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Everest Base Camp with 3 High Passes

EVEREST BASE CAMP WITH 3 HIGH PASSES

  • Trip Style
    Trekking
  • Activity Levels
    Moderate
  • Duration
    15 Days
  • Price (USD)
    per person
  • Group Size
    pax
  • Elevation (m)
    5545

Overview

Everest Three Passes Trek takes you the three high passes in the Khumbu (and Everest) Region of Nepal. It is a popular trekking route preferred for high-altitude adventurous trek in the Everest Region. “La” in the local language means a pass. The three mountain passes you will be crossing in this trip are Renjo-La Pass (5,388 m), Cho-La Pass (5,380 m), and Kongma-La Pass (5,545 m). Passionate adventurers frequent these trails, who also visit Everest Base Camp and the vantage point of Kalapathar. In addition, you will see the emerald waters of Gokyo, a system of several lakes in the Everest Region.

The trip to the high passes begins with flight to Lukla, followed by a trek into Sagarmatha National Park. Trekking through the Dudh-Koshi river, you will reach Phakding, Lukla and beyond. An essential attraction on the trek is Kalapatthar – a Himalayan vantage point that no trekker to Everest should miss. Next up is the Everest Base Camp – a place of perpetual dreams for aspiring climbers. You will also trek through icy valleys and villages with unique culture, and stay in their hospitality.

As you trek up in altitude, in every significant stop you will notice the thinning of vegetation. However, at lower altitudes, you will go through rhododendron bushes and alpine forests. As for the fauna, you might encounter the musk deer, Himalayan black bear, and the elusive snow leopard. Albeit thin, at lower altitudes there’s still a chance of seeing the langurs, Himalayan Tahrs, and probably the Himalayan wolf. Apart from these, this region which lies in Sagarmatha National Park, is home to more than a hundred species of birds. So, make your camera ready as you might spot some beautiful avians here and there along the route.

This scenic trek requires good fitness levels and ability to walk on rough mountainous terrains. You will walk daily around six hours on average but you won’t need technical skills while crossing any of the three passes. All you need is stamina and a regular walking habit. For acclimatization purposes, we have included enough days for rest and rejuvenation. This trip is best taken in summer and autumn. This is one of the best-value treks from Sherpa Guide Services – for a memorable experience in Nepal.

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (1365M)

After your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, we will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. You can spend the evening around Thamel.

DAY 2: FLY TO LUKLA AND TREK TO PAHKDING (2610M) 35M FLIGHT 3/4H TREK

After breakfast, get on a pre-booked 30-minute flight from Kathmandu. This scenic flight will take you to Lukla, where your trekking guides will receive you at the airport. An easy trek of around three hours will bring you to the village of Phakding at the banks of Dudh-Koshi river, where you will stop for the night.

DAY 3: TREK FROM PHAKDING TO NAMCHE (3440M) 10KM 5/6H TREK

Begin an early trek along Dudh-Koshi, criss-crossing it several times. Today the destination is Namche Bazaar, the fabled village in the heart of the mountains. The trail is initially lined by views of Mt. Thamserku, and on a really clear day, even Mt. Everest is visible in the distance. As you reach closer to Namche, you will find the trail winding up with approaching views of Everest-Nuptse Wall, Mt. Lhotse and several other peaks. Once at Namche, relax in a hot bath, surf the Internet, enjoy a cup of cappuccino and then call it day.

DAY 4: ACCLIMATIZE AT NAMCHE

Take a day off at Namche and enjoy the quiet lifestyle in stark contrast to your regular routine. In the morning, have a hearty breakfast with views of magnificent peaks. Later in the day, take short hikes in and around the town – and savor the beauty that is Namche. This is an important day of rest as it will help you acclimatize at the altitude and help you warm up the muscles for an exciting expedition ahead.

DAY 5: TREK FROM NAMCHE TO THAME VILLAGE (3825M) 5/6H TREK

Thame is a little valley that is less frequented by trekkers. We recommend traveling through Thame for unique views of the mountains as well for the serene environment it has. The trekking duration is around five hours through an easy trail. Walking along the river, we will pass some villages and hills before arriving at Thame for the night at an altitude of 3,800 meters. A side note: this is the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the partner of Edmund Hillary who jointly scaled Mount Everest for the first time.

DAY 6 : TREK FROM THAME TO LUNGDE (4450M) 5/6H TREK

The trek from Thame to Lungde takes around six hours at a normal pace. Starting early after breakfast, we will gradually ascend through the landscape. En route we will enjoy the views of the peaks nearby. In fact, they are so mesmerizing that you’ll feel like walking above a sea of mountains and clouds. The inspiring views will occupy a significant duration of the trek to Lungde. The yak-trail to Lungde is also the current trading route of Namche to Tibet. At an altitude of 4,450 meters, Lungde is where we will stay overnight.

DAY 7 : TREK FROM LUNGDE TO RENJO LA PASS (5360M) TO GOKYO (4790M) 8/9H TREK

Start early as it’s a long day of walk today. You will start from Lungde, cross the pass of Renjo-La and then reach Gokyo, our destination for tonight. Renjo-La is the first of the three mountain passes that we’ll be crossing during this trip. The ascent in the morning is an average climb until we reach Renjo-La pass where the panoramic views will entice you. After a break here, we cross the valley ahead through rough terrain; but with towering views of Everest, Makalu and other peaks. Later in the day we will reach Gokyo where we will call it a day.

