Day 1
Arrival
Arrive Kathmandu, we’ll transfer you to the hotel of choice.
Three Passes & Three Peaks Trek to Everest Guided Itinerary
Ths challenging trek in the high Khumbu region around the Everest massif is a wonderful high altitude adventure in Nepal but not technical. You’ll find the trek dates on the ‘Dates and Bookings’ tab, however we welcome private dates and can adapt the itinerary to suit your preferences – more details can be found below the itinerary. The first date shown is the date that should arrive into Kathmandu. This is followed by a rest and briefing day when you can explore the vibrant capital. On day 3 of the itinerary we fly to Lukla, which takes 35 minutes. The trek is nineteen days circling the passes and Khumbu Valley anti-clockwise, which includes three full days rest and acclimatisation. We always allow a bad weather day for flying into or out of Lukla and the end date refers to the earliest you can book your return flight home from Kathmandu.
Route mini map
Trip snapshot
Days22
DistanceFlexible
Total climb4314 m
High point5545 m
What this trip is like
Ths challenging trek in the high Khumbu region around the Everest massif is a wonderful high altitude adventure in Nepal but not technical. You’ll find the trek dates on the ‘Dates and Bookings’ tab, however we welcome private dates and can adapt the itinerary to suit your preferences – more details can be found below the itinerary. The first date shown is the date that should arrive into Kathmandu. This is followed by a rest and briefing day when you can explore the vibrant capital. On day 3 of the itinerary we fly to Lukla, which takes 35 minutes. The trek is nineteen days circling the passes and Khumbu Valley anti-clockwise, which includes three full days rest and acclimatisation. We always allow a bad weather day for flying into or out of Lukla and the end date refers to the earliest you can book your return flight home from Kathmandu.
Stay style: Operator-led Nepal lodge or expedition itinerary.
Food and support: Operator-managed meals and trekking-day food pattern.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 2
Trek Briefing
Meet your guide and have a trek briefing. There’s also plenty of time to explore Kathmandu, buy any kit or collect any rentals. Possible drive to Ramechhap – see ‘Lukla Flight’ details below.
Day 3
Lukla - Phakding/Monjo
Today is an early start as we fly to Lukla (2840 m) then drop along the valley as we walk to Phakding or Monjo. If we travelled to Ramechhap for our flight the itineraries tie together at this point.
Day 4
Trek to Namche Bazaar
Today we trek to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. We follow the valley created by the Dudh Kosi river and enter the Khumbu National Park. Further up the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi meet which is the start of our steep 2 hour climb up to the town. The climb is switch backs for a lot of the way, but there’s no rush. We enter the vibrant town and relax in our lodge.
Day 5
Rest & Acclimatisation Day
Namche Bazaar: today is a rest and acclimatisation day. We’ll take a short walk up to the Sherpa Museum where you can see photos of many of our staff team. There is also a wonderful view, often your first of Everest along the valley. We can also enjoy the markets and coffee shops of Namche.
Day 6
Deboche
Today we walk along the valley from Namche with stunning views of Everest framed by the striking valley around us. We then drop down to the river for lunch before another steep trek up to the main Sherpa religious centre of Tengboche Monastery. After a break our lodge for the night is nestled in the rhododendron forests which surround Deboche.
Day 7
Dingboche
A gradual gradient up to Dingboche. The path continues along the side of the valley with the river far below on your right and passing beneath the spectacular Ama Dablam. The village sits on the confluence of two valleys and has spectacular views. From here you have views of Island Peak up the Chukkung Valley.
Day 8
Rest & Acclimatisation Day
Dingboche (rest and acclimatise). We can go on local walks to gain some altitude or cross into the neighbouring valley to visit the HRA clinic in Pheriche where an daily altitude talk happens. Dingboche also has daily screenings of famous Himalayan movies in some of the coffee shops.
Day 9
Chukkung
We follow the valley for a relatively short days trek up to the village of Chukkung and overnight in lodge.
