Everest Three Passes Lodge Trek

Today we discover the highlights of Katmandu and the valley. We adapt the program to your interests and desires and what you have seen before. Usually, we go to Pasupatinath on the bank of the Bagmati River, where the most important Hindu temples and burning ghats of Nepal are situated. In Bouddhanath we circumambulate together with Tibetan and Nepali Buddhist pilgrims the whitewashed stupa. Our sightseeing usually ends in Patan, the city of Beauty, an astonishing center of fine art and Buddhist and Hindu culture.

We drive to Tribhuvan Domestic Airport to connect our fly to take our flight to Everest region. After breakfast in Lukla (2 850 m) we start trekking through beautiful settlements to join soon the main trail in Churi Kharka. We follow the east bank of the Dudh Koshi- the River of Milk- where you witness the typical Nepal terrace culture, slate roofed houses and views on Kusum Kangaru (5 579 m). We reach Phakding (2 640 m) after 3 – 4 h gentle walking.

Today we make a challenging hike to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m), situated at 6-7 hours walking from Phakding. We climb up along the west bank of the Dudh Kosi to the tiny village of Toktok. We get our first glimpse of Thamserku peak (6 608 m) and reach Benkar (2 710 m). The cliffs above the village are decorated with huge paintings of Buddhist deities. We cross the colorful suspension bridge and enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo (2 840 m). After Jorsale we follow the riverbank over gravel, climb through a pine forest and cross the Dudh Kosi by a big suspension bridge. Then we face a continuous zigzag ascent of 2 hours through dense pine forests. In the early evening we reach the vibrant center of Namche Bazar, on of the most attractive settlements of Solu-Khumbu district.

Rest day in Namche. Optional walk to the Sherwi Khangba Sherpa Culture Museum or dayhike to the Hotel Everest View in Khumjung village (3 700 m) and Khundi Hospital in Khundi Village, the first hospital build in Khumbu Region by Sir Edmund Hillary and Himalayan Trust in 1966.

Trek to Tengboche (3 860 m), 5-6 hour long hike from Namche Bazaar. The first part of trail is a winding smooth path which offers fantastic views on Mount Everest (8 848 m), Thamserku (6 618 m), Ama Dablam (6 814 m). After the trail goes down to the riverbank and then we make a strenuous 2 hour ascend to Tengboche. We walk through rhododendron forests where musk deer and Himalayan ‘tahr’ or mountain goat live. At the rest place you can enjoy the views towards Kantega mountain (6 783 m). Tengboche, is famed for the Buddhist Tengboche Monastery (where you can attend the daily puja), Cafe Tengboche and the view point.

Trek to Dingboche (4 410 m), 6-7 hours walking from Tengboche. We descend through conifer and rhododendron forest to the beautiful settlement Deboche where you have a close view at Ama Dablam. We cross the suspension bridge and look over the surging white waters of Imja River. Soon after a snow white Stupa with gorgeous all seeing eyes is mirroring the Ama Dablam, this is a marvelous place for a picture! Then the trail ascents gently to the village of Pangboche (3 860 m), where we climb above the treeline. After, the trail passes numerous farmer pastures with big yak populations before we reach Dingboche valley.

We will hike 2 hours to Khangri Resort 4730 m and climb Chhukung Ri 5550 m where we will have magnificent sights at Island Peak 6189 m and the white ice lake of Imja Tsho.

Rest Day.

We start our walk by 5:30 AM sharp and after ascending 534 m up to the main steep climbing section, we reach at main Kongma La Pass where we have outstanding sights at Lobuche range, Tawachee (6495m), Cholatse peak (6440m), Makalu Barun ranges, Lhotse, Ama Dablam with beautiful lakes just below the Kongma La. After our picnic lunch in Kongma La the trail goes directly down to the terminal moraine of the famous Khumbu glaciers. The challenge of crossing Khumbu glacier starts right after we finished downhill. After 9 hours of walk we will reach the small settlement of Lobuche (4990 m).

The ascent to Gorak Shep (5 160 m) becomes steeper and rougher as we cross several moraines. Soon we see the peak of Pumori (7 145m). We also have our first views at Nuptse (7 864 m), Kala Patthar (5 545 m) and Mount Everest. At the right side you look over the Khumbu Glacier, an enormous tongue of ice which marches down the slopes of Everest. We reach Gorak Shep by lunchtime and trek to Base Camp in the afternoon. In total we hike six-seven hours today. We sleep in a lodge at Gorakskhep, a semi-permanent village at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall.

