A loop through the whole Everest region over three passes above 5,300 m (Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La), taking in Everest Base Camp and Gokyo on the way. The hardest trek on this list.
Days vary · highest point Kongma La 5,535 m · Strenuous · best months Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov · Start and end: Lukla · Protected area: Sagarmatha National Park
Fly to Lukla, as for Everest Base Camp. The loop starts and ends at Namche Bazaar.
Cho La crosses a glacier and can need crampons; the edge of the Ngozumpa glacier near Gokyo is unstable. All three passes are high, remote and exposed to bad weather, so you need good acclimatisation and a flexible schedule.
The Tourism Board's licensed-guide rule covers this route, but the Everest region's local government said in 2023 that guides were not compulsory there. Check before you go.
Most of these treks go above 3,000 m. The US CDC advises: once above 3,000 m, sleep no more than 500 m higher each night, add an extra day for every 1,000 m you gain, never go higher with symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness), and go down if they get worse.
Fees and rules checked on 2026-11-02.
Trekking and sightseeing in Nepal
General guidance from the sources listed, not a guarantee. Rules, fees and trail conditions change; confirm with the official source or a registered trekking agency before you go.