Everest Three High Passes Trek - Chola, Renjo la and Kongma-la Pass Trek
Everest Three High Passes Trek takes you to the most thrilling places in the Everest region. From Everest Base Camp, over Three High Passes, and to Gokyo Lakes, each day on this marathon journey is an adventure. At Everest Base Camp, you have the opportunity to be on the foot of the mighty Everest. At Kala Patthar, you get a picturesque view of Everest and other mountains in its proximity. Another highlight of this trek is Gokyo Lakes, some of the highest lakes in the world, also a famous destination due to its otherworldly blue-green water, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Trekking to three high passes in the Everest region challenges you physically but also treats you with thrill and views of mountains that you cannot get from anywhere else.
Most of the trekking routes during this Everest High Passes Trek lie within the area of Sagarmatha National Park. This park has a unique combination of mountains, wildlife, and culture, making it one of the most famous trekking destinations in the world. Featuring many 8000+ meter peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest (8848 meters), and rare animals like the Snow Leopard, Lesser Panda, Himalayan Thar covered in green pine, and rhododendron forest. Trekking to all these amazing places is now possible with just a few extra days than the traditional 14 to 16 days Everest Base Camp trek. This Everest High Pass with Gokyo Lakes trek also saves you a lot of money as it is only slightly more expensive than the typical Everest Base Camp Trek. This trek is your opportunity to explore both the famous and lesser-known but equally beautiful places in the Everest region.
What To Expect on Everest Three High Passes Trek
Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
A scenic flight from Kathmandu takes you to Lukla featuring a beautiful bird’s eye view of the valley and mountains for 35 minutes. Views of the landscape seen during this flight are exciting. This domestic flight takes you to the beautiful town of Lukla, quite isolated from the modern way of life. Every trekking journey in the Everest region starts here, by landing on the Tenzing-Hillary airport. Villages further from Lukla gradually become more rural and less accessible.
Food and accommodation
During the trekking days, a full board meal is provided and accommodation will be a basic teahouse. Foods like pasta, noodles, soup, potatoes, vegetables, Dal Bhaat, fried rice, eggs, cheese, etc. will be in the meals. They only have heaters in dining halls, not in individual rooms. Due to the lack of easy transportation service in this area, you may not have access to luxury products. However, in Kathmandu, you will stay at a 3-star hotel providing breakfast. For lunch and dinner, you can try different restaurants and cafes according to your choice. They serve a variety of food based on different cuisines.
The Sherpas, tradition, and culture
Everest Region is inhabited by Sherpas, isolated from the rest of the world, and the greatest allies of the mountains. Without these amazing people, their service and assistance, no outsider would be able to sustain in this extreme environment. They also preserve their unique culture in the form of day-to-day lives and this trek is the perfect moment to learn about their traditions. Their culture is heavily influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. Visiting the Tengboche monastery, more about their culture and Tibetan Buddhism can be learned while enjoying its amazing architecture.
Sagarmatha National Park
Most of the trekking routes during this Everest High Passes trek lies within the area of Sagarmatha National Park. This park has a unique combination of mountains, wildlife, and culture making it one of the most famous trekking destinations. Featuring many high mountains including the highest, Mt. Everest, and rare animals like Snow Leopard, Lesser Panda, Himalayan Thar covered in green pine and rhododendron forest. Glaciers, icefalls, lakes, moraine valleys, etc. contribute to giving visitors a hair-raising experience and awe-inspiring views.
Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar
Everest Base Camp is one of our destinations and is quite a popular one. Many trekkers believe that the journey up to this place is more rewarding than reaching this place itself. It is more about the thrill of being at the foot of the highest peak, Everest. Khumbu glacier and icefall and other mountains can be seen brilliantly from this place. Kala Patthar is where the outstanding view of Everest and other peaks can be seen. Chasing sunrise to get to its top is an adventure in its own way.
Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri
The beautiful and grand five lakes of Gokyo surrounded by mountains are treats to the eyes. They are amazing viewpoints especially the 5th Gokyo lake. They are also of great religious importance. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims visit these lakes and in Janai, Purnima Hindus come to take a bath in this holy lake. Gokyo village lies at the foot of Gokyo Ri which is another vantage point. Climbing its peak in the early morning gives you an opportunity to view Gokyo lakes and beautiful golden sunrise over the mountains like Everest, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Pumori, Makalu, Amadablam, Cholatse, Kwangde.
Kongma La (5528 m), Cho La (5420 m) and Renjo La ( 5360 m) pass
Out of three high mountain passes, the Kongma La pass is the first you will trek up to. It is considered to be the hardest one but don’t let this intimidate you. Then you will get to Everest Base Camp and head towards Cho La pass by walking towards the village Dzongla. The trail to Cho-La pass is quite slippery and it is suggested to use crampons. After getting to Gokyo lakes, you will trek towards Renjo- La Pass which provides you with the heavenly view of Gokyo lake systems, and mountain peaks. Trekking in these high passes is filled with adventure and getting to the top you can get views of mountains like Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Makalu, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, etc.
Glorious views of Himalayas and Landscapes
Landscape during this trek changes from green forests-dominated terrain to snowy and rocky ones. Views of lakes and mountains covered in the snow make this trip worth all the strenuous trekking. Though several mountains can be seen all along the trek, the sight of sunrise and sunsets from vantage points like Kalapatthar and Gokyo Ri are mesmerizing and mountains look clearer and outstanding.