What are the best things to do during the Everest Base Camp trek, explorer? We’ve got your back! In this article, we’ve included everything you need to know about the EBC trek. And we’re not only talking about the fantastic views of Everest here. The Mount Everest Base Camp trek packs so much more than you might imagine. No exaggeration at all! From start to finish, you will immerse yourself in the beauty of every element, big and small.
Hiking to Everest Base Camp is more than just a walk to the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain. You will find yourself among traditional, authentic teahouses and local culture, and you’ll experience the best flight when you fly to Lukla. More awaits you, dear adventurer. This trek guide gives you a brief insight into what to expect along the EBC trail and why, despite the high altitude, the trail may not seem like much to explore; there is still plenty to discover.
12 Things To Do During Everest Base Camp Trek
Embarking on the Everest Base Camp trek lets you experience the Himalayas like never before. Over time, the mountains have become increasingly welcoming to visitors. Even if you’ve never trekked before, EBC offers everything a new explorer needs, from start to finish. The following are some of the significant things to do during the Everest Base Camp trek to make the most out of your journey:
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Explore Lukla Airport
You can explore Lukla Airport not just by flying to Lukla, landing, and starting your trek soon after. Located in rural Nepal, the airport is an exciting destination to explore. Although it is known as the world’s most dangerous airport, it has become safer in recent years thanks to improved airline services and ongoing airport upgrades.
Visit Tengboche Monastery
Tengboche Monastery is the best location to visit in the Khumbu region. It is a landmark of Buddhist, Sherpa, and Tibetan culture. At Tengboche, you can make offerings. You will find many pilgrims, including outsiders drawn to the monastery for its religious significance, as well as trekkers who have chosen to incorporate it into their journeys.
Go to the Sherpa Museum
As mentioned above, the Sherpa Museum is another must-visit place to learn about the mountains. You can visit this museum along the way to your destination. The hectic trek to Everest Base Camp will surely refresh your mind and body. To date, the Sherpa Museum has made a strong impression as a fascinating stop.
Observe and Spin Prayer Wheels
Walking around holy sites and spinning prayer wheels is one of the most straightforward yet most enjoyable and exciting experiences on the EBC trek. You can relax and rejoice in the beauty of the Himalayas while spinning the prayer wheels. You’ll also find prayer wheels along the pathways to Everest Base Camp, as Buddhism is the predominant religion in the Khumbu region.
Visit Namche Cafe
Namche Bazaar is the Khumbu region’s hub for restaurants and bars. You won’t find as many amenities and luxuries in the Everest region as in Namche Bazaar, the most significant marketplace. If you’re a bar enthusiast, don’t miss Cafe Danphe, an Irish bar. If you haven’t realized it already, this cafe is one of the few cafes located at the highest altitude in the world.
Put Your Country’s Flag In EBC
In the middle stage of the trip, after reaching base camp, you can put your country’s flag on the grounds of the Everest Base Camp; this is common for both the standard and 14-day EBC trek. Mind you, you won’t be the only trekker doing it. Please find an empty spot suitable to hold your country’s flag. You will honor your country while respecting the land you’re on. It will for sure be a win-win!
Receive Certificate of Trek Completion
Once you have completed your trek, you will receive a certificate of completion from our trekking agency. Receiving it from your tour operator after achieving one of the biggest successes of your life can be exciting. This certificate will also serve as a fabulous keepsake to share with friends and family. The certificate includes the date you reached Everest Base Camp, your name, and a letter of appreciation.
Visit Yak Farm
Syangboche Airport sits at the highest elevation in the Everest region. You will find a yak farm here. Few places offer a sight of yak herds as amazing as Syangboche. Additionally, if you’re looking to explore the airport, you can. Trekkers can’t land here after a flight, as the airport isn’t open to commercial flights.
Stay at Hotel Everest View
Hotel Everest View is the highest hotel in the Khumbu region. You can trek up to this hotel. However, many trekkers and visitors reach this location by helicopter. Flying there can also help you avoid altitude sickness. If you want to enjoy Everest views without a challenging trek, a 1-day EBC helicopter tour is also an option. Adventurers can skip days on the trail by flying to the EBC. If you’re trekking there, you can stay in a hotel and catch the best sunset, then wake up to the world’s tallest mountain.
Visit Khumbu Icefall and Khumbu Glacier
The Khumbu Icefall and the Khumbu Glacier are among the world’s most treacherous and extensive icefalls and glaciers. You’ll pass by them on your way to Everest Base Camp. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ll never regret this adventure. It’s hard to argue that the Everest Base Camp trail is even more exciting because of the icefalls and the glacier’s snowy, icy pathways.
Climb Kalapathar
Climbing Kalapathar is an adventure of a lifetime. While Everest Base Camp is an incredibly impressive destination, visiting Kalapathar can enhance your journey. This location will make you feel like you’ve made the most fantastic trip of your life. In recent years, many trekkers have had multiple goals, as the thrill of reaching Kalapathar is also a major draw.
