Everest Region Trekking Routes
Posted On:Saturday, May 21, 2022
Everest Region Trekking Routes:
The Everest region also known as the Khumbu region lies in the northeastern part of Nepal. People believe the trek to be a spiritual experience rather than just climbing and trekking. The region offers indigenous people a sparkling view of the mountains. The Khumbu region invites more than 30,000 trekkers and climbers each year. Everest region is much more than its high peaks, there are valleys to explore, beautiful villages and heartwarming people. All in all, Everest Region Trekking Routes offer you to view and experience all of these.
Peak Climbing and Mountaineering is a thrilling experience, many wish to climb the high peaks and some want to test their skills. Everest region has various high mountains to conquer. Many have been conquered but there still remain some who have not even been stepped on. Having over 326 peaks officially for climbing, Nepal has a wide range of options for peak climbing and mountaineering.
Popular Everest Region Trekking Routes
Most people fly to Lukla and follow the traditional route which usually takes 12-15 days to complete. Other trekking routes have their own difficulties, sceneries and duration. These are the most popular Everest Region Trekking Routes:
Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek Route
The classic trekking route or Jiri to EBC Trek Route involves you taking the bus from Kathmandu to Jiri. The trek adds 8 or 10 days extra to your trekking itinerary. Trekking from Jiri gives you an opportunity of greener vegetation of the Solukhumbu region. The trails are less travelled so it gives you a peaceful journey to the base camp.
- Highest altitude: Everest Base Camp 5,364 m, Kalapathar (5,545 m)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 20 days
The Three High Passes Trek Route with Everest Base Camp takes you through Cho la, Kang ma la and the Renjo la pass. It is considered to be the most challenging trek in comparison with the classic or Gokyo route. The route covers all the high three passes which are top-rated by trekkers.
- Highest altitude: Kongma la Pass (5,535m), Kalapathar (5,545 m)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Duration: 20 days
The trek will take you through the west of the Khumbu region i.e. Gokyo Lake. The route involves the Cho-la pass which is one of the high passes while the Gokyo Valley has its own special scenes of the landscapes and glacier lakes.
- Highest altitude: Gokyo RI (5,483m), Kalapathar (5,545 m)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Duration: 18 days
The trek combines the famous Island Peak (6,160m) climb with the regular Everest Base Camp trekking route. The climb promises prominent views of the high mountains and the peak climb can be a bit challenging for the inexperienced. Island Peak Climb with Everest Base Camp Trek Route is a difficult variation for EBC Trek so trekkers and climbers need to be in good shape.
- Highest altitude: Island peak (6,160m)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Duration: 19 days
Lobuche Peak lies near the Khumbu glacier. The Lobuche Peak Climb starts after descending from Kalapathar to the Lobuche base camp. The Lobuche east side is for peak climbing whereas the west is for expeditions. The climb is a bit more challenging than to Island Peak and the views from the top include mountains such as Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Nuptse.
- Highest altitude: Lobuche East Peak (6,119m)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Duration: 19 days
If you have limited time to spend in Nepal, then there are various trekking to choose from. The Everest region has flexible trekking days which is suitable according to your need. Here are some of the treks you might want to consider.
Short Treks in the Everest Region
Famous Treks in the Everest Region
Adventure Treks in the Everest Region
Everest region is not only known for its popular peaks and mountains, there are various other specialities of this region. Here are the famous places of the Everest Region:
Kala Patthar
Kala Patthar is the main viewpoint of Mount Everest. Most trekking routes end up at the Kala Patthar. It is at an elevation of 5,644.5 m (18,519 ft). It is the most rewarding segment of any trek in the Everest region. The trip to base camp won’t have the view of the grand Everest so most trekkers head on to Kala Patthar.
