Adventure travel specialist, World Expeditions, which has operated small group treks in Nepal for almost 50 years, says there are plenty of ways to experience Mt Everest without the crowds.
World Expeditions operates treks all over Nepal, many of which involve days of trekking in remote regions where it’s uncommon to see another trekker. Here are six ways to experience Nepal and Mt Everest without crowds.
The first, most obvious way is to avoid ascending beyond Everest base camp, where climbers form long lines to reach the summit. This is good news for trekkers because these are mountaineering expeditions – not trekking expeditions – and World Expeditions does not offer mountaineering expeditions to summit Mt Everest.
World Expeditions’ most popular trek to base camp is the 17 day Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar, a quality, all-inclusive trek to Everest base camp. From Kathmandu, travellers take a short scenic flight to Lukla, the start point of the trek. Ascending very gradually to base camp from Lukla, the trail passes through Sherpa villages and includes a trek up Kala Pattar.
The second way is to take an alternative route. Treks such as the Gokyo and the Renjo La is a trek in the adjacent valley to the Mt Everest route and is comparatively deserted although trekkers will see Mt Everest and experience Sherpa culture.
The third way is to choose the Annapurna region. There are dozens of stunning walks in the Annapurna region, of which Mt Dhaulagiri is the dominant peak. Often based out of Pokhara, the Annapurna region is at a much lower altitude than Everest region, making for easier trekking and denser forests, with giant rhododendrons a dominating vegetation.
Fourth, choose an exploratory trek. World Expeditions has a long association with world class mountaineers, such as Tim Macartney-Snape, Jon Muir and Andrew Lock, all of whom lead treks into regions which have not been walked commercially before.
Fifth, the Great Himalaya Trail is a 150 day trek across the Himalayas. World Expeditions has operated the trek since 2013 and remains the only company to offer the trail in its entirety. The Great Himalaya Trail is made up of 7 individual treks, all of which cover comparatively remote regions.
Lastly, see Everest from Tibet on a non-trekking itinerary. A highlight of the 13 day High Road to Lhasa is a visit to the famous Rongphu Valley to see Mount Everest’s north face from the historic base camp used during the expeditions led by Mallory in the 1920s. Unlike the better known Everest base camp in Nepal, the historic base camp is shared by only a handful of dedicated travellers each year.
According to World Expeditions CEO, Sue Badyari, going remote has been a consistent message to travellers.
“We have long encouraged trekkers to seek out alternative trails, as a way to avoid over-tourism,” Ms Badyari says. “Our treks all over the world are designed for travellers who want to get off the main tourist trails and to go remote.”
“The Everest region is no exception,” she said.
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