Nepal's Three Passes Trek - 22 Days

Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu!

Welcome to Nepal! Flying into Kathmandu, you'll be greeted with stunning views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.

Once you've settled in, head out to discover the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a great place to start your exploration, where you'll walk through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants. If you want to stretch your legs, Swayambhunath, the white stupa (shrine) rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch a spectacular sunset.

In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.

Day 2: Explore Kathmandu

Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. It's a great time to walk and explore the streets or have a chai overlooking one of the local courtyards or "durbar squares."

After breakfast, there are then several ways you can spend your day given the myriad famous sights around the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day or you can utilize a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private Jeep to take you around).

In the evening, head out for dinner at one of the city's great eateries, or your specialist can arrange a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

Day 3: Fly to Lukla, Trek to Phakding

After breakfast, you'll fly to Lukla (a 30-minute jaunt) and land on the steep mountain runway that brings you to the start of your trek. Try to get a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane and keep your camera close: the flight takes you between mountains and through valleys, with great views of the Himalaya on clear days.

Your first day on the trail is intentionally easy, enabling you to get used to the higher elevation. You'll trek a short distance through local villages where you'll likely encounter fellow trekkers, locals, and yaks with their tinkling bells. Continue through the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and stay overnight in Phakding. 

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Elevation: 8,563 feet (2,610 m)

Day 4: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar

After breakfast in Phakding, you'll start a steady and steep incline towards Namche. This is a challenging day, as you'll start to feel the altitude. The route also consists of a number of high suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River that you need to cross.  

Just beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set up to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment (your guide will cover your permit fees here). The trail gets steeper along the way, and if the weather is clear, you will get the first glimpses of Mount Everest.

When you arrive at Namche, settle into your accommodations and explore the town. Namche is a great place to stock up on supplies as there are numerous small shops selling snacks and trekking gear, as well as restaurants and bars. If here on a weekend, check out the Saturday market—a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. 

Trekking time: 4-6 hours 

Elevation: 11,290 feet (3,440 m)

Day 5: Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

Today is a rest day so take the time to relax and sleep in. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amid the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops, and souvenir markets. It is an ideal place to spend a day acclimatizing to the higher altitude.

To speed up the acclimatization process, you can also head to the Khunde Hospital set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a highly-recommended one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for views of notable peaks like Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. There are also good views from the Sherpa Culture Museum just above town.

Day 6: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche 

After breakfast in Namche, you'll follow the trail along the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi River and get your first views of the Khumbu region's giant peaks: Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Pass by several villages and numerous tea shops, and descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an ideal stopover for lunch and you can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche.

Although this next zigzag path is tiring, your views will include beautiful rhododendron forests, colorful birds, and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in Khumbu, and a spectacular panorama of the aforementioned peaks can be seen from where you'll stop for the night.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours 

Elevation: 12,687 feet (3,867 m)

Day 7: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche 

After breakfast, take some extra time to enjoy the scenery around Tengboche Monastery before you start today's journey. With a tableau of mountains rising in the background, the monastery looks even more beautiful in the morning sunlight.

Once you set out, choose the upper trail for better views on the way to Pangboche village where you'll pass several stupas, Mani walls (stone walls inscribed with prayers), and small villages. Stop for lunch at a place that serves delicious food with a fantastic close-up view of Mount Ama Dablam.

In the afternoon, walk north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Ama Dablam. From here, the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imja Valley, which gradually unfolds as you approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. Descend towards the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche.

On arrival, you will see a stunning set of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.

Trekking time: 3-4 hours 

Elevation: 14,304 feet (4,360 m)

Day 8: Acclimatization Day in Dingboche 

Today is your second acclimatization day of the trip, so sleep in and relax. Enjoy breakfast with great views of Ama Dablam to the south.

To better appreciate numerous other peaks visible from Dingboche, you can climb the ridge behind the village. This is an ideal (and easy) acclimatizing excursion allowing you to see three of the world's six highest peaks: Mount Lhotse, Mount Makalu, and Mount Cho Yu. Meanwhile, look west to see the peaks of Lobuche, Cholatse, and Taboche.  

In the afternoon, you can relax in the village, checking out the lodges, a bakery, a handful of shops, and even an internet café.

