One of the world's classic trekking destinations is in the Khumbu Valley of the eastern Himalayas underneath the towering peak of the world's highest mountain - the incomparable Mount Everest (8848 metres). Located in Sagarmatha National Park, this area comprises several dramatic mountain peaks in addition to Everest, glaciers and deep valleys formed by tributaries of the Dudh Kosi which flows southwards through Lukla (2,800 metres), the base for exploring the park. This is the home of the Sherpa people, with their unique culture based on the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which can be encountered in the town of Namche Bazaar with its Sherpa Museum and Visitor Centre and the famous and sacred monastery at Thyangboche. Trekking options in the park range from moderate introductory trails to the classic trek to Everest base camp and the challenging ascents of mountains like Mera and Island Peak.
This is an introductory trek in the Khumbu Valley offering spectacular views of Everest and nearby peaks. From the base at Lukla (2800m), you walk north along the forested Dudh Kosi Valley to the market town of Namche Bazaar (3440m) via Phakding (2652m). From here you climb north to the villages of Kunde and Khumjung, or west to the monastery at Thyangboche (3867m). There are excellent views of Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7879m), Lhotse (8512m), Ama Dablam (6856m) and many other peaks. From Pangboche just beyond Thyangboche, there is the possibility to walk to Ama Dablam Base Camp or to climb Tawoche Hill (5000m) before heading back along the trail to Namche Bazaar and Lukla.
A trek to Everest base camp follows in the steps of the great Everest climbing expeditions and gets you as close to the world's highest mountain as possible without the technical scaling of the peak. From Lukla, you head north along the Dudh Kosi Valley to Namche Bazaar (3440m) and onto the monastery at Thyangboche for spectacular views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. From here, you head north to the Khumbu Glacier with a wonderful panorama of the peaks on the Nepal-Tibet border. Trekking across the glacier, you eventually reach Everest Base Camp (5440m), where there are great views of the Khumbu Ice Fall. In spring, there will be the encampments of expeditions aiming to ascend Everest, in autumn the area will be deserted. The views of the Everest peak itself aren't great from base camp so many expeditions include an ascent of the nearby Kala Pattar (5545m), which offers breathtaking views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and numerous other peaks.
This is an alternative trek to Everest Base Camp taking the western route via the Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass, which offers a tougher, longer and more remote adventure. From Namche Bazaar, you head west into the Bhote Kosi Valley and head to Gokyo via Machhermo and Dole. From Gokyo village, you can climb Gokyo Ri (5360m) for spectacular views of four of the seven highest Nepalese peaks - Cho Oyu (8153m) to the north, Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8512m) to the east and further to Makalu (8463m), as well as the Ngozumpo glacier, the longest in Nepal which descends the slopes of Cho Oyu. You trek across the Ngozumpo glacier through the Cho La Pass to reach the main route to Everest Base Camp. From here, you can climb Kala Pattar for the best close-up views of Everest and trek across the Khumbu Glacier to the base camp before returning to Namche Bazaar via Dingboche and Thyangboche.
Beyond the classic itineries in the Khumbu Valley are more challenging treks to the summits of some of the higher peaks in the area. Those that are accessible to trekkers, i.e. without the need for advanced mountaineering equipment or expertise, include Chukkung Ri (5546m), Island Peak (6189m) and Mera Peak (6476m), the highest trekking peak in Nepal.
Tours for Everest Region - Challenging Treks: 4 available
Nepal
