Terrain visibility analysis
Can you see Mount Everest from Kathmandu?
This study follows the direct line between the selected point in Kathmandu and Everest to separate the effect of distance from that of intervening Himalayan ranges.
Short answer: No. From the studied point in Kathmandu, intervening Himalayan terrain rises above the direct line to Everest, 160.5 km away.
This page explains a reproducible Sightelo case. The result is recalculated on demand with the available elevation data; it is not a guaranteed real-world observation.
Open and recalculate this analysisPoints and assumptions
- Observation point
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Point of interest
- Mount Everest, Nepal/China
- Geodesic distance
- 160.5 km
- Initial bearing
- 78.8° (east)
- Refraction
- Standard (k = 0.13)
Is Everest really visible from Kathmandu?
The modelled profile places Himalayan terrain above the direct line to Everest. In this example, the intervening topographic horizon, rather than distance alone, hides the summit.
How far is Kathmandu from Everest?
The two coordinates are separated by a geodesic distance of 160.5 km. Everest's great elevation is not enough to clear the ridges along this specific axis.
Can changing conditions make Everest visible?
Clearer air improves perception of a geometrically visible target but cannot remove a terrain obstruction. A different observation point or height can, however, produce a different profile.
How does Sightelo identify blocking terrain?
Sightelo samples terrain between Kathmandu and the supplied 8,848.86 m elevation, then compares every point with the sight line corrected for Earth curvature and standard refraction.