Popular Places to visit in Everest Region / Best place to visit in EBC

Everest Region

Located in the northeastern part of Nepal, the Everest Region is about 90 km away from Kathmandu Valley. The Everest Region is very famous for trekking, and thousands of trekkers visit this region every year. The Everest region is also known as the Khumbu Region and is one of the most visited regions for trekking in Nepal. The region is mostly surrounded by Sherpa settlements and has an amazing mountainous landscape. Its elevation ranges from 3,300 m (11,000 ft) to 8,848 m (29,029 ft), which is the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth. The Everest region is full of exciting adventure, polished with natural beauty. In this region, you will find many beautiful places to visit, which are described below:

Popular Places in the Everest Region Trek

1. Lukla
2. Namche Bazaar
3. Tyangboche
4. Dingboche
5. Pangboche
6. Gorak Shep
7. Kalapathar
8. Everest Base Camp
9. Gokyo Lake

1. Lukla Village

Lukla Village in the Khumbu region is the starting point for Mount Everest. Lukla serves as the main entrance for trekkers and mountaineers heading to the world-famous Everest Region.

The village is mostly inhabited by the Sherpa community and is located at an altitude of 2,860m. The area is well equipped with modern hotels, lodges, small shops, and departmental stores. There is also a weekly market (hart bazaar).

The town contains a small airport, Tenzing-Hillary Airport, which is known as one of the most extreme and adventurous airports in the world. The planes fly around tall forested mountains and high hills, making the landing spot the most exciting part. The airport is the only practical way to reach the Everest Region from Kathmandu. The airport also has a helipad for transportation and rescue operations.

As Lukla is the main gateway to the Everest Region, it is busy with trekkers, mountaineers, and tourists during the autumn and spring seasons. Thousands of visitors come here each year for adventure activities like trekking, mountaineering, skiing, skydiving, heli-skiing, and more.

2. Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is a beautiful town in the Khumbu District, located at a height of 3,440 m (11,286 ft). Namche Bazaar is the most popular tourist hub and resting stop in the region. It is the main gateway to the high Himalayas and offers amazing views of snow-capped peaks. This region is considered one of the wealthiest districts in the country. The town is a junction of trekking trails where various Everest trek routes can be identified.

Historically the capital of the Khumbu Region, Namche Bazaar is also the administrative center. The town contains several Nepalese officials, a police checkpoint, a bank, and is near the Sagarmatha National Park and army barracks. It is the center of Sherpa culture and offers the opportunity to learn about the local flora and fauna.

Namche Bazaar has a Sherpa Museum rich in information about the life of the Sherpa people. The town also has attractions like the Namche Monastery, Namche Library, Healing Centre, and Tibetan handicraft stalls and stores. The Saturday market is another attraction where visitors can buy goods at a cheaper price. Syangboche Airport is also popular for short takeoffs and landings of helicopters.

3. Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche is a beautiful village in the Khumbu Region, famous for its ancient gompas. The village contains the Tengboche Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in Nepal. It is located on a hilltop, offering a breathtaking view of Mount Everest.

Tengboche is a religious center for the Sherpa community, and thousands of visitors explore this monastery every year. Although it was damaged by an earthquake in 1993 and later by fire, the monastery has been rebuilt with care and dedication.

The village is on the EBC trekking route and offers stunning views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, along with rhododendron and pine forests. The village also hosts the Mani Rimdu Festival, a significant event for Buddhist Sherpas that coincides with the peak trekking season.

4. Dingboche

Dingboche, located at 4,410 meters, is another Sherpa village in the Khumbu region, in the Chukhung Valley. Trekkers often stay for two nights in Dingboche to acclimatize before continuing their trek to Everest Base Camp.

5. Pangboche Village

Pangboche is a picturesque village in Khumjung VDC, Khumbu District, located at an altitude of 3,985 m (13,074 ft). The village is home to a 600-year-old monastery, important to the Buddhist Sherpa community.

Trekkers stop at Pangboche Village for its proximity to Everest Base Camp. The village offers views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. It is considered a holy place due to the presence of the great Buddhist Lama Sangwa Dorjee.

6. Gorak Shep

Gorak Shep is a frozen lakebed covered with sand and a small settlement within Sagarmatha National Park. Located at about 5,200 m (16,962 ft), it is very close to Mount Everest. Though not inhabited year-round, trekking lodges with basic amenities, including satellite high-speed internet, are available. Gorak Shep is the last stop for trekkers heading to Everest Base Camp.

7. Kalapathar

Kalapathar, meaning "black rock" in Nepali and Hindi, is a famous landmark located on a ridge above Gorak Shep. It is situated at the base of Mount Everest at an altitude of 5,550 m (18,519 ft).

Kalapathar is a popular destination among trekkers because it offers clear and close-up views of Mount Everest, Changtse, and Nuptse. From Kalapathar, visitors can also enjoy views of Khumbu Glacier, alpine forests, rhododendron flowers, and more. It is a remarkable place to visit for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

8. Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp (EBC) refers to reaching the base of Mount Everest, which sits at an altitude of 5,364 m (17,598 ft). Trekking to Everest Base Camp is a world-famous adventure and considered a classic trek in Nepal.

The journey to Everest Base Camp takes about two weeks and includes breathtaking views of the Himalayas, Sherpa villages, and settlements. Trekkers can interact with the locals and experience their warm hospitality. The trek also passes through Namche Bazaar, where standard food and lodging are available, and numerous other scenic stops along the way.

9. Gokyo Lakes

Gokyo Lakes are located in the Khumjung Village of the Khumbu District, at an altitude of 4,700-5,000 m (15,400-16,400 ft). These lakes are sacred to both Hindu and Buddhist people, with the site worshipped for Naag Devata. A temple is located at the western corner of the lake.

Gokyo Lakes are a famous tourist destination and a popular side trek for those heading to Everest Base Camp. The trek to Gokyo is known for its wilderness and offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains like Mount Everest and Mount Cho Oyu. Visitors can also observe the Sherpa lifestyle and culture in the nearby Gokyo Village.