Major Highlights of Everest Region trekking

15th December 2019

Everest Region trekking

Everest Region in Nepal is one of the most famous tourist hubs around the world. Everest region is home to the tallest mountain on earth, Mt. Everest at 8848 m. Everest region trekking takes you to the cold and rugged Khumbu region to experience the Himalayan ranges and the lifestyle of the ethnic community living there. The Everest region is located in the Northeastern part of the geographically diverse and culturally unique, Nepal.

The unparalleled views from a different viewpoint of Everest give you a sense of being away from the hustle of city area and into an isolated land. Everest region is home to unique flora and fauna flourishing in the nooks and crannies of the age-old unturned rocks and majestic mountains. The lifestyle of the Sherpa community residing in the region is truly amazing. Even though Everest Region has been favorite trekking and mountaineering spots for adventure seekers from around the world for ages, the region maintains the authenticity and beauty as if locked in time.

There are various Everest trekking packages that live up to your expectations. The Everest region is for both trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. The snow blanketed mountain range is the main reason why visitors flock to the Everest region, otherwise known as the Khumbu region, all round the year.

Top 12 major highlights of Everest region trekking

1. Views of highest mountains-some above 8000 m

Everest Region is known for having the tallest mountains in the world. Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha, is the highest mountain on earth, which is above sea level. IT stands at an elevation of 8848m. Apart from this major attraction, the Everest region also boasts other high mountain ranges that are above 7000m. The Lhotse mountain at 8516 m and Cho Oyu at 8201 m are the top 10 highest mountains that are neighbors to Mt. Everest in the Khumbu region.

Apart from these 8000m above peaks and mountains, the Khumbu region also has Nuptse at 7861 with its seven other peaks. The Ama Dablam at 6812m above the Dudh Koshi river valley is also another famous mountain in the Khumbu region. Imjatse/Island Peak at 6160m, Mera Peak at 6470m in the Hinku valley, and Lobuche at 6119 m closest to Khumbu glacier are some of the notable mentions.

2. Scenic Flight to Lukla

To enter the Everest Region, you can either begin trekking from Jiri or can fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. The most famous method of beginning the trek is flying from Kathmandu to Lukla and beginning the trek from there. Even in the short treks in the Everest region, the scenic flight is one that all visitors remember. The bird's eye view of the varied landscape as you enter the Khumbu region is unparallel. The flight that takes 35 to 45 minutes is an adventurous one, the views of which are stuck in the minds of all the visitors forever.

3. Namche Bazaar-the gateway to Everest region trekking

The Everest region trekking route merges into Namche Bazaar for all the Everest trekking packages. Namche Bazaar is the hub and the most happening spot of the entire Everest region. It is where you find the most number of tea houses and settlement and also all the facilities which you may rarely find anywhere else. Namche Bazaar is lit-up most time of the year at all times.

The facilities like ATMs, hot shower, battery charging, solar power are all available in the tea houses of Namche Bazaar. In many ways, apart from the cold, Namche Bazaar does not look like part of the remote and secluded Everest region.

4. Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park in the Himalayan National park in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal, which is home to Mount Everest and other peaks. One of the major highlights of the Everest/Khumbu region trekking is the unique flora and fauna found in the national park. It covers around 443 square miles and is largely occupied by the gigantic mountain range. Sagarmatha National park has been inscribed as the Natural World Heritage Site. Apart from the rugged landscape, it has vegetation like birch, juniper, firs, bamboo, rhododendron, and pine in the lower forest zone. Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, red-billed chough, red panda, Himalayan Thars, langur monkeys, musk deer, snow leopard are some of the wildlife you might find there.

5. Villages in Everest Region

The villages of the Everest region has a charm of its own. Some of the famous villages are Phakding, Monjo, Dingboche, Tengboche, Lobuche, among others. These villages are largely inhabited by the Sherpa community. The villages have old houses that are made especially for protection against the heavy snow. Most of the settlements there have a prayer flag connecting different houses. These villages are fascinating and seem to be stuck in time for ages.

6. Culture and lifestyle of ethnic community

The villages of the Khumbu region are mostly inhabited by the Sherpa ethnic group, who have a different way of living. Their unique traditions, clothing, way of life will fascinate any visitor. The Sherpa's mostly speak Tibetian language, but as of now, they have learned parts of the English language to communicate with tourists. Their local food comprises mostly of fats, and less protein since it cannot be easily digested in the higher altitude. To intermingle with these people and understand their lifestyle is the true experience of trekking.

7. Everest Base Camp

One of the major highlights of the Everest region trekking is the Everest Base Camp. Most of the famous treks in the Everest region eventually lead to or are connected to Everest Base Camp. Standing in the lap of the highest mountain in the world is an opportunity worth taking. The Everest base camp is mesmerizing in all accord. Views of the gigantic mountain ranges around the Khumbu region are seen almost face to face. This is the true beauty of the trek to EBC.

