Everest Base Camp Trekking

Reach the places where you can knit the tale which you can share proudly! Nowhere in the world matches the vibe of being at the top of the world. Yes, the home of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest (8848.86 m) is an epitome where one can really knit the legendary tale in the setting of Himalayas and with the character being the Sherpa people. Everest Base Camp Trekking is the best way to explore and immerse into the culture, nature, and grandeur of Sherpa homeland, the Khumbu region of Nepal.

In this blog, we will go deeper into the various aspects of the Everest Base Camp Trekking. You can find different blogs related to Everest trekking in this site. Get to know about cost, requirements, itineraries, and difficulties through these blogs. This blog is slightly different from our regular blogs about Everest.

Let’s know the Everest Base Camp Trekking route more from the cultural point of view and finding alternative itineraries.

Understanding Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Adventure

The journey of the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is the ultimate adventure. It takes trekkers to the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest and the base camp of the world’s 4^th tallest mountain Mt. Lhotse. Please note that both these mountains share the same base camp. At an altitude of 5364 m, the Everest Base Camp is the majestically located in the Khumbu glacier. The best way to reach the base camp is by trekking. However, some prefer to do the helicopter tours to the base camp as well. Helicopter tours can’t be classed under the ultimate adventure category. Therefore, trekking is the only option to accumulate ultimate adventure by reaching the base camp passing by several Sherpa villages.

Trekking itinerary of the Everest Base Camp Trekking consists of 12 days to 14 days in normal package. However, you can complete the trek in just 10 days as well. It is for the extreme lovers. Please note that the Everest Base Camp Trek is also possible in less than 10 days but it is extremely arduous. The biggest hindrance in this journey is the demands of the high altitude. There is less density of oxygen as you go higher. The maximum altitude that a trekker reaches during the Everest Base Camp Trekking is 5545 m which is the height of Kalapathar.

Inside the Sagarmatha National Park, relish the chance to witness countless mountains and encounter diverse species of wildlife. In addition, trekkers can get chance to walk through temperate deciduous forests, alpine forests, alpine grassy meadows, and tundra vegetation. Therefore, the journey of Everest Base Camp Trek is an ultimate adventure. The trail traverses through diverse landscape from deeper valleys to glaciers and moraines crossing several glacial rivers and waterfalls.

Sherpa Culture and Hospitality in Everest Base Camp Trekking Route

The trekking trail to Everest Base Camp (5364 m) traverses through several Sherpa villages. In fact, the Upper region of Solukhumbu district of Nepal is the home of Sherpa people. The name of this district is made out of Solu and Khumbu. Solu is the lower region and Khumbu is where Sherpa live. The trail starts from Lukla which is the prominent Sherpa town and gateway to the Everest. Along the trail, trekkers pass through iconic villages like Namche Bazaar, Pangboche, Phortse, and Dingboche. On the outskirts of the Everest Base Camp Trekking trail, trekkers can also visit villages like Thame, Khumjung and Khunde.

There are many monasteries, chortens, mane wheels, and stupas in the trekking trail. Some of these monasteries are built several centuries ago. The murals inside the monastery and statues as well as drawings highlight the great spirituality of these people. These people are known for their mountaineering records and achievements but they are the most hospitable people as well. Smile on their faces and innocent hospitality can help any foreigners to fall in love with them. Eat the Sherpa bread in the morning and Buckwheat Pudding for a lunch and Yak Stew in the evening. These three dishes are the iconic dishes of Sherpa people.

Practical Tips for an Unforgettable Trek

You have to walk uphill – downhill in the high altitude places for about 6 to 7 hours in an average every day! It is physically demanding journey as it elevates from 2800 m to 5545 m from sea level. Therefore, you must be well prepared for the successful journey. Build up the physical fitness and stamina. Pack the necessary clothing, gear and equipment. Always follow the instructions of the trekking guide during the trek and perform acclimatization activities diligently. Choose to trek with an experienced trekking guide assigned by the leading trekking agency. Buy travel insurance and go with the flow. An open minded trekking can provide you the best travel memories and make your Everest Base Camp Trekking an unforgettable trek!

Beyond the Classic Route: Alternative Itineraries

Before the establishment of the Lukla Airport, people used to start the trek from the famous town of Jiri. The trekking itinerary of Jiri EBC Trek is therefore called the classical Everest Base Camp Trek. Nowadays, trekkers can avoid the Lukla flights entirely by choosing the road transportation. It takes two days of road trip to finally meet the standard EBC Trek route in Lukla or Phakding. However, the classical itinerary of the Everest Base Camp Trekking takes 5 days to meet the standard contemporary Everest Base Camp Trek route. Trekkers can also take the route of Phaplu instead of Jiri or Lukla!

There are many interesting and iconic trekking trips that are possible as a side trek from the Everest Base Camp Trekking route. Gokyo Lake or Gokyo Valley Trek, Amadablam Base Camp Trek, EBC Chola Pass Trek, Three High Passes Trek, etc. are some trekking trips which are possible from the Everest Base Camp Trek route. In addition, trekkers can choose to climb the trekking peaks of the region by following the trail to Everest Base Camp. Some of the famous peaks climbing trips from the trail are Lobuche Peak Climbing and Island Peak Climbing.

Don’t spend idle time at home rather come out and embark on this enticing journey to the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest!