Everest Three High Passes Trekking

Highlights:

“Adventure of great memorable experiences crossing Everest three high passes.
From main trail to off the beaten tracks around the hidden corners of Khumbu. 
Jaw dropping views on crossing from each three high scenic passes of Everest.
Walking from main lovely traditional villages to complete mountain wilderness.
Covering all the main highlights of Khumbu Everest base camp to Gokyo Lakes.”

Short Trek Summary:

Mode of Trekking: In the best available Tea-House and Lodges.
Trekking Grade: Adventurous to Challenging in snow condition.
Highest point: On top Kalapathar 5,643 m /18,514 feet and  Everest Base Camp 5,364 m/17,599 feet. Khongma-La 5,535 m/18, 160 m. Cho-La Pass 5, 420 m/ 17, 782 feet and Renjo-La 5,360 m/ 17, 585 feet with Gokyo-Ri at 5,357 m /17, 575 feet high.
Areas of Trekking: Nepal North Mid-East, around Mahalangur HimalayanRange, of Khumbu district.    
Start and Ending Point: Lukla to Lukla with flights both ways.
Trekking Duration: 17 Nights and 18 Days with flights both ways.
Total Trekking distance: 166 km/103 miles, round trip from Lukla to Lukla.
(Excludes mileage on extra optional hikes in Namche Bazaar, Dingboche and climb of Kalapathar or Gokyo-Ri)
Total Trip in Nepal: 21 Nights and 22 Days from arrival to final departures.

Overviews:

Everest Three High Passes Trekking is an unforgettable adventure to experience with Woman Adventures' expert guides and staff. A journey of enjoyable and exciting walks from the main popular trekking routes to off-the-beaten trails. 

Where treks lead you to traditional villages steeped with age-old heritage cultures, trekkers will come across many religious monuments. Like prayer stone walls and spinning wheels, which make the walk quite interesting throughout the treks. Adventure begins with an easy gradual path from Lukla, the starting and ending point of the journey. The great three passes of Nepal Himalayas enter the famous Sagarmatha National Park. Listed in World Heritage Sites enriched with exotic flora/ fauna, the name Sagarmatha for Everest in Nepal. 

Also called Chomolungma by the native Sherpa of Khumbu's, in both languages means a Great Mother as big as the Ocean. The adventure then heads towards a higher zone reaching the famed Namche Bazaar, the capital and hub of Khumbu.

Spending an extra day for acclimatization and exploring the scenic points and local cultures. The walk follows the scenic trail to high and beautiful Tengboche amidst lovely woods of rhododendrons and pines. 

A spectacular spot for views of Everest and the panorama of surrounding giant snow peaks with an impressive monastery. From here on towards sheer mountain wilderness heading high above the tree lines, heading close to high three passes. On reaching the Dingboche settlement located on the high scenic Imjatse Valley, then traverse over the first high Khongma-La Pass. Hidden behind by towering high walls of Nuptse and Khongma or Mehara and Pokalde peaks.  

Slowly the walk leads to Everest base camp, past Lobuche and Gorakshep small settlements. After enjoying the dramatic scenery of remorseless fields of ice, snow, and glaciers with massif Khumbu Ice Fall. The adventure leads to a steep climb on top of Kalapathar, the vantage point for the closest looks of Mt. Everest. After achieving one of the main highlights of the trip, then head towards the base of Cho-La, the second pass. Climb on steep slope ridges to reach Cho-La pass, adorned with prayer flags and rock cairns.

A long downhill to enter the picturesque Gokyo Valley of serene glacial lakes, with Nepal’s Himalayas' longest Ngozumpa glacier.  At Gokyo with ample time to explore its scenic surroundings and climb of high Gokyo-Ri for a tremendous panorama. Overlooks the views of the world’s four highest peaks namely Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu.

Enjoying a marvellous experience at Gokyo, then getting ready for the last pass to cross over Renjo-La. A steep and strenuous climb to the top of Renjo-La Pass, rewards stupendous views of Everest and arrays of peaks.

