Unfold the Himalayan beauties better than before with our list of 10 best viewpoints of Everest trek. Everest region is home to four of the six highest mountains in the world — Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The major highlight of trekking in the foothills of Everest is to relish the awe-inspiring outlook of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. On any given day, the glimpses of the rugged mountains flourish through the pristine landscape of the Khumbu region. However, there are few amazing places in Everest especially pronounced to offering the great spectacles of the Himalayas. Here is our pick on the 10 best viewpoints of Everest trek along with the instructions on how to navigate them:
Kala Patthar is the most famous viewpoint in Nepal offering the closest spectacles of Mt. Everest along with a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding Himalayas. At the elevation of 5,550m, Kala Patthar marks as the highest elevation point in the Everest Base Camp trek.
Standing on the foot of Mt. Pumori and Lhotse, Kala Patthar is an incredible excursion to enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas. The grandiose view of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m), Pumori (7,161m), along with the brilliant vista of Khumbu Glacier makes Kala Patthar the most sought after vantage point in the entire Everest region. Most of the trekkers also hike to Kala Patthar to enjoy the mesmerizing glimpses of Himalayan giants during sunrise and sunset.
This is first in our list of best viewpoints of Everest trek and to reach there are two ways to get to Kala Patthar. The first one is by trekking for nearly 8-10 days from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. Alternatively, for the people who have limited time to travel on foot can also take the helicopter ride directly to Kala Patthar from Kathmandu or Lukla.
Gokyo Ri is another, equally impressive, yet far-less crowded viewpoint in the Everest region. Although Gokyo Ri is slightly farther away, many argue that the scenery from this viewpoint is even better than that from Kala Patthar. At the elevation of 5,360m, Gokyo Ri offers a picturesque mountainscape of four 8000m peaks — Mt. Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), and Cho Oyu (8,201m) along with the rare sights of Gokyo lakes and Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas.
Trekking up to Gokyo Ri is quite strenuous but the outlook of the mountains and landscapes are worth the challenge. The most preferred option for traveling to this remote destination is by doing the Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri Trek. However, for people with limited time have an option to fly directly to Gokyo Valley via helicopter from Kathmandu and hike for 2-3 hours to scale the Gokyo Ri. Jaw dropping view from Gokyo ri is admired by every travelers and has secured second position in our list of 10 best viewpoints of Everest trek.
Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital of Khumbu region, remains one of the most favored viewpoints with brilliant stretches of the Himalayas. Carved on the slope of an arch-shaped mountain like an amphitheater, Namche Bazaar is a prosperous Sherpa town with ancient culture, royal hospitality, lively markets, and colorful ambiance.
The first distant sight of Mt. Everest can be seen along the trails from Monjo to Namche Bazaar. However, Sagarmatha National Park Museum marks as the favorite vantage point in Namche Bazaar. Only 20-minutes uphill from the center of Namche, Sagarmatha National Park Museum offers an excellent view of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8,516m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), and Thamserku (6,623m).
Namche Bazaar marks as the second day of trekking in the Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar Trek. It only takes a day hike from Phakding or Lukla to get to Namche Bazaar. For people with the time constraint, Namche is easily accessible via helicopter from Kathmandu or Lukla. The view of contrast between a beautiful Sherpa settlement and giant Himalayas made Namche view point as our 3rd best viewpoint of Everest trek.
The sight from Hotel Everest View is considered as one of the best panoramic views of the Himalayas in the Everest region. Located at 3,962m on the ridge above Namche Bazaar, Hotel Everest View is one of the highest altitude luxury hotels in the world.
This luxury hotel is considerably favored lookout point among the trekker of Everest Base Camp. Grab a seat at the balcony and get yourself a cup of your favorite drink to savor the high mountains looming above the clouds. Hotel Everest View offers the splendid sight of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8,516m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Baruntse (7,129m), Island Peak (6,160m), and Thamserku (6,623m).
An excursion to Hotel Everest View is possible in an acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar. Getting there takes about an hour and half of steep uphill from the center of Namche Bazaar. A few days trek to Hotel Everest View is ideal for trekkers who have lesser time to do the complete Everest Base Camp And Kalapathar Trek but are willing to see Mt. Everest from up-close. Alternatively, people can also take the helicopter ride from Kathmandu to Syangboche airport and walk a few steps to Hotel Everest View.
Tengboche is another famous vantage point located on the ridge above Namche Bazaar at the elevation of 3,867m. Enclosed by the religious and cultural ambiance, Tengboche is home to the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region.
Tengboche village rewards the trekkers with stunning views of colossal mountains including Thamserku (6,623m), Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m), Khumbila (5,761m), Kusum Kanguru (6,367m), Kangtega (6,782m), and Taboche (6,542m). With an incredible close-up view of the world’s most beautiful mountain, Ama Dablam (6,812m), Tengboche deserves a spot on our comprehensive list of 10 best viewpoints of Everest trek.
Tengboche village marks as the midpoint on the Everest Base Camp trek. Getting to Tengboche requires a serious commitment and good physical fitness. It takes 4-5 days of trekking from Lukla to get to Tengboche village.
