How to See Everest: 10 + 1 Everest Trekking Ideas

With so many routes and itineraries to take in the magnificent Sagarmatha – as she’s known in Nepal – it can be somewhat daunting to narrow down which experience is best for you. And let's be honest, with a sight this breathtaking, it's not uncommon to want to experience it more than once.

So, for those planning to see Mount Everest but still need to figure out where to start, this guide will take you through the eleven best ways to soak in the region. From a short taste tester with magnificent views to a more immersive experience – such as a three-week traverse in the Everest region – find your right trek below for an experience that will deliver memories to last a lifetime.

The ‘easy’ way: Everest Trek

This short 12-day trek is an introduction to the villages and culture of the Sherpa people; explore the colourful markets of Namche Bazaar, marvel at the famous Thyangboche monastery (the spiritual heart of the Khumbu region), and visit Khunde and Khumjung villages where Sir Edmund Hillary established the region’s first hospital and school through the Himalayan Trust.

Following established trails, you will view many of the world’s highest peaks, including the emblematic summit of Everest. The Everest Trek departs between October and May – view trip details. 

For jaw-dropping views: Everest Base Camp High Flyer

This innovative itinerary allows the typically 18-day route to be completed safely in just two weeks. Currently, this is the shortest Everest Base Camp trip available on the market and appeals to trekkers with limited time.

To reduce the trip length without compromising on acclimatisation, safety or your overall experience, we replace the return journey on foot with an exhilarating helicopter flight from Lobuche back to Kathmandu. The 14-day Everest Base Camp High Flyer departs between October and April – view trip details.

Get off the crowded yak train: Gokyo & the Renjo La

If you feel the world’s highest mountain is becoming a mainstream climbing destination, head west instead towards Gokyo Lakes. This is a truly remote area where you'll see few other trekkers. Trekking slowly through Sherpa villages and yak pastures, you will not only avoid the busier trails but also gain stunning panoramic views, particularly as you weave your way to the top of the 5,400m/17,717ft Renjo La pass.

The irony? You get to see much ‘more’ of the Everest summit compared to the views on a Base Camp trek as you take in the Himalayas from a better vantage point! The Gokyo & the Renjo La Trek departs from September to May – view trip details.

The trek that 'has it all': Everest High Passes

Experience the best highlights of the Everest region on one trek! This challenging trek will satisfy the ambitious trekker intent on crossing high passes without the commitment of any technical climbing.

The ultimate way to reach the best vantage points of the Everest region, you will experience vibrant Sherpa culture at its capital in Namche Bazaar before crossing the Cho La, Renjo La & Kongma La to gain unsurpassed views of some of the world's highest mountains, including of course Mount Everest. Everest High Passes In Comfort can be travelled in March and between September and November – view trip details.

The family option: Everest Family Trek

Take your family on the trip of a lifetime on this short trek in the Everest region, suitable for children as young as 13. Allowing generous acclimatisation time and following a leisurely pace, this trip brings together some of the must-have experiences in the Himalaya.

Think of stunning views of Mount Everest, interactions with the local Sherpa culture, a spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, and a visit to the Thyangboche Monastery – the spiritual centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The Everest Family Trek departs between September and May – view trip details.

The double whammy: Everest Circuit & the Cho La

Combine our Classic Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes with a stunning non-technical Cho La pass crossing for an unsurpassed circuit trek of the Everest region.

Climb Gokyo Ri (5,483m/17,989ft) and Kala Pattar (5,545m/18,192ft) for magnificent views of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Cholatse and the beautiful pyramid of Ama Dablam.

There is also time to visit the expedition camps scattered around the famous Everest Base Camp. Each night you will be accommodated in our private eco campsites and handpicked eco-lodges. Everest Circuit & the Cho La departs between September and May – view trip details.

Walk at a relaxed pace: Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar for over 55s

This well-paced trek includes all the highlights you would expect from a trekking tour in the Everest region. The added value is that you'll have extra time to acclimatise whilst exploring the often-overlooked villages of Khumjung and Pangboche.

The longer duration of the tour also provides the best chances of climbing Kala Pattar for unrivalled views and photo opportunities of Mount Everest.

Sleep well at night in comfortable eco-lodges and our exclusive private eco campsites.  The Over 55s' Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar departs in September, October, March and April – view trip details.

The classic bucket list trek: Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar

This Everest trekking holiday is designed to fulfill the dream of many adrenaline-seekers to experience the historic route to the base of the world’s highest mountain. After a slow ascent through picturesque Sherpa villages, visiting traditional monasteries and enjoying the spectacular scenery, the trip culminates with a fine opportunity to trek to both Everest Base Camp and the nearby peak of Kala Pattar for stunning views of the mighty Sagarmatha. The Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar departs between September and May – view trip details.

See Everest from Tibet without any trekking: the High Road to Lhasa

Take in all the incredible highlights of Tibet on this relaxed journey. Spend time in the Holy City of Lhasa, visit the Dalai Lama's Potala Palace and explore places like Gyantse and Shigatse. On this trip, you will have stunning views of Everest's Kangshung Face (East Face). Driving to the Rongphu Valley, appreciate the vastness of the North Face of Everest before heading back to the Kathmandu Valley.

There is no walking involved, and for everyone in good health, this journey provides a fantastic opportunity to experience the mighty Himalayan region and Chomolungma, as she is known to Tibetans.

Discover Everest at your own pace: Self Guided Everest Trek

Enjoy doing your own thing when it comes to travel but want the perks of a group tour? Trek to the heartland of the Sherpa culture under your own steam with the flexibility of a self guided trip where trail logistics, maps, route descriptions, accommodation, and luggage transfers are all taken care of, so you can focus on seeing Everest at your own pace.

This journey is a great introduction to the Himalaya region, where you walk through the famous villages of Namche and Khumjung, experience the comfort and solitude of our private eco campsites, and ascend trails to Thyangboche monastery to get an authentic experience of the renowned warmth of the Sherpa culture. Our Self Guided Everest Trek departs daily between October and May – view trip details.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) – The Full Traverse

The full Nepal Great Himalaya Trail, the so-called “trekking’s holy grail,” is a 150-day journey across Nepal and was first available as a commercial trek through World Expeditions. It's genuinely an exploratory venture, covering 1,700 kilometres (1,056mi) from Kanchenjunga in the east via the Everest region to Yari Valley in the west, and features trails up to 6,190m (20,308ft) above sea level. All of Nepal’s 8,000m (26,247ft) peaks can be viewed along the way, with opportunities to experience remote cultures in hidden corners of Nepal.

In addition to the Full Nepal Traverse, which takes over five months to complete, the Great Himalaya Trail can be broken into seven smaller sections, from 18 to 34 days, and can be joined separately. GHT: The Full Traverse traditionally departs in late February – view trip details.

For more information and bookings, please get in touch with our team of travel experts from around the world or view the full trip details from each trip page.

Which Everest trek appeals to you? Let us know in the comments below.