About the Trip
Operated by AWExpeditions and our partner McGill Mountains
Nepal is the destination of a lifetime, and the 3 Passes Trek is the ultimate immersion in the Khumbu region, home to Chomolungma (Mount Everest) and the heart of the Himalayas. With our 22-day itinerary, you will cross three spectacular 17,000 ft and 18,000 ft passes as you follow ancient Nepali-Tibetan trade routes and immerse yourself in mystical Sherpa culture while you draw ever closer to Everest Basecamp.
Is it possible to visit the Khumbu region and Everest basecamp with less time and effort? Sure. You can trek to Everest basecamp in a fraction of the time that this journey will take, crossing zero high mountain passes and staying connected to the world on the social media fueled trekker’s super-highway that the main Khumbu Valley has become. Our Three Peaks and Passes to Everest adventure is the exact opposite: It is remote and challenging – at times maybe uncomfortably so. It is remote, soulful, and immersive. It will ask you to disconnect from daily life so that you can spend time reconnecting with parts of yourself that may not get to surface often. Be ready for an experience that will leave you changed forever.
The Three Passes high points:
- Renjo La Pass | 17,585 ft (5,360 m) — Day 10
- Cho La Pass | 17,782 ft (5,420 m) — Day 13
- Kongma La Pass | 18,209 ft (5,550 m) — Day 18
Summits & Viewpoints - Gokyo Ri | 17,575 ft (5,357 m) — Day 11 (optional)
- Kala Patthar | 18,519 ft (5,645 m) — Day 15 (optional)
- Everest Base Camp | 17,594 ft (5,364 m) — Day 16
Peak Add-On - Lobuche East | 20,075 ft (6,119 m) — Days 14–15 window $750 add-on. Covers permits, summit day guide support, and technical equipment. Decide on the trail — no advance commitment required.
About Nepal and the trip
Operated by AWExpeditions and our partner McGill Mountains
Nepal is the destination of a lifetime. The Three Passes Trek is the ultimate immersion in the Khumbu region — home to Chomolungma (Mount Everest) and the heart of the Himalayas. Over 22 days, you will cross three spectacular passes above 17,000 ft, follow ancient Nepali-Tibetan trade routes, and immerse yourself in mystical Sherpa culture as you draw ever closer to Everest Base Camp.
This is not the standard Everest Base Camp trek. That route exists, and it is fine. This one is different. It is remote, soulful, and demanding — at times uncomfortably so. It will ask you to disconnect from daily life so you can reconnect with parts of yourself that don’t often get to surface. The passes are the route. The peaks are there if you want them. Either way, you will leave changed.
New for 2026: Peaks on Your Terms The passes have always been the backbone of this journey. This year, we are making the peaks official. Lobuche East (6,119m / 20,075 ft) is available as an opt-in summit experience for guests who want to go higher. This is a real Himalayan peak — not a walk-up — but it is accessible to fit, motivated trekkers with no prior mountaineering experience required. You decide at base camp. No pressure either way.
Your Guide
This expedition is led by Dr. Jeannette McGill of McGill’s Mountains, one of the only female Western expedition leaders operating in the Khumbu. Jeannette is an Everest summiter with deep Sherpa cultural fluency and years of experience on this exact route. She is supported by an experienced Nepali sirdar and a carefully selected local team.
AWExpeditions is the only women-owned and women-led company running a program of this depth and difficulty in the Khumbu. That is not incidental — it shapes every aspect of how this trip is run.
This is a non-technical high-altitude trekking itinerary that does not require mountaineering skills. Participants must be in excellent physical condition. Previous hiking experience is required. Previous backpacking experience and/or high altitude experience is highly recommended.
Trip duration: 22 days / 21 nights
Max group size: 8 guests & 2 guides
Pricing: $5,900
Lobuche East add-on: $750 (opt-in on the trail*)
All reservations require a $500 deposit at the time of signup; balance of expedition fees typically comes due in two installments 60 and 90 days prior to departure. Ask us about flexible payment plans to space out payments further.
*Opt-in pricing is subject to change based on availability. For guaranteed pricing please book in advance.
