The toughest classic teahouse trek in the Everest region: a loop over Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m) and Renjo La (5,360 m), taking in Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and the Gokyo Lakes.
The route
The Three Passes trek is the full Khumbu experience. It loops over three high passes, Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, and takes in Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and the Gokyo Lakes in one journey. It is long, high and demanding, but for experienced trekkers it is one of the best routes in the Himalaya.
Experienced trekkers who have already been above 5,000 m, are fit and want a challenge. It is not a first trek.
After the usual start to Namche and Tengboche, you head into the Imja valley to Chhukung. Kongma La (5,535 m) is the first and hardest pass, followed by a tricky crossing of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche. Visit Base Camp and Kala Patthar, then go west to Dzongla.
Cho La (5,420 m) has a glacier on its far side; it is often icy. After Thagnak you cross the Ngozumpa Glacier to Gokyo. Finally, Renjo La (5,360 m) gives one of the best views in Nepal back over Gokyo and Everest, before you drop to Thame and Namche.
October to November and April to May. Passes can be blocked by snow in winter and after storms.
Hard. You spend over a week above 4,500 m, with several days of 8–10 hours. Good acclimatisation and spare days for weather are essential.
You need the Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (about NPR 3,000). The price on this page is a typical starting price for a guided trip; message us for a quote.
Khumbu has not enforced the 2023 national guide rule. But this is the route where an experienced guide matters most, especially on Cho La and Kongma La in poor weather.
Spend time in Thamel before you fly. See our Kathmandu hostels, for example Alobar1000.
Do not cross passes in bad weather. Start very early. Carry enough water and food for a long day. Make sure your insurance covers helicopter rescue.
Shorter options are Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes.
Day by day
Hike to Khumjung.
Climb Chhukung Ri if you feel strong.
The hardest pass: a long climb and a tricky crossing of the Khumbu Glacier on the other side.
A glacier crossing on the far side. Snow and ice are common; microspikes are useful.
Across the Ngozumpa Glacier.
The easiest of the three passes, with famous views back over Gokyo.
Keep spare days for weather.
Good to know
It is the hardest classic teahouse trek in Nepal, with three passes above 5,300 m and glacier crossings.
No technical climbing is required, but you should have trekked at altitude before and be comfortable on loose rock and snow.
Anticlockwise (Kongma La first) is common. Some prefer clockwise via Renjo La for gentler acclimatisation.
Eighteen to twenty-one days from Lukla, including rest and weather days.
Yes. Many people go from Dingboche straight to Lobuche and do just two passes.
The Khumbu local authority has not enforced the 2023 guide rule, but a guide is strongly recommended for the passes.
Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permits.
October to November, and April to May.
Usually US$1,700–2,500 with guide and flights.
Thamel. See our Kathmandu hostel list.
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