About Everest Base Camp Trek
To trek to the foot of the tallest of the tall in the entire world seems unrealistic, but sure is possible.
Everest base camps, one of the most thrilling and exhilarating trek any traveler can ask for, is a trek of a lifetime. EBC is all about traveling through the crowded city of Kathmandu with all its chaos, into the hills of Lukla, and finally waking up amongst the mountains covered in white all around.
Although the journey may seem difficult and dangerous, the astonishing views and the cultural experience covers up for it. Through to the grassland and vegetation into the liveliness of the Sherpa people. The journey slowly ascends towards the Rocky Mountains, the cool weather, the mesmerizing natural glaciers, and the snowy mountain top.
Optimal time for trekking is always a dilemma, so although, the trail to EBC is open all year round. The best time for the trek would be March to May and September to November, October being optimal for high-altitude trekking. The total elevation to be covered is 5644m. Permits are not required to trek up to Kala Patthar but to travel any further permits are necessary.
The trek starts in heart of Kathmandu city exploring all the UNESCO World Heritage sites such, as Swayambhu Stupa also known as The Monkey Temple, the Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and the Patan Durbar Square. The journey continues to Lukla by flight the next morning, viewing the stunning hills, landscapes below, and gorgeous mountains. Thereafter the real trek towards EBC begins. Following the Dudh Koshi River into the valleys hiking towards Pakhding already provides you the wonders.
Continuing to the trek you will encounter various suspension bridges along with the Hillary suspension bridge, 125m in the air. Along the route, you’ll pass by the infamous Sagarmatha National Park, Sagarmatha National Park Museum, Hotel Everest View, the beautiful vegetation, and the people themself. The culture and the ancient temples are rare beauty to the trip. The sceneries of the monasteries, hundreds of years old, and the traditional beliefs make a mark that is unforgettable. As we further towards the shadows of Mt Everest, the Ama Dablam and Mt Lhotse shun you with their breathtaking views.
The entire trek is about 16 days which can be adjusted according to the need and desire. From Pakhding (2,610m) the route leads you to the beautiful Namche Bazaar situated at an elevation of 3,440m. Here on Namche, you gear up for the journey ahead. Acclimatization of this beautiful place will surprise you with its beauty and the humbleness it holds. The warm teahouses along with the warm foods of Nepali cuisine are always a treat after the tiresome hike. The journey doesn’t end here, further lies the Tengboche(3,855m) after a hike of 4-5 hours. Tengboche monastery one of the oldest temples resembles the true resilience and spirituality of the people living there. The trek gets tough as you enter an altitude of 4410m in Dingboche. During the trek, you pass through Thokla Pass to reach Lobuche(5,050m) where lies the memorials of hundreds of travelers that didn’t make it back home. It is known as the saddest viewpoint of the EBC trek because it reminds you how difficult the mountains can be. With that in mind, you ascend to reach a small town Gorakshep(5,164 m), and finally to the Everest base camps achieving the elevation of 5,364m. For the mesmerizing and forever cherishing view the trek continues from Gorakshep to the Kalapatthar also known as Black Rock which is at an elevation of 5,545m. With the reaching of the Kalapatthar, the most adventurous trek comes to an end and you start to descend downwards, forever living the memories of the shadows of the tallest peak in the entire world. Sipping a cup of tea and ascending towards the lap of the world's highest mountain is a memory you’ll cherish for a lifetime.