Everest Base Camp Trek

You adventure actually begins in Kathmandu (1,350m) where a pre-trek briefing will introduce you to the trek, and your gear will be checked for the last time. A mountain flight with a stunning view will then take you to Lukla (2,840m) or Tenzing-Hillary Airport. Lukla is the gate to the Everest region and the flight, although very short, gives you a chance to see the Himalayas for the first time from the air and therefore, it sets the mood for the entire trip. The route from Lukla though the trail leading to the river Dudh Koshi on the Sherpa villages of Phakding, solar-powered and Monjo where you can visit their culture and lifestyle for the first time.

After a short time, the path officially pass Sagarmatha National Park, which is a gorgeous and peaceful Himalayan nature reserve with a large variety of plants and animals, dazzling glaciers, and dominant peaks that have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The suspension bridges of the river that you cross to change the river sides are usually adorned with colorful prayer flags so that you can enjoy the moment while the altitude gradually changes. The climb from Namche Bazaar (3,440m) is definitely one of the greatest parts of the trek.

Namche is perfectly positioned at the entrance of the region and thus, it is often called the gateway to Everest. This lively and attractive mountain town is packed with local culture, bakery and trekking shops, museums, and cafes. Here, a day for acclimatization is of extreme importance so that the body can get used to the rarified air. Small hikes to Everest View Hotel or to nearby ridges are excellent ways of getting the best views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam.

After you have left Namche, the trail first follows the contour line of a hill that is quite far and above the valley from which it later descends to the river. After that, it goes up along the river to the Tengboche Monastery (3,860m). This religious monastery isn't just a place for worship which is only a part of its function, but it is also a great spiritual and cultural center of the Khumbu region.

Many trekkers choose to be there at the time of the evening prayer sessions not only to benefit from the magical atmosphere but also to have a glimpse of Ama Dablam at the same time. Once you leave Tengboche, the features of the environment and the landscape keep changing gradually. At last, the tree line vanishes and instead, there are some bushes in a couple of places as well as big valleys just like before. Going into Pangboche and further on to Dingboche (4,410m), you will notice that the air is thinner and the temperature lower. If you want to perform better at the next stage which will be more altitude-demanding, it is good to acclimatize by staying for a day or even for a half day.

On your way to Lobuche (4,940m), the ground is rougher and there is more snow on it because of the proximity to the glacier and there are also monuments to climbers who lost their lives on the route to Everest. The last stretch to the Everest Base Camp (5,364m) is not just a physical challenge but also an emotional one with lots of different feelings mixed inside a person. The trail to the base camp goes along the Khumbu Glacier until it is that one moment you see the most famous spot just below the huge icefall of Everest. At the time when the mountaineering activities are at their peak, the dotted and brightly colored tents of the expeditions along the glacier form a very beautiful picture of the high-altitude dwelling. Probably pride, reflection, and achievement are the three major sentiments that one experiences at the sight of the highest summit on Earth.

The following morning, well before the sun casts its rays on the ground, you are already out for a walk to Kala Patthar (5,545m), the highest point of the trek. From here, your eyes will be the very first to witness sunrays gently lighting up Everest and at the same time, the other neighboring Himalayan giants - the Everest view from the top of the world is the highlight of the whole trip!

After you have completed your achievements, you begin your descent. In some mysterious way, the walk through the villages on your way to Lukla just isn’t the same anymore because, firstly, you have just received a new lease of life, secondly, you have gone through an inner transformation, and thirdly, you are ready to celebrate. After coming back to Lukla, you take a short flight that takes you to Kathmandu thus concluding one of the most legendary trekking adventures of the Earth.

The 12-day EBC trek is far more than merely a being in a place kind of story. It sways the story of determination to succeed, being engaged with the local culture, enjoying the mountain landscapes, and personal transformation all in the heart of the Himalayas.