Everest Three High Passes Trek – 20 Days

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Upgrade your Kathmandu and En Route Overnight Accommodation

The lifetime adventure of our Everest three high passes trek will be made even more extraordinary and special with the availability of our upgrade options. With our options, you can elevate your standard three-star accommodation to more sophisticated four or five-star ones. Get ready to enjoy the in-house dining, lounges, spas, private pools, and gorgeous gardens.

You will have spacious rooms with balconies, stylish decor, fitness centers, and exceptional service as well. It will be just USD 95 a night for four stars and USD 150 for five stars. You can choose from Hotel Ramada, Hotel Shankar, or Hotel Yatri Suites for four-star stays, or opt for Hotel Yak & Yeti, Hotel Radisson, or Hyatt Regency for five-star luxury. And, when trekking, instead of settling for the typical trekkers’ tea houses in the Sherpa Villages, you can have plush nights at the high-end lodges where you will feel like staying in four-star settings.

In villages like Lukla, Phakding, Namche, Debuche, Dingboche, and Gokyo, we can arrange single or double rooms in Yeti Mountain Home while the classy Rivendell Lodge will offer you a refined stay in Debuche. In Dingboche, you will get exceptional service at Hotel Bright Star, and in peaceful Gokyo, the Gokyo Resort will deliver you world-class luxury by the sacred lakes.

Please let us know what you like and we will take care of all the details before your adventure starts in Nepal.

Upgrade your Travel between Kathmandu and Lukla with Helicopter Charter

If you are anxious about the complications of the Lukla flight, particularly the diversion to Ramechhap, then, let us assure you, there is no need for concern. We invite you to take advantage of our helicopter charter service, which eliminates the lengthy drive to Ramechhap. Instead, you can get in a helicopter and fly directly to Lukla from Kathmandu in just a matter of moments.

You will not have to wait for favorable weather conditions, as helicopters are capable of operating even in less-than-ideal climatic conditions. So, you will have an uninterrupted journey without the need for weather clearance. In addition, charter flights provide a more personal and private travel experience. Please notify us so we can arrange for you the charter helicopter flight between Kathmandu and Lukla, available for one-way or round trips.

Trip Info
Best Time and Season for the Everest Three Passes Trek

The two most favorable seasons for any high trekking in Nepal fall in the months of fall/autumn and spring. The driest trail possible, the track devoid of any snow and ice, the clearest possible weather, and the magnanimous views of the high Himalayas are the conditions that any hiker seeks and these two seasons offer exactly the same. The two seasons paint the entire Khumbu region in an amazing palette of colors. Particularly during the autumn time starting from the middle days of September and lasting till the stretch of November presents the cooler days, and the snowless trail to the three high Everest passes making them easier to navigate.

On the other hand, the spring season beginning from the early days of March and stretching till the end of May gives the Khumbu landscape a fresh start with rhododendrons and wildflowers decorating the trails. There can be snow in early March but as the season advances, the track becomes clear.

The winter approaches Khumbu in early December till the end days of February. At this time, the coldest heat, and wind will make the trekking demanding while the track to the three Passes will be more in deep snow turning it to be more treacherous even for the experienced ones. The summer comes with monsoon rain from July till the end of August which cuts off the trails to most of the Villages in Khumbu. So it is best to avoid this season completely for the Everest three high passes trek.

20 days Everest three high passes trek: Challenges and Difficulty

Our 20 days Everest three high passes trek is known to be the most challenging, demanding, and toughest adventure in the Khumbu region. Right from the beginning, you will face the strenuous task of traversing the winding, icy, snowy, and rocky trails. Sometimes, they can be poorly marked often leading to confusion. Secondly, the significant challenge is the high elevation where most of our hiking and night stays will take place above the 5000 m mark where most of the hikers truly feel the altitude.

Most of all, there are three high Everest passes that you have to conquer all of them exceeding the 5000 m elevation. Among them, the most daunting one is the Kongma La Pass because of its very sharp ascent and descent over the loose rocks and huge boulders. Additionally, there are treks involved to Everest Base Camp and the two high ridges of Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri. Over 20 days, we will cover approximately 166 kilometers, with some days requiring up to 9 hours of walking.

Thus, the Everest three high passes trek is classified as the category 5 difficulty (non-technical), which is physically strenuous needing all the participants to be in exceptional health and fitness.

Can a new hiker join in our Everest three high passes trek?

You have already come to know about the toughness and the challenges of the Everest three high passes trek, and the difficulties that you will have to overcome. However, we like to point out that this Category 5 trek can be reduced to Category 4 by simply skipping the climb to Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri ridges so you won’t have to put in the extra effort. Yes, there is no way you can skip the walking part over the arduous terrain and you will have to deal with the steep climbs followed by sharp descents so our 18 days Everest three high passes trek will surely test you, your physical capabilities, and your mental resilience.

However, if you are up for all the challenges we have mentioned and have very good health, then sure, you can take part in our Everest three high passes trek even if you are just beginning your adventure in Nepal. We do however encourage you to prepare through rigorous training or significant hiking adventures in your area. You may also consider completing the Gokyo Lake trek or the Everest Base Camp trek first so you will have firsthand experience in crossing the Cho La Pass or climbing Kala Patthar.

