Three Pass Trek from Jiri

This trek is the complete version of the 3 Passes trek, passing through Everest Base Camp (EBC). It starts in Jiri and retraces the steps of the historic trek made by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay during their ascent to Everest Base Camp to make the first ascent of Everest in 1953.

Please note: this circuit is different from the "classic" circuit leading to Everest Base Camp, as it crosses three passes at an altitude of over 5,000 metres (Renjo La, Kongma La, Cho La), making it much more demanding.

This is a high-altitude trek (8 days at over 4,000 metres) that requires good acclimatisation (above 3,000 metres, do not sleep more than 500 metres higher than the previous night, and remain alert to the signs of acute mountain sickness)!

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   From Jiri to Bhandar

   18.31 km 1,576 m 1,411 m

   The first part of the trek is not the most interesting, but it allows you to reach Lukla without flying, and on the historic route!

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2. 2

   Bhandar - Dakchu

   14.95 km 1,639 m 796 m

   On the second day, a long descent followed by a long climb awaits you. The view from Dakchu is a great reward for the climb! Be careful of the heat, as the hike is not yet at a very high altitude!

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3. 3

   Dakchu - Ringmu

   22.92 km 1,426 m 1,641 m

   Still on the road to Lukla, this stage is a pleasant walk through the forest at an altitude of 3,000 metres, with the hike taking place among fir trees and rhododendrons! It passes through a few authentic Sherpa villages, far from the tourist areas.

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4. 4

   Ringmu - Bupsa

   18.61 km 1,358 m 1,750 m

   This stage is a little longer with some steep descents, requiring a descent from 3,100m to 1,600m in altitude! Don't panic, you'll be back up again soon! The first climb leads to the Taksindu Pass (3070m).

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5. 5

   Bupsa - Cheplung

   18.15 km 1,859 m 1,520 m

   This stage is the last part of the trek from Jiri to Lukla! After this stage, you will join the 3 Passes trek route, with much shorter stages than before (the altitude is starting to make itself felt).

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6. 6

   Cheplung - Namche

   16.27 km 1,565 m 823 m

   First day on the Three Passes Trek! The days will be shorter from now on, but the altitude will also start to increase! There will be a lot more traffic (trekkers, porters, cows, mules, ponies, etc.)! Some pretty Himalayan footbridges!

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7. 7

   Acclimatisation at Khunde Peak

   10.27 km 866 m 863 m

   Let's go for a day of acclimatisation to get your body used to the altitude!This option will take you up to Khunde Peak (4,200 m), passing through the village of Khunde! Once at the top, instead of turning back down, this hike follows the ridge to Sir Edmund Hillary Viewpoint at 4,100 metres.

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8. 8

   Namche - Samde

   7.24 km 460 m 235 m

   A short stage to get back on the road towards the first pass: Renjo La. The trails are a little less busy than on the route to base camp, and the scenery is just as magnificent.

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9. 9

   Samde - Lungden

   12.44 km 883 m 176 m

   Away from the usual trails, this stage takes us to the foot of the first pass: Renjo La. The arrival point is above 4,000 metres, so be careful to acclimatise! Lungden is a small high-altitude village with a few simple but welcoming lodges.

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10. 10

    Lungden - Gokyo

    12.20 km 1,038 m 652 m

    This stage is the first pass of the famous 3 Passes Trek! Renjo La, at an altitude of 5,360 metres, is reached after a 4-5 hour climb (it's worth the effort)! If you're lucky with the weather, this pass is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the trek.

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11. 11

    Climbing Gokyo Ri

    4.79 km 583 m 585 m

    This stage is another day of acclimatisation, climbing up to the magnificent Gokyo Ri, a peak overlooking Gokyo and its lake at an altitude of 5,357 metres, where you can hope to catch a glimpse of Everest! The view is well worth the detour.

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12. 12

    Gokyo - Thagnak

    4.02 km 73 m 142 m

    This hike can be done after climbing Gokyo Ri, or the next day for better acclimatisation. We reach Thagnak, the village before the second pass of this trek! Crossing the Ngozumba Glacier!

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13. 13

    Thagnak - Dzonglha

    9.54 km 757 m 606 m

    The second pass at over 5,000 metres on this 3-pass trek is the Cho La Pass at 5,430 metres. At the top, there is a beautiful panorama with a view of Lobuche (6,119 m). Be careful, this pass is more technical than the first and may require crampons for the snowy sections!

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14. 14

    Dzonghla - Gorakshep

    11.39 km 512 m 182 m

    This stage joins the Everest Base Camp trek route, which is very touristy. It leads to Gorakshep, the last village before EBC, and the route is very well marked. From here on, there are many more people passing through, and prices continue to rise!

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15. 15

    Everest Base Camp from Gorakshep

    8.05 km 204 m 205 m

    Finally, the long-awaited stage! Return trip to the legendary Everest Base Camp (5,364 metres above sea level) from Gorakshep. This trail is very busy, and you will encounter many other trekkers, mountaineers, porters and ponies. The summit of Everest is not visible from base camp, but you can see it on the road leading there.

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16. 16

    Gorakshep - Lobuche

    8.36 km 481 m 718 m

    We begin our return from base camp to rejoin the 3 Passes trek route. This hike includes a detour to the highest point of our trek, Kala Patthar at an altitude of 5,645 metres, which offers a magnificent view of Everest.

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17. 17

    Lobuche - Chukhung

    11.49 km 696 m 887 m

    The hike passes through the third and final pass of the 3 Passes Trek (Kongma La)! We leave the busy trail from base camp to climb Kongma La, at an altitude of 5,535 metres, after crossing the Khumbu Glacier. The view from up there is well worth the effort, with a magnificent lake below and, not Everest, but Lhotse, Makalu, Ama Dablam..

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18. 18

    Chukhung Ri from Chukhung

    5.63 km 787 m 786 m

    This hike is yet another detour on the 3 Passes Trek, but it is well worth the effort as it offers magnificent views, especially of Ama Dablam. This is a round trip to the summit of Chukhung Ri (5,546 m) from the village of Chukhung.

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19. 19

    Chukhung - Khumjung

    21.83 km 772 m 1,750 m

    Let's start the descent! This stage can be done immediately after the climb to Chukhung Ri, for the more courageous (it's a very long day's walk, over 30 km), or the next day from Chukhung.

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20. 20

    Khumjung - Lukla

    21.98 km 1,203 m 2,103 m

    The last stage of the 3 Passes Trek, this hike descends to Lukla where some may take a flight from the famous Tenzing-Hillary Airport to return directly to Kathmandu. The stage crosses Namche Bazaar again, where you can stock up on souvenirs before heading back down.

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21. 21

    Lukla - Nunthala

    30.65 km 2,316 m 2,986 m

    We return to the road we took on the way there, so this stage is a little longer and less interesting. It can be divided into two if necessary, stopping for example in Bupsa, after 18 km. This leaves 12 km to cover the next day.

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22. E

    Nunthala - Salleri

    21.83 km 1,193 m 1,029 m

    Last day of the 3-pass trek starting from Jiri! This stage is a little less interesting than the previous ones as it includes sections of road. However, it is very quiet and marks the end of a trek lasting more than 3 weeks!

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