Many head to the passes looking for a more difficult journey and to depart the crowded trails of the Everest Base Camp trek behind.
On this information sequence, I’ll be going into extra element about every mountain climbing day. This Three Excessive Passes Trek itinerary follows an anti-clockwise path. It’s attainable to go the opposite manner, nonetheless, this manner is healthier in an effort to keep away from an enormous acquire in altitude within the first week.
The primary three days of the trek sees you leaving Kathmandu to Lukla, and mountain climbing to Namche Bazaar through Phakding. You’ll additionally in all probability need an acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar.
READ: Three Passes Packing Checklist – What You Want For The Three Passes & EBC Trek
Three Passes: Impartial Trekking Information Book
Since web connectivity is proscribed within the Khumbu, I’ve written a complete trekking information to the Three Passes which you’ll obtain as an eBook to be used in your cell, pill, or e-reader.
I’ve at present bought this eBook listed on Amazon at a reduced worth of lower than $6!
The Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek on a Price range
Climbing within the Himalayas might be an costly enterprise. That is very true for these seeking to hike within the Khumbu area. Nonetheless, I imagine that there’s no cash on this planet price greater than the unmatched great thing about the Khumbu area.
In saying that, like most adventures, it’s only a matter of planning and making sensible choices in an effort to full the trek on a finances.
My Expertise and Analysis
This information shall be written based mostly on my private experiences on the Everest Three Excessive Passes trek, which I accomplished with my girlfriend Haylea, in April 2019.
I’ve additionally gathered in depth analysis from books, native sherpas, and on-line sources to provide the most dependable info with the intention to sort out the trek by your self.
Paying it Ahead
I’ve written this information as a result of all of us can’t afford costly lodges, private guides and porters to hold our luggage. On the identical time, it’s vital to grasp that our trekking is paying for the livelihood of many communities that survive within the harsh Khumbu parts.
So, if we’re not hiring a information or porter for the Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek, what can we do to pay it ahead?
Spending Cash on the Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek
Whereas mountain climbing for 20+ days, you’ll must spend cash to refuel and survive. Our two inevitable prices are paying for lodges and meals.
When selecting a spot to sleep, attempt to assist the smaller lodges. This implies you’ll be serving to smaller native households who don’t see as many trekkers. You’ll in all probability additionally get a extra genuine expertise and a greater home-cooked Dhal Baat.
Bear in mind to assist your lodge by consuming your meals there. Whereas it can save you cash by carrying oats and light-weight dried meals for breakfast and lunch, you’ll be able to assist the Khumbu folks by shopping for dinner every evening.
If you need path snacks, there are additionally many small retailers alongside the path.
Though I didn’t rent a information or porter, it’s additionally attainable to rent every for under the passes. In the event you’re nervous about making it over the passes, or the paths are icy, then it’s one other nice solution to pay it ahead.
Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek
So, let’s get into the information. The primary three days will see trekkers leaving the human altitudes of Kathmandu, touchdown in Lukla and trekking to Namche Bazaar with a cease in Phakding on the way in which.
The map beneath will spotlight the final route for the primary few days. Bear in mind to ignore any Google time predictions, as a result of they definitely aren’t accounting for altitude. Additionally, it’s essential to have a bodily Everest Three Passes Trek map when mountain climbing within the Khumbu.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AN EVEREST THREE PASSES MAP
Day 1: Fly From Kathmandu to Lukla and Stroll to Phakding
TREKKING TIME: 3 HOURS
ALTITUDE: 200M DESCENT 50M ASCENT
SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 2610M
The standard Everest Three Passes Trek begins in Lukla. Whereas it’s attainable to stroll from Jiri, this can add one other 5 to 6 days to your itinerary. Moreover, you’ll doubtless spend the identical amount of cash on a bus, meals, and lodges as you’d a aircraft ticket anyway.
The Lukla Flight
By taking the mountain flight to Lukla, you’ll voluntarily be touchdown in one of the harmful airports on this planet. The truth is, once I was ready to fly down from Lukla after trekking, I witnessed a horrible aircraft crash which resulted within the demise of a pilot and two police guards.
