The Everest Three Passes Trek itinerary is 16 days from Lukla — a full Khumbu circuit that crosses Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m) while visiting Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Lakes, and Gokyo Ri in a single continuous loop that never repeats a major trail section. The itinerary is structured so that every acclimatisation day specifically prepares the body for the next major altitude challenge. This guide covers every day in full so you arrive at Lukla knowing exactly what the circuit demands at each stage.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Full Itinerary at a Glance
- Approach Phase — Days 1–6
- EBC and First Two Passes — Days 7–10
- Gokyo and Final Pass — Days 11–13
- Descent — Days 14–16
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Three Passes Trek Itinerary — Full Circuit at a Glance
| Day | Stage | Altitude | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly Lukla → Phakding | 2,800m | 3–4 hrs |
| Day 2 | Phakding → Namche Bazaar | 3,438m | 5–6 hrs |
| Day 3 | Acclimatisation — Namche (3,880m hike) | 3,438m | 3–4 hrs hike |
| Day 4 | Namche → Tengboche → Debuche | 3,820m | 5–6 hrs |
| Day 5 | Debuche → Dingboche | 4,410m | 5–6 hrs |
| Day 6 | Acclimatisation — Dingboche (5,000m hike) | 4,410m | 4–5 hrs hike |
| Day 7 | Kongma La (5,535m) → Lobuche | 4,910m | 7–8 hrs |
| Day 8 | Lobuche → Gorakshep → EBC (5,364m) | 5,160m | 6–7 hrs |
| Day 9 | Kala Patthar (5,545m) → Dzongla | 4,830m | 7–8 hrs |
| Day 10 | Cho La (5,420m) → Gokyo | 4,790m | 7–8 hrs |
| Day 11 | Gokyo rest — Gokyo Ri (5,357m) | 4,790m | 3–4 hrs hike |
| Day 12 | Gokyo → Lungden (upper lakes) | 4,980m | 4–5 hrs |
| Day 13 | Renjo La (5,360m) → Thame | 3,820m | 7–8 hrs |
| Day 14 | Thame → Namche Bazaar | 3,438m | 3–4 hrs |
| Day 15 | Namche Bazaar → Lukla | 2,860m | 5–6 hrs |
| Day 16 | Fly Lukla → Kathmandu | — | 35 min flight |
The circuit logic
The Everest Three Passes Trek itinerary is structured in three phases — the shared EBC approach for acclimatisation (Days 1–6), the central high-altitude circuit crossing all three passes and visiting EBC and Gokyo (Days 7–13), and the descent back through Namche to Lukla (Days 14–16). The order of the passes is deliberate — each one builds on the acclimatisation of the section before it.
Three Passes Trek Itinerary — Approach Phase (Days 1–6)
Day 01 — Lukla to Phakding: First Steps on the Khumbu Trail (2,800m)
Flight: 35 min | Trek: 3–4 hrs | Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Phakding
The morning flight from Ramechhap, included with the midnight transfer from Kathmandu, lands at Tenzing-Hillary Airport. Day 1 is short by design: the body has gained altitude quickly and the Phakding rest is the first acclimatisation step. Do not push pace today. Sixteen days of Khumbu begin properly tomorrow.
Day 02 — Phakding to Namche Bazaar: Gateway to the Circuit (3,438m)
Trek: 5–6 hrs | Ascent: +638m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Namche
The trail climbs through suspension bridges and Sagarmatha National Park to Namche Bazaar. The first Everest view appears through the ridge gap below town. Two nights here begins the most important acclimatisation phase of the entire circuit, so pace stays conservative — this is not a day to push.
Day 03 — Namche Bazaar Acclimatisation Day: Everest View Hotel Hike (3,880m)
Hike: 3–4 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Namche
The acclimatisation hike climbs to the Everest View Hotel ridge at 3,880m. This day is non-negotiable in this itinerary and never compressed. Use the afternoon for the Sagarmatha National Park Museum and a full gear review with your guide.
Day 04 — Namche to Tengboche Monastery and Debuche (3,820m)
Trek: 5–6 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Debuche
The trail rises through rhododendron and juniper forest to Tengboche. Arrive before noon to see it in clear air before the afternoon cloud builds. The trail then descends to Debuche through deep forest.
