Three Passes Trek Difficulty

Without a doubt, Everest Three Passes Trek is the supreme trek to do by the Himalayas in Nepal. The trek lies in the popular Everest region which is in the knowledge of every adventurer. There are no such exact words to describe the beauty of this trek. If we still have to try to describe it in a few words then they would be an adventurous, enthralling, and admirable trek.

Everest Three Passes Trek is taken as one of the longest treks to do in Nepal. This is a long pursuit of three high passes of the region: Kongma La Pass(5,535m), Cho La Pass(5,420m), Renjo La Pass(5,340m). Apart from these picturesque and dramatic passes, the trek will take you to other scenic places too. Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and Gokyo Ri are three other major stops of the trek. All of the places that you have just read are the major ones only. If a list has to be made, then it will take a while to write all of the awesome stays of the trek. For now, you just keep one thing in mind that the trek is an extremely eventful trek.

However, it is not easy at all to experience and go through this trek. This trek is also a mention among the strenuous treks in Nepal. It will take at least two weeks of hardship to get completed. The trail is sometimes notably steep, sometimes it is exceptionally rough, and other times it is tiring. Moreover, high altitudes are too normal for the trek. That is why the trek is advised to the highly experienced and in good shape trekkers only.

“Difficult ways often lead to beautiful destinations' ' you surely have heard it. Just take Three Passes Trek, as one of the beautiful destinations and go over this. But don't ever ignore the Three Passes Trek Difficulty.

For that reason, we have come up with this blog about Three Passes Trek Difficulty. This will help you decide, how difficult is Three Passes Trek and what should be done to get over it?

Highlights of Everest Three Passes Trek

• The best way to taste the limitless beauty of the Everest region.
• Explore the living place of Sherpas, one of the toughest people living in the world.
• Get surrounded by the enormous vegetation and greenery of the region.
• Pass through many well known traditional villages.
• Trek via one of the adventurous trails in the world.
• Get yourself plenty of mountain views throughout the trek.
• Reach the most desired places like Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar
• Enjoy the great panorama of peaks like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam from all three high passes( Kongma La, Renjo La, and Cho La) of the region.
• Feel what it is like to breathe in the highest region of the world.
• Come across many scenic suspension bridges, religiously important monasteries, gompas, mani walls.

Is there any Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty?

If your question is as above then our answer will be, of course, yes. As mentioned before, the trek is one of the challenging treks in the world. The trek starts slow and calm at first but as you gain some distance, the difficulties will start to come along. The road starts to get vertical, rough along with the more and more beautiful. Altitude tends to remain above 3000m+ most of the time. The higher you lead to, the newer challenges start to appear in this trek.

Telling in numbers, a trekker on this trek has to trek for around 7 hours daily. Plus, this trek goes a distance that is about 166KM(103 miles). You can easily guess now, how hard the trek really is. Trekking on a sloppy and steep trail for 7 hours or more is never an easy walk. Alongside that, you will be moving your body at high elevations. You’ll scale three high passes along with Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and Gokyo Ri. All of these places are above 5,300m+ altitude. The high altitudes of the trek take the trek to the next level of difficulty.

The low areas of the trek are easier to walk and there are no involvements of high altitudes and sickness at all. But as you gain some heights on this trek, the troubles start to roam around all of the time. More specifically, the times of scaling the three high passes are the toughest ones. Anything can happen anytime when you are at or above 5,000m.

As of all these facts, the trek is deemed as the tough trek to do in Nepal. But you know where the tough roads lead to. Therefore, you have to prepare as it is your ultimate walk of life and dare it.

Outlined Itinerary of Everest Three Passes Trek

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu(1,400m).

Day 02: Preparation for the trek.

Day 03: Flight to Lukla(2,800m) and Trek to Phakding(2,850m)

Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar(3,440m)

Day 05: Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar.

Day 06: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche(3,870m).

Day 07: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche(4,410m).

Day 08: Trek from Dingboche to Chhukung(4,730m).

Day 09: Trek from Lobuche(4,940m) via Kongma La Pass(5,535m).

Day 10: Trek from Gorak Shep(5,164m) via Everest Base Camp(5,380m).

Day 11: Trek from Gorak Shep to Lobuche(4,940m) via Kala Patthar(5,545m).

Day 12: Trek from Lobuche to Dzongla(4,200m).

Day 13: Trek from Dzongla to Gokyo(4,750m) via Cho La Pass(5,420m).

Day 14: Rest day at Gokyo and hike up to Gokyo Ri(5,330m).

