How difficult is the Everest Three Passes trek compared to the classic EBC route?

The home of Sherpa and the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest can never be a dull travel destination. In fact, Khumbu is a darling and heart of Nepalese Trekking Industry. Majority of trekkers coming to Nepal either visit the Annapurna region or the Everest region. Therefore, it is understandable to write travel blogs about these regions. Recently, lots of my readers who are prospective travelers to Nepal have asked the unique question. How difficult is the Everest Three Passes trek compared to the classic EBC route? I intend to write a blog about it in detail for your assistance.

Please remember that the Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd. is the committed and experienced trekking company for any kinds of activities in the Everest region. As the name suggests, we are one of the best organizations to ensure safe and successful trip in the region. These two trips, the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Everest Three Passes Trek, are the cornerstone of Khumbu trekking scene. Therefore, the blog holds significant importance among trekkers from across the globe.

Classic Everest Base Camp Trek Route

The Classic Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek is one of the most popular Himalayan journeys in Nepal. The route follows a steady progression through Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar and Tengboche, eventually reaching Everest Base Camp beneath Mount Everest. Trekkers typically walk 5–7 hours daily, with gradual altitude gain and scheduled acclimatization days. While physically demanding due to long distances and thin air, the trail is well-established and supported by teahouses. For reasonably fit hikers with preparation and proper pacing, the classic EBC route is challenging but achievable and highly rewarding.

The Everest Three Passes Trek

The Everest Three Passes Trek is a more adventurous circuit in the Everest region of Nepal. In addition to reaching Everest Base Camp, trekkers cross three high mountain passes: Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, all above 5,000 meters. These crossings involve steep ascents, rocky trails, possible snow, and longer trekking days. The route is less crowded and more remote than the standard EBC trail. It demands stronger endurance, confidence on uneven terrain, and better acclimatization. This trek suits experienced hikers seeking a physically demanding and comprehensive Himalayan adventure.

How Difficult Is the Everest Three Passes Trek Compared to the Classic EBC Route?

Compared to the Classic Everest Base Camp trek, the Everest Three Passes Trek is significantly more challenging. Both routes reach the base of Mount Everest, but the Three Passes adds higher elevations, steeper climbs, and technical sections over rugged terrain. Daily walking hours are often longer, and weather conditions can be harsher at the high passes. While the EBC route requires good fitness and acclimatization, the Three Passes trek demands excellent stamina, mental resilience, and prior high-altitude trekking experience. For those prepared, it offers greater adventure and panoramic mountain views beyond the classic trail.

Trekking Sections’ Comparisons between EBC Trek route and Everest Three Passes Trek route

Now, let’s compare between the Everest Three High Passes Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek in terms of the trekking sections. You can have idea about the trekking difficulties by understanding what it feels like walking in these sections while conquering these amazing treks in Khumbu Nepal. Understand that the blogger has dissected the sections into common and separate sections of the Everest Base Camp Trek route and the Everest Three Passes Trek route.

Lukla to Dingboche: Common Route of EBC Trek and Three Passes Trek

Well, you must know the first section starting from trail head to know answer of the question “how difficult is the Everest Three Passes Trek compared to the classic EBC route?” and it is valid. Let’s talk about the first section the Lukla to Dingboche section. Remember that the trekkers of both the treks must do the trek from Lukla to Dingboche via Phakding, Namche Bazaar, and Tengboche including acclimatization activity to the Everest View Hotel. Therefore, the difficulty level is similar. Moreover, it can be termed as the easy trekking in terms of difficulty grade.

Kongma La Pass Route

From Dingboche, the Everest Base Camp Trek route and the Everest Three Passes Trek route differs.  The passes trek takes the route of Chhukung Valley whereas the EBC Trek route takes the Thukla Pass route to Lobuche. The trail from Dingboche to Lobuche is well maintained and the only concern is the high – altitude but it is better served after acclimatization break in Dingboche. Therefore, the crossing train of the Kongma La Pass is far more difficult than the Dingboche Lobuche Route via Thukla Pass. Therefore, you can say that the Kongma La Pass crossing is far more difficult.

Lobuche to Everest Base Camp: Common route of EBC Trek and Three Passes Trek

All trekkers have to go through this section to reach the Everest Base Camp. The trail is rugged and in the glacier and moraine all the way to the Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep. So, this blogger feels it is even in terms of difficulty grade between two treks in the Everest region.

Chola Pass Route to Namche Bazaar via Gokyo and Renjo La Pass vs Pheriche Route to Namche Bazaar

After reaching the Everest Base Camp (5364 m), trekkers have to take the different route in these two treks. The Everest Base Camp Trek travelers take the route of the Pheriche. Similarly, the Everest Three Passes Trek travelers take the route of the Dzongla Village on the way to cross the Chola Pass. EBC Trekkers reach the Namche Bazaar via commercial route through villages like Pangboche, Tengboche, and Kyangjuma. However, the Everest Three High Passes Trek route passes by daunting Chola Pass, beautiful Gokyo Lake and challenging Renjo La Pass. The verdict is that the Everest Three Passes Trek is more difficult than the EBC Trek route in this section.

Namche Bazaar to Lukla: Common Route

The most comfortable and easy trek section of these two treks is the section between Namche Bazaar and Lukla. The altitude drops, and you can comfortably walk through villages like Benkar, Monjo, and Phakding to reach Lukla, the trail end of the Everest Treks.

Final Verdict on difficulty comparison between Everest Three High Passes Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek

Overall, the answer of the question “how difficult is the Everest Three Passes Trek compared to the classic EBC route?” is here. There’s no denying that the Everest Base Camp Trek too deserves better preparation and physical fitness level. However, the Everest Three High Passes Trek is one of the top challenging and difficult treks to do in Nepal.