Guidebook to trekking in the Everest region of the Himalaya in Nepal, including Thame Valley, Lukla to Namche, Everest Base Camp from Namche and Gokyo (the Cho la and Phortse route), plus two routes in Tibet (the Rongbuk route and the Kharta Valley). Also describes the new Three Passes trek (Dingboche to Namche via Kongma La, Cho La, Renje La).

Everest has an eternal appeal for mountain lovers and the classic trek to Everest Base Camp is high on the bucket-list of many trekkers. Fully researched after the devastating earthquake of 2015, this guidebook covers the most popular route in the Khumbu Valley, from Lukla via Namche Bazaar and Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, the best viewpoint for Everest. It also describes the classic route from Jiri to Lukla taken by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, as well as a trek north to Gokyo with its spectacular lakes and the peak of Gokyo Ri. Finally, the Three Passes Trek, also starting in Namche, links the region's major passes and valleys.

The guidebook includes suggestions for side trips and time spent in Namche Bazaar, Pangboche, Dingboche and Gokyo, as well as two treks approaching Everest from Tibet - Tingri to Rongbuk Everest Base Camp and from Kharta to the Kangshung Face.

The guidebook is packed with essential advice on trekking in the Himalayas, including planning and preparation, trekking formalities, health and acclimatisation, as well as notes on culture and the fascinating history of the region, making this a complete guide to exploring the area.

Contents

Introduction
Visa arrangements
Getting there and travelling around
Kathmandu Valley
The Everest Region (Solukhumbu)
Trekking routes in Nepal
Accommodation and food
Drinking water
Trekking styles
Seasons and weather
Fitness, health and emergencies
Respect others on the trail
Hazards en route
Equipment
Trekking formalities
Communication
Budget
Minimum impact trekking
Cultural interaction
Using this guide

Trek 1 Jiri or Salleri/Phaplu to Chheplung and Lukla
Prologue Kathmandu to Jiri
Section 1 Jiri to Shivalaya
Section 2 Shivalaya to Junbesi
Section 3 Junbesi to Ringmu
Alternative start Salleri or Phaplu to Ringmu
Section 4 Ringmu to Surke
Section 5A Surke to Chheplung (for Namche Bazaar)
Section 5B Surke to Lukla

Trek 2 Lukla to Namche Bazaar
Prologue Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
Section 1 Lukla to Phakding
Section 2 Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Trek 3 Namche Bazaar to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Kala Patthar
Section 1A Namche to Sanasa via Tenzing Norgay Chorten and Khyangjuma
Section 1B Namche to Sanasa via Khumjung
Section 2A Sanasa to Pangboche via Tengboche and Deboche
Section 2B Sanasa to Pangboche via Mong La and Phortse
Section 3 Pangboche to Dingboche (or Pheriche)
Section 4 Dingboche (or Pheriche) to Lobuche
Section 5 Lobuche to Gorakshep
Section 6A Ascent of Kala Patthar (5645m/18,520ft)
Section 6B Hike to Everest Base Camp (5275m/17,306ft)

Trek 4 Namche Bazaar to Gokyo
Section 1A Namche to Sanasa via Tenzing Norgay Chorten and Khyangjuma
Section 1B Namche to Sanasa via Khumjung
Section 2 Sanasa to Phortse Thanga
Section 3 Phortse Thanga to Machhermo
Section 4 Machhermo to Gokyo

Trek 5 Three Passes Trek
Section 1 Namche to Sanasa
Section 2 Sanasa to Pangboche
Section 3 Pangboche to Dingboche
Section 4 Dingboche to Chukhung
Section 5 Chukhung to Lobuche via Kongma La
Section 6 Lobuche to Dzongla
Section 7 Dzongla to Gokyo via Cho La
Section 8 Gokyo to Namche Bazaar via Renjo La and Thame

Everest from Tibet
Introduction
Trek 6 Tingri to Rongbuk Everest Base Camp
Trek 7 Kharta to the Kangshung Face

Appendix A Summary of treks
Appendix B Selected trekking peaks in the Everest Region
Appendix C Index of place names
Appendix D Useful websites
Appendix E Selected lodges in the Everest Region
Appendix F Glossary