Kala Patthar Trek – Everything you need to know

Kala Patthar Trek – Everything you need to know

The Kala Patthar Trek from Gorak Shep takes trekkers to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Himalayas and perhaps the world.

From the top you will have the best view yet of Mt Everest as well as the other Himalayan giants such as Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse and the peak of Lhotse. It is truly one of the most brilliant panoramas I have ever experienced.

More: Three Passes Trek Itinerary & Independent Trekking Guide

About the famous Kala Patthar Trek

VIEWPOINT KALA PATTHAR HEIGHT: 5643 M

For English translation, Kala Patthar literally means “black rock” in the local Nepali language. It's easy to see why when you approach it, as it is a prominent rock jutting out from the southern ridge of Pumori (7161M), not far from Gorak Shep (5160M).

Kala Patthar is a very popular trek especially because most Everest Base Camp trekkers include it in their itineraries so that they can have a view of Mount Everest.

The rock itself is not a peak and does not require any special training or climbing equipment. However, due to its location, the Kala Patthar viewpoint offers spectacular panoramic views that some much higher peaks simply cannot offer.

Trekking tips

Read on for some quick trekking tips before heading to the peak of Kala Patthar.

Start early

During peak Himalayan trekking season, the trail to Kala Patthar can become very crowded. To avoid the crowds, I recommend setting off early, just before sunrise. Not only will there most likely be fewer hikers, but you'll also have the best chance of clear weather for the perfect panorama.

Make sure you are acclimatized to 5643M

The Kala Patthar Trek takes you to a height of at least 5643 m above sea level. For this reason, proper acclimatization is strongly recommended to avoid the risk of altitude sickness or AMS. Since I'm not a doctor, I can't give you any tips on how to get used to it. However, most trekkers follow strict acclimatization strategies on the way to Gorak Shep to avoid problems while reaching the peak of Kala Patthar.

Bring warm clothing for the peak

This should go without saying for anyone thinking of hiking to such high altitudes. Let me tell you that the temperatures at the top of the Kala Patthar Trek can get freezing cold! Since you'll probably want to spend a little more time up there enjoying the view, be sure to bring extra layers!

Carry a physical card

There is no substitute for a good physical map when you are in the Himalayas. The best map for Kala Patthar, Everest Base Camp and The Three Passes Trek can be purchased here.
alt=“Kala Pathar viewpoint sunrise hike in the mountains of Everest Base Camp”>

Travel insurance for the Kala Patthar Trek

For most hikers hoping to tackle the Three Passes, travel insurance is high on their priority list.

I always purchase travel insurance from WorldNomads.com as I believe they are the best for adventure travelers. It includes cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities, including trekking in the Himalayas.

You can buy online and claim even after you leave home. WorldNomads.com travel insurance is available to people from over 130 countries.
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Kala Patthar on the Three Passes or Everest Camp Trek

Kala Patthar is usually not a standalone destination, but rather a side trip on larger Khumbu trekking routes such as the Three High Passes Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek.

I am sure many other trekkers share my opinion when I say that Kala Patthar is more of a trekking highlight than Everest Base Camp itself. Not only is it a more rewarding trek as you have to climb to a higher altitude, but it also offers much better views. And of course you will see the peak of the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, which stands proudly in the Himalayan landscape at 8848 m.
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At the moment, my guides are the only sources of free content available online for the Three Pass Trek. If you are looking for more information you can also get a copy of the Lonely Planet: Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya Book which was very useful to me.

READ FULL BLOG POST FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP: Everest Three High Passes Trek Day 10 – 12 EVEREST BASE CAMP – ULTIMATE GUIDE

The Kala Patthar trekking guide

The Kala Patthar Trek begins on the other side of the sand bowl at Gorak Shep. You'll notice a sign pointing up the hill to a rocky outcropping draped in prayer flags at the top. It's difficult to miss the path as you've no doubt seen hikers pacing up and down as you enter Gorak Shep.

The trail itself begins by winding up the bowl along rocks and dirt before leveling out and heading up in a straighter direction toward the summit.

The average trekker takes around 1.5 hours to reach the Kala Patthar viewpoint. However, the descent will be much faster as it is all downhill. Allow 4 hours total, including time at the top to enjoy the views.
alt=“Kala Pathar viewpoint sunrise hike in the mountains of Everest Base Camp”>

Track color gradients

The climb is quite steep, reaching an altitude of 5643 m. However, since hikers start at an altitude well over 5000 m, it is a much easier climb than other Three Passes and Everest Base Camp excursions such as Chukhung Ri.

The steepest part is towards the end of the hike, but you'll have a clear view of the black rock draped in prayer flags, making the climb much easier.
alt="Mt. Pumori from Kala Patthar viewpoint">

The View of Kala Patthar – Which mountains can you see from Kala Patthar?

By now you have heard so much about this view of Kala Patthar. But which mountains can be seen from Kala Patthar? From the top, you'll get panoramic views of the world's highest mountains, including Mount Everest, Mount Nuptse, Mount Changtse, Mount Lhotse, and Mount Pumori. You will also see the colorful tents of Everest Base Camp under the Khumbu Icefall.

