For a person looking for an adventure of a lifetime, the Everest Base Camp trek should be at the top of their bucket list.Whether it be an experienced trekker or a newbie, the beauty of Everest pulls them towards with open arms.The rich landscape, culture, ancient history and monasteries along the way adds serenity with a chance to stand at the base of world’s tallest mountain. While trekking to the EBC is a dream for many, here are top 10 Reasons why one should make their dream come to reality and embark the trek to Everest Base Camp, whether it be a short one or a regular trek:
1. You will follow the Footsteps of Great Mountaineers
Hiking to Everest Base Camp means being on the same trails traveled by mountaineers, such as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, Pasang Lamu Sherpa(First Nepalese woman to climb Everest). Considering this, the fact of being on the same trail as great explorers doubles a sense of history and accomplishment during the journey.
Instead, it is not just a hike but one route leading to the Everest experience in the same spirit of adventure and exploration that has lured people to Everest for decades.
2. Test Your Limits: Regular and Short Trek
Physically, mentally, and emotionally, Everest Base Camp Trek is highly challenging since it requires around 14 days of trekking where certain 2 days are required for adjustment to the high altitudes and ever-changing weather conditions push one to an edge, which is the very thing that will make a challenge more thrilling when one reaches Base Camp.
Everest Base Camp Short Trek, on the contrary, is a trek of around 10 days, with walking of 7-8 hours a day. It becomes an option if one has little time but would want a taste of the adventure. Since this is a short version, it is only recommended to people who are experienced in trekking or are well fitted to the higher altitude region.
3. Beautiful Views of the World’s Highest Peaks
The Everest Base Camp trek takes you through and to the most beautiful scenery in the world. One is surrounded by towering, snow-covered peaks: Lhotse(8,516m), Nuptse(7,861), Ama Dablam(6,812m), cho you(8,189m) and of course, the crowning glory, Mount Everest, at 8,848 meters.
Every day of the trek offers something different, yet breathtakingly beautiful. Whether it be it the rising of the sun behind the mountains or the vision of some faraway glacier.
4. Experience Sherpa Culture
The trek experience is not just about the mountains though; there’s the part of the people inhabiting them, too. The Sherpas are one of those renowned mountainous hospitable people, and attach themselves with the mountain, hence enriching the culture even more in your experience. You will pass through villages, such as Namche Bazaar and Tengboche, with prayer flags flapping in the wind and visit some colored monasteries.
Most of the ways of life among the Sherpa people are borrowed from Buddhism. During the trek, resilience and friendliness leave memories.
5. Visit the Famous Tengboche Monastery
Among them, the main spiritual highlight of this route includes a visit to the biggest monastery in this region: Tengboche Monastery lies at an altitude of 3,867 meters and has great views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. Its isolation, coupled with the beauty of the surroundings, forms a perfect setting for quiet introspection.
It is also the stretch that gets to be the most emotional part of the trek for many, since it does give ample opportunities for connecting with the spirituality of the region.
6. Get a Taste of Everest Expeditions
Reaching Everest Base Camp is already quite an achievement in itself, and usually, no attempt at climbing is made on the Mountain itself. Base camp serves as a launch pad to the summit, and having gone there will probably provide a feel of what an Everest Expedition is.
Standing at the Base Camp, one looks at tents and all the gear of climbers getting ready for the top. Exciting and humble feelings come one after another, to be so close to the highest point on Earth.
If one is not prepared for this long journey, then a glimpse into the world of the mountaineers is provided by the Short Trek to Everest Base Camp.
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7. No Need for Climbing Skills
Great overall, regarding the Everest Base Camp Trek: no previous technical experience in climbing is needed. While those who would like to conquer Everest should prepare their body well in advance, the trekkers to Base Camp need only good shape of their physique and preparation for long-day hiking. No rope, harness, or ice axe is required-just good stamina and determination.
This makes it rather easy for almost anybody to do this trek-even people who have never been trekking in their lives.
8. Explore Unique Wildlife and Plants
The Everest Base Camp Trek encompasses different topographies: it takes one through green forests up to the high altitude where nothing but the ‘barren’ terrain exists. Gain in altitude, and you will see vegetation changes-from colorful rhododendrons to hardy shrubs. If you are lucky enough you might get a chance to catch a glimpse of Himalayan wildlife. Tahr(a kind of wild goat), Snow leopard from a distance.Birds like Himalayan Monal(Lophophorus), Nepal’s national bird may be spotted on this route.
