The Everest Two Pass Trek is a 19-day journey that crosses Renjo La Pass (5,340 m) (Latitude and Longitude: not found) from the quiet Thame valley into the Gokyo Lakes region. You then cross Cho La Pass (5,330 m) (Latitude: 27.9621° N, Longitude: 86.7519° E) to join the main trail to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) (Latitude: 28.0024° N, Longitude: 86.8528° E). The trek ends its high section at Kala Patthar (5,640 m), where you can see Mount Everest (8,848.86 m) up close. A dedicated contingency day before the flight from Lukla gives you extra room for weather and flight delays.
Everest Two Pass Trek – 19 Days (Renjo La and Cho La with EBC)
Trip Overview
Duration19 Days
Trip GradeChallenging
CountryNepal
Maximum Altitude5,640 m at Kala Patthar
Group SizeMinimum 2 trekkers
StartsKathmandu
EndsKathmandu
ActivitiesHigh Pass Trek
Best TimeMarch to May and October to November
TREK HIGHLIGHTS
- Cross Renjo La Pass (5,340 m) with views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, and look down on the Gokyo Lakes.
- Walk through the quieter Thame valley and visit Thame Monastery and Thamo Monastery.
- Climb Sunder Peak (4,800 m) on your acclimatization day for views of the Rolwaling Himal.
- Stay beside the lakes at Gokyo (4,790 m) and climb Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) for a wide Himalayan panorama.
- Cross the rocky moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier on the way to Dragnag.
- Cross Cho La Pass (5,330 m) between the Gokyo valley and the Everest valley.
- Reach Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and climb Kala Patthar (5,640 m) for a close view of Mount Everest.
- Visit Tengboche Monastery and walk through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Everest Two Pass Trek takes you across two high Himalayan passes in 19 days. You cross Renjo La Pass (5,340 m) from the quiet Thame valley into the Gokyo Lakes region. Later, you cross Cho La Pass (5,330 m) to join the main trail to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and Kala Patthar (5,640 m).
This route starts with the Thame valley, one of the quieter parts of the Khumbu/Everest region. You walk through Sherpa villages, visit old monasteries, and climb Sunder Peak (4,800 m) to prepare your body for the passes. Then, you reach the turquoise lakes of Gokyo, climb Gokyo Ri (5,357 m), and cross the Ngozumpa Glacier.
After Cho La, you follow the classic Everest trail to Lobuche, Gorakshep, Base Camp, and Kala Patthar. The return goes through Pheriche, Tengboche, and Monjo to Lukla, with one spare day kept for weather and flight delays. Our HEN team plans each day around acclimatization, so you have time to adjust before the demanding days.
This trek suits fit, motivated walkers who want more than the standard Base Camp route. You should be comfortable walking 5 to 8 hours a day for several days in a row, and you should be ready for long, cold mornings on the pass days. Previous multi-day trekking experience helps, although you do not need any technical climbing skills!
Remote stretches, basic lodges, and two high passes are real challenges, but they are exactly what adventure seekers look for in this route.
This plan is 2 to 3 days longer than many Two Pass itineraries, and that is deliberate. We customized it so that your safety, comfort, and enjoyment come first, with proper acclimatization and a health check along the way, and most trekkers end up preferring it.
If you want something shorter, the Gokyo, Renjo La, and Cho La route can also be done in 17 to 18 days by dropping the contingency day, but we recommend keeping it.
Why Trek with Himalayan Ecstasy Nepal?
- Family-run local team: We have more than 20 years of experience organizing treks in Nepal, and a guide with solid high-altitude experience leads every trip.
- A crew that already knows this route: Our porters and crew have walked this trek with us before, and we only send people who are familiar with the trail. Our price can look slightly higher than some other operators, partly because we give our porters proper shoes, microspikes, and other necessary equipment for the pass days.
- Acclimatization built into the plan: This itinerary has two acclimatization days, one in Namche Bazaar and one in Thame, plus a dedicated spare day near the end. We do not rush the upper route.
- Guides who make safety calls: Our guides are licensed, trained in wilderness first aid, and carry a medical kit with an oximeter. They check how each trekker feels and can change the plan if health or weather requires it. Every day they check your water intake, appetite, tiredness, any AMS symptoms, and the weather. If conditions turn bad or something looks wrong, we move you to a safe place or follow a safer route instead of pushing on. Compared with shorter plans, a program of up to 3 weeks gives us the time to do this properly, and our climbing guide assesses each trekker in detail.
- Clear and honest planning: We tell you what to expect on the harder days, including basic lodges at Lungden, Dragnag, and Dzongla. You will know what to prepare before you arrive.
