Kala Patthar
In Nepali: कालापत्थर
Kala Patthar means 'black rock'. It is not a true peak but a spur of Pumori, and from its top at about 5,644 m you look straight across the Khumbu glacier to the south-west face of Everest, with Nuptse and Lhotse beside it.
Most people climb it before dawn from Gorak Shep, a two-hour slog in thin air, to see the first light on Everest. It is also popular at sunset, when the summit glows long after the valley falls into shadow.
What to see and do
From the summit cairn, draped in prayer flags, you see Everest's upper south-west face and summit pyramid, the Khumbu Icefall tumbling from the Western Cwm, and the tents of base camp far below in spring. Pumori rises right behind you, and Nuptse, Lhotse, Changtse and Ama Dablam complete the circle.
Sunrise visits catch the first light on Everest; sunset visits have warmer light on the face and fewer people.
Good to know
Start early and dress for severe cold and wind; the climb from Gorak Shep (about 5,160 m) takes 1.5–2.5 hours. Carry a headlamp, water and snacks. If you feel unwell — headache that won't go, dizziness, breathlessness at rest — turn back. Many trekkers do Kala Patthar and base camp on different days to spread the effort.
Quick answers
- Where is Kala Patthar?
- Kala Patthar is in Solukhumbu district, Koshi Province, in the Himal belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Kala Patthar?
- About 5,644 m (18,518 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Kala Patthar?
- For a 14-day trip from Kathmandu, about NPR 137,500 (≈ US$1,020) per person on a budget, or NPR 157,500 (≈ US$1,165) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food, entry fees, a guide and porter. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 61,000 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Kala Patthar?
- Plan 12 nights there for the trek; with travel from Kathmandu and back, about 14 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Kala Patthar?
- Foreign visitors pay about NPR 5,000 / US$37 to enter Sagarmatha National Park plus the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee (SAARC visitors about half, Nepali citizens a small fee).
- Do I need a guide for Kala Patthar?
- Yes, for foreign trekkers: since 2023 a licensed guide is required in Nepal’s national parks and conservation areas. Nepali trekkers may go on their own.
- When is the best time to visit Kala Patthar?
- October–November for clear skies
- How do I get to Kala Patthar?
- From Gorak Shep on the Everest Base Camp trek. It is about 151 km (straight line) from Kathmandu, and usually reached by flight.
- What is Kala Patthar called in Nepali?
- कालापत्थर
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