Everest Three Passes Trek - Renjo La, Cho-La and Kongma-La 19 Days

Today we wake up quite early in the morning to catch up on our earliest flight to Lukla. Flying to Lukla airport is an experience of a lifetime. This thrilling flight gives you one of the most extraordinary views of Nepal mountains, the hilly terrain, and deep gorges. Landing in a town of Lukla where you have an inclined airstrip is indeed gripping. Once we land in Lukla we take a break to settle ourselves and gradually start our venture into the Sagarmatha Buffer zone towards our first destination of Phakding.

 Hike to Phakding is 3/4 hours of easy walk on the legendary trekking trail through the cultured Sherpa villages with its exceptional beauty and the view of stunning landscape, deep valley, and Dudh Koshi gorge. The phenomenal sight of profound gorges, ancient farming terraces, and the scenic beauty at the backdrop is something special on the very first day Overnight at Phakding in a typical local tea-house.

Being it a little longer walking day today once again we start early for Namche Bazaar, the capital and the Administrative Centre of the Khumbu district. Initial 3 hours is a gentle walk through a series of pleasant villages which gradually lead us to the last settlement of Jorsale for lunch. Lunch at a town near the Dudh-Koshi River is charming. Today before we start climbing the final vertical hill to Namche Bazaar we cross 5 high suspension bridges, one among which being one of the highest in the region. If the weather stays clear you would have the first view of Everest, the world’s highest mountain from a point before Namche.

Being at Namche, the dreamland is remarkable which is worth an effort. It’s more of a luxurious city in the middle of no way in the midst of remoteness and thin air. Despite long hours walk it’s far more than just trekking. Give time to adapt your body with thin air. It’s not a matter about proving your physical strength, its more about taking pleasure with steady ascend.

To harness the notion of ‘walk high sleep low’ today we will go for an acclimatization hike to the beautiful hill of Syangboche. Soon after we are done with our breakfast, leaving Namche we climb the steep Syangboche hill for an hour and a half which delivers one of the most amazing views. Walk to Syangbuche, one of the enchanting place in the region with the world’s highest airstrip is simply remarkable. It is optional to visit Everest View Lodge that offers an incredible view and serves a variety of hot beverages. The close view of the Everest and its neighboring mountains and to be in the territory of the yaks is charismatic.

We stay for a while at the gained elevation and head back to Namche for lunch. The afternoon is free which gives you ample time to explore the town of Namche Bazaar. There is a museum at the final ridge of Namche near army barrack, depending on your time schedule and interest you may give afternoon visit as its worth it. 

Today we will leave the crowded Everest route and follow the amazing Bhote-Koshi valley to the exceptionally sensational village of Thame. During ancient times Thame has served as the ancient salt trading route between Tibet and Nepal. in course of time, it became a very lively town, a JUNCTION for Nepali and Tibetan traders. Crossing the Nangpala Pass the Tibetan traders came along with their heard of yaks with ample household material and clothing, probably made in China, but very CHEAP which they traded in Thame and eventually they shifted further to Namche Bazar.

A moderate 4 and ½ hours walk will get us to the village of Thame which is said to be the home of inherent climbers from Tenzing Norgay Sherpa (first Everest summiteer) to Appa Sherpa (who holds the Guinness book of world record). This exquisite hidden valley is indeed very enchanting. Lunch at this gorgeous settlement of Thame and we will go for an afternoon visit to ancient "Thame Dechen Chokhorling Monastery".

Leaving the most beautiful village of Thame we gradually ascend the delightful trail with the most stunning view of the mountain Thamserku and panorama of Thame peaks. Following the Bhote-Koshi River through the ancient salt trade route will steadily take you to a very small settlement of Marulung. Depending on our time schedule we may have lunch at Marulung or walk further to Lumde, have lunch, and enjoy our free afternoon. Today being above the tree line, into the thin air and seeing very few people gives you the Thrill of being at altitude. We can admire the traditional architecture walking through the less-traveled villages. Eventually, we get to a very small settlement of ‘Lumde’ The Base of Renjo La. Since you are getting more into an alpine area, the slow ascent is recommended. This unfamiliar and very untouched hidden valley is charismatic where you will have a rest day to explore more of it.

Though it is most popularly known as the ‘Rest Day’, however, it isn’t. to acclimate ourselves into thin air we need to follow the strategy of ‘walk high sleep low’ and for which we are to organize an acclimatization walk where you would gain a couple of hundred meters, take a break, and head down to lower elevation. Your group leader will organize a side trip depending on the weather circumstances for an acclimatization hike. 

We wake up pretty early this morning for a challenging 5-hours climb to the top of Renjo La “A stunning pass from where one can see four 8000+ mountains i.e. Mt. Everest, Cho-Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu, and its neighboring peaks”. The Thrill of being in the wilderness and at altitude can be experienced in this electrifying 5 hours’ extreme hike into the very less trodden trail. Pack lunch will be provided (Normally eaten at the top of Renjo La) however, depends. Spectacular view of mountains along with the Ngozumpa glacier (longest glacier in the Himalayas) and Gokyo Lake from the top of Renjo La is phenomenal. Spending the most precious moment at the top of Renjo La with the magnanimous view we head 3 hours downhill to Gokyo.

