Mount Everest Travel Guide
Jewel of the Himalaya
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Highest peak in the world, goal of many mountaineers and trekkers and stunning jewel in Nepal’s mountain crown Mt. Everest is a wonder to behold. Located in eastern Nepal and straddling the Tibeto-Nepal border its story is one of heroics, bravery - and death.
Lying both within Tibet and Nepal Mt. Everest has attracted climbers and trekkers ever since it was first conquered by Hillary and Tenzing, though as with many aspects of this enigmatic mountain even that schoolboy fact draws scrutiny, with the Mallory-Irving expedition now drawing attention once again.
The mountain was measured as the world’s highest mountain in 1852 by Radhanath Sikdar an Indian mathematician and surveyor, from Bengal, in India, and named after the Raj-era surveyor Sir George Everest (he pronounced his name Eave-rest) in 1865. Controversy rages about its height and the name it should be given. In Nepali it had no name until Sagarmatha was given in the ‘60s. It is named Chomolungma in Tibetan and Shengmu Feng in Mandarin Chinese. Heights range from the commonly accepted 8848m to 8844m and 8850m!
There have been some 2100 ascents of the mountain and many more come to trek to Everest Base Camp and the nearby viewpoint atop Kala Patar, and yet it remains a remote and sometimes elusive destination; not all that set out from Lukla for the comparatively low Base Camp make it given the altitude there is a lung-busting 5400m; altitude sickness pays no respect to age or fitness.
Attractions in Mount Everest
The trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patar is the main attraction for most, though good views of the mountain can be enjoyed from lower altitudes putting it in reach of many without the required time to reach higher elevations.
Activities in Mount Everest
Challenging trekking for the fit mountain walker, the route to Everest Base Camp and the stunning viewpoint at Kala Patar has become something of a pilgrimage. This is difficult walking but follows a route that has become famous for its mountain views and the ultimate goal of Base Camp.
The route involves either flying to Lukla and trekking via Namche Bazaar and Tengboche to Lobuche from where the walk to Gorak Shep, Base Camp and Kala Patar can be made, or travelling to Jiri south of Lukla and walking into the region from there; this adds around 6 days to what is a standard 11 to 15-day trek (depending upon acclimatisation). The route to Base Camp has many lodges along it, so camping is not necessary, though getting a space in some of the best in peak season can be a challenge. See ‘Classic Routes’.
Those with less time or who prefer not to trek can still enjoy the grand site on a stunning mountain flight from Kathmandu. Close up views are guaranteed!
Relaxing
There is little to beat sitting in the early sun as the peak of Everest is illuminated against the crisp blue sky of a Nepali morning.
Getting Around
Once in Lukla there’s only one way – on foot.
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