Hikers in the Nepalese Himalayas have two serious choices: The Khumbu (Everest) region (West), or the Annapurna region (East). I have done both but spent more time in the Everest 
region. I liked both and my advice is without a doubt - do both. They are different and they are both spectacular.
region. I liked both and my advice is without a doubt - do both. They are different and they are both spectacular.The Everest region trek starts at the little village of Lukla (2,850 m / 9350 ft) that's a 45 min scenic flight from capital city, Kathmandu. Lukla is notoriously unreliable for flights due to the unstable weather. The small airstrip (351 metres long) is at an approx 10 degree angle and quite a thrill to see the small planes landing and taking off. Little margin of error for mistakes - if the plane can't stop in time, or don't take off in time, it will tumble deep.
From Lukla it is a rather boring walk (compared with the rest of the hike) through the village of Phakding and then on to the awesome little mountain village of Namche Bazar which is tucked away in a "mountain bowl" at a height of 3,440 metres (11,286 ft) at the low point. Stay over for the night, hike the area, and get used to the high altitude.
From here head up to the village of Khumjung (2,850 m) and its famous Thame Monastery. From here the 
scenery gets real impressive all the way up to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) where you stay the night and climb the nearby hill at 4:30am to see sunrise over Mount Everest directly to the east. This is one of the best places to see Mount Everest. From Gokyo Ri the peaks and lakes of Gokyo Ri, the path back-tracks a little south and then head over the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the largest glacier in Nepal. Next stop is the Dragnag (4,700 m) stop with its dreadful facilities and then over the impressively dangerous Cho La Pass (5,330 m). From here is non-stop awesome mountain scenery all the way down through Dughla (4,630 m) and up to Lobuche (4,830 m) where again 
the facilities are pretty basic. Sleep again, get used to the high altitude, and if you don't get sick, head up further north to Gorak Shep (5,184 m) and up to Everest Base Camp (5,363 m).
Don't expect too much at Base Camp, and head back to Gorak Shep with a few hikes in the area, including the sunrise hike up to Kallar Patthar peak (5,545 m) with another good view of Mount Everest. Then down south to the beautiful setting of the Dingboche village (4,420). From here go further south through Tengboche (3,867 m) and back to Namche Bazar (3,440 m), and back down to the airstrip of Lukla. The area offers several impressive peaks such as the king itself, Everest (8,850 m), Nuptse (7,861), Lohtse (8,414 m), Taboche (6,367 ), Ama Dablam (6,858 m).
scenery gets real impressive all the way up to Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) where you stay the night and climb the nearby hill at 4:30am to see sunrise over Mount Everest directly to the east. This is one of the best places to see Mount Everest. From Gokyo Ri the peaks and lakes of Gokyo Ri, the path back-tracks a little south and then head over the Ngozumpa Glacier, which is the largest glacier in Nepal. Next stop is the Dragnag (4,700 m) stop with its dreadful facilities and then over the impressively dangerous Cho La Pass (5,330 m). From here is non-stop awesome mountain scenery all the way down through Dughla (4,630 m) and up to Lobuche (4,830 m) where again 
the facilities are pretty basic. Sleep again, get used to the high altitude, and if you don't get sick, head up further north to Gorak Shep (5,184 m) and up to Everest Base Camp (5,363 m).Don't expect too much at Base Camp, and head back to Gorak Shep with a few hikes in the area, including the sunrise hike up to Kallar Patthar peak (5,545 m) with another good view of Mount Everest. Then down south to the beautiful setting of the Dingboche village (4,420). From here go further south through Tengboche (3,867 m) and back to Namche Bazar (3,440 m), and back down to the airstrip of Lukla. The area offers several impressive peaks such as the king itself, Everest (8,850 m), Nuptse (7,861), Lohtse (8,414 m), Taboche (6,367 ), Ama Dablam (6,858 m).
Few things to keep in mind:
- Get a good Sherpa guide. By law you must take a guide. Cost is about US$10-20 per day.
- Take freeze dried food as the further up you go, the worse the guest-house food gets.
- Water is cheap but like food, the further up you go, the more expensive it gets (up to $2 a bottle. Feel free to drink fresh glacier water.
- Don't consider doing it in or near winter. Too much snow on the trails will be suicidal.
- Warm clothes all year round.
- Follow the rules on altitude hiking and don't try to out-do the rules. Every day people get sick and some need to be rescued by helicopter.
- A good idea to be in good shape - its a tough hike!
- Rent spanking nice clothing and equipment in Kathmandu's many rental stores. Very affordable and good quality (like new) at least where I rented.
Tell Everest I'll be back soonest!
