Dingboche

This stunning bird’s eye view of the village of Dingboche (4,410 metres), taken from the viewpoint (5,050m) on the ridge of yak pasture above the village, offers a glimpse of the harsh living environment for the small settlements around Khumbu. Towered by majestic mountains and deep gorges, the region has very little grounds for farming and combined with a short harvesting period, the settlements here have very few options and even fewer stubborn residents. A 2011 census found that there were only 200 permanent residents in Dingboche.

Kala Pattar

Many thousands of trekkers come to Everest Base Camp, but did you know that the view of Everest is mostly obstructed by a smaller 7,861 metre Nuptse, a gorgeous equilateral triangle of a mountain, similar to the one we’ve all drawn as children? In fact, going up to Kala Pattar at 5,550 metres (400 meters above Gorakshep) has a rewarding and most unobstructed view of Everest. After a good night’s rest at Gorakshep, it is generally advised to hike up early in the morning or late afternoon to catch the fiery dance of colors that reflects across Everest during sunrise and sunset.

Tengboche Monastery With Amadablam In The Background

This photo was probably taken very early in the morning along the trail above Namche Bazaar. It’s a magnificent shot of the EBC trail as it snakes across juniper forest and climbs to Tengboche Monastery, but if you look directly below it, you can also see our Lodge, Everest Summit Lodges, Tashinga in view! At our lodge, we have a stunning vista of Thamserku and if you stay on the top floor, and keep the curtains open on a moon-lit night, the view is luminous.

The Lakes Of Gokyo

If you’re keen to get away from the seasonally crowded EBC trails, extending your trip to Gokyo is well worth it. The glacial lakes are some of the highest freshwater lakes in the world and are about 4,700 to 5,000 metres above sea level. The pristine blue waters, sometimes an emerald colour, should be one of the most photographed lakes in the world, but because of the allure of Everest Base Camp, few decide to take an alternate route to reach here. Sjoerd’s photo is such a love letter to this lake because it juxtaposes the drama of the mountains and the serene calm of the lake, and in doing so gets us to the heart of this stark environment.

Khumbila is a sacred mountain that overlooks the village of Khumjung, and stands at 5760 metres high, or 18,900 feet. It towers over the village of Khumjung, one of the more developed villages in the region, equipped with the Khunde Hospital. According to a story recounted by Susan Haydon in her book “Soundings in Tibetan Medicine”, a woman fell on a steep track and was unconscious for many days, around “Dumje” her husband went to go pray at Khumbila, the staff at the hospital went to go see the festival, and miraculously the woman awoke and walked home two weeks later. The main festival time is in November, called “Dumje”, where it is believed the god descends from his abode and dances in the local monastery.