Many people, they want to see Everest head straight up the main Everest trail to EBC. However, there is an alternative route, less travelled but more challenging. As with most of the Everest trails this trek starts from Lukla.
Initially, the trail heads towards Mera Peak 6461m, the highest trekking peak in Nepal before crossing the Mera La 5414m and then descending into the Hunku valley. This valley is long, remote and starkly beautiful, the trail follows the Honggu Khola to eventually arrive on the opposite side of the valley to Barunse Base Camp. From this point the trek takes on a more serious nature threading its way up the glacial moraine towards the Amphulapcha La 5845m. The steep descent down onto the Amplapcha Glacier requires the use of fixed ropes and extreme caution. Once below the initial steepness the trail drops more gently into the Amphulapcha Tsho (lake) 5010m. Passing Island Peak Base camp the first habitation comes into view, Chhukhung. At this point there are two options, cross the Kongma La 5535m and head to EBC or to head back towards Periche and eventually Lukla, Of course there are always the options to include Mera Peak and / or Island peak as part of the itinerary.