Early morning we climb to Kala Patthar – the Black Rock – located at 5 545 m and marked by a tangle of prayer flags. At this viewpoint – one of the most astonishing views on earth- you have a 360 degree panorama of Himalayan giants from Pumori and Lobuche West to Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. We return back to Gorak Shep via the view points of the ice lakes of Pumori and Everest and take our breakfast. We descend in 4-5 hours over a winding trail to Dzongla, a small settlement below the Cho La pass where we camp. On the way to Dzongla (4 830 m) you’ll already enjoy the scenic Cho La Lake.

We leave early in Dzongla to start the steep and strenuous climb to Cho La Pass (5 368 m). We climb 3 hours over a rocky ridge to reach the top of the pass and are rewarded by awesome vistas over Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Taboche, Baruntse and very nearby Cholatse. Once we cross the pass we hike over the glacier across snow and ice for about an hour. Then we take a rest and lunch and hang some Buddhist prayer flags for peace and succesful reaching our travel destination. We descend 3 hours more over rocky paths to Tangnak (4 700 m).

We start our dayhike with crossing the Ngozumpa glacier, a walk of about 2 hours over dusty trails offering us splendid views on the frozen lakes and Cho Oyu (8 210 m). We join the main trail to Gokyo and hike 2 hours more to reach the sesasonal village of Gokyo. On our way to Gokyo (4 790 m) we stumble on the third and four lake. Gokyo can be described as heaven with the lodges situated spectacular around the brilliant emerald green lake. We enjoy our afternoon admiring the beautiful surroundings around the lake. We sleep in Gokyo Resort which offers great views of Gokyo Lake!

Today you can make a spectacular 2,5 long hike to Gokyo Ri, a 5 360 m high hill on the north side of the Dudh Pokhari. From the summit you have a 360 degree panaroma over Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Taboche and the Ngozumpa Glacier. Another option is an awesome hike up the Gokyo valley past two or three more glacial lakes towards Cho Oyu.

We start early heading for the upper trail west of Gokyo Lake towards Renjo La pass (5 415 m). After climbing a steep sandy ridge for about 3 hours we gain the top of the Renjo La where you have fabulous views on 7000 and 8000 m high peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Chalotse and Taboche. Continuing the pass the trail winds down a stone staircase and leads to the south bank of a small serene lake the Angladumba Tsho. After another 4 hours we reach Lungden (4 380 m), our camp for tonight.

We hike together with Tibetan yak caravan through medeival villages and seasonal settlements to Thame, a traditional village with slate-roofed Sherpa houses. In the afternoon you can climb to the gompa of Thame, one of the oldest in Khumbu, situated in the north of the village.

Back to the headquarters of Khumbu, the lively village Namche Bazaar. We return via the village of Thamo, the hometown of many famous Sherpa climbers. On the way, after crossing the Dud Khosi river, you enjoy close magnificent views of Kongde (6 806 m), Tartikha (6 186 m), Nupla (5 885 m).

We start this 6 hours during trek with a strenuous descent from Namche Bazaar to the Dud Kosi (hard work for the knees), after the path climbs up to Monjo and then runs easily to Benkar, Phakding and Lukla.

After breakfast we fly in about 40 minutes from Lukla to Kathmandu. Arrive at Tribhuvan Airport and transfer to hotel.

On this last free day you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy more sights in Kathmandu: you can make a daytrip to the splendid five storied Nyatapola Temple and exquisite woodcarvings like the Peacock window in medieval Bhaktapur, climb the long stairs to the stupa of Swayambhunath (Monkeytemple) or visit the sleeping Vishnu at Budhanilkantha. You can also shop, relax and drink coffee in the bakeries of Thamel or the Garden of Dreams. Traveltimes Treks recommends you plan one extra day at the end of your trekking in case in case of delayed schedules during your travel.

Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport. We hope you enjoyed your stay!

Extra days:

If you wish to stay longer in Nepal: Traveltimes Treks can offer you plenty of suggestions, we can arrange rafting and safari trips, helicopter flights, mountain biking, multi day tours to old historical city of Bhaktapur, the mountain stations Nagarkot & Dhulikhel or retreats in the serene monasteries of Namobuddha and Kopan.