- Flexible and private options: We can adjust departure dates and arrange private trips. Contact us if you want a custom plan.
- Support before and during your trip: Our team answers your questions before you travel and stays in touch with your guide during the trek.
Major Attractions and Places Along This Route
This route moves through three very different parts of the Khumbu: the quiet Thame valley, the lake and glacier country around Gokyo, and the busy trail to Everest Base Camp. Each place below has its own character, and together they explain why this route is more varied than a standard Base Camp trek:
Thame and Thame Monastery
Thame (3,820 m) sits in the Bhote Koshi valley, away from the main Everest trail. It is a traditional Sherpa village of stone houses, potato fields, and yak pastures, and it is closely linked with Sherpa mountaineering, since several well-known climbers come from this valley.
Thame Monastery stands on a hillside above the village and is among the older monasteries in Khumbu. Visiting it gives you a calm introduction to Sherpa Buddhism before the harder days begin. The valley beyond Thame follows a historic trade route toward Tibet, which explains why the area feels so remote.
Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) is the commercial and cultural centre of Khumbu. It is built in a horseshoe-shaped bowl, with stone lodges, gear shops, bakeries, and a museum on Sherpa life. It is the last place on this route with a wide choice of supplies.
For this trek, Namche matters because it is your first major acclimatization stop. The villages of Khumjung and Khunde, reached from Namche, give you a gentle introduction to the culture of the region and views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kongde Ri.
Sunder Peak
Sunder Peak (4,800 m) is a high viewpoint above Thame and a very useful part of this itinerary. It tests how your body handles height, and you return to sleep lower in Thame afterward.
The view is different from the usual Everest panorama. You look west into the Rolwaling Himal, including Gaurishankar, and see Thamserku and the sacred Khumbila from an unusual angle. Below you, the Thame valley opens out like a map!
Renjo La Pass
Renjo La Pass (5,340 m) is the first of the two passes and the gateway into the Gokyo valley. It marks a clear change of scene, from the dry, high-alpine Lungden side to the glacier and lake landscape of Gokyo.
At the top, trekkers see Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu in one sweep, with the Gokyo Lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier below. Snow and ice conditions on the pass change with the season!
Gokyo Lakes
The Gokyo Lakes are a chain of freshwater lakes lying beside the Ngozumpa Glacier at about 4,700 to 5,000 m. The lakes are fed by glacial melt, and their colour changes with light, season, and sediment, from deep blue to green. The wetlands here are internationally recognised as the Gokyo and Associated Lakes Ramsar site.
Gokyo village sits beside the third lake. Staying here gives you time to see the lakes in evening and morning light, and to watch the glacier and mountains change colour.
Gokyo Ri
Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) is a rocky hill above the lakes and one of the best-known viewpoints in the Everest region. It is usually climbed in the early morning, when the air is calm, and visibility is often better.
From the top, you can see Everest (8,848.86 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), and Cho Oyu (8,201 m), together with the lakes and the length of the glacier.
Ngozumpa Glacier
The Ngozumpa Glacier is one of the largest glaciers in the Himalaya. Much of its lower surface is covered in rock and debris, so it looks more like a field of gravel hills than a sheet of ice. Small meltwater ponds appear in many places.
You cross it between Gokyo and Dragnag. The route changes from year to year as the glacier moves and melts, so local guides know the current safe line!
Cho La Pass
Cho La Pass (5,330 m) connects the Gokyo valley with the Everest valley. It is usually considered the more technical of the two passes on this route because of its rocky ascent, loose stones, and a possible glacier section near the top.
The pass offers views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, and Lobuche East, with a glimpse of Everest on clear days. Crossing it is what links the Gokyo side of the trek with the Base Camp side, so the whole route depends on it.
Dzongla
Dzongla (4,620 m) is a small settlement of basic lodges on a hillside above a lake.
It is reached after the Cho La descent, and it has an open outlook toward Cholatse and Lobuche East. Because it is off the main trail, Dzongla feels quieter than Lobuche!
Lobuche
Lobuche (4,920 m) is a high settlement beneath Lobuche East and the last permanent settlement on the way to Gorakshep. It sits in a cold, open valley close to the Khumbu Glacier, and the lodges are simple.
Lobuche is where the Dzongla route meets the main Everest trail, so you notice more trekkers here. It also marks a step in the acclimatization plan, as the final night before the highest sleeping altitude at Gorakshep.
Khumbu Glacier
The Khumbu Glacier is the long river of ice that flows from the foot of Everest. Its surface is covered in rock, ridges, and ice pinnacles, and the trail between Lobuche and Gorakshep runs along its edge on loose moraine.
