Traversing Khongma La, Cho La and Renjo La allows us access to several of the valleys in the Everest region without backtracking. We also ascend Gokyo Peak and Kala Patar and optionally visit Everest Base Camp, to complete this full-on experience. This is a demanding and adventurous trek, taking us to heights above 5000m on several occasions. Camping in tents will be necessary during the pass crossings, at which times our cooking crew will prepare our meals. All other accommodation will be in comfortable lodges.

Our trek starts in Lukla after a flight from Kathmandu. Walking slowly and steadily, we follow the classic trail towards Everest, via Namche Bazaar and the beautiful Thyangboche monastery. At Dingboche, we continue west along the Chukhung valley. Rest days are included along the way to ensure that we are properly acclimatized to tackle our first high pass: Khongma La (la means mountain pass) at 5535m will present us with dramatic views of Ama Dablam and Makalu, and a real encounter with the high-altitude environment.

The descent takes us onto the Khumbu Glacier and then to Lobuche in the Khumbu valley. We ascend Kala Patar for breathtaking closeup views of Everest, and an afternoon's trip to Everest Base Camp is possible. Back at Lobuche, we head towards our second pass Cho La, a traverse with permanent snow leading into the Gokyo valley. There are dazzling turquoise lakes to be explored here, and Gokyo peak to climb for more first-class views of Everest(8848m), its neighbours, and Cho Oyu(8201m) on the Tibetan border.

A scramble over Renjo La brings us into the Bhote Kosi valley, which extends all the way from the border of Tibet and Nepal. We walk along grazing pastures and a trading route used by yak trains from Tibet to Thame. It is a short day from Thame to Namche Bazaar, where we re-trace our earlier steps to Lukla and then fly back to Kathmandu.