About the Everest-Rolwaling section of the trail
This region needs very little introduction, being the most visited trekking region in Nepal. It is of course home to not only the highest peak in the world, Everest 8848m, but also to the 4th highest Lhotse, 8516m and to the 6th highest, Cho Oyu, 8201m.
The Everest region, or the Khumbu as it is locally called, is so well known and visited that it has excellent trekking infrastructure such as lodges where you can even get rooms with attached bathrooms, menus of bewildering variety and lots of company from other trekkers. By comparison, fewer people venture west of the main trails into Rolwaling Himal, so the experience to the immediate west is far more rugged although there are now some tea houses and organised camp sites along the way.
The Everest region is accessible over the high passes from the east or, as it is more generally accessed, from the south by flying or walking in to Lukla. If accessing the area from the eastern side, you must be prepared for the high passes coming out of Makalu region and if you intend to trek west into Rolwaling Himal you must be prepared for serious mountaineering in the infamous Trashi Labsta (5760m). The Rolwaling Himal section of the Great Himalayan Trail is also easily accessible by roads heading north from Kathmandu to Bharabhise, Charikot, or Jiri.
While Everest is renowned for hospitable Sherpa culture, fewer people experience the cultural diversity of the Rowlaling section with the opportunity to meet and learn about Sherpa people outside of Everest, as well as Tamang, eastern Gurung, and the fascinating indigenous Thami culture. Rolwaling, like the other lesser visited areas of Nepal is a brilliant area to see wildlife, including red panda, leopard cat, Himalayan black bear and a multitude of bird species.
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