DAY 8: ACCLIMATIZE AT GOKYO

As we prepare to acclimatize on this day at Gokyo, we will first hike up to Gokyo-Ri in the morning. It’s just above two hours, so get up early for the wonderful views. The two-hour climb is steep and might seem like it was totally wasted; until you arrive at the peak – and suddenly everything changes. You will wonder in awe and ask yourself – could it be this beautiful? The views of the the world’s highest peak seem lined up just for you. Take photographs as much as you like – your battery might drain but your happiness won’t. Guaranteed. Mt. Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and a lot of other peaks from one single point will seem almost surreal. And don’t forget to look down upon the emerald lakes of Gokyo. Period. Later, trek down to Gokyo and enjoy the day.

DAY 9: TREK FROM GOKYO TO CHO LA PASS (5368M) TO DZONGLA (4810M) 7/8H TREK

It’s a relatively easy day of trek to begin with. Starting from Gokyo we will trek through Ngozumpa Glacier and reach to the mountain across the glacier. Along the way you will have views of Cholatse, Changatse, Nuptse, Lhotse, Taboche, Pumori, and Thamsherku mountains looming majestically over the head. After a break to replenish the energy levels, begin along the trail that can even get slippery due to the ice. Along the route, you will come across a frozen lake from where we will climb up to Cho-La Pass, the second of the three passes of this trip. Ama Dablam is the first peak visible at the front. From left to right you will have views of several other peaks. Take a stop here and enjoy the view before heading down to the village of Dzongla.

DAY 10 : TREK FROM DZONGLA TO LOBUCHE (4910M) 3/4H TREK

The village of Lobuche is at an altitude of 4,940 meters, right below the 5K mark. At this altitude you need to tread carefully and slowly so that we do not get low on energy levels. Starting off from Dzongla, we pass through a scenic trail of Lobuche peak. Next, we will cross a river bed and arrive at Lobuche. It’s around three hours of walking today with plenty of rest along the way. We stay at Lobuche for the night.

DAY 11 : TREK FROM LOBUCHE TO EVEREST BASE CAMP TO GORAKSEP (5150M) 7/8H TREK

Start at a leisurely pace today. Have a leisurely breakfast, take some photos, and pack your bags. At a normal pace, it’s six to seven hours walking duration today. The terrain is mostly rough and rocky today, with a walk over glacial path. Once we reach the Base Camp at 5,360 meters, we take a break and enjoy the scenery and let the surrounding views pass into your long-term memory. Views of Pumori, Nuptse and other peaks are spellbinding! From there, get back to Gorakshep and stay at a lodge.

DAY 12 :TREK FROM GORAKSHEP TO KALAPATHER (5545M) TO LOBUCHE (4910M) 6/7H TREK

Get up before dawn so that you can catch one of the most amazing sunrises in the mountains. For that, you need to hike up to Kalapatthar located at 5,545 meters. Just before sunrise, arrive at Kalapatthar where you’ll see a mesmerizing and colourful sunrise. Try as you might, you can’t not take out your camera and click away till the battery drains. The panoramic views of Everest, Pumori and other giants will leave a mark on your memory. From Kalapatthar, return to Gorakshep, have a hearty breakfast and leave for Lobuche.

DAY 13: TREK FROM LOBUCHE TO KONGMA-LA (5540M) TO DINGBOCHE (4450M) 8/9H WALK.

We have a long trek today as we will be trekking from Lobuche all the way down to Dingboche. Begin the day by crossing the Khumbu Glacier and doing a challenging climb up to Kongma-La Pass, the third pass in this trip. The views from this pass are great, so take a break and enjoy the time. Later, descend to Dingboche where we will stay for the night.

DAY 14: TREK FROM DINGBUCHE TO KYANGJUMA (3550M) 6/7H TREK

After a leisurely breakfast, we pack the bags and leave Dingboche headed to Kyangjuma. Kyangjuma is located at an altitude of 3,570 meters with wonderful close-up views of Mount Ama Dablam, Thamsherku, and Nuptse. Starting from Dingboche we first trek along a winding yak-trail and then through an alpine forest. As we descend further along the trail, vegetation begins to thicken. Including brief stops for tea and lunch, we then descend along several villages and later arrive at Kyangjuma for the night.

DAY 15: TREK FROM KYANGJUMA TO PHAKDING (2610M) 11KM 5/6H WALK.

First we begin easy. Then we take a gradual ascent and then a gradual descent. This keeps on happening through the trail across the forest and the turns until we arrive at Namche Bazaar. After a stop here, we trek down to Phakding by crossing the Dudh Koshi River and pass through monasteries among Sherpa settlements. We finally arrive at Phakding where we stay for the night in a lodge.

DAY 16: TREK FROM PHAKDING TO LUKLA (2840M) 9KM 3/4 H WALK

As we come near the end of trekking in this program, you will enjoy today’s trek more than before. The trail from Phakding to Lukla is an average one with gradual uphills and some level grounds. First you will cross a suspension bridge and then cross several colorful villages. The walk is joyous today with under four hours of trek. Later in the afternoon we arrive at Lukla. Spend the rest of the day sharing your stories in a bar, or enjoy as you see fit.

DAY 17: FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU

We take an early morning flight to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. After reaching in Kathmandu transfer to hotel and Afternoon we start our tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is also one of the largest stupas in the world. There will be a farewell dinner in the evening to celebrate the successful completion of our journey.

DAY 18: FINAL DEPARTURE

According to your schedule, we will take you to the airport for your flight ahead.

Service Included

Service Not Included

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