TrekkingHard, Moderate, Strenuous

EBC Three Passes Trek

Based on 5 Reviews
US$ 2010 $2150

Three Passes Trek

This is the ultimate Everest circuit: rising from Lukla to Thame, Lumde, crossing the 5345m Renjo La to Gokyo, continuing over the Cho La pass 5420m to Lobuche and Everest base camp then crossing 5535m Konbma La to Chhukung, Dingboche and Namche Bazaar.

 This is an epic journey that will take you over some of the highest mountain passes in the world. It stitches together the best of the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo treks and two of the most rewarding side treks in the lower Khumbu.

Crossing the three passes is not technically difficult, but nature and high altitude insignificant and all this trail climb above 5000m, so acclimatization is essential. This trek is much more difficult than Everest Base Camp and other trekking in this region. If you’re looking for a physical challenge with natural beauty, this is the trek for you.

  • Destination:Everest Region, Nepal
  • Trip Grade:Hard, Moderate, Strenuous
  • Max Elevation:5535m
  • Total Duration:18-23days
  • Best Time:March- May & Oct - Nov
  • Dream trek:5star

Day 01: Arriving in Kathmandu

Our company staff will be waiting for you with nameplate just outside of arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 02: Rest day in Kathmandu.

Preparation day in Kathmandu and last minute shopping and gear organizing, or optional full/half day sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla and trek to Monjo.

Our staff will come and pick from your hotel drive to the domestic airport; at the airport our guide/staff will help to short out and fly to Lukla 35 minutes altitude 2840m, have lunch at the Lukla short out porter/load, and trek to Monjo Descend 350m to Nurning and climb 335m to Monjo and stay at the local guesthouse.

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar altitude 3340m ascends 605m)

Continue trekking on the trail following Dhudh Kosi river valley north meandering through the pine forest and gaining altitude 605m to Namche Bazaar and stay.

Day 05: Rest day at Namche Bazaar

Optional day hike to Khumde or Syangboche monastery, acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar to avoid early symptoms of AMS further up the trail. This doesn’t mean you stop walking- there are several short walks through hills around the Namche that will improve your fitness and help to adjust to the altitude, climb high sleep low.

Day 06: Trek to Tengboche altitude 3860m and stay ascends 420m.

{There are two trekking for this route, one start from Namche follow Everest base Camp same trail up to Dingboche – Chhukung – Kongma la Pass, Lobuche – EBC- Cho la pass – Gokyo – Renjola and Thame to Namche Bazaar. Second option: Thame to Renjo la – Gokyo – Cho La pass – Lobuche - Everest Base Camp - Kongma La - Chhukung and back to Namche Bazaar.}

Day 07: Trek Tengboche to Orsho altitude 4190m, ascends 330m.

Day 08: Trek Orsho to Dingboche altitude 4410m ascends 220m.

Day 09: Trek Dingboche to Chhukung altitude 4730m ascends 320m.

Day 10: Trek Chhukung to Lobuche via Kongma La pass

Altitude gain 800m to Kongma La pass and descend 620m to Lobuche 8-9 hours: The best chances of clear weather on the Kongma La early morning, we leave early morning from Chhukung before sunrise. There are no such facilities along the trail; We trek with enough water and pack lunch. The trail climbs the hill diagonally Northwest of the Chhukung and follow the Nuptse Glacier, the base camp of Kongma Tse peak crossing over the Khumbu Glacier/ moraine to the Lobuche. Going up to the Konma la gaining altitude but it's not that hard but the trail is sleeper loose scree going down and final descent is the most difficult stages of the trek. There are incredible views east towards giant Makalu, with peaks in Tibet visible its left.

Day 11: Trek to Gorakshep ascends 230m 4hours and stay.

Day 12: Trek to Everest Base Camp back or Kalapattar and stay Gorakshep.

Day 13: Trek to Lobuche and descend 230m and stay.

Day 14: Trek to Dzongla and stay altitude 4620m descends 520m.

Trek Lobuche to Dzongla will set you up to success for Cho la pass and bring you closer so we can start earlier and trek to Chola to catch up sunrise views.

Day 15: Trek to Gokyo over Cho la pass 8 hours 590m ascends and 670m Descends.