Trip Details
Trip Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 2: Sightseeing, gear check & welcome dinner
- Day 3: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding
- Day 4: Phakding monastery visit
- Day 5: Trek to Namche Bazaar
- Day 6: Acclimatization & visit to Everest View Hotel
- Day 7: Trek to Thame
- Day 8: Acclimatization hike on Sunder Peak
- Day 9: Trek to Lungdhen
- Day 10: Renjo La Pass (17,585 ft)
- Day 11: Gokyo Ri (17,575 ft)
- Day 12: Trek to Dragnag
- Day 13: Cho la Pass (17,782 ft)
- Day 14: Trek to Lobuche Village
- Day 15: Trek to Gorak Shep and Kala Pattar (18,519 ft)
- Day 16: Everest Basecamp (17,594 ft)
- Day 17: Contingency Day
- Day 18: Kangma La Pass (18,209 ft)
- Day 19: Visit to Island Peak Basecamp or rest day in Chukkung
- Day 20: Trek to Tengboche
- Day 21: Trek to Namche
- Day 22: Trek to Lukla
- Day 23: Return to Kathmandu & final lunch/dinner
- Day 24: Depart
Packing List
You will receive a detailed packing list in your expedition handbook after reserving your spot on this expedition. AWExpedition and our local partner will be responsible for group items including med kits, group food kits and more; you are responsible for your personal backpacking gear including the following items:
- Hiking boots
- Trekking poles
- 40l+ backpack
- 0 degree (F) sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Glacier glasses
- Backpacking attire including
- Warm down jacket
- Wind/water-proof GoreTex jacket
- Gloves
Technical mountaineering gear (rigid mountaineering boots, harness, crampons, ice axe, helmet etc) is not needed for this itinerary.
A more complete list is provided in the handbook. A broad selection of rental gear is available through national brands such as REI or Kit Lender. In addition, it is easily possible rent gear on location in Kathmandu.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- All international airport/hotel transfers in Kathmandu
- 3 nights accommodation in 3-star level hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu (2x pre-trail, 1x post-trail)
- Welcome and cultural dinner in Kathmandu
- Teahouse and tented accommodation during trekking and climbing
- Breakfasts in Kathmandu and three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) in the mountains
- Ground transportation by private vehicles to/from domestic airport
- All necessary staff with experienced English speaking climbing leader (guide/sirdar), cook and necessary Sherpa porters to carry duffels and climbing equipment, other helpers including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
- All domestic flights (Kathmandu to Lukla to Kathmandu)
- All necessary paper work: TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park fee
Other costs
- Nepal Visa fee (bring US$ 50 USD cash and two passport photographs (just in case) for visa issue on arrival)
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen
- Travel and rescue insurance – recommendation: Global Rescue or World Nomad; emergency evacuation including helicopter and high altitude coverage required
- Personal backpacking equipment – good quality gear can be rented in Kathmandu if necessary
- Personal expenses (phone calls/air time/internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled/boiled water, hot shower, snacks, curios, specialty coffee’s etc.) – recommend US$20-30/day
- Personal medications
- Optional trips and sightseeing if trip is extended
- Tips for local guides and porters – approx. US $400
- Single supplement - contact us to discuss availability and pricing
Trip FAQs
- How fit do I have to be? This is a demanding high-altitude backpacking adventure. You have to be able to comfortably hike 10-12 miles on with 5,000ft+ of ascent and not feel utterly exhausted at the end of it, in order to enjoy this trek
- How difficult is the route? This is a long itinerary that mixes very demanding pass crossings with easier trekking and some active rest days. There is plenty of time for acclimatization, but you need to be ready to put down several hard high mountain pushes within a relatively short period of time (just take a look at days 13-18 in the itinerary!). Each individual push can be a 7-10 hour day with up to 3500 ft of elevation gain and even more descent. In addition, we are spending half of our time above 14,000 ft which means that altitude becomes a big factor.
- Should I be taking acetazolamide (Diamox) for this high altitude trek? That's a question for you and your physician. If you haven't been to 18,000ft before there is no telling how your body will react to extreme altitude: our bodies' ability to acclimatize is mostly determined by genetics, and the best predictor for your ability to acclimatize is prior performance at high altitude. In addition, Diamox takes 24-48 hours to become effective. Here's what that means for those who don't have prior experience at extreme high altitude, i.e. no insights into their ability to naturally acclimatize: if you'd like to minimize your odds of experiencing AMS (acute mountain sickness) Diamox may be advised; note: Diamox does carry negative side effects; consult with your physician when you seek to obtain a prescription.
- How much weight will I have to carry? You'll need to carry your personal gear except for your sleeping bag, which will be transported via our team of Sherpas and guides. Depending on how efficiently you pack, you'll likely be looking at ~25lbs.
- Is is possible to hire porters? Yes, it is possible to skinny your weight down more by securing additional support. Contact us to discuss details & cost.
- How many miles will we hike each day? Daily mileage ranges from 10-13 miles, with anywhere between 3,000 and 6,000ft of vertical change (ascent and descent).
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Dates for the next Nepal departure are not announced yet. Email info@awexpeditions.org to hear first when they are.