Namche Bazaar
The small yet beautiful town of Namche Bazaar is at an elevation of 3,500m. It is a trading centre for Sherpa people who trade garments and trekking gear, and provide services to adventurers. It has various facilities from bakeries, casinos, ATMs, restaurants, cyber cafes, lodges and many more. The local people in Namche Bazaar celebrate festivals such as the Dumji festival. There are various events and fests organized with monk dances and rituals.
Lukla
Luka is a small town located at 2,860 metres (9,383 ft). Most trekking routes go through the flight to Lukla to save the number of days. Lukla offers significant views of the valleys and has various kinds of western-style lodging and flooding. Lukla inhabitants are the Sherpa, Rai, and Limbu who are mostly engaged in the tourism industry. They mostly serve as guides and porters while others are involved in hotels, lodges, and trekking gear merchants.
Tengboche
Tengboche is a small village located in the Khumbu region at an elevation of 3,867 metres (12,687 ft). This village is famous for a gompa called the Tengboche monastery. The monastery holds festivals called Mani Rimdu which are celebrated by the Buddhist monks. It is a 19-day festival where various feasts, monks’ dances, and other rituals are carried out.
Pangboche
Located high up in the mountains of Imja Khoje Valley, Pangboche is at an elevation of 3,985 m (13,074 feet). The village mostly has sherpa people, who are experts at the summit of mountains. The village is surrounded by surreal views of the valleys. You will find people engaging in farming, vegetation, poultry, and the tourism industry. There are lodges and resorts where trekkers can have enough rest for acclimatization.
Chukung
Located on the southern part of Lhotse and Nuptse, Chukung is a small village at 4,730 metres (15,518 ft). It is a village, where trekkers mostly rest for acclimatization. There were no inhabitants there but as the trekking routes developed, people had started setting up lodges on the Chukung.
Gorakshep
Home to the Sherpas, Gorakshep has a small village settlement on the edge near Mount Everest at an elevation of 5,164 m (16,942 ft). The area is the last staging point for most of the Everest trekking routes which also was the original base camp for Everest in the late 50s.
Accommodation on Everest Region Trekking Routes
Most of the popular Everest trekking routes have amazing facilities for hotels and lodges. There are adequate numbers of lodges however, pre-booking must be during the peak seasons. If you are considering a short trek in the Everest Region, you can choose among different options on the tea houses. Tea houses are the best in terms of food and accommodations. In lower altitudes, almost all trails have good-quality tea houses. And as you ascend higher, you may have to compromise in terms of basic facilities. The popular trails may have some better facilities in comparison to less travelled trails. You may also request some extra amenities in some tea houses and they will be happy to serve you.
Everest Region Geography
The elevation of the Everest Region starts from 3,300 metres and up to 8,848 metres above sea level. The landscapes of the region include vast glaciers, lakes, deep valleys, and human settlements of its own. The mountains above 8,000 metres are located in the Everest region, i.e. Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.
Between the Lhotse and Everest, lies the Khumbu Glacier which is also the world’s highest glacier. Imja Glacier and ngozumpa Glacier are some other glaciers in the Everest region.
Some of the other attractions of the Everest region are the Cho La, Kang Ma La and the Renjo La Pass also provide scenic views of the mountains.
Sagarmatha National Park
The protected area and UNESCO-listed world heritage lies in the Everest Region. Sagarmatha National Park covers an area of 1148 square km. The Sagarmatha National Park is one of the most iconic preserved areas in the northeastern part of Nepal. It is home to more than 1,000 species of rare birds and has a wide range of wildlife. As the elevation ranges from 2845 to 8848 metres, the vegetation varies as the elevation increases. The lower altitudes offer views with rhododendrons and junipers, and in higher altitudes, mosses and lichens are found.
And best of all, most Everest Region Trekking routes are within this national park. So, get ready to experience the best of Sagarmatha National Park on the Everest region treks.
There are various trekking routes and popular trails in the Everest Region. All Everest treks have their speciality to offer, unique landscapes and experiences. If you want to know more, read our Everest Region Blogs and Guides.
