Three Passes in Nepal Cost Guide [2023]

How much does trekking for 17 days in the Himalayas whilst doing the Three Passes in Nepal cost?

I am glad you asked, as in this article I’ve got you covered for all costs I covered whilst trekking, what I think is, one of the best trails anywhere in the world.

What are the Three Passes?

If you’re unfamiliar with the Three Passes. I guess you shouldn’t be because you’re here for what trekking the Three Passes in Nepal cost, but I’ll give you a little summary to get your lips a little wetter at the prospect of trekking in Nepal.

The Three Passes is rightly named after the three high passes it takes you through whilst traveling through the Khumbu region in Nepal.

Known as one of the more challenging treks in Nepal, it’s a great alternative to the more frequently trekked routes such as Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, and the Annapurna Circuit.

Personally, the Three Passes is the best out of the bunch, as not only do you have three challenging passes to face. You can also take in the commonly visited places in Khumbu. Easy side treks such as Ama Dablam basecamp, Island Peak basecamp, Everest basecamp, Kala Pattar, Gokyo Ri, and Lakes can all be done as side missions in this epic quest in the Khumbu.

The three passes are (Anti-Clockwise):

– Kongma La | 5550m
– Cho La | 5420m
– Renjo La | 5360m

Accommodation: Three Passes in Nepal Cost Breakdown

If you’re new to trekking in Nepal, you might not be familiar with teahouses.

Common along the route. Small guesthouses will offer you a well-deserved rest bite after some miles in the legs, energy exerted, and a hunger for some of the best food I’ve tasted anywhere in the world.

Teahouses are amazing, and unlike any accommodation, I’ve ever stayed in.

Beautiful hosts will let you stay for around £3~ a night, provided you eat your dinner and your breakfast with them.

Some of these rooms will give you the best views of your entire life. To think you’ve paid less than £5 for it. It’s wild!

16 Nights – £52 | 7500NPR

Food: Three Passes in Nepal Cost Breakdown

This will likely be your best expense during the trek. Outside your international flights.

But ensuring you’re eating enough to fuel your trek is an important mission to accomplish. Especially when you’ve got a heavy pack on your back, and you’ve got some miles in the legs.

I didn’t eat meat whilst I was in the mountains. Worried about getting sick, and in fairness, the selection of meat isn’t too great.

Mountain food is amazing though.

Dal Baht is the best thing on the menu if you’re wanting a real feed. Often will come with unlimited re-fills, so get stocked up and get as much in as you can. What is also nice about Dal Baht is that every Teahouse makes it slightly different. Even though it’s the same meal, it can taste and look different. It helps!

Other than Dal Baht, you’ve got momos, stews, bread, omelets, oats, etc.

As expected, the food will get more and more expensive the higher elevations you reach. After all, someone’s got to carry it in for you!

That said, it was all reasonably priced, and always got a lovely cooked meal after a long day in the mountains.

I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day. This cost includes a snack per day, and at least 1 or 2 black teas to warm the soul.

All food and drink: £304 | 46030NPR

Extras: Three Passes in Nepal Cost Breakdown

There weren’t too many other expenses on the trip, so this isn’t too important.

However, you might have to buy things like wet wipes, new socks, tablets, souvenirs, replace some gear, or anything unexpected.

Wifi is mostly free at the lower altitudes but will carry a 500NPR (~£3) price tag as you progress further up into the mountains.

My extras included WiFi at most places passed Chukung, new socks in Namche, and the world’s most expensive loo roll in Gokyo at over £5.

This stung a little because I’d just watched a Chinese lady use 9539328 napkins to finish the pack just to blow her nose.

Wouldn’t mind but the event I needed it for turned out to be a phantom one anyway!

All Extras: £52 | 7500NPR

Three Passes in Nepal Cost Breakdown

Accommodation: £52 | 7500NPR
Food and Drink: £304 | 46030NPR
All Extras: £52 | 7500NPR
TOTAL: £410 | 61630NPR

This was what I spent on the trail whilst trekking the Three Passes.

An important note is that you need to carry cash for the entirety of the trail. There are some ATMs in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. But I wouldn’t rely on them and would look to take all budgeted cash out with me when leaving Kathmandu.

Other Costs to Factor Into The Three Passes

First and foremost you’re going to have to get an international flight to Kathmandu, Nepal.

That’ll vary from whichever country you’re flying out of, but I’ve always tried to book 6-8 weeks in advance for the best prices.

Websites I use for booking flights:

Skyscanner
Kayak

Also note that I did this trek completely solo without the aid of a guide, or a porter. Out of choice, but if you want to hire either then be my guest.

You can expect to pay between £15-£20 a day for a guide.

You can expect to pay between £10-£15 a day for a porter.

They will also expect a small tip at the end of the trial, so something to factor in if you want a guide and a porter.

Getting to Lukla

The trail starts in Lukla, well technically Jiri, but if you want to add another 2-3 days to an already 16-20 day trek, then be my guest.

Flying to Lukla is your best bet, and it’s easily done.

Flights in and out of Lukla are notoriously deemed as the scariest flights in the world, but the flight I got wasn’t too bad and it was better than the alternatives:

– Walk for another 5-6 days.
– Get a 12+ jeep through the mountains.

Costs for the Lukla flight will vary. But expect to pay between £80-£130 for a flight in and out of Lukla.

I would book your flight from KTM to Lukla as soon as you know what day you want to start the trek, and then I would leave the return flight for when you’re back in Namche. Someone in a teahouse can book it for you, or you can just rock up to the airport and wave some rupees and they’ll let you on.

Final Cost Breakdown of Three Passes

Accommodation: £52 | 7500NPR
Food and Drink: £304 | 46030NPR
All Extras: £52 | 7500NPR
Lukla Flights: £250 | 37500NPR
Permits: £33 | 5000NPR
TOTAL: £693 | 104,130NPR

As an ending piece, this is the rough cost you can expect when trekking the Three Passes in Nepal.

Hike your own hike, and please don’t expect these to reflect your own trek. How you live and spend your time on the trail might be different from mine.

If you were to hire a guide, and a porter then expects the costs of the total trip to raise by around £450-£550.

As an absolute necessity, you should also have suitable mountain insurance that covers you for peaks above 5000m.

I used SnowCard for my insurance and thankfully didn’t need it.

Want to know what to pack for your Three Passes trek?

Ultimate Nepal Trekking Packing List Guide

Want to know an itinerary for your Three Passes trek?

18 Day Three Passes Nepal Itinerary Guide

Can you trek in Nepal without a Guide?

Guide on whether you can go solo or not

If you’ve any questions about the Three Passes trek, then drop them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to help.

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