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Everest High Passes Trek

Trip Length: 19 Days
Highest Point: 5645m (Kalapatthar)
Trek Grade: Strenuous
Accommodation: Teahouse
Walking Time: Approx 6-7 hrs per day
Region: Everest
Starting Point: Lukla (Solukhumbu)
Ending Point: Lukla (Solukhumbu)

Trip Highlights

  • Adventurous trek to the Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar
  • Cross three 5,000-meter passes - Kongma, Chola and Renjo
  • Stunning mountain views from trails, ridges and passes
  • Trek lo less-explored valleys of Chhukhung, Gokyo and Thame
  • Hike to Gokyo Ri and other Gokyo lakes
  • A combination of busy and off-the-beaten trails in Everest region
  • Cross Nongzumpa and Khumbu glaciers

Overview

The Everest High Passes Trek is one of the most challenging and adventurous holidays in the Everest region. During the trek, you cross three high Himalayan passes -- Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m), climb the viewpoints of Kalapatthar, Gokyo Ri and Chhukhung Ri, and trek to Khumbu, Chhukhung, Gokyo and Thame valleys, and reach Everest Base Camp. The trek provides you stunning views of high Himalayan peaks from different locations and different perspectives. Everest High Passes Trek is a perfect adventure for those looking for fun and thrills in the Himalayas. The trail is difficult and will surely test your endurance. It provides you an opportunity to explore Sherpa villages, visit ancient monasteries, meet the local villagers, interact with them and get immersed in their unique culture, tradition and lifestyle. The journey starts with an adventurous flight to Lukla enjoying stunning views of mountains from the comfort of your aircraft seat. The trek then progresses through the settlements of Phakding and Monjo to Namche Bazaar. The three passes loop begins and ends in Namche Bazaar. After spending two nights in Namche for acclimatization, the trek progresses through Tengboche and Pangboche to Dingboche where you leave the busy Everest Base Camp trail and enter the picturesque Chhukhung village for your first pass. You will descend to Lobuche and enter Khumbu valley after crossing Kongma La and visit Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar ridge. Then you again leave Khumbu valley and reach Dzongla for your second pass. After crossing Cho La, you will descend to Gokyo Valley and cross your third pass after exploring Gokyo lakes and enjoying views from Gokyo Ri. From Renjo La, you will descend to Thame Valley and further to Namche where the loop ends.
Trip Inquiry

Trip Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400m)

Welcome to Nepal. Meet our representatives outside the airport and reach your hotel. Remaining time is free for independent activities. In the evening, meet your guide and attend the trek briefing session.

O/N: Hotel
Day 2
Fly to Lukla (2,840m) and trek to Phakding (2,610m) -- 30 mins flight, Approx 5 hrs walk

Meet your guide at the hotel and drive to the airport for a light to Lukla. The flight offers you scenic view of the beautiful countryside of eastern Nepal. On a clear day, you can see some of the tallest mountains in Nepal like Cho Oyu (8,153m), Lhotse (8,516m), Gauri Shankar (7,145m) and even Everest (8,848m). Despite its small size, Lukla is one of the busiest airstrips in Nepal. After landing at Lukla, meet your support crew who will carry your belongings in duffel bags till the end of your trek. Leave Lukla through a busy marketplace until you reach a gate from where you descend on a beautiful stony path that contours over the Dudh Koshi River. Very soon you will start seeing chhortens, prayer wheels and Buddhist mantras carved on rocks - some indications that you are in a Buddhist region. Pass through the settlements of Chaurikharka, Cheplung, Thado Koshi and Ghat to reach your night's halt at Phakding.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 3
Trek to Namche (3,440) -- Approx 6 hrs

Today's walk will take you to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. Hit the trail after breakfast at your lodge and continue the walk along the banks of Dudh Koshi River. Show your permits at the Sagarmatha National Park check post at Monjo and continue your walk to a confluence where Dudh Koshi River meets Bhote Koshi coming from the left. As you share the trail with Jokyos and ponies, make sure that you are on the cliffside while giving them way. Cross the confluence on Hillary Bridge and make a final climb to Namche. Halfway to Namche, there is a resting place where you can enjoy the first view of Mount Everest. The conical summit of Everest lies between the ridges of Nuptse and Lhotse. Continuing forward, you will get first glimpse of Namche which looks like a small bowl. Colorful houses and fluttering player flags make Namche an impressive sight. You will spend two nights here.

O/N:Teahouse
Day 4
Acclimatization walks around Namche

You will take a rest day for acclimatization today. Your guide will take you on a tour of Khumjung village and the Everest View Hotel so that you can gain some altitude today which will prepare you for your trek. Khumjung is a quintessential Sherpa village. Here, you can see a school built by Sir Edmund Hillary and visit village monastery. You can also see 'yeti skull' by paying some donation at the monastery. After completing the acclimatization hike, return to your lodge.

