Everest 3 Pass trek with Island Peak | Over the High Passes to the Peak

The 200km flight to the northeast region of Nepal is a majestic experience but the best view is offered to the one’s seated on the left side of the aircraft. We would take an early morning flight to Lukla and as early as 6am in the morning to dodge late morning cloud formation in the mountains resulting in flight cancellation.

After landing on a 465 meter runway within 30 minutes after takeoff, you will immediately retrieve your luggage and head towards the north to the village and embark on the trail to Phakding. Today, you will walk through community forest, chortens; small buddhist stupas made from local resources, prayer walls, manis and finally through rustic suspension bridge that leads to Phakding. You will walk a very short distance today and spend a night in Phakding and get prepared for next day. Overnight in Phakding.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Today you will begin early as usual to cover a distance of 1000m in ascent and in 5-6 hours. As you begin early you would have plenty of time to rest in between and not rush from destination to destination and exhaust yourself. Only after you fuel yourself with highland breakfast you embark on the trail left behind the previous day. You start on the trail along raging Dudh Koshi river and make your first sheer uphill walk to Toktok, where awaits the beautiful view of Thamserku. You will walk through astounding sherpa villages intermingling with beautiful forest of Rhododendron, fir, magnolia and Pine. In between Phakding and Namche we will halt for around an hour for lunch and take mini breaks often. The trail is gradual uphill throughout except the final ascent to Namche which becomes a little challenging as it is steeper compared to the day’s walk. In this very final ascend you may feel the first symptoms of altitude kicking in as you would already be above 3000 meters from the sea level. Overnight in Namche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Since you are already above 3000 meters, which means you are in thin air, It is uttermost important for you to spend a day in Namche in order to acclimatize for higher grounds. The day is a rest day but it is important to be active even on a free day. Staying free and inactive may result in sleeping during the day time and staying awake at nights and staying awake at nights results in exhaustion which further contributes in falling sick. Hence, you will do small side trips of 2-5 hours to higher ground and return to Namche to acclimatize. Even when you are not hiking you will stroll around Namche or play board games, poker or read books but not fall asleep. Namche as well is the last stop in the Everest, if you wish to buy any forgotten things for your trek this may as well be a last chance. We spend this day as well on Namche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

You will start from Namche early and after breakfast to Thame (3736 m). The route usually takes around 3 hours but you will walk with normal pace which might take anywhere from 5 to 6 hours. As you would not be surpassing 300 meters of altitude you will have to accommodate in Thame. From Namche the trail ascends gradually and soon enters a forest which is wood and leaves collection ground for women in Namche. This forest is as well playground of national bird namely Danfe which is very colorful. The first village you will come across is Phurte. Phurte has a hospital run by Himalayan trust and few local shops but not real lodges and a small stupa towards the end of the village. From Phurte comes the village of Thamo which also is the base for power supply in Thame. From Thamo you will begin ascending properly on stone stairs and further on trail to reach Thame. In between Thamo and Thame you will see a beautiful Gompa and Nangpo Tsangpo river. Overnight in Thame.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

You will wake up with beautiful views of the mountains in the surrounding. As elevation picks up quickly we would only walk for around 3-4 hours from Thame to Lumde. Hence, you will not rush to begin your journey and only start in mid morning. From Thame it is an uphill walk along and you would immediately find a difference in the terrain. Along the way you will find beautiful flowers and stunted Juniper in abundance. The first noticeable village on our trail today is Marlung where we may stop for a while to catch our breath. From Marlung it will take you around an hour to Lumde. Overnight in Lumde.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

This is second day of acclimatization on your trek within 6 days but it is to help you get acquainted with the higher grounds of Renjo La. We would get to higher grounds in the surroundings for few hours and stay proactive throughout the day to avoid the symptoms of AIMS in further days to come. The views from Lumde is quite stunning although the terrain is mostly rocky and barren. Overnight in Lumde.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

You will start earlier than the other days to complete your first of the 3 passes today. The trail from Lumde to Renjo is steeper and challenging than vice versa but the views awaiting on the top makes it completely worth it. The prayer flags and rock cairns mark the pass from where you will be able to see blue skies and eye popping views of gigantic peaks Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, Taboche and many others if the weather permits. On the other side of the pass awaits the most beautiful views of emerald green gokyo lakes and a small settlement in the surrounding. The end of the day is tiring yet it is very pleasing to rest besides turquoise blue, crystal clear reservoirs of Gokyo lakes, with the views of one of the ultra 8000er Cho Oyu. Overnight in Gokyo.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

After Days of strenuous hike it is uttermost important for us to call it a day and embrace the striking, turquoise lakes. Since it is a rest day, the day will not involve rapid hikes or treks, you will stroll around and see all the lakes in the periphery. Furthermore, you will hike to a Peak namely Gokyo which reaches to an elevation of 5357 meters. The peak does not require a climbing permit and is a highly acclaimed vantage point. Overnight in Gokyo.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

