Why the Three Passes Trek is the Toughest Everest Trek

Nepal’s Three Passes Trek is classified as the most challenging trekking route in the Everest region. And the reasons are as below:

High Altitude: The three big mountain passes above 5,000 meters (Kongma La 5,535m, Cho La 5,420m, and Renjo La 5,340m) result in the fact that the trekkers will be at high altitudes for a long time. The risk of getting altitude sickness will hence be high, and hence acclimatization is needed.

Duration and Length: It typically takes 18 to 20 days to finish the walk, depending on pace and acclimatization schedule. Walking hours per day can vary from 5 to 8 with certain days having extremely long or steep walks.

Steep and Harsh Topography: The walk is on tough mountain trails, steep ups and downs, especially on the high passes. Sections, like the Cho La Pass, are particularly demanding due to the rock, snow, and occasionally icy surface.

Weather Conditions: Weather in the mountains tends to change instantly, and trekking would expose the trekker to snowfall, rain, and cold at the higher reaches. This can make it cumbersome to take on the trek and increase the chances of getting hurt.

Technical Difficulty: Although no technical climbing is required in the trek, steep terrain, weather conditions, and high altitude make the trek physically as well as mentally challenging. The high passes are windy, and crossing the passes in unfavorable weather conditions requires physical endurance.

Isolation: Hiking puts you in less populated areas, and you will have fewer means of accessing rescue teams. While there may be villages along the route, help will not readily be available if you are in danger.
Three Passes Trek is a challenging trek and well suited for experienced trekkers who are physically fit, accustomed to long-distance hiking, and acclimatized to high-altitude treks. Novices or inexperienced individuals should prepare themselves and perhaps attempt less challenging treks before attempting this trek.

Everest Three High Passes Trek Overview
Your 17-day Everest Three Passes Trek begins with a 45-minute scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m). After traversing a few suspension bridges across the churning white rivers, you will reach Namche Bazaar (3,440m) the next day. You will have an extra day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization.

While in Namche Bazaar go shopping, eating out, and internet cafes. You can also go to the nearby monasteries, the main one being Khumjung Monastery. If you wish to get a glimpse of Mt. Everest, you can trek to Everest View Hotel.

Following one day of rest in Namche, you will continue the Three High Passes Trek by heading to Thame (3,750m). In this place, your route departs from the regular Everest Base Camp Trek since you walk along the Bhote Koshi River to reach Thame. You will see a small hydroelectric power station before arriving in Thame.

The next morning, you will rise at Thame and gear up for a long trek towards Lungden (4,500m). The routes are not straightforward, and you must trek for about six hours to Lungden.

You will then leave Lungden and make your way towards the Gokyo Lakes region. Between Lungden and Gokyo lies Renjo La Pass (5,435m), the first of the three major passes you will be crossing.

From Renjo La Pass, you have fantastic views of the Gokyo Lake system and many Himalayan Peaks – Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8,481m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), and Ama Dablam (6,812m). You will stay overnight at Gokyo and the following day will be an acclimatization day.

While you acclimatize in Gokyo, we shall take you to Gokyo Ri (5,483m), from which you can see four of the six highest peaks in the world – Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m), and Cho Oyu (8,188m). Gokyo Ri views are among the most scenic in the Everest Region.

Then, you will hike on to Thagnak (4,700m) from Gokyo, traversing Ngozumpa Glacier. Along the trails, you will see yak grazing land or lucky yaks grazing there.

The second day’s walk is to Dzongla (4,855m), and Cho La Pass (5,420m) is along the route. You will go through the Chola Pass, the second of the big passes of this trek. This pass connects the Gokyo and Everest regions.

By crossing Cho La Pass, you have entered the Everest zone, and you will reach Everest Base Camp but will have to stop in two locations – Lobuche (4,910m) and Gorak Shep (5,185m).

The eleventh day of the trek will be extraordinary. You will wake up at Lobuche (4,930m) and proceed towards Gorak Shep (5,185m). After you reach Gorak Shep, you will leave your luggage behind and proceed towards Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Climbing Everest is a great achievement, as reaching Everest means braving the difficult terrain, high altitude, and harsh climate.

We shall head back to Gorak Shep after staying on EBC and overnight. The following day, you will wake up at Gorak Shep early and trek to Kala Patthar (5,555m), where you can witness the sublime view of dawn rising over Mt. Everest. You will enjoy the breathtaking view from Kala Patthar, come back to Gorak Shep, and then back to Lobuche to overnight.

We will have you up early tomorrow morning in Lobuche and trek to Chhukung (4,730m), and in between lies the Kongma La Pass (5,535m) – our third and final of the higher passes. Again, it is the highest of the three passes and toughest. Keep in mind, though, that the tougher the trek, the greater the reward.

Day fourteen of the Everest 3-pass trek will have you departing Chhukung and en route to Tengboche (3,855m) with Dingboche and Pangboche in between. You will get to experience the wonderful views of some of Amadablam (6856m), Everest (8848 m), Nuptse (7861m), and Lhotse (8501m) along the way.

On the last day of Everest Three High Passes Trek trekking trails, you trek from Namche to Lukla. We return back to Dudh Koshi Valley, and then we cross Hillary Suspension Bridge, and then we trek almost seven hours to reach Lukla. You stay overnight at Lukla. Your Everest Three Passes Trek in Everest region almost gets over, and you are one night close to departure to Kathmandu.

On your day seventeen, morning, you will take a flight back to Kathmandu. You will depart the Everest region with new memories, new experiences, and even a new perspective. For the full Three-pass trek schedule, refer to the following section.

Why Everest Three Passes Trek?
Everest 3 High Passes Trek (or 3 pass trek) is one of the toughest treks in the world that leads you to the very heart of the Everest region. You get to see what surrounds Everest and how geography builds up to create the highest peak on earth. The trek is strenuous and provides a better picture of the harsh terrain, subzero temperatures, and constant human struggle at altitudes. On average, the Three Passes Trek distance is 103 miles (166km).