Mount Everest

The mountain everyone wants to say they've seen. Just one look at mom is enough to tick a huge box on anyone's bucket list.

The summit of Mount Everest rises above the Himalayan landscape at 8848 M. From Kala Patthar you can see the summit and the entire south face made famous by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay on May 29, 1953.

Strange as it is, Mount Everest doesn't look like the highest mountain in the region even from the top of Kala Patthar. This is because Everest is much further away than the other giants.
alt=“Kala Pathar View Everest Base Camp”>

Mount Nuptse

Nuptse is another incredible mountain located just two kilometers from Mount Everest. It sits at an altitude of 7861M. From the Kala Patthar viewpoint, you can see the entire mountain that stands proudly in front of Mount Everest.

Trekkers have a love-hate relationship with this incredible mountain. For one thing, it's a really great peak, but for another, it completely blocks Mount Everest from Everest Base Camp!
alt=“Kala Patthar viewpoint sunrise hike in the mountains of Everest Base Camp”>

Mount Changtse

Mount Changtse means “northern peak” in Tibetan. The peak is 7583 m high and lies north of Mount Everest in Tibet.

Although Changtse is physically connected to Mount Everest via the North Col, the mountain is not climbed as often as other climbing peaks below 8000 m due to the administrative difficulties of climbing in Chinese Tibet.
alt=“Mountains of Gorak Shep”>

Mount Lhotse

Mount Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world and stands at an altitude of 8516 M. It is a truly incredible peak and a much tougher peak than Mount Everest. It is part of the Mount Everest massif, connected via the South Col.

Similar to Changtse, it also has a Tibetan name indicating its location relative to Mount Everest. The translation is “South Peak”.

The border between Tibet and Nepal is drawn using its peak as a reference, with the peak bordering both countries.
alt="Kala Pathar View">

Mount Pumori

Although it is not the highest mountain that can be seen from the Kala Patthar Trek and Summit, Mount Pumori might be the most spectacular. Although it is only at 7161 m, it certainly looks bigger than the others due to its very close proximity to the Kala Patthar peak.

If you read the sections earlier, the Kala Patthar trek is actually part of the climb to Mount Pumori. Pumori can be translated into two words in English. “Pumo” means little girl or daughter and “ri” means mountain. Therefore, Pumori can be translated as The Mountain Daughter.
alt=“Mount Pumori Kala Pathar”>

What is the best time for trekking in the Everest region?

What is the best time to attempt the Three Passes or Everest Base Camp Treks? Both hikes can be completed at any time of the year. However, it is better to trek during the recommended trekking seasons for better weather and better chances of clearing the passes.

March to May

From March to May, the Khumbu region enjoys a spring climate. This is the most popular season for trekking and expedition climbing. During this time there is little rain, the skies are clearer and the days are warmer. At lower altitudes you can also see flowering plants and lush rhododendron forests.

For the Kala Patthar Trek, this is the best season as you have a higher chance of having an unobstructed view of Everest.

September to November

Another popular season for trekking in the Khumbu and Everest regions is just after the monsoon from September to November. During this time the clouds clear and the weather is less hot. The landscapes at lower altitudes are also much greener and the weather is typically free of storms.

However, it can be a little colder at night than in the spring trekking season, so be prepared and bring an extra thick sleeping bag.

Kala Patthar viewpoint – sunrise in time lapse

Here is a time lapse from the summit of Kala Patthar showing all the mountain peaks and the clouds passing by the Himalayan Gods.

Three Passes: Independent Trekking Guide Ebook

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Since internet connection is limited in the Khumbu, I have written a comprehensive trekking guide to the Three Passes that you can download as an eBook for use on your phone, tablet or e-reader.

I currently have this eBook listed on Amazon at a discounted price of less than $6!

Photos from Kala Patthar Trek and Peaks

Before you head out, check out some of these photos of the Kala Patthar trek and peak to inspire your early wake-up in the cold!
alt="Sunrise Hike to Kala Pathar">
alt="Sunrise Trek Panorama from Kala Pathar Gorak Shep">
alt="Three Passes and Everest Base Camp Trek from Gorak Shep">
alt=“Kala Pathar viewpoint sunrise hike in the mountains of Everest Base Camp”>
alt=“Kala Patthar viewpoint sunrise hike in the mountains of Everest Base Camp”>
alt=“Kala Pathar viewpoint sunrise hike in the mountains of Everest Base Camp”>
alt=“Mountains of Gorak Shep”>

MY CAMERA AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT

• Spiegellose Kamera: Canon R5
• Drohne: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-Grad-Action-Kamera: Insta360 One X2
• Landschaftsobjektiv: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8L
• Allround-Objektiv: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• Teleobjektiv: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4,5–7,1 L
• Lange Aktionsstange: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
• Landschaftslinsenfilter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• Kamerarucksack: F-Stop Tilopa
• Lieblingsfotozubehör: Peak Design Capture Clip

For a list of my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why), check out my Travel Camera Gear Guide.

If you would like to use any of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my Print Store or contact me directly for customs deductions of images on We Seek Travel.
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