Sightseeing · Nepal
Mount Everest
At 8,849 metres, Everest is the highest mountain on Earth — known in Nepal as Sagarmatha, deep in the Khumbu.
Mount Everest, at 8,849 metres, is the highest mountain on Earth and the most famous peak in Nepal. Known in Nepali as Sagarmatha, it rises on the Nepal–Tibet border in the Khumbu region and is the ultimate goal for trekkers and mountaineers alike.
Overview
Everest is the crown of the Himalaya and the centrepiece of the Himalayan peaks of Nepal. Its pyramid summit pierces the jet stream, and it shares its base with neighbouring giants, most notably Lhotse just to the south and Nuptse to the southwest. The mountain sits within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by Sherpa villages, monasteries and the celebrated Khumbu Glacier. For the Sherpa people who live in its shadow, the peak is deeply sacred, and the whole region is steeped in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, from the spinning prayer wheels of small villages to the great monastery at Tengboche. Everest's fame draws tens of thousands of trekkers each year, yet the high mountain itself remains the preserve of a small number of well-supported expeditions.
Height and location
At 8,849 metres (29,032 feet) Everest stands taller than any other point on the planet, a height confirmed by a joint Nepal–China survey in 2020 that raised the previous figure by a fraction of a metre. It lies at roughly 27.99° N, 86.93° E in northeastern Nepal, its summit straddling the Tibetan frontier. The Nepali approach runs up the Khumbu Valley from the airstrip at Lukla, climbing past Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Gorak Shep. The mountain can also be approached from the north in Tibet, but the southern route through Nepal is the historic and most travelled one.
First ascent and climbing
The first confirmed ascent was made on 29 May 1953 by Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal, via the South Col route as part of a British expedition. Their success, announced as Queen Elizabeth II was crowned, made them household names around the world. Everest remains a serious and dangerous undertaking: climbers face extreme altitude, the treacherous Khumbu Icefall with its shifting seracs and crevasses, fierce winds, and a long summit day in the death zone above 8,000 metres where the body slowly fails. Most expeditions use bottled oxygen and rely heavily on Sherpa support. Hundreds now reach the top in good seasons, often forming queues on the upper ridges, but fatalities still occur most years.
How to see it
Most visitors experience Everest on foot rather than by climbing. The classic option is the Everest Base Camp trek, which walks through Sherpa country to the base of the mountain over about twelve days; the viewpoint of Kala Patthar at 5,545 metres gives the best close-up summit view, glowing gold at sunrise. For a shorter taste, the Everest View Trek reaches comfortable lodges with panoramas in under a week, and mountain flights from Kathmandu skim the range without any walking. Lower viewpoints around Namche Bazaar frame the peak alongside Ama Dablam, one of the most beautiful sights on the whole trail.
Fast facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 8,849 m (29,032 ft) |
| Rank | 1st highest in the world |
| Location | Khumbu, Nepal–Tibet border |
| First ascent | 29 May 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay |
| Nepali name | Sagarmatha |
| Best viewpoint | Kala Patthar |
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Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Everest?+
Mount Everest stands 8,849 metres (29,032 feet) above sea level, making it the highest mountain on Earth. The figure was revised slightly upward in 2020 after a joint Nepali and Chinese survey.
Where is Mount Everest located?+
Everest lies in the Khumbu region of northeastern Nepal, on the border with Tibet. Its summit marks the frontier, and it can be approached from both the Nepali south side and the Tibetan north side.
Who first climbed Mount Everest?+
Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal, made the first confirmed ascent on 29 May 1953 via the South Col route from the Nepali side.
How can I see Everest without climbing?+
The Everest Base Camp trek brings you to the foot of the mountain, while the nearby viewpoint of Kala Patthar offers the classic close-up summit view. Mountain flights from Kathmandu and the Everest View Trek are gentler alternatives.
What is Everest called in Nepali?+
In Nepali the mountain is called Sagarmatha, meaning roughly forehead of the sky. In Tibetan it is Chomolungma, often translated as goddess mother of the world.
