The world’s tallest mountain Mt Everest is the central priority of Everest Treks. However, the neighboring massive Himalayas Mt Lhotse (27890ft), Mt Makalu (27825 ft.), and Mt Cho- Oyu (26864ft) are frequently additional pleasing and further motivated Himalayas more than 8000m in the Everest region trekking trails.
The principal hiking route throughout Mt Sagarmatha is mostly crowded with profit-oriented businesses. Everest region trekking is a well-liked hiking area in Nepal. Those trek routes are comfortably advanced with superb teahouses facilities (a huge quantity of actual deluxe pleasure-loving hotels to accommodate), choices of yummy foods, well-organized trekking companies, and expert guides.
Sagarmatha national park permits are not a difficult issue. To grant you the impeccable marvel around the Everest Region of Nepal, Mission Himalaya Trek has introduced a bountiful Everest region Tours and Treks Package. Further, for rambunctious climbing lovers, there are several Peak Climbing options.
Delineated thoughtfully by the experts of Mission Himalaya Treks, the itineraries lets you rove without any stress. However, at your convenience, we offer you the right to customize it as well. Have a brief look at the packages we offer.
Mt. Everest Treks
1. Everest Base Camp Treks / Kalapatthar Treks:
EBC Trek is a well-liked hiking destination due to ancient Mani stone wells, historical Buddhist shrines like a monastery, Chorten, the greenish alpine trail to pine forest, Sherpa unique countryside villages, and the center of world hiking lovers. Everest base camp trek provision is the best as compared to other Nepalese Himalayan trekking routes.
Many teahouses offer different categories of quality food, private rooms, hot shower and charging facilities, mobile data, WIFI, and Yak stood heating in the dining hall. Some comfort lodges have electric blankets. They are available if trekkers choose the Everest Luxury trek.
Numerous hikers hike this route all around the year so this trek definitely does not hike lonely. Sometimes trekkers have rare opportunities to learn about local culture due to the crowd. Some trekkers who love peace and quiet choose the winter season for the best trek or choose other quiet trekking destinations.
The classical Everest Base Camp Trek starts from Lukla where the tiny airplanes land in clear weather only. Until Namche (the trekker’s central point or the entrance and exit gate of MT. Everest) the Everest Base Camp trail proceeds alongside the river Dudhkoshi.
Numerous hikers rest and acclimatize for two nights here and explore the Khumjung, Khunde, Everest View Hotel, Namche Museum, and many more in this tourist center.
In the northeast direction, the trail to Everest base camp goes along the Dingboche and on the base of Amadablam and Imia valley also enchanting vistas offer trekkers.
So trekkers have another acclimatization in Dingboche after gaining 1000m elevation than Namche. Nagsarkang’s viewpoint to observe Makalu and its Surroundings peaks is another attraction of Dingboche.
In between Namche and Dingboche, two ancient Monasteries are popularly named Tyangboche and Pangboche- where the biggest mani Rimdu festival occurs in October. Khumjung Monastery offers the sight of a Yeti Skull whereas Pangboche offers Yeti relics.
After two days of glacier moraine trekking from Dingboche, trekkers reach Everest Base Camp. It offers Khumbu glacier and Icefall but does not offer the view of Everest Summit but offers the tented camp of Everest climbers only in spring.
For many of the trekkers, the highlight point is Everest Base Camp by its popularity but the best viewpoint of the EBC trek is Kalapatthar which offers the Khumbu valley and glacier view with 3 8000m giant Himalayas named Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse. Nuptse looks grand Himalaya than Everest due to its nearest snow peak from Kalapatthar whereas Everest is behind this.
Many trekkers back the trek from the same trail but if trekkers have 3 days extra we warmly request them to extend the trip via Chola pass and Gokyo lakes is the best route in Everest Region.
- Trekking grade: Strenuous Trek due to Elevation. Some hikers tell moderate.
- Hiking duration: 12 days Including flight and acclimatization.