Start early from Dungla to beat clouds and catch first sunrise views from the pass which is incredible views 360 degree, and of   Ama Dablam and Cholatse. The final stage to Gokyo drops over the moraine wall and crosses the groaning Ngozumpa Glacier.

Day 16: Rest in Gokyo

After all that climbing, you deserve a rest; you can take a couple of days to rest in Gokyo and explore the lakes and Gokyo- Ri.

Day 17: Trek Gokyo to Lumde over Renjola pass; 7-8 hours 550m ascents and over 1000m descent to Lumde.

Day 18: Trek Lumde to Thame -6 hours descend 548m and stay.

Day 19: Trek to Namche Bazaar descends 380m and stay at the Namche Bazaar.

Day 20: Trek Namche to Lukla and stay.

Day 21: fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 22: One extra day in Kathmandu.

Day 23: Transfer to airport for final departure.

Cost Includes

What is including?

  • Experienced guide (4:1 ratio), local porter (2:1ratio).
  • Domestic flights Ktm – Lukla - Ktm.
  • Airport picks up and drops.
  • Hotel 4nights in Kathmandu twin sharing room with breakfast.
  • Essential group First aid.
  • Trekking permits National park fees and local charges.
  • Our staff’s guides and Porter's salary, food, accommodation, and their insurance.
  • Food during the trekking, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast and hot drinks tea & Coffee three time a day.
  • Accommodation at local tea-house twin sharing room during the trekking

Cost Excludes

What is not including?

  • Travel/ trekking, accidental/ health insurance (mandatory)
  • Personal Expenses (e.g. snacks, coke, Mineral water, chocolate during the day etc)
  • Mineral Water and Alcohol and all bottled beverages.
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
  • International airfare and airport tax, Visa fee
  • Guides/ Porter’s tip.
  • Emergency evacuation, Heli charter or other expenses.

Cost and Dates

Trip Start Date Trip End Date Price Availability Book
16th March, 2020 6th April, 2020 US$2010 Available Book Now
6th April, 2020 28th April, 2020 US$2010 Available Book Now
4th May, 2020 28th May, 2020 US$2010 Available Book Now
7th September, 2020 30th September, 2020 US$2010 Available Book Now
5th October, 2020 28th October, 2020 US$2150 Available Book Now
9th November, 2020 2nd December, 2020 US$2150 Available Book Now

Additional information

Please be ready and keep in mind that adventure in the Himalayan Mountains requires an open & emphatic mind. During your trek you are lacking some of the basic need like attached bath, hot shower and electricity. Due to weather conditions, health issues, and other general issues of the group members or sudden natural disaster like landslide, snow storms, and other natural aspect we may to change your route. We try our best to follow our original plan when you booked your expedition, but your safety is our primary concern. In case the trip need reroute of your trek is necessary, our group leader/ guide make final call or decision.

Essential Gear

  • Camera, water bottle, extra money, sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat, hiking loose fitting shorts/ synthetic T-shirt etc.
    • Hiking boots, sports shoe, 3 to 4 pairs woolen socks, 1 pairs gloves, warm hat,
    • Day backpack 35  to 50ltr , and a duffel bag for your clothing.
    • Warm layers, down or synthetic jackets, fleece, hiking pants, Thermals.

Create your dream trips together customize your holiday particular interest or wishes.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for details and additional information about the area.

We will provide a comprehensive gear list on booking.

