Kongma-La Pass, Cho-La Pass & Renjo-La Pass
Overview The Kongma La Pass, Cho La Pass, and Renjo La Pass trek is a challenging and exhilarating adventure that takes trekkers through the breathtaking landscapes of the Everest region in Nepal. This iconic journey also combines three high mountain passes, each offering unique challenges and rewarding views of some of the world's highest peaks. The trek usually starts in Lukla, where trekkers fly in from Kathmandu, and gradually ascend through picturesque Sherpa villages, lush forests, and cascading rivers. The first major pass, Kongma La, lies at an elevation of approximately 5,535 meters (18,159 feet). It demands a good level…
Overview
The Kongma La Pass, Cho La Pass, and Renjo La Pass trek is a challenging and exhilarating adventure that takes trekkers through the breathtaking landscapes of the Everest region in Nepal. This iconic journey also combines three high mountain passes, each offering unique challenges and rewarding views of some of the world’s highest peaks.
The trek usually starts in Lukla, where trekkers fly in from Kathmandu, and gradually ascend through picturesque Sherpa villages, lush forests, and cascading rivers. The first major pass, Kongma La, lies at an elevation of approximately 5,535 meters (18,159 feet). It demands a good level of fitness and a tolerance for high altitudes, as the trail winds through rocky terrain and may involve some steep ascents. The reward is awe-inspiring panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, among other Himalayan giants.
Next comes the Cho La Pass, standing at around 5,368 meters (17,611 feet), which leads to the renowned Gokyo Valley. The trail traverses glaciers and requires basic mountaineering skills in certain sections. Trekkers are also treated to mesmerizing vistas of turquoise Gokyo Lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest in Nepal.
Renjo La Pass Trek: A Scenic Altitude Challenge in the Heart of the Himalayas
The final challenge is the Renjo La Pass, situated at approximately 5,360 meters (17,585 feet). This pass offers an alternative return route, less traveled than the traditional EBC trek, and showcases spectacular views of Everest, Cho Oyu, and other peaks. The descent leads through the tranquil Bhote Koshi River valley, where trekkers can immerse themselves in the unique culture of the local Sherpa communities.
Throughout the journey, trekkers stay in teahouses or lodges, experiencing the warm hospitality of the Sherpa people and enjoying traditional meals. The best time for this trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is relatively stable and the mountain vistas are clear.
Conclusion and Summary
The Kongma La Pass, Cho La Pass, and Renjo La Pass trek is also a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering an unforgettable combination of natural beauty, cultural encounters, and the thrill of conquering three high passes in the Everest region. It is also a must-do for adventurous souls seeking an extraordinary trekking experience in the Himalayas.
Trip Highlights
The typical trail of trekking in Nepal, that goes up and down the rolling hills so many times like the waves in a ocean.
The landscapes including the Himalayan panorama, that gradually comes closer and becomes more wonderful as the trek goes higher to Everest Base Camp. Also, the views of deep Dudh Koshi River Valley blended so well with the lush vegetation of Sagarmatha National Park
The authentic Sherpa culture in the mountainous villages that we encounter during our Everest Base Camp Trek and the warm hospitality of the families of inborn mountaineers.
The highland monasteries, the sacred maniwalls engraved with Buddhist prayers, colorful prayer flags portraying spirituality, the memorials, chortens and the every aspect that demonstrates Tantric Buddhism of Nygingma Pa Sect.
The floral and faunal biodiversity of Sagarmatha National Park.
Kalapattar for the whole view of Everest.
The glacial walk over Khumbu Glacier that extends from Khumbu Icefall. The most important highlight the Everest Base Camp itself.
The Gokyo Lakes and the Gokyo Ri from where 360 degree of Himalayan Panorama is seen.
Three major passes which can be an experience of your lifetime. The Kongma La pass is the highest pass among them. Cho La pass is an Icy and interesting glacier crossing of Ngozumpa before the pass, whereas, Renjo La pass is recently found by an experienced Sherpas. This is a fusion of adventure and ethnic Himalaya culture at its best.
