List of places to see Mount Everest from
You don't have to spend years preparing to climb the worlds tallest mountain to get a glimpse of Mount Everest. Contrary to popular writing you don't even have to go on a trek to Everest Base Camp to see it.
On this page is a list of places where you can see Mount Everest close up or as dot on the horizon. Each one is rated based on how good the view is on a good weather day.
Top places to see Mount Everest include:
- On an Everest Base Camp Trek
- On a Mountain Flight
- From Nagarkot or Dhulikhel
More details on these plus more can be found below.
Seeing Everest: At a Glance
Easiest: Mountain Flight
45–60 minute flight from Kathmandu, roughly USD $180–260. Window seat guaranteed. Weather delays are common, so book a spare morning. No trekking, no altitude risk.
Best View: Gokyo Ri
11+ days, quieter than Everest Base Camp, and gives you more of the mountain in frame. Reach 5,357m at the summit of Gokyo Ri for the classic Everest panorama.
Classic: Everest Base Camp
12+ days from Lukla. The famous route via Namche, Tengboche and Gorakshep. Climb Kala Patthar (5,545m) beside Base Camp for the best up-close view.
Quick Look: Nagarkot or Dhulikhel
One night from Kathmandu. The Himalaya range is spectacular on a clear morning, but Everest itself is a tiny dot on the horizon. Best for travellers short on time.
Worth Knowing
Everest is not visible from Kathmandu. Surrounding hills block the view. You need to head to the hills or fly. Best months are October–November and March–May.
On this page
Easiest way to see Mount Everest in Nepal
Everest Flight
Everest Flight: Take a dedicated flight from Kathmandu to see Mount Everest close up.
Duration: 45–60 minutes.
Starting point: Kathmandu city
Max Altitude: 20,000 ft
Difficulty: V. Easy – but takes up a whole morning
Costs: USD $180–260 (rising in 2027)
Highlights: You'll get to come eye to eye with the world's tallest mountain on an 8–12 seater plane.
More information & tips: Morning flights are best to see Mount Everest. Flights are often delayed or postponed due to bad weather so it's worth putting aside two days just in case day one is cancelled. Refunds are offered if your flight is cancelled. Weather plays a factor with mountain flights so avoid monsoon season for flights.
Rating: An excellent way to see Mount Everest with little effort or time. Only issue is the cancellation of flights.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot: An easy walk to a viewing platform just outside of Kathmandu city.
Duration: 1 night 1 day (sunrise & sunset)
Starting point: Kathmandu (Bhaktapur)
Max Altitude: 2,192m
Difficulty: Easy
Costs: USD $20–120+
Highlights: Travel to the hillside town of Nagarkot and see the Himalayan mountains for sunrise and sunset.
More information & tips: Nagarkot is easily reached independently by taxi or bus from Kathmandu city or even closer from Bhaktapur. Many tour operators both local and online offer Everest viewing packages. A short hike in the morning brings you to a crowded look out tower. While the impressive Himalayan mountains are often visible Everest itself is no more than a tiny dot.
Rating: A good way to see the Himalayan mountains for those short on time but not to actually view Everest.
Dhulikhel Hike
Dhulikhel Hike: A short comfortable walk with several well known lookouts over the Himalayas.
Duration: 1 night 1 day+ (sunrise & sunset)
Starting point: Kathmandu / Bhaktapur
Max Altitude: 1,550m
Difficulty: Easy
Costs: USD $25–80+
Highlights: Similar to Nagarkot but with more culture via the town. Everest is again barely visible but the Himalayan range is.
More information & tips: Dhulikhel is easily reached independently by taxi or bus from Kathmandu city or Bhaktapur. It's not as popular as Nagarkot with package tours as there aren't as many hotels that tour operators partner with. It's a little further away from Kathmandu too but it's on a main road so this is not an issue. Dhulikhel is well worth a night's stay due the old temples in the area with a sunrise hike to see the mountains.
Rating: A great way to see the Himalayan mountains and visit a Newari town for those short on time. Again like Nagarkot, Everest is nothing but a dot.
Chandragiri Hills
Chandragiri Hills: Opened in 2016 this is a privately owned cable car with lookouts over the Himalayas.
Duration: Day trip (views are weather permitting)
Starting point: Kathmandu
Max Altitude: 2,551m
Difficulty: Easy but with haze, clarity and weather issues
Costs: USD $22 (entrance RTN) + transport $10–$50+
Highlights: Cable car, Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple (Shiva). Everest is not visible on anything but a crystal clear day and at that it's a distant spec unless you bring binoculars etc. There is a Himalayan range visible but it's a distant one.
More information & tips: You can take a very local bus from Ratna Bus Park out to Godam Chaur then walk 30+ minutes out to Chandragiri hill station. Getting back similarly. Otherwise it's a private taxi ($30–40+ rtn or private tour). The owners are at http://www.chandragirihills.com.
Rating: This is a new private company who have made a nice cable car with mountain views. However, it's very weather dependent even for a snow capped mountain view. Good for those looking to take a chance or have extra time in Kathmandu. Unfortunately, their pricing is discriminatory with non-Nepali paying over double the cost.
