Everest High Passes Trek Clockwise

A Green Lotus Trekking representative will be waiting for you outside Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu with a sign. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. Once you're ready, visit our office for a pre-trip briefing on the Everest High Passes Clockwise Trek.

Your clockwise Everest High Passes Trek begins with a scenic 45-minute flight to Lukla, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Upon arrival at Tenzing-Hillary Airport, our experienced Sherpa team will greet you and lead the trek to Phakding. The trail follows the east bank of the Dudh Koshi River, descending past the Kusum River. It's important to pace yourself and allow your body to adjust to the altitude. After a short trek, you'll reach Phakding and spend the night at a local Sherpa-run teahouse.

On your way to Namche, you’ll pass through beautiful Sherpa villages like Bengkar, Monjo, and Jorsale. The trail from Phakding to Namche features several uphill and downhill sections. While the journey can be tiring, the fresh air, stunning views, and goal of reaching the summit will keep you motivated. At Bengkar, you’ll cross the Dudh Koshi River and enjoy views of snow-capped peaks like Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, and others. After passing a few villages, you’ll reach the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint, where your permits will be checked. Continue along the riverbank until you reach the junction of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. From there, cross a suspension bridge to reach Namche Bazaar. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Taweche.

"Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche for the Clockwise Everest High Passes Trek. Namche Bazaar, a lively town in the Khumbu region, offers amenities like ATMs, internet cafes, restaurants, and bakeries. You can visit nearby viewpoints such as Thame or Khunde, explore the local area, or visit the Tourist Visitor Center to learn about Everest climbers and Sherpa culture. A short trek will also take you to the Everest View Hotel, where you can enjoy stunning views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho-Oyu, Thamserku, and more. After a day of exploration, you’ll return to Namche, passing through museums, galleries, and Sherpa villages.

Today, you'll trek from Namche Bazaar toward Thame, following the Bhote Koshi River, and passing through rhododendron and pine forests. Along the way, you'll visit the mud-plastered stupa in Phurte. The next stop is Thamo, home to the Thamo Gompa. From here, the trail descends sharply to the Khumbu Hydroelectric Plant before reaching Thame, located at the mouth of the Khumbu Valley. Thame offers stunning views of peaks like Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde, as well as the Nangpa La Pass leading to Tibet. Thame is also historically significant, being the home of renowned climbers such as Tenzing Norgay, the first to summit Everest, and Appa Sherpa, who reached the top 21 times.

Your clockwise Everest High Passes Trek begins today from Thame, heading north to Marulung. After visiting the monastery in Thame, you'll start the trek toward the first pass. Along the way, you'll pass through the scenic villages of Thambuteng, Hungmo, and Taranga, following the path above the Bhote Kosi River. The route takes you through yak grazing fields and sparse landscapes before reaching the wilderness area of Marlung.

Today's Everest Clockwise High Passes Trek takes you to Lumde, near an ancient trade route that connected Tibet and Khumbu. You'll diverge from the northeastern Tibet border road and pass through several traditional Himalayan villages that blend seamlessly with the surroundings. The climb to Lumde offers stunning views of the Himalayan range, including Renjo La Pass and Kyajo Ri. After a few more hours of walking, you'll reach Lumde, a small settlement surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped mountains.

Crossing Renjo La Pass will be one of the most thrilling days of your trek. The hike starts easy but becomes challenging as you approach the pass summit. Leaving Lumde behind, you’ll head clockwise toward the Gokyo Lakes. Depending on the season, you may see yak herding along the way. Once you reach the pass, enjoy breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After descending to Dudh Pokhari, the third lake in the Gokyo valley, you’ll reach Gokyo village, located by the lake. After a short break, you can hike up the ridge for stunning views of the highest freshwater lake system in the world.

Early in the morning, you'll trek to Gokyo Ri for a stunning sunrise view of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayas. Afterward, head back to Gokyo for breakfast. The clockwise trek along the rocky slopes of the Everest High Passes is challenging. At the end of the glacier, you'll encounter a beautiful frozen lake, marking the start of the lateral moraine. From here, continue up the moraine’s scree slope to Thangnag, passing the second lake and the moraines of the Ngozumba Glacier. After a few hours of walking, you'll reach Thangnag, a peaceful spot perfect for resting before crossing the Cho-La Pass.

