Everest High Passes Trek Packing List
Footwear:
- Walking boots. A pair of water-repellent boots with ankle support.
- Walking socks.
- Yaktrax
- Gaiters
- Trainers or trail shoes. Can be used in and around the lodge in the afternoons/evenings.
Clothing:
- Waterproof jacket and trousers (Gore-Tex or similar).
- Trekking trousers.
- Soft shell trousers
- Long sleeve shirts (not cotton).
- Mid to heavyweight fleece.
- Sleeveless or body warmer type fleece.
- Thermals or base layer for top & bottom (merino wool or synthetic).
- Fleece pants.
- Medium weight down jacket (e.g.: Nuptse jacket by The North Face).
Hand wear:
- Fleece gloves.
- Warms mittens and/or gloves.
Headwear:
- Wool or fleece hat.
- Sun hat.
- Bandana or scarf.
- Head torch. Bring extra batteries.
- Sunglasses.
Personal Equipment:
- Day pack (you’ll need during the day, such as warm clothes, a jacket, a camera, water bottles, snacks, and a personal first aid kit. Keep your daypack under 5 kg. A porter will transport the rest of your personal gear in a duffel or kit bag, which should not exceed 15 kg per trekker. Clearly mark your bag to help identify it easily.)
- Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organized.
- Water bottles (Nalgene wide-mouth bottles are the best).
- Sunscreen and lip salve with a high SPF.
- Water purification tablets (Aqua Tab, Katadyn Micropur, Chlorine dioxide).
- Favourite snack food.
- Trekking poles (optional).
- Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
- Insurance certificate.
- Flash Light
- Earplugs (optional).
- Hand sanitizer
- Face Mask
- Sleeping bag (available in Kathmandu for rental at US$ 1.5 per day)
- Fleece or silk liner for your sleeping bag.
- Spare cash for extra expenses like hot shower, boiled water, gadget charging during trek
Traveling:
- Bring a small combination padlock to secure the bag.
- Travel clothes. You will need casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in Kathmandu.
- Toiletry bags include toilet paper, soap, towel, toothbrush, etc.
- Quick dry towel
Personal first aid kit: Note: Nepal Sanctuary Treks provides a comprehensive group first aid kit, but please bring personal medications and other items you might use regularly.
Everest High Passes Trek Temperature
| Season |
Months |
Daytime (°C) |
Nighttime (°C) |
| Spring |
Mar – May |
-10°C to 0°C |
-20°C to -15°C |
| Autumn (Peak) |
Sep – Nov |
-10°C to 0°C |
-20°C to -15°C |
| Winter |
Dec – Feb |
-20°C to -15°C |
-30°C to -25°C |
| Summer |
Jun – Aug |
-5°C to 0°C |
-15°C to -10°C |
High Pass Specifics
- Kongma La (5,535 m): Often the coldest and most challenging pass. Early mornings can reach temperatures as low as -20°C, and snow patches are present year-round.
- Cho La (5,420 m): Known for severe wind chill and icy conditions. Even during the best autumn months, daytime temperatures rarely exceed 8°C, while nighttime lows remain well below freezing.
- Renjo La (5,360 m): Slightly lower in altitude but still exposed to strong winds and sudden drops in temperature. In autumn, the lower sections can reach daytime highs of 15°C, but the pass itself stays freezing.
Teahouse Lodges on the Everest High Passes Trek
Teahouse lodges are the primary accommodations on the Everest High Passes Trek, providing hikers with simple shelter, meals, and a place to rest after a long day of trekking. As you ascend to higher altitudes, facilities become more basic, but this offers a genuine local Himalayan experience.
Rooms are typically small, unheated, and often shared, featuring simple beds and thin walls. Bringing your own sleeping bag is highly recommended for extra warmth and hygiene. The communal dining hall serves as the social hub, often cozy and heated by a stove during evenings.
Toilet and shower facilities are more comfortable at lower elevations, but at higher stops, they are basic, shared, and may have limited hot water, usually available for an additional fee. Staying in teahouses allows trekkers to experience local culture while enjoying essential comforts along the trail.
Meals in Teahouses on the Everest High Passes Trek
Teahouses on the Everest High Passes Trek serve a mix of Nepali and Western dishes. You usually have breakfast and dinner at your lodge, while lunch is often at trail-side restaurants.
Breakfast options include porridge, cornflakes, Tibetan bread with honey, boiled eggs, omelets, and tea. Lunch and dinner feature Nepali thali, momos, thukpa, noodles, fried rice, curries, and pizza.
