15 Reasons to Trek Everest Three Passes

Everest Three Passes is one of the best trekking destinations in the Khumbu region. In the Khumbu region, you can go into different types of trekking, like Everest Base Camp Trek Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek. Still, Everest Three Passes is the most challenging and most extended trek. In this blog, we will talk about the 15 reasons to trek Everest Three Passes.

During the Everest Three Passes, you will reach the three highest passes in Nepal: Kongla Ma Pass, Renjo La Pass, and Cho La Pass. The average days of the Everest Three Passes range from 15 to 20 days, making it one of the most extended treks in not only the Everest region but also the whole of Nepal. You will explore many attractions during the Everest Three Passes, and during this trek, you will also explore the Everest Base Camp. So let’s get into it.

15 Prominent Reasons to Trek Everest Three Passes

Physical Challenge and Achievement

The Everest Three Passes is a challenging trek in the Khumbu region. So, if you want some fantastic physical challenge and feel a sense of achievement, then be sure to trek on the Everest Three Passes Trek. The trek takes you further through than the Everest Base Camp Trek and takes you to the passes above 5000m, which will take a toll on your body. Due to the high altitude, the risk of altitude, and the long distance and duration, this trek will be a physical challenge. You will feel a sense of achievement and motivation when you reach the top of the pass.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience

Everest Three Passes passes through the remote and secluded area of Nepal. The best part of this trek is that it is less crowded than Nepal’s classic routes. During this trek, you will not go into the traditional trekking route and instead will be trekking through the beaten, remote areas of Dingboche, Thame, Lungden, Gokyo, Thangnak, Dzongla, etc. The trails pass through remote villages, hill stations, suspension bridges, waterfalls, and streams. Furthermore, the trek through the Everest region also gives a more authentic experience than the classical routes. So when you get the next chance at the Everest Three Passes, choose the least expected route and experience the complete off-the-beaten treks to make it more authentic.

Unique Cultural Experience

Everest Base Camp Trek is for the adventure trek and the opportunity to reach the Sherpa villages and meet the local Sherpa people. These Sherpa people have been following their own culture and tradition for a long time. During your Everest Three Passes Trek, you will pass through different types of Sherpa villages like Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Periche, etc. Furthermore, during your trek to the EBC High Pass trek, you will come across different types of monasteries and Ghumbas, like Tengboche Monastery, Namche Monastery, Thame Monastery, Lukla Monastery and others.

These Ghumbas and monasteries are the places for meditation and peace for the Sherpa people. Furthermore, when you visit these villages, you will come across Sherpa people renowned for their welcome, friendliness, and hospitality.

Cultural Festivals

Another primary reason to visit the Khumbu region and experience the Everest Three Passes Trek is the unique and cultural festivals. Almost everyone in Nepal celebrates many national festivals like Dashain Tihar, Holi, Buddha Jayanti, Janai Purnima, etc.; however, there are also unique cultural festivals for the local people. Some unique festivals are celebrated in the Khumbu region, such as Mani Rimdu Festival. It is one of the most celebrated festivals in the Everest region, which the Buddhists of the region are celebrating. Mani Rimdu Festival takes about 19 to 20 days to complete. 

Diverse Landscapes

The Everest region is the home of different types of landscapes you can trek throughout your 21 to 22-day trek. You will trek through different terrains, from lush valleys and forests, Glacial Lakes and Turquoise Waters, Rugged Mountains, Glacial Icefalls, and Barren Wilderness to the snowy alpine mountains. At the higher altitude, you will trek through the Glacial Lakes in the Gokyo area. There are different types of vegetation and animals found in the diverse landscapes of the Everest region as well. There are few subtropical vegetation and animals in the lower altitudes, whereas, at higher altitudes, you will come across the alpine level vegetation and different animals like snow leopards, Himalayan Thar, Himalayan Black Bears, and polar bears.

Comprehensive Everest Experience

In the Khumbu region, many trekkers might only know about the Everest Base Camp Trek; however, if you trek further and get involved in the Everest Three Passes Trek, you will experience the Everest region. This trek offers a more in-depth experience than other treks in Sagarmatha National Park. It provides rich cultural immersion, natural beauty, and a sense of adventure and achievement. The Everest region involves stunning panoramic views of mountains like Mt Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Cho-Oyu. 

The Thrill of a Lukla Flight

Flying to Lukla is a thrilling start to the Everest Three Passes trek. The flight offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, glaciers, and Sherpa settlements. However, the takeoff and landing can be scary due to the airport’s location on a mountain slope. Only pilots meeting specific requirements can fly to Lukla because of its challenging conditions. This exhilarating journey sets the stage for the adventurous trek that awaits you in the Everest Three Passes. From the plane, during your Lukla airport flight, you can see the views of the mountains like Mt Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho-Oyu, Lhotse, and Nuptse.

