A paradise for trekkers, mountaineers and naturalists, the Khumbu region Nepal offers a number of rewarding adventurous treks and expeditions. Everest Base Camp trek is the most popular one among the many thrilling trekking packages around the world’s highest peak. Imagine walking through rural villages, with stunning views of the world’s highest snow-capped peaks, and ultimately arriving at Everest Base Camp! It is the major base where daring mountaineers set up their camp before summiting the 8,848m Sagarmatha or Mt. Everest. We, the Orbit Alpine Adventure team, know you are tempted to join us on this fabulous trip right away!
During our Everest Base Camp trek you can enjoy some of the best experiences of Sagarmatha National Park. Staying overnight at the mountain village of Namche and reaching the incomparable Himalayan vista at Kala Patthar (5,545m). Kala Patthar is a vantage point that is extraordinarily close to some of the highest mountains on the planet. From there you can have incredible views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Lhotse – just like from Everest Base Camp itself.
Throughout the trip, you will visit some very old monasteries and mingle with the brave Sherpas who have a peculiar lifestyle and culture. Everest base camp lies at 5,364 meters height and brings you at the feet of the highest mountain in the world. The journey to Everest Base Camp takes you via mountains, mountain passes, forests, rivers, and quaint Sherpa villages & monasteries. Once you go there and return, this close-to-surreal experience will remain with you for years to come.
We begin with a 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and then, trek to Phakding (2,600m), a small village. Following the flat terrain passing through chortens and prayer wheels, you reach the guesthouse nearby the Dudh Koshi River. Further, trek to Namche and stay there overnight. Having a breakfast with beautiful views of mountains around you is one of the memorable experiences you’ll have in this trek. A day of acclimatization in Namche Bazaar will help you prepare well for the walk ahead.
You will trek to Tengboche (3,880m) and beyond seeing the wildlife and the strange culture. If you happen to be at Tengboche Monastery during October-November, you can observe the Mani Rimdu festival. This is the main festival of the Sherpa of Khumbu region which reflects their lifestyle, culture, tradition, rites and rituals. From there, trek to Pheriche and encounter more wildlife such as musk deer, pheasants, and yaks along the way. With each passing day, the view gets more wonderful and peaks such as Ama Dablam, and Lhotse come clearer. You trek further to Lobuche (4,930m), and on to Gorakshep (5,130m) to reach the gem of this trek –Everest Base Camp (5,364m). All the great mountaineers and adventurers have come to EBC and appreciated the grandeur of the highest peaks on the planet.
A short detour to Kalapatthar will take you to a majestic vantage point located deep into the mountains. Have excellent views of the surrounding mountains and let the feeling sink in that you have to leave it all and return to civilization. And so you retrace your steps to Gorakshep, trek to Dingboche and on to Namche. Take a complete rest in Namche, for the next day, you will retreat to Lukla and catch a flight to Kathmandu.
Orbit Alpine Adventure recommends the trek Everest Base Camp in autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). Although it’s a moderately difficult trek, you don’t need prior trekking or climbing experience to take on this trek. All you need is a habit of regular exercise and average physical fitness plus a good deal of stamina.
FAQs:
1. Where is Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp is the stopover before one begins the expedition to Everest, the highest peak in the world. It lies in the northern Nepalese Himalayas surrounded by other peaks including two eight-thousanders: Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Cho Oyu bordering with Tibet. It is the highest point situated at the elevation of 5,364 meters to reach during Everest region trekking. You can have a truly magnificent view of the snowcapped peaks of the Everest region as if you could touch them with your hands!
2. How far is Everest Base Camp?
average aeronautical distance between Kathmandu and Everest Base Camp is 160 kilometers. You catch a flight to reach Lukla (Tenzing Hillary Airport) from Kathmandu which takes nearly 45 minutes. The geographical distance between Lukla and Everest Base Camp is 130 kilometers which is measured on foot. You can reach base camp of Mount Everest by walking for 8 days along with two days’ acclimatization and 4 days to come down to Lukla.
3. Can I trek to Everest Base Camp?
Yes, you can absolutely do Everest Base Camp trek if you are physically and mentally ready for it. You have the following choices to do this trek:
i) an organized trek through a registered trekking agency located in Kathmandu; it is the most reliable although more expensive. You book the trekking package by using different media like email, WhatsApp, phone calls or online booking facilities by using the internet.
ii) managing guides and porters in Kathmandu without prior booking from your home country. For this, you can go to a trekking agency which helps you to arrange the guides and porters to complete the Everest Base Camp trekking.
iii) independent trek in which you are fully responsible to make the required arrangements and perhaps don’t take anyone’s help. You book flight or roadway transportation tickets, hotel booking on arrival, manage guides and porters as well.
You can experience Everest Base Camp trekking in either way according to your comfort and choice. But we highly recommend you to plan this trek by using the first and second options. A registered trekking agency provides you a professional trekking guide and a porter to carry your load. The trekking guide and the porter help you in case of altitude related problems like altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). An independent trekking to Everest region is not quite reliable as you may not be able to find out the right trail. Likewise, you may miss the major attractions of the region or may not able to find the accommodation especially, during the peak trekking season.