Try local specialties like Hyakpa (Sherpa stew with hand-pulled noodles and vegetables) and Riki Kur (potato pancakes) for a true Himalayan experience.
To stay healthy, avoid raw meat dishes and use hand sanitizer when handling money. Any extras outside the set menu are charged separately.
A Typical Day on the Teahouse Lodge Trek
On the Everest High Passes Trek, each day follows a simple routine of trekking, meals, and rest.
You start by packing your gear before breakfast at the teahouse. Porters leave early, while you enjoy a hearty meal.
Trekking begins around 8 a.m. at a relaxed pace, giving you time to enjoy the Himalayan views, take photos, and visit local villages. Lunch is served at a teahouse around noon.
After lunch, you continue trekking, usually arriving at the lodge by mid-afternoon. Staff welcome you with a hot drink and biscuits.
Dinner is typically soup followed by a main dish like dal bhat, momos, or Sherpa stew. Afterward, the trek leader briefs the group on the next day’s route.
Electricity on the Everest High Passes Trek
Electricity is limited and costly on the Everest High Passes Trek, so trekkers should rely on solar power and carry a power bank.
Lower villages like Thame, Gokyo, and Chhukhung have more reliable power, often via solar or micro-hydro, with charging available for a fee. At high-altitude villages such as Dzongla, Dragnag, and Lobuche, electricity is weak, weather-dependent, and prone to frequent outages. Charging costs increase with altitude, usually $3–$6 USD or 300–600 Nepali Rupees per hour or full charge, with higher rates for power banks. Outlets are shared in dining areas, and all fees must be paid in Nepali Rupees, with the last ATM in Namche Bazaar.
Frequent power cuts and crowded outlets make it essential to carry a power bank and a headlamp with extra batteries. Nepal uses Type C and Type D plugs, so a universal adapter is also recommended.
Communication on the Everest High Passes Trek
Communication on the Everest High Passes Trek, including passes like Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, is more challenging than on the standard Base Camp route. Major villages offer some connectivity, but high-altitude passes and remote valleys often have no mobile or Wi-Fi signal.
Local SIM cards work best during the early and mid-trek sections. Coverage is generally reliable up to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), but signals may disappear at passes or remote areas. Nepal Telecom usually reaches higher areas like Gorak Shep and parts of the Gokyo Valley, while Ncell works better in lower hubs like Lukla and Namche but often loses signal beyond Dingboche. Carrying both SIMs increases your chances of staying connected.
For Wi-Fi, satellite services are the main option at high-altitude lodges. Everest Link covers villages such as Gokyo, Dzongla, Lobuche, and Chhukhung, costing around $20 for 10 GB or $30 for 20 GB, valid for 30 days. Airlink is another option at some lodges for about NPR 600 (~$4.50). Speeds above 4,000 m are slow, making video calls and large uploads difficult.
Everest High Passes Trek Difficulty and Physical Fitness
The Everest High Passes Trek, crossing Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Renjo La (5,360 m), is far more demanding than the standard Everest Base Camp route. Rated strenuous to very challenging, it suits experienced trekkers. Daily hikes last 6–9 hours, with pass-crossing days often longer, traversing glaciers, steep slopes, and icy sections that may require micro-spikes or crampons. The trek passes through remote valleys like Gokyo and Thame, with few teahouses and limited communication.
Physical fitness is essential. Prepare with cardiovascular training, leg and core strengthening, hiking with a 5–10 kg backpack, and flexibility exercises. Mental resilience is equally important for the 18–21 day trek. Trekkers must recognize Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) symptoms and be ready to descend if needed. A medical check-up is recommended, especially for those with heart or respiratory conditions.
ATM and Cash on the Everest High Passes Trek
ATM access is limited on the Everest High Passes Trek, mainly to lower-altitude towns like Lukla (2,860 m) and Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). Lukla has a few ATMs, but they can be unreliable due to power issues, connectivity problems, or cash shortages—so use them only as a backup. Namche Bazaar is the last dependable spot to withdraw cash, and most ATMs accept international Visa and Mastercard cards.
Beyond Namche, villages such as Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep have no ATMs, so trekkers must carry enough Nepali Rupees for the remainder of the trek. The trek is entirely cash-based; teahouses, shops, and vendors in smaller villages rarely accept credit cards.
Carry sufficient cash for extra expenses, including showers, device charging, and hot water.
Altitude:
4,600 m/15,092ft.
Difficulty:
Moderate
