Trekking In Everest Region
Info on Everest region trekking including flora, fauna and cultural experiences . Find different trekking routes and itineraries & peak climbing opportunities while on Mt Everest trek .
Mt Everest ( 8848 m) , the highest mountain in the world , lies in the remote eastern corner of Nepal, without any road access. Hiking / trekking is the only way to see Everest from near. The trek to Mt Everest is famous not only for the sheer height of Everest. The Everest region, called Khumbu in Nepali, is the home for many of the world's highest and most impressive mountains in addition to the Everest. A trekking in Everest region rewards you with diverse flora and fauna, pristine lakes, rich Buddhist culture of the Sherpas, and secluded monasteries in high Himalaya. The Sherpas are famous mountaineers living in high villages of Everest region.
The important mountains you will enjoy viewing on Mt. Everest trek are as follows
Amadablam 6856 m
Lhotse 8516 m
Nuptse 7879 m
Pumori 7145 m
Cho Oyu 8153m
Makalu 8475 m and many other smaller peaks like Island peak, Mera peak, Lobuje peak etc .etc
The Everest region offers a range of treks from short treks aimed to view Everest to challenging treks involving high himalayan passes. Out of them the Everest base camp trek is voted on many travel surveys as one of the top ten trips on the world.
You can combine your Nepal Mount Everest trek with climbing many of the famous peaks in Everest region like the Island peak, Mera peak or the Lobuje peak.
The Everest region is connected by a 45 minute spectacular flight to Lukla airport from Kathmandu .Lukla serves as a gateway to Everest region. From Lukla onward you have choices of trekking of different lengths, depending on your time and fitness. Off course, the most popular trek in Everest region is Everest base camp trek but other treks are also equally rewarding and famous for their own uniqueness. Some important treks in Everest region are as follows.
Everest mini trek - 7 days
This is the shortest possible trek in Everest region. We take you to Sherpa capital of Namche Bazzar, Khumjung village and some important view points in Everest region offering close view of Everest and other mountains. This is ideal short trek , which offers not only stunning views of Everest but also a visit to Sherpa villages and experience Buddhist culture in the Himalayas.
Everest view trek - 14 days
This trek offers close view of Everest from Tengboche and Syangboche as well as cultural tours to Sherpa villages . Ideal trek if you do not wish to climb high or if you do not have longer holiday.
Everest base camp trek - 16 days
This trek takes you to the base camp of the Everest, a place used by climbing groups as their base camp before ascending Everest. It is truly a great trek justifying its fame .The alpine sceneries, extraordinary mountain views and close, face to face view of Everest from Kalapattar are the highlights of this trek.
Gokyo trek - 17 days
This trek follows same route as Everest Base camp trek till half way then heads for the pristine Gokyo valley . The serene Gokyo lake and the Gokyo valley are extraordinary place to trek. The view of Everest and other mountains from Gokyo Ri is as beautiful as the one from Kalapattar.
Gokyo valley and EBC via Cho La pass - 19 days
This is a highly rewarding trek offering all the best of Everest region. This covers both the Beautiful Gokyo valley and Everest base camp and involves crossing the Cho La pass. The pass involves no technical climbing and anyone with good fitness can do this amazing trek.
Jiri to Everest base camp trek - 13 days
This classic route taken by early expedition groups is non touristy but very scenic. This was the main trail to Everest base camp before airport was built at Lukla.
Important Highlights of Mt Everest trek
The spectacular mountain flight to Lukla airstrip is one of most exhilarating flight in the world. The Sherpa town of Namche bazaar, the monastery on Tengboche , the Yak caravans and the big-hearted Sherpas and their Buddhist culture are the top attractions. The view of Everest from Tengboche , Syangboche , Kalapattar or Gokyo Ri –depending on which itinerary you follow, could be your life time treasures.. The pristine Gokyo lake , alpine beauty of Gokyo valley and the interesting Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Thame are other highlights of Everest tour .
Flora and fauna in Everest region
Chir pine, blue pine, hemlock, junipers and rhododendrons are common plants in Everest region. A spring trek is rewarded with blooming rhododendron flowers while one can see profusion of alpine flowers on the grounds during summer.Among the birds,
the beautiful impeyan pheasant is most remarkable. Different species of deer , namely , barking deer, musk deer and himalayan thar are common among mamals.The yaks will be met everywhere along the route in your trek, but the wild yaks are almost extinct now.
Everest trekking permit
The Everest region is preserved and managed by Sagarmatha National park, an world heritage site declared by the UNESCO. Every one doing a trekking in Everest region needs to obtain a national park entry permit, which is
obtainable in Kathmandu and costs USD 15. Children below 10 years are free.
Background readings for Everest trekking
- Everest - by Walt Unsworth, for detailed history on mountaineering in Everest
- The Sherpas of Nepal – by John Murray , for a study on the Sherpas
- School Houses In The Cloud – by Edmund Hillary, for details on development projects in Khumbu.
- Trekking In The Nepal Himalaya – (A travel guide) by Lonely planet publication
Other treks simillar to Mount Everest trek