The best ways to see Mount Everest in Nepal
Please note that the weather plays a factor in all these methods of seeing Mount Everest.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek: A famous and epic trek that culminates in seeing Everest at the famous base camp used by summiteers.
Duration: 12+ days. Fly into Lukla then begin the trek through Phakding, Namche Bazar, Tyangboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep.
Starting point: Kathmandu
Max Altitude: 5,545 metres (18,192 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Costs: USD $1,300–1,600+
Highlights: The flight to Lukla, one of the world's shortest runways on the side of a mountain. There are several stops along the way to see Everest. Climbing Mount Kala Patthar (5,545 metres / 18,192 ft).
More information & tips: There are several places along the way where you get to see Everest. The best is of course at base camp. However, do make sure you climb Mount Kala Pathar beside base camp for the best views.
Rating: A classic trek and the best way to see Everest.
Here's a full guide to the Everest Base Camp trek.
Gokyo Ri Trek
Gokyo Ri Trek: A shorter trek in the Everest region that offers spectacular views of Mount Everest from another angle that show more of the mountain than on the EBC trek.
Duration: 11+ days. Fly into Lukla then begin the trek directly heading north to Gokyo Ri itself.
Starting point: Kathmandu
Max Altitude: 5,357 metres (17,575 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Costs: USD $1,300–1,500+
Highlights: The flight to Lukla, one of the world's shortest runways on the side of a mountain. Then it's on through the Himalayas to Gokyo Ri itself for a stunning view, filled with side treks to ice lakes.
More information & tips: Gokyo Ri is a far better trek for photos of Everest and trekking away from crowds than EBC.
Rating: The best views of Everest.
Here's a full guide to Gokyo Ri trek.
Three Passes Trek
Three Passes Trek: Want to get the best of Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Ri? Three Passes is the ultimate Everest trekking experience.
Duration: 17+ days. Fly into Lukla then trek to Everest Base Camp before taking on several high passes on the way to Gokyo Ri itself.
Starting point: Kathmandu
Max Altitude: 5,643 metres (18,514 ft)
Difficulty: Challenging – Hard
Costs: USD $1,500–1,800+
Highlights: The flight to Lukla, one of the world's shortest runways on the side of a mountain. Then it's on through the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp before tackling several high passes before reaching Gokyo Ri and back to Lukla. It's a full circuit of the Everest Range!
More information & tips: The Three Passes Trek is not to be taken easily. It is challenging but the rewards are amazing vistas, high passes and stunning mountain views for over two weeks.
Rating: The best of all Everest Treks if you have the time.
Here's a full guide to the Three Passes Trek.
Other ways to see Mount Everest
Is it worth going half way to see Everest on a trek?
Jorsale and Namche (Everest View)
Jorsale and Namche: Cut the Everest Base Camp trek short by taking a 2 days trek to see Everest. Also known as the Everest View Trek.
Duration: 3-4+ days. Fly into Lukla then begin the trek through Phakding, Jorsale and Namche Bazar.
The Everest View Hotel is above Namche where some people stay.
Starting point: Kathmandu
Max Altitude: 3,880m
Difficulty: Moderate
Costs: USD $800+
Highlights: The flight to Lukla, one of the world's shortest runways on the side of a mountain. Two small views of Mount Everest.
Here a full guide to the Everest Base Camp trek.
More information & tips: Just after Jorsale the trees open up to reveal the first good look at Mount Everest from a distance. Later near Namche Bazaar you get a slighter closer view near the Everest View Hotel. The catch with Everest View Hotel is that it's expensive and view is so so compared to higher up.
Rating: Two views of Everest from a distance plus some of the trekking experience ... the real question is why would you come all this way without going all the way!
Pikey Peak Trek
Pikey Peak Trek: Take a historic trek from Jiri to Pikey Peak – one of the only places with views of the Everest and Annapurna ranges together.
Duration: 6–9+ days. Drive to Jiri then start on the old trekking route to Lukla before diverting to Pikey Peak.
Starting point: Kathmandu
Max Altitude: 4,068m
Difficulty: Moderate
Costs: USD $500–800+
Highlights: Rural Nepal and a rarely trekked area with old style teahouses. The only recognised trek with views of the Everest and Annapurna Mountain ranges.
More information & tips: The drive to Jiri is nearly all black-top these days meaning it's not the bumpy ride it once was. Go with an experienced guide who has been to Pikey Peak before to get the most out of this trek. The huge and important Thupten Choling Monastery is a highlight for many.
Rating: For those not wanting a full on trek to Everest, or those wanting something more historic and less touristy Pikey Peak offers a rare opportunity capped off with a rarer view of two incredible mountain ranges.
Here's a full guide to the Pikey Peak Trek.
Helicopter flight
Helicopter flight: Similar to the Everest flights you can hire a private helicopter to get up close next to Mount Everest.
Duration: 1 hour.
