Everest & Rolwaling

Everything here moves on a higher plane, and you can’t quite say you’ve been trekking in Nepal until you’ve gazed upon the dark cone of Everest (8848m) and its majestic companions Cho Oyu (8188m), Lhotse (8516m) and the jewel of the Khumbu, Ama Dablam (6812m).

Most Nepalis have never seen Everest, but identify proudly with it. It’s no wonder then that everyone who comes to Nepal feels compelled by its gravitational attraction. It is after all one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The Khumbu region boasts a range of highly organised teahouse trails that get busier every year, and for good reason. The views on the Everest Base Camp trail are simply unbeatable. The hospitality of the local Sherpas is legendary, and cultural celebrations such as October’s Mani Rimdu mask festival are life affirming.

Those who care for a quieter fortnight often divert to the string of turquoise lakes that crowns the Gokyo trek. But there are many more intimate moments to be had in the shadow of Everest. New trails are being blazed across the region with a focus on more cultural experiences. On the Indigenous People’s trail, you can learn how to play the Tamang ‘damphoo’, consult a Thami shaman, or while away the day fishing with the local Majhis before enjoying a fresh fish BBQ on a sandy bank.

There is adventure too. The ‘Three Passes Trek’ will take you on a romp into the heart of Sagarmartha National Park, and if that’s not enough you only need to follow the route into Makalu taken by Eric Shipton and Edmund Hillary via the ‘Three Cols’ route. Or pursue the old ‘short-cut’ for local Sherpas to Kathmandu by taking the Tashi Labsta pass into the Rolwaling valley to the west. The region may be famed for its sky-piercing peaks and Sherpa hospitality, but it also offers wonderful opportunities to swap mountain experiences for cultural ones.

Top Treks

Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lake – 17 days

Nepal’s most famous trek. Join fellow trekkers to see the dark cone of Everest up close and enjoy warm Sherpa hospitality. Trekking Style: Teahouse/Lodges

Everest to Rolwaling Traverse via Tashi Labsta – 28 days

Spectacular trek combining Everst Base Camp, the Cho La pass to Gokyo Lake and the challenging Tashi Labsta pass into Rolwaling. Trekking Style: Teahouse/ lodge and Camping

Explore more treks in Everest & Rolwaling

Fast Facts

  • Everest is also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet; the Everest region is known locally as the Khumbu
  • Its home to three of the highest peaks in the world: Everest 8848m; Lhotse, 4th highest at 8516m; and Cho Oyu, 6th highest at 8201m
  • The Sherpa people of the Khumbu are so closely associated with the trekking business that the name Sherpa is also given to a specific role on a trekking team
  • Rolwaling Himal is home to Tamang, Sherpa, eastern Gurung and the indigenous Thami people
  • While Rolwaling Himal has no formally protected areas it is rich in plant and bird species and wildlife including red panda, black bear and leopard cat!
  • Buddhist culture in the Khumbu, while Rolwaling Himal offers the chance to learn about how Hinduism, Buddhism and Shamanism have blended together over time

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