Three High Passes Trek by Road

The Three High Passes Trek by Road starts early in the morning after breakfast with a scenic 13–14 hour Jeep drive from Kathmandu to Thamdanda, covering approximately 330 km. The journey begins with a 5-hour drive along the Puspalal Highway, following the Sunkoshi River to reach Ghurmi.

From Ghurmi, the route continues through lush farmland, riversides, and traditional villages—offering a rich travel experience that flying cannot match. After another 7–8 hours by Jeep via Salleri, you’ll arrive at Thamdanda.

End the day at a local teahouse, reflecting on your first achievement and looking forward to the adventure ahead.

The 22 km trek from Thamdanda (2,326 m) to Phakding (2,640 m) takes about 7 to 8 hours. After a 2-hour walk along the Dudh Koshi River, you’ll reach the charming Sherpa village of Paiya.

The trail continues through rhododendron forests, passing Chheplung and Surke, with some steep sections and suspension bridge crossings. From Surke, it's a 2-hour trek to Lukla, a bustling hub where many trekkers begin their Everest Base Camp journey.

From Lukla, a final 2-hour ascent via Nurning and Ghat leads you to Phakding, where you’ll spend the night in a local teahouse.

Today’s trek is scenic, following the Dudh Koshi River and crossing several suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Bridge. After a few hours of trekking through pine forests, you’ll reach the pleasant village of Monjo.

At Monjo, you’ll check your permits for Sagarmatha National Park before continuing to Jorsalle. The 2-hour climb to Namche Bazaar is steep and challenging but rewarding. Namche, nestled on a mountain slope, is a vibrant town filled with trekkers, shops, and bakeries.

You’ll enjoy views of Thamserku and glimpses of Everest’s towering peaks along the way. The rest of the day is perfect for exploring Sherpa culture, perhaps catching the sunset at the National Park Viewpoint. You’ll overnight in a cozy teahouse in Namche Bazaar.

Explore Namche, the bustling hub of the Khumbu region, where you'll find government offices, an internet cafe, ATMs, restaurants, shops, and more. It’s a lively market town with plenty of services.

For acclimatization, hike to the Everest View Hotel, offering stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Along the way, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Syangboche Airstrip.

Another highlight is Khumjung village, home to the Khumjung Monastery and the famous 'Yeti scalp.' You’ll also visit the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Center, where you can learn about the area’s rare flora and fauna, as well as the history of Everest climbers and Sherpa hospitality.

Leaving Namche, you'll enjoy stunning views of Everest, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam as you walk towards Tengboche. The trail descends to Phunki Tenga, follows the Imja Khola, and then begins a steep climb through dense forest to Tengboche.

Along the way, look out for Himalayan Thar and Monals. Tengboche Monastery offers breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.

In Tengboche, relax in a peaceful community and enjoy the majestic peaks from your window view.

The trek from Tengboche to Dingboche takes a few hours, passing through forests and crossing a bridge over the Imja Khola to reach the cliffside village of Pangboche, home to endangered species like the Musk Deer and Daphne.

Continuing on, you'll walk for about 3 hours through Somare, a charming village surrounded by trees and shrubs. Along the way, you'll pass ancient mani walls and stupas. After 2-3 more hours of trekking, you'll arrive in Dingboche.

The route offers stunning views of Ama Dablam and Tabuche peaks. A restful night in Dingboche's teahouses is highly recommended.

The Three High Passes Trek by Road continues from Dingboche to Chhukung with a 3-4 hour hike. Following the Imja Khola Valley and glacial moraines, you'll reach Yak Bibre.

A short 30-minute hike from Bibre brings you to Chhukung, where you'll be treated to stunning views of the snow-covered Chhukung Ri, Ama Dablam, and Amphu Gyabjen. Spend the night in a cozy teahouse in Chhukung, with the glacier and surrounding peaks as your backdrop.

Today is a rest day to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. For a light warm-up, take a short hike to Chhukung Ri (5,550 meters) for stunning views of Makalu, Baruntse, and Island Peak.

The vistas are breathtaking, and gaining a bit of altitude will help prepare you for the next stage of the trek.

The hike from Chhukung to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass, the highest pass on the Three High Passes Trek, is the longest day of the journey, taking 8 to 9 hours to complete.

The descent to Bibre is challenging, with exposed rocks and a long walk across the vast Khumbu Glacier. The high elevation after crossing Kongma La (5,540 m) adds to the difficulty.

At the top of the pass, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Mt. Makalu, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse. After crossing glacial streams and trekking through the rocky moraine field, you’ll reach Lobuche, where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest and a beautiful sunset view from Lobuche Peak.

After crossing the highest pass, Kongma La, you will trek from Lobuche across the Khumbu Glacier to Gorakshep. This relatively short day takes 3 to 4 hours, offering stunning views of peaks like Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, and Nuptse.

After a brief ascent from Thangma Riju, you'll reach Changri Glacier and Gorakshep Tsho, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks including Changri, Nuptse, and Lobuche.