- Maximum Elevation: Gorakshep (5180m) for overnight and Kala Patthar (5545m) for hiking)
- Accommodations: Fully lodge to Lodge trek
- Beginning and ending point of trek: Lukla
2. Gokyo RI And Gokyo Lake Treks:
Trek Facts:
- Trek grade: Moderate to strenuous
- Hiking period: 10-12 days
- Higher elevation: 5360m
- Accommodation type: Lodge to Lodge trek
- Trek Beginning and Ending point: Lukla
The Gokyo lake trek is the best trek due to its unique landscape and dramatic scenery with Peace and quiet trails. The highlight of this trek is the blue glacial Gokyo lakes which are doubtfully the best lakes in the Everest region of Nepal. Similar to Everest Base Camp, AMS can occur so slowly trek with acclimatization day. Add on oil during the trek.
The beginning part of the trek are corresponding to Sanasa in between Namche and Tyangboche then the crowd groups follow towards Everest base Camp but Gokyo RI trekkers choose the western direction and leave the Dudh Koshi river valleys.
Until a certain elevation can offer a forest of pine then finally leads to alpine grassland and tundra near Gokyo. Normally it takes 6 days to reach Gokyo village.
There are numerous extended trips available in Gokyo village like a trek through Cho- Oyu base camp, hiking to Gokyo RI, and Trek towards Everest base camp via Chola pass.
The Gokyo Ri Trek is the best exploration point for Mt. Everest and is better than the Kala Patthar’s viewpoint for traditional Everest Base Camp Trekkers.
From the Viewpoints, trekkers can observe the 4 highest 8000m Himalayas with the Longest glacier on a planet named Ngozumpa.
Some adventure seekers can trek 3 passes which is a more strenuous trek in the Everest region. Many trekkers trek through Chola pass but trekkers return back from the same trails if they choose only Gokyo Ri trek.
3. High Three Passes Treks In Everest Region:
- Trek Grade: Very Strenuous
- Trekking period: 18 to 21 days. But we suggest 3 days more contingency for acclimatization and flight delays.
- Highest Elevation: 5545m Kalapatthar sunrise viewpoint.
- Trekking style: Lodge to Lodge trek.
- Beginning and ending point of trek: Lukla.
Everest High Three Passes Trek is a thrilling, enriching, and demanding trail in the Everest Region Trek. Hikers who have good physical fitness with strong stamina choose this trek. Everest Three Passes Trek is probably one of the best treks anyone can do independently or in a group.
Mission Himalaya Treks suggest you bring crampons, ice-ax, and ropes due to more possibility of increasing level so snow in the past. The names of the three popular passes are the Kongma-La pass, Chola Pass, and Renjo La pass all are more than 5000m elevations.
Kalapatthar, Gokyo Ri, Gokyo lakes, Everest Base Camp, Rezzo pass, Chola pass, Kongma la pass, Chukung RI, and Nagsarkang are the best viewpoints in this trek.
Due to the benefit of rest and acclimatization, numerous hikers hike this route anticlockwise from Dingboche via Kongma la pass and Everest base camp, Chola pass, and finally Renjo-la pass respectively at the end. In that case, the hikers can quit the less attractive Renjo- la if they like.
4. Combo Makalu and Everest Treks:
A strenuous Makalu to Everest Trek is an expedition-like trek that needs 4 weeks to complete. Numerous higher elevation passes trekking requires practice and lots of information and this trek is not suitable for nervous trekkers.
Demanding and high-risk Makalu to Everest three-pass trek is a harder trek in the Himalayas. Highlights of this trek are bursting Sherpani Col 6146m, west col 6143m, and Amphu Laptsa 5848m like a dazzling alpine peak expedition like an island.
This trek is not suitable for moderate fitness trekkers because it requires numerous days of camping in higher elevations of more than 5000m and no well-marked routes for trekking.
The trekking to Makalu and Everest gives remarkable sights of Everest itself with the possibility to occur in the distant destination of Nepal Himalayas.
- Trek Grade: Very Strenuous
- Trekking period: 28 days. Suggest more contingency for acclimatization and flight delays.
- Highest Elevation: 6146m.
- Trekking style: camping and a few trekking lodges.
- The beginning point of the trek: Tumlingtar
- The ending point of the trek: Lukla.
5. Island peak Trekking And Climbing:
- Trek difficulty: very Strenuous, Expedition level trekking peak.
- Climbing time: 3 to 5 days from Chukung
- Higher elevation: 6189m
- Style of Trek: Lodge to Lodge treks until Chukung. Camping in climbing
- Starting point: Lukla
- Ending point: Lukla.
Island peak Trek is not practically a trek, it’s a Himalaya peak expedition or climbing. The name of the Island peak is Imja- Tse and a formal hiking peak.
As another mountain peak, it’s easy for climbing and it’s close to Everest Base Camp Trekking. An amble trek with crampons, rope, and ice ax, and a 1-day pre-climbing trekking on ice climbing add-on oil for this Island Peak summit.
Mission Himalaya Treks suggest trekkers trek Everest Base Camp before the summit to Island peak for perfect acclimatization. This trekking peak gives the lifetime experience of climbing in the Nepal Himalayas with enchanting vistas of the Everest region Himalaya.
6. Number trek:
Number trek Just evolves Trekking trails and suitable for strong trekkers who are keen on tranquility and calm trekking route. The local village people are warmly welcome as compared to developed trekking routes in Nepal.
Number trek begins from Shivalaya and heading and perfect old rhododendron flower forest on the riverside of Khimti. The main two glacial Lake Panch Pokhari and Jata Pokhari with Gaja la pass are the best highlights of the trek.
Almost all the trekking routes offer unforgettable Himalayas scenes but the journey does not explore the giant Himalayas.
Plentiful fauna can encounter on this trek like Red Pandas, Musk deer, etc. traditionally make yak cheese very famous in this area, and homestay and basic lodges are available during this trek.
7. Lower Lukla trek:
The lower Lukla trek from Shivalaya or Jiri is a merits trek since you can escape the dangerous flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
High altitude sickness in this trek is normal and this trek can start after taking a Bus from Kathmandu. Those treks are not that easy due to numerous uphill and downhill in lower elevations with hot and humid.
Due to road construction alone, Surke some parts of the trail are not nice as before at the Everest climbers’ beginning time they choose.
Explore the Rai case, terraced farmland, and cultural interaction is only possible in the lower Everest trek as compared to the upper Everest trek because the upper part is crowded.
Trek facts:
- Trek Grade: Easy to moderate
- Period of trek: 98-10 days
- Highest Altitude: 3,530m
- Accommodation: Trekking lodges
- Star point of trek: Jiri or Shivalaya
- The endpoint of the trek: Lukla
Environmental Impact and Sustainable Practices in Everest Treks
Eco-Conscious Trekking:
As the Everest Region sees a significant influx of trekkers annually, the impact on the environment can be profound. There has been a growing awareness and effort among trekking companies and local communities to promote eco-friendly practices. This includes waste management systems where trekkers are encouraged to minimize their plastic usage and participate in regular clean-up drives. Furthermore, many tea houses now use solar power to reduce dependency on biofuels, thus preserving the local forests.
Supporting Local Conservation Projects:
Many trekking agencies are actively involved in conservation projects such as the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), which focuses on maintaining the trails, managing waste in the region, and educating visitors about the importance of conservation. By choosing agencies that support such initiatives, trekkers contribute positively and help ensure the sustainability of this majestic region.
Culinary Delights and Cultural Immersion
Sherpa Cuisine Exploration:
While trekking through the Everest Region, visitors have the unique opportunity to indulge in authentic Sherpa cuisine, which is a blend of Tibetan and Nepalese influences. Staples such as ‘Tsampa’ (barley flour), ‘Thukpa’ (noodle soup), and various dumplings are not only a delight but also provide the necessary energy for the treks. Many local teahouses offer cooking classes where trekkers can learn to make these traditional dishes.
Cultural Nights and Storytelling:
In the evenings, trekkers can enjoy cultural programs organized by the local communities. These often include performances of traditional Sherpa dance and music. Storytelling sessions where local elders recount tales of their ancestors and the mythology of the Himalayas create a mesmerizing atmosphere that enriches the trekking experience.
Advanced Trekking Routes for Seasoned Adventurers
Everest Three High Passes Trek:
For those looking for a more challenging experience beyond the classic EBC route, the Three High Passes Trek offers an exhilarating alternative. This route covers Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, each pass offering unique vistas and demanding different levels of endurance. This trek not only tests one’s physical limits but also offers unparalleled views of the Everest range, remote valleys, and vibrant Sherpa culture.
Khumbu Icefall:
Adventurous trekkers can explore the infamous Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous stages of the South Col route to Everest’s summit. While not for the faint-hearted, visiting the icefall with an experienced guide offers a deep dive into the challenging aspects of Himalayan mountaineering.
Photography and Art Inspired by the Everest Landscape
Photography Workshops:
Given the spectacular landscapes, many trekking tours now include guided photography workshops. These are tailored to help enthusiasts capture the perfect sunrise over Everest or the stunning biodiversity of Sagarmatha National Park. Professional photographers provide tips on landscape and wildlife photography, making it a fruitful learning experience.
Art Retreats:
Some lodges in the quieter parts of the region, like Thame and Phortse, offer art retreats where trekkers can engage in painting or sketching the serene landscapes. These activities offer a relaxing counterpoint to the day’s physical exertions and allow trekkers to express their experiences creatively.
Wellness and Rejuvenation on the Everest Treks
Yoga and Meditation Retreats:
To complement the physical demands of trekking in the Everest region, many visitors engage in yoga and meditation practices to enhance their experience. These retreats are often located in serene locations with breathtaking views of the Himalayas, providing the perfect backdrop for mindfulness exercises. Morning sessions typically begin with sun salutations facing the towering peaks, followed by guided meditation sessions that focus on breathing techniques to aid acclimatization and overall well-being.
Spa and Massage Therapy: After long days of hiking, trekkers can find solace in spa treatments and traditional massages offered at some of the higher-end lodges in Namche Bazaar and other trekking hubs. These treatments are designed to relieve muscle soreness and enhance recovery. Utilizing local ingredients such as Himalayan salts and herbs, these therapies not only invigorate the body but also offer a touch of local tradition.
Thermal Hot Springs: While less common in the immediate Everest area, some extended trek routes offer the chance to soak in natural hot springs. These geothermal waters are believed to have healing properties that soothe aching muscles and joints. Incorporating a visit to these hot springs into a trek can provide a deeply relaxing experience, merging the therapeutic aspects of nature with physical rejuvenation.
Acclimatization Hikes for Health: To ensure optimal health during high-altitude treks, many itineraries include planned acclimatization hikes. These shorter treks are crucial for adjusting to the altitude and are paced to increase heart rate safely, promoting better oxygen circulation. Guides often focus on helping trekkers recognize their body’s signals and manage their energy effectively, which is vital for preventing altitude sickness.
Trekking Everest base camp without a guide, is it possible now?
As of recent regulations, solo trekking to Everest Base Camp is no longer permitted. The Nepal Government has mandated that all trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide or be part of an organized group. This regulation is designed to enhance safety, ensure proper support, and assist with navigation through the challenging and often unpredictable terrain of the Everest region.
Everest Base Camp Trek with Guide: Key Points
1. Mandated Guidance:
- Regulation: As of the latest rules, solo trekking to Everest Base Camp is prohibited. All trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide or join an organized group.
- Purpose: This regulation is in place to ensure trekkers’ safety and well-being on the challenging and remote trails of the Everest region.
2. Benefits of Trekking with a Guide:
- Safety Assurance: Guides are experienced in handling high-altitude challenges and emergencies, providing a crucial layer of safety.
- Navigational Aid: Guides are familiar with the trail’s complexities, helping trekkers stay on course and manage potential hazards.
- Emergency Support: In case of health issues or accidents, guides are equipped to seek timely assistance and facilitate evacuation if necessary.
3. Enhanced Trekking Experience:
- Local Insight: Guides offer valuable knowledge about the Everest region’s culture, history, and natural environment, enriching your trekking experience.
- Permit Management: Guides handle the paperwork for necessary permits like the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card.
4. Economic and Cultural Impact:
- Supporting Local Economy: Hiring guides supports the local economy and provides employment opportunities for people in the Everest region.
- Cultural Connection: Trekking with a guide provides opportunities for meaningful interactions with local communities and insights into their way of life.
Trekking Logistics:
- Preparation: Plan and book your trek through a reputable agency that provides guides and handles logistics.
- Costs: Be prepared for additional costs associated with hiring a guide, but consider it an investment in safety and a richer trekking experience.
- Gear and Health: Ensure you have the right gear for high-altitude trekking and follow health and safety guidelines provided by your guide.
Overall, while solo trekking to Everest Base Camp is not permitted, trekking with a guide ensures a safer, more informative, and well-supported adventure.
Food on Everest
In the Everest region, the variety of food available depends on your location along the trek. Here’s a general overview of what you can expect across different parts of the Everest region:
Types of Food Across the Everest Region
1. Breakfast:
- Traditional Dishes: Expect porridge (oatmeal), eggs, toast, and Tibetan-style bread. Dal bhat (rice and lentils) with vegetables is also a common breakfast option in some areas.
- Western Options: Many lodges offer options like pancakes, cereals, fruit, and yogurt.
2. Lunch:
- Varied Choices: Common lunch items include noodle soups (such as thukpa), rice dishes, and sandwiches.
- Local Favorites: Momos (dumplings) and thukpa are popular and often found in lodges and local eateries.
3. Dinner:
- Hearty Meals: Dinner often features dishes like dal bhat, fried rice, noodles, and pasta.
- Traditional Nepali: Meals like momos, shaptak (marinated and grilled meat), and aloo ko achar (spicy potato salad) can be found in many lodges.
Dietary Considerations:
- Vegetarian Options: Most lodges offer vegetarian meals, including lentil soups, vegetable curries, and rice. Vegetarian options are generally available throughout the region.
- Special Diets: Inform your trek organizer in advance if you have specific dietary needs (e.g., gluten-free, vegan), though options may be more limited in more remote areas.
Food Quality and Safety:
- Varies by Location: The quality and variety of food can vary significantly. In more remote areas, food options might be simpler and more basic compared to lodges in more frequented regions.
- Hygiene: Generally, lodges maintain good hygiene standards. Opt for well-cooked foods and avoid raw items to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal issues.
Snacks and Drinks:
- Snacks: Carry energy-boosting snacks like nuts, energy bars, and dried fruit, as they are useful for long trekking days.
- Beverages: Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are widely available. For drinking water, use purification tablets or filters to ensure it’s safe.
Local Flavor:
- Tea Houses: In the Everest region, tea houses are the primary source of meals. They provide a range of dishes, with options varying depending on how far you are from the main trekking routes.
- Cultural Experience: Enjoy local specialties and traditional meals that offer a taste of the region’s culinary culture.
Overall, food in the Everest region ranges from hearty traditional dishes to simple fare, depending on your location and the amenities of the lodges you stay in.
What is the Everest Lodge trek?
The Everest Lodge Trek is a trekking route in Nepal’s Everest region where trekkers stay in local lodges or teahouses along the trail instead of camping. It allows hikers to experience the stunning Himalayan scenery, interact with Sherpa culture, and enjoy comfortable accommodations each night without the need to carry camping gear.
What is the Average Everest trek time?
The average trekking time for the Everest region ranges from 12 to 18 days. This duration includes acclimatization days, which are crucial for adjusting to high altitudes safely. Trekkers generally cover varying terrain and enjoy encounters with Sherpa culture while experiencing the majestic Himalayan landscapes along the way.