4. What are the permits required for EBC Trek?
- The permits required for EBC trek are:
- TIMS card
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area Entry Permit (Only EBC trek via Jiri)
5. What is cost for EBC trekking?
Actually, EBC trekking cost depends upon the itinerary you book with us and the route you follow to reach the destination. The type of accommodation you prefer and flight facility you want or not are also important factors to determine the cost. Orbit Alpine Adventure is really committed to provide you the best package at the most reasonable cost. We believe “Clients’ Satisfaction is Our Motto” and are always ready to help you get the maximum satisfaction. To know all about the EBC trekking cost, contact: www.orbitalpineadventure.com.
6. What are the top gears to pack during EBC trek?
The top gears to pack during EBC trek are:
Shoes
|
Clothing
Long-Sleeve
|
Best Accessories
|
7. What is the possibility for altitude sickness during Everest Base Camp trek?
There is high possibility of altitude sickness during Everest Base Camp trek as you have to spend the night above 3,000m height. To prevent you from this problem, there are two days provisioned for acclimatization in the Everest region. The trekking guide who goes with you will assist you to keep in the best health condition. Next thing, the slower you walk, the less probability for altitude sickness! You should ascend the trail leading uphill quite slowly and you have to drink pure water enough plus hygienic food items. Similarly, you can pack Diamox Oral to prevent or cure this health hazard or you shouldn’t ascend further if you feel uncomfortable while walking. Finally, don’t hesitate to share the problem with the trekking guide who will take the necessary initiative.
8. What are the major attractions of Everest trek?
There are many attractions of Everest trek which is every avid trekker’s dream they want to make it come true. The splendid Himalayas including three eight-thousanders and other snowy peaks are the top attraction that everyone wants to witness once in lifetime. Diverse terrains, lush valleys, green forests, glacial lakes and icefalls including flora and fauna of Sagarmatha National Park are equally interesting. Namche Bazaar, the main trade center in the entire Khumbu region which provides all the modern amenities is another wonder of this region. Sherpa villages like Lukla, Phakding, Dingboche, Tengboche, Periche reflecting their unique culture and tradition also attract the tourists. Sherpa Museum which you visit during acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar gives you knowledge about their lifestyle, culture and tradition. Tengboche Monastery located in Tengboche village is the largest and oldest monastery of the Khumbu region which is worth visiting. Everest View Hotel, which is one of the highest altitude hotels in the world, is also a site not to miss. The best view point Kala Patthar is the last but not the least attraction of Everest Base Camp trekking. In a nutshell, you get the opportunity to taste the blend of pristine nature and authentic culture in the Nepalese Himalayas.
9. How safe is domestic flight to Lukla from Kathmandu?
The domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is undoubtedly safe as the flights are arranged based on the weather. Only in the days with favourable weather, you can enjoy this mountain flight in Nepal. In case of unfavourable weather condition, the flights are delayed, postponed or even cancelled. The agency gives you the genuine reasons for the otherwise arrangements and you are obliged to be flexible in such situation. In case of cancellation, you will get the refund of the charge with zero deduction from the amount you have paid!
10. Can I get helicopter facility to fly to Everest Base Camp from the middle of the ascent journey?
Of course, you can get flight facilities from the middle of the ascent journey to EBC by consulting with Orbit Alpine Adventure. If you are no more interested in walking uphill from any of the stopovers, you can take this service. However, you have to pay extra charge for using helicopter service if this is not included in the cost of EBC trekking. More importantly, flight over Everest gives an aerial view of the mountain peaks, landscapes and residential area of this Sherpa region.
11. Why should I do EBC trekking?
You should do EBC trekking which is a must-do activity once in lifetime for various reasons. First of all, it is the rarest opportunity to reach the closest to the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest and other peaks. It is a lifetime experience that you can share with the people in your relation and in your acquaintances. Everest Base Camp trekking gives you the double pack memories of wonderful natural beauty and cultural diversity of the Khumbu region. Reaching the base camp of Mount Everest is one of the most important achievements in life that you can ever get.
12. How can I book the best EBC trekking package?
There are hundreds of local trekking agencies established in Kathmandu to facilitate you for booking tour and trek packages. Among them, Orbit Alpine Adventure is the one run by a well-experienced trekking entrepreneur, Mr. Puru. To book the best EBC trekking package, you can reach him via email, WhatsApp, phone calls and online booking services. You can get all the authentic information about different trekking regions and packages with the right trekking gears.
13. Which is the best view point of EBC trek?
There are a few perfect view points to observe the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest and other peaks nearby. During acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar, you can hike to Everest View Hotel situated at the highest altitude in the world. This serves as one of the best view points in the Khumbu region to have a spectacular vistas of snowy peaks. More or less, Everest Base Camp itself is a perfect view point, however, Mt. Lhotse hides Mt. Everest a little. Kala Patthar (5,550m) is the best view point of Mount Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Pumori and others. It is the best place to have a 360-degree panoramic view of the sacred mountain giants of the entire Khumbu region. You can take photographs by keeping the snowcapped peaks including the three eight-thousanders on the background for lifelong memories. Tengboche is also one of the most beautiful view point place from where you can view Everest just infront of you including Aama Dablam and other.
14. Can I get the customized EBC trekking package?
Yes, you can definitely get the customized EBC trekking package by contacting Orbit Alpine Adventure. Generally the EBC trek itinerary ranges from 3 days to 30 days and even longer with extension. The itinerary depends upon the trekking route you choose to follow and trekking hours you do per day. You can use helicopter service in the middle of the trek or by trekking from the very close stopover to the base camp. You can fly to different regions of Everest region to experience the mountain giants with a mutual consultation with the agency. Nonetheless, using helicopter increases the cost although it decreases the duration. After all, the choice is yours!