Day 9: Trek from Dingboche to Chukhung 

After breakfast in Dingboche, you'll have time to enjoy the views of Ama Dablam, Tawache, Chalotse, and the ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse as you start the trek to Chukhung. You'll pass through stone-walled fields and the Imja Khola valley before entering glacier moraines amid the towering Himalayas.

The trail then continues to Bibre, a yak herdsman place. Directly across the valley are Ama Dablam and the Amphu Labsa mountains, while the trail ahead is intersected by icy streams.

When you arrive, you can also choose to hike further to a rocky knoll off Chukhung Ri, which offers memorable views of Lhotse, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu, and others. 

Trekking time: 2-3 hours 

Elevation: 15,580 feet (4,750 m)

Day 10: Rest Day in Chukhung (Climb Chukhung Ri) 

Use today as a rest day or take the option to climb Chukhung Ri (1,730 feet/5,530 m). The summit offers great views of the surrounding valley, Makalu, and the Lhotse wall which are just in front of you.

If the climb feels a bit daunting, another less arduous option is to hike up the rolling valley towards Island Peak Base Camp, a three-hour journey up, two hours back. You may see Island Peak climbers who wander into the village of Chhukung late in the afternoon, exhausted after the day’s climb.

Day 11: Trek from Chukhung to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass

After a pre-sunrise breakfast in Chukhung, you'll set out early and begin today's trek to reach the highest part of the entire trip: Kongma La pass. You can either take a trail over a hill which is to the northwest of Chukhung to get to the Nuptse Glacier moraines, or walk back to Bibre and hike on the trail above the Niyang Khola. The top of the pass is marked by cairns and Buddhist prayer flags, so it's easy to spot.

The final descent from the pass is the most difficult part of today’s journey. After climbing the moraine on the far side, the trail turns north through Khumbu Glacier, which then takes you to Lobuche where you'll stay the night. 

Trekking time: 7-8 hours 

Elevation: 16,210 feet (4,940 m)

Day 12: Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, Sunset from Kala Patthar

After breakfast, you'll trek along the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Ahead, you'll see the crest of the north ridge of Everest along with Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, and Nuptse. A small ascent takes you to Thangma Riju where you can admire panoramic views and then ascend on a steep trail to the top of Changri Glacier. Soon, you'll reach Gorak Shep.

Later in the afternoon, just before sunset, you'll start the climb up to one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Patthar. As you reach the top, the sunset colors will light up Nuptse and Everest as the stars slowly begin to appear. Before it's too dark, you'll head back down to the teahouse at Gorak Shep for dinner and an early night in preparation for your trek to Everest Base Camp tomorrow.

Trekking time: 3 hours 

Elevation: 16,962 feet (5,170 m)

Day 13: Trek from Gorak Shep to Lobuche via Everest Base Camp

Today is the day you've been waiting for! Have an early breakfast in Gorak Shep and get a head start towards Everest Base Camp. It's a roughly three-hour hike, as the trail weaves its way through the ice pinnacles and crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. Though the path is a gentle climb, the high elevation makes it more difficult. Take it slow and enjoy Mount Everest views along the way. 

When you arrive, you'll be greeted with piles of stones, strings of prayer flags, and a few “Everest Base Camp” signs with dates and elevation. Celebrate with your fellow trekkers and absorb the incredible landscapes. 

On the return journey, you can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall before returning to Lobuche for the night. 

Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Elevation: (16,175 feet / 4,930 m)

Day 14: Trek from Lobuche to Dzongla 

After breakfast in Lobuche, it's time to trek downhill alongside the Khumbu Glacier. The trail splits into two and you'll choose the path on the right-hand side. Along the way, you can better admire the view of the looming Awi Peak as you pass by a stupa with tombstones visible in the distance.

You'll eventually begin to ascend past views of nearby Chola Tsho Lake. Continue further and pass another much smaller lake before you cross the Chola Khola on a bridge. This leads to Dzongla where you'll stop for the night. 