You see the glacier from several angles on this route: while walking beside it, from the Base Camp area, and from above on Kala Patthar. It is the landscape that connects Everest Base Camp to the Khumbu Icefall.
Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) is the start of the climbing route on the Nepal side of Everest, and it sits on the Khumbu Glacier. In spring, climbing teams set up camp here, and the area is full of tents. In autumn, it is usually much quieter.
Everest itself is mostly hidden by nearby ridges, but you can see the Khumbu Icefall and the surrounding peaks, and you can feel the scale of the glacier.
Kala Patthar
Kala Patthar (5,640 m) is a dark rocky ridge above Gorakshep, and its name means black rock. It is the classic viewpoint for seeing Everest itself, since the summit is not clearly visible from Base Camp.
From the top, you see Everest, Nuptse, Changtse, and Pumori, with the Khumbu Glacier below. It is the highest point of this trek and is usually climbed at dawn, when the light on the peaks is often strongest, although the cold and wind can be severe.
Pheriche
Pheriche (4,276 m) lies in a broad, open valley with big views of Ama Dablam and Taboche. It is where the Base Camp trail begins to turn back toward the lower valleys, and it is a more comfortable place to sleep than Gorakshep.
The village usually has a seasonal aid post run by the Himalayan Rescue Association, which reflects the importance of altitude health on this part of the trail. For this route, it is the first night of the long descent!
Tengboche Monastery
Tengboche Monastery (3,863 m) is the main monastery of Khumbu and sits on a forested ridge facing Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. It is a living monastery, with monks who hold daily prayers. The monastery is also known for its autumn festival, although dates vary from year to year.
After the barren upper route, the pine and rhododendron forest around Tengboche is a welcome change!
Sagarmatha National Park
All of the route from Monjo upward lies inside Sagarmatha National Park, which was established in 1976 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park protects high Himalayan landscapes and wildlife, including Alpine musk deer, Himalayan tahr, pikas, and a range of mountain birds.
It is also a living cultural landscape, home to Sherpa communities whose villages, monasteries, and mani walls you pass daily. Please stay on the trail, carry out your waste, and pass mani walls and chortens on the left as local people do!
Everest Two Pass Trek – 19 Days (Renjo La and Cho La with EBC) Itinerary
Kathmandu to KathmanduExpand all
You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where our team will meet you and take you to your hotel in Thamel. After you check in, you can rest and adjust to the time zone.
In the evening, we will hold a briefing about the trek. Your guide will check your gear and answer your questions. If you arrive late at night, we will meet you the next morning for the briefing!
If your international flight lands late in the day, flying to Lukla the next morning on top of jet lag can be tiring. Send us your flight date and arrival time early, and we will plan around it or suggest an extra night in Kathmandu.
We start early with a short drive to the domestic airport for the flight to Lukla, which takes about 35 minutes.
Winds also tend to rise from around 11:30 am, which can close the window to Lukla, and you may wait another hour or more for it to reopen.
During busy seasons, flights sometimes operate from Ramechhap (Manthali) airport, which adds a long drive. We will confirm this with you before your departure.
Kathmandu airport gets crowded when international flights arrive around the same time, and domestic flights can be held even after you board. Winds also tend to rise from around 11:30 am, which can close the window to Lukla.
A Ramechhap departure often gives a better chance of an early flight, but neither airport guarantees one. The usual way to do it means waking up at 1:00 to 2:00 am and driving in the dark. We suggest another way: spend half of Day 1 on sightseeing (Bhaktapur Durbar Square works well), drive after lunch to Mulkot, and sleep in a comfortable hotel with an attached bathroom.
Next morning it is only about 35 km to Ramechhap (Manthali) Airport, so you can check in for the first or second flight without losing a night’s sleep you have already paid for. This plan needs an early arrival in Kathmandu, so tell us your timing!
At Lukla (2,880 m) you meet the rest of the crew, and then start a gentle trail above the Dudh Koshi River. The flight from Ramechhap is shorter, about 15 to 20 minutes. If flights to Lukla are held up at the start, a shared helicopter seat or a private charter from Kathmandu is another way to begin the trek, subject to weather and extra cost.
The walk to Phakding takes about 3 to 4 hours with prayer flags, suspension bridges, mani walls, and Sherpa houses on the way.
This is an easy first day that lets you settle into the rhythm of walking!
Note: If flights to Lukla are held up at the start, a shared helicopter seat or a private charter from Kathmandu is another way to begin the trek, subject to weather and extra cost.
After breakfast, the trail continues along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing several suspension bridges.
You pass Benkar and Monjo, where you register at the Sagarmatha National Park gate. After Jorsalle, you reach the high twin suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Bridge.
The climb to Namche Bazaar begins after the bridges. It is steep and takes about 2 to 3 hours at a slow pace. On a clear day, you may see Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse from the trail for the first time.
The whole day takes about 5 to 6 hours. In Namche, you can rest, enjoy the bakeries, and prepare for the acclimatization day.
Today is a rest day for your body, but not for your legs. You stay in Namche for a second night and take a short climb-high, sleep-low hike to help your body adapt to altitude.
In the morning, you can visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and explore the town. After lunch, you hike up to Khumjung (3,800 m) and Khunde, where you can visit the Hillary School and the monastery.
You can also walk to the Everest viewpoint above Namche for views of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Lhotse on clear days. Then you return to Namche to sleep. Drink plenty of water today and let your guide know about any symptoms.
Today you leave the main Everest trail and head west into the Bhote Koshi valley. The path is quieter, with pine forests, yak pastures, and small villages. You pass Thamo and the trail to Lawudo Gompa, and you will see Thamo Monastery along the way.
The walk takes about 5 to 6 hours and rises gently, with a few climbs. Thame is an old Sherpa village known for its monastery and for climbers who came from this valley.
The trail enters protected forest in Sagarmatha National Park, so please keep a respectful distance from wildlife, including Alpine musk deer and pikas. Rest in the afternoon and prepare for tomorrow's hike.
This is an acclimatization day with a real hike. After breakfast, you can visit Thame Monastery, which sits above the village. Then you climb toward Sunder Peak (4,800 m). The route is a steady, rocky climb that takes 4 to 5 hours for the round trip, covering about 6 km.
From the top, you can see the Rolwaling Himal, including Gaurishankar, as well as Thamserku, Khumbila, and the valley below. The hike follows the climb high, sleep low rule. You return to Thame to sleep the same night, which helps your body prepare for the nights above 4,000 m.
Move slowly, drink water often, and tell your guide how you feel on the climb.
Today you walk deeper into the upper Bhote Koshi valley on an old trade route toward Tibet. The distance is about 11.5 km and the walk takes about 7 hours.
The trail climbs gradually through yak pastures and small settlements such as Taranga. The land becomes drier and more open, and the air gets thinner as you gain height.
Lungden is a small, quiet settlement with limited, basic teahouse accommodation. It can fill up during busy periods, so we recommend arriving early so your guide can arrange and confirm rooms. We cannot promise a specific room standard here.
Tonight is preparation for the Renjo La crossing. Drink enough water, eat a good dinner even if you have little appetite, and pack everything before bed. Check your headlamp, boots, woollen hat, and windproof jacket. Plan an early start tomorrow.
This is a demanding day and one of the highlights of the trek. You start early in the dark with your headlamp.
The climb from Lungden to Renjo La Pass (5,340 m) is steep and rocky, and usually takes 4 to 5 hours. Depending on the season, there may be snow or ice, and your guide may suggest microspikes if conditions need them.
At the pass, you look across to Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, and down to the Gokyo Lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier. The descent to Gokyo is steep at first, then eases beside the lakes. The full day is about 12 km and takes 7 to 9 hours depending on pace and conditions.
Carry enough water for the whole crossing, because refill points are not reliable. Keep energy snacks in your pocket, such as chocolate bars, and keep your windproof jacket and warm hat within reach. Follow your guide's decisions about timing, weather, and trail conditions.
You start with a hike up Gokyo Ri (5,357 m). It is optional. The view is almost the same as the one you get from Renjo La, so after a long pass day you do not have to climb it just for the view.
We still suggest going if you feel strong and want the lakes from above, but it is your choice, and your guide will help you decide that morning. The climb is steady and steep and takes about 4 to 5.5 hours for the round trip, covering about 4.2 km. Start early for clearer morning views.
From the top, you can see Everest (8,848.86 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,463 m), and Cho Oyu (8,201 m), with the Gokyo Lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier below. After you return to Gokyo and have lunch, you trek to Dragnag.
The route to Dragnag is about 4.3 km and takes about 2 hours. It crosses the rocky moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier, with loose stones, small ups and downs, and sometimes patches of ice.
Watch your footing and follow your guide closely. Dragnag is a small, remote stop with basic lodges, so rest early before Cho La!
You start early from Dragnag for another long pass day. The path climbs over rocky moraine and scree toward Cho La Pass (5,330 m). Near the top, the route can include a glacier section, with snow or ice depending on conditions. Your guide will decide how to handle it and whether you need microspikes.
From the pass, you see Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche East, and other peaks in the Everest valley. The descent to Dzongla is steep and rocky at first, then eases. The day is about 9 km and usually takes 7 to 9 hours, so keep your pace steady and carry enough water and snacks.
