Mar 31 - Apr 15, 2024 | Change

Three Passes & Everest Base Camp Thame-Khumjung Alternate Route trek (16 days)
Everest Region, Nepal

Rating: |

Highlights: Tengboche, Imja Tsho (Lake), Kongma La Pass, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Cho La Pass, Gokyo, and Renjo La Pass

Difficulty: strenuous
Three Passes & Everest Base Camp
Starting at $814 usd
For 1 person -Guide & Permits
Includes guide and all required permits & entry fees
$31.02 /day per person for guide
+ $30 per person for guide's insurance
+ $170 per person for guide's transport
+ $52 per person for vat tax
+ $65 per person for permits

Teahouse lodging, food, & transportation paid separately.

Sherpana prices are based on group size. We refund you the difference if more people join your trek.
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Included Services
  • Permits Sagarmatha National Park Entry and Local Everest Region Tax
  • Guide Guide's wages, food, lodging, and insurance
  • Guide's Transport
  • VAT Tax 13% Nepal Government Tax
Optional Services (Porter...)
  • Porter Each porter may carry no more than 20 kg (44 lb). One porter is usually enough for 2 people's gear. Government required insurance covers the porter in case of an accident while on the trip.
    $20 per day per porter

    + $30 per porter for porter's insurance
    + $2.21 per day per porter for vat tax (porter)

  • Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Booking the flight with the trek insures that the guide will be able to be on the same flight in addition transport to/from the Kathmandu airport from your hotel is included.
    $230 per person

    + $15 per person for service/transport fee

  • Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu Booking the flight with the trek insures that the guide will be able to be on the same flight in addition transport to/from the Kathmandu airport from your hotel is included.
    $230 per person

    + $15 per person for service/transport fee

This trip has optional side trips. Would you like to see the options?

A grand tour of the Everest Region, this trek explores four valleys of the Khumbu region and climbs over three passes in excess of 5000 m. If you want to feel like you’ve covered the Everest Region, then this trek is for you. If trekking over the passes from east to west, then the Kongma La Pass is the first pass encountered. It probably the least traversed of the classic three passes in the Khumbu region, the path to the Kongma La (5535 m) offers a spectacular but strenuous route between Chukhung and Lobuche. While in Chukhung, you may wish to spend an additional day and climb Chukhung Ri for a panorama of the Chukhung Valley, or hike to the alpine lake of Imja Tsho. After a visit to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar the next pass to the west is the Cho La. The Cho La, is most popular of the three passes in the Khumbu region providing stunning vistas along the high route between Everest Basecamp and the Gokyo Valley. With its series of lakes, the Gokyo Valley is probably one of the most beautiful valleys in the Khumbu Region, while the view from Gokyo Ri rivals any of the trekking viewpoints in the Khumbu, including a more complete – if a bit further away – view of Mt Everest than any of the other trekking viewpoints. The most western of the three passes is the Renjo La the path via the Renjo La (5340 m) provides a more strenuous route from Gokyo back to Namche Bazaar via the barren and beautiful Bhote Valley, and the Sherpa Village of Thame. The ascent to the Renjo La from Gokyo provides jaw dropping views of Mt. Everest with Gokyo Lake below.

Side trip Thame-Khumjung Alternate Route: If you’d like to experience a different village on your return you can stay in Khumjung rather than Namche Bazaar. While you won’t find the shopping, bars, restaurants, and other amenities of Namache Bazaar, Khumjung located about two hours above, does have beautiful views of Ama Dablam and a quieter laid back vibe since it is bypassed by most trekkers.

Weather Conditions in March

change start

March is the start of the ‘Spring Season’ when temperatures begin to rise from their winter lows. By the end of March, temperatures are significantly warmer at lower elevations and hot air from the valleys tend to create clouds in the mountains during the afternoons. Mornings are generally clear, with the clearest weather coming just after sunrise. At high altitudes, while generally warmer than the previous months snow is still possible, and heavy snow storms in March are not unheard of. Mornings and nights are still cold.

At a glance
On average there are 4 days with precipitation in March. The highest point on the trek is Kala Patthar at 5643 m. During March, expect high temperatures of around -0.5°C (31°F) and lows down to -17.5°C (1°F) at Kala Patthar.

Three Passes & Everest Base Camp Thame-Khumjung Alternate Route Trek
(Elevation Profile)

Available Side Trips

Add side trips by clicking '' in the itinerary below.

Extra rest days and overnights can be added once the itinerary is created. However any side trips must be added in this step before the itinerary is created.

Sun Mar 31 (day 1)

Kathmandu (1337 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 25.4°C (78°F) and lows of about 8.4°C (47°F) in March.

