Everest Base Camp Alternative: Trekking the Kongma La Pass for Epic Mountain Views

The Kongma La Pass is an adventure that is an exciting alternative to the most crowded Everest Base Camp trek. While you can pass through the virgin valleys of Chhukung and Lobuche, the Kongma La Pass trek takes you to a diversion point from the Chhukung, where you can submit to the trekking peak, Chhukung Ri Peak.

There is always a next time; that never comes, so is the chance to take up the challenges of the Kongma La Pass. What is stopping you or making you ponder? Kongma La Pass and the optional Two Passes Everest Trek can be the perfect fit for this adventure season in Nepal. Here are the perks that make it unique: a smaller crowd.

Kongma La Pass trek itinerary- How Short or long will it probably get?

Kongma La Pass Trek's 13-day Itinerary is probably the most used itinerary plan. It is moderately difficult, as some explain, while others find it challenging. We all agree that this high altitude tricky terrain adventure to Everest Base Camp is something else. That's why it can be a peaceful alternative to the Everest Base Camp Trek.

The Kongma La Pass acts as a connecting link between the Chukkung village (Imja Valley) and the Lobuche village near the Khumbu glacier. The Kong La pass trek starts from the North-West direction of Chhukung village as you start trekking to reach Lobuche.

Kongma la Pass is one of the highest Everest Three Passes, at a height of 5,545 meters (18,220 ft), located southwest of Mt. Everest. The fascinating point is that it's situated just above the Dingboche village, and this is the same path that leads you toward the iconic Everest Base Camp trek.

Kongma is a formidable yet one of the Khumbu region's most popular three high passes, with vantage points like Pokalde Peak and Mera Peak. The Everest Kongma La Pass trek is an exciting alternative to the iconic Everest Base Camp trek, taking you to the secluded scenery of Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku.

Is Kongma La Pass a technical climb?

Kongma La Pass is not a technical climb; however, one might find the need for crampons or microspikes in the boot to cross glaciers. At the base of Kongma La Pass is a frozen lake called Kongma La Pass, and the route is entirely headed in a direction above the tree line, where only the sign of loose, sliding rocks and boulders is visible.

The Kongma Pass does not require the use of technical climbing gear and equipment like crampons, ice axes, or sled dogs to get over the challenging pass. The top summit does not show the Dingboche to the east but the Khumbu glacier is seen.

How can I cross Kongma La Pass?

To cross the Kongma La Pass, first, you need to reach there and tackle the freezing morning. So, let us present the trekking route of one of the most difficult Everest Three Pass Treks, called Kongma La.

• Trek to Tengboche (3820 meters, 5/6 hours walking)
• Trek to Dingboche (4230 meters, 4/5 hours walking)
• Trek to Lobuche (4900 meters via Kong Ma La Pass, 5535 m) via Chhukung
• Visit Everest Base Camp (5450 meters)

This was a short glimpse of the trek; if you need a glance, go through the Everest Three Pass Trek packages of the Nature Trail. After a strenuous day of crossing Kongma, rest at the lodge while eating hot garlic soup and desired Nepalese or international cuisines, prepared in a yak dunk fireplace.

The Day of Truth: Crossing Kongma La Pass

At 18,209 feet / 5,550 m, Kongma La Pass is the highest point on the Three Passes Trek (it’s even higher than Everest Base Camp). You can imagine how altitude gain can bring up unforeseen challenges on the trekking route.

Every day is harder than yesterday when you are still learning to acclimatize at higher altitudes and happen to cross a steep climb. Another challenging aspect, despite having less oxygen, is that it's tough trekking for 6 to 7 hours.

Trekking videos got you crazily addicted to the mysterious pictures and the scenery recorded by trekkers in their Everest Three Passes trek. Similarly, an explorer in the trekking region of Nepal explained, “Think about life while you shiver.”

What a perfectly aligned experience in the insane winds and shivering nights! This alone can’t stop you from promising to chase the views of the mountain, and sometimes each mountain folds out to be extremely beautiful.

As per my experience, it is magic out in the Himalayas, which is just beyond the photographic scene. A smile is constantly there to comfort you after a pretty exhausting day. The sensation of pleasure at crossing Kongma La Pass is beyond perfection. Chase the views of Mount Everest hidden in the Mahalangur range.

