People’s travel choices are diverse! Some love to travel unplanned and some love to simply drift without fixed itineraries! Traveling with just an instinct and unknown anticipation is always a thrilling adventure!

However, there should always have a thin margin between stupidity and intrepidity if comes to traveling to Himalayan regions! Up in the mountains, the altitude, unpredictable weather conditions, and terrain make it hard for independent travelers! Therefore, instinctive and unplanned independent traveling to these places are not recommended.

If you are traveling to high – altitude mountain regions, it is better to get a help from a guide. Today’s blog is all about finding answers for a question “Do I Need a Guide for Everest 3 High Passes Trek?” and it is to figure out the benefits of doing the guided trek!

There are multiple trekking routes in the Everest region of Nepal. Most of the trekking routes reach above 3000 m altitude places. Trekking in these routes means you are walking every day on a thin line between adventure and safety! However, some of the trekking routes of the region have become commercial trekking trails. There are countless eateries and lodges including primary health aids!

The Everest 3 High Passes Trek route is arduous and traverses through high – altitude terrain! Let’s find out more about the importance of a guide for the Everest Three High Passes Trek:

Why You Need a Guide for the 3 High Passes Trek

A local guide at Everest 3 high passes trek

The trekking trail of the Everest 3 High Passes Trek encompasses three iconic mountain passes that are above 5000 m altitude from sea level. In addition, the trekking trail reaches the legendary Everest Base Camp (5364 m) and includes Kalapathar (5530 m) hike! It is indeed the high – altitude endurance trekking that demands extreme discipline and mental strength.

Kong Ma La Pass (5545 m) is the highest and challenging among three mountain passes and it is the longest pass as well. Trekkers have to trek on the isolated valley and trek on the shores of the glacial lake as well as through glacier. Interestingly, Chola Pass is more commercial than two passes as it is included in the EBC Chola Pass Trek or Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Lake as well! There are more people in the Chola Pass (5420 m) than in other two! The last pass and probably the most rugged due to presence of pebbles, boulders, and rocks is the Renjo La Pass (5345 m).

The trail is rugged and usually covered by snow in some sections! Moreover, the trail passes through lots of unknown crevasses on certain sections. The number of trekkers on the trekking route is far less than in the commercial trekking routes. In case of emergencies, lack of proper connectivity may hinder the immediate care and rescue! These are the major reasons why you must trek in the Everest Three High Passes Trek route with a guide.

So, do I need a guide for Everest 3 High Passes Trek? Yes, it is indeed the necessity. Here are the 5 reasons that prove that you must hire a guide for the Everest 3 High Passes Trek.

1. Safety in Isolated, High-Altitude Terrain.

2. Lack of Communication Facilities

3. Altitude-Related Health Management

4. Challenging and Changing Trails

5. Local Knowledge and Cultural Insight

People often place an inquiry about whether they should do solo trekking in the Everest region or not. Let me reiterate again that there are trekking trails in the region where you can trek solo or independently. However, some trekking routes should not be underestimated! It is wise and smart to do guided trek!

Let’s find out the difference between the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Everest Three High Passes Trek in terms of guided trek or independent trek possibility!

Everest Base Camp Trek vs. Everest 3 High Passes Trek

This blogger strongly recommends all the trekkers from across the globe to hire a guide if you are to trek in Nepal. However, some of the trekking trails of Nepal are okay to trek independently. There are numerous commercial trekking routes where communication facilities, eateries, lodges, health posts, and high traffic make it okay for independent trekking! Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, and Langtang Valley Trek are major commercial trekking trips to do in Nepal.

In the Everest region, the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is the most commercial one among several others! There are different styles of lodging and meals establishment ranging from luxury to basic. The mobile connectivity is okay throughout the trekking trail. Therefore, it is okay to do independent trekking in the Everest region. As for the Everest Three High Passes Trek, refrain from trekking independently.

In an average, trekkers have to trek for more than 7 hours a day especially during the day of crossing the pass. Moreover, the pass crossing day needs to be started before dawn to reach the next safe destination. Isolated terrain and high altitude places that the trail reaches are the major reason that you must not trek independent or solo.

The risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is very high in the Everest Three High Passes Trek! It is normal but if in case you are the victim then having a guide can accelerate the process of immediate rescue. The immediate rescue during this situation is either descend by the help of porter/guide or helicopter rescue. It is easy to process if you are trekking with the trekking guide.

How Much Does a Guide Cost for the 3 High Passes Trek?

The cost of the trekking guide for the Everest Three High Passes Trek starts from 35 $ to 50 $ per day. The salary of the trekking guide depends upon the experience level and language proficiency. English speaking guide’s salary is slightly lower than the special language speaking guide. In addition to the salary, trekkers must bear the cost of the guide’s transportation (Lukla Flights).

Can I hire a guide in Lukla for the Everest 3 High Passes Trek?

You can hire a guide in Lukla for the Everest 3 High Passes Trek in Nepal. If you hire a guide in Lukla then you can save the cost of the guide’s flight cost from or to Kathmandu. As a blogger who has an experience of more than 10 years in the field of Everest trekking, I highly recommend trekkers to get the guide from Kathmandu itself.

Trekkers may face lots of difficulties during the Lukla flights. In the peak season, the flight doesn’t take place from Kathmandu rather it takes place from Ramechhap Airport which is about 4 hours of road drive from Kathmandu. Sudden change in the weather conditions may cancel the flight. In these situations, if you are with the guide then he or she will look for an alternative and you will have the trustworthy companion to tackle the situation.