Kathmandu

Rating: | 1 review
Highlights: Junbesi
Difficulty: challenging
With roads being extended further into the region there are now a few options for those who want to trek in rather than fly. Starting from Dhap allows you to take in the famed views of Pikey Peak on the trek in before joining the main trail at Junbesi. For the traditionalist, with bus service now extending to Bhandar the classic Jiri start can now be reduced by a day. Starting from Bhandar allows you to follow the route of early climbing expeditions into the Khumbu. While not that high by Himalayan standards, the trekking routes into the Khumbu are surprisingly strenuous. Since the path cuts across the valleys that descend from the high Himalayas, there is a lot of up and down climbing as you climb out of one valley and descend down to a river only to climb out the other side. This area sees far fewer trekkers than the trails above Lukla, but still has a pretty good lodge infrastructure.

Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (Not Included)

Estimated cost: $180.00
Travel time: 30 minutes

Lukla (2860 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 16.2°C (61°F) and lows of about -0.8°C (31°F) in March.

Lukla

Phakding (2860 m)

About 3 hours from Lukla
Expect typical high termperatures of about 16.2°C (61°F) and lows of about -0.8°C (31°F) in March.

Phakding
Mon Apr 1 (day 2)

Monjo (2835 m)

About 2.5 hours from Phakding
Expect typical high termperatures of about 19.4°C (67°F) and lows of about 3.4°C (38°F) in April.

Namche Bazaar (3440 m)

About 2.5 hours from Monjo or about 5 hours from Phakding
Expect typical high termperatures of about 15.8°C (60°F) and lows of about -0.2°C (32°F) in April.

Namche Bazaar
Tue Apr 2 (day 3)

Namche Bazaar (3440 m)

Wed Apr 3 (day 4)

Tengboche (3870 m)

About 4-5 hours from Namche
Expect typical high termperatures of about 13.2°C (56°F) and lows of about -2.8°C (27°F) in April.

Tengboche

Rating: | 1 review
Highlights: Ama Dablam Base Camp and Tengboche
Difficulty: challenging
If you are itching to get off the trekking highway to Everest Base Camp, a day detour off to the much less visited Ama Dablam Base Camp may be just what you're looking for. This off the beaten path side trip take you right up to the base of one of the Khumbu regions most beautiful mountains. Along the way, you’ll get views of Everest as you pass by yak shelters and walls constructed by Sherpa herdsmen. Images from via Ama Dablam Base Camp Side Trek

Thu Apr 4 (day 5)

Pangboche (3930 m)

About 2 hours from Tengboche
Expect typical high termperatures of about 12.8°C (55°F) and lows of about -3.2°C (26°F) in April.

Pangboche

Difficulty: moderate
Explore the lower Gokyo Valley, following the east side of the valley up to Nha and returning down the west side of the Valley via Dole, before crossing back to the east side at Phortse and returning to Pangboche.

Dingboche (4410 m)

About 3 hours from Pangboche or about 5 hours from Tengboche
Expect typical high termperatures of about 9.9°C (50°F) and lows of about -6.1°C (21°F) in April.

Dingboche
Fri Apr 5 (day 6)

Dingboche (4410 m)

Sat Apr 6 (day 7)

Chukhung (4730 m)

About 3 hours from Dingboche
Expect typical high termperatures of about 8.0°C (46°F) and lows of about -8.0°C (18°F) in April.

Chukhung
Sun Apr 7 (day 8)

Imja Tsho (Lake) (5010 m)

Acclimatization hike to the Glacial lake of Imja Tsho about 3-5 hours round trip from Chukhung other destinations can also be requested tat the desecration of the group and guide. Island Peak Base Camp can be reached on the same day hike adding about 2-3 hours round trip to the hike.
Expect typical high termperatures of about 6.3°C (43°F) and lows of about -9.7°C (15°F) in April.

Imja Tsho (Lake)

Chukhung (4730 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 8.0°C (46°F) and lows of about -8.0°C (18°F) in April.

Chukhung

Rating: | 1 review
Highlights: Chukhung Ri
Difficulty: strenuous
The climb to the 5550 m (18,209 ft) summit of Chukhung Ri is a tough lung busting struggle, but the reward is a panoramic view of Makalu, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, and the glacial lake of Imja Tsho. This should only be attempted if you feel well acclimatized at Chukhung.

Mon Apr 8 (day 9)

Kongma La Pass (5535 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 3.2°C (38°F) and lows of about -12.8°C (9°F) in April.

Kongma La Pass

Lobuche (4940 m)

About 6-9 hours from Chukhung via the Kongma La
Expect typical high termperatures of about 6.8°C (44°F) and lows of about -9.2°C (15°F) in April.

