EBC Three High Passes with Island Peak Climbing — 20 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, return to Namche for another night. The afternoon gives you time to rest, organise your equipment or visit nearby shops before continuing towards Thame on tomorrow’s route.

Leave Namche along the western valley route towards Thame. The path passes villages, prayer walls and forested hillsides, giving you a different approach from the main trail leading directly towards Everest.

Keep a steady pace as the trail rises and falls above the river. Thame’s monastery and surrounding mountain scenery are the focus of this overnight stop. If a visit is possible, follow local entry instructions and photography guidance. Rest at the teahouse before continuing farther up the valley tomorrow morning.

Continue up the valley from Thame towards Lungden, also written as Lumde. The route passes smaller villages and increasingly open slopes as you gain height, leaving more of the lower forest behind during the ascent.

Although shorter than a pass day, today increases your sleeping altitude. Walk slowly and tell your guide about any symptoms. After reaching the teahouse, rest and prepare warm clothing, water and trail food for tomorrow’s Renjo La crossing. Conditions determine the planned departure time.

Start early for the climb from Lungden to Renjo La. The ascent involves prolonged effort over high, exposed ground, with stone steps and potentially snow or ice depending on recent conditions and the chosen line. Carry layers for exposed sections.

From the pass, clear weather offers views across Gokyo’s lakes towards Everest and neighbouring peaks. Descend carefully towards Gokyo, where a teahouse provides the night’s stop. This is your first crossing; pace, footing and altitude matter throughout the day, including after reaching the top.

Begin with the steep hike above Gokyo towards Gokyo Ri. Clear conditions can reveal Everest, Cho Oyu and surrounding peaks above the lakes. Return to the village afterwards; this viewpoint hike forms only the day’s first stage before moving on.

Continue towards Thangnak, crossing the Ngozumpa Glacier by the route selected for current conditions. Moraine, loose stones and changing glacial terrain require care. Follow your guide and avoid treating the crossing as a marked path that remains unchanged. Prepare for another early departure tomorrow.

Leave Thangnak for Cho La. The climb moves over rough ground towards the pass, where snow, ice and glacier conditions affect the crossing. Suitable equipment, careful footing and your guide’s assessment are essential before continuing onto exposed sections.

Beyond the pass, descend towards Dzongla, taking particular care on icy or rocky ground. Views towards Cholatse and Ama Dablam depend on the weather. Settle into the teahouse after this sustained day and rest before tomorrow’s shorter approach to Lobuche.

Follow the hillside trail out of Dzongla towards the main Everest route. Today is shorter than the pass crossing, but uneven ground and altitude still call for a measured pace. Views open across the valley when conditions allow.

Continue towards Lobuche, where the route meets trekkers approaching Everest Base Camp from the lower valley. After checking into the teahouse, use the remaining time to rest and organise your daypack for tomorrow’s visit. Report symptoms before planning further ascent.

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.

Make an early start for Kala Patthar above Gorak Shep. The climb is steep in places, and the altitude makes each section demanding. Clear weather offers views of Everest, Nuptse and Pumori, while wind and cold can affect the outing.

Return to Gorak Shep after the hike, then retrace the trail to Lobuche. Tonight’s stop positions you for Kongma La rather than a descent to Pheriche. Rest, check tomorrow’s equipment and discuss the crossing with your guide; the next stage brings a demanding day.

Set out from Lobuche for Kongma La, the circuit’s third pass. The route involves rough glacial ground and a sustained ascent to high, exposed terrain. Your guide assesses the crossing before committing the group to the full route towards Chhukung.

After the pass, descend towards the Imja Valley and Chhukung. This is a long stage with limited facilities between villages, so carry adequate water, food and weather protection. Reaching Chhukung completes the three passes and brings you to the base for Island Peak preparations.

Take an acclimatisation hike towards Chhukung Ri before returning to the village. The turnaround point depends on your condition, the weather and the time needed for climbing preparation. Reaching the upper summit is not essential.

Use the remaining time to review equipment fit, climbing procedures and the plan for Island Peak with your climbing team. Confirm that the agreed instruction and technical equipment are ready. Rest and organise your bag before moving to base camp.

Leave Chhukung for Island Peak Base Camp, following the approach over rocky terrain and moraine. Keep your pace steady as you gain height again. The camp location and facilities depend on the arrangements confirmed for your climbing programme.

At camp, review the route, equipment and departure plan with your climbing team. Eat, drink and rest before the summit start. There is no High Camp overnight or spare summit day in this itinerary. Conditions determine whether an attempt proceeds.

Begin well before dawn if conditions and your climbing team’s assessment allow. The route combines rocky climbing, glacier travel and steeper snow or ice. Use the agreed protection systems and technical equipment under supervision; reaching the summit is never guaranteed.

The full day includes descending from the climb, returning through base camp and continuing to Chhukung. Fatigue and conditions can make the descent demanding. Follow the turnaround decision even when the summit appears close. Tonight, rest at the teahouse after the programme’s longest stage.

Leave Chhukung early and descend through Dingboche, Pangboche and Tengboche. Continue to Namche in one day, making this a substantial stage immediately after yesterday’s Island Peak attempt and descent.

Forested sections return as you lose altitude, but the route also includes climbs, particularly after crossing the river near Phunki Tenga. Maintain a sustainable pace and take breaks. Your guide reviews progress throughout the day. After reaching Namche, rest at the teahouse before the final walk to Lukla tomorrow morning.

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 or shopping. We share a farewell dinner in Kathmandu after the walking and climbing journey. Flight timing depends on weather and airline operations; today is your scheduled return.

Your twenty-day walking and climbing programme ends today. Prepare for departure, allowing enough time for your scheduled airport transfer. If your flight leaves later, you may have time for a final walk near the hotel.

Your departure transfer is arranged according to the confirmed package quotation.