Everest Base Camp Trek Review: Expect the Unexpected
If you’re looking for an adventure that will take your breath away, then look no further than a hike to Base Camp. Whilst not for everyone, if you’re looking for something that is exhilarating, exciting, and undeniably beautiful, then this truly is a once in a lifetime experience – and it will literally take your breath away too! If you want to know what to expect, then you’ve come to the right place. Whilst we can’t tell you exactly what will occur, as every Everest Base Camp Trek is completely different, we can whet your tastebuds and ensure you’re excited for the adventure ahead!
Preparation
The first thing to expect on your hike to Base Camp is exhaustion. Trekking for hours on end every day in the bitter cold at high altitudes will take a toll on your body, so it’s important that you do everything you can to prepare for that. We recommend spending the months leading up to your Everest Base Camp Trek outdoors hiking – though altitude sickness can strike anyone, being fit and healthy will definitely be an advantage for you.
Arrival
The vast majority of people arrive at Kathmandu, before flying into Lukla – a short but incredibly nerve wracking 25-minute flight. As it can be weather dependant, we recommend including some flexibility into your tour itinerary, to ensure you don’t have to cut your trip short. Once in Lukla, you can choose to begin your trek straight away with a two-hour hike to Phadking.
Phadking to Namche Bazaar
Today offers your first opportunity to catch a glimpse of the elusive Everest peak – weather dependant of course. After waking up in Phadking, you will begin the three-hour hike to the Namche Bazaar, a local market town. You’ll be spending an extra day here acclimatising, but the area offers plenty of sightseeing opportunities, so you can easily fill your day exploring.
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
After two nights at the Namche Bazaar, it’s time to begin your hike to Tengboche. Here, you can visit the Tengboche Monastery, the largest in its kind in the region. This three-hour trek is mostly downhill, though the last 2.5km offers a steep incline.
Tengboche to Pheriche
Home of the Himalyan Rescue Association, the three-hour hike to Pheriche continues steadily up hill. Don’t let that put you off though – you’ll also enjoy stunning views of Ama Dablam towering above you. You’ll spend another day at Periche, as you acclimatise to the 4,274-meter altitude. Consider a visit to the beautiful Tshola Tsho Lake or the nearby village of Dingboche.
Pheriche to Lobuche
One of the hardest and emotionally draining days of the trek, the three-and-a-half-hour hike to Lobuche will take you past many memorials to Sherpas and climbers who have died along the route.
Lobuche to Gorak Shep
Today is the day you reach base camp! From Lobuche you hike to Gorak Shep – the highest inhabited village in the world. You’ll rest and have a bite to eat, before climbing further up the mountain to Everest Base Camp. Take your pictures and revel in your success before turning back down to Gorak Shep where you will spend the night.
Gorak Shep to Dingboche
Though you’ve already reached Base Camp, the highest point of yourEverest Base Camp trek is yet to come. Another day of steep trekking to Kala Patthar offers the best views of the hike, and is considered one of the highlights of the trip by many. From Kala Patthar, you will quickly descend over 1,000 meters to Dingboche, where you will be spending the night.
Dingboche to Kathmandu
Over the next four days, you will make the journey back from the heights of Everist to Lukla, before flying to Kathmandu. Be sure to keep your camera in hand, as you walk through the stunning rhododendron covered slopes.
When it comes to the Everest Base Camp Trek, one thing you can be sure to expect is a truly unforgettable experience. If this sounds like something that you want to tick off your bucket list, then please reach out to us at Viktorianz. Offering personalised and boutique tours, we want to help you make memories that last a lifetime.
