Everest Three Passes Trek: Route, Passes, Cost & Best Time (2026 Guide)

• Duration21 days (20 to 22 typical)
• DistanceAbout 165 km
• Highest passKongma La, 5,535 m
• Highest pointKala Patthar, 5,545 m
• DifficultyStrenuous
• Best monthsApr to May, Oct to Nov
• PermitsKhumbu fee + Sagarmatha NP
• Swotah priceFrom USD 1,955

The best of Nepal’s Khumbu / Everest region is hidden in the three-pass trek. The trek gets its name from the three passes that trekkers have to cross to complete it: Kongma La Pass (5,535 meters or 18,159 feet), Cho La Pass (5,420 meters or 17,782 feet), and Renjo La Pass (5,360 meters or 17,586 feet).

Nepal’s three-pass trek is known for its mountainous views, including the tallest mountain in the world (Mt. Everest, 8,849 m), Sherpa culture and lifestyle, and its adventurous experience. The highest pass is Kongma La at 5,535 m / 18,159 ft, the Kala Patthar viewpoint on the same loop reaches 5,545 m, and the trek takes about 20 to 22 days. Hence, the Everest Three Pass trek is challenging, has a high risk of altitude sickness, and requires good physical and mental strength. If this would be your first trek above 4,000 m, do the Everest Base Camp trek first.

Everest Three Passes Trek Route

The route of the Three Pass trek starts from Lukla. One classic way to walk it goes like this. First, take a flight to Lukla and trek up to Phakding, trek to Namche Bazar and take a day for acclimatization here as you will gain quite an altitude the following day, trek to Thame, next day trek until you reach Lungden. The day after, you cross the very first high-altitude pass among the three, the Renjo La Pass, and stop trekking at Gokyo.

After a day of acclimatisation at Gokyo, trek moves to Dragnag (Thagnak), now another high pass, Cho La Pass, greets you on your way to Dzongla. From Dzongla you continue to Lobuche, usually with a side trip to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, then cross the Kongma La Pass, the last pass in this direction, down to Chukung and Dingboche. The way back runs through Tengboche to Namche Bazar and Lukla.

Note: If you do not want to fly to Lukla and are craving even more adventure than the Three Pass trek already offers, start the trek by taking a bus or Jeep to Jiri. Then, from Jiri, trek up to Lukla on foot, which adds six to seven days of walking.

Which direction should you walk?

The loop works both ways, and the direction decides how well acclimatised you are at the first pass. Walk it as described above, Renjo La first, and you climb almost 1,000 m from Lungden (4,380 m) to the pass after only one rest day in Namche. We go the other way. Kongma La comes on day 10, after rest days in Namche and Dingboche and a night in Chukung. Safer. You also reach Everest Base Camp in the middle of the trek, and the last pass, Renjo La, has the best view of Everest of the three.

Three Passes trek itinerary at a glance

This is our 21-day Everest Three High Passes Trek. The bars show where you sleep each night, and the last column shows the highest point you reach that day. The three pass days are in bold.

Look at days 10 to 16. You spend seven nights in a row at 4,700 m or higher, and three of those days cross a pass above 5,300 m. That stretch is what makes this trek harder than the Base Camp trek.

The three passes compared

Each bar shows the height you gain from that morning's lodge to the top of the pass, on our Kongma La first itinerary.

For comparison, the biggest climb on the Base Camp trek is Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar, about 375 m. Our Three Passes vs Everest Base Camp guide compares the two treks side by side.

Food and Accommodation on the Three Passes Trek

The Everest Three-Pass Trek in Nepal predominantly features accommodations in teahouses, with a few lodges and comfortable hotels in the lower villages such as Lukla and Namche. These teahouses generally offer rooms equipped with twin beds, shared bathroom facilities, and are furnished with warm blankets, pillows, and mattresses. Each teahouse sets its own rules for hot water, charging and Wi-Fi. Some include them in the room price. Above Namche most charge extra, about USD 3 to 6 to charge a phone and USD 3 to 10 a day for Wi-Fi, so ask before you check in. A basic room costs about USD 5 to 10 a night, and it can be cheaper if you eat dinner and breakfast at the same lodge. In high places such as Gokyo, Dzongla and Lobuche, rooms are small and unheated. See our guide to internet on the Everest trek for Wi-Fi and SIM options.

Throughout the Three Pass Trek, the traditional Nepali dish Dal Bhat and Tarkari (which includes steamed rice, lentils, and stir-fried vegetables) is readily available. While there are non-vegetarian options, sticking to vegetarian meals is often recommended during the trek. For breakfast, teahouses and hotels typically offer tea, coffee, roti (flatbread), alu chana (a dish made with potatoes and chickpeas), as well as bread with butter and jam, boiled eggs, and more. Lunch menus frequently feature dal bhat, along with noodles, shakpa (a thick Sherpa stew of potato, vegetables and hand-torn dough), momo (Nepali dumplings), macaroni, and similar items. Dinner options again include dal bhat, roti, dumplings, garlic soup, among others. Three meals a day cost about USD 25 to 40, and prices rise the higher you go because everything is carried up by porters or yaks.

Here are some of the best and most affordable lodges around a few places on the Everest three-pass trek:

Namche Bazar:

• Khumbu Lodge

• Panorama Lodge

Tengboche:

• Himalayan Lodge

• Tengboche Lodge

Dingboche:

• Good Luck Lodge

• Himalayan Lodge

Lobuche:

• Mother Earth Lodge

• Oxygen Lodge

Guides and Porters on the Three Passes Trek

Considering the demanding nature of the trek, securing a guide can significantly enhance your experience. A guide not only simplifies navigation and accommodation logistics through their local contacts but also enriches your journey with insights into the history and spiritual significance of the areas you explore. Overall, employing a guide contributes to a safer and more informed trekking experience.

