SHORT BRIEF OF EVEREST REGION

Everest region is, in fact, the backbone of tourism industry in Nepal.  Since Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world, the significance of Everest and Everest region is undoubtedly matchless compared to other peaks and regions.  One cannot deny the fact that the opportunity to see Mount Everest is the fulfillment of ones cherished desire in life.  Just as human beings have a keen ambition in life to reach the moon, in the same way, they are also motivated by the desire to visit Nepal every year to fulfill their lofty goal of seeing Mount Everest and feeling proud and happy after the fulfillment of their highest goal in life.

Prior to reaching Mount Everest, we first enter Khumbu area which is composed of highly areas like Namche, Syabgboche, Thame, Khumjung, Khunde and Tyangboche which are adorned with captivating natural scenery.  In reality, this Khumbu area is the most prominent destination of Everest Region.  It is from here that most of the noted Himalayas like Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawache, Khumbila, Amadablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kangaru, Kangtenga, Kwangde, Imjatse, Tashi Lhaptsa and Nangbala can be viewed at close quartero.   Also some rare wild animals, which are hardly found in any other part of the world are available here including musk-deer, Yak and some excessively beautiful birds like Lophophorous (danfe), pheasants, crow, eagle and vulture.  Similarly, different kinds of trees including pine, fur and rhododendron are also found in plenty.

This Khumbu region is inhabited mostly by Sherpas.  They have their own traditional customs, festivals, dresses, language and culture.  They have got their own monasteries in which they worship collectively.  Bulk of the people in this community are involved in the profession of mountaineering while some of them do business in Tibet.

There are others who carry out small hotel business locally and some others are engaged in raising Yak and Nak as their profession. Many schools and hospitals have been established in different villages of this region under the Himalayan Trust established by Sir Edmund Hillary.  Therefore, some children go to school and some even go to college these days to pursue higher studies.  Potato and buck-wheat are the principal crops grown in this area.

Thus the Khumbu area of Everest region is full of rich natural beauty and vegetation.   However, since there are no other means of transport available to reach this area, helicopters and planes are the only means of transportation.

Lukla (2800 m)

This place is accessible by a 45 minute plane or helicopter flight from Kathmandu.   This is main entry points to Everest region.  Although direct flights of helicopters are operated from Kathmandu to Syangboche Airport, this is also entry point to the Everest region.  Therefore, this is also a renowned place in the trekking route.

Phakding (2830 m)

The tourist groups who come for trekking purpose to Everest region from Kathmandu to Lukla by helicopter or aeroplane can arrive here after a three hours walk ( at the pace of tourists' walking) the same day if they embark on their journey after taking some more refreshment at Lukla they can camp here in the evening. This is the only most important and suitable halting place when trekkers are going up and coming back from the Everest region trek. This place lies along the banks of the Dudh (Milk) Koshi river.

From Sep. 15,2000 Shyangboche Panorama Hotel (SPH) is going to operate new quality lodge in this place.

Namche Bazaar (3440 m)

It takes about 5 hours to reach Namche from Phakding.  This exceedingly enchanting place is the main market place including a Tibetan market of Khumbu area.  A large weekly market takes place here every Saturday.  On the weekly market day people from low land bring foodgrains, fuel and other essential commodities to sell here and local people buy all the commodities they need for the whole week for their consumption and trade.  This is a very busy market which lies within Sagarmatha National Park enroute to Namche from Phakding that can be reached after passing from Jorsalle.  This is also an administrative site of Khumbu area.
Many government offices including the headquarters of Sagarmatha National Park, police check post, bank, army camp, post office and clinic are located here.  The National Park headquarters lies at Chorkang Danda (La) which can be reached after a 15 minutes walk.  A very good museum has been established here.  This museum depicts in a very interesting way all vegetation, flora and fauna including birds found in Sagarmatha National Park and the successful mountaineers who have  proved successful in climbing Mount Everest so far. This is also one of the important places for trekkers going to Everest region.