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Best Short Treks to Experience in Everest Region

Dec 09 . 2020,Omi Karki
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The Everest area is known for some of the best treks in Nepal, with snow-capped mountains and fabulous Sherpa culture. However, if you don't have the full 12 days, it takes to do the trek to Everest Base Camp, here are some fantastic shorter treks to choose from.

Highlights of the Everest Region Trek

  • Follow the stone steps through the lovely villages of the Sherpa people
  • Catch sight of Mount Everest and Ama Dablam's picturesque top
  • Explore fantastic day hiking from Namche, a town high up in the Himalayas
  • Visit Tengboche, home to one of the most prominent monasteries in the region
  • Helicopter tour of the Everest area, an incredible experience

Planning Your Trek to the Everest Region

Your trek will commence with a thirty minutes flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the gateway village of the Everest zone, on all the routes mentioned below. 

In the Everest area, most treks start with a flight, and this will help optimize your time in the valley higher up. From Lukla, a five-day journey takes you to the vibrant heartland of Sherpa society, Namche Bazaar. 

Caption: Trying to Conquerors Everest Base Camp

You should take a day trip to the lovely village of Thame with Namche as your centre, with a majestic monastery located high up on the rocks. Thame is really off the main route from Everest Base Camp and therefore attracts few tourists. 

In Thame, there is the house of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay (the legendary Sherpa who assisted Sir Edmund Hillary on the first popular climb of Everest in 1953).

You will go on as far as Tengboche if you add two days (for a total of seven days). Here, you will visit the famed monastery where climbers and trekkers usually visit the Head Lama to get his blessings for a good journey.

Tengboche also presents remarkable close-up views of Ama Dablam, a worthy contender for the most magnificent mountain in the world. Try finishing the Kongde Loop if you have ten days. 

This involves a stop at the base of Kongde Ri (peak) in Namche Bazaar, Thame, and Kongde. One of the many rewards of this road is waking up early to watch the sunrise on Kongde Ri.

Try attaching a helicopter trip to one of these itineraries if you're in a position where time is minimal, and money is not a problem. This would not only dramatically shorten the ride, but you'll have incredible views that can't be had some other route.

Short Treks in Everest Region

Below we have assembled a list of four short treks; tourists can experience during their time in the Everest region. They are:

  • Namche Bazaar and Thame 
  • Tengboche Monastery
  • The Kongde Loop 
  • Pikey Peak Trek

Namche Bazaar and Thame - 5 Days

Day 01: Phakding (2,610 m) - four hours

Day 02: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) - six/seven hours

Day 03: Namche Bazaar (day trek to Thame, 3,800 m) - day hike

Day 04: Lukla (2,860 m) - seven hours

Day 05: Kathmandu (1,400 m) - thirty minutes

Tengboche Monastery - 7 Days

Day 01: Phakding (2,610 m) - four hours

Day 02: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) - six/seven hours

Day 03: Namche Bazaar (day trip to Thame, 3,800 m) - day trek

Day 04: Tengboche (3,800 m) - six hours

Day 05: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) - five hours

Day 06: Lukla (2,860 m) - seven hours 

Day 07: Kathmandu (1,400 m) - thirty minutes

The Kongde Loop - 10 Days

Day 01: Phakding (2,610 m) - four hours

Day 02: Monjo (2,835 m) - three hours

Day 03: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) - six hours

Day 04: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) - day hike

Day 05: Thame (3,800 m) - three hours

Day 06: Kongde (4,250 m) - seven hours

Day 07: Kongde (4,250 m) - free day 

Day 08: Phakding (2,610 m) - five hours

Day 09: Lukla (2,860 m) - four hours

Day 10: Kathmandu (1,400 m) - thirty minutes

Note: Only at some times of the year when things are good can the walk from Thame to Khongde be completed, or by individuals with rope skills and also with the right tools. 

