Everest (from Kala Patthar): what time does it glow at sunset?
Short answer: 7 Nov 2026: Golden then red light on Everest from about 16:51 until last light at 17:17. Be at Kala Patthar by 16:21.
From Kala Patthar (5,644 m) Everest's summit pyramid is the last thing in the Khumbu to hold the sun, turning gold and orange while the valley is already dark.
Sat 7 November 2026
Last light 17:17
Golden then red light on Everest from about 16:51 until last light at 17:17. Be at Kala Patthar by 16:21.
| 16:21 | Arrive at Kala Patthar (by) |
| 16:51 | Gold turns to orange on the summit |
| 17:11 | Sunset on a flat horizon here (the valley is already in shade) |
| 17:17 | Last light: the very top turns red, then grey |
Plan it
The climb from Gorak Shep takes about 2 hours; plan the descent in the dark with a headtorch. Sunset is clearer in the post-monsoon season (October and November). The glow needs a clear sky towards the west as well as over the peak.
Through the year
| 15th of | Last light | Glow |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17:31 | 17:04–17:31 |
| February | 17:55 | 17:30–17:55 |
| March | 18:13 | 17:49–18:13 |
| April | 18:30 | 18:05–18:30 |
| May | 18:48 | 18:21–18:48 |
| June | 19:03 | 18:36–19:03 |
| July | 19:04 | 18:37–19:04 |
| August | 18:44 | 18:19–18:44 |
| September | 18:10 | 17:46–18:10 |
| October | 17:36 | 17:11–17:36 |
| November | 17:13 | 16:46–17:13 |
| December | 17:12 | 16:44–17:12 |
Everest by month
Questions
What time is the sunset glow on Everest?
7 Nov 2026: Golden then red light on Everest from about 16:51 until last light at 17:17. Be at Kala Patthar by 16:21. The time moves through the year; pick your date above.
How much earlier does Everest catch the sun than the valley?
About 6 minutes after a sunrise on a flat horizon at Kala Patthar.
Which month has the earliest and latest last light?
January 17:31, February 17:55, March 18:13, April 18:30, May 18:48, June 19:03, July 19:04, August 18:44, September 18:10, October 17:36, November 17:13, December 17:12 (15th of each month).
How is this calculated?
A summit high above its surroundings looks down on its own horizon, so it sees the sun before anything below it. For each date we find the moment the sun's upper edge clears the skyline as seen from the summit (allowing for the dip of the horizon, refraction and higher ridges nearby). The red, then orange, then gold glow lasts until the sun is about 5° higher. Expect the real moment within about 5 minutes.
Summit 8,849 m. Times are local (Asia/Kathmandu).