What are the three high passes and how hard are they?

The three passes are Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m). Each involves a full day of challenging climbing with steep ascents, possible ice and snow, and significant altitude exposure. They must be crossed in good weather and after thorough acclimatisation. No technical mountaineering skills are required, but this is Nepal's most demanding mainstream trekking itinerary.

Does this trek also visit Everest Base Camp and Gokyo?

Yes — the 20-day circuit is designed to include Everest Base Camp (with a Kala Patthar sunrise at 5,545m), the Gokyo lakes and Gokyo Ri (5,357m), and all three high passes, forming a complete loop of the Khumbu region. It is the single most comprehensive Everest region trek available without technical climbing equipment.

What is the highest point of the entire itinerary?

Kala Patthar at 5,545m is the highest point reached for the classic panoramic Everest summit view. Kongma La Pass (5,535m) is the highest of the three passes. Both are achieved after extensive acclimatisation days built into the 20-day schedule, which is a key reason this longer itinerary is safer than trying to rush fewer days.

Why is 20 days necessary — can it be done faster?

The 20-day duration is not padding — it reflects the acclimatisation time required to safely cross three passes above 5,400m. Rushing this schedule dramatically increases the risk of altitude sickness, HAPE (high altitude pulmonary edema), or HACE (high altitude cerebral edema), all of which are life-threatening. We do not offer compressed versions of this itinerary.

What permits are required?

You need a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit ($30) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee ($2). No restricted area permits are required. A comprehensive travel insurance policy covering helicopter evacuation from above 5,000m is essential and required by our guides.

What fitness preparation is recommended before this trek?

Begin cardiovascular training 3–4 months before departure: running, cycling, stair climbing, or hiking with a loaded pack. Aim for 4–5 cardio sessions per week, building to 2–3 hour sessions. Prior high-altitude experience above 4,000m is strongly recommended. This trek pushes most physically fit trekkers to their genuine limit — and that is exactly what makes it so rewarding.

Everest Three High Passes Trek — 20 Days — photo 1

Everest Three High Passes Trek — 20 Days — photo 2

Everest Three High Passes Trek — 20 Days — photo 3

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Everest Three High Passes Trek — 20 Days — photo 7

Everest Three High Passes Trek — 20 Days — photo 8

TrekExtreme

Everest Three High Passes Trek — 20 Days

20 days5,535 mFrom Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov5.0 (2)

Photo by Lisanne W on Pexels

01 / 09

Fixed departures

Join a scheduled group

Locked-in dates on this exact route, a guaranteed guide, and fellow trekkers from around the world — often at better value. Seats fill fast.

Everest Three High Passes Trek — 20 Days

Join a group departure

Fixed group dates · 20 days Instant confirmation

Everest Three High Passes Trek — 20 Days

Aug14

Aug 14 → Sep 2

🇳🇴 🇬🇧 🇸🇬3 going7 left

$2,700

$2,400

Aug29

Aug 29 → Sep 17

🇳🇱 🇫🇷2 going8 left

$2,700

$2,400

Sep13

Sep 13 → Oct 2 Guaranteed

🇳🇴 🇸🇪 🇧🇪 🇳🇱4 going6 left

$2,700

$2,400

Prefer your own dates? Book a private trek.

Duration

20 days

From

$2,700/person

Max Altitude

5,535 m

Difficulty

Extreme

Starts

Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)

Group Size

2–8 People

Stay

Tea House

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Best Season

Mar–May, Sep–Nov

4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later

Trip Highlights

Three high passes: Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), Renjo La (5,360 m)

Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and Kala Patthar (5,545 m) — the classic Khumbu twin goals

Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) — four 8,000 m peaks visible from one summit

Five sacred Gokyo Lakes — Nepal's highest lake chain at 4,700–5,000 m

Chhukung Ri (5,550 m) — aerial panorama over the Imja Valley

Ngozumpa and Khumbu Glaciers — the Khumbu's two great ice rivers

Complete Khumbu circuit: EBC + Gokyo + three passes in one 20-day adventure

Suitable for experienced trekkers with prior altitude exposure above 5,000 m

The Khumbu's ultimate challenge — 20 days crossing Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La while visiting Gokyo Lakes, EBC, and Kala Patthar. Three passes, zero shortcuts.