As you pass memorials dedicated to Indian Army mountaineers, you'll gain an appreciation for the dangerous trail leading to the Khumbu Icefall. Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, you'll be greeted by vividly colored tents and large groups of trekkers.

Everest Base Camp is the highlight of the day. Afterward, you'll descend to Gorakshep for a well-earned rest.

Kala Patthar offers a great early morning trek with panoramic views of Mount Everest at sunrise.

The 2-3 hour trek to Kala Patthar rewards you with stunning 360-degree views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Khangtegra, Lobuche Peak, Base Camp, the Khumbu Glacier, and the Icefall.

Take time to capture unforgettable photos of the snow-capped peaks. After enjoying the views, return to Gorakshep and continue your trek to Dzongla, a village at the base of Cho La Pass, retracing the path through Lobuche.

The trail to Dzongla is relatively smooth but requires attention. You’ll rest here before tackling Cho La Pass.

The trek from Dzongla to Thagnak via Cho La is the most challenging section of the Three High Passes Trek by Road. Starting early, you’ll cross a wooded spur from Dzongla, offering views of Cholatse, Lobuche East and West, and Chola Lake.

The ascent is tough, especially in exposed sections, with glaciated terrain and steep, icy trails. From the top of Cho La Pass, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of surrounding peaks framed by flying prayer flags.

If the rocks are not ice-covered, the descent toward Thagnak is relatively easier. You’ll end the day with a peaceful evening in Thagnak.

After departing the small village of Dzongla, you'll enjoy a short but scenic trek to Gokyo. The trail follows the dramatic Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in Nepal.

As you approach Gokyo, the path opens up, revealing a stunning series of turquoise lakes, with the third lake (Dudhpokhari) right beside the village. Gokyo offers breathtaking views of surrounding peaks and pristine glacial lakes.

Adding a second acclimatization day on the Three High Passes Trek by Road is crucial for reaching Gokyo Ri. A few hours of walking from Gokyo leads to six lakes, with the fourth lake framed by a towering cliff to the north.

The steep ascent to Gokyo Ri from Gorak rewards you with stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Gyachung, and the vast Ngozumpa Glacier.

After walking past the largest azure lake, you'll reach Cho Oyu Base Camp. Whether you continue to the sixth lake depends on your time, energy, and curiosity. Afterward, you'll descend back to Gokyo for a well-deserved rest.

The Three High Passes Trek by Road begins early with a 7.4 km hike from Gokyo to Marulung via Cho La Pass. This trek takes 6 to 7 hours, leading you to Renjo La Pass along the Renjo La trail through Dudh Pokhari.

The hike from Gokyo to Renjo La can be challenging with steep ascents and descents, but the views of Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Tsho, and Mount Everest are breathtaking.

The descent to Angladumba Tsho offers stunning views of Cholatse, Lobuche, Cho Oyu, and Taboche.

After a few hours of walking through Lumde, you'll arrive at the charming Sherpa village of Marulung, where you'll see Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake. Spend the night in a cozy teahouse in Marulung.

A few hours of descent from Marulung to Tarnga through rhododendron forests and across the Bhote Koshi River leads you toward Namche Bazaar. Along the way, you'll pass Langmuche Khola and the renowned Gompa shrine, with views of the striking Sundar Peak.

You'll also visit Thame, home to one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region. Retracing your steps through Samde, Thamo, and Phurte, you’ll pass the world’s highest power plant and enjoy views of Khari Goma and Laudo Monastery.

The trail then descends through pine forests, adorned with prayer flags, chortens, gompas, and mani stones, before arriving in the vibrant town of Namche. The lively atmosphere and sense of accomplishment make for a rewarding evening.

The trek from Namche Bazaar to Chaurikharka takes about 6 to 7 hours, mostly descending alongside the Dudh Koshi River through tropical forests and Sherpa villages.

Although the route revisits familiar landscapes, the return offers a fresh perspective from the opposite direction.

You’ll pass through scenic villages like Larja Dobhjan, Monjo, Bengkar, Ghat, and Chheplung before reaching a teahouse in Chaurikharka. From there, you may opt for a short 20-minute visit to Lukla, home to one of the world’s most challenging airports.

Today marks the final day of hiking on the Three High Passes Trek by Road itinerary.
After breakfast in Chaurikharka, you’ll take a short 45-minute to 1-hour trek to Surke, followed by a forested ascent to Paiya (Chutok). The trail then descends for about an hour to Thamdanda before gradually leveling out near Khari La.

Upon reaching the teahouse in Thamdanda, your guide will confirm jeep arrangements for your return to Kathmandu the next day.

In the evening, enjoy a celebratory meal with your trekking team to mark the successful completion of your journey.

Today begins with an early start for your jeep journey back to Kathmandu.
The first leg takes you from Thamdanda to Salleri via Kharikhola, Jubing, and Andheri—an adventurous 4–5 hour ride through rugged terrain.

At Salleri, you’ll transfer to another jeep for the 8–9 hour drive to Kathmandu, enjoying scenic landscapes along the way. You’ll arrive in the evening and spend the night in Kathmandu before continuing to your next destination.