Khumbu Three High Passes Trek
Khumbu Three High Passes Trek takes us to untouched Nangpa La Valley, the Sherpa village of Marlung and the monastery village of Thame, Gokyo Valley and its tranquil Lakes, Gokyo Ri for amazing views of the landscape and the Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar. Moreover, trekkers tread on world famous routes while crossing three high passes Renjo-La(5,340m/17,520ft), Cho-La (5420m/17,782ft) and Kongma-La (5,535/18,159 ft).
We begin our Journey to the Khumbu Three High Passes Trek with a sightseeing day in Kathmandu which offers a brief exploration of the Hindus temples, Buddhist shrines and stupas. We take a stimulating mountain flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla on the following day followed by trek up through the classic route to the Sagarmatha National Park playing with mighty Dudh Koshi river, colorful landscapes, stupas and monasteries in the land enclosed by the soaring peaks. we follow a little of the route used for centuries by the Tibetan Traders via Nangpa La to get to Lungde. After enjoying awe inspiring 360 degree panoramic views from the top of Renjo-La pass(5,340m/17,520ft), we drop down to the cobalt-blue lakes at Gokyo. After enjoying awe inspiring views from the Gokyo Ri, we make our way to the next great pass Cho La (5420m/17,782ft), as we compose our way to the Everest Base Camp we marvel at the spectacle of Khumbu icefall cascading from the Western Cwm. Our trek to the view point of Kalapatthar is followed by the tough climb to the summit of Kongma La, that finally takes us to the Sherpa’s summer pasture land Chhukhung. We drop down by passing Dingboche, Tengboche, Namche and to Lukla and fly back to Kathmandu leaving behind our foot prints in the shadow of Everest.
Experience Required
This trek is suitable for fit walkers or those with previous trekking experience. If you are a regular weekend hill walker, this would be a good next trek for you.
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu [1400 m/4620ft]Upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport, we will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, we may take a rest or visit nearby places of interest. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Sherpa Land Adventures.
Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing tour
Our professional native speaking guide will take you for sightseeing around historic Kathmandu and their tradition and culture. In our sightseeing tour we go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Kathmandu Durbar square.
Day 03: Fly (35 minute) to Lukla (2800m/9184ft) and Trek to Phakdingma (2652m/8698ft), 3-4 hour hike
As per flight time, our guide will meet you in your hotel and take you to the domestic airport to fly in to Lukla. It is a scenic flight that takes about 35 minutes, once you get in to the Lukla breakfast will be served at the lodge and the luggage prepared for the porters. Then your real adventure begins. It is few up and downs to get to Phakdingma passing through plenty of prayer Rocks (Mani in local language). After getting in to the lodge at Phakding, freshen up, have a short walk in the village or hike up to the Gompa to get acclimatized. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Day 04: Trek to Namche (3440m/11,352ft) 7-8 hour hike
Today we enter Sagarmartha National Park, arriving just before lunch. A stunning seven-hour trek along the valley and up the famous Namche Hill, With some luck our first view of Everest will be on the way up the hill to the Sherpa capital at 3,440m. Namche is small, scenic beyond belief, and surprisingly cosmopolitan. We stay at Hotel Sherpaland Lodge the most modern and comfortable lodge in Namche.
Day 05: Namche Bazaar – Acclimatize day. 5-6 hour hike
A walk above Namche to the airstrip at Shyangboche and on to climb the magnificent Sir Edmund Hillary memorial View Point (4200m./13,860ft). This is one of the best view point in Khumbu with the stunning 360 degree panoramic views of surrounding giant mountains including Mt Chomo-Longmo (Everest), Lhotse, Amadablam, Thamserku, Kusum-khang-karu, Kongde and many more peaks. We drop down to Khunde for lunch and visit Khunde Hillary hospital and monastery in Khumjung and back to Namche.
Day 06: Trek to Thame (3800m/12,540ft),3-4 hour hike
After breakfast at Namche the trail leads us to a old village called Thamo followed by a very gentle walk through the valley. After exploring the village, the trail leads to Thame. After lunch, we have an opportunity to visit Thame monastery and beautiful scenery.
Day 07: Trek to Lungde (4140m/13,662ft), 4-5 hour hike
After eating breakfast we go on an easy walk to Marlung through the Bhote Koshi River. The trail leads uphill to Lungde through the dry valley. It is an interesting walk with enjoyable views of the snow peaked mountains towards the untouched Ngangpa valley. We get to Lungde with an easy push stay overnight at there.
Day 08:Trek to Gokya(4,750m/15,675) via Ranjo la Pass(5465m/17,929ft), 7-8 hour hike
The ascent of the first of your three passes is up a rocky path, which the locals frequently cross with yaks. Once we get to the top the stunning views of four mountains are revealed above including Mt Everest (8,848m.), Mt Cho-you (8,201m), Mt Lhotse (8,516m) and Mt Makalu (8,481m). Descend to Gokyo Lakes. We stay in Fitzroy Inn Lodge the most modern and comfortable lodge of this valley.
Day 09:Trek to Thaknak(4700m/15510ft) 3-4 hour hike
Today we cross incredible ‘moonscape’ of the Ngozumpa Glacier to arrive at Dragnag. Chhepal’s uncle Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa will be welcoming us in his comfortable lodge called Chola Pass Resort.
Day 10: Cross Chola pass (5367m/17604ft) to Zonglha (4,830m./15,940ft), 7-8 hour hike
An 7 to 8 hour walk to cross the second of the three passes. You will start day with easy hike up to the ridge and then descend to a grassy spot for lunch. After lunch, the route continues to the top of the pass, where there is a small glacier. From the pass we descend over more rock and then drop down to reach Dzongla where we sleep overnight in a lodge.