Day-by-Day Itinerary(20 days)

Altitude Profile

Peak: 5,164 m · Day 8

Early morning flight to Lukla. Begin the three-high-passes circuit heading south along the Dudh Koshi to Phakding — the calm before an extraordinary high-mountain adventure.

2,610 m3–4 hours8 kmB, DTea House

The Everest Three High Passes Trek is considered the most complete trekking experience in the Khumbu region. You cross three high mountain passes, visit Gokyo Lakes, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar — all in one ambitious 20-day adventure.

The Three Passes

Renjo La (5,360m) — spectacular views of Gokyo Lakes from above
Cho La (5,420m) — glacier crossing between Gokyo and Dzongla
Kongma La (5,535m) — highest pass, views of Makalu and Lhotse

This route demands excellent fitness and acclimatisation. Our NMA-certified guides pace the itinerary carefully to minimise altitude sickness risk.

What's Included

Included

Government-certified senior trek guide + assistant guide for high passes
Porter (1 per 2 trekkers; 18 kg max)
Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
TIMS card
Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu round-trip flights (scheduled)
All teahouse accommodation on trek
3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Altitude illness prevention kit and pulse oximeter
All government taxes and service charges

Not Included

International airfare to/from Kathmandu
Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
Meals not listed in daily itinerary
Personal trekking gear and equipment
Tips for guides and porters
Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure

Best Time to Go

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

Prime season. October is perfect — clear skies, stable weather, 4–6 week dry window. November gets cold at altitude but still excellent. EBC trail at its busiest.

Low: -10°C at EBC High: 15°C Namche October: minimal. November: possible above 5,000 m

Spring (Mar–May)

Climbing season — expeditions on Everest. Good trekking weather. Rhododendrons in Namche area. Pre-monsoon cloud builds in afternoon from May. Slightly warmer than autumn.

Low: -8°C at EBC High: 18°C Namche March: possible at pass level. May: mostly clear

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Very cold. Khumbu trails remain open but temperatures extreme at EBC (-20°C+). Experienced cold-weather trekkers only. Fewer crowds. Lodges may be closed above Namche.

Low: -25°C at EBC High: 5°C Namche Heavy above 5,000 m

Monsoon (Jun–Aug)

Not recommended. Trails wet and unstable. Cloud cover obscures mountain views. Risk of landslides on lower sections.

Low: 5°C High: 20°C Namche None at low altitude

Permits Required

Sagarmatha National Park Permit

USD 30

Required for all trekkers. Checked at Monjo gate.

TIMS Card

USD 20

Trekkers Information Management System — required for all Nepal treks

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Fee

NPR 2,000 (approx USD 15)

Local municipality entry fee introduced in 2023

All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.

What to Pack

Moisture-wicking base layers (top + bottom)

Fleece mid-layer jacket

Down jacket (800+ fill power — essential above 4,000 m)

Waterproof shell jacket and pants

Trekking trousers (2 pairs)

Merino wool socks (5–6 pairs)

Liner socks (3 pairs)

Warm hat / beanie

Balaclava for Kala Patthar and EBC

Sun hat or cap

Lightweight gloves

Insulated waterproof gloves or mittens

Neck gaiter or buff (2×)

Thermal underwear set

A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Customer Reviews(2)

5.0

2 reviews

Lena Fischer

🇦🇹

November 2025

Die Drei-Pässe-Tour war die intensivste und schönste Erfahrung meines Lebens. 20 Tage, drei Pässe über 5300m, und ein Sherpa-Guide namens Ang Dorje, der jeden Schritt mit mir gegangen ist. Die Planung durch Travel Himalaya Nepal war perfekt — Akklimatisierungsstopps, Sicherheitsausrüstung, flexible Optionen wenn Wetter ungünstig. Vom Kongma La konnte ich alle vier höchsten Berge der Welt gleichzeitig sehen. (The Three Passes tour was the most intense and beautiful experience of my life. Guide Ang Dorje walked every step with me. I could see all four of the world's highest mountains simultaneously from Kongma La.)

Patrick O'Sullivan

🇦🇺

October 2025

Twenty days, three passes above 5,300m, and the Sherpa guide who made it all possible — this was the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done. The team at Travel Himalaya Nepal helped me plan a route that went via Renjo La first to acclimatise before Cho La and Kongma La. That planning made the difference. Standing on Kongma La with Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu all in frame... There are days in your life that define everything after. This was one of them.