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An often overlooked fact is that there are actually 3 different Everest base camps one can visit, one being in Nepal, and the two others in Tibet. To get to the base camp on the Nepal side involves a 7-10 day trek from Lukla airport. Whilst Everest is not visible from the camp (5350m), the summit of Kalla Patthar (5550m) provides the classic view which is seen so often in pictures. The camp may be hard to find if there are no expeditions busy climbing as the trail zigzags along the Khumbu glacier and changes constantly. There are several fine 6000m peaks to climb in this area as an-add on, such as Island Peak and Lobuje East.

The northern base camp in Tibet (5200m) provides awesome views of the north face of Everest. One can drive up to the hotel at Rongphu from where it is a morning’s walk to the camp. A visit to this base camp fits perfectly with an overland trip between Kathmandu and Lhasa, and is even accessible to non-trekkers. Those wanting more of an adventure can visit the base camp as part of a trek in the region, or continue beyond the base camp to the Advanced Base Camp / Camp 3 (6350m). This is the highest trek in the world – it involves no technical climbing and provides spectacular, close-up views of the massive north face of Everest. There is also the optional add-on of climbing Lakhpa Ri (7045m) from here, which is a relatively nontechnical, but exhilarating, high-altitude climb.

A little visited side to Everest is the Kangshung side, and for good reason – this face is incredibly dangerous to climb. The Kangshung base camp is reached via the Kharta and Kangshung valleys and takes some 6 days to reach from the nearest road. The trek is appealing to those who like to get away from the main tourist routes and provides awesome views of Everest and Makalu. It can be done in combination with a Lhasa-Kathmandu overland trip, and the northern (Rongphu) base camp can also be visited (the trek can also end there).