Three Passes Trek

The Three Passes Trek is a 160 km point-to-point trail in the Khumbu region of Nepal, gaining roughly 13,500 m of cumulative elevation over 18 to 19 trekking days. Rated strenuous, it links three Himalayan passes above 5,300 m — Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La — making it the most complete and demanding circuit around Mount Everest.

About the Three Passes Trek

The Three Passes Trek is the high-altitude crown of Nepal's Everest region. Where the classic Everest Base Camp route is an out-and-back, this trail forms a horseshoe through the Sagarmatha National Park, crossing three glaciated passes — Kongma La (5,550 m), Cho La (5,420 m) and Renjo La (5,360 m) — and visiting both the Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp in a single journey. Forming part of Nepal's recognised National Walking Network (NWN), it is a major national hiking trail and one of the country's signature high-mountain itineraries.

Across roughly 160 km the route never drops below 2,640 m and tops out at 5,611 m on the optional Kala Patthar viewpoint, where the cumulative elevation change of around 13,500 m tells the real story of the effort involved. Most trekkers walk it anticlockwise from Lukla, tackling Kongma La first so that acclimatisation builds naturally before each successive pass. Daily distances run between 10 and 18 km, but it is the altitude, not the kilometres, that defines the challenge: pass days routinely involve six to nine hours of walking above 5,000 m with no shelter until the next teahouse.

This is a teahouse trek rather than a fully self-supported expedition, so you sleep and eat in village lodges each night. That keeps pack weight manageable, but the thin air, glacier crossings on Cho La and the sheer sustained altitude place it firmly in expert territory. Reasonable mountain fitness, prior multi-day trekking experience and a careful acclimatisation schedule are non-negotiable.

The trek sits entirely within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 1,148 square kilometres of glaciers, deep valleys and high pasture that shelters snow leopard, Himalayan tahr and the elusive musk deer. The Sherpa communities of the Khumbu have farmed and traded these valleys for centuries, and their monasteries, mani walls and prayer flags line the route the whole way. A typical full trip runs 17 to 22 days door to door once you add the Lukla flights and weather buffers, so plan time off generously rather than booking a tight return.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below shows a standard 19-day anticlockwise itinerary, including acclimatisation days that are essential rather than optional. Distances are approximate and combine the main stage with any side hikes.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Kongma La (5,550 m) — the highest and longest of the three passes, crossed early in the anticlockwise route and immediately followed by a traverse of the Khumbu Glacier into Lobuche.
• Cho La (5,420 m) — the technical crux, requiring a glacier crossing where microspikes are strongly recommended; a fixed-rope scramble guards the final approach.
• Renjo La (5,360 m) — the most photogenic pass, framing Everest, Lhotse and Makalu above the turquoise Gokyo Lakes from a single ridge.
• Kala Patthar (5,611 m) — the highest point reachable on the trek and the premier sunset and sunrise viewpoint for Everest's summit pyramid.
• Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) — the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, the staging ground for every spring Everest summit attempt.
• Gokyo Lakes — a chain of six glacial lakes at around 4,700–5,000 m, the highest freshwater lake system in the world.
• Tengboche Monastery (3,867 m) — the spiritual heart of the Khumbu, sitting beneath the fluted ridge of Ama Dablam.
• Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) — the bustling Sherpa trading hub and acclimatisation base, ringed with bakeries, gear shops and Everest viewpoints.

Best Time to Hike the Three Passes Trek

Two windows dominate the calendar. Spring runs from April to mid-May, bringing rhododendron blooms at lower elevations, warming temperatures and busy trails as the Everest climbing season peaks. Autumn runs from October to mid-November, delivering the most stable weather, the clearest mountain views and dry, firm trail underfoot on the high passes.

The single best month is October. Post-monsoon air clears the haze for the sharpest Himalayan panoramas of the year, daytime temperatures at altitude sit comfortably for walking, and the glacier on Cho La is generally snow-light and easier to cross than in spring. As of 2026, expect daytime highs around 10–15 °C in the lower valleys and well below freezing at night above 5,000 m, with Lukla flights running their fullest schedule.

Avoid the June to August monsoon, when leeches, cloud cover and a high rate of flight cancellations make the route miserable and the passes hazardous. January and February bring brutal cold and deep snow that can close Cho La entirely; many high teahouses shut for the winter. The shoulder weeks of March, late May, September and late November are workable for experienced trekkers willing to trade some warmth or stability for quieter trails.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The trek is walked teahouse-to-teahouse, so you sleep in village lodges every night rather than carrying a tent. A basic twin room costs roughly €2–€5 per night at lower elevations, often free or nominal if you eat dinner and breakfast where you stay. Above 4,500 m — in Lobuche, Gorak Shep and Gokyo — rooms rise to €8–€15 as supplies must be carried or flown in. Budget the bulk of your spend for food: a plate of dal bhat runs €4–€8 and climbs sharply with altitude, while hot showers (€3–€6), Wi‑Fi and phone charging are all paid extras. Booking ahead is rarely needed outside the busiest October weeks, though dorm space at Dzonglha and Dragnag is limited. Tracking your daily fuel needs matters at this altitude — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day is a useful planning tool before you commit to a teahouse menu budget.