Day 15: Trek from Gokyo to Lungde via Renjo La(5,340m).

Day 16: Trek from Lungde to Thame(3,800m).

Day 17: Trek from Thame to Namche Bazaar(3,400m).

Day 18: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Phakding(2,610m).

Day 19: Trek from Phakding to Lukla(2,850m).

Day 20: Fly back to Kathmandu(1,400m)

Day 21: Departure from Kathmandu.

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Major Three Passes Trek Difficulties

Distance and Duration

Everest Three Passes Trek is not a difficult trek for well-experienced trekkers who can easily cover a distance of around 166 KM over three weeks or so. Likewise, if you can keep yourself walking for 5 to 8 hours a day, you are eligible for the trek. If you cannot deal with the trek’s distance and duration then there is something to keep you worried. For an inexperienced head, the trek can be a long and tiring journey. It is never a piece of cake for the trekkers who are just writing their trekking stories. That is why the distance to be walked on the trek and the daily trek duration can be a problem for some trekkers.

Weather and Temperature

The weather and temperature is always a source of difficulty in high elevation treks like Everest Three Passes Trek. It is like the level of difficulty is directly related to the weather of the place. If the weather seems trekking friendly as in Spring(September to October) and Autumn(March to May). During these months, the weather is at its best in being calm and rigid. The weather and conditions do not change much. You get easy trekking days with the warm temperature and clear views. There are very low chances of possible rainfall or snowfall during the good times like Autumn and Spring.

On the contrary, Winter(December to February) and Summer(June to August) can be very tough and unpleasant times for treks like this. The weather is never predictable or calm during these times. As of this, trekkers have to face a wide range of difficulties while trekking in these months. There are high probabilities of snowfall and rainfall during the seasons like Winter and Summer. That is why the seasons are also known as the low times for trekking in Nepal. The fact is clear that if you pick the Winter and Summer over Autumn and Spring, you are destined to experience a difficult trek. Or else, you will have a comfortable trekking experience as compared to the low times.

High Altitude

Everest Three Passes Trek is one of the high altitude treks, you cannot deny this fact. The trek gains 5300+ a couple of times over two weeks or so. Any point more than 5000 is not an ordinary height for someone from low altitudes. That is, the person from the low altitudes can experience some problems while trekking. If not acclimated properly, the person may have to face serious consequences of the sickness. It can even lead to the emergency cancelation of the trek. And the fear of mountain sickness is always around the sky while trekking in the high altitudes. That is how the high altitude can be a worry for trekkers.

Trail’s nature

Another problem can be the nature of the Everest Three High Passes’s trail. The road to the three passes of the Everest region is rough, steeper, rocky, and slippery. For someone who is not used to the uncomfortable trails, the trek can be a little bit of a disaster. There are times on the trek when the steep trails can touch your nose, it is that much steeper. Plus, the glacier turned pinpoint stones are all over the trail. You’ll require a good pair of shoes and the all-time alert eyes for the trek.

The less-traveled trail

Sadly, the trail of Everest Three High Passes Trekking is less traveled as compared to other treks of the region. The trails of the trek are not quite clear and easy to guess also. If you are trekking on your own then you might have some selection problems while you come across multiple ways. You may also lead to the wrong track also which further causes a delay in the completion of the trek or maybe worse than that. That is why the unclear route of the trek is a Three passes Trek difficulty.

Not so developed route as of others

Everest Base Camp Trek is the most developed trekking trail in the nation. But the adjoining and neighboring, Everest Three Passes Trek, is not evolved as the earlier trek. You’ll not be getting all of the facilities that you can get on Everest Base Camp Trek or any other developed trek. There can be times when you don't get Internet or mobile charging facilities. Likewise, the quality of accommodation may also be lower than you thought. For someone who cannot compromise with these lowlights of the trek, it can be a headache trek for them.

How to Prepare for Everest Three Passes Trek?

Physical and Preparation

First thing first, you’ll need a good physical and mental state to endure this trek. A healthy person with proper physical preparation can do this trek successfully. For improving your physical level, you should get involved in cardiovascular improving exercises like cycling, jogging, swimming, etc. Likewise, you can do some steep day or may week-long hikes before this trek to know what it is like. Hitting the gym is also highly helpful in gaining excellent shape. But make sure, you start all of the training 4 to 6 months prior to the trek date.

