Top Highlights of Everest Three Passes Trek You Shouldn’t Miss

Everest Three Passes Trek is considered the top adventure in the Khumbu. It loops the popular Everest Base Camp trail via the Gokyo Lakes, crossing three high passes—Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), Renjo La (5,360 m). Designed for in-shape trekking enthusiasts who want the test of a lifetime, you’ll spend roughly three weeks trekking through wild valleys, over breathtaking viewpoints, and across icy sections and glaciers. We’ve compiled all the major highlights of the trek along with recommendations from expert trekking companies and members who have successfully completed the route, so you can prepare to make this life-changing journey with confidence.

Crossing Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La

The Three Passes Trek is notable for its three beautiful high mountain passes. Each pass offers a different set of eye-catching scenery and a challenge of its own. Kongma La (5535m) connects Lobuche with the Chhukung Valley and is the highest of the three passes. A challenging ascent takes you up a steep rocky route, but the view of Lhotse, Ama Dablam and blue Imja Tsho sparkling far below is the reward. The second, the Cho La (5,420 m) links the Khumbu side (usually Dzongla) to the Gokyo side (Dragnag/Thangnak): Part of the trail crosses a glacier and you may use microspikes or light crampons to safely cross hard-packed snow and short glacier sections. descent on the west side is a long, stony drop through a chaotic boulder field, but the valley awaiting you below is just glorious.

Finally, Renjo La (5,360 m) arguably offers the finest viewpoint of the trek. From the top you get a sweeping panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, with the Gokyo Lakes spread below.

Scenic Flight and Sherpa Culture

Like other Khumbu treks, the Three Passes route starts with a scenic flight to Lukla. The amazing fly-in establishes the tone for what follows as you zip over the terraced hillsides and land on one of the world’s shortest and most challenging airstrips. The route from Lukla is through Sherpa villages including Phakding and Namche Bazaar. Namche is both a commercial hub and an acclimatization stop, where trekkers wander local markets and fire their imaginations at the Sherpa Culture Museum. Throughout the trek you experience Sherpa culture: you visit monasteries, spin the prayer wheels, join villagers for a cup of butter tea and gain insight into daily life.

Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar

Although the Three Passes Trek is not specifically an EBC trek, many itineraries include a side trip to the base camp. Standing in the shadow of Everest and walking on the Khumbu Glacier is a highlight for most trekkers. Nearby Kala Patthar (5,545 m) provides an excellent sunrise or sunset viewpoint. From its top you can see the south face of Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and the Khumbu Icefall up close. The climb to Kala Patthar is short and steep, but the 360-degree panorama is unmatched in the region.

The Turquoise Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri

Within the Gokyo Valley which is part of the Three Passes trek, is a line of six sapphire blue lakes which are fed by the towering Ngozumpa Glacier. The lakes are like gems beside gray moraines and white towering peaks. In local legend the waters are sacred and are protected by serpent deities called the Nag Devata. Pilgrims come here to bathe in the icy cold of the Janai Purnima festival. An early morning ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) provides us the most awesome Himalayan balcony. Four of the world’s fourteen 8,000-m peaks—Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu—rise like white walls above the Gokyo lakes. Ngozumpa Glacier—Nepal’s longest—dominates the valley to the north.

Remote valleys and Hidden Trails

Far more people hike the classic EBC route than the Three Passes, so this loop offers greater solitude for longer stretches. The path between Chhukung to Lobuche climbs up the Kongma La Pass and windswept ridgelines, then plunges down dusty slopes to the yak-grazing pastures around Lobuche. On the Gokyo to Thame section, when crossing the Renjo La, you have the unusual opportunity to camp next to a lake beneath silent icefalls and frozen cascades above you. Even on busy days you may meet only a handful of fellow trekkers between stages. Breathe deeply and try to appreciate that the unbelievable Himalayan scene you just discovered is still yours to pass on.

Once the passes are behind you, you step into more remote regions where the villages are smaller and the tea houses more intimate. The separation seems part of the journey, and connects you to the people you meet in these places.

Tengboche Monastery

Before you come to the passes, the trail passes through the village of Tengboche, home to Tengboche Monastery, which is the spiritual heart of Khumbu. The monastery sits on a ridge where one can enjoy breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Resident monks conduct daily rituals and ceremonies. Many trekkers even manage to plan their itinerary to attend a puja (prayer ceremony) in which chanting and ancient-age instruments fill the atmosphere. The monastery comes to life during Mani Rimdu festival (usually in October or November). During the festival, the courtyard transforms into a colorful spectacle as masked dancers celebrate Guru Rinpoche.

Challenges and Rewards

The Three Passes Trek is strenuous. High altitudes, long days and harsh weather demand good fitness and acclimatization. Expect steep ascents, glacier crossings, and potential snow and ice. That said, the prizes are worth the effort: a complete tour of the wild scenery of the Khumbu, the opportunity to walk close to gigantic glaciers and glittering lakes, and an achievement that makes all shorter treks pale by comparison. Pack sturdy traction (microspikes or crampons, depending on conditions), warm layers, and trekking poles, and travel with experienced guides who know the route and weather patterns.

Conclusion

The Everest Three Passes Trek is like a highlights reel of the Khumbu region. Cross sky-high passes, gaze into clear turquoise lakes, and take a step into welcoming Sherpa monasteries rich in history – all on one trip! If the regular Everest Base Camp Trek is a bit too short or easy for you, this is the next-level challenge you’ve been waiting for. Take it slow, give your body time to acclimate to the heights, and take in all the breathtaking views along the way. The memories will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

Reference: https://lifehimalayatrekking.com/trip/everest-three-high-pass-trekking/