    Landing in Nepal’s only International airport Kathmandu walk two minutes to immigration get ready for your online  visa application, having Passport, Passport size picture, change US Dollar saves your time in visa processing in the immigration. A long flight journey arriving in Nepal, keeping low expectations some delay in the baggage handling and a long line make your journey a little bit curious  want to get out of the crowd, and have a good rest in the hotel. While you walking outside of immigration, baggage claim don’t forget to buy (Nepal Telecom & Ncell) prepaid Sim card  takes a few minutes to sign approve, it makes your tour & travel vacation easier and stress free. Kathmandu valley is very small mountain valley surrounded by mountains, have interesting history, culture, diverse human culture in small area. Prepaid taxi makes your life easier no need to deal with taxi driver at the arrival, provide your information where you staying how many people are sharing transport they’ll easily accommodate your interest.       Booking Luxurious Hotel, Budge Hotels, and guesthouses you can book online or ask your agency they will book and simply add in your tour budget. Popular tourist destination is Thamel, you can get all the above accommodation options, world’s test, and fun evening walk, check local handicraft shops, small local restaurant and Nepalese cuisine. Kathmandu is worth to spend 2-3 days historic sites tour vacation would gives you glimpse of Nepalese culture, tradition and diversify of people. Bhaktapur is smallest district in Nepal with many beautiful historic places in the planet, Bhaktapur Durbar Square area, Changu Narayan, Nagarkot mountain view point short hike to Changu Narayan Temple. Staying overnight at Bhaktapur Durbar Square area great way to see night life of local people peace and Boddhanath Temple, Soyambhunath temple, Baantapur Durbar Square, Patna Durbar Square, and Pashupatinath temple all of them are UNESCO heritage sites, you can easily spent day or two even more time to check and take piture and learn Nepali culture and tradition with local guide at the sites. You can easily arrange tour guide from your hotel, and travel agency, worth to have a licensed tour leader with agency cost around $35 - $50 per day.       After your few days tour vacation, day hiking in Kathmandu valley your journey makes a lot easier to travel other part of Nepal. Your budget and time available there are many different adventure activities can do around Kathmandu, hiking Shivpuri National Forest a minute away from your hotel, climber can easily spent a few days climb limestone natural, bolted rock climbing, and indoor climbing in Thamel Kathmandu. For rafter, water adventure lover you can easily do day whitewater rafting two hours away from Kathmandu and enjoy the Himalayan Rivers and local outfit. There are many options in the close by extreme adventure, luxurious overnight stay in the resort, cultural tour and journey in Kathmandu. Nepal’s is most popular destination for trekking, mountain climbing along with whitewater expedition, cultural city tour and world heritage sightseeing. Have a great tour vacation and adventure journey in Nepal. Chura Mani Aryal www.navigateoutdoor.com

Sam & Jenn Nicholson Montana USA

Mani; Clearly you are chosen & Choose across the globe to make a lasting impact on our children. Your strength, calmness, guidance/wisdom, and patience are so evident. We will forever be grateful for the effort + Impact that you have made on our son. Thank you from our bottom of our hearts for this. It’s unbelievable. Peace & love to you forever. Sam & Jenn Nicholson Montana USA 2018.

Journeying a river: Jai Karnali, January 2020

How did river Ganga come to be?

Mythology says that there was a noble King who requested that Ganga descend from heaven to bless humanity and quench the thirst of the land and its people.
Pleased to shower the world with blessings, Ganga rushed down with such gusto that people feared that all that came in the way would be washed away. The God Shiva came to the rescue and stopped the momentum of the water with his long thick long hair. Because of this, Ganga flowed smoothly and satiated the thirst of all beings and showered blessings on the land with each drop of precious water.
Ecologists interpret this myth as a metaphor- Shiva’s thick long hair is synonymous with dense jungles that help check the floods and stop the land from washing away as the river accelerates down the slopes from the melting glaciers.

Rafting down the river Karnali in Western Nepal last month, it felt as if the myth was true! In our group of 11 people were some seasoned sailors, kayakers, river guides, and rafting experts, but a few like me had never been on a raft. I am also not a strong swimmer; so, it was an act of faith and surrender to the river and expertise of our leader Mani, and river rafting expert Manu to go on the trip.
We put the rafts in the river after about 4 hours drive up the town of Surkhet at an altitude of about 800 m. The rafts and the equipment, including the tents and rations, were supplied with the generous support of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) in the States.

This expedition was conceptualized and planned by Ravi, NOLS India Programmed Director, and Mani ( #navigateoutdoor Nepal) NOLS senior Instructor and who co-led the expedition. The two kayakers, Ganesh and Nanu Kayaks and were in the tumultuous waters of Karnali watching and guiding our rafts at each and every rapid that came along. They were plenty of challenges to varying degrees!

