ON MY WAY TO EVEREST BASE CAMP

Alex Hales

everest base camp trek

INTRODUCTION:

Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC Trek) is a world-famous trekking route in the Himalayas of Nepal. With majestic peaks and hills with an altitude of 18,513 ft, Everest creates the perfect spot for trekkers with the vast blue sky in the backdrop.

The journey starts from the capital Kathmandu where one will take a scenic flight of 30 mins to the tiny Lukla airport. In the EBC trek, one will be passing through quaint villages, grassy paths, steep rocks, etc. One will be trekking in the trails of the footsteps of legendary adventurers and mountaineers like Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. One will get to meet all kinds of people, including mountaineers, guides, and porters, as well as additional adventurers as they traverse this tiny mountaintop village, gather with the group, then prepare for the adventure ahead. From there, one will dive into the wilds of the Himalayas via two feet, crossing prayer flag-draped suspension bridges and climbing up to sharp vantage points that lie in the core of these stunning mountains.

Sagarmatha National Park:

The EBC Trek likewise goes through the Sagarmatha National Park which is a popular national park in Nepal. Every step taken gets one nearer to the almighty Mt. Everest, also called Sagarmatha in the Nepali language and Chomolungma in the Tibetan language. One will find out more regarding those names as they meet the friendly local people who reside in these towns and villages, spread out all over the Everest trek.

Typically, the trek to Everest takes 12 days to complete on this 130 km round-trip but it depends on the fitness level of the trekker, weather, rest day, etc. It takes almost eight days to get to Base Camp and four days to get back down, broken down overall into nine days of long trekking and three short trekking and acclimatization days.

There is a set route for EBC trekking that takes one through various villages, camping grounds, and incredibly isolated spots with magnificent views of the mountain panoramas.

Day 1: From Kathmandu to Lukla flight. Then, trek to Phakding village 

Arrive in Kathmandu first. Then take a flight to Lukla. Then take a walk down to the Dudh Kosi River, which connects to the main path to Namche Bazaar. After moving all the way through the small area of Ghat will reach Phakding. 

Day 2: From Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Begin from Phakding and walk across the river to trek all the way through the area of rhododendrons and blue pine forests. Trekkers can go crossways to the Dudh Kosi at Benkar and could take pleasure from the scenes of snow-topped mountains Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, and so on. The way then becomes quite difficult and includes a perpendicular climb to Namche Bazaar too. Trekkers have to walk upstream on flat land, on the bank, to the fusion point of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After crossing one of the suspension bridges above the river, trekkers have to ascend to Namche Bazaar. Trekkers get the most amazing vivid opportunities of gigantic peaks like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Taweche is visible. Overnight stay at a hotel in Namche Bazaar.

Day 3: Namche Bazaar acclimatization day 

Take this day to explore Namche Bazaar.

Day 4: From Namche Bazaar to Tengboche 

Descend down through the Khumjung community and then move to the major path to Everest at Shanasa. Trekkers then have to walk further to Trashinga and then move down to go across the Dudh Koshi at Phunkitenga. Gigantic peaks like AmaDablam, Kantega, Mount Everest, etc. are visible from here.

Day 5: From Tengboche to Dingboche

Walk slightly down through the forest of birch, fir, juniper, and rhododendron at Debuche. After passing the Imja Khola, this trail heads to Pangboche where one can see the beautiful mountain of Ama Dablam. Then reach Dingboche after crossing the Imja Khola.

Day 6: From Dingboche acclimatization day 

This is a rest day in the Dingboche area. One can walk and explore Dingboche Monastery and then climb to Nangkhartshang peak.

Day 7: From Dingboche to Lobuche Village 

Trekkers begin from Pheriche and then the trail goes up to the drain of the Khumbu. The path mounts up to the Khumbu Glacier after an hour. Around half of this climb to the moraine is Dughla. The trail keeps on ascending steeply to the crest of the moraine moving ahead from Dughla. The path now moves on a flat level on the west part of the moraine before arriving at Lobuche.

Day 8: Reach the Everest Base Camp cross the Changri Glacier and return to Gorak Shep.

The segment to Gorak Shep is a short one and one can be there in no time from here. Trekkers can lessen their bags in Goraksheph and continue to the Base Camp. The Everest Base camp will be marked by a large stone with dozens of yellow camps to be seen in the distance. One can enjoy some beautiful views of the valley below and the Khumbu Glacier. Stay at Goraksheph at night.

Day 9: From Gorak Shep to Pheriche

Experience a beautiful sunrise from Kalapather peak. After relaxed hiking, trekkers can reach Kalapather. The view of the Everest Massif alongside the Lhotse and Nuptse peaks is unobstructed and stunning.

Day 10: From Pheriche to Tengboche

Return back to Tengboche from Pheriche.

Day 11: From Tengboche to Monjo village

Reach Monjo village from Tengboche.

Day 12: From Monjo to Lukla and stay overnight. Then flight back to Kathmandu the following day

Return to Lukla and stay there. Explore there the next day before taking the flight back to Kathmandu the next day.

With regards to the terrain, one will not be undertaking any form of wall climbing, walking along narrow ridges with steep drops, or using ropes to haul themselves over rock faces. Getting to the Everest Base Camp is a slow and steady walk with a strategically timed ascent into altitude.

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