Dzongla is a small settlement with basic lodges and wide mountain views. You will be tired, so eat well and rest. Altitude affects everyone differently, so tell your guide how you feel.
Today is shorter and gives your legs a chance to recover after the passes. The trail follows the hillside above a small lake and then joins the main Everest Base Camp route near Lobuche. The walk takes about 3 to 4 hours.
You will notice more trekkers here than on the Gokyo side. The landscape is open and rocky, with views of Lobuche East, Nuptse, and Pumori on clear days. Lobuche is the last permanent settlement before Gorakshep, with simple lodges and a dining room heated by a stove in the evening.
Spend the afternoon resting, drinking water, and eating well. Sleeping at 4,920 m can be uncomfortable, so tell your guide if you have a headache or poor sleep.
From Lobuche, you walk along the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Gorakshep (5,180 m), which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. You check in, have lunch, and then continue toward Everest Base Camp (5,364 m).
The trail to Base Camp is about 3 hours one way over rocky moraine, with ups and downs along the glacier. In spring, you may see expedition tents. In autumn, the site is usually quiet. Everest is mostly hidden from Base Camp, but the Khumbu Icefall and the glacier are impressive.
You return to Gorakshep to sleep. Altogether, this is a long day of about 8 to 9 hours at high altitude. Dress warmly, drink water, and rest early because tomorrow starts before sunrise.
You start very early, often around 4:30 am, with a headlamp and warm layers. The climb to Kala Patthar (5,640 m) takes about 2 to 3 hours up, on a trail that turns to loose rock. The round trip usually takes 3 to 4 hours.
From the summit, you can see Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Pumori up close, with the Khumbu Glacier below. It is usually very cold and windy, so wear your warmest clothes. Conditions vary, and your guide may adjust the timing for weather.
After breakfast in Gorakshep, you descend through Lobuche and Thukla, passing the Everest memorial area near Dughla, and continue down to Pheriche. The whole day takes about 8 to 9 hours, and the lower altitude helps you sleep better tonight.
The trail leaves Pheriche and joins the main valley path toward Pangboche. You can visit Pangboche Monastery, one of the oldest in Khumbu, if time allows. The path then drops to the Imja Khola River and climbs through a forest of pine, birch, and rhododendron to Tengboche.
This day takes about 5 to 6 hours. The trees and thicker air are a welcome change after the high, dry landscape. You will pass chortens and mani walls, and you may see Himalayan birds along the forest section.
Tengboche Monastery is the main monastery of Khumbu and sits on a ridge with views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse when the weather is clear. If you are there at the right time, you may be able to watch part of the daily prayers.
Today is a long downhill day of about 16 km and 6 to 7 hours. You descend through the forest to Phunki Tenga at the river, then climb to Kyangjuma and Sanasa before reaching Namche Bazaar. You can stop in Namche for lunch and perhaps a last coffee.
After Namche, the trail drops steeply to the Dudh Koshi River and crosses the high suspension bridges again. You continue through Jorsalle to Monjo, where you sleep tonight.
The long descent can be hard on the knees, so trekking poles are useful. Your legs may be tired, but the thicker air at Monjo should help you sleep much better tonight.
This is the final trekking day. You follow the Dudh Koshi River through Phakding and Ghat, with small climbs and suspension bridges. The walk takes about 5 to 6 hours and the trail is gentler than on previous days.
You reach Lukla (2,880 m) in the afternoon and can rest, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy a warm meal. In the evening, many groups hold a small farewell for the guides and porters. Tipping is customary, but we suggest you decide how much to give based on your own experience.
Please keep your bags ready for the flight and listen to your guide about luggage limits on the domestic flight.
This day is kept as a buffer. Flights between Lukla and Kathmandu depend on the weather and are often delayed or cancelled when clouds and wind close the airport. A buffer day gives you more room to return to Kathmandu on time for your international flight.
If the weather has been kind and you did not need the buffer day anywhere on the trek, you can fly to Kathmandu on Day 17 itself, subject to seat availability.
If your flight is delayed, you stay in Lukla and wait for the next available flight. If there is a long delay, our team will talk with you about other options, such as a helicopter charter, which costs extra. One buffer day does not guarantee that a flight will operate, and we will tell you if more time is needed.
Weather in the Everest region cannot be predicted 100%. A morning can start with fantastic sunshine and still turn windy enough to hold flights. If that happens, you have two alternatives.
The first is a helicopter to Kathmandu, either a shared seat when other passengers are available or a private charter, subject to weather and extra cost. The second is by road: from Surke you continue to Phaplu, sleep in a lodge there, and take a shared or private 4-wheel-drive jeep from Phaplu to Kathmandu.
