Everest Cho La and Renjo La Pass Trek — 19 Days

Your mountain journey begins with a flight to Lukla at 2,860 m. Depending on airline operations and the season, the flight may depart from Kathmandu or Manthali Airport in Ramechhap.

After landing, you meet your trekking team and begin walking towards Phakding. The trail passes village homes, prayer wheels and forested slopes, with downhill stretches and shorter climbs along the way. Sections follow the Dudh Koshi River, introducing you to the valley you will explore over the coming days. We spend the night in Phakding.

We follow the Dudh Koshi through villages and pine forests, passing Benkar and Monjo before entering Sagarmatha National Park. Your guide handles the permit checks along the route.

Suspension bridges connect the valley trails, followed by a sustained uphill walk towards Namche. This final climb is the most demanding part of the day, so we allow time for breaks. Namche’s shops, lodges and houses spread across the hillside, making it an important trading town and a useful place to spend the next two nights.

We stay another night in Namche and take a shorter hike above the town. A usual option is the trail towards Hotel Everest View, where clear weather offers views of Everest and nearby peaks.

Your guide chooses the walk according to conditions and how the group is feeling. Afterwards, we return to Namche for the night. The afternoon gives you time to rest, visit the shops or stop at a café before continuing towards Tengboche tomorrow.

Leaving Namche, we follow the hillside trail before descending towards Phunki Tenga. Mountain views accompany sections of the walk, while the river marks the low point before the climb to Tengboche.

The uphill trail passes through pine and rhododendron forest. Once we reach the village, you can settle into the teahouse and explore the surroundings. Tengboche’s Buddhist monastery stands against the mountain backdrop of Ama Dablam. If it is open to visitors, your guide explains the visiting customs before you enter.

We descend through forest towards Debuche, cross the Imja Khola and continue through Pangboche. As the route gains height, the trees become fewer and the valley opens into slopes with low vegetation and stone buildings.

The trail passes Somare before reaching Dingboche in the Imja Valley. Today brings a noticeable gain in sleeping altitude, so we keep a steady pace throughout the walk. After checking into your teahouse, the remaining afternoon is available for rest before tomorrow’s acclimatisation hike.

Our second acclimatisation day includes a hike above Dingboche followed by another night in the village. The usual direction is towards the Nangkartshang viewpoint, with the turnaround point determined by conditions and the group’s progress.

The hillside gives you a broader view of Dingboche and the surrounding valley. We then return to the teahouse, leaving the afternoon for rest and preparation. Tomorrow, the route continues towards Lobuche, where the terrain becomes increasingly rocky and glacial.

We leave Dingboche and cross open ground towards Thukla. After a break, the trail climbs more steeply to the memorial area above the village. The stone memorials commemorate climbers and Sherpas who lost their lives in the mountains.

Beyond this section, we continue beside the Khumbu Glacier towards Lobuche. Uneven ground and increasing altitude make the walking more demanding, even where the gradient eases. We settle into the teahouse and prepare for tomorrow’s journey to Everest Base Camp.

We start from Lobuche and follow the rocky trail towards Gorak Shep. After a break, we continue to Everest Base Camp, crossing uneven glacial ground along the Khumbu Glacier.

Reaching base camp brings you into the landscape used by Everest expedition teams. During the spring climbing season, tents and expedition activity may be visible. At other times, the glacier and surrounding mountains define the visit.

After spending time at base camp, we retrace the trail to Gorak Shep. Tonight’s stop puts us close to the starting point for tomorrow’s Kala Patthar hike.

We make an early start for Kala Patthar. The climb above Gorak Shep is steep in places, and the altitude makes it demanding. In clear weather, the viewpoint offers close views of Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and the surrounding Khumbu peaks.

After the hike, return to Gorak Shep for breakfast and walk towards Lobuche. We then leave the main trail for Dzongla, following rocky slopes with views across the surrounding mountains in clear weather. Settle into your teahouse and prepare for tomorrow’s Cho La crossing.

We leave Dzongla early and climb towards Cho La. Rocky paths lead to glacier terrain, where snow and ice can affect footing. Your guide assesses conditions before continuing higher.

The pass connects the Everest Base Camp side of the Khumbu with the Gokyo Valley. Follow your guide closely across the upper section, then begin the descent over steep, uneven ground towards the lower valley below.

The descent continues to Thangnak, where we settle into a teahouse. Keep a steady pace throughout this demanding stage and tell your guide if you feel unwell.

Today’s shorter stage crosses the Ngozumpa Glacier towards Gokyo. The route passes over rocky debris and uneven moraine, with small climbs and descents along the way. Follow your guide’s chosen path across the changing terrain.

After leaving the glacier, continue towards Gokyo Village beside Dudh Pokhari, the third lake. We spend two nights here. Settle into your teahouse, rest and organise your warm layers for tomorrow’s viewpoint hike. Explore the nearby lakeside paths if your energy and conditions allow.

We start early for the climb to Gokyo Ri. The path rises above the village, with the altitude adding effort to the steep ascent. Walk steadily and keep warm layers accessible before the sun rises.

In clear weather, the viewpoint offers views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, with Gokyo Lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier below. Return carefully to Gokyo and rest. Your guide reviews conditions and your progress before tomorrow’s Renjo La crossing.

We leave Gokyo early and climb towards Renjo La. The ascent is steep, with rocky ground and possible snow or ice. Your guide assesses conditions and your progress throughout.

From the pass, clear weather gives views across Gokyo Lakes towards Everest and the surrounding peaks. After a break, begin the long descent over stone steps and uneven paths into the western valley of the Khumbu.

Continue towards Lungden in the Bhote Koshi valley, where we stay in a teahouse. Both passes are behind you, although the remaining trek still includes uphill stretches.

From Lungden, follow the Bhote Koshi valley towards Thame. The trail loses height through grazing country, passing stone-walled fields, village homes and Buddhist features. After yesterday’s long crossing, today allows a steadier walk through the lower part of the valley.

Thame is a Sherpa village known for its monastery and links with Himalayan mountaineering. Settle into your teahouse and rest. If time and conditions allow, ask your guide about exploring nearby paths or visiting the monastery, following local customs and any current access arrangements.

Leaving Thame, follow the valley back towards Namche Bazaar. The route passes village homes and Buddhist features before returning to wooded slopes, with uphill stretches between the descending sections.

As we approach Namche, familiar shops, lodges and cafés come into view. Check into your teahouse after completing the circuit through Gokyo and the western valley. The rest of the day allows time to organise your belongings, visit nearby shops or rest before tomorrow’s final trekking stage back to Lukla.

Our final trekking day follows the route down from Namche through Jorsalle, Monjo and Phakding. You cross familiar suspension bridges and return through the forested sections of the Dudh Koshi valley.

The approach to Lukla includes uphill stretches, so there is still some effort ahead after the main descent. On arrival, we check into the teahouse for the last night in the mountains. The evening gives you time to organise your belongings and spend time with your guide and porter team.

We prepare for the return flight from Lukla. Depending on the operating schedule, you may fly directly to Kathmandu or land at Manthali Airport and continue by road.

After reaching your hotel, the remaining time is free for rest, shopping or exploring nearby areas. We share a farewell dinner in Kathmandu, bringing the trekking programme to a close. Flight timing remains dependent on weather and airline operations.

Your 19-day Everest Two Passes Trek ends today. After breakfast, you prepare for your onward journey. Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for a final walk nearby before leaving the hotel.

Our representative accompanies you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure.