Renjo La Pass Trek (5,360m): Gokyo Lakes to Thame via Everest Views & Ngozumpa Glacier

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23 May 2025

2025

Renjo La Pass (5,360m) is a high-altitude mountain crossing in Nepal’s Khumbu region, connecting the Gokyo Valley to the Rolwaling Valley. It is one of the three major passes in the Everest region, alongside Cho La (5,420m) and Kongma La (5,535m).

The pass offers unobstructed views of Mount Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m) and Cho Oyu (8,188m), as well as the longest glacier in the Himalayas, Ngozumpa Glacier.

The trail to Renjo La begins from the Gokyo (4,790m) village, which lies beside the Gokyo Lakes, and ascends steeply over loose scree and moraines. The final climb involves switchbacks before reaching the pass. On clear days, trekkers can see the entire Everest massif, including the lesser-visible west face.

The descent leads you  to Lungden (4,380m), which is a quiet settlement with basic teahouses. This is followed by a return route through Thame and Namche Bazaar.

Renjo La is less frequented than the Everest Base Camp or Cho La routes, making it ideal for those seeking solitude. However, the altitude and rugged terrain demand proper acclimatization, most trekkers spend at least two nights in Gokyo before attempting the crossing.

The best seasons are March to May and September to November, when skies are clear and temperatures are manageable. Outside these months, snow and high winds increase difficulty.

Permits required for the trek include the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. The nearest airport is Lukla (2,846m), accessible via a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu.

From Lukla, the standard approach follows the Dudh Koshi River Valley through Phakding and Namche Bazaar before branching toward Gokyo.

The pass is not technically difficult but requires endurance due to the high elevation. Trekkers should be comfortable with 6 to 8 hour hiking days and prepared for basic teahouse accommodations.

Water sources are available along the trail, but purification (tablets or filters) is necessary.

Key Information at a Glance: Renjo La Pass Route

Major Attractions Along the Renjo La Pass Trail

The Renjo La Pass trek has many natural and cultural attractions that make it one of the most rewarding routes in the Everest region.  Cultural highlights include Thame village (3,800m), one of the most authentic Sherpa settlements in the region.

Its ancient monastery and traditional architecture offer insight into local Buddhist culture. The village hosts the annual Thame Festival (Mani Rimdu), featuring colorful masked dances.

Gokyo Lakes form the centerpiece of this route. These six glacial lakes, situated between 4,700-5,000m, are renowned for their stunning turquoise-blue waters. The largest, Thonak Tsho, and the most visited, Dudh Pokhari, have mirror-like reflections of surrounding peaks including Cho Oyu. The lakes are fed by the Ngozumpa Glacier, creating the surrounding ecosystem.

The Gokyo Ri viewpoint (5,357m) is another of the trek’s spectacular features. After this relatively short but steep climb from Gokyo village, hikers are rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views of Mount Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m), and numerous other Himalayan giants. The view is comparable to that from Kala Patthar.

The Ngozumpa Glacier, which is 36km in length, is the longest glacier in the Himalayas. Trekkers walk alongside its massive moraines and ice formations between Gokyo and the pass. The glacier constantly shifts and the crevasses, icefalls and meltwater pools around it change frequently too.

From the Renjo La Pass summit’s high vantage point (5,360m), the Everest massif becomes visible. The pass is traditionally marked by Buddhist prayer flags, and on exceptionally clear days, views extend all the way to the Tibetan Plateau.

Namche Bazaar (3,440m) serves is a major hub en route. This bustling mountain town combines modern amenities with traditional charm, featuring everything from gear shops to cozy bakeries. Nearby attractions include the Sherpa Cultural Museum and the Hotel Everest View (3,880m), which lives up to its name on clear days.

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River Valley in its lower sections, passing through forests of rhododendron and pine. Several suspension bridges cross the valley, with views of the rushing river below.

After crossing the pass, trekkers descend through remote settlements like Lungden (4,380m) and Marlung. These villages are more peaceful compared to the busier trails near Namche, with their simple teahouses and untouched natural surroundings.

Thame Village

The Thame village sits at 3,800m altitude in the Everest region. The village is a 3-hour walk northwest of Namche Bazaar along the Renjo La Pass route. It is one of the most authentic Sherpa villages in the area. The settlement consists of traditional stone houses with wooden window carvings. Local farmers grow potatoes and barley in small fields. Yak herding remains an important livelihood.

