The 3 Cols of Everest - The Khumbu at its Best

One of the World's great trekking trips, this expedition sends you over 3 wild cols and through the main 4 valleys of the Khumbu.

Charlie Boscoe

Images

Lukla1.jpg
NamcheBazaar1.jpg
Nepal 2010 271.jpg
The Khumbu's version of a traffic jam on the way to Thame

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 270.jpg
A porter carrying his load beneath Kongde

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 266.jpg
Looking west from Thame, up towards the Rolwaling peaks

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 273.jpg
Moody views in the upper Khumbu

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 274.jpg
The peaks just beginning to reveal themselves

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 276.JPG
Looking down on Gokyo

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 287.jpg
Massive views across to Everest from the col

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 282.jpg
More massive views!

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 280.jpg
On the col, with Everest behind

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 292.jpg
Yaks heading down to Gokyo, with the distinctive summit pyramid of Everest visible behind

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 277.jpg
On the final ascent to the col

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 286.jpg
Looking east to Kangtega and Makalu

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 259.JPG
Looking across to Machermo Peak just after departing Gokyo for the glacier crossing to Dragnag.

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 303.jpg
Dudh Pokhari lake

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 270.JPG
Cho Oyu (the 6th highest mountain in the World) as seen from the top of Gokyo Ri

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 276.JPG
Looking down on Gokyo village on the descent from Gokyo Ri

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 273.JPG
Summit! And what a view to reward your efforts

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 282.JPG
Typically wonderful Khumbu views from the Cho La

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 285.JPG
Descending the snow on the far side of the Cho La

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 327.jpg
The north face of Tawache and Ama Dablam dominating the view on the way down to Dzonghla.

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 284.JPG
On the way down the snow, just below the Cho La

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 298.JPG
Ama Dablam as seen from the tent doorway in Dzonghla

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 303.JPG
Pausing on the traverse around to Lobuche

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 317.jpg
Beneath the north face of Cholatse

by Charlie Boscoe

Everest 2009 301.JPG
Dzonghla in all its glory

by Charlie Boscoe

EBC1.jpg
534748923_84b7d2dc4b_o.jpg
15094746501_75dc8c2a68_o.jpg
15566992836_bc2112d378_o.jpg
5244760824_1fdf33bdd9_o.jpg
42854317865_7bb0059d7e_o.jpg
Everest 2009 313.JPG
Made it! The hallowed spot.

by Charlie Boscoe

Licence Free

Everest 2009 317.JPG
Typical terrain on the day's hike.

by Charlie Boscoe

Licence Free

Everest 2009 315.JPG
Success! A happy team at EBC.

by Charlie Boscoe

Licence Free

Nepal 2010 354.jpg
Epic views of Ama Dablam on the descent from the Kongma La

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 350.jpg
Looking east from the col

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 348.jpg
Enjoying the panorama from the col

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 353.jpg
Blissful views on the way down

by Charlie Boscoe

Nepal 2010 351.jpg
Looking across to the epic west face of Makalu

by Charlie Boscoe

P1130257.JPG
Typically wonderful Himalayan views

by Charlie Boscoe

P1130256.JPG
Moody views near Pheriche

by Charlie Boscoe

Description

The classic Everest Base Camp trip is a justly popular trek but this one is (whisper it quietly) even better. It covers much of the same terrain as the classic route but adds in 3 col crossings and takes you through wilder areas.

The initial section of the route is shared with the Base Camp trek but once you leave the Sherpa capital Namche Bazaar you can expect some solitude. The cols themselves are non-technical but all are exciting and offer scarcely believable views of the World's highest mountains.

The trip takes around 3 weeks and taking so much time off work might seem like a big call, but it is well worth it to complete one of the greatest mountain journeys in the World.

Adventures

Everest Base Camp Trek: Lukla to Phakding

Day 1: A gentle start to a long trip, the day starts amongst the bustle and noise of Lukla and ends at the peaceful village of Phakding on the shore of the Dudh Kosi river.

Namche to Thame

A wonderful day of trekking to a famous and atmospheric village.

Thame to Marulung

A beautiful day of trekking even deeper into the mountain wilderness that is the upper Khumbu.

Gokyo Ri

It might not be highest summit in these parts but the view from Gokyo Ri is hard to beat!

Dzonghla to Lobuche

A short day which provides view after view as you enter the highest mountains in the World.

Everest Base Camp Trek: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar

Day 7: Although it is of course possible to descend straight back to Lobuche from Gorak Shep, the ascent of Kala Patthar (a small rocky peak overlooking Everest and the Khumbu Glacier) is highly recommended and is well worth a final bit of uphill effort before the long walk back to Lukla.