For the next seven days we were out on the river, and camping at some of the most beautiful banks. We witnessed a vast expanse of pristine natural habitats along the way both on land and in the waters. We parked the rafts often to take a walk over to beautiful villages and bought fresh vegetables, fish, milk and yogurt, etc. from the villagers. We savored some delicious meals in cottage eateries that you can find along the traditional walking routes of the shepherds, traders, and village folk, that connect the plains with the high Himal region in the kingdom of Nepal and beyond on the Tibetan plateau. The river crisscrossed some of the most wonderfully crafted hanging bridges on these routes as well.

We saw how the simple and rich life of fishing communities sustainably harvest the bounty of fish from the river. They fish in their dug up canoes made from tree trunks. The fish from Karnali is famous across the region and fetches amongst the highest price in Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu. High value and low volume seem to be the guiding factor – it can be 2-4 days walk to sell and transport the fish, so, the fish is dried or smoked creating a very special, niche type of produce from the villages along Karnali.
Agriculture and livestock rearing is still flourishing in the villages. It was amazing to see some of the most appropriately designed dehusking, pounding, and winnowing equipment still in use – that has perhaps not changed in the last thousand years.

It is indeed a living culture that uses and maintains the landscape, in harmony with nature, using indigenous knowledge to enhance biodiversity and what we call ecosystem services. Our faith in the concept of the Gross National Happiness index was further strengthened. The common Human Development indices merely emphasize infrastructure and access to institutions such as hospitals and schools- but there is so much to be taken into account for true sustainability. While the intent is not to romanticize the old, biocultural heritage, the wisdom of the old seems to be working harmoniously and should well complement human development in a more meaningful way.
Some of the big questions being discussed in conferences and seminars across the world could be answered in a much more eco-friendly and happy way by experiencing the life and values of the community here and of other indigenous peoples across the world.

The modern idea of development as highly individualistic has become increasingly crippled with outdated notions of competition, rather than collaboration, also creating massive disparities in income and consumption of natural resources.
We could learn from the communities here, and take lessons from the past into the future: the dignity of physical work, interdependence, and interconnectedness are three principles that need to be central to human endeavor- there is no sustainability without equity and dignity.

Gradually, we descended down with the flow of the river, as it slowly calmed down in the Terai region. It’s a rich habitat for tigers, rhinoceroses, elephants, and another charismatic megafauna. The very sight of these deep jungles invokes awe. We got off the banks of the mighty Karnali at the little town of Chiso Pani.

We deflated the rafts, packed the gear, washed, and rushed to one of the many restaurants in this little town. Some of us relished the delicious fish from Karnali to their heart's content! For others like me, the restaurant served fabulous fresh greens with dal-bhat; as they say in Nepal “Dal Bhat power, 24 hours!”

May the river Karnali have a long life and continue to bless humanity as the King had anticipated in the ancient times. May present-day leaders start to wake up to the wisdom in conservation and sustainable utilization of the river, rather than damning it and threatening the sheer existence of these communities. May we all learn from the life of the people here; all the wonderful ways to weave a close-knit community and flourish together with nature.

Thanks for the whole team Chura Mani Aryal, Manohar, Nanu and Ganesh river experts, and beautiful Karnali River, and people from the river corridor.

Ajay Rastogi

Majkhali India

Ajay Rastogi,Majhkhali India

"I want to thank you and your guides and employees again for the wonderful memories I have of the Manaslu trek and the lovely side trip into the Tsum Valley. The scenery and experiences were great and I especially loved the variety of forests, the wildlife, and of course the incomparable mountain scenery. I want to add a special thank you to you for the special care you gave me when my foot and leg became very swollen. Your help and knowledge allowed me to complete the trek with minimal discomfort. I still experience the problem to a minor degree but still, look forward to further adventurous travel when the situation allows in the future. Conversations with you about Nepalese history were also an enjoyable and informative aspect of the trek".

I would like to thank Navigate Outdoor for organizing such a joyful and safe trip to the Tsum and Manaslu region. I'd like to thank Mani and his entire team to make our trip such memorable and extra care to all of us on the trekking. I really enjoyed having my own personal time exploring the side valley taking pictures and interact with local people on the trail. Mani is an experienced leader who allows space while trekking. He helped, and always available for other trekkers they need medical attention. I saw him support others and interact with them in a really professional way. I appreciated and enjoyed the 24 days trekking in the Tsum valley and Manaslu round trekking.

