If you love traveling through dense forests and terrains and love the views of the mountains, then this blog is going to be interesting for you. As per today’s blog, we are discussing which trek is best and for whom. In short, Everest Base Camp is best for beginners, whereas the Three Passes Trek demands experienced ones.
Both treks provide experiences in the Nepal Himalayas, but your decision should be based on how physically prepared you are and how much of a challenge you’re seeking. Going to the trekking can be fun, right? But I still don’t know which trek to choose.
Here is the blog that covers the differences between Everest Base Camp and Everest Three Passes Trek.Let’s start with a brief introduction to these two treks.
Everest Base Camp trek
The first step that you take upon reaching the Lukla is for the EBC trek. The Everest Base Camp trek is beginner-friendlyand adventurous. You hike through landscapes, forests, and charming villages such as Namche Bazaar and Tenboche Before reaching Everest Base Camp.
Isn’t this fun and adventure? You will have to answer at the end of this blog. This trek officially begins with the flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. After that, you will hike 5 to 7 hours daily.
You will get a chance to interact with the local sherpa communities and visit monasteries along the trek. You have to be fit enough and must follow certain rules to avoid altitude sickness.
Hiring guides and porters is a must to guarantee your safety and better your experience. This dream adventure for many nature enthusiasts presents you with views of the Himalayas with a moderate level of challenges.
The Everest Three Passes Trek
Here is the little tough one that goes beyond the Everest base camp trek. I am talking about the Everest Three Passes Trek. This thrilling journey takes you through landscapes, crossing three passes: Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La. Each mountain surpasses 5000 meters above the sea level.
On this trek, you can also trek to sites like Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake. You will encounter various altitudes, so you must adjust accordingly. You will go through a mix of terrains, from glaciers to valleys.
When preparing for this demanding trek, it’s important to think about accommodation choices, expenses, ideal trekking times, acclimatization advice, and possible route changes.
Challenges Faced on Everest Base Camp Trek Compared to Three Passes Trek
You will encounter various challenges as you go through various landscapes and terrains. Whether you are going for the Everest Base Camp or Three Passes Trek, both demand extremely thorough preparation due to their challenging terrain and higher elevation. You have to be prepared equally.
Generally, the Three Passes Trek is tougher as it involves traveling across altitudes and crossing three passes above 5,000 meters. This trek is physically demanding, with paths and steep slopes requiring proper adjustments due to the elevations.
On the other hand, the Everest Base Camp Trek is shorter and less hard without the need to conquer mountain passes but still requires adequate acclimatization. The route to Everest Base Camp is more popular and less private.
Ultimately, choosing between these treks is flexible on one’s level of experience, fitness condition, and preference for an adventure versus an accessible trekking journey.
Itinerary
•Everest Base Camp
EBC trek is popular due to its easy and beginner-friendly journey that lasts 12 to 14 days. In the first phase of this trek, you will hike from Lukla to Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dinboche, with an acclimatization day in between.
In this phase, you will encounter villages like Chheplung, Nachipang, Koshiguan, Ghat, Phakding, Toktok, Bankar, Manjo, and Jorsalle, interacting with locals and immersing into the village’s cultural heritage.
Moreover, this part of the trek includes passing through desert rocky terrain, high winds, and cold temperatures, showcasing small farming settlements, yaks feeding in farms, and stunning mountain vistas.
In the second phase of hiking, you will trek to Lobuche, GorakShep, Everest Base Camp, and then back to GorakShep. During this journey, you will experience stunning views of peaks like Ama Dablam, Pumori, Nuptse, and Lobuche.
On the third phase of this hiking journey, you will be trekking back to Pangboche, Namche Bazaar, and Lukla. This is the final phase of the EBC trekking journey. This phase includes summarising all the memories, the challenges that you faced, the scenery you captured through your camera, and saying goodbye to the EBC.
After that, you will be dropped off at the airport, and you will be going to your chosen destination.
•Everest Three Passes Trek
In this hike, you will trek Three Passes over 5,000m i.e. Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La. It follows the same iteneary as EBC adding 10 extra days to its trek. You need to be fit and do some training as this trek is quite tough compared to EBC.
You will be hiking 22 days straight that includes acclimatization(adjustment) days too. This trek includes major stops like Chukung, Lobuche(via Kongma La), GorakShep(via Everest Base Camp), and Lobuche.
Lodgings are well established with tea houses in the Everest region where you can enjoy delicious meals.If you want to travel more, this trek can be extended by a day that includes touring Gokyo lakes. Moreover, you can enjoy vistas of mountains like Everest, Ama Dablam, and Nuptse along the route.
