Why Everest Region is the most popular trekking destination in the world?
18 Sep 2019 Himalaya Trip
Trekking in the Everest region is a perfect blend of enjoying the serene beauty of the Himalayas with the vibrant culture and tradition of the Sherpas illuminated by the highest peak of the world Mt. Everest. Blessed with the majestic landscape and breathtaking view of the sunrise every day, Everest beholds the dream of every adventure-seeking travel lover out there. Every day here brings you delightful surprises accompanied by the friendly locals with their warm hospitality. The majestic Himalayas, beautiful surrounding, irresistible trails, engaging locals, and exquisite land of adventure makes the Everest region a recurring name in the bucket list of travelers. With the cosmic Everest within reach of your arms to embrace, Everest Region is the most popular trekking destination in the world.
Located in Solukhumbu district of Nepal in the northeastern tip of the country, Everest region makes most of the country enclosed by the Sagarmatha National Park. The highest point of the world, Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali, Chomolungma in local Tibetan, and Zhumulangma in Chinese) lies here with the southern Base Camp. The Sagarmatha National Park made its way into the UNESCO Natural world heritage site in 1976 AD. This National Park has an area of 1148 sq km and consists of three of the mountains over 8000 meters of elevation (Everest, Lhoste, and Cho Oyu).
Despite being in the rural half of Nepal, travelers enter the Everest region through Lukla Airport, which is the most efficient way to reach there. Thousands of others also hike from the original circuit starting from Jiri or Salleri to reach the lower Khumbu and Everest regions. The main area provides over a dozen of trekking trails beside the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trail. This enables visitors to select from diverse categories of treks with different difficulty and length. The view of Everest and surrounding is delightful from all these treks. Let us know a bit about Everest and the whole Khumbu region which answers our question once and for all.
History of Everest region
Everest was recognized as the highest peak of the world in 1856 AD by Andrew Waugh. Before this Mt. Kanchenjunga (third highest now) was considered as the worlds most elevated point. The Name Everest was after the British Surveyor Sir George Everest by Waugh and officially was adopted by Royal geographical society in 1857. The local Nepali name is Sagarmatha meaning “goddess of the sky,” the Tibetan one is Mt. Chomolungma meaning “Holy Mother,” and the Chinese name is romanized as Mt. Zhumulangma. The first group attempting to climb the peak were British soon followed by Swiss and French mountaineers. However, the group lead by John Hunt as the ninth British expedition succeeded to reach the summit on their second try with the New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first pair to do so. Multiple attempts have been made from that year till date with a success rate of slightly under 50 % and a fatality rate of 4 %. Climbing Mt. Everest is the ultimate goal of adventure, dare, and glory for the people of this era.
Sagarmatha National Park
- Located in Solukhumbu
- Established in 1976 A.D.
- Listed in UNESCO World heritage site in 1979 A.D.
- Area cover in 1148 km²
- Approximately 2300 – 8848m above the sea level
- Himalayan Thar
- Red Panda
- Snow Leopard
- Musk Deer
- Wild Yak
- Grey-wolf
- Approximately 250 Spices of birds
Rich Sherpa culture and hospitality: Much More than the Everest
Mt. Everest is the prominent reason behind the popularity of Everest region, but once you are here, you can experience so much more than just the Himalayas. The first step to this rural area will introduce you to the local Sherpa people. They are esteemed all over the world for their finesse in Mountaineering and guidance skills in extreme altitudes of Himalayas. However, you can take a glance in everyday life of the Sherpas and other locals in this extreme environment. Gliding through the farming techniques, to the animal husbandry skills in the land lacking pasture, and the local trading culture, you will get a different face of the region. Despite these hardships, you will be greeted with a wide smile and family-like love in your stops and visits here. The joy of being able to serve and help you exceeds the economic benefits for the locals here, and it’s that pure heart that people find an instant connection within their visit.
Festivals
Festivals here truly showcase the culture, tradition, and unity among the people residing in the Everest. The major ones to top the list are Loshar, Mani Rimdu, Dumje. During these occasions, Khumbu transforms in even more livelier version of itself. Lhosar is celebrated throughout the Himalayas as the Tibetan New year. In this three-day festivals falling in February/March, the monasteries are decorated, and people gather to celebrate with traditional songs and dances. You will be offered local wine, sweets, fruits, rice beers, and many more delights you will find yourself here in Lhosar.
