Everest Three Pass Trek

Crowds and prayer flags surround the massive white dome in the heart of Kathmandu.

Neatly organized wooden crates display a colorful variety of local lentils, beans, and seeds.

Holy men in traditional robes and face paint sit outside a historic stone shrine.

Visitors admire the intricate geometry and vibrant colors of a sacred Buddhist artwork.

Trekkers land at Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport, the world's most famous mountain airstrip at 2,846 m.

Trekkers cross a swaying suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River toward Phakding.

Hikers traverse the rugged terrain as the trail drops toward the riverbank.

Mule trains pass a stone chorten, maintaining the traditional pulse of Khumbu life.

Trekkers set off from Lukla village on the first day of trekking.

Trekkers navigate the famous suspension bridge at 2,835 m, draped in colorful prayer flags.

A wild Himalayan tahr navigates the vertical rocky terrain within Sagarmatha National Park.

Trekkers pause to overlook the iconic horseshoe-shaped village after a long, steep climb.

A traveler engages with local Buddhist traditions at a mani stone shrine in Phakding.

The trail winds upward from Namche (3,440 m) toward the massive face of Thamserku.

Ama Dablam (6,812 m) emerges in crystal-clear detail from the Syangboche acclimatization ridge.

The sacred stupa at 3,440 m in Namche Bazaar stands against a backdrop of soaring Himalayan peaks.

Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m) and Lhotse (8,516 m) dominate the horizon from the 3,880 m viewpoint.

Local yaks graze near the Sanasa junction beneath the sharp peak of Ama Dablam (6,812 m).

The trail descends through the forest toward the Dudh Koshi River crossing at 3,250 m.

Trekkers traverse the famous Everest View trail as Lhotse and Everest emerge behind Ama Dablam.

The colorful entrance to the Khumbu region's largest monastery stands against rugged mountain peaks.

Trekkers walk the high trail toward Pangboche with peaks rising above 6,000 m.

Dramatic lenticular clouds swirl above Deboche as Nuptse (7,861 m) and Everest (8,848.86 m) loom beyond.

The trekking trail follows the Imja Khola River toward the soaring ridges of the Khumbu.

Trekkers pause as a yak caravan passes, with Lhotse (8,516 m) visible in the distance.

Trekkers climb the steep, rocky ridge high above Dingboche toward the summit viewpoint.

A stone cairn overlooks the silhouettes of Taboche (6,542 m) and Cholatse (6,440 m).

A trekker captures Ama Dablam (6,812 m) as clouds roll through the Imja Valley below.

A stone monument honors legendary climbers, including Jerzy Kukuczka, near the trail to Chhukung.

Trekkers carefully cross a makeshift wooden bridge over the icy Imja Khola glacial stream.

Ice formations cling to boulders in the rushing water along the Chhukung trail.

The glass pyramid research station nestles beneath towering Khumbu summits.

Trekkers pass the iconic Pyramid Laboratory at 5,050 m near Lobuche.

A high-altitude rescue helicopter flies past the icy, jagged ridges of the Nuptse-Lhotse wall.

The sharp summit of Ama Dablam (6,812 m) glows under a clear, deep blue Himalayan sky.

A group navigates the rocky Khumbu Glacier moraine toward Pumori (7,161 m) and Nuptse (7,861 m).

Trekkers reach the high-altitude outpost of Gorak Shep, nestled below the sandy slopes of Kala Patthar.

The iconic, pyramid-shaped "Daughter of Everest" stands guard over the valley.

High-altitude teahouses and stone buildings mark the final settlement before Everest Base Camp.

A frozen, shifting gateway of ice marks the start of the climb to the summit.

Small lodges cluster at 5,164 m, the final outpost before Everest Base Camp.

Mount Everest (8,848.86 m), the world's highest point, towers above the horizon from Kala Patthar at 5,545 m.

The summit of Nuptse glows in the sunset light.

Everest (8,848.86 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), and Changtse (7,543 m) glow above a thick cloud inversion at sunset.

The summit pyramid of Mount Everest rises behind Nuptse's dramatic ice-clad west face, seen from the classic viewpoint of Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters.

