Everest Base Camp

Known as Qomolangma in Tibetan, Mount Everest is the world's tallest peak standing at an elevation of 8848m, appearing as a gleaming pyramid in the distance. The summit lies within Tibet's border, and the southern facing slopes are in Nepalese territory. With 4 peaks over 8,000m visible, the views from the northern approach to Everest are considered some of the most impressive in all the Himalayas, and more spectacular than those on the southern side in Nepal. Located around 100km south of the Friendship Highway at an altitude of 5,150m above sea level, Everest Base Camp was first used by the 1924 British Everest Expedition as they prepared to conquer the peak. The area has now been designated as the Qomolangma Nature Reserve, and a bumpy gravel road allows easy access to viewpoints of the north face of Everest. A short distance from Everest Base Camp is Rongbuk Monastery, dating from around 1900 and the highest monastery in the world. The monastery houses some impressive murals and provides some great photo opportunities with Everest in the background. The cliffs around the monastery are dotted with meditation caves, and many stones are carved with prayers and sacred symbols.

Everest Base Camp can be accessed as a day trip from the guesthouses of Tingri or Shegar. For those wanting more time at base camp there are rooms in the Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse, although facilities here are very basic. The best times to visit the Everest region for clear views is April, May, early September and late October.