One of the most well-known treks in the world, if not the most well-liked, is the Everest Base Camp Trek. An avid traveler’s bucket list nearly always includes a visit to the base camp of the Everest Himalayas, which receives thousands of visits each year.
The most widely accepted explanation for why trekking to Everest’s base camp is the best is the unparalleled natural beauty of the Khumbu and the snow-capped Himalayas, which cannot be found anyplace else on Earth.
Everyone agrees that nothing compares to the peace of the Himalayas, particularly the tranquility of the planet’s highest peak.
Itinerary of Everest Base Camp Trek
Kathmandu – Lukla
Usually, the 14 day Everest Base Camp Trek starts with a quick flight from Kathmandu to the Himalayan town of Lukla, which is located in Nepal’s Khumbu region. Although there are various routes from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, to Lukla (several of which will be covered in more detail in this article), this quick 35-minute flight is one of the simplest ways to get to Khumbu. The trekking adventure begins when you arrive at Lukla Airport.
The picturesque setting of Lukla Airport is one of its peculiar features. Perched atop a cliff, the airport is also called the Tenzing-Hillary Airport, named for the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The airport features a single 527-meter runway that ends in an abrupt high terrain on one end and a gaping drop-off into the valley below on the other. Moreover, it is well-known for being among the world’s most dangerous airports due to the complexity and accuracy required to land an aircraft.
Lukla – Base Camp
One of the most well-known overnight destinations for hikers attempting the 12 Day Everest Base Camp Trek is the little town of Lukla. An typical trekking trip lasts 14 days, of which 2 are spent acclimating and the remaining days are spent hiking. There is a well-established trail that winds through the Khumbu’s Dudh Koshi and Imja River Valleys, leading to the base camp of Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha in Nepali. Along the route, notable villages and ethnic Sherpa communities include Gorakshep, Lobuche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar.
As the trekking trail continues away from Lukla, it gets higher and higher. The daily trekking expedition takes five to six hours on average to complete from one destination to the next. Under the boundaries of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, a sizable portion of Khumbu is protected. As previously mentioned, there are numerous towns and villages to cross before reaching the base camp. The most well-known is Namche Bazaar, which serves as Khumbu’s commercial center.
The village of Tengboche, which serves as the area’s spiritual hub, is another well-liked overnight destination. The largest and most significant Buddhist monastery in Khumbu, Tengboche Monastery, is the village’s most well-known feature. The final overnight stop before the base camp is Gorekshep.
Base Camp – Kathmandu via Lukla
It’s easier to walk back to Lukla from Base Camp than to climb up. In addition, the journey back via the same villages requires less time and energy than the ascent because of the path’s incline. As a result, descending the valley again offers you additional chances to take in the Everest Himalayas.
Everest Base Camp Trek Routes
Flight to Lukla
There are three main routes to/from Kathmandu and Khumbu. The quick flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is the quickest and most straightforward method. As mentioned, there are daily flights from Lukla’s Kathmandu Airport.
Via Salleri
If you prefer not to fly, another option is to go from Salleri to Khumbu. Though the walk via Salleri to Khumbu is charming, the short flight may not be as quick as the journey. The trip starts with a drive via Phaplu from Kathmandu to the village of Ringmo. The hike then starts in the direction of Takshindo’s Rai hamlet. The community’s nearby Cheese Factory and monastery are well-known. The route then takes a detour by rivers and terraced farms, arriving at a settlement close to Khari Khola. The village of Puiyan is the next place to stay overnight. It takes six to seven hours to hike to Phakding from there.
Via Helicopter
Helicopter visit to Everest Base Camp The use of rideout for transportation has grown steadily in popularity in recent years. Trekking or flying commercially to reach Khumbu offers a very different experience than heli trips to base camp. Aerial views of the environment and the Himalayas are captivating when experiencing a heli ride. The soaring peaks are breathtakingly beautiful to see from above. Helicopters are utilized not only for commercial excursions but also for emergency mountain evacuation. Additionally, you can use a helicopter to reach the base camp and back to Kathmandu.
