well-earned celebration dinner! Cheers!

Depart Kathmandu to return home or wherever your next adventure takes you. We will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours prior to departure.