O/N:Teahouse
Day 5
Trek to Tengboche (3,860m) – Approx 6 to 7 hrs

After spending two nights at Namche, resume your walk toward Tengboche. Leaving out of the Namche bowl, the trail makes a short climb and contours high above Imja River that originates from Imja glacier. You will be rewarded with views of Everest, Lhotse and Thamserku and Amadablam right in front of you. After Kenjuma, the trail makes a sharp descent to your lunch spot at Phungi Thenga on the banks of Imja River. After lunch, an uphill walk of about two hours will take you to Tengboche where the magnificent Tengboche Monastery, basking in afternoon sun, monastery greets you. Stay in one of the teahouses.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 6
Trek to Dingboche (4410m) – Approx 7 hrs

Leaving Tengboche, the trail descends through pine forest to the small settlement of Deboche and further down to Imja River. Cross the river and make a gradual ascent to the bustling settlement of Pangboche. You can get stunning views of Ama Dablam and Kangtenga to your right across the river. Continuing further, you reach a small settlement of Shomare for lunch. You are officially at an elevation above 4,000 meters now. After a walk of about an hour from your lunch point, the trail splits. The trail on the left goes to Everest base camp through the village of Pheriche. Take the trail to your right and descend to the river. Cross it on a footbridge and make a final climb to the village of Dingboche. The climb will be demanding as you are walking over 4,000 meters. Dingboche is a beautiful Sherpa village surrounded by mountains on all sides. You will spend two nights here before crossing the first high pass of this trek.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 7
Acclimatization hike to Nagarjun Hill (5080m)

After early breakfast, hit the trail toward Nagarjun Hill. As the hill lies just above Dingboche, the rocky trail is naturally steep. The summit offers stunning views of Amadablam, Cholatse as well as Makalu to the east and the settlement of Dingboche right below. After completing the acclimatization hike, return to your lodge. In the evening, you can explore Dingboche and interact with the locals.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 8
Trek to Chhukhung (4,730m) – Approx 4 hrs

Today, you will hike to Chhukung village as your first high pass of the trek approaches nearer. Enjoy morning views of Amadablam, Tawache, Chalotse and the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge as you walk toward Chhukhung along the banks of Imja Khola. As you progress higher, the trail is on glacial moraines. Chhukhung is a beautiful settlement seated on the laps of Nuptse and Lhotse peaks. After lunch, you can explore the Island Peak Area or climb Chhukhung Ri to enjoy stunning views of Lhotse, Nuptse, Hillary Peak, Makalu, Baruntse, Island Peak and Chamlang, to name a few.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 9
Trek via Kongma Pass (5535m) to Lobuche -- Approx 8 hrs (4940m)

Resume the trek after early breakfast at the teahouse. Leaving the village, cross a small creek and enjoy an easy walk for about a kilometer or so. Though not busy as the Everest Base Camp trail, the trail to Kongma Pass is well-defined. Follow your guide as navigation can be tricky nevertheless. After reaching atop a ridge at 5,000 meters, the trail enters a beautiful valley below the pass. The trail continues to wind up the mountainside until you get first sight of the pass. But there is still 300 meters of elevation to attain and some 3 kilometers more to walk. Your pace will become slow due to lack of oxygen. Right below the pass, you can see few glacial lakes. The trail to the top goes by the side of the biggest lake. A final push from the lake and you will reach the top. The pass offers stunning views of Makalu to the east and Cho Oyu to the west, among scores of other peaks. You can also see the settlement of Lobuche across the Khumbu glacier. After spending sometime at the top, make a slow yet steady descent toward Lobuche. The trail is full of scree, boulders and loose rocks. After reaching the foot of the pass, climb the lip of the glacier from where you can see Kalapatthar and the small settlement of Gorakshep. It is difficult to walk on the glacier, but the trail is defined and has cairns to make the route navigable. The settlement of Lobuche is a walk of less than an hour from the glacier.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 10
Trek to Gorakshep (5140m) and further to EBC (5364m) and back – Approx 7 hrs

From Lobuche, the trail slopes gradually upward through the moraine of Khumbu Glacier toward Italian Pyramid. The distance from Lobuche to Gorakshep is only about four kilometers and you will gain some 230 meters of elevation. But the walk is exhausting as the trail is above 5,000 meters. After gentle initial incline, the trial goes down before the final climb leading to Gorakshep -- the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. The trail is dusty and full of loose rocks due to years of glacial activities. Cross a large moraine of Changri Shar glacier before reaching Gorakshep. Mount Pumori stands right above you while Nutpse and other mountains of Everest range are to our right. After lunch, start walking toward Everest Base Camp. The walk is tiring as you will have to negotiate a difficult trail along the Khumbu Glacier. After negotiating with the moraine, make one last climb to reach base camp. Enjoy the view around, take photographs and return to the comfort of your teahouse at Gorakshep.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 11
Hike to Kalapatthar and trek to Dzongla (4830m) -- Approx 7 hrs

