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Three Passes Trek Day 16 – 20 – Renjo La Pass to Lukla
The final push on the Everest Three Passes Trek leaves the comfort of Goyko in the hope of crossing the finale of the Three High Passes. The Renjo La Pass. Honestly, this pass is the easiest of all, provided you follow these instructions counterclockwise. However, this is still a 5345m Alpine pass in the highest mountain range in the world, and tackling it is still an incredibly fulfilling experience. So what's the reward? A magnificent descent back to Lukla where you'll quickly lose all the hard-earned altitude you've accumulated over the last two weeks! …
Three Passes Trek Day 16 – 20 – Renjo La Pass to Lukla
The final push on the Everest Three Passes Trek leaves the comfort of Goyko in the hope of crossing the finale of the Three High Passes. The Renjo La Pass.
Honestly, this pass is the easiest of all, provided you follow these instructions counterclockwise. However, this is still a 5345m Alpine pass in the highest mountain range in the world, and tackling it is still an incredibly fulfilling experience.
So what's the reward? A magnificent descent back to Lukla where you'll quickly lose all the hard-earned altitude you've accumulated over the last two weeks!
If you hike clockwise, Renjo La Pass is your first pass that requires over 1000 meters of elevation gain in a single day. Although this is still possible, it can lead to an increased risk of AMS.
This guide follows on from the previous post: EVEREST THREE PASSES TREK DAY 13 – 15 CHO LA PASS
This guide should not replace a proper map and should be a supplement to individual research and preparation efforts.
The map above gives you an idea of the general direction and topography of the area. However, it is essential to have a physical Everest Three Passes Trek card if you want to tackle the Renjo La pass.
At the moment, my guides are the only sources of free content available online for the Three Pass Trek. If you are looking for more information about trekking in Sagarmatha National Park and Renjo La Pass, you can also get a copy of the book Lonely Planet: Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, which I found very useful.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE RENJO LA PASS TREK
For most hikers hoping to tackle the Three Passes, travel insurance is high on their priority list. However, most travel insurance companies do not cover trekking above 4000 meters.
I always purchase travel insurance from WorldNomads.com as I believe they are the best for adventure travelers. It includes cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities, including trekking in Nepal at high altitudes.
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Three Passes: Independent Trekking Guide Ebook
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Since internet connection is limited in the Khumbu, I have written a comprehensive trekking guide to the Three Passes that you can download as an eBook for use on your phone, tablet or e-reader.
I currently have this eBook listed on Amazon at a discounted price of less than $6!
DAY 16: THE RENJO LA PASS
TREKKING TIME: 6 HOURS TO LUMDE ALTITUDE: 550 M Climb 650 M DESCENT RENJO LA HEIGHT: 5345 M SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 4350 M
After climbing Gokyo Ri and optionally spending a day or two recuperating in beautiful Gokyo, it's finally time to tackle the final pass of the Three High Passes hike. the Renjo La.
Gokyo to Renjo La Pass
Again, remember to leave early for the best chance of clear conditions on the pass. You can expect about three hours of trekking before receiving the pass.
Follow the same path from Gokyo to Gokyo Ri, hiking along Lake Gokyo, following the side of Gokyo Ri before climbing steeply to the base of a ridge wall.
The final section is a winding push to Renjo La Pass, which is steep and often covered in snow. The path is quite clear, especially when carved out of the snow by Sherpas and other trekkers.
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Views from Renjo La
After reaching the pass, you will be treated to awe-inspiring scenery stretching from Gokyo through the Ngozumpa Glacier to the massive peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, Cholatse, Makalu and of course Everest. Cho La is also visible from Renjo La Pass and serves as a humbling reminder of the vast, beautiful but unforgiving terrain traversed on the journey so far.
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The descent to Lumde (Lungden)
After wiping away the tears of victory, it's time to put the backpack back on and muster the energy needed to return to Lukla to complete the Three High Passes hike.
Of course, the large distance that makes up this final section is usually covered in 2-4 days. The good news is that most of the trek from this point is a gentle descent. You will undoubtedly feel revitalized by the change in gradient, combined with the benefits of increasingly dense oxygen as you descend.
But first you have to descend the steep, icy route of Renjo La. This section can get very slippery, so if you have microspikes or crampons, now would be a good time to use them.
