Everest Region Trek

The Everest region is located in the north-east of Nepal. The most visited part of this region is the Solukhumbu district, home of the legendary Sherpa people and the highest peak in the world; Mount Everest at 8,848 meters.

Real highlights include; Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Valley, Namche Bazaar, Khumjung School, built by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961 as the first major project of The Himalayan Trust, and the famous monastery at Tengboche.

To the north of Solukhumbu is Everest National Park while to the east is the Makalu Barun National Park. The major ethnic groups that live in the Everest region are Sherpas, Rais, Tamang, Brahmins and Chhettris. A diverse range of wildlife and vegetation can be seen throughout the region and animals such as the mountain goat, musk deer and barking deer are often sighted in the forests. Birds include Impeyan Pheasant (Danfe), ravens, crows, choughs and show pigeons.

Getting there

The Everest region can be reached by air or on foot. Buses to Jiri leave from the new bus park in Kathmandu and take around ten hours. By air there are three options with the most popular being a flight into Hillary-Tenzing Airport in Lukla and many airlines offer daily flights from the capital. A final option is the small airstrip at Syangboche, which is located above Namche Bazaar. This is not generally advisable given the huge difference in altitude between here and Kathmandu and the acclimatization problems that can cause.

When to Visit?

The peak seasons of October-November and March-May are the most popular. At these times the weather is mild and generally dry, making the walking conditions good. The spring season is good for wild flowers, particularly the rhododendrons, while the autumn season generally gives the best mountain views, as the air at this time is crystal clear, but it is also colder.

Winter is possible but the chances of snow are higher and passes may be closed, particularly during Christmas time. Also during this period many of the tea-houses will closed. The summer/monsoon period is generally unsuitable for trekking, as the trails are slippery, leeches abundant and the mountain views are unpredictable. It can be a rewarding time, however, if you are prepared to tolerate these drawbacks, as the wild flowers are at their best and there are fewer tourists on the trails which makes interacting with the locals easier.

Looking after the environment

Much has been said about the deteriorating environment of the Himalayas. Over that past few years, however, due to efforts by many overseas expeditions and organizations such as the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee and the Nepal Mountaineering Association, education programs and clean-up campaigns have to a large extent, eased many of the problems.

Having said that, the environment of the high Himalayas is a very fragile eco-system that can be easily put out of balance. The locals lived for generations in relative harmony with their surroundings but the recent influx of tourists has put pressure on the indigenous population to supply more and more services in the name of tourism development. While the Everest National Park is somewhat protected from the worst of the ravages the same cannot be said about the area immediately to the south. Here, uncontrolled timber collection for fuel and building has led to a marked loss of tree cover. Certain initiatives within the National Park area, such as the banning of glass beer and soft drink bottles, have resulted in a reduction of the amount of non-bridgeable rubbish being left behind. Particularly the trekkers themselves can do much more with the KEEP code of trekking conduct being a perfect example (see Conservation Codes and Environmental Guideline.)

Attractions – People and Culture

The main ethnic group that visitors will encounter in the Everest region is the Sherpas. This is their heartland and their influence is to be seen everywhere from their traditional dress to their distinctive houses and village monasteries. There are also minorities of various other groups, notably Rai and Tamang in the lower hills and the ubiquitous Brahmin and Chhetri farmers of the valleys.

Attraction – Flora and fauna

The flora and fauna to be seen are quite diverse since the region ranges in altitude from less than 200 meters above sea level at Jiri to the high peaks of the Himalayas at higher than 8000 meters. Up to 4000 meters you will find dense stands of forest including pine, cak and the spectacular flowering rhododendrons. The latter are one reason to make a trip to Nepal in the spring when the hills between 2000 and 3500 meters are as colourful as anything in the world.

The crops under cultivation will depend on the season that you visit but expect to see wheat, barley, corn and potatoes at various stages. Domesticated animals will range from cattle, buffalo, goats and pigs to the all-purpose beast of the mountains; the yak.

There is a good chance of seeing wildlife, mostly birds including the national bird of Nepal – the Impeyan Pheasant (or Danfe), which is quite common around Namche Bazaar. Other notable birds will include the ravens and crows of the middle hills and the choughs, which soar to seemingly impossible heights in the mountains. Also keep an eye open in the mountains for flocks of snow pigeons wheeling around the hillsides.

Land animals can be more elusive but look out for mountain goats (most commonly the Himalayan Tahr) and if you are lucky, musk deer or barking deer in the forests.