Everest Three Passes Trek Anticlockwise Route – 17 Days

Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Though it’s a “rest” day, we will stay active by hiking to a higher point and coming back down to sleep at the same elevation following the “climb high, sleep low” practice. This helps our body adjust to the thinner air. Acclimatization is key for the Everest Three Passes trek trail since the upcoming days take you to elevations above 5,000 m. Even if you feel fine, spending a second night at 3,440 m gives your body the chance to adapt and lowers the risk of altitude sickness. Make sure to drink plenty of water and take it easy.

A popular option is to do a short hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880 m), which offers panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. It takes about 3 hours to hike up and return, and you can relax with a drink on the hotel’s terrace while taking in the sights. On the way, don’t miss Sagarmatha Next, a visitor center and art gallery promoting waste management and sustainability in the Khumbu.

For a longer acclimatization hike, you can take a loop through Khumjung village. In Khumjung, you can visit the monastery said to house a yeti scalp, and the school built by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1960, which includes a visitor center.

On Day 4 of the Everest Three Passes trek (anticlockwise route), we leave Namche Bazaar and begin a hike toward Debuche. The trail first climbs gently through rhododendron forests and wraps around the hillside, offering incredible views of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Lhotse. After 1.5 hours, we’ll reach Kyangjuma, a great place to rest and enjoy tea. Along the way, we will also see the Tenzing Norgay memorial chorten.

From Kyangjuma, the trail heads downhill through pine forests, crossing Lawi Schyasa and reaching Phunki Thanga, a peaceful village by the river. This is an ideal spot for lunch. After that, we will have to go through the most significant challenge of the day – a steep climb of around 600 m up to Tengboche. Though the switchbacks can feel demanding, the reward is spectacular. Tengboche is home to the region’s largest and most important Buddhist monastery, Tengboche Monastery. We will visit the monastery for a blessing. If we arrive right on time, we can see the monks in maroon robes gather for prayers as the scent of juniper incense drifts through the air.

After soaking in the views and monastery ambiance, the final part of the day is a short 30-minute descent to Debuche. Debuche is less crowded than Tengboche, but still offers warm lodges and lovely mountain views. Debuche also serves as a great stop for acclimatization before you continue higher on the Everest Three High Passes trekking trail.

Following the anticlockwise route of the Everest Three Passes trek itinerary, today, after breakfast in Debuche, we will trek towards Dingboche. The walk begins with a gentle descent through rhododendrons and pine forests. Then we will cross a wooden bridge over the Imja Khola and continue along a flat path through shaded woodlands with wonderful views of the Dudh Koshi River. This section feels peaceful, surrounded by trees draped in lichen (known as Old Man’s Beard), until we begin a steady uphill climb leading toward Pangboche.

At Pangboche (3,985 m), we can stop for a quick rest or even lunch. The views of Ama Dablam are stunning here. From Pangboche, the trail gently ascends past Shomare and reaches the confluence of the Lobuche River and Imja Khola. A small metal bridge marks the start of the final climb toward Dingboche.

As we approach the village, we will get wide panoramic views of Island Peak, Ama Dablam, and other surrounding giants. Dingboche is the gateway to Chhukhung Valley and the Kongma La Pass, one of the most challenging sections of the Everest Three Passes trek trail.

Today is another acclimatization day on the Everest 3 High Passes trekking Anticlockwise route itinerary. On this extra day, we will hike up to Nangartshang Peak. The hike is a steady uphill climb. The trail to Nangartshang Peak is well-defined all the way to the top. We will pass under two white stupas and then reach a ridge with small chortens and prayer flags.

As we gain elevation, we will see stunning views of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Makalu, and the Imja Valley. The climb takes about 2.5 to 3 hours up and 1 to 1.5 hours back down. The trail is not technical, but it can be steep and exposed near the top. Once at the summit, take time to soak in the Himalayan panorama of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse. There are rocky platforms for sitting and enjoying the peaceful environment. After enjoying the views, we will get back to Dingboche and rest.

On Day 7, we will hike to Chhukung. This is a short, gentle walk. The trail is much quieter than the main Everest Base Camp route. We will walk on a dirt path through a rocky, open landscape to the small village of Chhukung.

As we leave the village of Dingboche, we will walk along a valley with a river on our right. We will see great views of the Ama Dablam and Island Peak mountains as we get closer to Chhukung. Make sure to bring enough water with you, as there are no places to stop for a drink along the way. Your breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the trip cost.

