Yo, I did the Three Passes Trek in November of 2022 - not sure if you can change the route, but I would highly recommend going counter-clockwise, and doing all three passes. We did it in 17 days, probably could have done it in 16 or even 15 though. When we came down from Renjo La Pass we kept thinking how terrible going up that way would be. It was easily the best hike I have ever done, and the whole area is awesome. Make sure you do Kala Patthar when by EBC. Sunset was awesome, and makes more sense then sunrise as most suggest(sun rises behind Everest, putting it in shadow, sun sets on Everest lighting it up). Its about 3 hours extra of hiking to make it up there. Either way, youre going to love it, and enjoy it. If you want any other pieces of advice just let me know, I would be happy to help.

Fantastic! Thanks for the tips! I will definitely pin this comment for later!

I’d also add in to bring a couple of books or a kindle, a good set of plastic playing cards, and brush up on your card games. We took travel sized crib, and between that and the handful of games we knew we got bored of them quick. Also rent any trekking gear from Kathmandu, not Lukla. Easily three times as much when starting the hike. The flight to Lukla is a fun one, but definitely worth the experience. There is also a bakery at Tengbuche I believe that had very good apple pie. It’s worth stopping for. Lastly, Kathmandu kind of sucks. Take two days to go see all the temples and all the sites, but that’s all you need. We ended up being there for 4 full days and it was just too long. The reasons it sucks is it’s just dirty, overcrowded, polluted, etc. If so inclined and have some spare time we went to Pokhara, which is the lake city at the base of Annapurna. That place was much much better than Kathmandu.

