Have you heard of the Three Passes Trek? Very few hikers choose to take this route but it is one of the most less crowded and off beaten trek tracks of Kumbhu Region. If you are already thinking about the route, the Three Passes Trek meanders through three of Nepal’s highest valleys. The route sometimes even crosses path with the standard EBC route. Let’s talk a little bit more in detail about this trekking destination.
Five Reasons Why the Everest Three Passes Trek is Popular
- Some of the major destinations that one will come across in the Everest Region are Gokyo Lake, Khongmala Pass, Gokyo Ri, Ranjola Pass, Kalapatthar, Chola Pass.
- It is one of the most off-beaten paths preferred by a small percentage of (5-10% out of 30,000) trekkers. A perfect reason to enjoy the scenery.
- All the three high pass in this trek in Nepal are 5000m above sea level. You will also come across some of the highest mountains in the world, which also includes Mt. Everest.
- This is said to be the only circuit following trail that one can find in the entire Kumbhu Region. The routes are unexpected and everyday you will find yourself overcoming existing expectations with new one.
- This is part of the Himalayan range Trail stretching from East to West of Nepal and roughly includes 1,700 km long hiking paths.
Starting Point of the Everest Three Passes Trek
Lukla is the starting point from where you will be beginning your trekking in nepal – this is a small mountain village that has a small local airport. Though the weather conditions, the size, the altitude, and the location of the landing airstrip is quite dangerous, nevertheless, many have survived this usual jump-off point.
The three passes trek will take you to Dingboche or Thame. This will depend on which route you are likely to take.
No. of Days Needed to Complete the Trek
If you are a hiker having only some basic trekking experience, well it can take about three weeks or approximately 20-21 days to complete the trip.
Preferred Routes to Take
- You can take the clockwise route: beginning from Namche and ending in Thane. It will take only two days to complete the trek. The route is about 5,000 m and hence can get risky. It is recommended that you take atleast one day reserved for acclimatization.
- The other route that you can take the different route which is counter-clockwise: from EBC trail to Dingboche. From here, the route will continue to Khongma-La trail that will take you to the first pass which is good to avoid any kind of altitude sickness.
How Difficult Is the Three Pass Trek?
Hiking the Three Passes Trek is not an easy task. One of the greatest challenges is altitude sickness. Another challenge is the constant change of weather because of which hikers face the difficulty of falling rocks or melting glacier.
Here are some ways of mitigating the challenge:
Following a proper itinerary that includes enough acclimatization days:
- Check the weather forecast.
- Consider the distance as well as the elevation days. Please note that the elevation change should not be more than 400-500 meters per day.
- Keep track of the weather forecast.
- Choose the right trekking gear.
- Do some basic exercises that includes aerobics, swimming, running, etc. These will help in blood circulation and ease your breathing problem at high altitudes.
The Best Time of the Year for Trekking
There are typically two different best seasons for trekking:
- March to May / September to November: High Season
During this time of the year, the clear sky will give you extraordinary views of the Himalayas.
- Mid-October to Mid-December:
This is slightly different form the above mentioned time-period. Nevertheless, it is worth a try.
Hiking the Everest Three Passes Independently
You can do this trek as solo. However, very few have trekked without the assistance of local guide. With the constant change of the weather and the trail crossing moving glaciers so the trail would be wiped out in any day.
One of the most dangerous trail is the path between Chukung and Labouche. The glaciers in this area are moving faster than the usual speed and hence it is best advised that you consult the locals before embarking.
Read Also: 10 Best Treks in Nepal You Should Never Miss
Total Expenditure Incurred
Here is a sample created to give you an idea of the total expenditure cost that one will come to access:
- The cost of hiring an experienced English-speaking licensed guide is approximately around USD 22-25 / day.
- It will cost you USD 177 (each way) or USD 354 (return) for a round trip flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
- The cost of registering for a National Park fee and TIMS card is around USD 45 / person
- Accommodations can cost you USD 3-5 / night.
Finding a Local Inexpensive Good Company in Nepal
- It is advised that you look for companies advertised on 2nd & 3rd search engine pages. That is because most of the companies that are advertised on 1st page since these are the companies that will go for paid promotions.
- Do avoid 3rd party booking agencies, local travel companies which require to pay up-to 30% commission.
- Check if the company is legally registered firm with the Nepal Govt.
- Check if their guide has a license, high altitude training, insurance, first aid and available with the right hiking gear.
- Make payments easier with payment gateways such a PayPal. It is recommended that you do not pay full in advance.
- Compare prices with other companies to find a good deal.
Conclusion
This is one of the most off-beat trails. So if you have thought about it then it is probably the time that you give this trail a shot. If you have already gone through this trilling route, then do share with us some useful information that will help other hikers as well.
