Trek Nepal’s Famed Khumbu on the Everest Three Passes Loop
Combine the highest peaks on Earth, Himalayan culture, and mountaineering history on the classic trek through Nepal's famed Khumbu region on the Everest Three Passes Loop, including (weather permitting) the classic Mt. Everest viewpoint at Kala Patar and Mt. Everest base camp with three of the world's highest peaks (Everest, the highest peak at 29,031ft, Lhotse, the fourth-highest at 27,939ft, and Makalu, the fifth highest at 27,837ft); the town of Gokyo with its lakes and stunning views of 26,900-foot Cho Oyo (the world's 6th highest peak); and the town of Thame, home to many famous Sherpa mountaineers including Apa Sherpa. Stay in lodges with meals provided, and porters will haul your overnight gear, so you need only carry only a daypack. This trek involves multiple days reaching altitudes over 15,000 feet, including 7 days in a row exceeding 17,000 feet.
"It’s not the mountain one must conquer, but one’s self." -- Sir Edmund Hillary
The Khumbu region of Nepal offers views of several of the highest peaks on Earth, dramatic glaciers and glacial lakes, as well as Himalayan culture and ancient and modern history, and decades of mountaineering history. Nepal is a fascinating country with spectacular scenery, ancient Hindu and Buddhist religions, and friendly people. A stay in bustling, chaotic Kathmandu gives you an unforgettable experience of Nepal's enterprising people and great food as well as access to several nearby world heritage sites . A flight to Lukla's breathtaking (literally!) cliff-side Tenzing-Hillary airport, and trek via the Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar and multiple Buddhist monasteries and over one high pass to the lodge at Gorakshep and best Mt. Everest viewpoint at Kala Patar (18,450 feet), as well as to Mt. Everest base camp if weather permits. The well-known Everest Three-Passes Loop heads south then west from Gorakshep, going over another pass to Gokyo with it's amazing lakes and nearby glacier in the shadow of 26,900' Cho Oyo, and over a third pass and down to the town of Thame (home to the most famous Sherpa Mountaineer Apa Sherpa) before before descending to Namche and Lukla for the return to Kathmandu. From these passes, many of the world's highest peaks will be arrayed before you. Trekkers can stay in comfortable lodges with three hot meals a day provided. Porters carry the overnight gear so you need only carry a daypack. Still, this is a stark and challenging route and trekkers will face multiple days at altitudes over 17,000 feet, so experienced guides and outfitter as well as careful planning for acclimatization and careful attention to symptoms are essential, as well as preparation for changeable mountain weather.
The seasons for this trek are the fall (October-November) when conditions are driest but very cold, or spring (March-April) which features mountainsides of rhododendron in bloom but a higher potential for rain.
GETTING THERE:
Many flights go from Seattle into Kathmandu via Singapore, Doha, Dubai and Hongkong. These flights can take anywhere from 25 to over 35 hours with reasonable connections.
- Suitable Activities: Global Adventures
- Seasons: March, April, October, November
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Strenuous/Very Strenuous
- Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
- Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
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