All-Time Best Three Passes adventure Trek in the Everest
Why is it called the 3 High Passes Trek in the Everest?
There are several fantastic trekking trails in the Everest region, such as the classic legendary EBC trek, the Gokyo Valley trek, and massive high mountain expeditions. Likewise, there is a perfect rounding route along the folds of the Khumbu Himalayas that leads an adventurous route a bit higher than the common trail and lower than the expedition. The Three High Passes trek crosses four distinct historical valleys via Kongmala Pass 5,535 meters, touching Everest Base Camp 5,370 meters, Kalapatthar viewpoint 5,545 meters, Chola Pass 5,420 Meters, Gokyo Ri 5,380 Meters, and ultimately Renjola Pass 5,360 Meters to the Thame valley and ending trekking in Lukla. Thus, it is called three high passes Trek in the Everest. Which is also known as the most amazing adventurous route in the lap of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s victorious ascent.
Kongma-La Pass 5,535 meters
Is widely considered the toughest and highest of the "Three Passes" in the Everest (Khumbu) region of Nepal.
While many trekkers stick to the standard Everest Base Camp (EBC) route, Kongma La offers a more rugged, "off-the-beaten-path" alternative that connects the Imja Valley (Chhukung) to the Khumbu Valley (Lobuche)
Cho-La Pass 5,420 meters
is the "scenic and technical" one. It is the most famous of the passes because it links the two crown jewels of the Khumbu: Everest Base Camp and the turquoise Gokyo Lakes.
Renjo-La Pass 5,360 meters
while it is the lowest of the Three Passes, many trekkers consider it the absolute highlight of the entire Khumbu region. Because it offers the most iconic, panoramic view of Mount Everest that exists on any trekking trail—even better than the view from Kala Patthar
Key highlights of the 3 High Passes Trek
- Avoiding crowd
- Trekking via four historical valleys
- Three High passes: Kongmala Pass 5,535 meters, Chola Pass 5,420 meters, and Renjo La Pass 5,360 meters.
- Reaching at least 9 times up to 5000 meters altitude throughout the complete trek
- The best adventure trek with thrilling views
- Trekking via the legendary Everest Base Camp ( EBC)
- Trek via crossing the longest Khumbu Glacier and the largest Ngozumba Glacier
- Experience the real adventure in the legendary Himalayas
What do we see on the 3 High Pass Trek?
The Three High Passes trek is a thrilling adventure trip with mysterious views in the Everest region. The trek is a full package of Tibetan Buddhism culture and tradition. Every day you will see massive mountain views, get a chance to walk over the longest Khumbu glacier and the largest Ngozumba glacier, opportunity to leave your footprints at the legendary Everest Base Camp. Reaching up to the breathtaking high Passes and viewpoints, experience the tremendous prime Ice falls serenity. Rocky gregarious common trail, famous memorial monuments, caravan of Himalayan yaks, and extreme Himalayan wildlife.
Why three high passes trek recommended from right to left direction?
Touren Nepal Treks Pvt. Ltd recommends starting trekking from the left Direction because of some risk management and achieving the mission successfully. You never know about your own and local conditions in the Himalayas, thus you would not miss reaching the legendary Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar, and Gokyo Lake to Gokyo Ri even without crossing Kongmala Pass and Chola Pass within your planned schedule. Also, you will have a longer time to acclimate to the higher altitude because it goes gradually, and there is an easier and alternative trekking trail in case you are unable to make the passes.
From the left direction: You will reach a higher elevation, which may cause altitude sickness. Also, the trail is quite tough, climbing from Lungden to Renjo La pass. It is suitable only for well-acclimatized and peak climbers or expeditioners, but not for normal trekkers and hikers. If you somehow avoid making a pass over Renjola, then the option is only returning down to Namche Bazaar, which will consume your time and may not be possible to complete your mission.
Will the trek be completed if the passes are closed?
The passes are always open and not riskier, even though they are very high. The passes may close if it is heavily snowed. In the high snow, we cannot make the passes because we can get lost easily in the massive glaciers. So it is better to avoid the passes in case of heavy snow.
There is an alternative lower trail to reach Gorakshep, EBC, and Gokyo without crossing the high passes. Thus, we assure you that the three high passes trek area can be completed even if the passes are closed.
Can trekkers skip passes if they feel impossible?
Yes, trekkers have different options in the three high passes trek. If they feel it is tough, then they can take a lower, easier route from Chhukung to Lobuche (via Kongmala Pass) and reach the same destination in one overnight. If they skip Cho La pass, trekkers should go down to Pangboche for overnight and follow the ancient route towards the primitive Phorche village and gradually upwards via Phanga village to Gokyo. This is a lower and easier crowd-less old but longer trail. We do not recommend the optional trail for the Renjola pass or the 3rd pass because the entering and exiting door is the same.