Plan 2 extra days for this route, so the driving hours stay comfortable. The road can be blocked during the monsoon, so ask us for the latest update before choosing it. In the rare case where both flights and the road are closed, a shared or group helicopter is the only way out. Keep some flexibility in your schedule and some extra budget for unplanned transport!
You take an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, which takes about 35 minutes. In clear weather, you get a last view of the Himalayan peaks from the plane. As on Day 2, flights may sometimes use Ramechhap (Manthali) airport, and we will inform you in advance.
After landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team will transfer you to your hotel in Thamel. You can rest, take a hot shower, and spend the afternoon freely. Many trekkers use this time for laundry, shopping, and sightseeing.
We will also host a farewell dinner for the group. If you land in Ramechhap, the drive to Kathmandu takes about 4 hours, so the afternoon in Thamel will be shorter.
If you flew out on Day 17, today becomes a full day of Kathmandu sightseeing with a cultural guide, followed by the farewell dinner!
Our team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your flight home. If your flight is later in the day, you may have time for a last bit of shopping. We suggest checking out with enough time for traffic.
If you plan to stay longer in Nepal, we can help you arrange more activities such as sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley or a Chitwan jungle safari.
Trip Cost Details
Includes
Room and board in the city, transfers, and flights
- Airport Transfers: Private airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu, and private transfers to and from the domestic airport
- Accommodation in Kathmandu: 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in Thamel (Day 1 and Day 18) on a twin-sharing basis (a third night if you fly out on Day 17, in place of the buffer night in Lukla)
- Meals in Kathmandu: Breakfast at the hotel and a farewell dinner
- Sightseeing: Full-day Kathmandu sightseeing with a cultural guide, only if you fly out on Day 17
- Domestic Flights: Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu, with the scheduled flight on Day 18 (or Day 17 if the buffer day is not needed)
Room and board on the trek
- Accommodation: Twin-sharing local lodges for all trek nights, including the buffer night on Day 17
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day on the trek with a cup of tea or coffee
- Additions: Seasonal fresh fruit, biscuits, and water purification tablets (with advance notice)
Trek crew
- Trek Guide: An English-speaking, licensed, and experienced trekking guide
- Support Staff: One porter for every 2 guests (maximum 25 kg per porter), and an assistant guide for groups above 6 trekkers
- Crew Insurance: Insurance for our guide, assistant guide, and porters as required by Nepal government rules
Permits and other services
- Permits: Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit
- Gear: One duffel bag for 2 trekkers, to be returned after the trek
- First Aid: A medical kit with an oximeter, carried by your guide
- Government Taxes: Applicable Nepal government taxes
Excludes
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance, including emergency helicopter evacuation
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, except the farewell dinner
- Extra nights in Kathmandu or Lukla caused by early arrival, late arrival, early return, or flight delays beyond the planned buffer day
- Extra costs from natural events, flight cancellations, or other situations beyond our control, including helicopter charters
- Personal expenses on the trek, such as snacks, chocolate bars, drinks, hot showers, phone and Wi-Fi, device charging, and laundry
- Extra costs from leaving the trek early, which are non-refundable
- Tips for guides and porters (not compulsory, but expected by the staff at the end of the trek)
- Personal trekking gear and clothing, such as boots, poles, sunglasses, gaiters, microspikes, and sleeping bag (rental available)
- Hygiene items and toiletries such as sunscreen, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer
- Any service not clearly listed in the Cost Includes section
Essential Information
Planning Around Lukla Flights
Flights to and from Lukla depend on weather, air traffic, and operational restrictions, and neither Kathmandu nor Ramechhap (Manthali) Airport guarantees an on-time departure. A few habits protect your schedule:
- Confirm your Lukla departure airport with us before you travel.
- Allow enough time for airport transfers and check-in, especially on early mornings.
- Follow weather forecasts and flight updates through your guide.
- Check road conditions with us before choosing the Phaplu jeep route.
- Talk to us about helicopter options early, not on the day you are stuck in Lukla.
- If you have an international flight to catch, keep a spare day or two after the trek in your own plans.
Our team reviews these options with you and arranges them according to your itinerary, the weather, and availability!
Best Time to Take This Everest 2-Pass Challenge
The best seasons for the Everest Two Pass Trek are spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November). In these months the weather is generally more stable and the mountain views are often clear.
Spring brings rhododendron forests in bloom at lower elevations and longer daylight. It is also climbing season on Everest, so Base Camp is busy with expedition tents. Nights at the high lodges are still cold.
Autumn usually has clear skies and steady weather after the monsoon. It is the busiest season, so lodges and flights fill early. We recommend booking well in advance for both seasons.
