Everest Three Passes Trek — 19 Days | Cost & Itinerary 2026

An early transfer for the 35-minute flight to Lukla (2,840 m) — one of the world's most dramatic airstrips, perched on a Himalayan ridgeline. From Lukla the trail descends gently through pine forest along the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding, crossing the first of many suspension bridges. A relaxed first day to let the body register the altitude.

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi upstream, enters Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo and crosses the Hillary Suspension Bridge before the sustained 800 m climb to Namche Bazaar — the trading heart of the Khumbu. On a clear afternoon, the first views of Everest appear above the ridgeline.

A rest day built around the climb-high-sleep-low principle. The morning hike ascends to the Hotel Everest View (3,880 m) for an unobstructed panorama of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. The afternoon is free for Namche's Sherpa Culture Museum, the market, bakeries and good coffee.

The trail traverses the high ridge above the Dudh Koshi with Ama Dablam commanding the skyline, then drops to the river and climbs through forest to Tengboche Monastery — the largest in the Khumbu, set against a 270-degree mountain panorama. A short descent through rhododendron forest leads to the quieter village of Deboche for the night.

Crossing the Imja Khola, the trail climbs through Pangboche — home to one of the oldest monasteries in the region — and on through thinning vegetation into the wide glacial valley of Dingboche at 4,410 m. Ama Dablam, Island Peak and the great wall of Lhotse fill the horizon.

A second acclimatisation day with a demanding hike to Nangkartsang Peak (5,083 m) — your first time above 5,000 m and a vital test before the passes. The summit views stretch from Makalu to Cho Oyu. The afternoon is for rest, hydration and an early night.

A short day up the Imja valley to Chhukung at 4,730 m, directly beneath the immense south face of Lhotse. The light afternoon leaves energy in reserve — tomorrow is the first and highest pass. Optional acclimatisation walk towards Chhukung Ri viewpoint.

The first great crossing. A pre-dawn start for the long climb to Kongma La at 5,535 m — the highest of the three passes — marked by prayer flags and a small glacial lake, with vast views of Makalu, Lhotse and the Khumbu peaks. The descent crosses the rubble of the Khumbu Glacier before reaching Lobuche. The hardest day of the trek, and one of the most rewarding.

An early start along the glacier moraine to Gorak Shep (5,190 m), where bags are dropped before the push to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m. The trail follows the glacier edge to the foot of the legendary Khumbu Icefall — in spring, the tent city of summit expeditions spreads across the ice. Return to Gorak Shep for the highest night of the trek.

A 4:30 am start by headlamp for the climb to Kala Patthar (5,545 m) — the highest point of the trek and the definitive close-up of Everest, its summit pyramid catching the first light barely eight kilometres away. After breakfast at Gorak Shep, an easy descent retraces the moraine to Lobuche.

A short, scenic traverse above the turquoise Chola Tsho lake to the small huddle of lodges at Dzongla, set beneath the fluted ice walls of Cholatse. An afternoon of rest before the second pass — early dinner, early bed.

Another pre-dawn start for Cho La (5,420 m). The eastern approach climbs steep rock; the pass itself holds a small glacier, crossed carefully with micro-spikes in colder months. The descent through Thagnak leads across the vast grey expanse of the Ngozumpa Glacier — the longest in the Himalayas — to the third Gokyo lake, where the village sits on luminous turquoise water.

Sunrise from Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) is, for many trekkers, the single finest viewpoint in Nepal: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu in a single sweep, with the chain of Gokyo lakes glowing below. The rest of the day is free to explore the lakes or simply absorb the setting.

The final crossing. The trail climbs steadily from the lake to Renjo La (5,360 m), where Everest frames itself between prayer flags one last time — many consider this the most beautiful of the three pass views. The long stone staircase descends into the remote, rarely visited Bhote Koshi valley and the yak-herding hamlet of Lungden.

A long descent through the quiet Thame valley — the homeland of many of Everest's most famous Sherpa climbers, including Tenzing Norgay and Apa Sherpa. Thame's hillside monastery is one of the oldest in the Khumbu. The trail rejoins the main route at Namche for a celebratory evening — bakeries, hot showers and the satisfaction of the circuit completed.

The final day on the trail retraces the Dudh Koshi valley through Monjo and Phakding to Lukla. A farewell dinner with your trekking crew closes out the journey — nineteen days, three passes, and the entire Khumbu behind you.

Morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu or Manthali (Ramechhap) depending on season, and transfer to the Himalayan Suite Hotel. The rest of the day is free — Thamel, a massage, or simply a long rest at low altitude.

Your HSJ representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your onward flight. If your departure is later in the day, there is time for a final visit to Pashupatinath or Boudhanath. Safe travels — and we hope to see you on another HSJ adventure soon.