If the weather did not permit for Thaknak the previous day you will climb today before heading to Thaknak but if you have already hiked to Gokyo Ri you will trek a short distance. From gokyo you climb a ridge and walk directly through Ngozumpa glacier to the peak on the next side. Trekking to Thanknak will be around 3-4 hours. After reaching your final destination you will relax and prepare for the next day. Overnight in Thaknak.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Today’s hike is one of the most demanding days in the itinerary of Everest 3 pass trek as you will trek across second of the 3 passes. The day starts with sheer ascend on the slopes and loose boulders but the view of Ama Dablam right in front and the Ngozumpa on the back and Phari Lapche and Kyajo RI is very astonishing. The trail to Dzongla from Cho La pass is equally challenging, you will walk down looking at the broken face of Cho La glacier. After almost two hours of downhill, you will enjoy easy stroll in between beautiful peaks which seems like in the grasp of our palms and with the striking view of Ama Dablam, far down the valley. We call it a day at Dzongla.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Out of Lobuche the trail heads down on a grassy hillside. With the view of lake Chola Tso and the rugged Cholatse and Arakam you acent to Gorakshep. Further down the trail you will cross small streams and flat trails and one final effortless ascent to Gorakshep. You will walk through the narrow moraine and up towards Gorakshep. After resting and catching breath for a while you will get ready for either Kala patthar or Everest base camp. It is suggested that you go to Kala Patthar on the evening as in the mornings sun from behind the everest obstructs the view of Everest and the surrounding mountains. After visiting Kala Patthar you will descend via same trail up. Overnight in Gorak Shep.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Today’s walk to Everest base camp is tedious process because of the ever changing path of notorious Khumbu Icefall. Basically you will walk on loose rocks which could cause a solid damage to your boots, so be careful while walking. You will walk to this beautiful hub for climbers who have been waiting for green signal to head further north. Base camp usually takes around 2-3 hours from Gorak Shep and the walk is not very demanding but could be exhausting due to the elevation factor. We take the same route back until Lobuche and rest in the same. Overnight in Lobuche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

You will start early and by the first sunlight in the morning to make it to the other side of the third and the last pass of the the trip by the end of the day. The climb immediately gets sheer and strenuous from the very first moment and on the edge of a moraine until you reach to the top. On the top you will enter a flat surface with icy patches of lake and frozen ridges of Kongma La pass. From Kongma La to Chukung is equally grinding downhill but the view of Island peak and ridge of Amphu Lapcha will sweep you off your feet.After the pass we take much required break at Chukung for two reason; one because of long day trek and 2nd for the reason that Chukung is a beautiful village surrounded from ridges and glaciers from all sides.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Chukhung Ri is a popular day hike for trekkers trekking to Dingboche or Chukhung. You will today walk for 2 to 2 and half hours to reach the surface of Chukhung Ri which is similar to that of Kala Patthar. You would begin walking on marsh, boulders and depending on weather on snow as well but for most of the time you will walk uphill on grassy slope. The entire day trip would take around 4-5 hours. The views of Makalu dominating the surrounding, Lhotse Wall, Kongmaste, Island Peak, the Nuptse Glacier & Lhotse Glacier awaits at the top. After spending some time in the Chukhung Ri you will return back to Chukung and prepare for Island peak climbing scheduled on the next day. Overnight in Chhukung.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat or Packed lunch and basic meals while climbing the peak)

Today you will start climbing to the base camp of Island peak which would take 3-4 hours. The climb to Island peak is on a fairly steep incline and almost 500 meters from Chukung which would help prepare for next day’s climb. Comparatively this route to the Island peak has gradual climb but is often windy and dusty. Out of Chukung we head to the east and cross the streak over a bridge and go south before getting back on the main trail to the base camp. In the base camp you will accommodate in tents, where your meals are cooked by sherpa’s stationed in the tents. Overnight in basecamp.

Accommodation

Tent ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat or Packed lunch and basic meals while climbing the peak)

You will start just after the midnight. It is important to make it to the peak before noon to avoid strong gust of wind and to successfully summit the peak. The trail initially is sandy, later becomes grassy and furthermore becomes rock and boulder. You will, towards close to the peak, walk on a small fraction of glacier which has crevasses. You would be taking support of fixed ropes, axes and ladders to cross these debacles to finally reach the peak. After observing the views of stunning mountains in the surrounding you will descend down to basecamp and celebrate your successful summit to the peak. Overnight in basecamp.

Accommodation

Tent ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat or Packed lunch and basic meals while climbing the peak)

After climbing to the summit of Island peak, today you will descend down to Pangboche on easy trail. You will take the regular trail back to Pangboche and not via the gumba. You will spend the night in scenic Pangboche village which is blessed by the views of Everest, Ama Dablam and Kantega and several others. Overnight in Pangboche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Depending on how early you would want to reach to Namche we would begin today’s trek. Compared to the trek of previous days today is going to be easy. Saying that, the first 300 meters drop to Imja Khola and the steep climb right after it to Tengboche is going to be the toughest part of the day’s trek. Tengboche is half considered halfway to Namche from Pangboche. You would take a break in Tengboche to observe the scenic monastery and the magnificent mountains in the backdrop. The second half of today’s trek is basically straightforward. Overnight in Namche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Although you will walk the same trail down, you will cover almost twice the distance down. Almost entire trail is downhill. Overnight in Lukla.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

You will catch an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Once you arrive in the airport you will be transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel in Kathmandu ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

Breakfast only