What’s interesting about Kongma La Pass?

You meet new friends on the trek as you cross the rocky steps and the inclined climb comes. The views are worth the wait as you come to the top and end when the prayer flags seem closer on Kongmo La Pass.

The views keep getting better each day as you take a descent to Lobuche. You reach here and feel eternally grateful for the experience you shared on the Everest Three Passes Trek, especially Kongmo La Pass.

• The western side of the Kongma La Pass is much steeper than the eastern side.
• Lobuche is the nearest village to the west of the Kongma Pass.
• On the other hand, Chukhung is the closest village to the east.
• One can even see snow leopards here in winter.
• Kongma La Pass is all about precarious moraine, rocky boulders, and inclined-steep crossings between mountains.

The sound of yak bells is another peace in the Himalayas, and this could be probably the night when you sleep high at night. It's the pretty highest point you have ever slept on in the trekking itinerary to date.

It's a pretty windy and cold sensation at the top of Kongma La Pass. You have to pick a way through the valley; heading to Everest Base Camp in the cold wind and snow can be a big challenge.

How did Kongma La Pass get its name?

Kongma La Pass got its name from the Nepali word "Kongma" and the Tibetan word “La.” And what do they actually mean?

Kongma: a variety of mountain pheasant in the Everest region.

La: mountain pass

Thus, the name "Kongma La Pass" signifies a mountain pass named after the Kongma pheasant species. It is grateful to the local flora and fauna for its unique name. Each day you acclimatize and walk through a glacial valley and landscapes you have never seen before, with giant boulders and stones piled everywhere.

Key tips and strategies for the Kongma La Pass trek

1. Leave early in the morning as the path to Kongma la Pass is very inclined and time-consuming.
2. Since Kongma La Pass is not an ordinary adventure in your life, be prepared.
3. Check the weather forecast to avoid snowfall on your trekking day at Kongma Pass.
4. Begin early in the morning with a head torchlight to reach there on time and explore properly.
5. Have a company of experienced trekking guides for additional safety on Kongma La Pass.
6. The terrible sound of breaking glaciers can make you scream so don't panic.
7. Walking along the river is a great way to navigate Kongma La Pass and see a magnificent Himalayan sunrise.
8. Get your required trekking permits like Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit.

How is Chhukung Ri Peak distinct from Kongma La Pass?

Chhukung Ri Peak is a neighboring point for Kongma La Pass. It is distinct from the mountain pass, and this mountain peak i quite high at an elevation of 6,189 meters (20,306 feet). The climbing of Chhukung Ri requires the use of ice crampons and ropes, and it is rather technical.

Only experienced trekkers can climb the peak but the same is not the case with Kongmo La Pass. Giant glaciers and ice are exposed during Kongma Pass trekking. And the best part of the trek is April/ May; it's a powerful place, right?

Chhukung village is halfway from Dingboche village, where you start the ultimate trekking in Kongma La Pass. You arrive here at Chhukung village after 1- 2 hours of the trek, and it is the point from where you can choose a diversion to trek the rocky Chhukung Ri peak.

How can I trace Mount Everest from Kongma La Pass?

The Everest Base Camp trek is not part of the three-pass trek but you can still have a side trail 5,364 m (17,598 ft) above sea level. Chase the darker mountain you see on the Mahalangur range, and you will find the approximate coordinates of Mount Everest are 27.9881° N latitude and 86.9250° E longitude.

Mount Everest has three main faces: the North Face, the South-West Face, and the East/Kangshung Face. And if you cannot locate it in the Mahalangur range, look for a darker and multi-facet mountain close to the Tibetan border. If you look out straight, Lhotse seems taller, behind which hides Mount Everest.

Conclusion

Unexpected winter snow ( white out) can make the rocks slippery on Kongma La Pass, making it prone to stone slopes. The dangerous route shall be started with caution. For the Ultimate Everest Three Passes Trek or any trekking adventure in Nepal, Nature Trail, a team of experienced guides, can be a wise choice to refer to. We accept bookings and payments from any corner of the world through our website, so do contact us and make bookings.