Picking the right time of the year

If you are really thinking of doing this trek, pick yourself the best time for trekking. To trek in Nepal, there are two best seasons: Autumn and Spring. Pick one of them to do this trek. That way, you will have warm and stable weather to trek under. The weather problems like snowfall, rainfall, and harsh temperature are difficult to endure. And you may have to face difficulty while trekking in the Monsoon and Winter season. Who in the world would want to face problems while trekking, no one. That is why schedule the trek only in the peak and feasible months.

Choose the appropriate gear and equipment

The Three Passes Trek difficulty can also be influenced by not choosing the necessary and appropriate gear. In Himalayan treks like this, you’ll need specific clothes, gear, and other necessities. And choosing the appropriate gear is never a quick job.

Firstly, you have to invest a certain time to list down the trek’s requirements. Then you have to pay a reasonable price for a quality product. Carrying low-quality gear on this trek can be a matter of concern. The things that you have bought for this trek should be quality enough to be durable throughout the trek. Also, pack the trek belongings as per the weather and season you are traveling. Don't load unnecessary clothes and gear to add up the weight on your shoulders.

Know more about altitude sickness

Even though altitude sickness is an inevitable part of high altitude treks, you should have enough knowledge about the sickness. If you have the right kind of understanding about this sickness then you’ll also know the dos and don'ts of it. You’ll never do things to provoke or initiate the sickness. If you don't know much about the high altitudes and the sickness related to it, do some study and be knowledgeable about this.

Some tips to get over Three Passes trek Difficulty

Check the weather forecast

Don’t forget to check the weather forecast for the entire trek duration. This way, you’ll know the movements and changes of the weather in the upcoming days and can plan accordingly. You’ll be ready for the upcoming conditions in advance, which is a good thing in a strenuous trek like this. Hence, check the weather forecast before your start of the trek.

Hire a guide and porter

This can be the best treat to yourself to hire a guide and porter. The guide for taking you in the right direction without leading you across the problems throughout the trek. And, the porter to carry your well-weighted backpack and luggage. Three Passes Trek is an unfrequented trek and is difficult to do on your own. Being with a well-experienced guide on a trip like this can save you from lots of problems and hassles. That is why you should hire a guide and porter for this or any other challenging trek.

Don’t trek quickly

Take the Three Passes Trek at your natural pace. Don't try to make it happen on time or rush for it. That way you may get wrapped by the mountain sickness. Whether you know it or not, but rushing quickly in the mountains is one of the prime arousals of the sickness. Your body needs some to adjust to the new altitudes. Slowing your pace down leaves enough time to acclimate to the change in elevation. That way you can remain some miles away from the acute mountain sickness’s reach.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is a way to dodge the sickness. The dehydrated body is more prone to the grip of the sickness and vice versa. That is why you should remain hydrated and watered all of the time in the trek. Plus, don't do the consumption of alcohol or toxic substances, they can easily lower the water level of your body.

Alternatives to Everest Three Passes Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek

If you feel like Three Passes Trekking is a challenging trek then you can opt for everyone’s favorite Everest Base Camp Trekking. This is a 15 days long journey all the way to the base camp of the world’s tallest peak. It is less demanding than the three passes trek. You get to experience lots of good things about the Everest region on this trek. Mountains panorama, vegetation shows, insights of culture and lifestyle, and many more.

Gokyo Lakes Trekking

This is another Everest region’s alternative for avoiding the Three passes Trek difficulty. There is this beautiful Gokyo valley in the region dotted with pristine bluish lakes. The 14 days Gokyo Lakes Trekking will allow you to see one side of Everest Three passes Trek. As you will not ramble like in the Three Passes Trek, the Gokyo Lakes Trekking can be an easy alternative to it. The lakes and mountains you’ll see on this trek will surely impress you for life.

Everest Panorama Trekking

This is the easiest alternative to dodge the three passes trek difficulty. Everest Panorama Trekking lasts only 9 days over which you’ll explore until Tengboche(3,975m). It will be quite an easy trekking experience as you will not gain much altitude. But, you’ll see enough mountains, lands of sherpas and the greenery around there. Without giving much effort, you’ll be able to explore the enormous beauty of the region.

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• Classic Everest Base Camp Trekking 22 Days
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To sum up

Everest Three Passes Trek is a difficult trek to do but not the impossible. With enough preparation, you can rollover through the trek conventionally. All you need is the will and persistence to see yourself on the other side of the trek. You just take care of things that can help you lower the Three Passes Trek difficulty, that is all.

If you are just a starter and looking to do this trek, we suggest you not to do this trek. Without any high altitude trek experience, you have to face many difficulties your first time. And that can never be an easy experience. Instead, do some easy treks to make yourself ready for the trek in near future.