9. Feel the Joy of Reaching Base Camp
The feeling of reaching the base camp will make you forget the tough journey of days that you took. Pushing yourself to the limit to reach one of the world’s most iconic place all seems worth it. The experience you can gather standing on the base of world’s tallest mountain is truly an amazing feeling of pride as well as astonishment. It’s an unforgettable moment that is surely gonna fulfill one’s bucket list tick.
10. The Option of the Short Trek to Everest Base Camp
For the experienced trekkers who want to take a quick adventure, then the Everest Base Camp short trek offers a compact version of the full trek. It allows you to experience the Himalayas, and enjoy the stunning view all in a shorter amount of time.
While the short trek is not recommended to beginners, such an option is the best for the fully trained and regular trekkers who want to seek this as a challenge of pride or want to kick of their bucket list:
Below is the itinerary for the Short trek:(around 10 days)
DAY 1 :
- Flight from (Kathmandu to Lukla) or ( Manthali to Lukla ) :
This is an approximate 40 minutes flight from kathmandu and approximate 20 minutes flight from Manthali to Lukla respectively.
- Approx. 3 hours trek following from Lukla to Phakding(2,650m altitude)
DAY 2:
- Approximate 6-7 hours trek from Phakding to Namche Bazar(3,440m altitude)
DAY 3:
- Approximate 5 hours trek from Namche Bazar to Tengboche(3,855m altitude)
DAY 4:
- Approximate 5 hours trek from Tengboche to Dingboche(4,360 m altitude)
DAY 5:
- Approximate 5-6 hours Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche(4,930m altitude)
Day 6:
Approximate 7 hours total : trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp(5,364m altitude)
- Return back to Gorak Shep(5,185m altitude)
DAY 7:
Approximate 5 hours total: hike to kala Patthar(5,555m altitude) which is the point from where Everest is seen at its finest.
- Return back to Gorak shep.
- Trek from Gorak shep to Pheriche(4,250m altitude).
DAY 8:
- Approximate 5-6 hours trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazar.
DAY 9:
- Approximate 7 hours trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla.
DAY 10:
- Flight to Kathmandu or Manthali from Lukla.
How to Prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Training in advance and a trekking experience is recommended for this trek to Everest base camp. If one is not used to trekking then, cardiovascular exercises like running, swimming, walking beginner slopes and shorter destination hikes are required prior to embarking on this journey.
Build up your stamina with some regular hiking, running, or long walks. You should also strengthen your legs and core for this.
Besides being in good physical shape, equipment plays an important part: good hiking boots, thermalwear, a high-quality sleeping bag, sun protection. Even in summer, temperatures drop radically upwards, so outdoor clothes and rain gear are highly recommended.
Acclimatization is yet another vital factor. While on the trek, take your time to acclimatize and have your body get used to the lean air. The consumption of plenty of water is recommended, while on the other hand, one must avoid alcoholic consumption as altitude sickness may prevail anytime at such altitudes.
Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp
The best time for the Everest Base Camp Trek is in Spring and autumn (September to November). In these particular seasons, the skies are clear, hence making the views of Everest and the peaks around it spectacularly fascinating.
The colorful rhododendron blooms make spring a pretty time of year, with generally milder weather; it is peak climbing season, however, and thus the trails are busier. In autumn, the air is crisper and the post-monsoon skies present breathtakingly beautiful views; this is also the less crowded time and hence favored by many trekkers.
Winter and the monsoon time are not preferred seasons due to cold temperature and heavy rains, respectively; though many adventure trekkers prefer these seasons for trekking, which keeps the trails less crowded.
Trek Responsibly: Environmental and Ethical Considerations
As more and more people started trekking to Everest Base Camp, now may be a better time for a more sober reflection of how tourism is affecting this mighty region. Responsible trekking would mean following the “no trace” principle, bringing all the waste down with you, discarding no plastics, leaving the animals and their habitat untouched.
Other important ways to go about responsible or ethical trekking include supporting local businesses, guides, and porters. Moreover, local guides aside from adding richness to your experience, also hire Sherpas to support the community. There is a variety of tour operators that support eco-friendly or sustainable tourism practices which preserve this natural wonderland for future generations.
Final Thoughts
In this hustle of the world, Immersing yourself in the beauty of the Himalayas, Everest Base Camp is the perfect destination. It is a trek for the adrenaline rush of the heart and mind. The sceneries of the Mountain or immersing yourself in the culture of Sherpa, every detail of the trek will be worth it. Full Everest Base Camp Trek and Everest Base Camp Short Trek whatever route one chooses-are going to be remembered through albums forever. Slap on those bags and get ready to scratch it off that bucket list of great adventures!
