The Home of Mount Everest (Solukhumbu)

Solukhumbu District known as home of Mount Everest (8848.86m), the highest mountain in the world where everyone wants to go once in their life which is located in the Heart of the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. The headquarters of Solukhumbu is Salleri. Solukhumbu lies in the eastern part of Nepal. Previously it was known as Sagarmatha Zone but now it is called Pradesh Number 1 (Koshi Pradesh). In Koshi Pradesh, there are 14 districts including Solukhumbu. The total area of Solukhumbu is 3312 square kilometers. In Solukhumbu we can see different ethical groups who have their own different culture, tradition, language, dress, and festivals. The maximum people of in Solukhumbu are Sherpa, Rai, Tamang, Magar, etc.

Why Solukhumbu  District is counted as the most popular for trekking in the world?

Solukhumbu is the place where Mt. Everest lies. Many people visit Solukhumbu to touch nature and feel the mountain. In Solukhumbu, we can see many Sherpa who strongly help tourists to get to their dream destination.

We can see the mountains, Monastery, and Sagarmatha National Park which is located in Solukhumbu. Sagarmatha National Park is popular for Wildlife example: Jackel, black bear, wolf, snow leopard, musk deer, etc. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, there are 118 species of bird including Impeyan pheasant (Local name: Danphe) Danphe is the national bird of Nepal.

The most popular trekking route in Solukhumbu is Everest Base Camp, Everest three passes, Chola Pass, and Pikey Peak.
Mount Everest is a peak in the Mahalangur Himal sub-ranges of the Himalayas mountain range. It is located between Nepal and Tibet, an autonomous region of China. At 8,848.86 meters (29,032 feet), it is considered the tallest point on Earth. Officially Everest is located at Solukhumbu District of Province No. 1 in Nepal.
The historic, local Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma, also spelled Qomolangma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World. Whereas, The Nepali name for Mount Everest is Sagarmatha, meaning “Goddess of the Sky.

Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary were the first ones to Summit Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. And Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was the first Nepalese Woman to climb Mount Everest in the year 1993.

The base camp for Everest expeditions based out of Nepal is located by Khumbu Glacier, which is rapidly thinning due to global Warming & Climate Change, making it unsafe for climbers. Keeping this in mind, Nepal’s Government has plans to move the base camp to a lower altitude which will make it difficult for the climbers as it may take many more days to reach up there.

At Everest Base Camp, which sits at an altitude of approximately 17,600 feet, the oxygen levels are about 50% less oxygen compared to sea level. The summit of Everest has about 33% less oxygen than the sea level. So, one must carry at least 4 oxygen bottles while Summiting Mt. Everest. By the 21st century, one of the popular oxygen systems on Mount Everest used carbon-fiber reinforced aluminum bottles, with a 3-liter cylinder of oxygen weighing 7 pounds (3.2 kg) when filled up at 3,000 pounds per square inch (210 bar).

Geography of Solukhumbu District:

Solukhumbu District lies in the eastern part of Nepal. It is characterized by a diverse topography ranging from lowlands to high mountains. This district is part of Sagarmatha National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site. Solukhumbu is home to Mt Everest and many more mountains including Mt. Lotse, My. Nupte, Mt. Chouyu, Mt. Makalu, and other uncountable mountains below 8000m.
Sagarmatha National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of northeast Nepal. It was established on July 19, 1976, and is listed on the World Heritage site. It is home to Mount Everest and also contains Dudhkoshi and Bhotekoshi Rivers and Gokyo Lakes. It is home to rare species like the snow leopard, musk deer, and red panda.

Phaplu Airport is situated at Solu Dudhkund Municipality of Solukhumbu District, Province No. 1. The airport is near District Headquarters, Salleri. This airport is the gateway to the Khumbu Trekking Route. The distance between Kathmandu and Solukhumbu is 144 km.
Lukla Airport or Tenzing & Hillary Airport is located Far North Mid-East of Nepal Himalayan region within the Solu-Khumbu district. Approx. 135 kilometers air distance from Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport, a flight duration of 30 to 35 minutes, and 73 nautical miles. The shortest means is flying to Lukla for the Everest base camp trek and to other various adventure destinations around Khumbu.

There are two ways to reach the district of Solukhumbu: by air and by road.
By Road
Salleri, the Solukhumbu District headquarters, is linked by road. Solukhumbu is accessible by road from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. Salleri is about 270 kilometers (170 miles) from Kathmandu.

How to reach Everest base camp by road?

From Kathmandu to Salleri you can take private or local transportation to reach Salleri then change a local jeep to Thamdada.

By Air
In the Solukhumbu district, there are four regional airports. There are several flights and air services to choose from. The four airports in Solukhumbu are:
1) Tenzing-Hillary Airport
2) Syangboche Airport
3) Phaplu Airport
4) Kangeldanga Airport

Solukhumbu is surrounded by numerous rivers, valleys, glaciers, and lakes. Dudh Koshi River originated from the high Mountains.
The largest glacier in the Solukhumbu region is Khumbu Glacier and it is a dangerous area for mountain climbers. It lies around Mt. Everest.
Gokyo Lake is one of the best destinations in Solukhumbu. It is located in Gokyo Valley. It is an outstanding lake in the Khumbu Region.

Trekking Trails In Solukhumbu District:

Solukhumbu is the best part for those people who love adventure, nature, and trekking. You can make unforgettable memories in this region. Once you reach there you visit there again and again.

You enjoy the atmosphere of the mountain in Solukhumbu, no other place beats that feeling. After Everest Base Camp Trek another most popular trekking route is Gokyo Lake Trek which shows the pleasure and peace in your mind.

Everest Three Pass Trek (Chola Pass, Renjo La Pass, and Kongma La Pass) is the most adventurous trek in Khumbu with challenging trekking trails, High mountain passes, and thrilling experiences. You will find many hard challenges but it is worth it according to the feeling you get in high mountains.

Every trekking trail in Solukhumbu gives another level of satisfaction and peace. Each trekking experience is unique in this region which shows the grandeur of the high Himalayas.

Culture & Traditions in the Everest Region

The Everest Region is a world-famous tourist destination. Tourists from all around the world come here to experience the vast mountain range. Similarly, the people and culture of Everest are equally as fascinating as the mountain trails. The majority of people living in the Everest region are Sherpas & Rai.

The Sherpas of Everest are unique. They are mountaineering pioneers. Their culture and lifestyle are also fascinating. Sherpas construct gompas to practice their religious practices. A lot of such monasteries can be found on Nepali mountain trails. The majority of Sherpas are Buddhists. Their main festival is the Loshar festival.

In Solukhumbu Local Sherpa and Rai are well-known as elite mountaineers and local experts. They were useful to early Himalayan explorers. They served as guides at the high altitudes of the region’s peaks and passes. Sherpa and Rai were particularly involved in expeditions to climb Mount Everest.

Trekking in Solukhumbu District

Maximum popular trekking trails are in Solukhumbu:

1. Everest Base CampTrek
2. Everest Three Passes Trek(Renjo La Pass, Chola Pass, Kongma la Pass)
3. Everest base camp Trek with Chola pass
4. Pikey Peak Trek (Lower Everest)
5. Dudh Kunda Trek