Comparing the Top Viewpoints in the Khumbu
Everyone knows Kala Patthar, but many seasoned trekkers argue Gokyo Ri offers a better panorama. If you are chasing the best view of the Mount Everest summit, which peak should you climb?
Kala Patthar (5,545m) is the closest view of the Everest summit you can get without climbing it. You feel the sheer scale of the mountain. It is the classic climax of the standard Everest Base Camp trek.
Gokyo Ri (5,357m) is further away but offers a wider angle. You see four 8,000m peaks: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. Plus, you have the stunning turquoise Gokyo lakes below, adding color to your Everest trekking photos.
Kala Patthar is often crowded with EBC trekkers. Gokyo Ri is quieter and more peaceful. For solitude and a broader perspective of the Mount Everest expedition region, Gokyo wins.
The Three Passes Trek allows you to visit both. But if you must choose: go to Kala Patthar for the close-up, and Gokyo Ri for the complete Himalayan panorama.
