Everest Three High Passes Trek: 20 Days

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (1,400 m), followed by a pre-trek briefing covering permits, packing, and the trek's acclimatisation schedule. A licensed guide reviews the day-by-day route and checks personal gear against the recommended packing list. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla (2,860 m), a 527 m sloped runway with a one-directional approach, takes roughly 25-30 minutes when operating from Kathmandu, or around 20 minutes plus a 4-hour pre-dawn drive when operating from Manthali/Ramechhap in peak season. From Lukla, the trail descends gently through Chaurikharka and along the Dudh Koshi river to Phakding (2,610 m), passing prayer wheels and the trek's first mani walls.

From Phakding (2,610 m) the trail follows the Dudh Koshi river, crossing several suspension bridges including the high Hillary Suspension Bridge near Jorsale, before entering Sagarmatha National Park at the Monjo checkpoint. A steep switchback climb through pine forest gains 830 m to reach Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the Khumbu's main trading hub and the first mandatory two-night acclimatisation stop.

Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) following the golden "climb high, sleep low" rule. The morning hike climbs to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) at Syangboche, offering the first distant view of Everest's summit pyramid alongside Ama Dablam and Thamserku, before descending through Khumjung village, home to the Khumjung monastery and its Sherpa culture museum. Return to Namche for the second acclimatisation night.

From Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) the trail climbs to Kyangjuma and Sanasa before dropping to cross the Dudh Koshi again, then climbs steadily through rhododendron forest to Tengboche (3,860 m), home to the largest and most significant monastery in the Khumbu. On clear afternoons, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam are all visible from the monastery courtyard.

The trail descends from Tengboche (3,860 m) through Deboche's rhododendron and birch forest, crosses the Imja Khola, and climbs steadily past Pangboche, the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, into the drier, high-altitude landscape approaching Dingboche (4,410 m), a farming village walled with stone enclosures for barley and buckwheat.

Second mandatory acclimatisation day, this time at Dingboche (4,410 m). The recommended hike climbs Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) above the village for panoramic views of Makalu, Ama Dablam, and the Dingboche valley, reinforcing the 300-500 m per day net elevation gain rule before pushing higher toward Lobuche.

A short, easy day up a side valley from Dingboche (4,410 m) to Chhukung (4,730 m), the staging village for both Kongma La Pass and Island Peak, positioned directly beneath Ama Dablam's eastern flank.

The highest of the three passes and the most technically demanding: a pre-dawn start from Chhukung (4,730 m) to cross the rocky, often icy Kongma La (5,535 m) before descending onto the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Lobuche (4,940 m). Crampons are frequently required on the descent's ice sections.

★ Kongma La Pass (5,535 m)

From Gorak Shep (5,164 m), the trail crosses 3.5 km of rocky glacial moraine with the Khumbu Glacier on the right and the icefall rising directly above. At Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), Nuptse's west ridge and Lhotse's south face close in on three sides. Everest's summit is not visible from Base Camp; that view belongs to Kala Patthar, 280 m higher. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.

★ Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)

Sunrise climb to Kala Patthar (5,644 m), the clearest Everest summit viewpoint on the route, before descending to Gorak Shep and continuing west to Dzongla (4,830 m) ahead of the Cho La crossing.

★ Kala Patthar (5,644 m)

The second high pass: a glaciated crossing of Cho La (5,420 m) requiring crampons and an ice axe in most seasons, descending to the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier at Thangnak (4,700 m).

★ Cho La Pass (5,420 m)

A short crossing of the Ngozumpa Glacier to Gokyo (4,790 m) on the shore of Dudh Pokhari, allowing recovery time ahead of the Gokyo Ri climb and the final Renjo La crossing.

Climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for views of four 8,000 m peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, before an afternoon of rest ahead of the third and final high pass.

★ Gokyo Ri (5,357 m)

The third and final pass: Renjo La (5,360 m), offering, on a clear day, a wide-angle view back across the Gokyo valley to Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu simultaneously. A long, hard descent follows to Lungden (4,380 m) in the Bhote Koshi valley.

★ Renjo La Pass (5,360 m)

Descend the Bhote Koshi valley through Thame, birthplace of several famous Sherpa mountaineers including Tenzing Norgay's neighbouring village, before rejoining the main trail back into Namche Bazaar (3,440 m).

The final trekking day retraces the route from Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) down through Jorsale and Monjo, exiting Sagarmatha National Park, then climbs back up to Lukla (2,860 m) for the last night on the trail before the return flight to Kathmandu.

Morning flight from Lukla (2,860 m) back to Kathmandu (1,400 m), weather permitting; flights depart early to beat the afternoon cloud build-up typical of the Khumbu valley. Afternoon free for showers, laundry, and souvenir shopping in Thamel, followed by a farewell dinner celebrating the completed trek.

A planned buffer day in Kathmandu to absorb any Lukla flight delays accumulated over the trip, or free for sightseeing if the schedule has run on time.

International departure from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, or onward travel in Nepal.