Trekking Everest Base Camp is one of the best experiences to do out there. It’s perfect if you like hiking, adventure or just testing your limits. Getting to the top of Everest requires a ton of money, training and luck. Base Camp, however, is a much more achievable option. Thousands of people do it every year! And while challenging and definitely not risk-free, it is the kind of trek that you will never forget.
Nowadays more and more articles are coming up about how tourism is kind of ruining this trek. And while it is true that the increasing amount of people trekking to Base Camps has increased dramatically, it still is a one in a lifetime adventure. It still is an amazing way of challenging yourself, of discovering a very unique culture and of seeing a stunning landscape.
However, if you are still on the fence, here are 7 reasons to hike to Everest Base Camp:
#1 Stunning Views
Nepal is, without a doubt, a beautiful country. From the buzzing streets of Kathmandu to the peace of the solitary monasteries in the mountains the beauty of the landscape and architecture is omnipresent. However, the Himalayas are something completely different. This is the top of the World. In the Everest Base Camp Trek, you will be surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world. The wonderful vistas are breathtaking. At the beginning of the trip, near Lukla, the landscape is dominated by green forests and rivers with crystal clear water running down the mountains.
With every new day you go higher, and everything around changes. Soon the forests will become brown and yellow plains. The snowy peaks in the background will tower over the huge valleys. Finally, all vegetation disappears and everything becomes white and grey. Ice and rock, the two only things you will see over 5000 meters.
#2 A Glimpse into a Unique Culture
Nepal has a unique and fascinating culture. After a month there I still discovered something new every day. The Sherpas in the Everest Base Camp Trek are no exception.
While trekking is a big part of the experience, it’s not the only thing you can do. After all, you will walk on average between 6 and 8 hours a day, so you will have time. Especially at the beginning, in villages like Lukla or Namche. The last one is especially good. In Namche, you can go to the Everest Museum and learn more about the history of the region. Or maybe go to the local market, the biggest in the area, and get a small trinket as a souvenir. Or just walk around the streets watching the local life.
Along the way, there are more opportunities to learn about the culture of the Sherpa people. For example, you will quickly notice the stones with inscriptions in Sanskrit. These, carved by monks, are very important for the religious people. As a sign of respect, you must always walk around them, making sure they are on your right side. This is a pretty common concept in Buddhism, where, for instance, you have to walk around temples in a clockwise way, leaving the central statue at our right. Oh, and if you see locals not doing it, it might be because they follow another religion! Nepal is the meeting point of Buddhism and Hinduism after all.
Another great opportunity to learn more about the culture and religion of Nepal is the Tengboche Monastery. It’s a beautiful Buddhist monastery located near Panboche, a small village that people usually reach on the 4th day of trekking. You can get inside and have a look, but remember taking photos is strictly forbidden and a very disrespectful!
#3 It is Very Rewarding
Let’s face it, hiking all the way from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is not easy. Sherpas might make it look like a walk in the park, but it’s a very challenging and intense experience. You will hike for many hours every day, running out of breath constantly, fighting the elevation. For a week and a half, your daily schedule is going to consist of early mornings, long walks, quick meals and resting in a teahouse in the evening. The last days are going to be very, very cold, and every step is going to be hard. Often, people will have to return via helicopter due to altitude sickness, and even sleeping can be hard when you can’t breathe properly.
However, none of this matters when you reach Base Camp. The exhaustion and cold fade out and quickly turn into pride, relief and even peace of mind. You just know you did it. You finally did it, and nothing can take that away from you. And even each small step is a reward in itself. Every time you finally reach our destination for the day, every small hill you conquer, even if you have to go downhill again for a while. Everything adds up. Once the whole trek is done you feel renovated and full of confidence like you are the king of the world.
#4 The Chance to see Mount Everest
This is probably one of the main reasons why so many people go there. There are a lot of beautiful treks in Nepal, probably prettier ones too. There are lots of mountains in the Himalayas, many of them over 8,000 meters as well. However, it doesn’t matter. Because Mount Everest is Mount Everest. The top of the world. The highest peak. And how many chances in your life do you have to do something like this? To get so close to the highest point on Earth? I still remember the first time I saw it between the trees on my way to Namche, and I will never forget it!
#5 Sherpas
These people have always been praised by travellers and explorers that go to the area. Their reputation as loyal, friendly, determined, hardworking and able to incredibly athletic feats is well earned. While you can do the trek on your own, I recommend hiring a sherpa. It is going to be more expensive, but it’s money well invested. Not only he will help you along the way, but you also have the unique opportunity to ask him whatever you want to know.
The Sherpa I hired, Lakpa, was not just a guide. After 10 days he became a friend, even invited me to his house to meet his wife. He explained to me the history of the region, the costumes of the people, his daily life… and of course, he asked me about my own country as well. Probably my favourite question was “how much weight I carry when I’m home?”. It made me laugh first, but, of course, it makes sense! After all, over there everyone is always carrying something up or down the mountains.
Carrying heavy things up and down has a good advantage. Sherpa people are incredibly athletic. Along the trek, you will be surrounded by other tourists most likely out of breath, exactly like you. Meanwhile, porters carrying insane amounts of weight not only can keep up, but some will walk past you. When I asked Lakpa how much time he needs to do the whole trek, from Lukla to Base Camp, the answer left me speechless. If someone needs him quickly he can do the 65 kilometres in two days going uphill, or 1 day (12 hours) going downhill. We always hear about famous people conquering the Everest summit, be we often forget that, behind them, there is a porter that does it often, carrying 50 kg of equipment, and can most likely do it quicker alone.
#5 A Good Opportunity to Disconnect
Nowadays we are constantly connected, always checking the phone with the latest news. Or checking our email. Or talking to someone. And it can be overwhelming. The Everest Base Camp Trek gives the perfect opportunity to disconnect from everything for about two weeks. While it’s true that up to a certain point you can still find teahouses that offer WiFi, I believe it’s better to just ignore it. You will save money (WiFi is absurdly expensive, and often doesn’t even work), and you will also get peace of mind. While trekking, the only thing in your mind should be getting to the next stop. You will have time to check your hundreds of unread messages once you come back.
#6 The Flight to Lukla
The Everest Base Camp Trek is definitely a challenge, but even getting to Lukla is a bit of an adventure! The infamous Lukla airport is usually known as one of the most dangerous in the world. Why? Well, for starters the plane you take to go there is tiny, old and probably not the safest you’ve ever taken. In the one I took, the cracks in the door were fixed with duct tape. Then you have to fly around a bunch of mountains, with often very strong winds that will make you laugh at the regular turbulences.
After 45 minutes you finally reach Lukla, and the landing strip of the airport beings to get closer. And this is where the fun begins. It’s a tiny 400-meter strip in the side of a mountain, that makes it look almost like a wall from the plane. And to make things better, there is a wall at the end. If the landing it’s too shy and doesn’t make it to the landing strip the plane will fall down the mountain. If, however, it lands too late or the breaks are not good enough, it will crash against the wall at the end. And yes, both scenarios have happened in the past.
I hope these reasons are good enough for you if you have to chance to do the Everest Base Camp Trek! I truly believe is an unforgettable experience. Even if I only listed a couple of them, there are are many more reasons to do it. Let me know if you are thinking about doing the trek at some point and what are your reasons! Or if you already did it, why did you decide to do it? I would love to read about your personal experiences!
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