As regular readers of our blog will know, we’ve featured a number of different aspects of the fascinating cultures of the Himalaya, from Himalayan festivals to legends of the Himalaya, and everything in between. In doing so, we hope that anyone, no matter where they are in the world, can learn something about the peoples [...]

This time 60 years ago, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, reached the summit of Everest. Limited by their oxygen sources, their stay on the summit was a short one, lasting just fifteen minutes. Sherpa Tenzing made offerings of sweets and biscuits to the Buddhist gods as thanks for their safe passage.Their monumental achievement has [...]

MK on trek to Everest: Today the group will reach their goal of Everest Base Camp! Although there are no views of the actual summit of Everest, there are sensational close-up views of the intimidating Khumbu ice-fall and the surrounding scenery of ice seracs and tumbled rocks. As it is the climbing season, the Base [...]

MK on trek to Everest: The group will follow the Everest trail, over the rocky moraine at the end of the Khumbu glacier, and on to the hamlet of Lobuche. The terrain is wild and rocky here, with a feeling of being high up in the mountains! 60 years ago: George Band, one of the [...]

MK on trek to Everest: The Anniversary Trek group will spend the day at Dingboche (4,350m/14,268ft). This extra day will help the group to acclimatise, ready for their push to Everest Base Camp at (5,300m/17,384ft). 60 years ago: On the 26th May, Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans, the first of the two climbing pairs selected [...]

We ask our Sherpa leader – how did it feel to stand on top of the world? “Many of my friends, both Nepalis and those from abroad, often ask me what my feelings were when I first reached the top of Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Thousands of mountaineers from all over the [...]

MK on trek to Everest: We’ve heard news from Tom Whipple, Times Reporter, who is travelling on our Anniversary Trek: “We are at Thyangboche Monastery. The prayer flags are fluttering beside us, the last of the snows are clinging on below us, Everest is towering above us – and Barbara launched a successful mission to [...]

MK on trek to Everest: The group will continue their trek to the village of Khunde, perhaps visiting Thame Monastery before they head off. 60 years ago: Some of the ‘luxury’ food that the expedition team ate for breakfast whilst on the mountain included; sardines on biscuits, tinned pineapples and pears, salami and biscuits and [...]

MK on trek to Everest: Today the trail leads to the village of Thame. This is where Tenzing Norgay lived for many years. Did you know? Mountain Kingdoms and its MD, Steve Berry, have lots of connections to Everest. Did you know that Mountain Kingdoms and Jagged Globe used to be the same company, Himalayan [...]

MK on trek to Everest: The group will have a free day at Namche Bazaar. This day is built in to aid acclimatisation, which is so important when trekking at altitude. Perhaps they will take a walk up to the Sagarmartha National Park Museum, browse Namche’s shops, or take in the mountain views over a [...]

As anyone who has been on an Everest Base Camp trek with Mountain Kingdoms can attest, our itineraries are packed with new and exciting experiences, and will always include chances to get to know the local culture. We visit Sherpa villages and monasteries, giving trekkers time to explore and learn. For those of you who [...]

MK on trek to Everest: Today the group enter the Sagamartha National Park, and continue up to Namche Bazaar, the largest village in the Khumbu region. 60 years ago: Watch a slideshow of photos taken on the 1953 Summit Expedition on the BBC website, using photos from the Royal Geographical Society. Did you know? If [...]

MK  60th anniversary trek to Everest: The group will take the domestic flight to Lukla – which must be one of the most spectacular flights in the world! Upon arrival, the group will meet the Sherpa and trek crew and begin the trek, reaching the village of Monjo. 60 years ago: There are actually two [...]

Mk on trek to Everest: Rather than rush off on trek, the group will have a day to relax after the international flight, and explore the bustling sights of Kathmandu, including the ‘monkey temple’ at Swayanbunath. 60 years ago: The party, along with 350 porters, left Kathmandu on the 10th and 11th March. Did you [...]

Mk on trek to Everest: Today the group will arrive in Kathmandu, after their international flight. Maybe they will eat at the Rum Doodle Restaurant, where trekkers sign their name on a cutout of a foot and stick it on the wall to join the collection built over the last twenty years!   60 years [...]

The mighty Mount Everest is well known as the highest mountain in the world – 8848m / 29,029ft. The 29th May marks the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest. To celebrate this occasion, we will be updating facebook, our blog and our website with news, photos and interesting facts about Everest, so remember [...]

One question that sometimes comes up, for those planning to embark on an Everest Base Camp trekking adventure with Mountain Kingdoms, is: what level of technology is available at the 5,300 metre Base Camp? For some, part of the appeal of venturing into the Himalayas is the sense of being out in the wilderness, while others [...]

It’s often said that travel is more about the journey than the destination, and the rewards of Everest Base Camp trekking certainly include much more than reaching Base Camp itself – although that is of course a wonderful feeling. As well as the physical challenge offered by this famous route, the opportunity to get a [...]

If you travel to Burma with Mountain Kingdoms, you will see that the country’s northern most mountains offer a wondrous landscape to explore; with scenery and culture that is different to the rest of the country. Part of the Himalaya mountain range, these mountains are significant to the country as a whole, through their effect [...]

Taking part in an Everest Base Camp trek is a dream cherished by many an adventurous soul, and one that we at Mountain Kingdoms firmly believe is achievable with the right attitude and preparation. If you’re a first time trekker, or new to the Himalayan region, there might be a lot of questions in your [...]