Everest Solukhumbu: Interesting and justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain, but also for its Sherpa villages and monasteries, the Everest, or Solukhumbu area is the second most popular trekking destination in Nepal. The primary objective of Everest treks is either the Everest base camp, about 5,340 meters, or Kala Pattar, an unassuming 5,545 meter hump on the southern flank of Pumori (7,161 meters), which provides a fine view of Everest (8,848 metres).

The Everest region may be reached by STOL (short take-off and landing) airstrips at Lukla (2,800 metres), Shyangboche (3,700 metres), or Phaphlu (2,364 metres) or by an eight-day trek from the road head at Jiri, 188 km from Kathmandu. Those who fly to Lukla miss the historic and culturally fascinating route followed by the Everest expeditions of the 50's and 60's although the trek has changed substantially in the past decades. It is best to take the time to walk from Jiri, then after acclimatization and conditioning afforded by the trek, visit base camp or climb Kala Pattar and either fly out from Lukla or walk back by an alternative route to Kathmandu. Those who insist their time is limited can fly to Lukla and spend as little as six days to visit Namche Bazar and Thyangboche exploring this unique region. It is ill advised to attempt a quick visit to base camp, because of the lack of time for acclimatization, if you fly in to one of these airstrips. You should allow at least eight or nine days to reach the base camp region if you fly to Lukla; the return from base camp to Lukla can be made in as few as four or five days, so an absolute minimum of two weeks is required for a safe trek to base camp. The timing is further complicated because flights to Lukla often do not work as planned, so those with a tight schedule would do well to allow a few spare days for both the flight in and the flight out.

Everest Gokyo: The second part of our trip heads up the Dudh Koshi Valley, crowned by the 8.153-meter peak of Cho Oyu and its companion peak Gyanchung Kang. Gokyo vs. Kala Pattar is a favourite argument: those who have visited both seem to rate Gokyo slightly higher. Despite this, it gets fewer trekkers; the lure of Everest Base Camp is too strong. Take the trail on the valley's west side. Head through small summer herding settlements to skirt the giant Ngozumpa Glacier and arrive at a series of small lakes. Gokyo (4,750 meters) is a tiny herding settlement by the third lake and has several lodges. Climb the 5,483-meter peak to the north-west (also dubbed Kala Pathar) for views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, plus a host of smaller peaks. Several more lakes and Cho Oyu Base Camp lie north up the glacier.