Kala Patthar provides a clear panoramic view of Mount Everest and nearby peaks

  • Sarba: My soul finds its grace and pace in the embrace of the mountain.
  • Last Updated on Oct 15, 2024
Most people think of Everest Base Camp when considering a view of Mt. Everest. However, seasoned Sherpas and trekkers who have been in the area will tell you that the best view of Everest is from Kala Patthar.
The Everest trek is popular because it offers the opportunity to witness the world's highest peak in its full majesty. While the Everest Base Camp Trek is the most famous trail, the base camp itself doesn't offer a clear view of the mountain. Because of the lay of the land, Everest is nearly always obscured by Nuptse. Kala Patthar, however, at 5,644 meters above sea level, offers an unsurpassed panoramic view of Mt. Everest and those peaks that surround it.

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Where exactly is Kala Patthar?

Kala Patthar is located in the Khumbu region of Nepal within the Sagarmatha National Park. The peak lies on the south ridge of Pumori, which is right above the tiny settlement of Gorak Shep. Geographic coordinates are position 27°59.750′N and 86°49.705′E. Even though Kala Patthar is a rocky peak with steep ridges all around, the way up is comparatively easy, with the path well-marked, and goes over boulders right up to the summit. It is situated just about 3 km away from Gorak Shep, a place from where sunrise and sunset over the Himalayas can be easily viewed.

How far is Kalapatthar from Lukla?

The trek from Lukla to Kala Patthar generally takes 7 to 8 days, including two acclimatization days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. Due to the uneven landscape, it's hard to actually measure the distance. Generally speaking, Lukla to Everest Base Camp is about 65 kilometers, while on the whole round for EBC trek, it covers about 130 kilometers. Therefore, a general estimate is that the average human walks at roughly 5 km per hour.
Gorak Shep is the closest point to Kala Patthar, and from there onward, it's 1.5 km upward to the top; this will take about 2 to 3 hours of walking. The last part of this trek would be relatively easy.

What is the exact altitude of Kala Patthar and why is it famous?

Kala Patthar forms part of the Mt. Pumori ridge and due to the location of its summit, sometimes gives confusing information; however, it identifies very easily because of colored Buddhist prayer flags on the top. There is variation in citing the elevation of Kala Patthar in different sources. Most books and maps have indicated its height as between 5,545 and 5,550 meters (18,192–18,209 feet). However, during December 2006, the elevation was measured at 5,600 meters by Dr. Luis A. Ruedas, Assistant Professor at Portland State University, using a Garmin eMap GPS. A subsequent measurement confirmed this reading-according to another researcher using a WAAS-enabled GPS, the coordinates of the summit are 27°59.751'N, 86°49.705'E (WGS84 datum), with an elevation of 5,644.5 meters above sea level.
Kala Patthar provides one of the prime viewpoints for viewing Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks, hence an en-route destination for every trekker and mountaineer. It stands at 5,644 meters (18,519 feet) above sea level, thus making it the highest altitude in the Everest region to which trekkers can reach without any need for a climbing permit. Most of them get up to an early morning hike to Kala Patthar, enjoy a thrilling sunrise over Everest and peaks around it, making the whole scene unforgettable. With rich history related to Everest exploration, this viewpoint has been popular among climbers and trekkers for several decades. This route to Kala Patthar also goes through the iconic Sherpa villages to show the lively culture and traditions of these people.

Best time to visit Kala Patthar

By nature, the weather of most mountainous regions is unpredictable, and Kala Patthar is no exception at an altitude of 5,644 meters. During summer, the temperature generally stays near freezing, in a range from 5°C to -5°C, while during winter it may fall as low as -20°C.
Weather conditions in mountaineering are a big challenge, so good weather is a must for trekking and expeditions. Due to the fact that strong winds are quite common, climbing usually is not safe after noon. It would be better to avoid trekking during this noon time period and to check reliable forecasts before going on your trip.
At altitude, the air is thinner, and altitude sickness can be very serious if not taken care of. A person should be on a healthy diet, be well hydrated, and include rest days for acclimatization during a trek.
The best time to hike in the Himalayas-Kala Patthar included-is in spring, from March to May, and in autumn, from September to November. At these times, the weather is normally mild; during the autumn, there may even be the possibility of observing local festivals and seeing at close quarters the beauty of snow-capped peaks. Spring is the best time for trekkers and mountaineers, especially those intending to climb Mt. Everest, as the high jungles of the Himalayas bloom with rhododendron and magnolia flowers, adding beauty to this already beautiful region.

How to Get to Kala Patthar?

Kala Patthar, meaning "Black Rock" in Nepali, holds a significant place in the history of Everest exploration. For decades, climbers and trekkers have been drawn to this vantage point for its panoramic views of Everest and its neighboring peaks.
It is important to note that Kala Patthar is the highest altitude you can reach in Nepal without a climbing permit. Due to Everest's unique structure, Kala Patthar offers the best views of the peak compared to surrounding areas, making it a must-visit for almost everyone trekking to Everest Base Camp.
Most Everest Base Camp treks begin with a flight to Lukla in the Khumbu region. From there, the trek passes through iconic Sherpa settlements like Namche Bazaar and Tengboche before reaching Gorak Shep. Many trekkers leave their belongings at Gorak Shep and head to Everest Base Camp first. After returning from Everest Base Camp, they typically spend a night at Gorak Shep, the closest settlement to the base camp.
The trek to Kala Patthar usually takes place the following day. To avoid the afternoon winds, it’s advisable to start early. The sight of the early morning sun hitting the surrounding mountains from Kala Patthar is truly breathtaking. The challenging but rewarding hike from Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar takes approximately two hours.
For most trekkers, Kala Patthar serves as the final destination before beginning the return journey to Namche Bazaar and finally to Lukla, from where they can fly back to Kathmandu or Manthali.
Sarba: My soul finds its grace and pace in the embrace of the mountain.

Sarba: My soul finds its grace and pace in the embrace of the mountain.

Mr. Sarba is an energetic, multifaceted travel expert at Nepal Nomad, a reputed local travel company that has been running tour operations for 18 years. Being the owner, tour manager, and managing director of the company, Sarba's impetus has been vital in its growth and success. Nepal Nomad puts great emphasis on the safety and enjoyment of its clients, and provides enthusiastic teams of guides, porters, and mountaineers.
The guides and porters are trained in various skills for safety, such as first aid, map reading, and methods of evacuation for all tourists. Added to this, all members speak multiple foreign languages, hence it aids in communicating with the clientele base from different corners of the world. Nepal Nomad does excel in providing tailored itineraries with fixed departures so as to make any tour more endearing to its clients. Any inquiries regarding prices or other information can be forwarded to the very friendly in office staff. For a travel experience combining expertise, safety, and personalized attention to detail, Nepal Nomad is the ideal choice.
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