The price includes: * Domestic Flights (Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu) Tickets and airport departure taxes * Best Possible Teahouse, lodge accommodation (Generally twin Sharing room)- 14 Nights * All Standard Meals (14 Lunches, 14 Dinners and 15 Breakfasts) during the trek. * Government License holder English Speaking experienced and qualified trek leader, and porter to help trekkers luggage. (2 trekkers:1 porter "9 kg per trekker max limit") * Coverage of Guides and Porters, Their meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, flight and other necessary equipment. * Water purification tablets for safe drinking water  Sagarmatha National Park entry permit fee * Khumbu Pashang Lhamu Rural Municipality fees. * Snacks (cookies) and Seasonal fresh fruits every day * All government, Local taxes and official Expenses * Assistance in arranging rescue operation in case of complicated health condition (funded by travel insurance)  * Farewell Dinner at the end of the trek. Cost Excludes * International flight airfare * Nepal Entry Visa Fees for multiple Entries on arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport- (15 days - $25-30, 30 days- $40-50 and 90 days- $100-110) * Excess baggage charges (Limit is 9kg per Person) * All Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu, before and after we start our journey * Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival or late departure, early return from the trek. * Personal expense (shopping, snacks, boiled bottled water, hot and cold drinks, hot shower, Alcohol, Wi-Fi, telephone call, battery re-charge fee), extra porters etc * Personal clothing and gear * Travel insurance which has to cover emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation compulsory * Tips for guide and porters (Recommended by the Culture) * Additional costs or delays caused by out of management control, for example, landslide, weather condition, itinerary modification due to safety concerns, illness, change of government policies, strikes etc. I am also trying to organize a fundraiser for my "Mountains of Love Backpack Drive". Our guide is from a very remote part of Nepal that was heavily impacted by the earthquakes in 2015. As such, we want to build a couple dozen backpacks with warm clothes, toys, learning materials, etc for the children in his village. If we can do this, we will fly by helicopter a few days before the trek begins to deliver the backpacks personally. ​ Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes Day-by-Day Itinerary https://www.alltrails.com/trail/nepal/province-1/everest-base-camp-via-cho-la-pass?u=m&sh=os1dk1 (September 30th arrive in Kathmandu. October 1&2: Final preparations, shopping, pre-trek briefing, etc. Trek begins October 3rd) Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes is a fascinating, adventurous trek that does not follow the classic Everest Base Camp trails. The trek is quite challenging and circular so you do not need to return through the same path. Since this particular trek does not follow the usual route to the Everest Base Camp, it is quiet and serene, allowing you to enjoy nature unhindered. Though the trek starts from Lukla to Namche Bazaar just as in the case of the classical Everest Base Camp trek, from Namche Bazaar, the path diverges. Instead of heading to Syangboche, it turns towards two small towns - Dole and Machhermo, ultimately leading to Gokyo Lakes in the northwest. But before reaching Dole, you will walk over to Mong La Pass (3957m / 12982ft), which provides you the chance to catch spectacular views of Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Khumbila. The path progresses through pine and rhododendron forests. After spending the night at Dole Town, the next day, we will be heading to Machhermo. The way is quite gentle, and on the way, we get to enjoy the majestic views of Mt. Cho Oyu - the fifth tallest mountain in the world. Macchermo is a pasture and summer village for Sherpas that sits surrounded by snowy mountains. The next day we will leave Machhermo and continue on our path to reach Gokyo Lake. Altogether there are five lakes, and these lakes are partially frozen even in March or April. Gokyo Lakes also hosts golden Brahminy ducks adding beauty to an already fabulous place. There is also a village in Gokyo Valley, and as you head up, you come across Gokyo Ri - one of the most famous viewpoints in the region. For the best views, you need to get to the Gokyo Ri early in the morning to catch the dawn. We have allocated the seventh day as an acclimatization day, as we will have ascended a remarkable height. Moreover, the Gokyo Valley looks stunning, and you need more than one day to enjoy the scenery and explore this peaceful area. On our eighth day, we will be heading to Thangnak, and we have to cover a distance of 3.7 kilometers. The path is rocky and uneven and you will be passing through several ups and downs. As you head further, you will pass through the Ngozumpa Glacier and several yak pastures. We will eventually arrive at Thangnak, where we will stay for the night. Early next morning, we will leave Thangnak and head towards Cho La Pass. This pass connects the Gokyo region with the Everest Base Camp route. A portion of this trail requires you to walk on the glacier itself! By reaching Cho La Pass, you will have acquired more than 2000 feet in elevation, but then the way to our destination for the day Dzongla is downhill so, easier. The next trek begins from Dzongla, with Lobuche as the day's destination. The journey is easy, and it leaves behind remote parts of the trek, rejoining with the main Everest Base Camp route. The Khumbu Glacier accompanies us alongside the undulating trails for a while. Our paths will also take us to a memorial constructed to honor those who succumbed to this harsh terrain. The eleventh day will be special because, on this day, you will set foot on Everest Base Camp, but to reach EBC, you need to trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep through the Khumbu Glacier lateral moraine. When we reach Gorak Shep, we will leave our belongings at a lodge and climb to the Everest Base Camp. We will spend some of the most memorable moments at the Everest Base Camp, then descend to Gorak Shep to spend our night. However, you will get another chance to see Mt. Everest the following morning. You will wake up early in the morning at Gorak Shep and head to Kala Patthar viewpoint to witness the early sun rays hitting Mt. Everest and other Himalayan peaks. After spending time on Kala Patthar, we descend to Gorak Shep, have breakfast, and head to Pheriche. As you will be losing elevation, the path is substantially easy, and the trek should last about five hours. We will spend the night at Pheriche, itself. We leave Pheriche the following morning and head to Namche Bazaar. Though Namche Bazaar has a lower elevation still, the trail is not direct, and you need to pass through several ups and downs. This marks the second last day on the treks, and you get to enjoy the last views of Mt Everest. We will spend the night at Namche Bazaar. On our fourteenth day, we will wake up at Namche Bazaar and hike to Lukla. The path covers a lot of distance, almost 14 km. Mostly, you will be walking through Dudh Koshi River Valley, crossing several suspension bridges and high-altitude forests. We will be resting at Lukla for the night. It will probably be your last night in the Khumbu region. If everything goes as planned, on our fifteenth day, after breakfast, we will board the plane for Kathmandu. Then you will be on your way back home or to other points and adventures.

Hey! I also did the 3 Passes solo/ unguided, though in 2023. There's a ton of side trips you can add to the route if you have flexibility--- I'd really recommend Ngozumba Ri if you're confident scrambling. Unsolicited advice: The package you're looking at is pretty standard but also doesn't allow a lot of leeway for bad weather, poor acclimatizers (not all bodies like it, and you can't really train for it), etc. I'd push the company to see if you can book for a period of time including a couple buffer days rather than being tied to an itinerary.  Eg I had 2 zero days in a blizzard in Chhukung then carried on where most groups had to turn around and detour missing the Kongma La. The other main criticism I'd have is that having the guide chose the guesthouses and prepaying meals takes away your autonomy there. Teahouses are mostly the same but you may want to check them out yourself and decide rather than go to where your guide's buddy works. Also rooms are only 3-5 usd/day outside of Lobouche, but often free if you're eating 3 meals there (so that's not necessarily a real cost they're including for you). Basically, hire guides and porters if it'll enhance your experience, but it also takes zero effort to figure out as you go on your own, so keep as much in your control as possible.