Tue Apr 9 (day 10)

Gorak Shep (5164 m)

About 2-3 hours from Lobuche
Expect typical high termperatures of about 5.4°C (42°F) and lows of about -10.6°C (13°F) in April.

Gorak Shep

Everest Base Camp (5380 m)

About 3 hours from Gorak Shep
Expect typical high termperatures of about 4.1°C (39°F) and lows of about -11.9°C (11°F) in April.

Everest Base Camp

Gorak Shep (5164 m)

About 2-3 hours from Everest Base Camp
Expect typical high termperatures of about 5.4°C (42°F) and lows of about -10.6°C (13°F) in April.

Gorak Shep
Wed Apr 10 (day 11)

Kala Patthar (5643 m)

About 1-2 hours to climb Kala Patthar from Gorak Shep
Expect typical high termperatures of about 2.5°C (37°F) and lows of about -13.5°C (8°F) in April.

Kala Patthar

Dzongla (4800 m)

About 5-6 hours from Gorak Shep
Expect typical high termperatures of about 7.6°C (46°F) and lows of about -8.4°C (17°F) in April.

Dzongla
Thu Apr 11 (day 12)

Cho La Pass (5420 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 3.9°C (39°F) and lows of about -12.1°C (10°F) in April.

Cho La Pass

Dragnag (4800 m)

About 5-6 hours from Dzongla via the Cho La
Expect typical high termperatures of about 7.6°C (46°F) and lows of about -8.4°C (17°F) in April.

Dragnag

Gokyo (4750 m)

About 2-3 hours from Dragnag. If you want to climb Gokyo Ri you should add an extra day in Gokyo. The view from the Renjo La is similar but of course not identical to the view from Gokyo Ri.
Expect typical high termperatures of about 7.9°C (46°F) and lows of about -8.1°C (17°F) in April.

Gokyo

Highlights: Gokyo, Gokyo 5th Lake, and Gokyo 6th Lakes
Difficulty: challenging
Pack a lunch and head up to the wild remote upper Gokyo Valley for a taste of the Khumbu without trekkers and teahouses.

Fri Apr 12 (day 13)

Renjo La Pass (5340 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 4.4°C (40°F) and lows of about -11.6°C (11°F) in April.

Renjo La Pass

Lungden (4380 m)

About 6-8 hours from Gokyo via the Renjo La Pass.
Expect typical high termperatures of about 10.1°C (50°F) and lows of about -5.9°C (21°F) in April.

Lungden
Sat Apr 13 (day 14)

Thame (3820 m)

About 3 hours from Lungdhen
Expect typical high termperatures of about 13.5°C (56°F) and lows of about -2.5°C (28°F) in April.

Thame

Khumjung (3790 m)

About 5-6 hours from Thame
Expect typical high termperatures of about 13.7°C (57°F) and lows of about -2.3°C (28°F) in April.

Sun Apr 14 (day 15)

Namche Bazaar (3440 m)

About 1.5-2 hours from Khumjung
Expect typical high termperatures of about 15.8°C (60°F) and lows of about -0.2°C (32°F) in April.

Namche Bazaar

Lukla (2860 m)

About 5-7 hours from Namche
Expect typical high termperatures of about 19.2°C (67°F) and lows of about 3.2°C (38°F) in April.

Lukla
Mon Apr 15 (day 16)
Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (Not Included)

Estimated cost: $180.00
Travel time: 30 minutes

Kathmandu (1337 m)

Expect typical high termperatures of about 28.4°C (83°F) and lows of about 12.4°C (54°F) in April.

Kathmandu
you can add extra rest days after the itinerary is created

by Chris (United Kingdom) on Dec 31, 2018

Three Passes & Everest Base Camp via Ama Dablam Base Camp, Upper Gokyo Valley Day Hike to 5th & 6th Lakes, Thame-Khumjung Alternate Route, and via Chukhung Ri Climb led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

by Andrew (United Kingdom) on Nov 5, 2018

Three Passes & Everest Base Camp Overland Start led by Nigma Tamang

by Chris (United Kingdom) on Dec 31, 2018

Three Passes & Everest Base Camp via Ama Dablam Base Camp, Upper Gokyo Valley Day Hike to 5th & 6th Lakes, Thame-Khumjung Alternate Route, and via Chukhung Ri Climb led by Ang Tsering Sherpa

by Andrew (United Kingdom) on Nov 5, 2018

Three Passes & Everest Base Camp Overland Start led by Nigma Tamang

by Ludmila (Germany) on Nov 1, 2018

Everest Base Camp via Ama Dablam Base Camp led by Pemba Chiri Sherpa

side trip to Ama Dablam was a great idea, really nice trip. I enjoyed it very much.