Trekking time: 3-4 hours 

Elevation: 15,850 feet (4,830 m)

Day 15: Trek from Dzongla to Gokyo via Cho La Pass

After breakfast in Dzongla, you'll begin to gain height quickly on a steep incline with boulders. Look for Cho La Lake as well as the Ama Dablam presiding over a range of mountains to the south. The final ascent to Cho La can be a little tricky as the trail curves around a crevasse, but the top of the pass—marked by prayer flags and cairns—offers breathtaking scenery with majestic peaks in all directions.

You'll then take a long but easy path leading down to Thangnak. The trail continues to the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the longest glacier in Nepal. Reaching the other side of the glacier, you'll see the second Gokyo Lake, belonging to a series of six lakes. A short distance away is the third Gokyo Lake, and on the edge stands Gokyo Village where you'll spend the night.

Trekking time: 7-8 hours

Elevation: 15,584 feet (4,750 m)

Day 16: Acclimatization Day in Gokyo (Climb Gokyo Ri or Visit Gokyo Lakes)

Today is a rest day in Gokyo with a few options on how to spend the day. You can take an easy climb to Gokyo Ri and enjoy views of the incredible mountain vista. You can also tour the fourth Gokyo Lake, which is just under two miles north of the Gokyo Village. If you're up for a more challenging day, you can continue trekking to the fifth lake. At the edge of the lake is a spot called "Scoundrel's Viewpoint" for astonishing views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the Makulu mountains, as well as the massive Ngozumba Glacier. From here, trek back to Gokyo and spend the night.

Day 17: Trek from Gokyo to Lungden via Renjo La Pass

After breakfast in Gokyo, you'll trek to Lungden via Renjo La Pass where you will have plenty of magnificent mountain views even if access to the pass is tricky and quite steep. At the top, there is a stunning panorama of Tengi Ragi Tau, Rolwaling Himal, and the small Rermo Pokhari Lake to the west, and Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and the Gokyo lakes to the east.

Via the Dudh Pokhari lakes, you'll descend pleasantly through a meadow towards the Bhote Khosi valley and continue trekking along the river. Along the route, look for yak caravans coming down from Tibet en route to Lungden.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours

Elevation: 14,370 feet ( 4,380 m)

Day 18: Trek from Lungden to Thame

After breakfast in Lungden, you'll start the trek to the village of Thame, where you'll visit the historic Thame monastery and experience spiritual Buddhist practices. Spend the night getting to know Sherpa culture and enjoy some much-needed rest before tomorrow's downhill trek.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours

Elevation: 12,959 feet (3,950 m)

Day 19: Trek from Thame to Namche Bazaar 

On the penultimate day of your adventure, you'll trek from Thame to Namche, passing beautiful pine forest and several traditional Sherpa homes. This trail forms part of the entry route to Tibet, which passes near the massive peak of Cho-Oyu, first climbed in 1954. This is also the historical route that the Sherpa’s migrated from in eastern Tibet 800 years ago.

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Elevation: 11,286 feet (3,440 m)

Day 20: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla 

Wake up for an early breakfast in Namche, then retrace your steps back to Lukla following the Dudh Kosi river valley. It's a long day, but it won't be too difficult as it's downhill and you'll be in good shape from all the previous days of trekking.

You'll make your way through villages like Chumoa, Benkar, Phakding, and Chuthawa, eventually reaching the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate signifying the end of the trek. Though most of the route is an easy downhill slope, the last section of trail before arriving takes you uphill—a fitting way to finish.

With Lukla’s handful of shops, bars, and cafés—and even a faux Starbucks!—there are plenty of things to occupy your time as you reflect on the completion of this once-in-a-lifetime trek.

Trekking time: 6-7 hours 

Elevation: 9,186 feet (2,800 m)

Day 21: Fly to Kathmandu

After breakfast in Lukla, you'll take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. 

Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and will be able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

Other ideas include rewarding your muscles after the trek with a massage service at Seeing Hands (services are offered by the visually impaired), or the more upscale Kinjalla Spa. You can also take an early evening yoga class at Pranamaya Yoga, with two locations (Thamel and Patan).

In the evening, choose from a selection of Nepali, French, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern restaurants in Kathmandu.

Flight time: 30 minutes

Day 22: Depart Kathmandu

It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, or some souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. Safe travels!

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