This path is easy to find, but again very slippery. Great caution is required to avoid falls.
Soon you will reach Angladumba Tso, a small alpine lake below the pass. From here you'll feel like a superhero as you descend the wide, hilly path to another lake. Relama Tsho before turning into the Renjo Khola valley.
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The last section before Lumde is a steep descent into the valley that alternates back and forth next to large rocky outcrops.
There are several lodges in Lumde to choose from, so make your choice. Alternatively, some walkers choose to carry on, even as far as Thame if they have the energy. Fresh and rejuvenated (perhaps because of the much-missed oxygen), we continued on to the next village; Murulung. We stayed at Riverside Lodge, whose very hospitable owner is the son of a Sherpa man who had climbed Everest on several occasions.
Day 17: Descent to Thame (or Namche)
TREKKING TIME: 3 HOURS TO THAME, 7 HOURS TO NAMCHE ALTITUDE: 530 M DESCENT TO THAME, 900 M TO NAMCHE SLEEPING ALTITUDE: 3800 M (THAME), 3440 M (NAMCHE)
The final days of the Everest Three High Passes trek after crossing the Renjo La Pass are a long, winding descent to Lukla. Since this entire section is essentially downhill, you are free to choose your trekking route depending on your energy levels without much risk of AMS.
The trail continues through the Bhote Koshi Valley and into the Langmuche Khola Valley, connecting several small villages before reaching Thame. Highlights include Thambuteng and Thame Teng.
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You can stay overnight in most of these small villages. However, most hikers choose to either spend a night in Thame or, like us, drive a few hours further to Namche Bazaar.
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Day 18 – Return to Lukla
Of course, this last section can be divided into several days. However, we were feeling fresh and decided to skip Thame, stay in Namche Bazaar and then continue on to Lukla on the last day (18).
The descent from Thame to Namche is very peaceful and I am sure you will notice how sensitive your senses are to the continued deprivation of the sights and smells of plants and trees. The scent of forest flowers and pine needles beneath your boots is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, and it's as if with every kilometer you ride downhill, more life returns to the trail.
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You won't have any trouble finding your way back to Namche Bazaar as villagers commute daily to visit the market and conduct other necessary business in the Khumbu's unofficial capital.
If you stayed overnight in Thame the day before, spending one last night in Namche is a good option. Alternatively, you can continue on the same route back to Phakding or even Lukla that you came up on the second day.
Day 19 (or 20) – Flight to Kathmandu
Returning to Lukla is an overwhelming experience. After being absorbed into the Sherpa culture and humble mindset and feasting your eyes on the world's mightiest mountain peaks for nearly 20 days, it's easy to get a little emotional.
As you sit in beautiful Lukla, perhaps sipping a hot coffee while waiting for your return flight, take the moment to truly appreciate where you are and where you have been. The Three Passes Hike was truly one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences of my life so far, and I am sure you will share with me a deep sense of pride and admiration upon completion.
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The truth is, as I finish this guide a few months after I left, I feel an overwhelming urge to return to these mountains and be separated from this simple, humiliating life again. So as you take that final sip, no doubt longing for the pleasures to come, dare to push those thoughts to the back of your mind one last time and truly live those final moments.
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More photos from Renjo La
I hope this guide will be a useful resource for your trekking adventures across the Renjo La on the Three Passes Trek. Here are a few more photos from the last few days to inspire your trip.
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Continue reading the Everest Three High Passes Trekking Guide
That’s it for the Three High Passes guide for days 16-20, including Renjo La Pass!
This is the last three passes trekking guide on my blog. For more resources, don't miss this Three Pass Route for an overview of everything you need to know before you head out.
Don't know what to pack? Also take a look at the packing list.
MY CAMERA AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT
- Spiegellose Kamera: Canon R5
- Drohne: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- 360-Grad-Action-Kamera: Insta360 One X2
- Landschaftsobjektiv: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8L
- Allround-Objektiv: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
- Teleobjektiv: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4,5–7,1 L
- Lange Aktionsstange: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
- Landschaftslinsenfilter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
- Kamerarucksack: F-Stop Tilopa
- Lieblingsfotozubehör: Peak Design Capture Clip
For a list of my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why), check out my Travel Camera Gear Guide.
If you would like to use any of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my Print Store or contact me directly for customs deductions of images on We Seek Travel.
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