The Three Passes trek is the Khumbu’s grand tour. Rather than walking up one valley and back, it links all three of the region’s major valleys by crossing the passes between them — Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, each above 5,300m.
It is not a first Himalayan trek. But for experienced walkers it is arguably the finest three weeks on offer in Nepal.
What the Circuit Includes
- Kongma La (5,535m) — the highest and least travelled of the three
- Cho La (5,420m) — a glacier crossing linking Everest to Gokyo
- Renjo La (5,360m) — the finest single viewpoint of the trek
- Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar (5,545m)
- The Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri (5,357m)
- Chhukung, Dingboche, Thame and the quieter western valleys
Very few Himalayan routes pack this much variety into one continuous walk.
The Route
Eighteen to twenty-one days from Lukla, and it should not be compressed.
- Lukla to Namche Bazaar — the standard approach with acclimatisation
- Tengboche, Dingboche and Chhukung — building altitude steadily
- Kongma La to Lobuche
- Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar
- Cho La to Gokyo, via Dzongla and Thagnak
- Gokyo Ri, then Renjo La to Thame
- Descend through Thame to Namche and Lukla
Running the circuit anticlockwise, as above, gives you better acclimatisation before the first pass.
Difficulty: Be Honest With Yourself
This is a demanding route, and the passes are the reason.
- Three crossings above 5,300m, each a long pre-dawn day
- Cho La involves glacier travel, and crampons are sometimes needed
- Loose boulder fields and steep scree on Kongma La
- Eight to ten hour days on pass sections
- Weather can close any of the passes at short notice
You need previous multi-day trekking experience and ideally some prior time above 4,000m. Good fitness alone is not sufficient.
Permits
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
The same permits as the standard EBC trek, at roughly NPR 5,000 to 6,000 total.
Costs
- Guided packages typically USD 1,900 to USD 3,000 per person
- The longer duration is the main cost driver
- A guide is strongly recommended, and a second staff member is sensible
- Budget for possible extra nights if a pass is closed by weather
Best Time to Go
- October to November — the most reliable pass conditions
- April to May — good, with more snow lingering on Cho La
- Winter — the passes are frequently impassable
- Monsoon — not advisable
Preparation That Actually Helps
- Build up to consecutive long walking days carrying a daypack
- Spend time on uneven, rocky ground rather than smooth paths
- Break in your boots thoroughly before you arrive
- Discuss crampons and an ice axe with your operator in advance
- Add buffer days to your international flights
Ready for the Full Khumbu Circuit?
If you have trekked in Nepal before and want the complete Everest region rather than a single valley, the Three Passes is the route that delivers it.
At Global Rising Tours & Travel, we run Three Passes departures with experienced high-altitude Sherpa guides and the equipment the passes demand. Explore our Everest region treks to start planning.