Trekkers celebrate at the official Everest Base Camp marker at 5,364 m.

The turquoise waters of Cholatse Lake (4,590 m) shimmer below the 4,920 m trail.

Hikers follow the river valley at 4,700 m toward the Cholatse massif (6,440 m).

Trekkers photograph the vibrant Cholatse Lake from a high ridge at 4,920 m.

Trekkers and porters enter Dzongla at 4,830 m beneath Cholatse (6,440 m).

Hikers begin the steep ascent from Dzongla (4,830 m) toward the high mountain pass.

Cholatse Lake (4,590 m) glimmers below the rocky trail at 4,900 m.

A trekker stands at 5,100 m with Ama Dablam (6,812 m) commanding the horizon.

Trekkers navigate the snow-covered glacier at 5,350 m near the Cho La Pass summit.

A trekker stands by prayer flags at 5,420 m, gazing toward the Himalayan horizon.

The steep, boulder-strewn trail descends from 5,420 m toward the village of Thagnak.

Trekkers gather at the 5,420 m prayer flag summit overlooking the glacial crossing.

Thangnak village serves as the primary base for crossing the Cho La Pass.

Trekkers navigate the debris-covered Ngozumpa Glacier on the approach to Gokyo (4,750 m).

Hikers follow the rocky trail from Thangnak (4,700 m) toward the glacier moraine.

The turquoise waters of Longpongo Lake (4,710 m) nestle beneath the dramatic Cholatse peak.

Crystal-clear waters of the third Gokyo Lake shimmer at 4,750 m during the ascent.

Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,485 m), and Cho Oyu (8,188 m) stretch across the horizon from Gokyo Ri.

Trekkers gaze down at the turquoise Gokyo Lake and village from the 5,357 m peak.

Trekkers reach the Gokyo Ri summit at 5,357 m with the Himalayan giants rising behind.

Hikers overlook the vast Ngozumpa Glacier from a 4,950 m ridge en route to Fifth Lake.

Cho Oyu (8,188 m) dominates the skyline above the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in the Himalayas.

Cho Oyu (8,188 m), the world's sixth-highest mountain, towers over the 4,990 m Ngozumpa Tsho.

From the moraine, trekkers observe the pristine waters of the 4,990 m Fifth Lake (Ngozumpa Tsho).

The rugged, ice-plastered faces of the Chamar massif (Kang Guru) dominate the skyline at 4,990 m.

Cho Oyu (8,188 m), the world's sixth-highest mountain, rises from the shores of Fifth Lake (Ngozumpa Tsho).

Trekkers stand at the edge of the 4,990 m Fifth Lake as mountains reflect in the still water.

A high-altitude helicopter flight reveals the scale of the blue Himalayan ice walls.

A hiker gazes at the turquoise Gokyo Lake and the vast Ngozumpa Glacier.

Trekkers carefully pick their way through the steep, lunar-like landscape on the west side of the pass.

A local guide and pony navigate the rocky descent from Renjo La toward the Lunden Valley.

Local porters carry heavy timber planks uphill using traditional head straps near the village of Lunden.

A villager carries a basket of firewood along the rocky trail toward Thame.

A local porter carries a heavy load of essential goods along the dusty trail toward Thamo.

A wild Himalayan tahr stands on a rocky outcrop above the deep mountain valleys.

Trekkers take in the mountain panorama from the high-altitude heliport overlooking Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar spreads its colorful buildings into a mountain curve at the feet of soaring peaks.

A classic stone-built hotel offers warm hospitality to trekkers exploring the Everest Base Camp route.

The colorful Sherpa capital (3,440 m) spreads across the steep hillsides.

The two Larja bridges hang suspended between the steep canyon walls.

A caravan of supply mules carefully traverses the high suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi.

A trekker navigates the stone-paved alleys and vibrant shops of the Sherpa capital at 3,440 m.

The sacred dome and prayer flags of Boudhanath rise under a clear blue sky.

The dense urban landscape of Kathmandu Valley sprawls below the heights of Swayambhunath.

Macaques groom each other in front of intricate gilded deities and ancient inscriptions.

Tourists walk past a local vendor selling fresh vegetables in a narrow Kathmandu alley.