It is the wish of every trekker to at least get a glimpse of Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, and it is not everyday people get the opportunity to trek to its base camp. Located in eastern Nepal, the Everest region borders Tibet in the north so the summit can be reached through both the north and south directions. Although the Tibetan side of the base camp receives a larger number of tourists, the Nepalese side of the base camp is flocked with travelers who yearn for adventure, as it is the perfect location for trekking.
The picturesque views, warm Sherpa culture, and lush biodiversity are the attractions of the Everest Base Camp Trek. Throughout the route, travelers get to see amazing views of Everest, Cho Oyu and many more peaks at various angles. The stunning landscape takes travelers to different villages with its unique background and warm welcome. As Sherpa’s inhabit the region, at almost every village, travelers get to experience a part of their rustic culture and cuisines.
There are other places within the Everest region which makes the Everest Base Camp Trek more exciting. For those who want to discover more of this beautiful region, they can trek to Gokyo Valley and see the Gokyo lakes and the Khumbu Icefall. If travelers want to make more memories with the Sherpa community, they can choose to stay longer at Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. They can also trek and stay overnight at other nearby villages like Khunde and Chhukung. The diverse options to explore more of this exceptional region are what make the Everest Base Camp Trek stand out from other treks.
Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek
- Once in a lifetime opportunity to trek to the highest base camp in the world
- Breathtaking views of mountains like Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse and many more throughout the route
- The unique experience of the welcoming Sherpa culture
- Visit monasteries like Tengboche
- Enjoy the daily lifestyles at villages like Namche Bazaar and Lukla
A. The Majestic Mountain Vistas
The main attraction in the Everest region is the tallest mountain, Everest itself. For many people, getting a glimpse of the magnificent mountain alone is the accomplishment of their trip. However, Everest is not the only mountain travelers get to see in this region. The neighboring mountains like Cho Oyu, Lhotse and Nuptse are also equally breathtaking. If the weather is in favor, travelers can see Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu in the west as well. Trek to Everest Base camp will provide spectacular panoramic views of the majority of the mountains lying in the Everest region. At sunrise and sunset, the views of the mountain vistas get more breathtaking from Kalapatthar, the old base camp.
B. The Mountainous Landscape
Beautiful forests and landscapes surround the high mountains, which is unique to the Everest region. The biodiversity is diverse and endangered. As Sagarmatha National Park lies within the Everest region, there are efforts to conserve the pristine nature of this region. The rocky trail through various villages and areas proves to be a wonderful adventure for those who seek adrenaline. As the altitude gains, travelers can see amazing glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls that can only be seen here. For example, the Gokyo lakes provide a stunning panorama of the entire Gokyo Valley. As the route leads to the base camp, travelers can also see many glaciers and moraines that fill up the region.
C. Sherpa: The Dwellers of the Sacred Region
The ethnic community of Sherpa is the original dwellers of the Everest region and still dominates the region at present. Due to this reason, they can adapt to the high altitudes quickly and thus make the perfect partner while climbing Everest. They are world-renowned for their talent and passion for mountaineering. Their culture and traditions have a huge impact on the region and thus in the present day, the Khumbu (Everest) region is also synonymous with Sherpa. The teahouses and lodges are the best way to experience their culture. There are a few homestays at Namche Bazaar where travelers can stay at an authentic Sherpa household.
D. Monasteries that Color the Region
The Sherpa people are devout Buddhists, so travelers can see the influence of Buddhism once they enter the Everest region. The whole region is filled with prayer flags, chortens, and monasteries. En route, travelers can visit the major monasteries, which are important to the local people. Among such places is the Tengboche monastery. It is one of the principal monasteries of the Everest region. Through these monasteries, travelers can get to know more about the lifestyles of monks and meaningful insights into Buddhism.
E. Daring Flight to Lukla
A 30-minute flight to Lukla is the easiest and shortest way to reach the Everest region but the flight itself is an escapade before the real journey starts. The airport, also known as Tenzing Hillary Airport, is located at a high cliff of 2,860 meters with a sharp drop at the end of the runway. Thus, it is on the list of the world’s dangerous airports. Along with it, the short runway of 80 km also possesses a challenge for pilots and is considered as an enthralling experience as the plane touches down at Lukla. The aerial panoramic views from Kathmandu to Lukla are breathtaking as travelers get to see Everest and many other mountains like Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, etc.
Conclusion
The view of the majestic mountain itself is the main reason for the growing number of trekkers every year. The government has launched the “Visit Nepal 2020” program to promote the Nepalese tourism sector so various works are carried out by the government and local people make their area more appealing to attract tourists. From teahouses to utility services, the Everest region is becoming to be more beloved by trekkers. The rugged terrain with spectacular mountain views, welcoming culture of Sherpa and the excitement to experience something new every day are more than enough reasons for adventure seekers to visit the Everest region. Thus the trek to Everest Base camp is the best route to enjoy the true beauty of Everest and the surrounding areas.
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