At 3,800m, Thame is a good place for acclimatization. It works for:

• Adjusting to altitude before going higher
• Shorter acclimatization hikes in the valley
• Quieter rest than busier Namche

Thame Monastery

The village's 400-year-old Buddhist monastery stands on a hillside. It hosts the annual Mani Rimdu festival in fall. The monastery offers views of Kongde Ri peak (6,187m). About 20 monks currently live and study there.

Thame Monastery was established around 1650 AD by Lama Sangwa Dorje, stands at 3,820m elevation overlooking Thame village. It is one of only three pre-1700 monasteries in Khumbu. The monastery preserves 17th-century religious artifacts including a 2.3m gilded Padmasambhava statue and handwritten scriptures.

The stone-built monastery follows traditional dzong architecture with 65cm-thick walls and original juniper wood beams. Retrofitted after the 2015 earthquake, it now includes iron reinforcements while maintaining historical authenticity.

Trekking Difficulty & Route of Renjo La Pass

The Renjo La Pass trek is classified as challenging, requiring good physical fitness and prior high-altitude experience. The route takes 14 to 18 days depending on itinerary variations, with daily hiking durations of 5 to 8 hours and significant altitude gains.

Difficulty Factors

This trek is physically tough but doesn’t require special climbing skills. The combination of thin air, long days, and variable conditions makes preparation essential.

Local Culture and Food Along the Renjo La Pass Trek

The Renjo La Pass trek helps you familiarise yourself with Sherpa culture, which is largely shaped by Tibetan Buddhism and adapted to the high-altitude environment. Villages along the route, including Namche Bazaar, Thame and Gokyo, maintain traditional lifestyles while accommodating modern trekking infrastructure.

Key monasteries like Thame Gompa (established in the 17th century) and Tengboche Monastery host seasonal festivals like Mani Rimdu, featuring masked dances.

Traditional Sherpa architecture features stone houses with carved wooden windows and sloped roofs to withstand heavy snow. Teahouses blend these designs with modern amenities, using solar panels for electricity. In remote areas like Lungden, buildings rely on yak dung for fuel and insulation.

Local Cuisine combines Tibetan influences with high-calorie needs. The staple dal bhat (lentil soup with rice) will give you sustained energy, while tsampa (roasted barley flour) is a portable Sherpa staple. Yak-based dishes like yak steak and yak butter tea are common, with the latter aiding hydration at altitude.

Teahouse Menus cater to trekkers with carb-heavy options:

• Breakfast: Tibetan bread, oatmeal, or eggs
• Lunch/Dinner: Momos (dumplings), thukpa (noodle soup), or fried rice
• Baked Goods: Namche’s bakeries offer apple pies and cinnamon rolls

Cultural etiquette you should be aware of while on this trek are respecting religious sites (walking clockwise around stupas) and asking permission before photographing people. The Saturday market in Namche showcases Tibetan trade goods, while Thame’s weekly market shows traditional economies.

Wildlife Along the Renjo La Pass Trek

The Renjo La Pass trek moves through Sagarmatha National Park, with diverse Himalayan flora and fauna across different altitude zones. The park’s protected ecosystem supports specialized species adapted to high-altitude conditions.

From Lukla to Renjo La , vegetation changes with altitude. The lower forests (2,800-3,500m) feature blue pine, Himalayan fir, and rhododendron blooms in spring. Between 3,500-4,500m, dwarf juniper and alpine shrubs dominate, with hardy edelweiss and gentians in summer. Above 4,500m, only lichen, mosses, and cushion plants survive the harsh conditions.

Himalayan tahr are frequently seen on cliffs near Gokyo and Thame. Smaller mammals include marmots (in high meadows) and pikas (rocky slopes). Rare sightings occur of musk deer in forested areas, and even rarer red pandas in the lower bamboo zones. The park maintains a healthy Himalayan black bear population below 3,500m, though they avoid human contact.

The region boasts over 200 bird species. Colorful Himalayan monal (Nepal's national bird) and blood pheasants forage in scrublands. Large raptors like the lammergeier (bearded vulture) and Himalayan griffon soar above passes. Snow pigeons and yellow-billed choughs are common at higher elevations.

Conservation Status

All wildlife is protected within Sagarmatha National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Strict regulations prohibit the hunting of endangered species like snow leopards,the  collection of firewood (replaced by kerosene/yak dung) and off-trail hiking in sensitive alpine zones.