Everest Base Camp Trekking, a dream of million travelers just to catch the glimpse of world number one, the mighty Mt. Everest that towers high at above 8,848 m and 29,028 ft that straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet-China.
Everest Base Camp Trekking from Nepal is the southern side of Mt. Everest where most of treks and other adventure mountaineering is done from the scenic side of Nepal, where trekking is most accessible with various route to choose to reach Mt. Everest base camp.
Mt. Everest is known as Sagarmatha for Nepalese, while native Sherpa the highlanders of Everest calls Chomolungma of Tibetan origin, in both languages means ‘Great Mother’ before it was christened as Mt. Everest tribute to late Sir George Everest, the head of British East India Company.
The mountains since it was conquered in May 29th 1953 by late legendary mountaineers Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary, than it was more exposed to the outside world as one of the highest, scenic and fascinating areas in this planet, where thousands of trekkers and adventurer visits this picturesque spot every season of the year.
Everest Base Camp Trekking, located within Mid-East Nepal Himalaya around high scenic Khumbu valley protected by Sagarmatha National Park which is listed in the World Heritage Sites since 1979.
The park covers an area of 1,148 Sq. Kms. Where world famous and highest peaks located within this high Khumbu region of Everest with number one Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest), worlds 4th highest Mt. Lhotse, 6th high Mt. Cho-Oyu includes range of beautiful peaks Nuptse, Pumori, Amadablam, Thermasarkhu, Kwangde, Khangtiaga and Gyachung Kang.
Everest Base Camp Trekking mostly visited taking a scenic, short flight to Lukla, the gateway town to many treks and adventure around high Khumbu around Everest region, where walk leads you through many lovely Sherpa farm villages Ghat-Phakding-Monjo and at famous Namche Bazaar.
Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m high provides an ideal stops for few days where one acclimatize and taking short hikes at scenic view-points facing Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, magnificent peaks of Amadablam with adjoining peaks.
At Namche with excellent facilities of banks, ATM, post-office, restaurants, fresh bakeries with cyber café where colorful and busy Saturday market takes place once a week, from Namche walk leads you higher terrain into serene cool alpine woodland covered with tall rhododendron (national flower of Nepal), magnolia, oaks and pine trees.
As walk reached into beautiful spot at Thyangboche with an impressive monastery surrounded by array of peaks with views of Mt. Everest and majestic Amadablam, the area located in the midst of lovely woodland, with time to visit its interesting monastery in the harmony of Buddhist monks chanting.
Walk carries on after leaving the tree lines and rich vegetation for shorter bushes of rhododendron, juniper, Burberry and alpine shrubs overlooking grand views of Amadablam and Everest as trek continues on wild mountain landscapes within arid and barren country.
Finally walk heads towards main destination at Everest Base Camp, located above 5,364 m overlooking massive bulk of Khumbu Ice Falls and glaciers standing beneath world’s number Mt. Everest.
From Everest Base Camp where one can take an optional walk and climb to the highest point of the adventure on top Kalapathar Hill covered within rocks and hard ground offers spectacular panorama of surrounding giant peaks with Mt. Everest and Mt. Pumori at close distance.
Kalapathar at 5,545 m high, certainly a magnificent hill offering fantastic panorama of mountains and to add more altitude of the adventure before heading back to Lukla for scenic sweeping flight back to Kathmandu, after a wonderful experience and adventure on Everest Base Camp Trekking.
People & Culture
The high Khumbu Mountains and valley of Everest, dominated by Sherpa people the High-Landers of Everest region, interwoven with Buddhism religion and teaching similar traditions and culture of Tibet.
Most of the villages do have monasteries called Gomba treasured with ancient holy books, idols of Sakyamuni Buddha, Guru Ringpoche (Padamasambva) and other higher priests and saints.
The famous Gomba or monasteries are old Khumjung Monastery believed to be more than 500 years old history, the only monastery that treasures a scalp belief to be of Yeti.
The other famous old monasteries Thyangboche Monastery, the older one was burnt to the ground in 1991, the present monastery built with the help of Hillary and Himalayan Trust Foundation.
On route lies old Pangboche Monastery above from the main trails to Everest base camp at an altitude of 4,000m.
The oldest one is in Thame Monastery within Thame village 3-4 walks west of Namche Bazaar.
Main Villages on Route Everest Base Camp
After Lukla town, village of Choplung-Ghat and Phakding village by the Dudh-Kosi River, and then Benkar a smaller village, Monjo a lovely village with Jorsalle the last village before Namche Bazaar.
Beside Namche Bazaar, with optional hike to Khunde and Khumjung villages located on a glacial valley, as walk leads further entering Sana and Lobesa villages and then at Thyangboche Monastery areas.
The last permanent village is Pangboche at 3,900 m high, the other areas on route are Dingboche-Pheriche-Lobuche and Gorakshep these are just temporary settlement to cater the needs of trekkers with nice cozy lodges for overnight stops.
Best Seasons
The best time will be from March to May when most of the day is clear and fine, but afternoon can be windy and cooler with clouds blocking the views of mountains but day time in the sun will be pleasant.
The other best time will be from end of September to mid December when days all clear for views but with short sunlight hours can be cold even without the wind-chill factors.
Routes to Everest Base Camp
Various way to reach Everest Base Camp, the popular and shortest is flying from Kathmandu to Lukla and back for the flight vice versa Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu. The smaller aircraft Dornier and Twin Otter or similar types of 16 to 18 seated flight hours of 30 mins to 35 mins each way.
The other longer route is from Jiri on old classic way to Everest Base Camp an interesting scenic walk into southern areas of Everest around Solu before joining near at Lukla on the main routes.
Arun Valley to Everest flying into low warm Arun valley at Tumlingtar and then walk from further east to reach near Lukla and continue walks on the main trail to Everest base camp.
The tough route from Rolwaling valley to reach at Khumbu and Everest via high Tashi-Laptsa above 5,740 m pass.