Everest Three Passes Trek

This is one of Nepal's most physically demanding treks. You need strong cardiovascular fitness and previous high-altitude trekking experience to at least 4,500 metres. The minimum benchmark: complete a 10-day trek to 4,500 m without significant AMS before attempting the Three Passes. You should be able to walk 10–14 km daily with a 7–9 kg daypack on consecutive days. The hardest days — Cho La, EBC, and Kongma La — each involve 7 to 8 hours of trekking above 5,000 m. Training should include 3 months of sustained cardiovascular exercise (running, cycling, or hill walking) 5 days per week.

Yes. We require that all trekkers on the Three Passes have previous trekking experience to at least 4,500 metres. The standard EBC trek (14–16 days) is the ideal preparation. If you have not trekked above 4,500 m before, we strongly recommend completing an EBC trek first and attempting the Three Passes in a subsequent season. This is not a conservative policy — the three passes cross terrain above 5,350 m that requires a body already adapted to very high altitude conditions.

AMS risk is significant and real on the Everest Three Passes Trek. You spend multiple nights above 4,800 m and cross three passes between 5,360 and 5,535 metres. At 5,500 m the air contains approximately 50 percent of the oxygen available at sea level. Our guides check SpO2 every evening above 4,000 m. Any trekker reading below 75 percent or showing two or more AMS symptoms (persistent headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of coordination) is descended immediately. We carry two emergency oxygen cylinders and maintain contact with helicopter evacuation services throughout. Diamox is strongly recommended — consult your doctor before departure.

Cho La (5,420 m) is the most technically demanding section of the trek. The eastern approach from Thangnak involves crossing the lower Ngozumpa Glacier moraine and then ascending a short glaciated section of 50–80 metres with fixed ropes. In autumn (October–November) under normal conditions, good trekking boots and microspikes are usually sufficient. In spring, fresh winter snow may require crampons. The guide assesses the pass via radio contact with ahead parties at 05:00 on crossing day. If conditions are unsafe, we hold at Thangnak for 24 hours. The descent on the western side is steep loose rock — trekking poles are essential.

October is the best single month — the clearest skies of the year, best pass conditions, and most reliable views from Gokyo Ri and Kala Patthar. November is nearly as good and less crowded, but temperatures at Gorak Shep drop to -20°C at night in late November. March and April are the spring options — good views but spring snow on Cho La may require crampons. Avoid June through September (monsoon) and December through February (winter extremes and unsafe pass conditions).

We book your Kathmandu to Lukla domestic flights (included in the package). The flight takes 35 minutes and departs 06:00–07:00. Lukla flights are weather-dependent — cancellations happen in the shoulder months and during unsettled periods in peak season. Our package includes one buffer day for Lukla weather delays. If the flight is cancelled, we rebook the next available departure and you stay in Lukla or Kathmandu at no extra cost. If delays exceed 3 days, helicopter transfer from Kathmandu to Lukla is available (at your own cost — approximately USD 350–500 per person shared).

Two permits are required: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (NPR 3,000, approximately USD 22) and the TIMS card (included in group TIMS when trekking with us). Additionally, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Conservation Fee (NPR 2,000, approximately USD 15) is collected at the Lukla checkpoint. All permits are included in your package price. Bring your passport and two passport-size photos.

Budget NPR 40,000–60,000 (USD 300–450) for 18 days of personal spending. Above Namche, costs increase: hot showers run NPR 300–600, Wi-Fi NPR 200–500 per day, soft drinks NPR 200–400, and battery charging NPR 200–400. The Khumbu is expensive because everything is carried in by yak or helicopter. The only ATM is in Namche Bazaar (unreliable in peak season) — withdraw all cash in Kathmandu before departure.

No. Since April 2023, Nepal requires all foreign trekkers to be accompanied by a licensed guide. This applies to all trekking areas including Sagarmatha National Park. The Three Passes Trek also involves glaciated terrain at Cho La that is genuinely hazardous without a guide experienced in the route. Our guides have completed this circuit a minimum of 20 times and make daily pass-condition assessments via radio contact with other guides on the route.

Food quality decreases with altitude. Namche has excellent teahouses with pizza, pasta, and espresso. Above Namche, the menus simplify to dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, and soups. Above 4,800 m (Lobuche, Gorak Shep), cooking takes much longer because of the altitude — meals may take 45 minutes to 1 hour to arrive. Eat everything you are served even if appetite is reduced — altitude suppresses hunger but your body burns significantly more calories than normal above 5,000 m due to thermoregulation. Carry trail snacks for the pass crossing days where there are no food stops.

Any trekker showing a SpO2 reading below 75 percent or two or more AMS symptoms is descended immediately — no exceptions. The guide will accompany the affected trekker down to a safe altitude while an assistant guide (for groups of 3 or more) stays with the rest of the group. Helicopter evacuation from Khumbu landing zones reaches Kathmandu in 40–50 minutes. We maintain 24-hour contact with our Kathmandu office and with helicopter operators. The guide carries two emergency oxygen cylinders. Your travel insurance must cover helicopter evacuation — medical costs for evacuation from Khumbu can reach USD 5,000–8,000.

Yes, under normal autumn and spring conditions with proper footwear and the guide's assistance. The glaciated section is 50–80 metres of ascent on a slope of approximately 30–40 degrees. Fixed ropes installed by local agencies are in place at the start of each season. In October and November, microspikes are usually sufficient for the average trekker. In spring (March–April) or after fresh snowfall, crampons may be needed. Our guides carry one spare set of crampons and assess conditions each morning via radio. If the slope is iced beyond safe trekking conditions, we delay or take the alternative Cho La north route.

Travel insurance must cover trekking to 6,000 metres and helicopter evacuation. This is a mandatory booking requirement. Standard policies do not cover high-altitude trekking without a specific rider — check your policy carefully before purchasing. The Khumbu evacuation zone covers up to approximately 5,600 m by helicopter. Insurance from World Nomads (Adventure plan), Battleface, or Global Rescue covers the Three Passes Trek. Minimum evacuation coverage: USD 100,000 (helicopter from Khumbu to Kathmandu: USD 4,000–8,000; hospital costs extra). Carry a printed copy and the emergency number on the trail.