On completing the last final pass on a pleasant downhill trail to a nice quant village of Thame. Situated west of Khumbu and Namche Bazaar with an old monastery perched atop Thame village. After a delightful feeling crossing all the Everest three high passes, a scenic and pleasant walk to Namche Bazaar. Finally, the adventurous walks complete following a long downhill to reach Lukla for overnight stops before flying to Kathmandu. After a marvellous adventure of amazing experience on Everest Three High Passes Trekking with excellent services of Woman Adventures.

Best Seasons For Everest Three High Passes Trekking:

The best time and seasons for Everest Three High Passes Trekking, or other adventures in Nepal Himalayas. Spring and autumn/fall seasons. The spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant walks and scenic views. Most days are fine and clear with enough sunshine hours till late afternoon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

It can get overcast in the afternoon sometimes, with chances of light rains and snowfalls. Days are much longer with sunlight hours, but cold morning and late afternoon till nighttime. Depending upon altitude and overnight stops around the high Khumbu and Everest region.

Spring is the best time for nature lovers, when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various species. 

The next best season is autumn/fall, where most days are bright, with sunny days for clear views. Autumn/fall starts from September to November, one of the high seasons in Nepal for trekking. Days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, but it gets dark soon due to limited sunshine hours. Morning and late afternoon until nighttime are cold, and chances of light snowfall above 3,000 m high.

The Routes And Trails On Everest Three High Passes Trekking:

Trekkers joining for Everest Three High Passes or other adventures around Nepal Himalayas must be aware beforehand. Nepal is a country of world’s highest mountain range from foot hills to world tallest peaks with rugged mountainous landscapes and terrains. The walk leads to much ups and downhill with few gradual sections to enjoy. The only flatland is the low sub-tropical Terai belt around southern Nepal. En route Everest Three High Passes, starts with pleasant gradual path with few short steep ups till Jorsalle.

After crossing the high bridge on leaving Jorsalle village and Dudh Koshi River Valley. A steep undulating climb for few hours to Namche Bazaar, from Namche onwards on wide scenic winding gradual ups. Few hours climb into lovely forested path to Tengboche Monastery, and then a slow climb to Pangboche village. The walk gets easier with gentle ups to Dingboche, but the rise in altitude makes the walks longer.

From Dingboche to Lobuche crossing the highest Khongma-La Pass of steep ups with gradual winding ups till Lobuche and to Everest Base Camp. The walk leads on moraine of rocks, ice and glaciers with some steep descent after crossing the high passes.

A steep climb with some sections of icy path and snows to negotiate on traversing the high passes of Khongma-La, Cho-La and Renjo-La. After completing all three high passes on easy downhill to end the trek in Lukla.

Culture And Religion On Everest Three High Passes Trek

Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around the high Khumbu of North Mid-East Nepal, populated by the Sherpa. The highlanders of eastern Himalayas, the Sherpa menfolk are famous and renowned, as the world’s best mountaineers and guides.

The Sherpa’s follows strong Buddhism religion, similar to their early Tibetan predecessors. The walk leads across many Buddhist monuments and shrines, as well the famous monastery of Tengboche and Pangboche. The religious monuments include a series of prayer walls, spinning wheels with impressive monasteries of great religious and cultural interest. 

Foods, Accommodation And Lodges Facilities:

The food and lodge accommodations around Khumbu region of Everest region,
at designated overnight stops. Overnights accommodation and meals, as per the itinerary set by the Woman Adventures, providing the best lodge accommodation, where possible. 

The foods are according as listed on the menu, from breakfast, lunch, dinner or main courses. Including side snacks with warm and cold refreshment drinks,
served in a nice and cozy dining room, with a fireplace. 

In Nepal, the most favorite and popular national food and meal is Nepali Dal Bhat, boiled or steamed rice. Served with mild curry of seasonal vegetables, includes Dal, a lentil bean soup with pickles, and hot sauce as options.

Breakfast from oats porridge, and cereals to cornflakes with toast/ chapattis, and pancakes includes a choice of egg variation. 

Lunch and Dinner from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Nepali and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups. The lodge accommodation and food are best in the Khumbu areas en route to Everest Base Camp. The lodge accommodations from Namche Bazaar onwards, are simple with nice rooms.