The trek in the Everest region will be incomplete without visiting Kalapatthar viewpoint. Leave your teahouse early in the morning to get the stunning views of some of the world’s tallest mountains glittering in the morning sun. Kalapatthar is the highest point of this trek. The trail is easy but high altitude will slow your progress. A walk of about two hours will take you to the top of Kalapatthar ridge. Watch the sun rise between Everest and Nuptse and enjoy panoramic views of Chantse, Everest and Lhotse peaks, and Khumbu glacier below you. After spending some time at the top, return to Gorakshep, have breakfast and begin your trek toward Dzongla. You will walk the same trail to Lobuche. After lunch at Lobuhce, continue your walk until a place where the trail splits. The trail on the left goes to Dingboche/Pheriche and to Namche Bazaar, while the one on the right winds around the base of Lobuche to Dzongla. Going further, you reach a ridge top from where you get the first sight of Cho La Lake. Walk on the trail that contours high above the lake where you can sight the settlement of Dzongla far in the horizon. Cross a small creek and make one final push to reach the settlement of Dzongla.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 12
Trek via Chola Pass (5420m) to Thaknak (4690m) – Approx 8 hrs

Chola – the second pass of this trek – connects Everest Base Camp trail to the Gokyo Valley. Leaving Dzongla, the trail contours alpine pastures until it meets a creek coming from Chola Pass. It starts gaining elevations thereafter. View behind your back is dominated by Amadablam and Cholatse. The trail is full of loose rocks and boulders – in some places you will have to scramble to negotiate the difficult trail. The last leg of the climb is icy and slippery. The top is marked by cairns and prayer flags and offers view of the beautiful Gokyo Valley on the other side. The descent is steep initially. After you are done with the steep section, the trail is leveled initially. It then climbs a ridge following which a long descent to Thaknak begins. Thaknak is a small cluster of few teahouses between Chola Pass and Nongzumpa glacier.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 13
Trek to Gokyo (4750m) -- Approx 3 hrs

You have the morning all to yourself today. Take the much-needed rest. After late breakfast, resume the walk to Gokyo. Climb on the lip of Nongzumpa Glacier and follow your guide as he traces mazy trail on the glacier. The glacier is about a kilometer wide and will take around two and half hours. After crossing the glacier, climb to a lip from where you get beautiful view of the settlement and the lake of Gokyo. Make a short descent to check into your teahouse.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 14
Rest Day

You will take a well-earned rest day today. Spend the day admiring the beauty of Gokyo Lake and surrounding areas. Enjoy a hike to Gokyo Ridge early in the morning. You can enjoy view wide array of Himalayan peaks as well as a bird's eye view of the Gokyo Lake, Gokyo village and Nongzumpa glacier. Remaining day is free for independent activities. Or you can enjoy a day hike to Gokyo IV lake.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 15
Trek via Renjo La (5,345m) to Lungden – Approx 7 hrs

You will cross third and final pass of the trek today. Leaving Gokyo, walk on the trail that rises above the lake shores toward origin of the creek that feeds the lake. The trail inclines upward gradually as you leave the lake behind. You cross the creek on a beautiful valley and reach the foot of the pass. About 500-meter section of the trail from here is steep and difficult. After negotiating this section, it's an easy climb on a trail full of loose rocks and boulders to the top marked by cairns and prayer flags. You will be greeted by an array of peaks of Rolwaling valley including Melungtse and Kang Nagucho as well as the more familiar Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Makalu toward east. After spending some time at the top, begin your descent toward Lungden. The descent to the first lake is steep. After that, it's an easy descent on a well-marked to another lake, and more lakes and pasture strips to the settlement of Lungden. Below Lungden, you can see a well-defined trail to Nangpa La Pass which straddles Nepal-China border which was a popular trade route for people of this region before tourism flourished.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 16
Trek to Namche

This is the penultimate walking day of your trek. Leave Lungden and make a gradual descend down the Thame Valley. A little below Lungden, the trail enters a beautiful terraced land. Going further, cross the river and walk on a trail on the other bank until you reach the picturesque village of Thame. Thame is the hometown of legendary mountaineers like Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Apa Sherpa. From Thame, a trail climbs westward toward Tashi Lapcha Pass and drops to the Rolwaling Valley. You will continue eastward to the village of Thamu and further to Namche.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 17
Trek to Lukla

Last day of your trek! Leaving Namche, the trail makes a descent through pine forest to Jorsalle at the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. Hike for some three hours along the river to reaching the bustling settlement of Phakding. Take your lunch here, and continue through the settlements of Thado Koshi and Ghat before making one last climb to the plateau of Lukla ad walk to your teahouse. Celebrate the success of our trek in the evening with your support team.

O/N: Teahouse
Day 18
Fly to Kathmandu

After breakfast, walk to the airport for a flight to Kathmandu. Enjoy the thrilling take-off and bid adieu to the mountains from the comfort of your aircraft seat. A flight of some 35 minutes will take you to Kathmandu. Board a waiting car and drive to your hotel. Take the much needed rest in your hotel room or you can take a stroll in the neighborhood to buy souvenirs for your friends and family back home. In the evening, join us for a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your trek. Share your trek experiences over a bottle of beer or two and enjoy Nepali cuisines and typical Nepali songs and dance.

O/N: Hotel
Day 19
Departure

Your last day in Nepal! After breakfast, meet our representative at the hotel lobby who will transfer you to the airport for your return flight. You will reach airport about three hours before your flight time so that you don't have to rush for immigration formalities. Adieu, until we meet again.

***Trip Ends***

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Everest High Passes Trek

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