Views of Gokyo Lakes

One primary reason for the Everest Three Passes trek is the majestic views of the Gokyo Lakes. You can only view the Gokyo lakes during this trek in the Khumbu region. During your trek to the Gokyo Lakes, you will see six big lakes and 19 small lakes. Gokyo Lakes is famous as the ‘highest freshwater lake system in the world’ and offers a perfect blend of serenity and adventure.

Experience Gokyo Ri

During your Everest Three Passes Trek, you will reach Gokyo Ri at an altitude of over 5,357 meters. From the top of the Gokyo Ri, you can see some of the highest mountains in the Everest region, like Mount Everest, Cho-Oyu, Nuptse, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, etc. The ascent to the Gokyo Ri might be challenging and a bit stressful, but when you reach the top of the Gokyo Ri and see those fantastic mountain views, you will feel a sense of accomplishment.

Unique Wildlife

The trek to the Everest Three Passes is the experience of the remote villages and settlements and the opportunity to see the region’s unique wildlife. The variation of the wildlife differs from the top of the lower to the higher altitude. You will find unique wildlife in the Everest region: Red pandas, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Tahr, Monal, and other unique wildlife. Many trekkers like to click the photos of these unique animals, but be sure you are with the guides and also are at some distance, as getting close to them may be risky.

Historical and Spiritual Sites

Another primary reason for the Everest Three Passes Trek is to visit different types of historical and spiritual sites. Some popular sites in the Everest region are Namche Monastery, Khumbu Village, Physical Challenge and Achievement, Khumbu Glacier, and Icefall. Click some beautiful photos along the way. Remember that these historical and spiritual sites are very close and vital for the people living in the region, so make sure you respect their feelings and ask permission before entering the region or clicking photos.

Thrilling High Pass Crossings

Everest High Pass is among the most challenging treks, not only in the Everest region but also in Nepal. Hence, when you think of crossing the High Pass, remember it will be challenging and thrilling.

Conquering Kongma La Pass

Kongma La is the most challenging of Nepal’s Three Passes Trek. Trekkers usually tackle the Three Passes counter-clockwise, so Kongma La is the first big obstacle. At 18,209 ft / 5,550 m, it’s also the highest point on the trek.

Chola Pass Adventure

Cho La Pass is another part of the Everest High Pass Trek, and it is also the most frequently crossed by trekkers as it is among the easiest of the three passes. The Cho La Pass connects the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Gokyo Ri. The Cho La Pass adventure lies at an altitude of 5,420 m and is the shortest pass among the three.

Renjo La Pass Challenge

The trek to the Renjo La Pass will be challenging as you will trek the region the last. Renjo La Pass is among the three most difficult pass, so sometimes, trekkers skip the Renjo La Pass. Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek is located within the Sagarmatha National Park in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. During this trek, you will cross over the high pass called Renjo La. The area is home to Sherpa, Rai, Gurung, and other ethnic communities living harmoniously. These communities have set up tea houses and lodges along the routes, offering comfortable and hygienic hospitality with friendly and welcoming service.

Meet Fellow Trekkers

Another primary reason to Trek the Everest Three Passes trek is to experience the adventure in the mountains and meet fellow trekkers. You will find like-minded trekkers in the Khumbu region for your teahouse-to-teahouse trek. So you might find other fellow trekkers who might share your likes and interests and can make plans for future treks.

Support Local Economy

Another primary reason for trekking the Everest Three Passes Trek is to contribute to and support the local economy. When the trekkers visit the Everest region for the trek, they spend their earnings on the local economy. Also, when the trekkers hire guides and porters, they will pay tips to them, which will contribute to the economy. You will also stay in a teahouse and in the meals, supporting the local economy.

Spectacular Mountain Views

The best part of trekking in the Himalayas is the fantastic views. The Everest Three Passes trek has some of the highest peaks in the world, and you get to see many beautiful landscapes. You’ll see forests, waterfalls, and cute villages with colorful flowers and animals. During the Everest Three Passes Trek, you will see the views of mountains like Mt Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Cho-Oyu.

Best time to visit the Everest Three Passes Trek

The best time to visit the Everest Three Passes Trek is the ideal season for trekking in Nepal. These seasons are Spring and August, and during these seasons, the conditions for trekking are pretty perfect, like the mild temperature, stable weather, flowering, and clear trails. The least ideal trekking season is monsoon or winter, during which the treks are either wet and slippery, or you will trek at high altitudes. So be sure you will be trekking in the appropriate trekking conditions.

Conclusion

Hence, these are the 15 best reasons to trek Everest Three Passes. The Everest Three Passes trek takes you to the Khumbu region’s three highest passes and iconic places of Kongla Ma, Cho La, and the Renjo La Pass. 

So, if you haven’t visited the Everest Three Passes trek, then we hope 2024 is the year to fulfill your dream. We hope our blog will clarify and help you understand the reasons for trekking in the Everest region.

FAQs

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