What is Three Passes Trek
Nepal’s Three Passes Trek is a route loop in the Everest Region, Solokhumbu Area, starting and ending in either Jiri or famous Lukla airport (starting in Jiri requires several more days). The circle goes over three of Nepal’s high Passes:
– Anti-clockwise, which is the more popular route choice: Kongma La (5550 m), Cho La (5420 m) and Renjo La (5360 m)
– Clockwise, Renjo La (5360 m), Cho La (5420 m), Kongma La (5550 m)
– Clockwise variation/’fusion’, which I have done and will explain in this blog, Renjo La (5360 m), Cho La (5420 m), Island Peak (6100 m)
You can easily make a detour to Everest Base Camp from all above route options – above all, this is highly recommended!
While preparing myself for a trek, I was not able to find good resources that will help me to do it completely myself, therefore I hope that this post and the trekking journal will help you to plan a complete DIY version. You can, of course, hire a guide, but believe me, if this is not your first ever trek, you are fully capable to do it with just a friend companion, or even alone.
Why should you choose Three Passes Trek over Everest Base Camp only
The Three Passes trek is especially well suited to travellers who have done multiple day treks before, and want to see the Everest region without the crowds that inevitably come with the EBC trek. Moreover, it goes off beaten track, hence you can see a true Solokhumbu Area.
While considerably harder, it still remains a teahouse trek and you do not need to carry any camping equipment.
It is longer and allows you to acclimatise better.
Practical information
Costs
Estimated cost per day/per person: 30-50USD (depending how many treats will you eat)
- The higher you go, the less you will pay for the accommodation (sometimes lodge is for free) and the more for food
- Take cash for all 14+ days. You can pay in both rupies and dollars but the latter will be cheaper
Visa:
You will buy it at the airport. External Link.
Trekking Permits:
You will buyit on the way to Namche, while you will be entering Solokhumbu Park (~20USD/person)
Climbing Permits:
You cannot climb any of the 6k+ yourself. Arrange your permit with a local climbing agency in Kathmandu
Complete day by day itinerary
I am posting here my own itinerary, with off-season dates. What really helped me and my husband to tackle the acclimatisation properly, was the night altitude planning. You should not gain more than 300 meters daily (at night) and we sometimes went off the rule.
TIP: plan your rest days. We did not do any rest day during our trek, being afraid that we might not be able to be on time with Island Peak climbing, which we paid with the strong headache on Renjo La Pass.
Journal
Day 1-3 Lukla through Namche Bazaar to Thame
Day 4-6 Thame, Renjo La, Gokyo
Day 7-8 Thak Nak to Gorak Shep
Day 9-10 Gorak Shep, Kala Pathar and Everest Base Camp
Day 11 EBC to Chukhung
Day 12-13 Island Peak Ascent
Day 14-16 Chukhung, Tengboche and back to Lukla
I tried to give you as much practical info as possible. If you have any suggestions or comments how to make this post even more useful, do not hesitate to drop me a line!
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