Namche

Just like me a few months ago, you may have never heard of Gokyo Ri before. While many tourists choose Everest Base Camp as their trekking destination in the Himalayas, this spot is a true gem and a favorite amongst many locals. And while both Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Ri are about the same height (around 5,360 metes or 17,585 ft), Gokyo Ri offers the much greater view. You’ll find yourself a...

The Three Passes Trek is a seriously challenging, seriously awe-inspiring high-altitude trek through the Nepalese Himalayas. Lonely Planet describes this as “the ultimate Everest trek… Only for the truly adventurous.” In fact, for over a week during this trek you will be hiking and sleeping above the highest point in the continuous United States (14,505 ft.).As it’s named, this route crosses th...

The Gokyo Valley lies just to the east of Renjo La Pass – the final obstacle to those completing the epic 3 Passes Trek in Nepal. Before embarking on this last challenge, and especially after making it over Cho La Pass, you deserve a rest day.The emerald-green lake at the banks of the village of Gokyo is just one of six in the area which make up the highest-altitude freshwater lake system in th...

Kala Patthar (also spelled Kala Pataar, Kala Pattar), is one of the best ways for ordinary hikers to reach extraordinary heights in the heart of the Nepal Himalayas. The trek to the base of the mountain, at Gorakshep or Lobuche, will have already taken you well over a week and acclimatized your body to high altitude – so by the time you reach the “Black Rock” mountain, summiting it should be a ...

Most people climbing Island Peak are adding this summit onto an extended 3-week long Everest Base Camp Trek, this climb occurring after a visit to EBC, between days 10 and 12. Folks embarking on the longer and more challenging 3 Passes Trek may complete this climb before visiting EBC, between days 8 and 10. Either way, the jumping off point for this climb will be in the village of Chukung, east...

If you are in the mood for an epic adventure packed with amazing culture and food, and spectacular scenery, a trip to Everest Base Camp should be on your bucket list. This trip takes a lot of planning, but once you finish, is one of the most incredible and rewarding trip you will ever do. Since it is a 12 day trek, the highlights of each day are explained separately below. Enjoy!Day 01 - Fly to...

Surprise! You are now at what the Chinese call Everest Base Camp. Probably the most misleading part of advertising to see Mount Everest, travel agents and guides will not tell you this is a military outpost. A large part of the people going to see Everest from the north are tourist, not mountain climbers. So they really don't know the difference. A base camp is the initial camp and operational ...

This is the recommended place to sleep when visiting Mount Everest from the North. There are many Yak wool tents, each has a unique name outside the entrance. It's very interesting to see. A few issues with any of the tents. If you need to go to the bathroom, all the "toilets" are behind the tents on the right (when face Everest). All the "hotels" have tables in front selling Tibetan items and ...

Rongbuk is the highest monastery in the world. It has quite a beautiful backdrop featuring Mount Everest. I did not have time to go inside. The cost to enter was 40rmb but you are permitted to wander around outside or do the Kora at no cost. The Kora is lined with Mani stones and stupas.  Several prayer wheels are near the entrance but not many more past that. The monastery sits at 16,300 feet ...