Getting There & Back

The trailhead is Lukla (2,860 m), reached by a short mountain flight from Kathmandu. In peak seasons flights are rerouted through Ramechhap (Manthali) airport, a four to five hour drive east of Kathmandu, with a 15-minute hop to Lukla costing around €140 one-way; direct Kathmandu–Lukla flights cost about €165 and take 30 minutes when they operate. Lukla weather causes frequent cancellations, so build two or three buffer days into your plans. A budget overland alternative combines bus or jeep to Salleri or Thamdada followed by two to three days of walking, costing only a few euros but adding three to five days each way. The trek finishes back at Lukla for the return flight to Kathmandu.

Permits & Fees

Two permits are required and both are bought locally; no national TIMS card is needed for the Khumbu. The Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality trek card costs 2,000 NPR (about €14) and is issued at Lukla or the Toc Toc checkpoint. The Sagarmatha National Park entry permit costs 3,000 NPR (about €21) for foreign nationals, with reduced rates for SAARC citizens. A licensed guide is recommended for the glacier sections but, as confirmed by the local municipality, is not legally mandatory in the Khumbu. Permit rules can change, so confirm current requirements with Nepal's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Nepal Tourism Board before you travel.

Gear & Packing List

Because this is a teahouse trek you do not need camping or cooking kit, but the altitude and three glaciated passes demand serious cold-weather equipment. A down jacket rated to at least −10 °C, a four-season sleeping bag liner or bag, microspikes for the Cho La glacier, trekking poles and a windproof shell are all essential. Layering is everything: you may start a pass day in a base layer and finish it in everything you own.

For a teahouse trek you can run a smaller pack than an expedition because you carry no shelter or stove. A 35–50 litre bag is the sweet spot. The lightweight, frameless 2400 Windrider suits minimalist packers, while the larger 3400 Windrider gives room for a bulky down kit. If you prefer a structured hipbelt for long descent days, the Abisko Hike 35 carries heavier loads comfortably. For more on choosing a pack at this weight class, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026. Build your own kit list and track every gram with the HikeLoad gear tool before you fly.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Three Passes Trek is on your radar, these other Nepal classics make natural companions — whether as a warm-up at lower altitude or a future high-mountain goal. Each shares the same teahouse infrastructure and Himalayan scenery, but with shorter durations or gentler profiles that suit different fitness levels and timeframes.

• Everest Base Camp Trek — the classic out-and-back to EBC, sharing the first half of this route without the pass crossings.
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek — a shorter, lower amphitheatre trek with lush valleys and a dramatic sanctuary finish.
• Langtang Trek — a quieter valley north of Kathmandu, ideal for acclimatising or for a week-long Himalayan taster.

For a European high-route with similar exposure but shorter logistics, the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania is a worthy alternative to train on before heading to Nepal.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Three Passes Trek?
October is the single best month, offering the clearest post-monsoon skies, stable weather and a snow-light Cho La glacier. April to mid-May is the strong second choice, with warmer days and rhododendron blooms but busier trails. Avoid the June to August monsoon and the deep cold of January and February, when Cho La can close entirely.

How difficult is the Three Passes Trek?
It is rated strenuous and sits among Nepal's hardest teahouse treks. Three passes above 5,300 m, a glacier crossing on Cho La and around 13,500 m of cumulative ascent demand strong fitness, prior multi-day trekking experience and careful acclimatisation. Altitude, not technical climbing, is the main hazard, so the built-in rest days are essential rather than optional.

How far do you walk each day?
Daily distances range from about 4 km on acclimatisation days to 20 km on the long Renjo La crossing, averaging 10 to 13 km. Pass days involve six to nine hours of walking above 5,000 m with significant climbing and no shelter until the next teahouse, so the kilometre count understates the real effort at altitude.

What is the accommodation like?
You sleep in village teahouses every night, so no tent is needed. Basic twin rooms cost roughly €2–€5 at lower elevations and €8–€15 above 4,500 m, often discounted if you dine where you stay. Meals are the main cost at €4–€8 per plate, rising with altitude, and showers, Wi‑Fi and charging are paid extras.

What permits do I need?
Two permits are required, both bought locally. The Khumbu Pasanglhamu trek card costs 2,000 NPR (about €14) and the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit costs 3,000 NPR (about €21) for foreign nationals. No separate TIMS card is needed in the Khumbu, and a guide is recommended for the glacier sections but not legally mandatory as of 2026.