In 2026 the Khumbu does not enforce Nepal's licensed-guide rule, so you can legally walk the passes on your own. On Cho La and Renjo La, though, fresh snow can bury the trail, and the Cho La glacier section is where most independent trekkers get lost or hurt. If you go without a guide, cross each pass with other trekkers and start early.

Porters primarily offer convenience by carrying your luggage. If you're comfortable managing your own gear, you might not need one. However, a practical solution for those seeking both guidance and assistance with their luggage is to hire a porter-guide. This individual combines the roles of a guide and a porter, offering logistical support and valuable insights throughout the trek.

Here is how much hiring guides and porters cost in the Everest region.

Hiring a guide: USD 25 to 40 per day

Hiring a porter: USD 20 to 25 per day

Hiring a porter-guide: USD 25 to 35 per day

Note: These are approximate 2026 rates. Charges vary with the guide’s licence and experience, and a porter carries up to about 20 to 25 kg.

What permits are required for Nepal’s Everest three-pass trek?

• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance fee (this replaces the TIMS card in the Everest region): NPR 3,000 (about USD 20) per person, or NPR 2,000 for SAARC nationals, paid in Lukla.

• Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: This permit costs NPR 3,000 (about USD 20) for foreigners, NPR 1,500 (about USD 10) for SAARC citizens, and NPR 100 for Nepalese. You buy it at the park office in Monjo.

• Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit (required only if you are trekking through Jiri): costs about NPR 3,000 (about USD 20) per person.

Highlights of the Everest Three pass trek

1. The first and most sought-after highlight of the three-pass trek is the thrill of crossing the three passes themselves, namely Kongma La Pass, Renjo La Pass, and Cho La Pass. From the top of each pass you look out over a ring of snow peaks, and it's worth every step of the climb.

2. The turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the view of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu from Gokyo Ri (5,357 m).

3. Cross the Ngozumpa Glacier, about 36 km long and the longest glacier in Nepal, between Thagnak and Gokyo.

4. See the Khumbu Icefall from Everest Base Camp.

5. Walk beside the Khumbu Glacier, often called the highest glacier in the world, from Lobuche to Gorak Shep.

6. Opportunity to explore Tengboche Monastery which is the largest Gompa of the Khumbu region.

7. Get to experience the warm hospitality of the local Sherpa and get a taste of their simple lifestyle.

When should you go for the Everest three-pass trek?

While the trek can be done during any time of the year, considering the difficulty of the trek and the safety of the trekkers most suitable times are the Spring season and the Autumn season. The rainy season and winter season are not so ideal. The rainy season gets heavy rainfall and the winter season is freezing cold. Likewise, the rainy season is more prone to natural calamities like landslides, and floods, and the winter season has threats for snow storms and avalanches. Hence, it is best to avoid the rainy season and winter season.

In spring and autumn, on the other hand, the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, making it perfect for long treks like the Everest three pass trek. The surrounding is decorated with flowers and trees and clear skies. As the weather is not at edge during these two seasons trails are in a better state and there are fewer chances of natural hazards. Temperatures change a lot with height, so the table below shows a lower village and the high lodges separately.

These are typical ranges, not a forecast. Wind on the passes makes it feel 10 degrees colder, so pack for the nights at 5,000 m.

What to pack for Nepal’s Everest Three Pass trek?

1. Passport, permits, and other documents

2. Energy-giving snacks like protein bars or chocolates.

3. Water purifying tablets

4. Power banks, Headlamps, and navigation tools.

5. Carry enough Nepali cash for the whole trek. Lukla and Namche have ATMs, but they often fail or run out, and there are none beyond Namche.

6. Supplies to protect you from sunburn, like sunscreen, hats, scarves, lip balms, polarised sunglasses, etc.

7. Trekking shoes with a tight grip, trekking sticks, pair of gloves, warm jackets, comfortable trousers, neck gaiter aka buff, etc.

8. For female travellers carry some menstrual supplies.

9. Have your toiletries like towels, wet wipes, toothbrushes, soap, hand sanitisers, etc.

10. A first aid kit with acetazolamide (Diamox) for altitude sickness, plus any prescription medicines your doctor recommends for emergencies, such as dexamethasone or nifedipine.

11. Carry a sleeping bag rated to about -15°C. Rooms at Gokyo, Dzongla and Lobuche aren’t heated.

12. Microspikes for the icy glacier section of Cho La, and gaiters if there’s fresh snow.

Some tips to ensure your safety while on the trail

• Before starting the trek, prepare yourself physically and mentally. Engage in short hikes, go for a run every day, and take swimming lessons for your pulmonary health. Our 12-week training plan works for this trek too.

• Avoid eating greasy and raw foods while you are on the trail. Only drink purified water. 

• Do not smoke or drink during the trek.

• Have good travel insurance so you will be taken care of if something bad happens on the trail.

• Always stay hydrated and give yourself enough time to acclimatise before gaining altitude.

• Leave for each pass before dawn, usually at 4 or 5 am, so you are over the top before the afternoon wind and cloud arrive.

• Keep at least one spare day at the end for Lukla flight delays, and make sure your insurance covers helicopter rescue up to 6,000 m.

• Respect local culture and traditions. 

• Do not pollute the environment, harm local heritages and pilgrimage sites, bring back your waste with you if there are no trash cans around, and follow responsible trekking.

Everest Three Passes Trek: FAQs