Mount Everest - The Highest Peak in the World

Mount Everest, also named Mount Qomolangma in Tibetan Language, is the highest mountain in the world. With an elevation of 8,848 meters (29,029 feet), it is also renowned as the Third Pole of the World. Located at the border of China and Nepal, central region of Himalaya Range, the north ridge (in China) of Everest in Tibet has a gentler slope than the south ridge in Nepal, therefore the north ridge route is more chosen by mountaineers. The main body of Mount Everest shapes like a giant pyramid, along with a large glacier stretching more than 26 km. It forms an amazing mountain waves together with other peaks around. The summit capped with the layer of snow varies year to year. Standing there, the mighty mountain is the dreamland of mountaineering adventurer. Meanwhile, it is also a lifetime destination for tourists to gaze out the iceberg from the Everest Base Camp (EBC).

Mt. Everest has been a holy climbing attraction for world’s mountaineers. There are two routes to the summit of Mount Everest, one is from the northern side (in Tibet) of Everest and the other is from the southern side (in Nepal).   Since 1921 when the first expedition was launched by George Mallory and Guy Bullock, mankind took nearly 10 hard attempts to climb up the summit of Mount Everest but all failed until 1953, when the New Zealander Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay conquered the summit at 11:30 am local time on 29 May via the southern route. Since then, they are followed by a lot of mountaineering enthusiasts.

On some clear sunny days, the gathered clouds and fogs look like a huge flag flying above Mt. Everest as the peak resembles a mast. This breathtaking landscape is the famous Flag Could. Flag Cloud is a natural wonder only appearing on clear sunny days. It is said that the experienced mountaineers can tell the wind direction, wind speed and wind force. Therefore, the Flag Cloud is praised as the Highest Wind Vane above the Sea Level. It is very luck for tourists to witness the beautiful Flag Cloud. 

Sunrise and Sunset

Witnessing the sunrise or sunset of Mount Everest must be an unforgettable experience for everybody. When the first sunlight shines on the summit, Mount Everest begins to show its face gradually from the darkness, and the sky becomes yellow, orange and red. It is more than amazing to enjoy such a spectacular scene. Sunset is no less beautiful than sunrise. Mount Everest turns into a giant bright pyramid when the last sunlight shines on the summit. Don’t forget to take your camera to record these precious moments.

Sunrise Time: about 6:00 - 7:00; Sunset Time: 17:30 - 18:30

Starry Sky

No matter in the daytime or at night, Mount Everest will never fail to give tourists a pleasant surprise. You will be shocked by such a shining pure sky if you can stand the really low temperature at night. The sky is embellished with countless twinkling stars which weave a dreamlike veil with diamonds. This splendid scenery will free all your anxiety and sorrow, and make you admire this magical nature. Sometimes, you are able to appreciate the shooting stars if you are a real luck dog. 

Visit Attractions around Mount Everest

Rongpuk Glacier

As the biggest glacier in Everest, Rongpuk Glacier is located at the high altitude area between 5,300 to 6,300 meters, about 3-4 hours' hiking from EBC. With a total length of 22.4 km, about 85.4 square kilometers, it is one of the most magnificent landscapes. There are many best preserved glacial wonders, such as the ice pagodas, ice bridges, ice towers, ice cliff and more spectacles, which win Rongpuk Glacier the reputation of Largest Park on the High Mountain by those climbing pathfinders. Once getting to the splendor world, it's like you are walking in the heaven. Besides, Rongpuk River flowing along the Rongpuk Monastery comes from the melt water from the glacier.

Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp is the highest place in Mount Everest that tourist could reach, also the starting point of mountaineers. For mountaineers who want to climb up higher, Everest Base Camp (EBC) is the most important base and the rest area to adjust the low oxygen environment and reduce the risk of altitude sickness for couple of days. Since there is no road for vehicle moving forward from the EBC, the expedition groups usually deliver their equipment and supply here by car or truck. Also as a tourist base camp, EBC is the ideal place to catch a glimpse of Everest in the near distance. With basic accommodation condition, tourists can stay overnight at EBC to enjoy the sunrise in the early morning.

