Written by Akriti Maharjan
Nepal is home to the highest mountain in the world – Mount Everest. Every year thousands of tourists visit Nepal to see Everest and to put it in the background of their pictures.
There are some hills around the valley that you can get a good view of Everest and some other peaks like Daman, Nagarkot and Chisapani. The mountains are visible if the weather is clear. But from such a distance, the giant Everest is just a dot on the horizon. Therefore, here are some of the best ways to view Mount Everest.
Trek to Everest Base Camp
Everest Region Trekking the best way to view the mighty Mount Everest. Walk several days in the beautiful Everest region and you will find several viewpoints of Everest. The trekking can be undertaken by any fit person ready to explore the beauty of the Everest region.
View from Kalapathar
The funny thing is, you cannot see the summit of Everest from Everest Base Camp. Thankfully, most of the Mount Everest Trekking includes a hike to Kalapathar, which is known for the best view of Everest. You can see the whole of Everest, from the base to the top, from Kalapathar along with Nuptse and Changtse and a little of Lhotse. Some of the best pictures of Everest are taken from Kalapathar.
View from Tengboche
If you are not much of a trekker and would like to avoid the strenuous trekking up to the Everest Base Camp Trek, try some easier treks in the region. Take a relatively easier route to Tengboche from where you can enjoy a great view of Everest. In fact, you can enjoy a panoramic view of mountains like Tawache, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku along with that of Everest.
View from Namche Bazaar
If you don’t want to track for too long, then climb up to Namche Bazaar only. A short flight from Kathmandu will drop you at Lukla. You’ll then go on a 10-to-11-hour hike to Namche Bazaar spread over two days. Namche Bazaar is from where trekkers get the first glimpse of the Everest. You can enjoy the view and go back or you can stay one more day to trek up to Everest View and / or Panorama Hotel.
View from Panorama Hotel or Everest View Hotel
Only about an hour hike up from Namche Bazaar are hotels such as Panorama Hotel and Everest View Hotel. They stand on ledges looking over the Everest and gives a 360 degree view of the amazing peaks.
Fly to Syangboche, Avoid Trekking
Many people are not aware of this, but you can fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and then again fly to Syangboche. No trekking is required, if you choose to view the Everest this way. Tara Airlines offers flights using Pilatus Porter, Dornier and Twin Otter aircraft. Then from Syangboche you can view the mountains or go to the two hotels mentioned above for a panoramic view.
Everest Flight
Everest Flight is perfect for those who do not want to trek at all or cannot or people who do not have much time but still want to have a glimpse of the Himalayas. It is a one hour round trip that offers a spectacular view of the amazing peaks, lakes and glaciers. Mount Everest is the main attraction of this tour. People can view Everest from the plane at a distance of about 20 miles!
Everest Helicopter / Heli Tour
Fly to Everest in a Helicopter. You can see other peaks along the way too. Then, depending on the itinerary of your choice, you can experience what trekkers can without trekking. Some travel plans take you up to Syangboche from where you can see the Everest as well as go around a little on a cultural tour. You can also fly all the way to Base Camp!
Mount Everest, being a popular destination in Nepal, has a lot of options to choose from. Regardrless of trecking abilities or available time, anyone can enojy one of the best views of Mount Everest.
Here’s a glimpse at the Himalayas from the Nepali border:
