Three Passes Trek Nepal 2026: Renjo La, Cho La & Kongma La

The Three Passes Trek in Nepal is widely considered the most complete Everest region adventure available to trekkers — a high-altitude circuit that crosses three distinct passes above 5,300 metres, linking the Gokyo Valley, the Khumbu Glacier, and the Imja Valley in a single sweeping loop. If you want everything the Everest region offers — panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Ama Dablam; genuine high-pass crossings; remote teahouse culture; and the Base Camp itself — this is the trek that delivers it all.

What Are the Three Passes?

The three passes are Renjo La (5,360 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Kongma La (5,535 m). Each pass is a genuine high-mountain crossing — not a paved track or a cable car — and each rewards the effort with views that belong on expedition photographers' walls. Renjo La looks back over the turquoise sheet of Gokyo Lake with Cho Oyu filling the western sky. Cho La drops you onto the Khumbu Glacier, offering a rare ground-level encounter with glacial seracs. Kongma La is the highest and most dramatic of the three, placing you eye-level with the Lhotse face and the upper slopes of Everest itself.

Route Overview and Stage-by-Stage Breakdown

Most guided itineraries begin in Lukla (2,860 m) after the 35-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu. The classic direction tackles the passes in the order Renjo La → Cho La → Kongma La, which builds altitude progressively while allowing acclimatisation days at Namche Bazaar and Gokyo.

Phase 1: Lukla to Namche Bazaar (Days 1–3)

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi river north through rhododendron and pine forest, crossing the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge (3,420 m) before the steep climb to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). Namche is the Everest region's commercial hub — espresso cafés, gear shops, and a Saturday market that draws Sherpa traders from surrounding villages. A mandatory acclimatisation day here is non-negotiable; use it to hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) for your first clear sight of the summit pyramid.

Phase 2: Namche to Gokyo via Thame (Days 4–8)

The route northwest to Thame (3,800 m) is relatively quiet — fewer trekkers venture this way — before climbing the Bhote Koshi valley toward Lungdeng and Gokyo (4,790 m). Gokyo sits beside the third and largest of the Gokyo Lakes, a protected wetland of extraordinary colour. A second acclimatisation day should include the climb to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), which many trekkers rate more spectacular than Kala Patthar for its 360° panorama encompassing four of the world's six highest peaks simultaneously.

Phase 3: Renjo La Crossing (Day 9)

Renjo La (5,360 m) is crossed in a single long day, typically departing Gokyo before dawn. The ascent is a sustained rocky climb with good trail marking; the top offers the iconic view back over the Gokyo Lakes with Cho Oyu (8,188 m) on the horizon. Descent leads to Lungdeng or, on some itineraries, back to Thame. This is a technical pass in winter conditions — in October or April it is manageable for fit trekkers with trekking poles.

Phase 4: Crossing to Dragnag and Cho La (Days 10–12)

From Gokyo (you return for a rest night after Renjo La), the trail moves east across the Ngozumpa Glacier — the longest glacier in the Himalayas at over 36 km — to Dragnag (4,700 m) and then Dzongla (4,830 m), the staging village for the Cho La crossing.

Cho La (5,420 m) is the most technically demanding of the three passes. A short section near the top involves scrambling over a permanent snow and ice field that requires crampons — your guide will carry a pair and advise if the current conditions demand them. The descent into the Khumbu Valley is steep but well-trodden. By afternoon you reach Lobuche (4,910 m).

Phase 5: Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar (Days 13–15)

From Lobuche the trail follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep (5,164 m), the last outpost before Everest Base Camp. The walk to Base Camp (5,364 m) takes around three hours return and reveals the Khumbu Icefall — the notorious serac field that expedition climbers must navigate each season. The following pre-dawn start to Kala Patthar (5,644 m) earns you the most famous Everest view on the planet: the summit framed by the South-West Face, glowing amber at sunrise.

Phase 6: Kongma La and the Imja Valley (Days 16–18)

The final pass, Kongma La (5,535 m), is crossed from Lobuche toward Chhukung (4,730 m) in the Imja Valley — the approach corridor for Island Peak climbers and the Lhotse face. The pass itself involves a long, relentless ascent over boulder fields and moraine; the reward is a view of the Lhotse-Nuptse wall at an altitude close enough to feel intimidating. Descent to Tengboche and then Namche reverses the opening stages of the trek, and Lukla is reached on day 18 or 19.

Difficulty and Physical Requirements

This is a strenuous, multi-week high-altitude trek. It is not suitable for first-time high-altitude trekkers. You should have completed at least one trek above 4,500 m — ideally the Everest Base Camp trek or Annapurna Circuit — before attempting all three passes. The key challenges are cumulative fatigue, the length of summit days (Cho La and Kongma La both involve 6–8-hour crossing days), and the sustained time above 5,000 m. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a genuine risk; the itinerary must include adequate acclimatisation days and you must be willing to descend if symptoms appear. Hiring a certified Nepali guide is not just recommended — on the glacier sections it is genuinely safer to have local knowledge of current conditions.

Permits and Entry Requirements

All trekkers need three documents before entering the Khumbu. Details and current fees are covered in full on the Nepal trekking permits page, but here is the summary for 2026:

• TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): USD 20 per person. Obtain in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office or through a registered agency.
• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 22) per person. Can be obtained at the park entrance gate in Monjo — bring passport photos and cash in Nepali rupees.
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Fee: NPR 2,000 (~USD 15), collected at the Lukla checkpoint. This is a 2023-introduced local fee now firmly established.