Weather On Everest Base Camp V/S Three Passes Trek
The weather you experience while trekking can vary in both treks due to their varying elevations and geographical characteristics. Both journeys give you an experience of changing weather patterns, including precipitation levels and temperature changes.
In general, the Three Passes Trek has more challenging weather compared to EBC. Spring and autumn are best for you for a trek with stable weather conditions and unlimited views.
If you go EBC during winter, you will experience mild temperatures ranging from 6 to 13 degrees Celsius, while the Three Passes trek can drop to 1 to 5 degrees Celsius. You must follow proper acclimatization for both treks to adapt to varying climate conditions.
Acclimatization on Everest Base Camp V/S Three Passes Trek
To stay on the journey filled with challenges, you must follow acclimatization as higher altitudes involve challenges. Both trek packages include acclimatization days. The Three Passes Trek goes beyond 5,000m in elevation, so, in this trek, you have to acclimate more compared to EBC.
During the Three Passes Trek, prolonged stays above 5000m are avoided to make sure of your safety. Your EBC package also involves acclimatization days to lessen the likelihood of altitude-related issues.
So, you have to be prepared properly and understand the possible altitude challenges, whether you go for an EBC trek or a Three Passes Trek.
Cost Of Everest Base Camp Trek V/S Three Passes Trek
Comparing the Expenses of Everest Base Camp Trek versus Three Passes Trek.
- Everest Base Camp Trek
•Price Range: The cost of the EBC trek package typically falls between USD 2,490 and USD 2,990. It covers accommodations, meals, transportation, permits, and support from a mountain crew.
•Exclusions: Expenses such as the Nepali visa traveler insurance, local SIM card and data in Nepal tips for the mountain crew, and personal expenses are not included in the package price.
- Three Passes Trek
•Pricing: The Three Passes trek costs USD 1390 to USD 1495 per person, depending on the chosen package.
•Inclusive Services: The package includes accommodation during trekking, meals, airport pick-up services, and other offerings based on the selected package.
•Exclusions: Costs not covered by the package are nonrefundable if you decide to leave or return earlier than planned. These expenses include travel insurance tips for guides and porters as personal expenses.
Comparing Crowds At Everest Base Camp And Three Passes Trek
You can see differences between the crowd sizes in EBC and in Three Passes Trek. The EBC is easier and attracts more tourists, while the Three Passes Trek is quite tougher and gives you a quieter and more private experience.
You still get to interact with other fellow trekkers, locals, animals, and villages compared to EBC, which is more crowded. These variations in crowd sizes can greatly impact your trekking experience by offering a personal journey on the Three Passes Trek in contrast to the atmosphere at Everest Base Camp.
Comparing The Accessibility Of Everest Base Camp And Three Passes Trek
Generally, EBC is more accessible due to its challenging nature, straightforward route, and quicker journey, providing stunning views of Mount Everest and surrounding peaks. On the other hand, the Three Passes Trek is less accessible due to its level of difficulty and rugged landscape.
The Three Passes Trek comes with three high-altitude passes above 5000m in remote areas, which becomes the main reason for its less accessibility.
Both treks are equally joyful due to their inspiring scenery and distinctive characteristics. However, this reason is not enough to be more accessible. The Everest Base Camp Trek tends to attract hikers because of its popularity and easier path.
In terms of altitude, the Three Passes Trek reaches heights with passes surpassing 5000 meters, necessitating acclimatization and physical preparedness compared to Everest Base Camp’s lower elevation.
Preparation Of Everest Base Camp Trek V/S Three Passes Trek
EBC is easier compared to Three Passes Trek, but that doesn’t mean that for EBC, you can go for a hike without being prepared. Both treks require fitness and mental preparedness. With a moderate fitness level that includes exercise and readiness for altitudes, you can go for an EBC Hike.
But for Everest Three Passes Trek, you have to do training that involves workouts focusing on muscle strength, endurance, balance, and cardio exercises over a month.The reason for the different fitness level requirements is that the EBC trek spans 130 Kilometers while the Three Passes Trek covers 166 kilometers.
You have to face the rocky terrains and higher altitudes during the trek in the Everest Three Passes region. In comparison, although less intense training is needed for the EBC Trek, being in shape is still essential to tackle it.
Final Sayings
If you are looking for a moderate level of trek with awe-inspiring views, moderate challenges, and adventure, then EBC is best for you. If you say, “No, I am fit and willing to take more challenges”, then I suggest you go for the Three Passes trek. The Three Passes trek is famous for its tough journey with stunning vistas and distinct adventures.
