Everest Short Trek Overview
Himalayan Trekkers’ Everest Short Trek is a perfect journey for individuals with a tight schedule who want to get some of the prospects of the Sherpa land along with close glimpses of the eight-thousanders. It is like the mini version of Everest Base Camp Trek.
As the name implies short, it is a short trekking journey that travels along the first few days of the route to Everest Base Camp up to Namche Bazaar. The Everest Short Trek is a 1-week journey with 4 days of trekking activity. Categorized as a moderate-level trek in intensity, the highest point you reach here is also the Namche Bazaar (3440m).
Name Bazaar is a traditional Sherpa settlement and the business capital of the Solukhumbu (Everest) region. Travelers find this place quite astonishing as it seems so well developed despite its remote feature. Many restaurants, brand Cafes, and lodges are built here since it is also the main gateway to Mount Everest.
Our journey begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla viewing various mountains and settlements from the air. Next, we start to trek along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River. Our trekking trails pass through various villages surrounded by different thick and dense rhododendron, bamboo, and oak forests. As we pass along, we also come across the famed Hillary suspension bridge (named after Edmund Hillary) and finally reach our destination - Namche.
We spend a day in Namche exploring and relishing the beauty of this Sherpa land. We hike to the famous hill nearby called Syangboche where there is the world’s highest-located Hotel, Everest Hotel View which is surrounded by snow-clad Himalayan Peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Nuptse. Visits to the neighboring Khumjung and Khunde village is a great way to learn about the lifestyle there. You can also buy souvenirs in the weekly market. The following day we descend back to Lukla following the same route and travel back to Kathmandu concluding this 7-day Everest Short Trek journey.
Everest Short Trek Highlights
- An Excellent excursion to the world-renowned Everest Region
- A wonderful chance to view Mount Everest
- Explore the Delightful Sherpa community including the famous Namche Bazaar
- Get insight into the culture and lifestyle of the Sherpa community
- Incredible view of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and many other peaks
- Trek along the streams of Dudh Koshi River, villages and cross the Hillary suspension bridge
- Visit the Khumjung Monastery, National Park Museum, Syangboche, Everest View Hotel, etc.
- Chance to discover some wildlife such as musk dear, snow-leopard, bear, wild goat (Jharal), Himalayan cock, and Impeyan pheasant if we got lucky
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How Difficult is Everest Short Trek?
The Everest Short Trek is an easy to moderate 4-day trekking journey. The first day is an easy 3 hours walk from Lukla to Phakding. The second day is a bit difficult as you need to cover more distance and walk for around 6 hours. The trail is also a bit steeper once you enter the Sagarmatha National Park. The final 600 meters ascent to Namche Bazaar could be tough for some. The third day of this Everest Short Trek is for exploring the Namche Bazaar where you will be heading up to Syangboche which requires around 3 hours of uphill walking. The final day where you will descend to Lukla from Namche requires approximately 7 hours of descent.
It is uncommon to get altitude sickness when trekking up to only Namche Bazaar. But we should always be alert about it when traveling to higher altitude places. Namche Bazaar is already high with an average of 3440 meters altitude. Moving slowly and continuously hydrating could work for the Everest Short Trek. But you are always advised to inform the situation to your guide.
When is the best time to do Everest Short Trek?
Everest Short Trek can be done all around the year but the optimum seasons are spring and autumn. Both spring and autumn have clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and an easily accessible trekking trail. The views are also the clearest during these seasons and the chances of flight delay and cancellation are very low. As these are the busiest seasons for trekking, peak climbing, and expeditions, the trails, and the teahouses are always full of other travelers.
Summer is also the monsoon in Nepal with the highest precipitation during the July and August months. The days are hot with high humidity and clouds in the sky. Flight cancellation to/from Lukla is common. The trails will be wet, muddy, and slippery. Similar to many other treks in Nepal, this Everest Short Trek is also not recommended during the summer season. However, it is made possible if you have proper guidance and proper gear. You could get the best views of the Himalayas and the vegetation if the weather clears after the rain. If not, you could find the top of the Himalayas covered with clouds and Fog mysterious.
Along with summer-monsoon, winter is also off-season for Himalayan trekking, firstly because it is the coldest season and as you are traveling to a Himalayan Region, the cold is much more harsh. In case your vacation falls during the wintertime and you want to do this Short Trek to Everest, you could still go till late December. The days are clear and warm, the trails are by yourself only and the views are just as amazing. But the nights are a little bit more extreme than the previous months. Thus, if you are ready for the December trek to Everest, pack some proper clothing to keep you warm at that high altitude with below-freezing nights.
Permits during the Everest Short Trek
Trekkers only need two permits to do this Everest Short Trek which is also called the Namche Bazaar Trek. The first one is Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit which can be obtained in Lukla. The other one is Sagarmatha National Park Entrance as you would be entering the national park area from Monjo. You can get the permit easily in Monjo at the National Park Entrance Gate. The price of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is NPR. 2000 for foreigners and it costs NPR. 3000 for the Sagarmatha National Park Entrance.