Today is one of the most challenging and rewarding days on the Everest Three Passes trek trail. We will be crossing Kongma La Pass, the highest of the three passes. We will start our day early in the morning, as the weather is usually clearer and less windy during this time. The trail from Chhukung to Lobuche is steep and tough. Reaching the top of Kong Ma La Pass feels like an achievement, with colorful prayer flags and great views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, including Mount Everest, and the Khumbu Glacier far below.

After resting at the top of the pass, we will begin the difficult descent. The first part is very steep and slippery, so be cautious while walking on the loose rocks and dirt. Once we reach the valley floor, we will need to climb onto the Khumbu Glacier. This part of the trekking route involves crossing uneven trails, large boulders, and small glacial lakes. After crossing the glacier, it’s a short walk downhill to Lobuche. Overnight at the New EBC lodge or the National Park Hotel in Lobuche.

Today’s journey takes us from Lobuche to Gorakshep. Gorakshep is an important stop on the Everest Three Passes trek route and serves as the base for both Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Kala Patthar hikes. The trail consists of some ups and downs through the valley. The path becomes steeper and more challenging as we climb up the moraine-covered glacier. This section requires careful steps due to loose rocks and uneven terrain. Once we reach Gorakshep, we will check into the Himalayan Inn or Buddha Lodge.

After that, we will hike to Everest Base Camp. We will walk along the glacier path to reach EBC. Once we reach the base, we will be greeted by the panoramic views of Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. Later on, we will get back to our lodge in Gorakshep and rest for the night.

On day 10, we will go for an early morning hike to Kala Patthar for a sunrise view over the Himalayas. While Everest isn’t visible from base camp itself due to surrounding ridgelines, the views from the Kala Patthar vantage point make up for it with a full frontal panorama. After soaking in the view, we will retrace the trail from Gorakshep to Lobuche. We will walk across the rocky glacier moraine near Gorakshep. This walk is familiar and mostly downhill. The path levels out and becomes gentler as we reach Lobuche.

From Lobuche, we will leave the classic Everest Base Camp trek route and head southwest towards Dzongla. The trail to Dzongla begins easily, following a clear path with only gentle ups and downs. After about 1.2 km, we will reach a signpost pointing right to Cho La Pass. We will take this turn and continue walking around the hillside. Eventually, we will reach Dzongla. Mountain views are spectacular, especially during sunset when Taboche Peak lights up in golden hues. If you still have energy, you can take a short hike up the hill behind the village for even more stunning views. Overnight at Green Valley Lodge or a Similar Category in Dzongla.

Day 11 of the Everest Three Passes Trekking anticlockwise route takes us to Thangna (also spelled Thangnak) via Cho La Pass. This is another challenging part of the trek to Everest Three Passes and requires great attention. It is also one of the most beautiful and adventurous parts of the entire route of the High Passes of the Everest. We will start early to avoid bad weather and cross the Cho La Pass in daylight.

The first part of the walk is a gradual ascent through a scenic valley, slowly turning steeper as we climb towards Cho La Pass. The path includes rocky sections and a stretch across the icy Cho La Glacier, which can be tricky. You can use microspikes or a good grip to avoid slipping here. Once we reach the top of Cho La Pass, we will see colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind and dramatic Himalayan scenery.

After that, we will descend. The descent is initially steep and rocky but becomes easier after a while. A short flat trail leads us across a boulder field before climbing briefly again to a small ridge. From here, the path goes towards a peaceful valley, taking us to the peaceful Thangna, which sits beside the massive Ngozumpa Glacier. Once in Thangna, we will check in at Hotel Khumbila to rest and recover.

On this day, we will begin the Gokyo Lake trek. This is a short day hike that involves crossing the massive Ngozumpa glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas. The route is rocky with many ups and downs, but it does not require walking on ice. Also note that there are no tea houses or villages on the way, so we will have to carry enough water and snacks for the whole walk.

At first, we will trek heading northwest and will climb before reaching the edge of the glacier. From here, we will see the Gokyo Ri towers in the distance and the glacier stretches endlessly below. The trail goes up and down across the glacier for about 2 km. Cairns (rock piles) guide the way, but snowfall or shifting terrain can make the path confusing. The climb off the glacier is steep, but once we reach the top, we will see the first magical sight of turquoise Gokyo Lake.