From Namche Bazaar till Tengboche and few places like Dingboche, most lodges provide common bathrooms and toilets. But with a good food menu of limited varieties, some villages offer fresh homemade bakery items. In most places, the rooms are on a shared basis with common bathrooms and toilets due to harsh terrain conditions. The plumbing systems for running water freeze in the morning, evening, and nighttime. Due to freezing temperatures from Namche Bazaar onward, using hot showers is at an extra cost. 

All lodges have electricity to light the large dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. For charging electronic items, at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available, but it is slow and disturbing in some places due to weather conditions.   

In a large group with more than 4 people, it is best to order a set meal for all.
It saves time and fuels energy, which is important around remote areas of the Himalayas. Following the norms and rules as Responsible Trekkers is a good practice for Eco-Tourism. As well as taking care of garbage and litter during the whole trek.

Trekkers must be aware that the Khumbu region from Lukla to Everest Base Camp
offers various standard of Lodge accommodations. From budget to tourist standard and luxury lodges, interested people can upgrade the standard of accommodation on booking; with Woman Adventure (P) Ltd. 

Important to know that alcohol drinks are not healthy and good while going up to higher altitude. But can enjoy after completing the main highlights, on return journey to Lukla, and losing altitude to safe heights. 

Physical Fitness Requirement And Insurance:

For Everest Three High Passes Treks, all members should be physically fit and in a sound health. For a person with a medical history and special dietary, please inform Woman Adventures. So that the company can make necessary arrangements, on booking for this adventures. All age groups can join, a minimum of 16 to a maximum of 70 years old. For minimum age of under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians, as well for elderly persons.

All needs to obtain Travel and Medical Insurance in case of unfortunate incidents and accidents. 

Sometimes, treks might have to be re-routed to other safe destinations due to broken trails by avalanches and rock falls. As well with the unfavorable bad weather, obstructs the schedule flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.

As well on return flight to Kathmandu also, if some members get seriously ill, needs immediate evacuation. By fastest means of transportation or using a Helicopter service to the nearest hospital. 

In this condition, if it arises, the trekker has to bear all the extra expenses as well as for accompanying staff. Should be claimed from the insurance company for the extra expenses incurred. The company and medical doctors will provide a supporting letter so that you can claim the reimbursement from your insurance. 

To stay physically fit, one needs to exercise, like walking, jogging, or any other good physical exercise to keep fitness level. It is best to check up with your doctor on booking the trip for Everest Three High Passes Trekking.

Outline Itinerary: 

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with sightseeing tour and trek preparations.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,860 m and trek to Phakding 2,610 m-04 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m-06 hrs.
Day 05: Rest day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization with short hike.
Day 06: Trek to Tengboche Monastery 3,867 m-05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche 4,410 m -05 hrs.
Day 08: At Dingboche rest day for acclimatization and short hike.
Day 09: Trek to Chukung 4, 740 m -04 hrs. 
Day 10: Trek to Lobuche 4,960 m via Khoma-La Pass 5,535 m-08 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Everest base camp 5,364 m via Gorakshep 5,180 m and walk back to Gorakshep.
Day 12: Climb Kalapathar 5,643 m / 18,514 feet, trek to Dzongla 4, 750 m-05 hrs. 
Day 13: Cross Cho-La pass 5,420 m, descend to Thagnak 4,760 m-08 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Gokyo Third Lakes 4,800 m-04 hrs.
Day 15: At Gokyo rest day and hike to Gokyo-Ri at 5,357 m high.
Day 16: Cross Renjo-La 5,360 m, descend to Lungden 4,340m-07 hrs.
Day 17: Trek to Thame 3,880 m-06 hrs.
Day 18: Trek to Monjo 2,880 m via Namche Bazaar- 05 hrs.
Day 19: Trek to Lukla 2, 846 m-04 hours.
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. 
Day 21: In Kathmandu free day for individual activities with options for tours.
Day 22: International departure for homeward bound.

Please note: Woman Adventures (P) Ltd. Encourages women as guide, porters and staff. In all our treks and tours, a new step and concept in Nepal, to uplift the women empowerment.