A trip to Everest Base Camp is not a one-time affair. You can reach the summit with several trekking routes. You’ll spend four to five weeks there, surrounded by a unique and diverse group of people. You’ll find yourself immersed in a culture that is as unique as the place you’ll be sleeping.
Trekking To Everest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp is located at an elevation of 17,598 feet (5,364 meters) above sea level. Most people must be at higher altitudes to begin experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness. The symptoms can include shortness of breath, headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In severe cases, altitude sickness can be life threatening, and the best treatment is to descend to a lower altitude. However, the eight-day trek does have some advantages.
Namche Bazzar & Tengboche Monasteries
One of the most popular aspects of the trek is the opportunity to experience the spectacular scenery, including views of Everest. The route also includes stops in Namche Bazzar and Tengboche monasteries, which are excellent places for up-close views of the surrounding mountains. The religious significance of Buddhism can be seen in most of the places along the trail. During your Everest Base Camp Trek, prayer flags will dance in the gentle winds, while monasteries and other places of worship reflect the region’s deep culture.
Climbing the Lobuche East Peak
Climbing Lobuche’s East Peak requires technical experience and a great deal of preparation. It’s one of the highest peaks in the world, and is rated TD by the French and Swiss Alpine Climbing Classification Systems. The climb is exciting and challenging, but you’ll need several days of rest between the start and descent to be safe. If you’re thinking of climbing the Lobuche East Peak, you should have enough rest days to make it to the top.
Spectacular View of Everest
The last night of the trek is spent in Lobuche. This remote settlement is a hub for trekkers and is the last stop before Everest Base Camp. The village of Lobuche is located near Gorakh Shep and the Kala Pathar peak, which offers a spectacular view of Everest. Lobuche’s location and spectacular scenery make it a top choice for trekkers. It’s also an ideal place to spend the night before climbing Everest.
Kala Patthar at Everest
The trek to Kala Patthar at Everest Base Camp is not a long one but it is steep and high. A standard trekker will need approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the view point. However, the summit of Kala Patthar is not visible until some distance after you reach the base camp. The trek is suitable for acclimatized mountaineers but those who are not will need several rest breaks.
Best Viewing Points of Everest Base Camp
Ascending Kala Patthar is an optional, but highly recommended, part of the Everest Base Camp trek. This small peak is home to one of the best viewing points of Everest Base Camp, at about 5,644 m. There is no need for technical climbing skills to reach the peak. The hike is very easy and takes just a few hours, and the spectacular views make the trek well worth the extra effort.
Kala Patthar to Pheriche
Everyone interested in hiking the Everest Base Camp trail, you should consider starting your trek from Kala Patthar in the morning. This will give you the best possible sunrise and sunset views of Mount Everest. Most agencies begin this trek early in the morning and end it in the afternoon. A typical EBC itinerary includes a round trip from Lobuche to Gorak Shep on day eight, an early climb of Kala Patthar for sunrise, and a return hike to Pheriche in the late afternoon.
Path to Kala Patthar
The path to Kala Patthar is steep and may take two hours to complete. This is the final uphill stretch before Lukla. This route is ideal for first-timers and for those who want to catch a glimpse of Mount Everest’s stunning sunrise. To get the most out of this hike, leave Gorak Shep at around 4am. From there, hike up to Pheriche Everest Base Camp for a panoramic view of the mountain and the surrounding areas.
Kala Patthar to Lobuche
The journey from Kala Patthar to Lobuche is a popular choice for those wishing to experience the breathtaking views of Mount Everest. The trek takes two days, beginning and ending in Lobuche, and can be done in either direction. Whether you’re interested in sunrise or sunset views, you’ll enjoy a spectacular scenery. The standard itinerary for the trek from Kala Patthar to Lobuche takes two days, and includes trekking to Everest Base Camp and back to Lobuche.
The Kala Patthar to Lobuche trek is relatively difficult but not too strenuous. The highest point on this trek is Kala Patthar, at 5,643m. While this is not part of the standard Everest Base Camp trek, it is a good acclimatization hike. You can expect to hike for at least six hours, and will need to take a rest break on the way up and down.
Lukla to Lobuche
When you want to hike up to Everest Base Camp, you will need to acclimatize. This trek requires about twelve to fourteen days of full-on trekking. The trek begins in Lukla and covers eight to ten miles a day and is roughly one hundred and thirty kilometers round trip. It is split into five to six sections and requires acclimatization and rest days.
Day 3 of the trek begins in Lukla, where you will hike through lush pine forests before crossing roaring riverways and swinging suspension bridges. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the trek, with wildflowers, hanging moss, and many beautiful views of the Himalayas. You can also spend the night in a guesthouse and enjoy a hot lunch before beginning the hike to Everest Base Camp.
