Best Viewpoint in Everest region: Kalapatthar

Introduction

‘Kala Patthar’ which means ‘black rock’ in Nepalese language, is one of the remarkable landmarks in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It appears as a big brown bump below the impressive south face of Pumori. 

Kala Patthar is popularly known as the best Mt. Everest viewpoint in the Himalayas. It offers stunning 360-degree views of various iconic peaks such as Everest, Nuptse, and Changtse, along with glances of the northern flank and summit of Lhotse. 

This expedition is very popular among trekkers in the Everest region as this is the highest altitude that one can reach without a climbing permit and offers a close-up detailed view of Mt. Everest as well. It is just 9.3 km away from the Everest base camp, offering an amazing view of the entire Mahanalgnur Himalayan Range. Its drainage basins feature Dudh Kosi, Sun Kosi, Kosi, Ganges, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. 

During the Popular Everest Base Camp Trek, you can reach here by doing a hike from Gorakshep. This place is usually popular for its beautiful sunrise and sunset views.

Location

Kala Patthar is situated on the south ridge of Mt. Pumori, above Gorakshep. According to the GPS survey, the site is located at coordinates 27°59.750’N, 86°49.705’E, and sits at an altitude of approximately 5,545 meters (18,192 feet) above sea level. 

 

Amazing Facts that you didn’t know About Kala Patthar  

• Kala Patthar offers one of the best views of Mount Everest, despite not being the highest point in the area.
• Although Kala Patthar is not as high as Everest, it still provides a challenging trek for adventure seekers due to its location at a significantly higher altitude. 
• Kala Patthar provides a better panoramic view of Mt. Everest than the Everest Base Camp itself. 
• Moreover, the trek to Kala Patthar is the highlight of the Everest base camp trek because it offers stunning vistas. 
• Kala Patthar is not an actual mountain since it has a projection of only 10m/33ft. 
• The weather gets freezing cold at Kala Patthar even during the daytime, temperatures drop significantly due to its high altitude. It makes it hard for trekkers especially in the early mornings when they make ascent. 
• Even though it's at a high altitude (5,645m) it is an ideal site for those who want to experience high-altitude trekking without any technical climbing skills and experience majestic views of the Himalayas..
• Kala Patthar is a very photogenic site, making it the most photographed location in the Himalayas. 
• Kala Patthar is featured in the legendary Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon route, which is one of the world’s highest marathons which is held annually in the Everest region.

What's the best time to climb Kala Patthar?

Pre-monsoon season:

Spring (Mar-May) is an ideal and popular time to climb, considering the clear and stable weather along with spectacular views of Mount Everest. During day time, the temperatures can range from around -10°C to 5°C (14°F to 41°F) whereas, at night time, It can drop to around -15°C to -20°C (5°F to -4°F).

Post-Monsoon Season:

Autumn (Sep- Nov) is a good alternative time to climb Kala Patthar because the temperatures are cooler than in spring, however, it is manageable for trekkers. Similar to spring, temperatures range from -10°C to 5°C (14°F to 41°F) in the daytime and drop to -15°C to -20°C (5°F to -4°F) at night.

Winter:

(Dec- Feb) It is possible to climb this time but it gets challenging due to extreme cold temperatures and the risk of heavy snowfall. Temperatures are colder even during daytime, usually ranging from -15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F). Especially at night, It can plunge to -20°C to -25°C (-4°F to -13°F) or even colder. So, it is considered less ideal time to climb Kala Patthar

Monsoon Season:

(Jun- Aug) All the pouring rain makes the journey risky and dangerous. The trail gets slippery, there are higher chances of landslides and flight cancellations. Temperatures can range from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F) in the daytime and drop to -10°C to -15°C (14°F to 5°F) at night, making monsoon season, the least favorable time to climb Kala Patthar.  

 

How to reach Kala Patthar ?

• By helicopter

Usually, the helicopter tour starts from Kathmandu or

Lukla, quite early in the morning about 6 am, and, ends by noon. This is ideal for those who are short on time and strive to experience the journey in total comfort.

The flight departs from beautiful Kathmandu Valley and makes a quick stop at Lukla for refueling. Then the flight continues to Kala Patthar, flying over the classic villages of Pangboche, Dingboche, and Tengboche.

 

• By Trekking 

The majority of travelers prefer trekking to reach Kala Patthar. The travelers who are headed towards Everest Base Camp are the usual visitors to this site. Which is why most people like the trekking route. 

The journey commences with a little flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Upon arriving in Lukla, the trek starts towards Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Pangboche eventually into Gorak Shep. This is the final stop before reaching Kala Patthar. 

After climbing for 2 to 3 hours, you will reach the viewpoint surrounded by stunning panoramic views of Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks. 

 

FAQ'S

Can you see Mount Everest from Kalapatthar?

Yes, not only Mt. Everest instead you’ll get to see the entire mountain landscape of the Everest from Kalapatthar. Kalapatthar is also commonly popular as the best viewpoint to see the mt. Everest.

 

What is Kalapatthar famous for?

Kalapatthar is mostly popular for its majestic panoramic view of Everest(Sagaramatha) and other mountains in the Everest range.

 

Is Kalapatthar higher than Everest Base Camp?

Yes, the top of the Kalapatthar is higher than the Everest Base Camp as it is at an altitude of (5,645m) compared to (5,364m) of the EBC.

 

How long does it take to trek to Kalapatthar?

We will reach the Kalapatthar top on the 10th day of our 14-day EBC trek. So the next day of reaching the Everest Base Camp we will climb the Kalapatthar.

 

Final Thoughts,

If you’re seeking the most breathtaking, unobstructed view of Mount Everest and exploring authentic Sherpa culture, then Kala Patthar is your destination. Making up there is not an easy journey however, it’s definitely worth the panoramic reward it offers.

Standing at the best viewpoint of Everest, with the world's highest peak right before you, provides an unexplainable feeling that you must experience to understand.

When you are heading for the Everest Base Camp, you should definitely not miss the Kala Patthar. it's not just a place to see, but a place to feel deeply!’

Feel free to contact us for more travel-related information and arrangements at www.hikingbees.com 

 

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