Best way to see Everest while in Nepal

You don’t need to plan a strenuous multi day trek to see Mount Everest. There are scheduled fixed wing flights and helicopter flights which guarantee the Everest view. It is also possible to do short and easy luxury lodge trek to the popular Everest view points. Road trips are another exciting way of getting close to Mt Everest.

See Everest without strenuous trek

Mt Everest is in the bucket list of many. But being the highest peak in the world, it is located in the most remote part of the Himalayas surrounded by many other daunting peaks. The most popular way of seeing Mt Everest until now is two weeks' strenuous trek. But there are several other ways of experiencing Mount Everest for those limited in time or if trekking is not their style of travelling.

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Everest Experience Flight

The Everest experience flight known as mountain flight refers to the one hour fixed wing flight to see the mesmerizing Himalayas with Mt Everest in the morning. The flight done with only window seat passengers guarantees the view of Mt Everest. The 100 nautical miles of this flight hovers along the Himalayas jagged with almost half of the world's highest peaks making it the most remote, pristine and magical landmass on earth. One can get as close as 5 nautical miles from Mt Everest and have the dramatic view of Everest national park with Khumbu Icefall.

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Everest Helicopter Tour

A private helicopter charter is another popular way of seeing Mt Everest. The four hour trip not only provides exotic aerial view but also allows you to feel it from the ground. Highlights of the trip are landing at Kalapattar (5,450 m) near Everest base camp and breakfast at Everest view hotel - Shyangboche (3,800 m) . The flight also encircles the base camp providing up close view of Khumbu icefall and Everest.

USD 5,000 5,500 for charter.

As soon as the helicopter takes off from the Kathmandu airport, a breathtaking view of snow peaks appears in our sight. After about 45 minutes of scenic flight, it briefly lands at Hillary airport, Lukla for refueling. Lukla is renowned as one of the most challenging airports and it is thrilling to watch Jetstream landing and taking off. The helicopter then fly up the Dudh Kosi valley wedged between Kongde and Kusum Kanguru peaks. Other spectacular peaks like Thamsherku, Amadablam, Tauche peak unfold ahead. Finally the valley ends at the Himalaya's biggest rock face forming the buttresses of Mt Lhotse and Mt Everest. Feel the ground stepped by famous climbers and admire the peaks making the top of the world. Fly to the Everest view hotel perched on the ridge overlooking at the Everest panorama for breakfast before flying back to Kathmandu.

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Short Everest treks

A short trek based on comfortable lodges is a pleasant way of experiencing the cultural and natural traits of Everest national park which enlists the national park as a UNESCO Heritage site.

Everest Experience Trek 5 day

The 5 day Everest experience trek goes up to Namche Bazaar allowing you to visit Sherpa villages with panoramic views of Mt Everest and other spectacular peaks. The charming Sherpa villages offer ample accommodations, ranging from simple homestay to luxury lodges with hot showers, warm dining and scrumptious food. Availability of boutique luxury lodges make your experience even better.

Short Everest Trek

Everest view from Pikey Peak

For those not comfortable to fly in and out of Lukla, a trek to Pikey Peak is the popular short alternative trek. Mt Everest from Pikey Peak (4,067 m) is only about 40 miles away as the crow flies. Mesmerized by the view, Sir Edmund Hilary once said, “Pikey Peak is the most astounding place to gaze at Mt Everest.”
The trek dwells into the lower Everest region with fewer tourists and gives great insight into the Sherpa culture and the Himalayan view of the Everest region from its foothills. Comfortable weather throughout the winter with no worries of flight cancellation (no flight required) and relatively lower budget make the trek one of the best ways to see Mt Everest.

Pikey Peak Trek

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Everest North Base Camp from Tibet

Because of travel restrictions and permit / visa regulations, it is most popular to organize Tibet tours with Everest north base camp tour from Kathmandu. You either join the 8 days fixed departure tour that leaves every Saturday from Kathmandu or organize a private tour. The driving tour enters Tibet from Kerung border in the north of Kathmandu and then cruises through the plateau overlooking the Himalayas. Spend a night at Rongbuk monastery at 4,980 m and admire the spectacular view of Mt Everest. The tour then visits the cultural sights of Shigatse, Gyantse and Lhasa and then flies back to Kathmandu.
Flying to Lhasa and then driving to Everest north base camp gives you more time to acclimatize.