Starting point: Kathmandu
Difficulty: V. Easy
Costs: USD $5,000–10,000 (private) $350–700 (shared)
Highlights: You'll get a unique look at Mount Everest that few others will with a better chance of great photos than the plane flights.
More information & tips: Morning flights are best to see Mount Everest. The cost can be shared with up to 5 people. Taking photographs from a helicopter is slightly easier than the mountain flights. Book in person rather than online to save costs. Weather plays a huge factor here so you'll need to set aside a couple of days to avoid cancellations.
Rating: The premium way to see Everest.
Note: some tour operators offer helicopter flights to Kala Pathar (near EBC) but they are nearly double the price and come with the risk of acclimatization sickness. It's impossible to give exact helicopter prices on shared flights as it depends on the number of people going.
Seeing Mount Everest from Tibet
Please note permits for Tibet are needed when entering from both the Nepal side and Chinese side. Read more on how to travel to Tibet overland.
Overland from Nepal to Tibet
Overland from Nepal to Tibet: Get a very brief view of Everest on the overland route to Tibet.
Duration: 8 days (30 minute viewing).
Starting point: Kathmandu
Difficulty: Easy
Costs: USD $600–1,200
Highlights: You'll get a very brief look at Mount Everest when you stop along the overland route.
More information & tips: During a routine stop along the overland route you might be lucky enough to have some clear weather and catch a glimpse of Everest from the Tibet side.
Rating: Not worth it "just" to see Everest.
Everest Base Camp (North / Tibet side)
Everest Base Camp (North / Tibet side): Drive all the way to a starting point then take a one day trek to Base Camp.
Duration: 1+ days not including driving time.
Starting point: Lhasa
Max Altitude: 5,200m
Difficulty: Moderate
Costs: USD $800–1,000 (not including permits)
Highlights: Nearly reach base camp by jeep then get up close to the Tibetan side of Mount Everest.
More information & tips: At first glance it seems easier and cheaper to see Everest from Tibet. The reality is that there's a lot more travel involved along with hassles with permits and expenses in getting there which can only be done via an organized tour.
Rating: If you are traveling from Tibet to Nepal via a tour it's worth paying for an additional night visit base camp. Otherwise the bureaucracy and logistics lets this side down greatly. Taking jeep most of the way also seems to take away the "wow" and accomplishment that is felt on the Nepal side.
Climb Mount Everest
Climb Mount Everest: Trek or fly to Base Camp, then it's a waiting game before the 7 day trek to the top of the world.
Duration: 7 days + 3 months.
Starting point: Kathmandu
Max Altitude: 8,848 meters (29,029 feet)
Difficulty: Extreme
Costs: USD $75,000–120,000
Highlights: Being on top of the world!
More information & tips: A climb to the top of Mount Everest should not be taken lightly. Do read more about how to climb Mount Everest.
Rating: No better way to see Everest up close!
Frequently Asked Questions About Seeing Mount Everest
The easiest way to see Mount Everest without trekking is by taking a mountain flight from Kathmandu. These 1-hour flights, costing $200–$250 per person, offer stunning aerial views of Everest and other Himalayan peaks, weather permitting. Popular operators include Yeti Airlines and Buddha Air, with departures from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport.
Mount Everest is not visible from Kathmandu due to distance and intervening hills. However, you can get distant views from nearby hilltop locations like Nagarkot (32 km from Kathmandu), where Everest is visible on clear days, especially during sunrise or sunset.
The Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek is the best option for seeing Mount Everest up close. This 12–14 day trek from Lukla to EBC (5,364m) offers close-up views from Kala Patthar (5,545m), the closest non-climbing viewpoint. The trek costs $1,000–$2,500, depending on group size and inclusions.
Yes, to see Mount Everest from Tibet, you need a Tibet Travel Permit, obtainable through a licensed tour operator in China, costing $50–$100. Additionally, an Alien Travel Permit is required for the Everest Base Camp (North) area, and a guide is mandatory. Total costs for a Tibet-side trip range from $2,000–$4,000.
A mountain flight to see Mount Everest costs $200–$250 per person for a 1-hour flight from Kathmandu. Prices vary slightly by operator (e.g., Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air) and include a guaranteed window seat for optimal viewing.
The best time to see Mount Everest is during the pre-monsoon (March–May) and post-monsoon (September–November) seasons, when skies are clearest and weather is stable. Winter (December–February) can offer clear views but is colder, while monsoon season (June–August) often obscures the mountain with clouds.
The Everest Base Camp trek is moderately challenging, requiring good fitness and some trekking experience. It involves 5–8 hours of daily hiking over 12–14 days, with a maximum altitude of 5,545m at Kala Patthar. Altitude sickness is a risk, so acclimatization days are essential.
More information on Trekking in Nepal
The above list of treks in Nepal is continually being added to based on popularity or request.
If looking for a trekking guide I recommend you read my article on How to find a trekking guide in Nepal or use my Find a local trekking guide service.
If you want to book a trek of flights here is a list of recommended treks to book online.
Take the Guesswork Out of Your Nepal Trek
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