Via Jiri
The traditional road to Everest Base Camp via Jiri passes via the ancient Gurung and Sherpa communities of Bhandar, Sete, Junbesi, and Nunthala before resuming at Khari Khola and culminating at Phakding.
Everest Base Camp Altitude
Consideration of altitude is crucial when trekking in Nepal. 1,400 meters is the altitude at which Kathmandu is situated. At 2,800 meters, Lukla is often where the Everest Base Camp Trek begins. There is a constant elevation gain on the route from Lukla; the higher you go toward the camp, the higher the elevation gets. A rough itinerary, location and altitude along the trekking route, and other noteworthy locations in Khumbu are shown in the column below.
Everest Base Camp Trek Location and Altitude
| Location | Altitude |
| Kathmandu | 1340 meters |
| Lukla | 2800meters |
| Phakding | 2650 meters |
| Namche Bazaar | 3440 meters |
| Khumjung | 3800 meters |
| Tengobhe or Phortse | 3850 meters |
| Dingboche | 4410 meters |
| Lobuche | 4910 meter |
| Gorak Shep | 5165 meters |
| Everest base camp | 5364 meters |
| Kalpathar | 5550 meters |
Acclimatization
One of the most crucial aspects of health on the Everest Base Camp Trek is being well acclimated. Allowing the body to acclimate to high-altitude environments is known as acclimation. High altitudes—usually 3,000 meters and above—have varying oxygen concentrations. If you don’t give your body enough time to adjust to the shifting terrain and altitude, you run the risk of being altitude sick, which can ruin your trekking experience.
During the Everest Base Camp Trek, acclimatization takes place for a full day, usually in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. As a result, a whole day is set aside for acclimatization at these sites. Trekkers travel from Namche to either the Everest View Hotel or the Syangboche Airstrip. Trekkers can go to Tserko RI, a viewpoint with expansive views of the Everest mountain and the Imja River Valley below, from Dingboche.
Everest Base Camp Trek Weather
The two finest seasons to hike to Everest Base Camp are in the spring and the fall. Spring arrives in March and ends in May, while fall arrives in September and ends in mid-December. The highest visibility and lowest likelihood of precipitation are experienced during these months when trekking. The spring and fall seasons are commonly known as the peak trekking seasons because of the notable spike in trekker traffic that occurs in Khumbu during these seasons.
On the other hand, trekking is possible in both the summer and the winter, though it is not normally advised. Hikes at low altitudes are appropriate, but those at high altitudes, such as Everest Base Camp, are not.
In the spring, the average daily temperature extrapolates to between 15˚ and 17˚C, while the average overnight temperature may fall as low as -1˚C. There is roughly 7 mm of precipitation and 9 hours of sunshine every day on average. In a similar vein, average daily temperatures in the autumn range from 17˚ to 18˚C, with nighttime lows of approximately -8˚C. However, daily weather forecasts can be found on the internet.
Everest Base Camp Trek Flight Delays
The weather during the busiest trekking seasons greatly reduces the likelihood of aircraft delays or cancellations. However, it’s a good idea to factor in an additional day in case of airline delays or cancellations at the end of the walk. Trekkers typically face consequences for such incidents from the travel companies they are trekking with.
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost
Each person’s experience with the average cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek is unique. A well-known and authorized travel agency’s Everest Base Camp Trek package typically costs between $1,800 and $2,200 USD. The cost of lodging in the mountains, meals, a trekking guide, hiking permits, paperwork, and transportation are all included in the trek package.
However, travel agents do not offer travel insurance. As a result, purchasing travel insurance is frequently required when hiking in Nepal. Travel insurance must pay for medical costs, lost luggage, canceled flights, emergency helicopter evacuation in the highlands, and other covered expenses.
Conclusion
Trekking to the Everest Base Camp is an experience of a lifetime. It captures the best Himalayan, environmental, and cultural aspects of Khumbu. Everest Peak offers a magnificent level of comfort, making the journey worthwhile at least once.
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