Relish Authentic Cuisine
Enjoy some of the best, most authentic cuisine during the Everest Base Camp trek. Enjoy a mix of Tibetan, Western, and Nepalese dishes. Trekkers can enjoy healthy, authentic options, including rice, pulse soup, vegetable and meat curries, pickles, Tibetan bread, and various soups. You can also enjoy a variety of food items at either landmark, including pasta, pizza, momos, chow mein, thukpa, bread and butter, eggs, and more. If luxury lodges with premium dining are your thing, then the Luxury Everest Base Camp trek can be the best EBC package for you. Route difficulty doesn’t change whether you choose a standard or luxury EBC trek, but more comfortable accommodation can make this challenging journey more bearable.
History of Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp trek dates back to the 1950s, when Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hilary first climbed Mount Everest. Mountaineers had very few facilities to start their expeditions back then. Unlike today, the idea that you could only go on the Everest Base Camp tour without climbing Mount Everest didn’t exist.
Along with laying the foundation for mountaineers and trekkers to easily find gear and equipment at what is now considered the EBC, Edmund Hillary paid the locals around US$2,650 to build the Lukla Airport. Ever since, mountaineers from around the world, along with less experienced trekkers, have come to the Everest region every year to explore at least the base camp and Mt. Everest as closely as possible. When planning the EBC trek, you have plenty of options. As EBC became a popular destination, combining it with other treks also became popular, offering more options. Take Everest Base Camp with Island Peak Climbing as an example; it combines EBC’s views and challenge with additional climbing adventure.
Landmarks in the Everest Base Camp Trek
Plenty of landmarks await explorers on the Everest Base Camp trek. Some such locations are as follows:
Kalapathhar
Kalapathar is 5,644 m, the highest point of your EBC trek. The landmark is named Kala Pathar, which translates to “black rock” due to its dark, rocky features. You get the best view of the mountain here, and you can climb to this location after reaching Everest Base Camp. It is also considered one of the most adventurous parts of the trek.
Sagarmatha National Park Museum
The Sagarmatha National Park Museum was established for trekkers and locals in the Khumbu region to share mountaineering history and achievements. This museum features information on its most significant figures and mountaineering achievements. If you’re a mountain enthusiast looking to learn more about exploring the Himalayas, you won’t want to miss this place.
Gorak Shep (Gorakshep)
Gorak Shep is the last village on your EBC trek itinerary. There are no campsites at Everest Base Camp. As a result, Gorak Shep is the only village near your final destination on the Everest Base Camp trek. Trekkers can return to the village after completing the trek. You can also take a rest day here. Adventurers usually stop in Gorak Shep before climbing to Everest Base Camp to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness.
Dingboche Viewpoint
Dingboche viewpoint is one of the best locations to spend an acclimatization day. We say this not only because you can rest and acclimatize here, but also because of the scenery and the authentic rural traditions observed in this village. There are no roads in this village. The landscape is rural, and everything feels as remote as possible. This is the town’s beauty. You can see age-old agricultural practices, farming, and yak herding here. Trekkers will also see many mules along the way.
Tengboche Monastery
The Tengboche Monastery is the most sacred landmark on the EBC trek. Many pilgrims pass this location day in and day out. It also has a fascinating history: it was destroyed many times and rebuilt more robustly each time. You will find the monastery in the village of Tengboche, along the main trek.
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Planning Tips For The Everest Base Camp Trek
Trekkers have to be mindful of the following tips during their Everest Base Camp trek:
- Visit during the best seasons: Visit in spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant, and the trails are in optimal condition.
- Physical and mental preparation: Train your body and mind to support you through the Everest Base Camp journey.
- Follow a proper itinerary: Don’t forget to follow an appropriate one, as getting lost or stranded midway can be stressful and delay your journey overall.
- Be respectful: Trekkers must be careful about their conduct throughout the trek. Disrespectful behavior can lead to consequences beyond the control of fellow trekkers and the tour operator.
- Promote eco-friendly trekking: Avoid littering and harming any natural elements in Khumbu, and strive to promote eco-friendly treks.
- Acclimatize: To prevent altitude sickness, plan acclimatization carefully. If you develop any symptoms of altitude sickness, it is recommended that you temporarily stop and acclimate where you are.
- Hire porters and guides: Trekkers should hire them on the EBC trek for added comfort, convenience, and a better chance of success.
Conclusion
Before you jump to an elevation of 5,364 m above sea level, you’ve got to know what you’re getting yourself into (and we mean this in the best possible sense). Because there is more than one best thing to do on the Everest Base Camp trek, rest assured: from the moment you land at Tribhuvan International Airport to the moment you return to Kathmandu, you can expect only the best service with My Everest Trip. Happy journey ahead!