A multi-day, high-altitude trek linking the Makalu and Everest regions via three high passes. Expect glacier travel, Sherpa villages, and sustained exposure above 5,000 m over roughly 16 days.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the Lukla airstrip into thin, clear air; prayer flags snap like small alarms and the Dudh Kosi rushes below, daring you forward. The trail drops from Lukla and then climbs, carrying you through rhododendron forests, stone villages, and the skeletal blue of glaciers. Peaks—Makalu, Lhotse, Everest—sit like watchful neighbors, changing robes with the light.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
15–17 days
Fitness Level
Requires high aerobic fitness, prior multi-day trekking experience, and the ability to carry a daypack for 6–8 hour days at altitude.
Wildlife
History
The trail connects historic Sherpa trade and pilgrimage routes between the Makalu and Khumbu regions; many villages grew as caravan stops and pilgrimage waypoints.
Conservation
Permits and local regulations limit numbers in sensitive zones; support local teahouses, pack out non-organic waste, and use guide services that follow sustainable practices.
Reserve your spot on the Nepal: Makalu to Everest via 3 Cols Trek today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Prioritize acclimatization
Build in rest days and climb high, sleep low when possible to reduce acute mountain sickness risk.
Layer for big temperature swings
Bring a warm insulated layer plus breathable base layers—mornings and nights can be frigid while afternoons warm quickly.
Footwear and traction
Sturdy mid- to high-cut boots and crampons for snowy/icy passes make steep descents and glacier crossings safer.
Hydrate and treat water
Carry a reliable water filter or purification tablets; dehydration and cold-induced diuresis both occur at altitude.
Insulated down jacket
Core warmth for nights at 4,000–5,800 m and windy cols.
Crampons and ice axe
Needed for Amphu Laptsa and other icy passes—often used in spring and fall seasons.
spring
Sturdy trekking boots (waterproof)
Support and traction on scree, rock and snowy sections; prevent blisters on long days.
Trekking poles
Reduce knee stress on long descents and improve balance on unstable terrain.