For Nepal visa information — including the online e-visa system and Visa on Arrival fees at Tribhuvan International Airport — see the Nepal visa guide. In 2026 the standard 30-day tourist visa costs USD 30, with 15-day (USD 25) and 90-day (USD 100) options available.

Best Season for the Three Passes Trek

October and November are the peak months: monsoon washes the air clean, daytime temperatures at pass altitude hover between -5°C and +5°C, and the skies are reliably clear. This is also the busiest period — Namche teahouses fill early and Gorak Shep can be crowded around the Base Camp season window.

March, April, and May offer the second-best window. Spring brings rhododendron bloom on the lower ridges, somewhat softer light, and slightly shorter days. Snow on the passes can be heavier in March; April is usually the sweet spot. Avoid attempting Cho La or Kongma La in December, January, or February unless you have mountaineering experience — winter conditions make the ice sections genuinely hazardous.

The monsoon season (June–September) is possible for experienced trekkers and significantly cheaper, but leeches on the lower trail, cloud cover obscuring most views, and wet rock on the passes make it an acquired taste. See the regional guides for a full seasonal breakdown of Everest region conditions.

Cost Breakdown for 2026

A fully guided Three Passes Trek with a reputable local agency costs between USD 1,800 and USD 3,200 all-inclusive from Kathmandu. This typically covers domestic Kathmandu–Lukla flights (USD 200–220 each way), all permits, guide and porter wages, teahouse accommodation, and three meals a day on trail. Independent trekkers managing their own permits, accommodation bookings, and daily teahouse meals spend roughly USD 900–1,200 over 20 days — the Khumbu is no longer a budget destination, with dal bhat meals running USD 8–12 and a twin teahouse room USD 5–15 per person. Budget for tips: NPR 1,000–1,500 per day for your guide and NPR 600–800 per day for each porter is the industry standard. For a wider comparison of trail costs across Nepal, see our Nepal trekking cost guide.

Packing Essentials

• Layering system: moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layer (down jacket), and a waterproof shell rated for -15°C wind
• Footwear: B1 or B2 mountaineering boots or stiff trekking boots compatible with strap-on crampons
• Crampons: your guide will advise — lightweight aluminium strap-ons are adequate for Cho La
• Trekking poles: non-negotiable on the descent from Kongma La and Renjo La
• High-SPF sunscreen and UV goggles: snow glare above 5,000 m is severe
• Diamox (acetazolamide): discuss prophylactic use with your doctor before departure
• Offline maps: Maps.me or Gaia GPS with downloaded Khumbu tiles — cell coverage is available in many villages but not on the passes themselves

For a complete clothing and gear breakdown, see our Nepal trekking packing list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a guide for the Three Passes Trek?

Technically no — Nepal does not legally require a guide for this route as of 2026. In practice, Cho La involves a glaciated section where current snow conditions matter enormously, and both Renjo La and Kongma La have sections where the trail is non-obvious in poor visibility. Solo trekkers are stranded or injured on the passes every season. We strongly recommend hiring a certified Nepali guide, both for safety and because a knowledgeable local guide transforms the cultural dimension of the trek entirely. Porterage is also worth considering — carrying 18 kg for 20 days at altitude accelerates fatigue and increases AMS risk.

Can I do the Three Passes Trek without prior high-altitude experience?

You can attempt it, but the risk is meaningfully higher. All three passes exceed 5,300 m, and you spend approximately five days above 5,000 m. AMS becomes a serious concern at these elevations for unacclimatised individuals. Completing at least one trek to 4,500 m+ beforehand — ideally the standard EBC route — will tell you how your body responds to altitude and significantly improve your chances of completing all three crossings safely.

How does the Three Passes Trek compare to the standard Everest Base Camp trek?

The standard EBC trek is a there-and-back route along the main Khumbu trail, reaching Base Camp (5,364 m) in 12–14 days. The Three Passes Trek includes everything on the EBC route — Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, Base Camp, and Kala Patthar — and adds the Gokyo Lakes, the Ngozumpa Glacier crossing, and two additional high passes. It is roughly 40% longer and significantly more demanding, but the scenery and sense of achievement are proportionally greater. If you have the fitness and time, it is the superior Everest region experience.

What is the highest point on the Three Passes Trek?

The highest point on the standard itinerary is Kala Patthar at 5,644 m, reached as a pre-dawn side trip from Gorak Shep on the way to or from Base Camp. Among the three passes themselves, Kongma La is the highest at 5,535 m. Some trekkers add the Island Peak summit (6,189 m) from Chhukung after crossing Kongma La — this requires a technical climbing permit and basic crampon/ice-axe skills, but the combined itinerary represents one of the finest non-expedition objectives in the Himalayas.

When should I book and how far in advance?

For October travel, book by July at the latest — domestic flights to Lukla are the binding constraint, and the October–November seats fill by August with trekking groups and expedition teams. For spring travel (April–May), booking by January is advisable. The Kathmandu–Lukla route is famously weather-dependent and delays of one to three days are common; always build buffer days at the end of your itinerary before any onward international flight. Contact us via the enquiry form to discuss custom departure dates and group pricing for the Three Passes Trek.

Featured image: Zippy Monkey via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).