Day 05 — Debuche to Dingboche: Entering High Alpine Khumbu (4,410m)
Trek: 5–6 hrs | Ascent: +590m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Dingboche
Above Pangboche the vegetation thins and the high alpine landscape begins. Dingboche is the last real settlement before the circuit’s most demanding section starts. Eat completely, drink 3–4 litres of water, and rest fully — tomorrow’s acclimatisation hike is essential preparation for Kongma La.
Day 06 — Dingboche Acclimatisation Day: Nagarjun Hill Hike to 5,000m
Hike: 4–5 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Dingboche
The acclimatisation hike climbs to Nagarjun Hill at 5,000m, the first 5,000m crossing of the circuit. The panorama covers Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse, and Chamlang. Sleeping at 4,410m after a 5,000m day hike is the most effective preparation available for Kongma La — the body uses tonight at Dingboche to adapt before tackling the highest pass tomorrow.
Three Passes Trek Itinerary — EBC and First Two Passes (Days 7–10)
Day 07 — Kongma La (5,535m): First Pass, Hardest Day (overnight Lobuche 4,910m)
High point: 5,535m | Trek: 7–8 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Lobuche
The first and highest pass. The trail climbs steeply from Dingboche to Kongma La at 5,535m, the highest point of the entire Three Passes circuit. The summit panorama reveals Makalu, Lhotse, and Nuptse on the full eastern horizon. The descent to Lobuche at 4,910m is steep and rocky, and trekking poles are non-negotiable — this is the hardest single day of the circuit.
Day 08 — Lobuche to Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
Altitude: 5,160m overnight / 5,364m at EBC | Total: 6–7 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Gorakshep
The glacier moraine trail reaches Gorakshep at 5,160m, the highest teahouse in the world and the coldest overnight of the circuit. Daypacks are left here for the 2-hour walk to Everest Base Camp at 5,364m. EBC is a working expedition base at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, not a viewpoint. Standing at 5,364m looking up at the same icefall that every Everest expedition has had to negotiate is a moment that defines this circuit.
Day 09 — Kala Patthar Sunrise (5,545m) and Trek to Dzongla (4,830m)
High point: 5,545m | Overnight: 4,830m | Total: 7–8 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Dzongla
The alarm goes at 4:30am. The pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar delivers the finest Everest sunrise on the route. Afterward, the team continues west to Dzongla at 4,830m, the staging base for the Cho La crossing. Rest early at Dzongla and prepare gear for the most technical day of the circuit tomorrow.
Day 10 — Cho La (5,420m): Second Pass, Most Technical (overnight Gokyo 4,790m)
High point: 5,420m | Overnight: 4,790m | Trek: 7–8 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Gokyo
The second pass. Cho La involves a glaciated approach and fixed ropes on the descent. The team leaves early from Dzongla to cross before the afternoon snow softens on the glacier. The descent arrives in the Gokyo Valley, where five sacred turquoise lakes appear below Gokyo village — the transition from the main trail to the Gokyo Valley is the defining moment of the Three Passes itinerary.
Three Passes Trek Itinerary — Gokyo and Final Pass (Days 11–13)
Day 11 — Gokyo Acclimatisation Day: Gokyo Ri (5,357m)
High point: 5,357m | Overnight: 4,790m | Hike: 3–4 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Gokyo
The acclimatisation hike climbs Gokyo Ri at 5,357m, where four 8,000m peaks are simultaneously visible: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The Ngozumpa Glacier stretches below in both directions, and the five sacred lakes shimmer on the valley floor. Gokyo Ri is the finest viewpoint of the entire Three Passes circuit.
Day 12 — Gokyo to Lungden: Upper Lakes Exploration (4,980m)
Altitude: 4,980m | Trek: 4–5 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Lungden
The trail moves north through the upper Gokyo Valley past Lakes Four and Five. Very few trekkers reach the upper lakes compared to Gokyo village itself, which makes this the quietest and most peaceful day of the Three Passes itinerary — the calm before the final pass tomorrow.