"Today, you'll cross the Cho La Pass, the second high pass on the Everest High Passes Clockwise Trek. While not particularly difficult, the pass is steep and requires crossing a glacier on the eastern side, with frozen rocks making the terrain tricky. Starting from Phedi, you'll ascend through a narrow, rocky valley, with the views improving as you climb. At the top of Cho La Pass, marked by prayer flags, you'll pass by a frozen lake and enjoy views of peaks like Kyajo Ri, Tengkangpoche, Numbur, and Kangchung. After crossing the pass, the trail descends sharply to Dzongla, passing through pine forests and crevasses. From Dzongla, you'll have wide-angle views of Lobuche, Mt. Cholatse, Mt. Ama Dablam, and the Pheriche settlement in the distance. A short trek will bring you to Dzongla.

After breakfast, you'll continue the Everest High Passes Trek Clockwise towards Gorakshep. The trail follows the moraine near Chola Lake, where the paths of the three passes and the main Everest Base Camp trail meet. From the intersection, head north across a fragile moraine to Lobuche, passing several memorials to climbers lost in the area. The route through Imja Khola Valley is scenic and enjoyable. As you approach the Changri Glacier's terminal moraine, follow the winding path between the mountainside and the Khumbu Glacier. After crossing the moraine, you'll reach Gorak Shep, at the base of Kala Patthar, where you'll be treated to views of Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse. Settle into the lodge in Gorak Shep and enjoy some time to relax.

Today, you'll reach Mount Everest's base camp, the highest point on Earth. After breakfast in Gorakshep, you'll follow the trail along the Khumbu Glacier's moraine to the base camp, located below the Khumbu Icefall. The route includes rocky terrain, steep paths, and thin mountain air. A moving prayer flag marks the base camp. Enjoy some free time to take photos and celebrate reaching this major milestone in the Everest High Passes Trek. Afterward, retrace your steps back to Gorakshep and then to Lobuche.

"Today, you will cross the third and highest pass of the Everest High Passes Trek, Kongma La Pass, considered the most challenging of the three. Starting in Lobuche, your trek ends in Chhukung. The ascent to Kongma La is gradual, passing frozen lakes along the way. A crane wrapped in a mummy marks the pass. From here, you’ll enjoy views of Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Makalu, Baruntse, and Ama Dablam. Afterward, you will descend into the Nigyang Khola Valley and reach Chhukung, a village used by Sherpas as a yak pasture. Recently, Chhukung has gained popularity for acclimatization and trekking peaks. You'll be greeted with stunning views of Island Peak and Amphu Lapcha before arriving at your resort in Chhukung before dusk.

"After breakfast in Chhukung, the trek continues toward Chubejung Kharka, rejoining the Everest High Passes Clockwise Trail after passing Bibre. Following the Imja River, you'll head to Dingboche, then take the turnoff to Pheriche and descend to Orsho. From there, you'll follow the west bank of the Imja Khola down to Somare. After Pangboche, the trail climbs past the monastery and then descends steeply to Deboche. A steady uphill walk through the forest leads to Tengboche. Upon arrival, you’ll check into the lodge and spend the rest of the day exploring Tengboche Monastery and enjoying panoramic views of Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. You’ll return to the lodge before dusk.

"Today, you’ll descend along the Dudh Koshi River, passing scenic waterfalls and rhododendron forests. The trail winds through pine woods, where musk deer are often seen in the early morning, before reaching Namche. In Namche, you may encounter Tibetans, highland Sherpas, and lowland porters. Just before Larja Dobhan, there’s a final opportunity to glimpse Everest and Lhotse. From Namche, the path descends through pine forest to Larja Dobhan, then briefly drops below the bridge before following the Dudh Koshi River. After recrossing the river, a flat trail leads to Jorsale. From there, the route ascends gently, then climbs steeply for a short distance to Monjo.

From Monjo, the trail descends briefly before crossing the Dudh Koshi via a suspension bridge and continuing to Benkar. After Benkar, it winds through gentle ups and downs along the Dudh Koshi Valley to reach Phakding. Beyond Phakding, a short but steep climb passes several Buddhist monuments in Ghat village. A brief ascent to Thado Koshi is followed by a descent and the final long suspension bridge of your Everest High Passes Clockwise Trek. After crossing, the trail climbs gradually to Chablung, then branches toward Lukla. It continues through a scrub forest above the school and houses of Chauri Kharka, before a final 30-minute ascent brings you to Lukla.

It's time to bid farewell to Nepal’s Khumbu region. Sherpas will transport your bags to the airport, while guides manage check-in formalities. Enjoy a final meal in the region before boarding your return flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Use any remaining time to explore Kathmandu’s vibrant markets. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner to reflect on the trek and share feedback.

Today marks the end of your Everest High Passes Trek (Clockwise). A Green Valley Nepal Treks representative will assist you with your transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight. If you wish to extend your stay, we can help make the necessary arrangements. For those with evening departures, there's time for last-minute shopping for souvenirs or gifts.