Day 11: Trek to Gorekshep (5,160m/16,929ft), 5-6 hour walk
An easy day compared to the past two days, steadily contouring the hillside to arrive at Lobuche, back on the main Everest trail to get to Gorokshep. Overnight stay at Himalayan Lodge.
Day 12: Hike up to the Base Camp(5,365m/17,705ft ), 5-6 hour hike
Contouring along the valley side the trail leads onto the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. After three hours you reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu icefall. This is a day in which you will fulfil your dream to reach EBC. You will have lunch before saying farewell to the Everest climbers, whose home this will be for the next six weeks! Return to Gorak Shep. Stay overnight in a lodge.
Day 13: Hike up to Kalapatthar (5550m/18,315) and trek to Lobuche, 6-7 hour hike
Today you will climb for very famous Kalapather. Sitting at 5,550m, it is impossible not to be moved by the beauty of what surrounds us, and the emotion of achieving this significant physical and mental feat. Mt Everest is directly in view and is simply awe-inspiring; it seems like we can touch it. After taking few great shot with Everest in the background we will drop down to Gorokshep and trek down to Lobuche.
Day 14: Cross Khongma-La (5,535/18,159 ft). pass to Chhukhung (4,730m/15,518ft), 6-7 hour hike
Much underrated, the Kongma La is the final challenging pass which you will be ready for after completing the other two high passes. The views from Kongma La are magnificent, especially towards Makalu in the east, of Ama Dablam’s North Ridge and of Nuptse towering immediately over your head. The village of Chukkung is about three hours beyond the pass. we stay in very comfortable Khanrgri Resort.
Day 15: Climb chhukhung Ri (5,550m), trek to Dingboche (4,410m), 5-6 hour hike
The third of your peaks is the hardest and involves some easy scrambling near the summit. The views from the top down the Khumbu Valley are superb. You descend to Dingboche. Stay overnight in a lodge.
Day 16: Trek to Kyangjuma(3,550m/11,715ft), 5-6 hour hike
You now descend the main Everest trail through Pangboche before climbing to the Tengboche monastery. From Thyangboche you will drop down Dudh-Koshi river before climbing back up to Kyangjuma where Chhepal’s Uncle and Aunt will be welcoming you with the best apple pie in the world. Stay overnight in a lodge.
Day 17: Trek to Phakdingma (2,6oom/8,580ft), 5-6 hour hike
You continue to drop down through Namche Bazaar and across the Dudh Koshi. You are now sauntering back along familiar paths to Phakdingma.
Day 18: Trek to Lukla (2,800m/9,240ft),4-5 hour hike
Today is your final day of your long and hard adventure. Our penultimate day in the Everest valley sees us back where we started. A time to relax in the extremely Paradise Lodge, and after a hot shower we allow ourselves a cold beer or wine, a steak or chicken sizzler with our whole staff, and the satisfaction that comes from the achievement of a major challenge.
Day 19: Fly back to Kathmandu ( 35 min. flight)
Early in the morning we catch a flights out of Lukla and have our last close up views of the Himalayas. We land in Kathmandu and go straight to the hotel. Rest and relaxation normally dominates the afternoon.
Day 20: Rest/shopping day in Kathmandu
We take our choice from a shopping day in Thamel, visit Kathmandu, or a relaxed sun bathed day. Final reflections on a great trip.
Day 21: Final departure from Kathmandu
Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! The Sherpa Land Adventures representative will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Time to say bye bye and have a nice flight back home.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions and health of team members and local staffs can all contribute to changes. Our Sherpa guides will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.
What are included
- Airport pickup and drop by private car or van.
- Deluxe hotel in Kahtmandu in BB plan.
- A full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley including tour guide and entrance fees.
- Best available accommodations during the trek.
- All meals during the trek as per itinerary.
- Domestic Flights (Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu) and department taxes.
- A professional trained, government license holder sherpa guide With all his salary, food, drinks, accommodation and insurance.
- Assistant guide and porter with their salary, food, accommodation and insurance.
- Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
- All necessary paper work and permits (National park permit, PLM permit).
- All applicable taxes/VAT and service charges.
What are excluded
- Nepal entry visa fee(USD $25 for 15 days, 40 for 30 day and 100 for 90 days), you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Kathmandu Airport.
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Charges incurred as a result of delays or itinerary changes beyond the control of Sherpa Land Adventures. We recommend travel insurance to cover any unforeseen costs.
- Your travel and rescue insurance.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery charge(cell phone/camera/ipod), bottle or boiled water, shower etc).
- Tips for Guide & Porter.
Gears
You are advised to consider the following equipment as essential while packing. Please use this list as a guideline. Adjustments to the list can be managed according to your requirements, interests, duration of trip, and season of trip. We can find a variety of these items to hire locally or buy in Kathmandu. It is important to remember that our luggage will be carried by porters and there is a weight limitation of approximately 33 pounds (or 15 kg). Head:- Sun hat or scarf
- Buff
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Under Garments
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight cotton long pants
- Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
- Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
- Thin, lightweight inner socks
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
- Hiking boots with spare laces
- Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
- Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp
- T-shirts
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer (seasonal)
- Sleeping bag rated to -20 DC
- Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
- Trekking Bags/Duffel bag
- Basic First Aid Kit
- Large plastic bags – for keeping items dry inside kit bag
- Daypack (approximately 35-60ltr)
- Trekking Poles
- Water bottle (2) or camel bag
- 1 medium sized quick drying towel
- Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
- Sun block cream
- Feminine hygiene products