Rongpuk Monastery

Rongpuk Monastery (Rongbuk Monastery) is the highest monastery above the sea level in the world. With both monks and nuns lived and practiced there, Rongpuk Monastery is quite special. In the main hall worshiped a statue of Padmasambhava. There is a flock of yaks fed by the Buddhists in the monastery, and you can take the picture with them with their permission. About 8km away from EBC, Rongpuk Monastery is another perfect site to view Mount Everest. There is a guesthouse close to this monastery, where you can have a basic accommodation.

It takes about 2-3 days to drive from Lhasa to Mt. Everest via Shigatse due to the multiple winding road and rate-limiting regulation. People usually stay a night in Shigatse and then keep driving about 7 hours from Shigatse to meet Mount Everest. On your driving journey, you will get a fantastic view of the endlessly-stretching snow-peaks if weather permits. Rongbuk Monastery with an altitude of 5,100 meters is the world's highest monastery situated on the foothills. In order to protect the fragil environment, all private vehicles and tourist buses are not allowed to enter the ecological environmental zone of Mount Everest. They have to stop in the Parking Lot (about 20km away from Rongbuk Monastery) and travelers need to take the scenic environment-friendly park bus to Rongbuk Monastery. It takes about 30 minutes to get there.

Get to Mt. Everest from Katmandu

The journey from Katmandu to Mt. Everest usually takes 2 days. You need to get to Gyirong Port at the border first. Though the distance is only about 160km, it takes more than 6 hours to drive to Gyirong Port from Kathmandu because the road is narrow and bumpy. In rainy season, the road is muddy and may be closed for landslides. The next day, keep driving about 8 hours to finish the rest of your trip. On the way, you will have a chance to see the clear face of Shishapangma Peak and enjoy the beautiful view of Pekutso Lake on clear days.

Check more information about How to Get to and around Everest

Equipped with electricity, the EBC is more like a tourist camp for visitors to stay overnight and appreciate the majestic Everest. Whether you come for traveling or climbing, here is some additional travel information you should know.

● Travel Documents: Traveling to Mt. Everest or EBC in Tibet, apart from Chinese Visa, you should prepare Tibet Travel Permit, Alien Travel Permit and Boarder Permit issued by different departments. For Mt. Everest Mountaineers, you need to get the Mountaineering License issued by Tibet Mountaineer Association. >>More about Permits for Mount Everest

● Best Time to Visit: The best time for traveling or climbing Mt. Everest is the periods between late April and early June, along with early September and late October, with relatively mild and steady weather with less rain or snow. No matter when you go, please keep a very close eye on the weather there. >>More about Mount Everest Weather

● Essential Things to Pack: Due to the high elevation with UV radiation and harsh weather, there are some essentials you should take, including bottled oxygen, medicine for high altitude, down clothing, sun cream with high SPF, lip balm, sunglasses, gloves, etc. Besides, you'd better pack some food and water because the meals on the Everest can only meet the basic demands. Also bring some cash since the stores don’t accept credit cards. For other heavy stuff, the less to bring, the better you can enjoy.

● Accommodation & Dining: Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse and Tent Guesthouses (both located near Rongbuk Monastery) offer the service with basic condition. You can take single bed and have staple food in Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse, or join the camp to stay overnight and finish a quick meal. The camp is only available from May to early October. The choice is made according to your itinerary.

● Postcard Mailing: There is the world's highest post office near the Tent Guesthouses. You can buy a postcard with the special Everest postmark and send it to your friends or just take it with you. It will be awesome.

● Everest Trekking: For climbing amateur, the 2 hours hiking route from Rongbuk Monastery to EBC is worth trying and most chosen. When getting closer to the highest mountain step by step, you can feel your strong heartbeat. >>More about Mount Everest Trekking