Day 10
Rest & Acclimatisation Day
Chukkung (rest and acclimatise). Depending on how people feel we have a number of options to aid acclimatisation. Chukkung Ri is a 4 – 5 hour climb and offers stunning views back down the valley and of Imja Tse (Island Peak), Ama Dablam, Makalu, and Nuptse. The last section to the top involves some easy scrambling over boulders / rocks. If you don’t feel like ascending all the way there are options to go to the lower summit or the saddle instead, before returning to our lodge.
Day 11
Lobuche (via Kongma La, 5,535 m)
Today is a challenging day, especially if the conditions are against us. The pass is high, but it follows our climb high sleep low approach. We rise out of Chukkung and follow a gradual slope upwards over grass, then rock and finally snow to the high pass which is adorned with prayer flags and stunning views, which can take 4 hrs. We then drop down into the Khumbu Valley quite often this can involve some scrambling over boulders to the path as we cross the mighty Khumbu glacier to arrive into our warm lodge in Lobuche.
Day 12
Gorak Shep (via EBC, 5,380 m)
We follow the edge of the glacial moraine to reach the settlement of Gorak Shep, the last outpost to Everest base camp, which is a small collection of lodges just below the shoulder of Mount Pumori called Kala Patthar which is our destination the following morning as it’s a fine viewing point for Everest. We’ll have lunch at Gorak Shep and then walk on for roughly 1.5 – 2hrs and visit Everest base camp. We trek along the lateral moraine and finally over the Khumbu glacier itself to the base camp at the foot of the Khumbu Ice Fall. After some time soaking up the atmosphere we’ll return to our lodge.
Day 13
To Dzonglha (via Kala Patthar, 5,545 m)
We start very early in the morning to trek to the summit of Kala Patthar (5540m) to see the sun rise behind the peak of Everest. This is a tough walk in the cold and not to be underestimated but very much worth the effort. We’ll drop back at the lodge for breakfast before walking back down the valley past Lobuche, to Dzonglha where we’ll spend the night.
Day 14
Trek to Gokyo via Cho La Pass
Today is a challenging day and may require the used of shoe spikes (full crampons are not usually required) as we travel to Gokyo via the Cho La pass (5,420 m). We first leave Dzonglha and trek northwest gaining altitude to a rocky outcrop which we meander through gaining height all the time. At the top of this we then cross the edge and then onto the glacier before going across the famous Cho La pass. Once through the pass we have a couple more hours walk as we drop in altitude and reach Thangna. Warm clothing, snacks and some good humour are needed on this day, but the stunning vistas, calmness of the environment and intimacy with awe inspiring peaks is very rewarding. We’ll reach our lodge after 8 hours and enjoy the warmth of the stove and a hearty meal.
Day 15
Arrival at Gokyo
The trek over the moraine to reach Gokyo takes about 3 hours where we’ll enjoy an early lunch after a hard previous day and a relaxing afternoon!
Day 16
Gokyo Ri Peak
After a good rest the day before we’ll start off early to climb our third peak of the trek, Gokyo Ri at 5,330 m. The view from the top is spectacular! Probably the most comprehensive view of 8,000 metre peaks in Nepal. Surrounding us are Cho Oyu (8153 m), Gyangchung Kang (7922 m), Lhotse (8501 m), Makalu (8475 m), Cholatse (6440 m), Taweche (6542 m), Kantega (6685 m), Thamserku (6808 m), Lobuche (6145 m) and of course Mt Everest (8848 m). Whilst below us the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest in Nepal and the shimmering turgoise of the Gokyo Lakes – a vista that will last a lifetime! We’ll return to our lodge and relax before our final high pass the following day.
Day 17
Lunde
Lunde (via Renjo La, 5,340 m)
Day 18
Return Trek
Namche Bazaar
Day 19
Bad Weather Day
Additional weather day – this day is here to allow for any delays either flying into our out of the mountains. Please read our Himalayan Flight Delays info page. If the weather is stable and if not needed you could have an extra day in Namche, or walk to Phakding
Day 20
Flight*
To Lukla
Day 21
Flight to Kathmandu / Ramechhap**
Fly to Kathmandu / Ramechhap and overnight in hotel of choice
Day 22
Departure
Depart for home