It would be really dangerous at the wrong time of the year for inexperienced people. This is amongst the most remarkable walks in Khumbu, if not the greatest, but it's risky! Before going on this trek, consult your trekking specialist and guide.

Pikey Peak Trek

Pikey Peak, southwest of Lukla, is a peak and mountain line that stretches across the low Everest area. For those wanting to explore rural Nepal, it's a perfect option and offers excellent views of Everest.

You could either fly or drive in from Kathmandu to hit the trek, and the routes are flexible based on how much time you have, from five to seven days.

Experience Everest Region via Helicopter

If you're willing to hire a helicopter, then one of the most unforgettable experiences you may have in Nepal, or the world is visiting the Everest area by helicopter.

Caption: Helicopter Landing, Everest Base Camp

It would be best if you mixed trekking with a pick-up from a helicopter. With Namche Bazaar / Syangboche and Lukla, the most popular, there are different places in the area suitable for helicopter pick-ups.

Best Time to Visit Everest Region

As for most other treks in Nepal, spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are the perfect times to do it. The sky is likely to be bright during these months, and average temperatures will be warm. 

However, the Khumbu area is considered to be exceptionally cold and dusty, and due to the dry dust, many trekkers develop the 'Khumbu cough'.

In the summer/monsoon and winter seasons, trekking is normally feasible, but more significant planning is needed for challenging circumstances. During the monsoon, you can not get direct views.

Getting and Exiting the Everest Region

Both treks in the Khumbu area include a flight to the local airport at Lukla from Kathmandu (except if you take the longer, alternative route via Jiri). The flight is in itself a beautiful experience. 

There are several regular flights from Kathmandu on small fixed-wing aircraft, which take about 30 minutes. However, bad weather also closes the airport, so if flying to Lukla, it is prudent to brace for delays and hold a day or two as break days.

Permits Required and Regulations

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) (through where you'll be trekking). You will require a TIMS card (US$ 10) and a Sagarmatha National Park permit (US$ 30), as with all treks in this park.

They'll plan these for you if you're trekking with an organization. You will need to grab your TIMS permit in Kathmandu, and your Sagarmatha National Park permits in Monjo if you're organizing the trek yourself.

Things to Bring for the Trip

As with many other treks in Nepal, durable hiking boots, a waterproof outer part and other apparel that can be covered and put on/off as needed by the weather are necessary. Lodges are going to be fitted with cold-weather covers.

Difficulty of the Treks

The itineraries mentioned here mainly remain below 4,000 m, while problems related to altitude will occur after rising above 2,500 m. On the shorter routes suggested here, the most challenging day is the 6-7 hours trek between Phakding and Namche Bazaar. 

Most of the trail is uphill the whole time. This day, however, you will get your first sight of Everest and cross Nepal's tallest suspension bridge so that it will be an unforgettable day!

You can hit very high altitudes above 5000 m while taking a helicopter trip to/near Everest Base Camp. You could be feeling an intensified breath shortage. You will not, though, linger at these heights for too long.

Accommodation and Meals during the Short Treks

Lodges are relatively well-developed and comparatively comfortable in the Khumbu region. There's a lot of variation, from ultra-budget to quality hotels that you can find in the cities of Nepal, with hot baths and electric blankets. 

However, in all settlements, especially the smaller ones, not all rates of accommodation may be accessible. The food would also be healthy, with menus containing things such as rice and curry, pasta, momos, soup, and Tibetan-style bread. 

Potatoes are a staple food in the Khumbu region, and these appear more widely here than anywhere in Nepal on the menus of backpacking lodges, with fewer other fresh fruits and vegetables. If you travel up, the quantity of fresh food available will decrease, and prices will also increase.

Cost of the Trips in Everest Region

Due to the required airfare between Lukla and Kathmandu, trekking in the Everest area is relatively expensive. (Adding a helicopter trip to these routes will drastically raise the cost, but if you can afford it, it's a fantastic way to get close to the mountain ranges.) Otherwise, there are both budget and premium lodging and food choices available.

Prepare For Your Trip