Everest Three Passes Trek Guide 2026: The Ultimate Khumbu Challenge

Trek Guide The Everest Three Passes trek crosses Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La — all above 5,300m — linking the Khumbu's greatest valleys. The most complete… By Travel Himalaya Nepal · Jun 4, 2026 Read the full story

The Everest Three Passes Trek is an 18–21 day circuit crossing all three high passes — Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), Renjo La (5,360m) — plus EBC, Kala Patthar and the Gokyo Lakes . It is very strenuous and for experienced trekkers only — anyone who… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Quick Facts: Everest Three Passes Trek

Maximum altitude: 5,545m (Kala Patthar) The three passes: Kongma La 5,535m / Cho La 5,420m / Renjo La 5,360m Duration: 18–21 days from Lukla Difficulty: Very strenuous — experienced, fit trekkers only Permits: Sagarmatha National Park NPR 3,000 + Khumbu… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

The Definitive Khumbu Experience

Most trekkers who visit the Khumbu region see one valley. They fly into Lukla, walk the Dudh Kosi gorge to Namche Bazaar, push up through Tengboche and Dingboche to Lobuche, touch Everest Base Camp, climb Kala Patthar at dawn, and come home. It is… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

The Three Passes

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Kongma La (5,535m) — The Rocky Giant

Kongma La is the highest of the three passes and, by most measures, the hardest. The ascent begins from Chukhung (4,730m) or, if you are following the most common itinerary, from Dingboche (4,410m) on a long day that gains over 1,100 metres on steep, exposed… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Cho La (5,420m) — The Glacier Pass

Cho La is the most technically demanding of the three passes, and the one that most reliably requires crampons. The ascent from Dzongla (4,830m) begins on rough moraine trail but the final 200 metres to the pass is on a glaciated snow and ice slope that faces… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Renjo La (5,360m) — The Panoramic Pass

Renjo La is the most accessible of the three passes in terms of technical difficulty, but do not underestimate it on those grounds. The ascent from Gokyo (4,790m) is steady and the trail is well-cairned. The difficulty is the same as any 5,300-metre climb… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Classic 20-Day Itinerary

The following itinerary represents a well-paced approach to the Three Passes Trek. The two buffer days at the end exist for the most common disruption in the Khumbu: Lukla fog delays. Do not book a flight out of Kathmandu less than two days after your… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Gokyo Lakes: The Hidden Highlight

If Kala Patthar is the expected climax of any Khumbu trek, Gokyo Ri is the unexpected one — and for a significant minority of trekkers, the greater experience of the two. The Gokyo valley contains a chain of six glacial lakes ranging in altitude from 4,750… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

How the Three Passes Differs from Standard EBC

The standard Everest Base Camp trek is a linear out-and-back along the main Khumbu highway. It is challenging but the trail is wide, well-signed, and busy with other trekkers at all times. The most technically demanding section is the climb to Kala Patthar… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Essential Gear for the Three Passes

The Three Passes Trek requires everything on the standard EBC packing list plus several items that are optional or unnecessary on the standard route. Crampons: Required for Cho La at almost any point in the trekking season. Strongly recommended for Kongma La… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

Frequently Asked Questions