When people think about doing a trek in Nepal; the first trek in their mind will come is Everest Base Camp Trek. Everest Base Camp trek is one of the very popular treks in Nepal and it is a well-known trekking destination in the world too. Even Lonely Planet and other travel magazines recommend this trek for all adventure lovers. There are different reasons why you should do Everest Base Camp Trek.
Everest Base Camp Trek can start and end in different places and on different lengths of days. The most commonly doable is 11 nights 12 days which, starts from Lukla and ends in Lukla. Classic Giri to Everest Base Camp and the second flight option to Phaplu to start this trek. From where ever you start, this trek will give you the best trekking experience in Nepal. So the choice is yours and chose wisely the fulfill your expectation from EBC Trek.
Everest Base Camp Trek offers eye-catching views of the world’s highest peaks. Everest, Nuptse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu are the highest peaks. Similarly, the world’s most gorgeous mountain peak, Mount Amadablam, and other 6000 to 7000-meter-high snowy peaks too. The dramatic landscape and the mountain glaciers are the reasons why you must do Everest Base Camp Trek in your lifetime.
To fly to Lukla Airport
Lukla airport is known as one of the most dangerous airstrips in the world. This airport is named Tenzing Hillary Airport. It is dangerous because it is in the high elevation and the short and sloppy runway to land and takes off the airplane. To fly in Lukla is a kind of scary dream for everyone who loves the mountains and trekking.
This airport is the gateway to the Everest Base Camp trek and other treks in the Khumbu region. During the peak trekking season, this airport is very crowded; and in a day there are more than 50 flights will operate. The problem can occur if the weather condition is bad and not able to have a single flight in a day.
In that case, waiting till clear the weather is the first option, or taking a helicopter flight. And walk for two days to Phaplu and take a flight back to Kathmandu if possible. Nowadays there are road options just below the Lukla at Surke. But the road trip from a bit is challenging and the road is not completely done.
Typical Mountain Townlet
Khumbu area is the kingdom of the Himalayas and the home of the Sherpa people. The Sherpa people are some of the strongest mountaineers in the world. The Everest area is the home of them and their families. Houses in this area have their own unique style and design.
Every village has beautiful houses in different colors. The style of the windows, doors, roofs, walking trails, and surrounding environment these, all things are all reasons to do Everest Base Camp Trek. Because those villages represent the culture and tradition of that areas.
During this trek need to walk these villages Lukla, Namche, Thame, Khumjung, Pangboche, Phortse, Dingboche, and Pheriche. Lukla is a place famous for the airport and Namche is popular for its beautiful outlook. Thame is the home of the world-famous Sherpa Climbers and the same for Khumjung village too. Tengboche is well known for its beautiful monastery over there and; Dingboche and Pheriche are the villages in the lap of the world’s highest peaks.
Sherpa Culture and Tradition
Sherpas are born in the Himalayas of Nepal and they are the strongest mountain climbers and guides. Every year hundreds of people climb Mt. Everest and the right hand to succeed in their climbing trip is the Sherpa people. And Everest region is the homeland of those Sherpas.
They have their own culture and cultural value, sherpa costumes are one of the most beautiful outfits from Nepal. Their daily lifestyle, what they do, how they do and when they go; everything can see when you do Everest trekking. The Sherpa people’s birth ceremony, death ceremony everything is different and their own.
The Festivals celebrated in this region are another important fact that this region’s attraction to tourists. Every year festivals like Tiji Festival, Dumji Festival, and Gyalpo Lhosar celebrate in Khumbu. These all festivals are related to the Buddhist culture because the people of this region are Buddhists.
The High Passes are the reasons why you should do Everest Base Camp Trek for a thrilling adventure
Everest region is the empire of the high Himalayas and high pass trekking trails. And there are some most prominent high passes which offer the best trekking acquaintance. Those high passes are the bridge between two valleys of the area. To walk in these high passes you need to do Everest Three Pass Trek
Well- Known high pass in the Everest region
- Khongma La Pass (5535m)
- Chola Pass (5420m)
- Renjola Pass (5360m)
Khongma La Pass is one of the highest passes with an elevation of 5535m and offers an impressive mountain view and the surrounding. Chola Pass is another high pass that can add with Everest Base Camp Trek; which connects you between Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp. The third one is the Renjola Pass lowest among the three of them but the breathtaking vistas from the top are a lifetime experience.
High trekking peaks (Ris) or viewpoints
Trekking in Nepal is not complete without any viewpoint or Ris. In the Everest region, some tremendous viewpoints offer the nicest mountain view including Mt. Everest. Those viewpoints are also the reasons why you should do Everest Base Camp Trek. Those viewpoints are:
- Chhukung Ri
- Kalapattar
- Gokyo Ri
- Nagkartshang Peak
Chhukung Ri is that viewpoint located just above the Chhukung Village and the beneath Everest, Lothse, and Nuptse. From here you can have a glimpse of Everest, Makalu, Lothse, Nuptse, and many more. And Nagartshang peak is just above the Dingboche Village and this peak will submit by most of the trekkers; who do Everest Base Camp Trek.