Mani Rimdu is a festival celebrated exclusively in the Khumbu region and most auspiciously in the premises of Tengboche Monastery (The biggest monastery of the Everest region). This 19-day celebration falls in October to early November, and you can expect a lot of joy, dancing, monks performing rituals, masked dances, and homemade delicacies accompanied by wine and beers during this festival. This festival attracts trekkers to plan their Everest treks overlapping the Mani Rimdu festival for these fantastic experiences. Dumje is another festival bringing the whole community together in the Joyous occasion marking the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche. Lasting for four days this festival falls during May/June according to the lunar calendar. It doesn’t matter where you are at the Khumbu Region during Dumje; you will feel the immense culture and traditional celebration alongside local delicacies and drinks.
Following the centuries-long traditions mixed with a hint of modernization, spending some time with the locals will take you closer to the Everest than ever. One can get a taste of regional cuisine with abundant Yak products, visit the local stupas and Gompas, take a tour of the local markets and feel alive here. These culture and traditional elements are actually the main reason behind thousands of revisiting travelers in the Everest region every year.
The Himalayan Flight to Lukla
The flight to Lukla is an experience which you can get in your Everest region visit. The view from the window is dramatic with snow-white peaks dominating the skyline, and the green forested hills look alarmingly close too. The surreal view of the Himalayas and landscape will lead you to a small runway strip paved, almost like nowhere in the hills. Admittedly a bit challenging for the faint-hearted but most travelers enjoy the flight and describe it as their once in a lifetime moments. The flights from Kathmandu connects directly to Lukla; however, you can also fly to Ramechap and then to Lukla in cases of heavy traffic in the airports. Either way, this thrilling flight Tenzing–Hillary Airport is one that travelers treasure in their Everest Region visit.
More about Everest
The KhumbuPasangLhamu Rural Municipality (Ward no. 2, 3, 4, 5) constitutes the major places of the Everest region. The Municipality has the population of 9133 people as of 2011 census. The lowest altitude of the region is 1,900 meters to the highest point being Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters.
*Main Animals: The wildlife of the region is diverse with many rare animals and birds making the region their habitat. The Himalayan Thar, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Wild Yak, and, Grey-wolf are some of these major mammals here.
Everest region is also a major area to spot Mountain Birds. In the lower regions, you can also spot some migratory birds from Mongolia and China. Himalayan Munal, Blood Pleasant are some frequent spotting in the Sagarmatha National park alongside approximately other 250 species of birds.
* The Everest region holds sub-tropical to alpine vegetation. You can find many Pine, Hemlock, Fir, Juniper, and Birch trees in the forests here. There are also patches of Rhododendron forests sometimes covering a whole ridge and high hills with a bright red sighting during the blooming season.
* Major Mountains of the region
Mountains dominate the northern half of the Khumbu region. The Major mountains here are: –
Everest (8848 m), Lhoste (8516 m), and Cho Oyu (8201 m), Nuptse I (7861 m), NuptseShar (7827 m), AmaDablam (6812 m), Island Peak/ ImjaTse (6160 m)and Many more. The fifth highest mountain Mt. Makalu (8485 m) is also a nearby sighting from the region.
Major Glacier and lakes: Khumbu, Imja, Ngozumpa, and Nangpa are the major glaciers of the Everest regions feeding numerous glacial lakes here. The Gokyo Lakes constitutes of five major lakes from the Ngozumpa glacier is one of the major glacier lakes in Nepal.
Major Passes
The passes of the Everest region makes the whole region explorable through the walking trails. There are three major passes alongside many smaller ones here, namely Kongma La (5535m), Cho La (5420m and Renjo La 5360m. Many trekkers detour to cross through these Passes and the one can also select the challenging Everest Three Pass Trek.
Entry cost
To trek and exploration of the Khumbu region require the entry fees and general permit. You must pay these fees in two of the entry points of National Park and locaL Municipality.