If you have musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or respiratory conditions, we strongly advise you to reconsider participating in this trip. Please talk with your doctor about your intention to join and only if you receive their approval, you should proceed to our Everest three high passes trek.

Altitude Sickness, Treatment, and Prevention with Acclimatization

Altitude sickness better known as AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness will be your biggest challenge during your Everest three high passes trek. Most of the hikers often when they get closer to Kongma La Pass suffer from severe headaches, vertigo, exhaustion, dizziness, and insomnia which are the first signs of the condition. As soon as these signs begin to appear, you must quickly descend to adapt and should take the whole day to rest. Doing so, you may miss the chance to see the incredible mountains but risking your life just to see the scenery is not worth doing.

It will also help if you take Diamox but notify our guide before doing so as he will take the necessary measures after evaluating your condition. To make this journey as much easier as we can, we have integrated acclimating days at Namche, Dingboche, and Gokyo Villages to prepare well for the higher passes. We have also minimized your hiking time after crossing the second pass of Cho La. The best possible way to remain fit during the journey will be staying hydrated, proceeding at a slower pace taking your time and not rushing with the climbs or the descents.

Necessary Training and Preparation for the Everest three high passes trek

The Everest three high passes trek should not be mistaken for only a high-altitude adventure but it is also a battle with altitude and harsh weather. So those who want to participate in our Everest three passes trek should be well-prepared in terms of terrain knowledge and physical strength. This route requires endurance and experience. You have to walk 166 km continuously with a backpack weighing from 15 to 20 kg. Additionally, health will also be the deciding factor, because not only is the journey long but it is also a challenge of constant altitude change.

Thus, to maximize your readiness for the journey, begin your training at home no less than three months before your adventure. You should concentrate on aerobic exercises that can boost your endurance level such as walking, running, and cycling. Likewise, stair climbing, weight lifting, or exercising on stepmills, elliptical trainers, or incline treadmills will be excellent workouts for you for the long day hikes on the trip.

Alternate way for the Everest three passes trek

The route for our Everest Three high Passes trek will move in a counterclockwise direction which is more advisable for those who are looking for a simpler approach as possible towards the Everest Three high Passes. There is also another route available which advances in a clockwise way. This route is more favorable for those who are better experienced and ready for the growing challenge on the way. In addition, there will be fewer acclimatization days on this route.

This route will first take you towards Renjo La Pass which is regarded as the easiest one among the three. Then, you will proceed to Gokyo and overcome the most common Cho La Pass. The onward path will then direct you towards Everest base Camp after which you will conquer the fearsome Kongma La and then head back to Namche.

Sleeping and Eating

During our 20 days on Everest three high passes trek, you will get to stay for two nights in the friendly three-star hotel of the capital such as Hotel Manang or Hotel Thamel Park. You will have a room with two single beds and an attached bathroom with 24-hour hot water and WiFi. When walking, the so-called trekker’s tea house or lodge will offer you warm nights. The setting will be simpler with beds, mattresses, blankets, and pillows in the common bathroom in or outside the tea house. We also have upgrade options that you can use if you want your nights to be more relaxed and private.

As for meal options, in Kathmandu, breakfast will be at your overnight hotel every morning, and lunches and dinners will have to self catered. When walking, breakfasts, dinners, and lunches will be available to you at the tea houses. From Nepali to international, you can try out any dishes up to Namche. Later on, the menu may be limited to momos, dal vat, noodles, fried rice, pancakes, eggs, and potatoes.

Transportation

The transportation for all arrivals and departures between TIA and your hotel will be executed in a private means such as a van, jeep, bus, or car. We will also manage the logistics regarding your flights to or from Lukla. If there is a reroute to Ramechhap, a private means will be utilized for your transfer.

Imperative Permits for the Everest three high passes trek

For our Everest three high passes trek, two very crucial permits are important which are the USD 20 per hiker municipality permit for the Khumbu and the USD 30 per hiker permit for the access to the National Park land of Sagarmatha. The Khumbu municipal permit has removed the necessity for the TIMS permit. Both permits can be procured in Lukla or Monjo, and the park permit is also accessible at the tourist service center in Kathmandu.

Our guide will oversee all the process and the fee has already been included in the overall trip cost.

Travel Insurance

You have to understand that a lot of things can happen suddenly and unexpectedly in our Everest three high passes trek such as fractures, dislocations, bruises, sprains, and other injuries to the musculoskeletal system, as well as altitude sickness which can be catastrophic without insurance. Travel insurance is important here not only because the insurance company will pay for the treatment, but first of all because of the possibility of organizing transportation to the hospital.

For this, you may have to arrange a helicopter, and it is not so easy to do it on your own, and sometimes (most often due to the cost) it is completely impossible. This also includes the possibility of organizing search and investigation activities. So make sure you have travel insurance with you which remains valid to an altitude of more than 5500 m. Also make sure it also has bonuses of simple travel insurance such as protection against delayed or extended trips, extra stays, thefts, and possible damage to our bags.