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Hi there,

I was just wondering if anybody had an idea of what the cheapest/easiest peak would be to climb with a nice view of Mt. Everest? And what time of year would be best? I'm definitely not an experienced alpine climber and am on a very tight budget/time restraint.

I understand that I may perhaps be asking too much, but I would just LOVE to see the Giant Mother with my own eyes...and might as well climb something while I'm out there doing so, you know?

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate any comments! Climb safe!

Kala Pattar.

Cost should be around $10 per day (includes all lodging and food) plus $5-7 a day per porter. It is highly recommended you get a porter as it is a cultural experience and is helpful to the economy. You can fly into Lukla or walk in from Jiri, depending on how much time you have available.

Best time of year is typically October/early November with March/early April being considered 2nd best. Those times are also the most crowded though.

December is a good month and is a bit cooler and less crowded. Winter in Nepal really isn't that bad below 18,000 feet/5500 meters.

June though mid September is the least desirable time to go.

Hey thanks Scott, great info!

This trip would require the same travelling arrangements/expenses as doing the trek to base camp though, right? If so, is there perhaps a more distant (from Everest) and closer (to perhaps an airport or main town) area to climb that would cut down on the travelling costs?

Sorry to be so picky...it's just that, being in the military, I am on some kind of time restraint..

Just out of curiosity, how long would the trek to Kala Pattar take, approximately? And how much would the overall adventure cost?

Thanks a LOT!!

Remember, the Everest views aren't that great from the South (Nepal) side. There's other mountains in the way. I can't find my Chinese side Photos just now.



This view (That's Everest peeking it's head out with the plume) is available before you even get to Namche. So it could be done in less than ten days. Maybe even less than 2 grand from anywhere in the world.



for general travel info, visa, costs etc, you should be on a travel forum like the one below.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=24&keywordid=98

This trip would require the same travelling arrangements/expenses as doing the trek to base camp though, right?

Yes, but you are looking for something cheaper than $10 a day (which is what a typical trek there cost)? Few places in the world are cheaper than this. You could cut down more by skipping any extras, but it's kind of pointless unless you are really destitute.

If so, is there perhaps a more distant (from Everest) and closer (to perhaps an airport or main town) area to climb that would cut down on the travelling costs?

You don't have to go all the way to Kala Pattar to see Everest as you can see it long before that.

Just out of curiosity, how long would the trek to Kala Pattar take, approximately? And how much would the overall adventure cost?

Average cost is about $15 per day (less than $10 without a porter) including all lodging, food and porter or porter/guide (guides are not needed, but it's nice to get a porter). You can get by without a porter, but to me it's worth the cost and helps out the locals. Porters/guides typically charge $5 a day or in some regions up to $8. It's better (or at least more flexible, cheaper and safer) to get a porter/guide rather than to go through an agency, at least if you aren't doing any climbing. You can do it without a porter guide, but it's a small price to pay for someone to carry your pack and it helps out the local population as well as provides a more cultural experience.

Total cost for the trek itself (food, lodging, *porter) should be $225 for 15 days + round trip airfare Kathmandu to Lukla (about $225) or if you walk in from Jiri total cost for the trek itself should be $315 for 21 days + one way airfare Lukla to Kathmandu ($120) unless you have the time to walk all the way out.

$550-$600 plus airfare to Kathmandu should be more than enough including the trek, hotels and in Kathmandu, shopping, permit, extra luxuries, etc.

An average budget would be $10 a day and you can live pretty good on that. Spending more than $15 is pretty hard.

*If you have a choice, a porter is preferable over a guide. The popular trails in places like the Everest region are very easy to follow and navigate. If you can navigate a typical hiking trail in the US, then you can navigate to Everest Base Camp. Some books have maps describing the entire route in lots of detail. The one below is really good:

http://www.amazon.com/Trekking-Everest- ... 891&sr=8-1

Your profile doesn't say where you live. California? Airfare out of LAX to Kathmandu for example, runs around $1000 round trip.