8. 360 degree views from Kalapatthar viewpoint

Kalapatthar viewpoint is a hilltop at the elevation of 5643 m. Most of the trekking experience in the Everest region leads here as well. The views seen from Kalapatthar are known to be even more clear than from Everest Base Camp. From the hilltop, you are graced with the views of Lobuche, Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and more, which form a ring. For this kind of panoramic view of the Himalayan range, trekkers take the detour to Kalapatthar.

9. Three high pass

If you are to take a longer trek in the Everest region, you will cross the three high passes namely Kongmo-La, Cho-La, and Renjo-La passes at 5535m , 5367m and 5360m. These high passes are challenging for any trekker but is the highlight and adventure. From these passes, you get a different view of the Everest region, The ascends, descends, and the ridges that you have to cross along the way are a toil but is worth every effort. The Everest Three High passes trek is one to offer this kind of experience to trekking enthusiasts.

10. Khumbu glacier and Ngozumpa glacier

The Khumbu glacier is the biggest glacier in Nepal at such a height. IT is about 12 km long and is situated in between the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge and Mt. Everest, and is an attraction on its own. It consists of huge icefalls and begins from the Everest Base Camp. Also, known as the world's highest glacier, it is a trekkers dream come true. Another, Ngozumpa glacier, is the longest glacier at 36km length. It is below Mt. Cho-Oyu to Gokyo Valley. The two glaciers collectively make the experience of trekking in the Everest region worth the while.

11. Ancient Tengboche monastery

Tengboche Monastery is the oldest Sherpa village of Tengboche and is a depiction of the history of the Everest region stuck in time. Very close to Ama Dablam peak, the Tengboche monastery has a huge religious significance to the people living in that village and also pilgrims that come from abroad. During the Man Rimdu Festival, a flock of pilgrims and trekkers are spotted in the monastery chanting prayers, offerings, and executing traditional dances. It is the best spot and time to experience the rich culture and heritage of the Everest region. Tengboche monastery is the oldest and the biggest monastery in the Khumbu region.

12. Gokyo Lake

Gokyo Lake is another tourist attraction in the Everest region. It is an optional trekking route and has a separate trekking package of its own. The Gokyo Ri is a wonderful trekking route in the Everest region of Nepal. he lake is one of the world's highest freshwater lakes at 4750m. the Gokyo Ri is a viewpoint near the Gokyo lake, which offers views of the mountain ranges and the Gokyo lake and its counterparts. Gokyo lake is turquoise in color and is frozen during the winter season.

 Best Treks in the Everest Region 

1. Everest Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base camp trek leads to the Everest region of Nepal into the lap of the highest mountain in the world. One of the Everest Base Camp trek highlights is the experience of getting close to the Mt. Everest and intermingling with the Sherpa community to understand their unique cultures and traditions. Everest Base Camp tours are the most sought after tour packages for a long time now. There are many trekkers who make it multiple times to EBC and finally opt for mountain climbing. The EBC trek has an unfazed beauty and charm of its own.

2. Everest Three Pass Trek

Everest Three Pass Trek is another famous trekking destination in the Everest region of Nepal, which takes you to the strenuous rugged topography. The three passes of Kongmo-La, Cho-la, and Renjo-La are crossed in this trek and are the main highlight of the long trek, which takes around 2 to 3 weeks to complete.

3. Gokyo Lake Trekking

The Gokyo Lake Trekking experience is one of a kind experience in the Everest region. While other treks focus on the beauty and the grandeur of Mt. Everest and the neighboring high peaks, the Gokyo Lake trekking takes you to the blue/green lake situated at the height of 4750m. If you had had enough of the views of the lovely mountains and want to seek something else, then the Gokyo Lake trekking experience is for you.

4. Everest Base Camp Trek with Chola Pass

The Everest Base Camp Trek with Chola Pass is one of the most famous trekking experiences in the Everest region since it is neither too challenging nor too easy. It takes you through the Everest Base Camp, to Kalapatthar and crosses the Cho-la Pass. This is a classic trekking route that is adventurous as well as fascinating. The EBC trek with Cho-la pass takes around 1 to 2 weeks to complete.

Conclusion 

The Everest region is the most popular and the best trekking destinations all over the world. Not only has Mt. Everest upheld the integrity of the Everest region, but the Sherpa community, the heritage sites, Sagarmatha national park, and the lakes and glaciers have equally contributed to the best trekking experience in Everest region. If you are a mountain lover, nature lover, and adventurist, then the Everest region is calling for you.

Some of the other notable trekking packages in the Everest region are Jiri to Everest Base Camp trekking, Everest Base Camp trek, and Return by helicopter, Budget Everest Base Camp trek, Short Everest Base Camp trek, and Luxury Everest Base Camp trek. In recent years, the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour has also gained prominence, making it accessible for all age groups and enthusiasts to get access to the beauty of Everest with ease. Apart from the above-mentioned treks in the Everest region, our team can prepare a custom made trekking package for you.