Getting there & away

The typical starting point of the Three Passes Trek is the mountain airport of Lukla, a 30-minute spectacular flight from Kathmandu.

If you have some more time, there are a couple of alternative trailheads that add a number of trekking days in the Lower Khumbu: The small airport of Phaplu (adds about 4 days of trekking) and the trailhead at the end of the road in Jiri (adds about 7 days).

Airport at Lukla, the start of your trek
Permits & regulations

As with other treks in the Everest region, you’ll needs a TIMS ($10 USD) permit and a Sagarmatha National Park permit ($30 USd). If you’re going through a trekking agency, they will arrange these for you. If you’re arranging your trek yourself, you’ll need to pick up your TIMS permit in Kathmandu, and your Sagarmatha National Park permit in Monjo (a village checkpost you’ll pass through on the first day of your trek).

Detailed itinerary

DayDestinationAltitudeDuration
Day 01Phakding2610m3 hours
Day 02Namche Bazaar3440m5.5 hours
Day 03Namche Bazaar3440m(Rest day)
Day 04Tengboche3870m4 hours
Day 05Dingboche4410m6 hours
Day 06Dingboche4410m(Rest day)
Day 07Chukhung4730m3 hours
Day 08Chukhung4730m(Rest day)
Day 09Lobuche (via Kongma La, 5535m)4940m6 hours
Day 10Gorak Shep (via EBC, 5380m)5164m7.5 hours
Day 11Lobuche (via Kala Patthar, 5545m)4940m5 hours
Day 12Dzonglha4200m3 hours
Day 13Gokyo (via Cho La pass, 5420m)4750m8 hours
Day 14Gokyo (visit to Gokyo Ri, 5330m)4750m(Rest day)
Day 15Lungde (via Renjo La, 5340m) 6 hours
Day 16Thame3800m2.5 hours
Day 17Namche Bazaar3440m3 hours
Day 18Phakding2610m4 hours
Day 19Lukla2850m2.5 hours

Best season

Spring (March – May) and Autumn (October – November) are the best seasons to do this trek. The monsoon season (June – early September) has less predictable weather, but some trekkers still choose this time as it aligns better with their vacation schedule. Winter season (December – February) gets quite cold, and snow may block the passes, but often offers clear skies.