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TrailSathi
Three Passes Trek

Three Passes Trek

The complete Khumbu circuit — Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La — joining Everest Base Camp, Gokyo and the high views in between.

High passIconicGlacialQuiet
Days
19
Max elevation
5,535 m
Distance
166 km
Difficulty
Strenuous
Route
Circuit
From
NPR 1,20,000

The route, mapped

Click any waypoint

The route

The Three Passes loop is the most complete way to see the Khumbu. It strings together three glaciated passes above 5,300 m with the EBC corridor, Gokyo's lakes and Chhukhung's high cwm. Most trekkers walk it counter-clockwise (Kongma La first) for acclimatization. Demands strong legs, glacier-aware footwork on Cho La, and weather discipline.

Starts
Lukla (2,860 m)
Ends
Lukla (2,860 m)

Day by day

189 km · 105 hrs walking
  1. Day 1
    Lukla → Phakding
    Trail down the Dudh Koshi
    9 km · 3h
    2,610 m
  2. Day 2
    Phakding → Namche
    First Everest view climb
    11 km · 6h
    3,440 m
  3. Day 3
    Namche → Namche
    Acclimatize at Hotel Everest View
    6 km · 4h
    3,880 m
  4. Day 4
    Namche → Thame
    Sherpa heartland village
    10 km · 5h
    3,820 m
  5. Day 5
    Thame → Lungden
    Climb toward Renjo La
    12 km · 5h
    4,380 m
  6. Day 6
    Lungden → Gokyo via Renjo La
    Cross Renjo La (5,360 m)
    13 km · 9h
    5,360 m
  7. Day 7
    Gokyo → Gokyo Ri & lakes
    Sunrise from Gokyo Ri
    8 km · 6h
    5,357 m
  8. Day 8
    Gokyo → Thagnak
    Move toward Cho La
    5 km · 4h
    4,750 m
  9. Day 9
    Thagnak → Dzongla via Cho La
    Cross Cho La (5,420 m), glacier
    12 km · 9h
    5,420 m
  10. Day 10
    Dzongla → Lobuche
    Memorial pass
    7 km · 4h
    4,940 m
  11. Day 11
    Lobuche → Gorak Shep / EBC
    Reach Everest Base Camp
    15 km · 8h
    5,364 m
  12. Day 12
    Gorak Shep → Chhukhung via Kala Patthar
    Sunrise Kala Patthar, traverse
    16 km · 9h
    5,545 m
  13. Day 13
    Chhukhung → Chhukhung
    Acclimatize for Kongma La
    4 km · 5h
    5,550 m
  14. Day 14
    Chhukhung → Lobuche via Kongma La
    Highest of the three passes
    12 km · 10h
    5,535 m
  15. Day 15
    Lobuche → Pheriche
    Descend the Khumbu glacier
    10 km · 4h
    4,240 m
  16. Day 16
    Pheriche → Namche
    Long descent through Tengboche
    20 km · 7h
    3,440 m
  17. Day 17
    Namche → Lukla
    Final teahouse evening
    19 km · 7h
    2,860 m
  18. Day 18
    Lukla → Kathmandu
    Mountain flight back
    0 km · 0h
    1,400 m
  19. Day 19
    Kathmandu → Departure
    Buffer day for Lukla weather
    0 km · 0h
    1,400 m

Common questions

High confidence Updated this season

How hard is the Thorong La pass crossing?

Long, cold, and altitude-sensitive — 9 hours of walking from Thorong Phedi to Muktinath with a 5,416 m summit.

TrailSathi route notesManang Himalayan Rescue Association
Read →

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