- Kalapatahr Altitude 5,545 meters
- Above Gorakhshep and near from Everest base camp
- It is about 2 hours of ascending
- Good to hike early in the morning before sunrise
- Another suitable time to climb is to explore sunset
Famous climbing mountain hill Kalapathar is the best point to encounter the closed view of Mount Everest including more than 20 other Himalayan peaks with best sunrise and sunset view. It is near Everest base camp and above Gorakshep. Kalapathar is a 5,545-meter mountain hill and climbing it without any climbing permit. Consider as best sunrise and Everest view, Kalapathar is best to climb early in the morning exploring sunrise view and evening for best sunset on high mountains. The Nepali meaning of Kala Pathar is the black stone where huge black stone is around.
Due to the structure of the Everest massif, its high summit is blocked by Mt Nuptse from most of the other areas' surroundings. Kalapathar is the place popular in the region of Mount Everest to provide the most accessible closeup view of Everest. Ascend to Kala Pathar begin from Gorakshep. Gorakshep is the last lodge point and also an original Everest base camp. Kalapathar ascent makes its way up a series of steep switchbacks before leveling off somewhat as it crosses to the eastern side of the mountain. The trail then becomes steep once again until it reaches the wind-swept summit ridge. From there, a five- to ten-minute scramble over boulders takes one to the top, which is marked with prayer flags. The full ascent usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours starting from Gorakshep.
List of main Mountain View from Kalapathar
- Close up view of Mount Everest (8,848m)
- Mount Pumori (7,161m)
- Mount Lhotse (8,516m)
- Mount Nuptse (7,561m)
- Amadablam (6,812m)
- Changtse (7,543m ) – Tibetan mountain
- Lingtren (6,749m)
- Lobuche East (6,119m)
- Cholatse (6,400m)
Sunset view on Mount Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse view from Kalapathar
Trekking to Kapathar
Trek to Kalapathar is 12 days standard itinerary. 12 days is including 2 days acclimatization days on the way Namche and Dingboche. Trekking is taking both way fly of Lukla. Opportunity to reach Everest Base Camp and climb Kalapathar. Trekking through beautiful Sherpa villages staying in locally build trekking guest houses. The professional peoples provide tourist standard accommodation and food.
Kalapathar Trek itinerary
Day 01: Fly to Lukla (2,860m) and trek to Phakding
Day 02: Trek to Namche
Day 03: Acclimatization in Namche hike to Everest view
Day 04: Trek to Tengboche monastery
Day 05: Trek to Dingboche
Day 06: Dingboche acclimatization and hiking around
Day 07: Trek to Lobuche
Day 08: Trek to Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp
Day 09: Climb Kalapathar and trek back to Pheriche
Day 10: Trek back to Namche
Day 11: Trek back to Lukla
Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu
Kalapathar best season to trek
The best season trek to Kala Pathar is from the month of March till May and September to the month of December. Autumn and spring season is sunny days with clear weather. Fly to Lukla airport always depend on good weather. Only early morning flight of Lukla cannot fly during day time due to heavy windy. The best time to climb Kalapathar is at early morning. Less vegetation area is heavy windy after morning time. Evening time for Sunset is also a good time to climb Kalapathar. The whole autumn and spring seasons are not only good for Kalapathar trek but also the best time for the entire Trekking in Nepal.
Kalapathar Trek cost
The cost of Kalapathr trek depends on group size. If you are a single person can operate Kalapathar trek any date you want. Nepal Highland Treks organize this trip with a professional trekking guide and porter. Small group joining trips with Nepali trekking company also can be joined in the main trekking season. Trek is with Everest base camp and you can expect USD 1290 per person based on small group joining the trip.
Packing list for Kalapathar Trekking
The packing list is based on 12 days Kalapathar trekking
- Round cap to protect from the sun during a sunny day
- Warm head cover cap
- Muff to cover mouth from heavy wind and cold
- 2 pairs warm inner thermal and trouser
- 1 pair warm outer trouser
- 1 pair windproof warm outer trouser
- One pair of light and warm jacket or sweater
- One pair down jacket
- One pair of wind proof jacket
- 2 pairs of light shocks
- 2 pair of warm socks
- 1 pair light shoe or sandal
- 1 pair warm waterproof trekking shoes
- 2 pairs light trouser or half paint for walking during the day and hot temperature
- 3 to 4 pairs of light t-shirt
- Warm glove
- Raincoat (cover body and backpack)
- 20 litter polar bag for trekking, carrying yourself (Trekking bag pack)
- Duffel bag, (Nepal Highland Treks provide you in Kathmandu) for porter
- Down Sleeping bag with its Inner (You can take from Nepal Highland Treks in returnable)
Other accessories
- Headlamp with enough battery
- Camera and its battery
- Battery charger
- Trekking sticks
- Phone and charger
- lip care
- Sun cream
- Toilet papers
- Hand wash lotion
- Thoth brush add the paste
- Washing shop and bath shampoo
- Quick-dry towel
Note: You can buy the above mentioned trekking equipment in Kathmandu Nepal also.
Kalapathar with Helicopter
Kalapathar and Everest Himalayan region can explore by Helicopter. 3 to 4 hours Helicopter flight tour land at Everest Base Camp, Kalapathar, and Best Everest viewpoint. Tour starts from Kathmandu airport. 4 person at a single flight is suitable to share the cost. The total cost of the Everest Helicopter Tour starts from USD 3700 . It fly to Lukla and then Everest Base Camp. Landing at EBC depends on weather conditions mainly wind, similarly landing at Kalapathar. Landing at Everest view Hotel to stay long time and have your breakfast. The helicopter tour only starts after good weather confirmed.
Kalapathar Helicopter tour, Land at Kalapathar
Short itinerary for Kalapathar Trek
Kalapathar trek can be also short. Trek to Kalapathar and Everest Base camp and fly back with helicopter after the trek to EBC and climbing Kalapathar. It will be 9 days trek and flying back Kathmandu.
Day 01: Fly to Lukla (2,860m) and trek to Phakding
Day 02: Trek to Namche
Day 03: Acclimatization in Namche hike to Everest view
Day 04: Trek to Tengboche monastery
Day 05: Trek to Dingboche
Day 06: Dingboche acclimatization and hiking around
Day 07: Trek to Lobuche
Day 08: Trek to Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp
Day 09: Climb Kalapathar and Fly back to Lukla by helicopter and regular fly back to Kathmandu.