However, don’t let the fame put you off flying. This actually was a freak accident, which hadn’t occurred for a number of years earlier than. I’ve additionally been informed {that a} bus or jeep to Jiri can be way more harmful than flying.
There are three primary airways that function scheduled flights from Kathmandu to Lukla. Probably the most dependable being Yeti Airways. A flight from Kathmandu will value roughly $170 one-way.
The flight will take roughly 45 minutes, nonetheless, delays are quite common. I’d counsel reserving the earliest attainable morning flight, and reserving on-line no less than per week earlier than the hike.
LUKLA FLIGHT TIP:
For these mountain climbing to Everest Base camp or doing the Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek, make sure that to take a seat on the left facet of the aircraft when flying to Lukla and on the appropriate facet when flying again. This offers you the very best views of the mountains.
Lukla to Phakding
The mix of adrenaline from the flight and the rapidly thinning air will little doubt be making your ft itching to begin the trek. That is additionally the time the place you’ll be able to rent a information or porter, as there shall be a number of ready for newly landed passengers.
As you go by means of the North finish of the city, you will note a police checkpoint. Right here you will have to register your title and deliberate route. Additionally, you will be directed to a home instantly reverse, the place you will have to pay a Solukhumbu Entrance Payment. This prices 2000 rupees.
After registering and leaving Lukla, the path drops previous Kyangma and after about half-hour, into Cheplung. Quickly after, you’ll see the primary views of the Dudh Kosi, which you’ll then cross twice over big, hanging metallic suspension bridges.
Proceed on the monitor, following yaks, donkeys and different trekkers on the apparent path till you attain the village of Phakding (2160M), roughly three hours after leaving Lukla.
There are a number of lodges to select from in Phakding, my selection was the Trekker’s Lodge, which charged 200 rupees per room for 2, and 500 rupees for a Dahl Bhat.
An alternate:
In the event you arrived early in Lukla and you continue to have power, it’s one other steep, six-hour stroll to Namche Bazaar. You’ll have to climb one other 1000M on arguably one of many hardest ascents on all the trek, bar the passes.
When you’ve got time, then I’d counsel refueling in Phakding and tackling Namche the next day.
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
TREKKING TIME: 6 HOURS
ALTITUDE: 1000M ASCENT 100M DESCENT
SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 3450M
Phakding to Monjo
The second day of the Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek begins with a brief descent, following the Dudh Kosi valley by means of the pine-tree hills.
Take the time to understand the inexperienced environment and homely villages as you hike by means of TokTok, Benkar, and Chumoa. The path has patches of rhododendron forests and in Spring, blossoming and flowering bushes.
It’s a brief climb into Monjo, which additionally has a number of lodges and shops for stocking up on Snickers Bars or mountain climbing snacks.
On the finish of the city, the doorway to the Sagarmatha Nationwide Park begins. Earlier than you’ll be able to enter nonetheless, you’ll must pay the doorway price of 3000 rupees. Don’t fear, that is the final price that you just’ll must pay on all the trek.
The doorway is marked by a kani, which is a gateway formed as a Stupa. As you stroll by means of, flip the prayer wheels. It is a second that actually signifies the beginning of your Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek journey.
Monjo to Namche Bazar
After a steep descent down into the valley, you’ll be strolling alongside the rocky river path. Quickly, you’ll get your first views of the Edmund Hillary Bridge.
You’ll discover that there are two hanging bridges within the valley. The primary one is not in use by trekkers, so that you’ll must take the highest bridge. Comply with the path into the forest, which can signify the beginning of the massive climb.
Be aware of donkeys on this path. As that is the one path between Lukla and Namche Bazar, it could actually get fairly crowded with Everest Base Camp Trekkers and porters. Bear in mind to remain uphill of any yak or donkey when letting them go you.
First Views of Everest
There’s a single relaxation space on the monitor between Monjo and Namche Bazar. Will probably be on the appropriate of the trail, and also you’ll discover a small rest room block and waste disposal space. From right here, you can even catch the primary glimpse of Everest earlier than persevering with the lengthy climb by means of the pines into Namche Bazar.
