What makes trekking trip momentous and successful? There may be lots of answers to this question. However, the most important factor that makes any trekking trip momentous or successful is the trek itinerary. An expertly knitted itinerary can result the hassle free trip without any mishaps or safety concerns. In addition, the support crew members also play vital role to knit an ideal travel tale. So, in this blog we have tried to jot down details about the Everest Three Passes Trek itinerary.
Table of Contents
Basic outline Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary:
Day 1: Flight to Lukla (2800m) and trek to Phakding (2,652m) – 4 Hrs Trek
Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazar (3,440m) – 6 Hrs Trek
Day 3: Acclimatization Day
Day 4: Trek to Tengboche (3,860m) – 6 Hrs Trek
Day 5: Trek to Dingboche (4,360m) – 6 Hrs Trek
Day 6: Trek to Chhukung (4,750m) – 4 Hrs Trek
Day 7: Rest Day
Day 8: Trek to Lobuche (4,940m) via Kongma La Pass (5,535m) – 7 Hrs Trek
Day 9: Trek to Everest Base camp (5,364) – Gorakshep (5,170m) – 9 Hrs Trek
Day 10: Trek to Lobuche (4,940m) via Kalapather (5,545m) – 9 Hrs Trek
Day 11: Trek to Dzongla (4,830m) – 4 Hrs Trek
Day 12: Trek to Gokyo (4,800m) via Chola pass (5,368m) – 8 Hrs Trek
Day 13: Rest Day
Day 14: Trek to Marlung (4,210m) via Renjo La (5,360m) – 8 Hrs Trek
Day 15: Trek to Namche Bazar (3440m) – 6 Hrs Trek
Day 16: Trek to Lukla (2800m) – 7 Hrs Trek
Day 17: Fly Back to Kathmandu (1400m) – 45 minutes flight
For the detail itinerary click here
Everest Three Passes Trek Route Map
Now, let’s put on some details to this outline itinerary. Finding minute details about every day events and places make your trip more comfortable.
Lukla: Gateway to Everest
The first activity on the Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary is the flight to Lukla. In fact, almost all the trekking trips inside the Everest region start from Lukla. Therefore, Lukla is known as the gateway to Everest. It takes about 25 to 30 minutes from Kathmandu.
The flight journey itself is adventurous as the Tenzing Hillary Airstrip in Lukla is considered as the world’s most extreme airport. Please note that during peak season trekkers may have to use Ramechhap Airport instead of Kathmandu Airport for flight to Lukla. It is to cater more flights in limited weather window as it takes about 15 to 20 minutes from Ramechhap to Lukla.
Trekkers trek to Phakding before entering the Sagarmatha National Park. It takes two days of trekking to reach Namche Bazaar from Lukla. The trail is well maintained and on a shores of Dudhkoshi River until Hillary Twin Bridge. The trail extends uphill to Namche Bazaar from Imja River Suspension bridge.
Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar & Dingboche
Three acclimatization breaks are essential for a successful Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary. The first acclimatization is at Namche and the second is at Dingboche. If you are traveling in the high – altitude places then you shouldn’t skip acclimatization activities.
It is to adjust to the new altitude! In Namche Bazaar, trekkers explore the surrounding villages and some even hike to the Everest View Hotel which is at an altitude of 3880 m from sea level. Second acclimatization activity includes trek to Chhukung from Dingboche. Some trekkers include the climbing of Chhukung Ri as well.
The Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary is a challenging trekking journey that reaches up to 5545 m from sea level. Therefore, acclimatization plays important role in terms of safety!
Trek to Lobuche via Kong Ma La Pass from Chhukung
The first pass to cross is the Kong Ma La Pass (5535 m). It is the highest pass among three passes on this trekking trail. The trail is narrow and rugged. In some sections, you may not find the trail. Therefore, you should always heed the instructions of your trekking guide.
Traversing through glacial lake shores and climbing the top of the pass is splendidly challenging. Trekkers have to trek through glacier and it is rugged with full of boulders and small rocks till they reach the Lobuche Village.
Trek to Everest Base Camp & Kalapathar Hike
This is an iconic time on the Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary. You will reach the Everest Base Camp (5364 m) via Gorakshep. There are no accommodations in the base camp. Therefore, trekkers have to hike to the base camp and return back to Gorakshep for lodging. It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Everest Base Camp from Gorakshep.
Kalapathar Hike to witness Himalayan sunrise is another highlight of the Three Passes Trek Itinerary. The activity is then followed by trek to Dzongla village via Lobuche.
Crossing Chola Pass
Upon crossing the Chola Pass (5420 m), trekkers have to trek on the Ngozumpa Glacier. This is the world’s longest glacier. The trail is rugged and full of small pebbles and rocky boulders. It is the long day of trekking that starts before dawn in the Dzongla Village.
After a long day’s walk, the scenery of blue turquoise Gokyo Lake offers great relief. The crossing of Chola Pass is technical as there are some sections where you may have to take the support of the fixed rope. The mountains seen from the top of the pass is splendid.
Get astounding scenery of mountains like Amadablam, Everest, Choyou, Pumori, Thamserku, etc. from the top. It is the complete Himalayan adventure!
Gokyo Ri Hike & Gokyo Valley
The third acclimatization rest day is the most scenic out of three rest days’ activities. Trekkers hike to the top of the Gokyo Ri. The scenery of mountains from the top of the Gokyo Ri is incomparable. In fact, trekkers get the different perspective of Mt. Everest from the top of the Ri. The sight of blue turquoise lake and Gokyo hamlet including the mountain vista make this hike mesmerizing.
Renjo La Pass Crossing
The final pass to cross in the Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary is the Renjo La Pass (5360 m). The trail of the Renjo La Pass is full of rocks and pebbles. You can get the sight of Mt. Makalu as well from the top including the sight of Lhotse, Everest, and Choyou. Upon crossing the pass, trekkers can reach the small Sherpa village called Marlung in the foothill of Renjo La Pass.
Marlung to Namche Bazaar is iconic in terms of experience. On the way, there is the famous village of Everest Summiteers. It is said that the village of Thame has at least one person from one household who has summited the Mt. Everest.
Namche to Lukla is on the well maintained commercial trekking trail. It takes about 6 to 7 hours to reach Lukla from Namche Bazaar via Monjo and Phakding.
Three Passes Trek Itinerary: Clockwise or Anticlockwise
There are two options in terms of route to complete the Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary. The clockwise route has Renjo La Pass as the first pass and the anticlockwise route has Kong Ma La Pass as the first pass. Comparatively, the anticlockwise route is considered as safe in terms of proper acclimatization.
By the time trekkers reach the Kong Ma La pass, they would have already done two acclimatization activities. However, clockwise route has one rest day before crossing the 5360 m pass. The choice is yours.
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