Overview of Kongma La Pass

Kongma La (5,535 m) is the highest of the Khumbu's Three Passes - the crossing between Dingboche (4,410 m) in the Imja valley and Lobuche (4,910 m) on the Khumbu Glacier lateral moraine. At 5,535 m, Kongma La exceeds Cho La (5,420 m) by 115 m and Renjo La (5,360 m) by 175 m, making it the altitude high point of the Three Passes circuit. The crossing requires the most altitude fitness of the three and is frequently described by trekkers who have completed all three as the most physically demanding - though not the most technically difficult (Cho La's glacier section remains the technical crux).

The Kongma La crossing is the least commonly attempted of the three passes as a standalone - it is almost exclusively done as part of the Three Passes circuit, typically on the second day after arriving in Dingboche from Tengboche. Trekkers completing the full three-pass circuit in the order Renjo La → Cho La → Kongma La arrive at Kongma La with the most altitude acclimatisation of any point in the circuit - a physiological advantage that helps offset the pass's greater altitude.

Route Description

South to North (Dingboche → Lobuche, the standard Three Passes direction for this pass):

From Dingboche (4,410 m), the trail climbs the northeastern ridge above the village through the Chhukung Ri approach trail junction, ascending the moraine above the Imja Glacier. The pass is reached via a sustained climb of 1,125 m over 4 - 5 hours on a well-marked but sometimes snow-covered trail. The summit at 5,535 m is a narrow rocky col with prayer flags.

Descent to Lobuche (4,910 m): 625 m descent over 1.5 - 2 hours on the western side - loose scree and rock with some fixed rope sections near the col. Total crossing time from Dingboche to Lobuche: 6 - 8 hours.

The approach from Chhukung (4,730 m) - starting higher than Dingboche - reduces the total ascent by 320 m and is the preferred starting point for trekkers with the full three-pass circuit behind them who want to minimise the Day 1 effort.

Summit Views from Kongma La

The Kongma La summit view is one of the finest in the Three Passes circuit - the highest point of the crossing provides an unobstructed panorama of the high Khumbu peaks from an angle different from either Renjo La or Cho La:

• Lhotse (8,516 m): The south face - one of the steepest and highest rock faces on Earth - visible directly to the northwest at 12 km distance. The scale of the Lhotse south face from Kongma La is overwhelming.
• Makalu (8,485 m): Clearly visible to the east - the pyramid of the fifth highest mountain on Earth at 30 km horizontal distance
• Island Peak (6,189 m): Visible below and to the south in the Imja valley - the trekking peak that many Kongma La crossers have previously climbed or plan to climb
• Baruntse (7,129 m): Immediately south of Makalu; the northeast face visible from the pass summit

Difficulty and Conditions

• Technical grade: Non-technical in normal conditions; no glacier crossing. Crampons may be useful (not mandatory) on the summit approach in early morning frozen conditions or after fresh snowfall.
• Altitude: At 5,535 m, Kongma La exceeds Kala Patthar (5,545 m) by only 10 m - the altitude demands are equivalent. Proper acclimatisation (2 nights at Dingboche, 4,410 m minimum) is essential before attempting the pass.
• Navigation: The trail is cairned but the upper section can be obscured by snow or fog. A guide is strongly recommended for first-time Three Passes trekkers - the consequences of route error at 5,500 m in deteriorating weather are serious.

Best Season

Practical Information

• Altitude: 5,535 m (18,159 ft)
• Coordinates: 27.9233°N, 86.8067°E
• District: Solukhumbu, Koshi Province
• Technical grade: Non-technical (normal conditions)
• Time from Dingboche to Lobuche: 6 - 8 hours total
• Part of: Three Passes Trek (Renjo La, Cho La, Kongma La circuit)
• Sagarmatha National Park permit required: NPR 3,000
• Best season: October - November; April - May