Itinerary
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft On arrival at Kathmandu; we will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the traveller’s recommended Hotel. Later we meet and take you to our head office, brief you your upcoming Trek with us and introduce our trekking guide. Evening, we host welcome dinner at one of the finest local restaurant with music and ethnic dance. Stay overnight at Hotel.
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft Half day sightseeing and trek preparation
After breakfast depart for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, the “City of Temples” to Visit Durbar Square (place of Palaces) with the Kasthamandap temple (Name of Kathmandu is derived of Kasthamandap), Kumari Ghar (Home of Living Goddess), Kal Bhairav, Hanuman Dhoka and Taleju Temple. Afterwards we will take you to visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, said to be one of the oldest Buddhist Stupa in the world, which is majestically set high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. After that continue tour to visit Patan (City of Fine Arts) including Patan Durbar Square, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), etc. Also visit the Tibetan Handicraft Centre where you can see the art of making carpets by the Tibetan refugees. Evening back to the hotel and overnight stay.
35 minute Trans Himalayan flight Altitude: Lukla at 2800m/9184ft & Phakding (2652m/8698ft)
Distance of walking: Approx of 8 Km/3 to 4 hours
As per flight time, our Guide will meet you in to your hotel and takes you to the domestic airport to fly in to Lukla. It is scenery flight about 35 minutes, once you get in to the Lukla, breakfast at the lodge and prepare luggage for the Porters then walking starts through the stone paved trails towards Bhaisekharka. It is few up downs to get in to Phakding passing through plenty of prayer Rocks (Mani in local language). After getting in to the lodge at Phakding, fresh up and short walk to the village or hike up to the Gompa to get acclimatize. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Altitude: 3440m/11283ft Distance of walking: 10-12 Km/5-6 hours
After hot breakfast at your lodge, the trail leads towards the suspension bridge and easy uphill to the Monju from where Sagarmath National Park begins. After short National Park formalities, drop down to the river, cross another suspension bridge and continue walk to the high Hilary Bridge at the bottom of the hill. After the bridge the trail leads uphill to the Namche Bazzar. On the way you will have great view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Kusum Khangru and more with beautiful valley. Stay overnight at the Lodge.
Altitude: 3440m Acclimatization Day
Today you explore the Museum, visit Khumjung village and Khongde village where you can enjoy the views of Mt. Everest and surroundings peaks with Sherpa culture. You can also visit Thame which is old Sherpa village as an option. Remaining of the day you can explore Namche Bazzar where you can use Internet, visit National Park head office, Muesuem and monastery as per your interest and time. Stay overnight at Namche.
Altitude: 3800m Distance of walking- 3 to 4 hours
After breakfast at Namche, the trail leads to the old village called Thamo which is easy walk through the valley. Thamo is a small Sherpa village. After exploring the village, the trail leads continue to Thame. After lunch, rest a little while and explore the Sherpa village and its culture. There is small Hydro power where you can visit. Stay overnight at the Lodge.
Altitude: 4137m Distance of walking: 4 to 5 hours
After breakfast at the lodge, an easy walk to Marlung through the Bhote Koshi River where you can have short break. Then the trail leads uphill to Lumde through the dry valley. It is an interesting walking with enjoying the views of the snow peaked mountains and the valley. Today you won’t see Sherpa village because Thame is the last village of the valley. Once you get in to the village, hike a bit higher than the place where lodge is located to get acclimatize. Stay overnight at the Lodge.
Altitude at Ranjo la Pass: 5465m/17,929ft Altitude at Gokyo Lake: 4800m/ 15748ft Distance of walking: 7-8 hours
After breakfast the trail leads uphill for an hour and half and then easy walk for a while. At the end, there is hard climb to get to the top of the Renjo La from where you will have an awesome view of Mt. Everest with Mt.Nuptse with surrounding peaks. You will also see Gokyo lake which breathtaking views. From the top of the Renjo La the trail drops down to the Third Lake (Gokya lake) and get in to the lodge. After time to get rest at the lodge at Gokyo, short climb to the ridge from where you will explore the Glacier which is amazing looking with its small glacier lakes. Stay overnight at Gokyo lodge.