Winter and monsoon trekking are possible on lower Khumbu routes, but the high passes are harder in deep snow, cold, or poor visibility. We do not recommend this particular route in those months. Weather can change in any season, so your guide's decision on the day always comes first.
Within each season, timing matters too:
- In March and early April, nights are very cold at the upper lodges and snow can remain on the passes.
- Late April and May are generally warmer, with longer days, but afternoon clouds are more common.
- In September, monsoon cloud still lingers, and while it was a peak season before, it's no longer the best season today.
- October and early November are usually the clearest and most popular weeks!
- By late November, nights are noticeably colder, so you will need a warmer sleeping bag and extra layers.
Permits and Entry Requirements for This Everest Trek
You need two permits for this trek. Our team arranges both for you and they are covered in the package:
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: NPR 3,000 per person. It is checked at the park gate in Monjo on Day 3, and we prepare it in advance.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit: around NPR 2,000 per person. This local permit replaced the TIMS card in the Everest region, so you do not need a TIMS card for this trek.
You also need a valid passport (at least six months of validity) and a Nepal tourist visa, which you can get on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or from a Nepali embassy before you travel. Please bring a few passport-size photos.
Travel insurance is required for this trek (not legally, but we highly endorse it). Your policy must cover emergency helicopter evacuation and medical treatment up to at least 6,000 m. Please send us your insurance details before the trek starts!
Everest Two Passes Trek Difficulty
We grade this trek Challenging. Walking days are usually 5 to 8 hours, and the two pass days are longer, often 7 to 9 hours. You cross two passes above 5,300 m and reach 5,640 m at Kala Patthar!
The biggest challenge is altitude. You sleep above 4,000 m from Day 7 to Day 14, and you will feel the thin air on steep climbs. The passes also involve rocky trails, loose stones, and possible snow or ice, depending on the season and recent weather.
You do not need technical climbing skills. You do need good fitness, steady walking habits, and a willing attitude. We suggest 2 to 3 months of regular cardio, hill walking, and leg strength training before you arrive. Trekkers who have already walked at altitude usually find it easier, but it is not required!
Acclimatization helps, but it does not remove the risk of altitude sickness. Anyone can be affected. Tell your guide early if you feel a headache, nausea, dizziness, or unusual tiredness. Descending is the main treatment for serious symptoms, and our guides make that call.
Accommodation and Food on This Trip
In Kathmandu, you stay at a 3-star hotel in Thamel (or another location). On the trek, you stay in local lodges (teahouses) on a twin-sharing basis.
Rooms are simple, with beds, mattresses, and blankets, and a shared dining room. Bathrooms are often shared. Hot showers, charging, and Wi-Fi usually cost extra and become more limited with height.
The lodges at Lungden, Dragnag, and Dzongla are especially basic and limited. They have few rooms and fewer facilities than the lodges in Namche or Lobuche, and the standard can vary from season to season.
We do not promise a specific standard at these stops. Your guide will confirm rooms early in the day, so we suggest arriving at Lungden in good time!
Meals on the trek are breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with tea or coffee. Menus include dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curry), noodles, pasta, momo, eggs, pancakes, and porridge.
We recommend vegetarian meals at altitude because meat in high-altitude destinations has to be carried up from lower areas. Eat well even if your appetite is low, because your body needs the energy!
Lodge dining rooms are the warmest place in the evening, usually heated by a central stove, and bedrooms are not heated. Lodges provide blankets, but we recommend bringing your own warm sleeping bag for the upper nights.
Toilets at higher stops are often basic and outside the room. Charging for phones and power banks is usually available for a fee, powered by solar panels, and can be limited on cloudy days, so a power bank is useful.
Drink plenty of water. Our team can provide water purification tablets with advance notice. Bottled water is available in many villages, but prices rise with altitude!
Preparation and Essential Equipment
Proper preparation matters on any Himalayan trek. For the Everest Two Pass Trek, you will be reaching 5,640 m on a route with basic teahouse lodges and limited facilities at Lungden, Dragnag, and Dzongla. Here is what our HEN team recommends:
- Physical preparation: Start training at least 2 to 3 months before the trek. Combine hill walking with a loaded daypack, stair climbing, cycling, or running, and do a few back-to-back long walking days so your legs get used to the effort of Days 7 to 10.
- Arriving at Lungden: Reach Lungden early enough for your guide to arrange and confirm rooms, because accommodation is limited and basic. Drink enough water and eat well, even if your appetite is low, so your body is ready for the crossing.
