Everest Three Passes Trek
The ultimate Khumbu challenge — three high passes over 5,300m combining Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, and views of four 8,000m peaks.
Distance
170 km
Duration
20 days
Elevation Gain
7,500m
Max Elevation
5,545m
Min Elevation
2,860m
Highest Point
Kongma La (5,535m)
Difficulty
Strenuous
Best Season
October-November, April-May
Route Type
Loop / Circuit
Permit Required
Yes
Permit Cost
USD 55
Permit Information
Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000), Khumbu Rural Municipality fee (NPR 2,000), TIMS card
The Everest Three Passes trek is the ultimate challenge in the Khumbu region — a grand loop combining the Everest Base Camp trek and the Gokyo Lakes trek with three high pass crossings: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m).
The route visits virtually every major highlight of the Khumbu: Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar's legendary viewpoint (5,644m), the turquoise Gokyo Lakes, the vast Ngozumpa Glacier (Nepal's longest), and the panoramic summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357m). Four of the world's six highest peaks are visible: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
This trek demands excellent fitness, prior high-altitude experience, and careful acclimatization. The pass crossings can involve snow, ice, and exposed scrambling. An experienced guide is strongly recommended. It is rightly considered one of Nepal's greatest trekking achievements.