Altitude: 4750m/15580ft Distance of walking: 3 hours
This is an easy day but we suggest you to start early because you will have to walk through the Glacier which is the longest glacier of Nepal called Ngozumpa glacier. By the time of crossing this glacier you will hear many sounds of the rock falling in to the small glacier lake. There are many rocks on the way which has ice underneath. During the sunny day ice melts pretty fast so we should cross this glacier before the sun gets strong. Once you get in to the Thaknak, better to climb up to the small hill for acclimatize. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Altitude: 5367m/17604ft Distance of walking: 6-7 hours
Today is the hardest day of the trip. Start your day just after the breakfast which is steep climbing for a while and the trail drops down to the bottom of the Chola. After that the trail leads you through the rock toward the top which is steep climbing. There are some Buddhist prayer flags on the top of the pass which has great views of the mountains. There is icy part for a while and again the trail drops down through the huge rock and an easy walk at the end to get to the Zungla. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Altitude: 5,160m/16,929ft Distance of walking: 5-6 hours
After hot breakfast at the lodge, an easy downhill for a while and few up and down to the Lobuche. Then the trail leads toward Gorekshep through the rocky trail. On the way you will have great views of the Mt. Everest,Mt. Nuptse,Mt. Pumori and more. You will be able to see Khumbu Glacier on the way. After few up downs, you will reach at Gorekshep which is located at the bottom of Kalapatthar. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Altitude: 5,357m/17,575ft Distance of walking: 6-7 hours
This is a day which will fulfil your dreams to visit the base camp of the highest peak in the earth. It is 3 hour walk through the ridge of the Khumbu glacier. You will enjoy the surrounding views of the glacier and mountains. There are Buddhist prayer flags which are the symbol of the Base Camp. During the climbing season there will be many tends with colourful looking around. After exploring around, trek down to the lodge and remaining of the day chill out at the lodge. Stay overnight.
Altitude: Kalapathar at 5545m Distance of walking: 6-7 hours
Today you will have to start your day without breakfast in the morning which is 2 hour hike up to the Kalapatthar, the greatest view point of the Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori , Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Thamerserku, Mera Peak and many more. After taking many photographs, trek down to the lodge at Gorekshep for breakfast and continue your walk down to Lobuche. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Altitude: 4,730m/15,518ft Distance of walking: 6-7 hours
After breakfast at the lodge, your day will start walking through Khumbu glacier towards east. After crossing the glacier and river the trail leads up to the pass which is the highest pass of this trip. There will be no tea shop and water resource so that you will have to carry few bottles of water to drink. After hard climb to the top, the trail drops steep down to the Chukung valley where your day ends. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Altitude: 3,867m/12684ft Distance of walking: 5-6 hours
Today is an easy day which is downhill through the valley. The trail continues leads down to the Dingboche then after the walking valley gets change through few Sherpa villages. After Pangboche village the trail drops down to the river and cross the bridge. After that the trail leads up to the Tengboche where the oldest Monastery situated on the top of the hill. Evening visit Monastery, see the Buddhist chanting ceremony and overnight at the lodge.
Altitude: 3440m/11,284ft Distance of walking- 4-5 hours
Today your day starts walking steep downhill through the Rhododendron forest. Once you get at the bottom of the hill, cross the bridge and steep climbing through the pine and Juniper forest to the Khumjung. After explore the village at Khumjung,Lunch and continue walk to the Namche Bazzar for overnight.
Altitude: 2,800m/9,184ft Distance of walking: 18-20 Km/6 to 7 hours
After breakfast at the lodge, the trail drops downhill through the pine forest till to the bridge and continue walk to the Monju. Again some formalities had to be done at the check post of the National park at Monju then continue walk to the Phakding for the lunch. After that your last day of the trek continue to the Lukla. Stay overnight at the lodge.
