Day 1
Lukla to Phakding
3 hrs / 8 km / sleep 2,610 m
Fly to Lukla and gentle descent along the Dudh Koshi River.
Everest
Everest Three Passes Trek
The ultimate Everest region challenge - cross three high passes (Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La) and visit EBC, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri, and the Gokyo Lakes in one epic trek.
Strenuous19 days5,545 mMar - May, Oct - Nov
Photo: Tom Simcock / Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
- Kongma La (5,535m)
- Cho La (5,420m)
- Renjo La (5,360m)
- Everest Base Camp + Gokyo Lakes
The ultimate Everest region challenge - cross three high passes (Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La) and visit EBC, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri, and the Gokyo Lakes in one epic trek.
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 19 planned days, 170 km of walking, and 9,800 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), Renjo La (5,360m), Everest Base Camp + Gokyo Lakes.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
6 hrs / 11 km / sleep 3,440 m
Cross suspension bridges and climb to Namche Bazaar.
Day 3
Namche Bazaar acclimatization
5 hrs / 8 km / sleep 3,440 m
Acclimatization day. Hike to Everest View Hotel.
Day 4
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,860 m
Trek to Tengboche Monastery.
Day 5
Tengboche to Dingboche
5 hrs / 11 km / sleep 4,410 m
Trek to Dingboche through the Imja Valley.
Day 6
Dingboche to Chhukung
3 hrs / 6 km / sleep 4,730 m
Short trek to Chhukung beneath Lhotse wall.
Day 7
Chhukung to Lobuche
8 hrs / 10 km / sleep 4,940 m
Cross Kongma La Pass (5,535m) - the first and highest pass. Steep scramble with ropes.
Day 8
Lobuche to Gorak Shep
3 hrs / 6 km / sleep 5,180 m
Trek to Gorak Shep. Afternoon hike to Everest Base Camp.
Day 9
Gorak Shep to Dzongla
6 hrs / 10 km / sleep 4,830 m
Early morning climb to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for Everest sunrise. Descend via Lobuche to Dzongla.
Day 10
Dzongla to Thagnag
7 hrs / 9 km / sleep 4,700 m
Cross Cho La Pass (5,420m) - glacier traverse with fixed ropes. Descend to Thagnag.
Day 11
Thagnag to Gokyo
3 hrs / 5 km / sleep 4,790 m
Short trek to Gokyo village on the shore of turquoise Gokyo Lake.
Day 12
Gokyo to Gokyo
5 hrs / 6 km / sleep 4,790 m
Climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m) for views of four 8,000m peaks. Explore the lake system.
Day 13
Gokyo to Lungden
7 hrs / 10 km / sleep 4,380 m
Cross Renjo La Pass (5,360m) - the third and final pass. Descend to Lungden.
Day 14
Lungden to Thame
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,820 m
Descend through valleys to the Sherpa village of Thame.
Day 15
Thame to Namche Bazaar
4 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,440 m
Easy walk back to Namche Bazaar.
Day 16
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
7 hrs / 19 km / sleep 2,860 m
Long final descent back to Lukla.
Day 17
Lukla acclimatization
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 2,860 m
Buffer day for weather delays. Fly to Kathmandu.
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
2,860 m
Start
5,180 m
Highest sleep
5,545 m
Max altitude
17
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
Route preview
Route map not published yet
Day-by-day itinerary is available below. GPX/KML for this trek will appear here when published - always verify the trail locally before walking.
GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
GPX/KML files are not published for this route yet. Itinerary data is available now.
- Duration
- 19 days
- Altitude
- 5,545 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Everest Three Passes Trek FAQ
Straight answers on length, altitude, permits, season and cost for the Everest Three Passes Trek, generated from the same route data the TrekGuard app uses.
How many days does the Everest Three Passes Trek take?
The TrekGuard planning itinerary for the Everest Three Passes Trek runs 19 days and covers 170 km of walking. That includes 2 acclimatization days where you sleep at the same village instead of climbing higher. Treat it as a baseline: weather, flight delays and how you acclimatize can add days, so build slack into your schedule.
How high does the Everest Three Passes Trek go?
The Everest Three Passes Trek tops out at 5,545 m. The highest place you sleep on this itinerary is about 5,180 m, which matters more for altitude illness than the daytime high point.
What permits do you need for the Everest Three Passes Trek?
The Everest Three Passes Trek normally requires: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. Permit rules, fees and issuing offices change between seasons - confirm the current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel.
When is the best time to trek the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Mar - May, Oct - Nov is the usual window for the Everest Three Passes Trek. Outside it you are trading stable weather for either monsoon cloud and leeches or deep winter cold and snow-blocked passes.
How difficult is the Everest Three Passes Trek?
The Everest Three Passes Trek is rated strenuous, with 9,800 m of total ascent over 170 km. Walking days are roughly 3-8 hours. Above 4,000 m the limiting factor is usually altitude rather than fitness, so pace and rest days matter more than training volume.
Can you get altitude sickness on the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Yes. The Everest Three Passes Trek reaches 5,545 m, well above the 2,500 m mark where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes possible for anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Keep sleeping-altitude gains gradual, take the built-in rest days (2 on this itinerary), and descend if headache, nausea or breathlessness get worse rather than better. This is general information, not medical advice - see a travel-medicine clinician before the trip.
Where does the Everest Three Passes Trek start and finish?
The Everest Three Passes Trek starts and finishes at Lukla, in the Everest region.
Is there phone signal on the Everest Three Passes Trek?
Coverage on the Everest Three Passes Trek is: patchy in upper sections. Assume you will lose data for long stretches - download map packs, the GPX track and the forecast before you leave the last town, and carry a power bank.
Read next
Guides for the Everest Three Passes Trek
Long-form articles covering acclimatization, permits, packing and navigation for this route.
12 min read / 2026
5 Best Offline Apps for Nepal Trekking in 2026
Honest comparison of five offline Nepal trekking apps - TrekGuard, Gaia GPS, Mapy.com, Organic Maps, Maps.me - on maps, GPX, altitude safety, battery, and cost.
11 min read / 2026
What to Pack for Himalayan Treks: The Complete Gear & Safety Guide
A detailed Nepal trek packing guide covering the three-layer clothing system, footwear, first aid, electronics battery strategy, permits, pack weight decisions, and pre-departure digital prep with TrekGuard.
8 min read / 2026
Choosing a Nepal Trekking App: GPX, Offline Prep, and Packing
What to look for in a Nepal trekking app, and how TrekGuard helps with GPX routes, offline prep, altitude awareness, and packing checklists.
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Everest Base Camp Trek
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Everest Panorama Trek
A shorter alternative to EBC that reaches Namche Bazaar and the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam - without the grueling high-altitude days.
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Gokyo Lakes Trek
A less-crowded alternative to EBC in the same region. Trek to the stunning turquoise Gokyo Lakes and climb Gokyo Ri for views of four 8,000m peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
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Planning aid - not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting - not satellite.
Get it on Google Play
Ready for your next Nepal & mountain adventure?
Download map packs on Wi‑Fi, pull weather while online, then use GPS altitude, planner & safety tools on trail - free on Google Play. Not a guide or rescue service.
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