Day 13 — Renjo La (5,360m): Third Pass — Circuit Complete (overnight Thame 3,820m)
High point: 5,360m | Overnight: 3,820m | Trek: 7–8 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Thame
The third and final pass. Renjo La at 5,360m delivers the finest westward panorama of the circuit. The descent to Thame drops 1,540m in a single day, the most altitude lost on any day of the circuit, so knees and trekking poles work hard on the way down. Three passes crossed. The circuit is done.
Three Passes Trek Itinerary — Descent (Days 14–16)
Day 14 — Thame to Namche Bazaar: Returning to the Sherpa Capital (3,438m)
Trek: 3–4 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Namche
The trail from Thame to Namche follows the Bhote Koshi river valley. Namche’s hot showers, bakeries, and electricity feel genuinely earned after 13 days above 3,400m. Use the Namche evening to charge all devices, eat well, and tip your guide and porter in cash.
Day 15 — Namche Bazaar to Lukla: Final Trekking Day (2,860m)
Trek: 5–6 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Lukla
The final trekking day drops through the Hillary Suspension Bridge and the lower Dudh Koshi valley back to Lukla. Three passes, two valleys, and 14 days of Khumbu altitude settle into every step on the return. Confirm the morning flight time with your guide, pack within carry-on limits, and sleep early.
Day 16 — Fly Lukla to Kathmandu: Three Passes Trek Ends
Flight: 35 min | Meals: Breakfast
The morning flight returns to Kathmandu. The Everest Three Passes Trek itinerary ends on landing. 16 days. Three passes. Everest Base Camp. Gokyo Lakes. Kala Patthar. Done. Always build 2–3 buffer days in Kathmandu after this flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard Everest Three Passes Trek itinerary is 16 days from Lukla to Lukla, including the acclimatisation hikes at Namche and Dingboche and the flight days on both ends. There’s no built-in contingency day, so trekkers should build 2–3 buffer days in Kathmandu after Day 16 and never book a connecting international flight on the scheduled return day. Total Nepal trip planning should budget 18–19 days minimum to safely cover the full circuit plus buffer.
Day 7 — Kongma La — is the hardest single day. It’s the highest pass at 5,535m, crossed before the body has reached peak acclimatisation, with a long steep rocky descent to Lobuche at 4,910m covering 7–8 hours total. Day 10 (Cho La) is the most technically demanding, since the glaciated approach and fixed rope descent require careful movement. Both days require early starts, conservative pacing on the ascent, and trekking poles throughout.
Yes — Mountain Hike Nepal builds every itinerary around your specific dates and priorities. Common customisations include adding an extra Gokyo rest day, including Cho Oyu Base Camp as a side trip from Gokyo, or extending with the Everest Base Camp approach from Namche for trekkers who haven’t previously done EBC. Tell us your available days and what matters most to you, and we’ll plan the version that makes sense. Plan a custom expedition →
Related Planning Guides
- Everest Three Passes Trek Package — Full 16-day expedition with group pricing.
- Everest Three Passes Trek Cost — Full budget breakdown for the circuit.
- Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty — Pass-by-pass difficulty and fitness requirements.
- Best Time for Three Passes Trek — Month-by-month season guide for pass conditions.
- Three Passes vs EBC Trek — Full comparison for experienced Khumbu trekkers.
The Circuit Is 16 Days. Every Day Has a Purpose.
The Three Passes Trek itinerary isn’t 16 days padded with easy walking — every acclimatisation day, every pass crossing, and every valley section is there for a specific reason. Use this guide to understand what each day asks of you. Train specifically for Kongma La and the Cho La glacier. Follow the guide’s pacing on every approach. And if anything in this itinerary raises a question before you book, ask us directly.
Mountain Hike Nepal has guided the Three Passes circuit across dozens of departures since 2018. We’re a licensed local operator based in Kathmandu, not a booking platform or a middleman. When you contact us, you speak directly with the team that plans and walks this circuit every season, so the itinerary information you get is accurate, current, and built from real days on every pass.
View the full Everest Three Passes Trek package →
Questions about the route, the acclimatisation days, the Cho La glacier section, or whether your schedule fits the full circuit? We respond within 12 hours and give straight answers.