Gokyo is yet another highlight of an attraction that is indeed away from the world. The town positioned at the foot of Cho-Oyu and to the side of turquoise Gokyo lake simply unbelievable – a place of ecstasy. After the accomplishment, the view of sparkling sacred lakes along with the Great view of Cho-Oyu is more than enough to spend overnight at miraculous Gokyo.

Being it an easy 3 hours’ trek through the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas to Dragnag, we start very relaxedly. After breakfast, bidding adieu to the most charismatic turquoise Gokyo lake and Cho-Oyu we get into the active Ngozumpa glacier which is certainly very gripping. It’s a thrilling experience going across the Ngozumba glacier with the sounds of ice cracking, river flowing, and rocks rolling in the glacier. The view of small glacial lakes is fascinating. We however have a final but stunning view of Mt Cho Oyu from the glacier. However, we all need to be very cautious as there is ample rock fall zone in the glacier. 

Dragnag or Thangnak, the base of our second pass Cho La is a small settlement situated in a very secluded but very lively area with a serene mountain environment.

Another early wake up for a challenging 5-hour climb to the top of ‘Chola Pass or Chhungyuma La’, the exquisite glacial pass. Today you would walk into yet another very untouched alpine valley with the mysterious landscape setting. Scrambling skills will be required for the glacier moraine to get over and below the pass. The 360° close up view of the soaring snowcapped mountains all over you is something very heavenly. As we get to the summit of the Cho-La, the walk across the icy glacier is sensational. After the accomplishment and vanquishing our second pass, we have 3 hours’ technical descent through rock face trail to the yet another settlement of Dzongla. Great view of Amadablam, Cholatse and many more mountains on the way down. Dzongla unquestionably delivers one of the most phenomenal mountain views.

It’s time to get back into the bustling zone of the regular Everest base camp trail. Today is an easy enchanting 3 hours walk with the most intriguing panoramic view which is overwhelming. As we walk the high Himalayan ridge trail we have every prospect to realize the wonder of Everest trekking. We have an amazing view of Nuptse, Pumori, Amadablam, Cholatse, and many others along the way. At one point we will as well witness the Thukla (Dughla) pass where you have ample memorials built in the memory of many who lost their lives while trying to defeat any of those sacred mountains. Gradually we get back to the main route to Everest base camp and eventually get to yet another small settlement of Lobuche. After lunch, we have a free afternoon so you have every opportunity to go around and explore or visit the Italian Pyramid which is 40 minutes away from Lobuche.

Leaving Lobuche this 3 hours walk to Gorakshep is out of the ordinary through the rocky moraine undulating trail. Gorak Shep, the spectacular village is surrounded by Pumori (7145m), Lingtren (6697m), Nuptse (7745m), and of course Everest (8848m). The view of the Khumbu Ice Fall with the soaring mountains is spectacular. Soon we get to Gorakshep, quick lunch will be organized and we will head out to fascinating Everest base camp. As we get to EBC via active Khumbu glacier the view around and the blue ice pinnacles of the icefall is astonishing. Much like the high passes, EBC is challenging but very rewarding.

Now is the time for the epic climb to Kalapathar, the point to value your dream and the sensational Himalayan vistas all around. The 2 and ½ hours climb is challenging but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. The sunrise view on the way is impressive. After making historic success to Everest Base Camp and Kalapattar, we will descend down to Lobuche where our final pass awaits.

Today is our ultimate day for our final pass. We will leave the crowded route again and trek across the Khumbu glacier. 3 hours of the challenging climb will take us to our final and least traveled Kongma-La pass where a spectacular view awaits. The view of Mt Makalu (8463 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Amadablam (6856 m), Island Peak (6189m) along with the lake is Breathtaking. Pack Lunch will be provided as there is no settlement in between Lobuche and Chhukhung. Another 3 hours of the rugged downhill trail to Chhukhung, cautiousness is highly recommended while walking this cliff trails. You will have a great view of Mt Lhotse and Amadablam from your courtyard. The excitement and experience of people going to and coming from Island Peak can be observed in Chhukhung.

Time to start celebrating on your victory over conquering the 3 High Passes of Everest. 

Today we will be walking a moderate trail through a different valley, unlike the one we just attained. With the great feeling of accomplishment, we will stroll our way down to a beautiful Sherpa settlement of Pangboche. Start breathing normally again since you are in a tree line area. Getting back to normal away from the thin air after a long time is wonderful. Pangboche is a very beautifully set town with farming terraces, Sherpa cultured houses, and awesome food. 

Waling a different valley, we walk an effortless trail to Tengboche Monastery. Getting ourselves back to the tree line area where you would realize your breathing getting back to normal. It’s pretty wonderful looking back on our effort to the incredible three passes from the Tyengbuche ridge. Visiting the Tyengbuche monastery and lighting the butter lamp is an incredible experience and certainly very spiritual. Witness the untold history and the activities of Tyengbuche. After the monastery, walk to Namche on a fresh route makes anyone cheerful of their accomplishment.

Give yourself a break at Namche Bazaar either with drinks or buying souvenirs.

We retrace our trail back to Lukla.

Being it a last night fun activity follows with dancing, eating, drinking, and tipping.

Sensational flight back to the capital city of Kathmandu. In case of early arrival, you will have additional time to explore the city of Kathmandu.