Namche Bazar
Simply earlier than you enter the city, you will note one other police checkpoint. You’ll want to point out each of your permits that you just picked up in Lukla and Monjo. This generally is a fairly sluggish course of, particularly in peak trekking season.
Shortly after, you’ll begin listening to the peaceable hammering of rocks and flowing of water that’s Namche’s heartbeat.
Namche Bazar is the most important city that you just’ll go to on the Everest Three Excessive Passes trek, and the most important within the Khumbu. There are dozens of lodges, bars, cafes, pizzerias and bakeries.
In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to be in Namche on a weekend, don’t miss the market. Many native Khumbu folks make the lengthy stroll from surrounding villages each week to commerce and collect produce.
As of 2019, there’s a new mounted lodge pricing scheme working in most townships. In Namche Bazar, it’ll value you 1000 rupees per room in any lodge. We stayed on the smaller Sagarmadddtha Lodge on the hill, the place we picked up a double serving of Dhal Bhat for 500 rupees. Anticipate to pay way more in a few of the greater lodges for meals.
Day 3 – Acclimatization Hikes to Khunde and Khumjung Village
TREKKING TIME: 4 HOURS
ALTITUDE: 450M ASCENT 450M DESCENT
SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 3450M
Most trekkers are inspired to spend a second evening in Namche Bazar to assist with acclimatization. Fortunately, there are many day journey treks from Namche, so that you don’t must cease strolling.
It’ll even be a pleasant change to depart your bag on the lodge and take a smaller day pack out to present your again a little bit of a relaxation.
I’d extremely suggest trying out neighboring Khunde and Khumjung, that are two of the most important Sherpa villages within the Khumbu. There’s a path that loops between Namche and these villages, which additionally affords unimaginable views of Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam.
Khunde
The path begins simply close to the Namche Gompa. Start by taking the steep path up the mountain and comply with it to the small township of Zarok.
There are a number of signposts indicating the path to Khunde. You’ll additionally go an airstrip on the way in which, which is not in operation.
Proceed previous the massive boulders and the windy highway down into Khunde.
Khumjung Village
After spending a while trying out the native sherpa life in Khunde, you’ll be able to flip proper and navigate the stone-wall maze and thru the potato fields onto the following village; Khumjung.
These villages supply an perception into actual Sherpa life. All homes right here have been reconstructed after the earthquake and look virtually an identical beneath Khumbila peak.
In Khumjung, there’s a college, established by Sir Edmund Hillary, together with a submit workplace, and gompa.
I’d suggest tackling the hill simply beside the Hidden Village Lodge for a bit additional acclimatization and unimaginable views over the villages and mountain giants forward of the path.
This acclimatization journey was the primary and solely time I personally skilled indicators of AMS. It was nothing greater than a lingering headache, which vanished the next day. After chatting with different trekkers, most individuals start to really feel these signs right here, as a result of big enhance in altitude from Kathmandu to the Sherpa villages in just a few days.
Returning to Namche
You may loop again to Namche by taking the southern path previous the submit workplace. There’s even one other viewpoint a bit additional down this path that gives some glimpses of Everest.
When you attain the airstrip, comply with the identical steep path again into Namche Bazar. The following few days will proceed on the Everest Base Camp path till you ultimately verge off and start the Everest Three Excessive Passes trek.
Hold Studying the Everest Three Excessive Passes Trek Information
That’s it for the Three Excessive Passes information days 1 – 3! Hold studying within the subsequent articles beneath.
Additionally, don’t miss this Three Passes itinerary for a run-down on the whole lot you’ll must know earlier than heading out on the Three Excessive Passes Trek.
MY CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
For an inventory of all my really helpful pictures gear (together with what I exploit and why) try my information to digicam gear for journey.
In the event you’d like to make use of any of the images on this web site, please go to my licensing web page to learn how. I additionally promote skilled fine-art prints, go to my Print Retailer or contact me instantly for customs prints of any pictures on We Search Journey.
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