Most of the trekkers scale the Nagarjun Hill to acclimatize in the higher altitude during the Everest Base Camp trek. But this fleeting excursion, just 4 km away from Dingboche, offers fantastic scenery of the Himalayan giants. Located at the elevation of 5,050m, Nagarjun Hill is an outstanding lookout point in the Everest.
Although getting to the summit is relatively demanding, the mountain vista from the ridge is worth the challenge. The summit of Nagarjun Hill offers a dramatic panorama of Mt. Makalu (8,463m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Island Peak (6,160m), Baruntse (7,129m), Cholatse (6,440m), and Taboche (6,542m).
Despite being considered as a side trip during the Everest trek, an excursion to Nagarjun Hill is highly recommended. However, the travelers must walk for 5-6 days to reach Dingboche and make this tough excursion during the acclimatization day.
Chukhung Ri is another excellent excursion mostly ventured by travellers looking to scale Island Peak or Lhotse. At the elevation of 5,550m, Chukhung Ri offers a panoramic view of never-ending terrains and mountains.
Considerably tough and tiresome, the summit of Chukhung Ri is thoroughly rewarding with glimpses of Mt. Makalu (8,463m), Island Peak (6,189m), and Ama Dablam (6,812m) along with the tranquil glacial lake of Imja Tse. However, Chukhung Ri is considered as the perfect spot to admire the close-up view of Nuptse (7,861m) and Lhotse (8,516m).
Getting there on foot is considerably effortful and challenging. Trekkers have to ramble north-east from Dingboche in an arid and rocky path towards the Chukhung valley before scaling the Chukhung Ri. Generally, the trekkers who commit themselves to the Everest High Passes Trek get to relish the picturesque sight from this rocky peak.
Trekking to Kongde is an exhilarating experience in off-the-beaten mountain trails along the ancient trading routes of Khumbu region. A short hike to a local viewpoint of Farak Ri offers spectacular views unparalleled across the Everest region. At the elevation of 4,680m, over the ridge of Kongde, Farak Ri unfolds a magnificent panorama of the famed peaks like Mt. Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Thamserku (6,623m), and Ama Dablam (6,812).
Getting to Kongde is fairly adventurous and slightly less challenging compared to other treks in the Everest region. Rambling to Namche Bazaar from the Lukla and following the ancient trading route via Thame to reach the remote village of Kongde is the most suitable option to make this trip. However, flying directly from Kathmandu via helicopter is much easier and quicker option to get to Kongde. Or take our short Everest tour with helicopter and add this option. This trek is best choice for travelers who are short in time but are willing to experience the luxurious mountain experience.
Renjo La Pass is one of three major high passes of Everest at the altitude of 5,340m. Although trekking to Renjo La Pass is strenuous, the sight from up top is simply majestic. Renjo La Pass will reward you with the excellent views of Mt. Everest (8,848m), Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,201), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Thamserku (6,623m), Kongde Ri (6,187m), and Kangtega (6,782).
While thousands of travelers do the classic Everest trek, only a few dedicated trekkers make their way to Renjo La Pass. Trekking the western shore of Dudh Koshi River from the serene valley of Gokyo, the zigzag trail to Renjo La Pass is a steep uphill. Getting to Renjo La Pass is quite a challenge and requires serious dedication. Crossing high passes of Himalayas are tough yet Renjola pass is considered the best viewpoints of Everest trek.
At the elevation of 5,535m, Kongma La Pass, is the highest of three passes in the Everest region. Kongma La Pass provides an exhilarating view of the towering mountains including Mt. Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), and Baruntse (7,129m). The summit unfolds the serene lakes right below the pass before tumbling down the vertical pathway to the Khumbu Glacier.
While the view from the summit of the pass is spectacular, the trails to Kongma La Pass is far less-traveled compared to the classic Everest Base Camp trek. After Dingboche, the trails to Kongma La Pass separates from the Everest Base Camp route and splits off to Chukhung valley. The strenuous uphill on the bank of Imja River leads to the summit of the sawtooth ridge of Kongma La. As the route to this rocky cliff is separate from the classic Everest trek, mostly the trekkers who choose the Everest High Passes Trek scale the milestone of Kongma La Pass.
Good article and list. I was hoping to see a visual comparison of the possible views.
I’m glad you labeled some of the peaks shown, as several shots do not show Everest at all.
For example, the one of Namche Bazaar, is looking in the opposite direction.
This minor criticism aside, the trek is definitely worth the time and effort.
Thank you Greg for your time and effort to comment. Viewpoints mentioned here are to see the best views of Himalayas and surroundings from that specific area. Not all the points are subject to offer view of Mt. Everest. We apologies for the misunderstanding.
I like it when people come together and share ideas. Katuscha Baxie Bruce
I want to sip a cup of hot coffee and enjoy beautiful views from Everest view hotel..
best compilation of viewpoints in Everest region..absolutely wonderful
Me too, this really looks awesome. Will enjoy the trip one day soon after COVID.
awesome pics of these viewpoints make me go trekking in Everest region right now!!
that’s a great blog..thanks!!