Everest Base Camp: Challenge yet opportunity

Trekking to the Everest Base Camp is truly a challenging and the most exciting adventure in Nepal. Mount Everest base camp is a dream to billions of travellers. It attracts hundreds of thousands of trekkers and climbers from around the world every year. Due to the diverse landscapes, the trekking explores geological, cultural and historical aspects of the country.

• Starting point – Lukla Airport

Tenzing Hillary Airport aka Lukla Airport is the starting point for Everest trekking at the height of 9,334ft or 2,845m.

• Religious exploration

In Tyanboche, there is an oldest and one of the biggest monasteries of the country.

• Town in foothills of Himalayas

Namche Bazar, a small town on the foothills of the Himalayas is the centre for trade in the Everest region.  

• Memory of first climbers of Mount Everest

Khumjung is also famous as the first climber of Mount Everest Sir Edmond Hillary established a school here.

• Cultural subject

If you are doing this trek between mid-October and mid-November then you get an opportunity to take part in an important festival. Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated together by Sherpas and Tibetan communities. From the beginning until the end of the festival, rituals are carried out for 24 hours. The monks consecrate the Mandala, the Mani Rilwu (sacred pills), the Tshereel (pills for long life) and the Torma.

The 19-day festival is celebrated to mark the legendary events; the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet by the great saint, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).

Local Sherpas perform dances in which symbolic demons are conquered, dispelled, or converted to Dharma Protectors, as positive forces clash with those of chaos.

The festival is also an opportunity to learn Buddhist teachings for those who do not have the opportunity to study and meditate extensively.

• Walking in wild nature

The journey to the EBC is tough until the trekkers reach Lobuche. Here, the trail continues along the Khumbu Glacier.  Trekking amid the astonishing jungles of projected ice spikes relieves from stress and strain.

• Alchemical transformation

The view point from Kalapatthar, at the height of over five thousand metres, offers magnificent view of Lingtren, Khumbutse and Changtse mountains surrounding the Mount Everest.

The whole process of sunlight falling on the peaks seems alchemical. The mountains gradually turn into golden objects. Witnessing the whole process is the key to the Kalapatthar tour.

• Rare Sherpa settlements at Dingboche, Chhukung

The rare Sherpa settlements of Dingboche and Chhukung are remarkable places that suit best for acclimatization. The crops and cultivation at this height over four thousand metres are the extreme.  

Narayan Parajuli

(Tour operator)