Gokyo village sits at the northeastern edge of the lake, and snowy peaks surround the village. To be specific, the village lies beside the third Gokyo Lake (Dudh Pokhari) with other lakes to the north and south. We will stay at the Cho We Lodge or Gokyo Resort for the night.

Today we will go to the top of Gokyo Ri. Gokyo Ri is one of the best viewpoints in the entire Khumbu region. The uphill hike is short and is 1.8 km of zigzag trail. The trail to Gokyo Ri starts from the lakeside of Gokyo Village. We will walk past the helipad and over a bridge of large stones before reaching a clear signpost that marks the trailhead. From there, it is a steady, steep climb all the way up.

From the top of Gokyo Ri, we will see the panoramic views of Gokyo Lakes, the Ngozumpa Glacier, and four 8,000 m peaks: Mount Everest, Khotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Most trekkers aim for a sunrise hike. But if you can’t make it in the early morning, we can still do it in a sunny midmorning, which also offers stunning scenery. However, you need to be aware of winds and clouds later in the day.

If you still have energy, Gokyo offers even more exploration. After post-climb rest, you can hike to the 4th Gokyo Lake (Thonak Tsho), which takes about 1.5 hours round trip. Or, you can go further to the 5th lake (Ngozumpa Tsho). It is a longer hike that covers about 12.5 km for a round journey.

Day 14 of the trek to the Three High Passes of Everest through a counterclockwise route begins with a climb from Gokyo towards Renjo La Pass. Renjo La Pass is the final pass of the three high mountain passes of the Everest region. The trail starts off along the northern side of Gokyo Lake. The ascent has some steep switchbacks, but it’s still considered one of the easiest among the three passes, especially in clear weather. Once at the top of Renjo La Pass, we will see the views of Gokyo Lakes, panoramic views of Mount Everest, and the surrounding peaks.

Descending from the Renjo La, we will follow a wide stone staircase that quickly drops in elevation. So, this also makes it one of the easiest descents of the entire 3 high mountain passes trek. We will pass through alpine lakes and scenic stone mounds. We will reach Lumbe by late afternoon, where we will rest for the night.

After days of high-altitude trekking, Day 15 brings a sense of return to civilization. It offers rich cultural experiences and stunning scenery. Leaving Lumbe, we will descend through quiet, traditional Sherpa villages set amid terraced fields, prayer walls, and alpine landscapes. The route to Namche is mostly downhill, but it has several uphill stretches that can catch tired legs off guard.

We will follow the Bhote Koshi River, passing through villages like Marulung, Tarangar, and Thame. Beyond Thame, the trail undulates through peaceful settlements like Thamo and Samde, with gompas, mani walls, and prayer flags dotting the trail. The final stretch to Namche Bazaar is uphill. When we reach Namche, you will feel bustling after the quieter days on the trail with the presence of cafes, bakeries, gear shops, and hot showers. We will spend the night at Namche before the final descent towards Lukla.

After breakfast in Namche Bazaar, we will begin our trek with a downhill walk towards Monjo at first. As we descend through forest areas and pass the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint, we will retrace the scenic Everest Base Camp trail. Expect some traffic along the narrow trail. Along the way, we will cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge and follow the riverbank through Jorsale before making a short uphill climb to Monjo.

From Monjo, we will pass through villages like Benkar, Phakding, and Cheplung to reach Lukla. The trail has a few ups and downs, and we will walk along the beautiful stone-paved paths, crossing several suspension bridges. Depending on the pace, we can reach Lukla in 4 hours, with time for lunch on the way. This section is scenic but emotional, as we will be finishing our Everest Three High Passes adventure. Once in Lukla,  we will celebrate the completion of our unforgettable trek. We’ll stay overnight here and prepare for our flight to Kathmandu the next morning.

In the morning, we will take a 35-minute flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu. The small aircraft offers amazing aerial views of the Himalayas. Once you land in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to your hotel, where you can rest. This return to city life might feel surreal after spending over two weeks in the remote Everest region surrounded by towering peaks and Sherpa culture.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu. You can shop for souvenirs, enjoy a good meal, or even book a massage to soothe your tired legs. With memories of the EBC trek trail and the high-altitude passes fresh in your mind, Day 17 wraps up your once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the Everest Three Passes trekking route.