Everest Three Passes

The route

After the usual climb through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Dingboche, the route turns east to Chhukung. From there it crosses Kongma La to Lobuche, visits Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, crosses Cho La into the Gokyo valley, and comes home over Renjo La and down the Bhote Koshi valley past Thame.

Why Kongma La first

I walk the passes in this order: Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La. By the time you reach Kongma La, the highest of the three, you have slept a week at rising heights with three rest days. Cho La is also safer to climb from the Dzongla side than to come down it.

If a pass is closed

Every pass has a way round through the valleys. It adds a day or two. This is one reason I ask you to keep a spare day.

Permits and the guide rule

You need two permits: the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. Read more in my guide to Nepal trekking permits and the licensed guide rule.

When to go

October and November have the clearest skies; April is good too. In winter snow can close Cho La and Renjo La. See the best time to trek in Nepal.

• Start & End Point: Fly into Lukla (2,860m) from Kathmandu/Ramechhap and finish back at Lukla.

• Core Route Circuit: The trail covers the ultimate circuit of the Khumbu region, traversing Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), and Renjo La (5,360m), along with iconic side trips to Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and Gokyo Ri.

• Accommodation: Teahouses provide accommodation along the entire trail. Amenities become progressively simpler at higher elevations.

• Permits Required: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (both obtained locally in Monjo/Lukla).

• Luggage & Carry: Porters or yaks carry main duffel bags (limited to 10 kg per trekker), while trekkers carry a 30L–40L daypack containing extra layers, water, snacks, and valuables

• Cardiovascular Fitness: Minimum 3–6 months of targeted cardio preparation (running, stair climbing, cycling, or rowing) to build aerobic capacity.

• Leg Strength & Endurance: Squats, lunges, step-ups, and weighted backpack hiking to prepare knees and legs for continuous 1,000m+ elevation gains and steep descents.

• Mental Toughness: Ability to handle freezing sub-zero night temperatures, basic living conditions, and sustained long days at high altitude with reduced oxygen levels.

Sherpa villages, monasteries, prayer flags and mani walls all the way. Tengboche is the largest monastery in the Khumbu. Thame, on the way down, is the home village of many well-known Sherpa climbers and has an old monastery on the hill above it.

• Licensed & Trained Guide Your safety is the foundation of every trip I lead. I am licensed by the Government of Nepal as a trekking guide (licence no. 18550) and a tour guide (licence no. 4606), and trained in first aid, basic rescue and trekking-based search and rescue. I check your gear and the weather before every stage, so you can enjoy the trek with peace of mind. For groups larger than four, I bring in additional government-licensed guides I have worked with before.
• Health & First Aid Certified Wilderness First Responder: I hold up-to-date certifications in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, ensuring I am fully trained to handle medical emergencies, injuries, and illnesses in remote terrain. Proactive Health & Altitude Tracking: Your safety is my daily priority. I monitor your pulse, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and acclimatisation levels daily using a pulse oximeter to catch early signs of Altitude Sickness (AMS). Fully Stocked First Aid Kit: I carry a comprehensive medical kit on every trek, equipped with essential medications, wound dressings, and emergency response supplies tailored to the route. Established Emergency & Evacuation Protocols: I maintain clear protocols and direct lines of communication for medical evacuations, including swift coordination with helicopter rescue teams if severe conditions arise. Strict Hygiene & Safe Water Standards: I ensure clean, safe drinking water throughout the trail and verify strict hygiene practices during all meal breaks to protect you against waterborne illnesses. Personalised Care & Medical Attention: Before we step onto the trail, I review any health concerns or allergies you may have so I can cater to your needs and adapt our pace accordingly.
• Communication Satellite & Emergency Communication: I carry a reliable satellite messaging device (such as a Garmin inReach) to stay connected in remote areas with no cellular coverage, allowing for real-time location tracking and instant SOS capabilities. Daily Family & Loved One Updates: When signal or satellite access allows, I provide regular updates to your emergency contacts or loved ones so they always know you are safe and on schedule. Transparent Route & Weather Briefings: Before we set off each day, I conduct clear briefings on the upcoming terrain, expected weather conditions, trail milestones, and safety protocols. Open & Encouraging Dialogue: I foster an environment where you can freely express how you’re feeling—whether you're experiencing fatigue, discomfort, or symptoms of altitude—without hesitation or judgment. Direct Operations & Rescue Contact: I maintain continuous connectivity with ground support, local lodge networks, and emergency rescue services to coordinate logistics seamlessly if plans need to adjust.
• Route Experience Deep Local & Trail Knowledge: Having navigated these routes extensively across varying seasons, I know the terrain, trail conditions, hidden hazards, and optimal rest spots in intimate detail. Flexible & Adaptive Itineraries: I constantly evaluate trail status, weather patterns, and team energy levels, making smart, real-time adjustments to our daily pace or route to avoid risky conditions. Smart Pace & Acclimatisation Management: I set a steady, sustainable pace (bistarai, bistarai) designed specifically to promote proper altitude adaptation and prevent physical burnout. Vetted Rest Stops & Accommodation: I choose reliable, high-standard teahouses, campsites, and lodge networks along the route, ensuring safe, hygienic, and comfortable places to rest every night. Terrain & Environmental Hazard Navigation: From loose scree and river crossings to icy passes and rockfall zones, I guide you through technical and treacherous trail sections with hands-on support and proper technique.
• Daily Health Check Morning & Evening Health Checks: I conduct routine health check-ins every morning and evening to track how your body is adapting to the altitude, workload, and changing climate. Vital Signs & SpO2 Monitoring: Using a medical-grade pulse oximeter, I measure your blood oxygen levels (SpO2​) and heart rate twice daily to spot early, subtle signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Lake Louise Scoring System: I utilize the standardized Lake Louise Score card to systematically assess symptoms like headache, fatigue, nausea, and sleep quality, taking the guesswork out of altitude safety. Hydration & Appetite Tracking: I monitor your daily fluid intake and meal consumption, ensuring you stay properly hydrated and sufficiently fueled for tough trekking days. Early Intervention & Action Plans: If any health metrics or symptoms dip, I take immediate, preventive action—whether that means adjusting our daily pace, adding a rest day, or initiating a controlled descent.
• Emergency Evacuation Direct Helicopter & Ground Coordination: In the event of severe illness or injury, I maintain direct contact with local helicopter rescue operators and ground transport services to arrange immediate, rapid evacuation. Insurance Verification & Claims Support: Before setting out, I review and verify your high-altitude travel insurance details so rescue protocols can be triggered instantly without bureaucratic delays. Rapid Medical Evacuation Protocols: I carry standard, high-altitude emergency protocols to prepare and stabilize you quickly, ensuring a swift transfer to the nearest medical facility or hospital in Kathmandu. Constant SOS Satellite Connectivity: Using my satellite messaging device, I can trigger a 24/7 global emergency SOS and send exact GPS coordinates to search-and-rescue teams, even in complete dead zones. 24/7 Ground Operations Backing: I work alongside an experienced city-based support team that coordinates hospital admissions, logistics, and communication with your insurance provider and loved ones while I manage the evacuation on-site.

Made from this page, always up to date. Download and print, or keep them on your phone.

• Route sheet PDFThe route day by day, altitudes and safety points: for the trail.
• Before you go PDFIs it for you, months, permits, budget, packing lists to tick.
• Safety plan PDFWho to call, where to go down, warning signs, a card to fill in.