- The evening before Renjo La: Prepare everything the night before and plan to begin walking early the next morning. Check your headlamp or flashlight, trekking boots, warm woollen hat, and windproof jacket.
- On the pass days: Carry energy snacks, such as chocolate bars, and enough water for the long crossing, since refill points are not reliably available. Ask your guide about microspikes or traction devices. They are useful when snow or ice is on the trail but are not always needed, because conditions decide. We suggest carrying microspikes, since it is better to have them and not need them than the other way round.
Equipment Lists
The Everest Two Pass Trek with Everest Base Camp involves long walking days, high-altitude trails, and challenging crossings of Renjo La and Cho La passes. Temperatures can drop below freezing, especially at higher elevations and during early morning hikes. Pack warm layers, waterproof clothing, sturdy trekking boots, and essential personal items to stay comfortable throughout the journey. Use the equipment checklist below to prepare for changing weather, steep trails, and cold nights in the Everest region. Our team can help you check your gear before the trek begins.
Head
- Warm woollen or fleece hat that covers your ears
- Sun hat or baseball cap
- Buff or neck gaiter
- Balaclava (optional, useful on pass days)
- Headlamp (essential for early starts)
- Spare headlamp batteries
Upper Body
- Thermal base layers, long-sleeved (2 to 3)
- Quick-drying T-shirts (2)
- Fleece or light insulated mid-layer
- Warm down jacket
- Waterproof and windproof shell jacket
Hands
- Lightweight liner gloves
- Insulated, windproof gloves or mittens
- Spare pair of warm gloves
Lower Body
- Thermal leggings (2)
- Trekking trousers, quick-drying (2)
- Softshell trousers for high days
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Warm trousers for the lodge
- Underwear, quick-drying
Foot Wear
- Waterproof trekking boots with ankle support, well broken in
- Warm trekking socks (4 pairs)
- Thin liner socks (2 to 3 pairs)
- Lodge shoes or sandals
- Gaiters
Travel Documents
- Passport, valid for at least six months
- Nepal visa
- Travel and medical insurance policy
- Flight tickets and copies
- Passport-size photographs
- Emergency contact details
- Nepali rupees in cash
- Digital and paper copies of key documents
Sun Stuffs
- Sunglasses with 100% UV protection
- Glacier glasses with side shields
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 or higher
- Lip balm, SPF 30 or higher
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Biodegradable soap or body wash
- Body wipes
- Moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Quick-drying towel
- Feminine hygiene products, if needed
- Small bag for used tissue and waste
Eating & Drinking
- Water bottles or hydration system with a total capacity of 2 to 3 litres
- Insulated bottle cover
- Energy snacks, such as chocolate bars
- Energy bars
- Nuts and dried fruit
- Electrolyte or rehydration sachets
- Water purification tablets
Sleeping Bags
- Warm sleeping bag with a comfort rating of about -10°C to -15°C
- Sleeping bag liner
- Waterproof stuff sack
Bag Packs
- Daypack, 25 to 35 litres, with a rain cover
- Duffel bag for porters
- Dry bags for clothes and electronics
- Small padlock
Climbing Equipments
- Trekking poles
- Microspikes or traction devices (optional, only if conditions require)
- Small repair kit
Medical & First Aid
- Personal prescription medicines
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- Altitude medication, after talking to your doctor
- Blister plasters
- Elastic bandage
- Antiseptic wipes
- Oral rehydration salts
- Throat lozenges
- Anti-diarrhoea medicine
Miscellaneous
- Power bank
- Camera or phone
- Earplugs
- Notebook and pen
- Zip-lock bags
- Rain cover for your duffel bag
Our duffel bag is available for your use during the trek. You can rent trekking and climbing gear in Kathmandu through our gear rental service, and our team can help you check your list before departure.
Everest Two Pass Trek – 19 Days (Renjo La and Cho La with EBC) FAQs
This trek crosses Renjo La (5,340 m) and Cho La (5,330 m) but skips Kongma La of the popular Everest Three Passes Trek. It starts in the quiet Thame valley and passes the Gokyo Lakes before joining the Everest Base Camp route. Our version also adds Sunder Peak and a spare day, so it suits trekkers who want a more gradual pace.
Both are demanding days of 7 to 9 hours at high altitude. The trails are rocky and steep, and snow or ice may be present depending on the season. Fitness, a slow pace, and your guide's advice matter most!
March to May and October to November are the best months, with more stable weather and clearer views. Conditions can still change quickly at any time of year, so we ask you to stay flexible and follow your guide's advice.
We include rest days at Namche and Thame, a climb-high, sleep-low hike to Sunder Peak, and a spare day. Acclimatization reduces risk but does not remove it, so tell your guide about any symptoms early.