Everest Base Camp (EBC)...Breathtaking Scenery
The Everest Base Camp trek (EBC) was one of the best trekking experiences. It was not an easy trek as it requires physical and more importantly mental strength but nothing worthwhile is easy and it really was an adventure of a lifetime. Arriving in Kathmandu was an experience in itself, we traveled from the airport to the hotel and I found it fascinating, it is such a busy city. We were met by our Sherpa’s and had a nice welcome dinner and relaxed in the hotel. The Nepalese are very friendly people.
We had waited long time to start this, I was so excited to set off. From Kathmandu you fly into Lukla to start the trek. Lukla airport is listed as the most extreme airport in the world and it wasn’t hard to see why! It was an adventure in itself. The airstrip was the size of small strip and we were all very happy to land safely. We were met by our Sherpa’s and started trekking. Our Sherpa’s were fantastic throughout the trip, I have no doubt in my mind that we couldn’t have done safely it without them. We trekked to Phakding for our first night. We stayed in tea houses every night, they were basic but nobody was expecting luxury. The higher we traveled the more basicthe tea houses. Most tea houses were run by families. The views, scenery and landscape is unbelievably spectacular throughout the entire trail.
The second day on the trail was a definite increase in level of difficulty, this was the day of steps! It was warm on the first few days of the trek and we arrived in Namche Bazzaar (3,440m), there were lots of markets and general busyness as it is a popular trading town. Acclimatization has to be your number one consideration. The second day in Namche Bazaar we had an active rest day taking a hike for few hours to Everest hotel which has best views. The next day we trekked to Tengbouche (3,867 m), we crossed numerous suspension bridges on the trail and got out of Everest, Lothse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. We arrived at Tengbouche and visited the monastery there, the monks were chanting, it was a unique experience. The following day we set off for Dingbouche 4,350m, there was a definite change in the air up there, the environment had become sparse and the landscape reflected this. The acclimatization day at Dingbouche was a physically tough day, we climbed a peak to 5,000m. Next day we arrived in Lobuche 4,940m, visited a memorial on the way in memory of people who lost their lives. This place it was cold and very basic, some of lost a bit of appetite and we knew the hardest day lay ahead.
Final push, we got up early the next day for an exciting day which is going to be the long day but we hoped it would be the day we made it to Base Camp. To get to Base Camp we crossed a slippery path over the Khumbu glacier. There were lots of crevasses, deep holes in the ice. Shortly after that we made it to Everest Base Camp 5,364m at the base of the Khumbu ice fall, I was so relieved when we made it; we were standing on top of the world (or as close as I have been to it). It was an unbelievable feeling, hard to describe. We headed back to Gorak Shep for the night, I was delighted I had made it. Next morning, some of woke up very early and started trekking to Kala Patthar mountain at 5644m, we saw breathtaking views of Everest, Nuptse and Changtse. After iconic pictures, hiked down and joined the rest of the group to Lobche and boarded the helicopter to Lukla to speak the night feeling accompanied. Next morning, took the plane back to Kathmandu.
This was a adventure to remember for rest of my life and especially with amazing Alpiners. I highly recommend, and if these is one trek you are going to do then this should be it!!
Amazing video from past Alpine Outdoors trek: https://youtu.be/FbDnNOxWfBs?si=G1CtoMP0p1oNomGh