Kalapattar is the highest one and which one is the best place for Everest View? This peak is located just above the Gorekshep and 99% of trekkers will trek this peak. Normally people will hike there for sunrise and sunset views of Everest. So that most of the people will hike up there early in the morning.
Gokyo Ri is another popular viewpoint in the Everest area. Located just above Gokyo Lake, and offers the best views of mountains, lakes, glaciers, and landscapes. From here you can see the four world’s highest peaks Everest, Cho Oyu, Lothse, and Makalu.
Glaciers and lakes
In the Khumbu region, there are two world-renowned glaciers – Khumbu Glacier and Ngozumpa Glacier. These two glaciers are known as the world’s biggest glaciers. Khumbu Glacier is on the Everest Base Camp side and Ngozumpa Glacier is in the Gokyo Valley and Cho Oyu base camp side.
Inside the Everest region, there are some beautiful lakes such as Gokyo Lake, Chola Tso Lake/ Dzongla Lake, Imja Lake, and Dig Taso Lake. These lakes are so striking for travelers; among them, Gokyo Lake is very popular with trekkers. Gokyo Lake has five series of lakes and the green and blue water on the lakes makes this the most gorgeous lake in Nepal.
During the winter season, these all lakes will be frozen because all the lakes are at high altitudes. If you want to have the best mountain vistas and the original colors of the lakes. Need to do Everest Base Camp Trek in the best season. These glaciers and lakes are the other reasons why you should do Everest Base Camp Trek.
Flora and fauna.
Everest Base Camp Trek is inside the Sagarmatha National Park. Sagarmatha National Park is one of the world’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites from Nepal. So imagine what can observe at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The alpine trees, bushes, deep canyons, Himalayan glaciers, massive rocks, and dramatic landscapes.
During this trek, visitors can sight animals such as Himalayan Black bears, Ghoral, Wolf, Musk dear, and many more. Even there are chances to see the susceptible species, such as the Snow leopard, Himalayan Monal, Red Panda, and Satyr Tragopan. This national park is the homeland of more than 118 varieties of birds.
High Hanging (Suspension Bridges)
In Nepal, we can find many hanging bridges, especially in the hilly regions. And while doing Everest Base Camp Trek, there are several bridges that have to cross. Those bridges are quite something to experience while trekking to Everest Base Camp. Go from one village to another village or cross the river each time we have to walk on the suspension bridge.
The most popular one is the Hillary Bridge (known as the highest bridge in Nepal) on the second-day walk of the EBC Trek from Phakding to Namche. After crossing this bridge need to climb straight up to Namche Bazar. The most fascinating glimpse of this bridge is the bridge above the bridge.
Stand up and take a photo at the Everest Base Camp
The most obvious reason to do Everest Base Camp Trek is to be at the Everest Base Camp. To be at the base camp of the world’s highest peak is a kind of dream come true for adventure and trekking lovers. Standing up at base camp and taking a photo for lifetime memories. If you have the desire to be at the Base Camp of Mt. Everest and take photos then you should do Everest Base Camp Trek.
If you are there during the spring season, there is an opportunity to catch up with many world-class climbers. Because spring season is the best season to climb Mt. Everest from the Nepal side. But to be at base camp you have to climb up 5364m after landing at 2800m at Lukla.
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Everest Base Camp Trek can start and ends in various places. Such as the classic Everest Base Camp Trek from Jiri which ends in Lukla. Flight to Phakding and end in Lukla and most common one fly in and fly out from Lukla. As a trekking guide, I have done this trek from all these places and I love the most common one from Lukla to Lukla this is just the outline itinerary. If you are looking for a detailed itinerary from Lukla to Lukla click here.
| Day 1 | Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding |
| Day 2 | Phakding to Namche Bazar |
| Day 3 | Explore Namche Bazar |
| Day 4 | Namche Bazar to Tengboche |
| Day 5 | Tengboche to Dingboche |
| Day 6 | Acclimatize day |
| Day 7 | Dingboche to Lobuche |
| Day 8 | Lobuche to Gorekshep and hike to Everest Base Camp |
| Day 9 | Hike to Kalapatter and trek to Pheriche |
| Day 10 | Pheriche to Namche Bazar |
| Day 11 | Namche Bazar to Lukla |
| Day 12 | Lukla to Kathmandu fly back |
In Conclusion
There are many reasons to do the Everest Base Camp Trek once in a lifetime. The most obvious reason is to get up close to Mount Everest 8848.86m, the tallest mountain peak in the world. The trek also takes you through some of the most beautiful and isolated Himalayan areas of Nepal. Where you will get to experience the typical culture and way of life of the local Sherpa Community. This trek is also a great opportunity to challenge yourself physically and mentally, as the trek involves long hours of hiking at high altitudes. Overall, the Everest Base Camp Trek is an unforgettable and rewarding experience that should be on the bucket list of many adventure seekers.
I hope reading this blog post, gives you the reasons why you should do Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. If looking for more information regarding doing this trek you can follow JRN Treks. JRN Treks is a trekking company specializing in trekking in Nepal’s Himalayas.