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft 35minute Trans Himalayan flight
Normally flights are always in the morning due to the weather. So guide will do all airport formalities by the time you can have a breakfast at the lodge. Your luggage will get in to the airport already with the help of our sherpas and porters. Once guide get news about your flight arrival at Lukla airport, will call you to watch how the small aircraft get lands in to the small airstrip. After quick photograph, get in to the airport and straight away get in to the plane to fly out to Kathmandu. Once you are at the airport at Kathmandu, guide will assist to get in to your hotel by private vehicle.
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft Free day for shopping and departure After breakfast in to your hotel, we will drop you at the airport to take your onward flight as per time. If you have late flight, you will have time to do last minute shopping if you deserve. Otherwise we will have to say you good bye.
What's Included
1. Airport Pick-up and Drop Off,
2. Licensed and trained trekking guides,
3. potters for carrying goods and supplies,
4. Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) basis during the trek
5. 3 Nights Accommodation in the 3/4/5 Star Hotel in Kathmandu with B & B. (Bed
& Breakfast) & Other Destination Based on Trekking Area.
6. All accommodation during the trek.
7. All meals and hot beverages during the trek.
8. Transportation to and from trail head.
9. All necessary documents and permits for trekking (where applicable)
10. National Park/Conservation Area entry Permit, Insurance, and equipment for the staffs.
11. Coordination of quick Rescue service (Costs covered by your Insurance Plan)
12. Trekking staffs wages etc.
13. 1 hr. trekker massage after your trek.
14. Welcome and Fare well dinner in a Nepali Cultural Dance restaurant in Kathmandu.
15. Trekking Duffle Bag
16. Trekking Staff Insurance of $10,000 Per Person.
17. Trekking Map, T-shirt, and Trekking certificate.
18. Exclusive of Medical Kit Bag
19. All Government and local Taxes
20. International Flight ticket re-confirmation.
21. Meals will be Start when your Trek starts.
What's Excluded
1. International Airfares,
2. Travel/Trekking Insurance,
3. Excess baggage charges More than 16kg and hand bag more than 5 kg in
domestic flights.
4. Visa fees.
5. Airport Departure Taxes.
6. Drinks (Cold and Alcoholic) Rescue charge.
7. Tips for The staffs.
8. Expenses of Personnel nature and Permit and Liaison officer fee (where Applicable.
9. Meals during stay in the Kathmandu and Pokhara.
10. Domestic Ticket Etc.
11. Extra Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Trip Information
It is one of the most authentic adventure trek in Everest facilitating the crossing of 3 different high passes which are not counted on the standard Everest trail, Renjo La (5,388m/17,513ft), Cho La (5,380m/17,650ft) and Kongma La (5,535m/18,159).
Everest Base Camp Trek via crossing three high passes is designed for adventurers. It is popular for its spectacular sceneries of surrounding mountains and the risk involved while crossing the glacieted crevasses. The continuous trekking/hiking on the mountains can be tiresome. After the long day of trek, the hospitality and service offered by the local inhabitants (Sherpa) can make your night pleasant.
OUTLINE ITINEARY
Day 01:Arrival day in Kathmandu
Day 02:Kathmandu sightseeing tour
Day 03:Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding
Day 04:Trek to Namche
Day 05:Namche Bazaar-Acclimatize day
Day 06:Trek to Thame
Day 07:Trek to Lumde
Day 08:Trek to Gokya via Ranjo la Pass
Day 09:Trek to Thaknak
Day 10:Trek to Zungla via Chola pass
Day 11:Trek to Gorekshep
Day 12:Hike up to the Base Camp
Day 13:Hike up to Kalapatthar and trek to Lobuche
Day 14:Trek to Chukung via Kongma la pass
Day 15:Trek to Tengboche
Day 16:Trek to Namche
Day 17:Trek to Lukla
Day 18:Fly to Kathmandu
Day 19:Departure day
- Best Price Guarantee
- Hassle-Free Booking
- No Booking or Credit Card Fees