Nick Green Australia 2018

Nick Green,Australia

 

I appreciate your attitude "Anyway life comes first and business comes second and other things." I can see you are really living that motto when you tell us of the wonderful time you are having with your family.

Dane, and I really enjoyed the trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary. While I have been trekking in the Himalayas a number of times it was nice to do a trek with my son. Dane was very impressed to see the high mountains. Thanks for organizing Annapurna Base Camp trekking for me and my son Dane. Mani, I really appreciated sharing your previous experiences and telling stories about your own life and adventure career. We'll do another trip in the future. We'll share our experiences with our friends and recommended Navigate Outdoor. I can't express the joyful moment I had on the Annapurna Base camp trip you with, and felt 100% safe, thanks for taking care of us in the trekking.

Malcolm and Dane Dwyer Australia 2019

Mal & Dane,Australia

Karnali River Experience.

They say that the journey is better than the destination. That all the experiences along the way are like an accumulation of rocks along a riverbed. This story is another stone in a river.

I have known Mani Aryal for several years, meeting him in the United States, in the state of Utah. Mani and I were both on a work contract to take a group of students down Desolation & Gray Canyon on the Green River. After spending three weeks with Mani I knew that I made a paddling adventure buddy and that he would be a person that I actively stay in contact with. The years have a way of floating by with adventure and intentions. Every time I spoke to Mani he persistently invited me to Kathmandu to see his home and to float the rivers. Three years after saying “no”, I finally could say “maybe”.

Kathmandu is large in legend and small in structure. The shuttle ride from the airport is an example of whitewater: dodging potholes, must-make moves, and pure adrenaline. It’s best not to watch.

There are two options to get to the river when signing up for a Karnali River Expedition trip: 1) take the plane or 2) ride with the guides and gear on public transport. I was on a tight budget, so option #2 was the only way to go. Putting together a multiday river trip is always difficult, especially when you start combining buses, shuttles, and rendezvous. The first leg of the journey was via public transportation to Koholpur. The guides and I, hanging out at the main bus depot, loading all of the gear we would need for the next 12 days was a new experience indeed.

You see a lot of different people and livestock on the long-distance buses. Chickens and goats are not uncommon. If a woman is standing with a baby, it’s a norm to hand a baby to you, a seated passenger, to hold the child in order to give her a break.

The second half of the shuttle was a private bus to the put-in, the small village of Dungeshor that is located straight down a canyon. The route our bus driver picked was shorter to save fuel but longer because of road conditions. Our bus rocked, creaked and moaned down the road for 8 hours only to cover 85km. “Singletrack” may be a better description than “road” as there were only inches to spare between rock walls and open air.

 Sideswiping other buses, scouting rock gardens, and pushing our transport were common occurrences that quickly become norms. We reached Dungeshor after 10 pm to hastily inhale some food and beer from a generous restaurant owner who opened his doors after hours. Afterward, we set up our tents on the riverbank to welcome a solid, unwavering piece of ground to usher in some sleep.

The next morning, the guides were in their prime, having already started getting breakfast ready for everyone. Mani was no exception, greeting me with a great, white smile and a coffee to help orient my mind back to my body. The biggest surprise was all of the children hanging about camp. We were all warned not to leave our gear unattended. Later that day, I realized a carabineer walked off to hang out with the children. The guides seemed to include me that much more by laughing and sharing stories of gear gone lost.

Throughout the six days, Mani and his guides were exceptional hosts. It seemed as if they never stopped moving. Always quick to put a coffee in your hand, help you set up your campsite, or to offer a meal. Every morning they would barter with local fishermen to add an extra flair to the menu. On the water, I felt safe and involved in risk management. All ideas were heard until a plan formed to be implemented with everyone on board. The standard followed by Mani was professional.

Six months after this trip, the strongest memories I have are of traveling to and from the river. Once I had oars in my hand and a blue sky above me I knew who I was and how I got there.

The total trip duration from Kathmandu to Kathmandu was 10 days included the bus journey.

 Dan Colorado USA.

Thank you, Mani. I look forward to our next adventure.

Daniel Ives

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