-Sagarmatha National park fee US$30
-KhumbuPasangLhamu rural municipality fee US$20
Peoples of Everest region
Sherpa people make most of the population of the Khumbu region whereas you can also find settlements of Tamang and Rai ethnic groups in your visit. The Nepali language is widely understood and used. The sherpa and Tamang languages are also used in the villages here. Opened to tourism for some decades now General English is also spoken as business languages here.
Major Monasteries
Buddhism is the main religion of the area, and the Tibetan influence can be seen in the major monasteries here. Tengboche Monastery is one of the most extensive and significant monasteries of the Everest region. The Thame, Pengboche, and Khumjung Monastery are other beautiful monasteries that one can visit here. The Khumjung monastery especially is visited by many travelers to look at the scalps kept here as a relic of Yeti (a folk creature said to inhabit the Himalayas).
Climbing Expeditions in Everest
Besides mountaineering travelers also visit the Everest region for many climbing expeditions. These smaller mountains are warm-up climbs before making the summit of the higher mountains. You will have to take special permits and licensed guides for these climbing expeditions. These peaks are:-
Major climbing Peak : Lobuche (6119m), Island Peak (6160m0, Mera Peak (6470m), Mt Cholatse (6440m), Mt. Lobuje West (6145m) Mt. KyazoRi (6186m), Mt. Nirekha (6159m), Mt. Ombigaichen (6340m), KusumKanguru (6367m), Kwangde (6011m), Pharchamo (6187m), Mt Abi Peak (6097m) and, Mt.PhariLapcha (6017m).
Everest for tourists
Accommodation:
When you are in the high Himalayas, you might have to lose some necessary facilities like Wi-Fi, luxury rooms and make yourself comfortable in the small rooms with basic amenities. However, the Everest region has some of the most traveled trekking trails in Nepal, and you will never find yourself short of lodges or small teahouse here. The view from these places you will stay will make up for some other kinds of stuff. You can get a bit out of your comfort zone and try to blend with the locals in your visit here.
Food and drinking water
The menu is vast in the lower regions of your trek, but you can always select from some comfort foods even in the higher altitudes. The rates might peak a little in cost nearing the base camp or passes, which is reasonable as all the necessary items arrive via foot, yak, or mule. You can try some local delicacies and munch in some basic Nepali staple (Dal-Bhat) during your visit. Other than it you can select from an omelet, fried rice, spaghetti, Himalayan bread, pancakes, yak steak, chicken items, Thukpa, Pasta, Noodles and such other items in the hotels. For drinking water, there are plenty of natural sources as well as taps throughout the region.
The Saturday Market in Namche Bazaar is a bonus treat for travelers trekking in the region. You can get an authentic witnessing opportunity of the local lifestyle every Saturday here. You can try buying some goods as herbs or Himalayan fruits in these markets. Souvenirs from the Himalayas include some locally woven scarfs and clothes, Buddhist necklaces, singing bowls, and many others. In these markets, you can try some Yak meat and cheese too.
Everest is accessible all around the world, and in different seasons, you can witness different shades of this wonderland. However, for the best results, you can visit anytime from late February to May and Late September to early December.
More than 45000 tourists visit the Everest region every year, and the number keeps on increasing. People from age 11 to over 65 years constitute them. There is a thing for every visitor here, and you can be one with Himalaya Trip. Here are some of our services in the Everest region, fulfilling your desire to know the top of the world better.
Experience Everest from the luxury of a short flight to the Himalayan snowcapped mountains. This trip is ideal for those having a limited time in Nepal or trekking in the other parts of the country. Prepare for a flight of a lifetime with some mesmerizing views and sceneries to treasure forever. Our flight tours are
–Heli Tour to Everest Base Camp/ Kalapather
–Everest Experience flight
Trekking in the Everest is the main reason people visit this region, and there are a bunch of trekking packages offered by Himalayatrip from which you can choose the perfect fit for you. These packages feature the best of the Everest alongside our professional guides. Here, are our most sought after trekking package in the Everest varying in cost, duration, difficulty, and reach:-
–Everest View Trek
–Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek
–Gokyo Lakes Renjo La Pass Trek
–Gokyo Lakes EBC trek
–Phaplu or Everest Base Camp Trek – Jiri Everest Base Camp trek
–Everest 3 Passes Trek
