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One of the “bucket-list” treks for most ardent hikers. Classic Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is one of the most popular treks in the world. This unique Everest base Camp trek adds the Gokyo Lakes by taking a detour of around 6 days to the west. An awesome trek, it is best done from March to June and Oct to November, though it is possible to do the trek in the summer months. Winter, however, is another matter, as it is too cold and snowy to make the trek to Gokyo Ri. The trek is a hard-level 16-17 day journey that starts and ends in the small mountain village of Lukla, the site of the Tenzing-Hillary Airport.
The route, which takes you through Namche Bazaar and Macchermo to the area of Gokyo Ri, and then east to Dingboche to rejoin the trail to EBC is one that covers a total distance of around 145 kilometers. The highest point of the trek is actually at the base camp, at 5,400 meters, though you cannot see the summit of the mountain from this point.
The trail from Lukla is one of the most used trails in Nepal, and has a good number of teahouses and lodges along the route at the places where you will stop for the night. However, if you are taking the trek in the peak months, expect to have to camp out if you are not at the lodges early, as they fill up fast. Food along the trail is basic, consisting mostly of local Nepalese dishes, which are nutritious and filling. Alternatively, you can bring your own food to eat along the way.
A new permit is now required for the EBC trek, even with Gokyo Lakes included, and can only be obtained from Lukla for a fee of around 2,000 rupees, or about 28 dollars. You will still require a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card, which is needed for trekking anywhere in Nepal, and can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu at a cost of around 14-28 US dollars per person.
Classic Everest Base Camp Trek is a perfect combination of nature, culture and adventure. As you walk along the trail, you will pass through alpine forests and Glacier Rivers with the inspiring vistas of mountains in our backdrop. Your journey through this trial involves many ups and downs that are nerve shaking but the rewards of awesome nature will keep you going. Visit to the monasteries on the way with the flag prayers throughout the trail will lift up your spirituality. A blend of interaction with locals will let you know about the people, their culture and lifestyle. The mountainous life of people is appealing and their warm hospitality will make you feel homely.
The conventional route of Jiri starts after a seven to eight hours drive from Kathmandu. The beautiful farmlands, lush landscapes, stunning waterfalls, pine and rhododendron forests that you pass by on the route are amazing. As you reach the Everest Base Camp and hike to Kalapattar, you will be blessed with the majestic views of mountains like Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse , Mt. Amadablam , Mt. Pumori, Mt. Thamserku etc.
The first day of the trekking starts with the drive from the Kathmandu valley to Jiri. The ride is about 7-8 hours through the distance of 187 km. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and fast flowing Sun- Koshi river throughout the ride. This day trekkers will stay at the hotel here and prepare for tomorrow morning trekking.
Trekkers begin to ascend to the ridge top at 2400m and incline down to Shivalaya 1800m. The trekking is through the beautiful cultivated fields and small Tamang villages. The way to the Deurali is grumpy narrow roads with the beautiful views of Himalayas. After crossing the grumpy roads , the trekkers have to cross a couple of flat wooden bridges. You will begin the vertical ascent to the Deurali Pass on a twisting forest trail. Finally trekkers will reach Deurali which is sheltered by mani walls adorned with the Tibetan Buddhist Mantra. The first day trekking is about 7 hours and the visitors will stay at the lodge of Deurali.
The main trails start from the Deurali to Sete . There is the periphery of Bhandar 2200m filled with a Sherpa village with prayer walls and small Buddhist temples. After following the muddy road to the east, there are two suspension bridges at the bottom of the valley. The final route for the day is east bank of Likhu khola and crosses the last suspension bridge to Kinja 1630 m. From Kinja there is a slope trail above the village. The trail climbs steeply up a ridge richly forested with oak trees and rhododendron flowers to Sete 2575 m. There is a small but ancient Buddhist Temple with great religious and traditional values.
It is a long and difficult climb to the Lamjura Bhanjyang 3530 m. We can often see the frost and snow along the trail in Winter. The trail is through the forest of rhododendron, magnolia, maple and birch tree. Lamjura Bhanjyang is the peak point between the Jiri and Namche Bazaar. From this point, the trail is a little easy through the valley with the aromatic smell of rhododendron and fir forests. The trek of the day ends with Junbesi pass where rock faces are decorated with carved mantras and steeply through terraced fields. On this way, we can get the stunning views of Mt. Gaurishankar, Number Himal and Dudh Kunda.
The day starts with the view of the beautiful Himalayas and the trail crosses the Junbesi Khola on a wooden bridge at 2560 m. The way to Khumbu is uphill into the trees and pines with the beautiful scenario of cow grazing. We can get the majestic view of Mt. Everest between the snowy crowns of Thamserku 66o8m and Katenga 6685m. The trail turns north towards the meadows and copes of pines to the suburb of Salung 2860m. There is a large suspension bridge over Dudh Khola and reaches to the incant Buddhist Chorten and several mani. The trek descends below Tarkshindu through the conifer and rhododendron forests. As we reach Nunthala we can witness many charming streams and the cluster of loose rocks.
The trail is abruptly steep for about an hour from the Dudh Koshi to mixed forest and farmland. We can observe the fields of barley, wheat and maize until we reach the Rai village of Jubling 1680m. From there it is again uphill towards the point to the village of Kharikhola.
We can come across the Kharikhola by crossing the suspension bridge. The trail is uphill climb to Bupsa 2360m located among wheat and maize terraces below a dense oak tree. The path goes through the Sherpa village and a monkey forest and down towards the Dudh Koshi to Puiyan.
The track climbs for about an hour from Puiyan to aridge at 2800m. The trail passes through Lukla airport and follows a path up to the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River. Through this up way we can get the glimpse of Mt. Nupla, Kusum Kangaru and Mt. Kwongdae Range. From here the walk is about 2- 3 hours to reach Phakding village. The trekkers can stay here for night and gather the local knowledge from the villagers.
From Phakding we have to cross the river to reach the valley. The trail is near to the river valley with beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest. After crossing the Dudh Koshi at Benkar , trekkers can get the sight of snow capped peaks of Kusum Kangaru and Thamserku. It is only the short walk to Monjo where trekkers gather around to have lunch. From Monjo , National Park is about a short distance. In the hours of daylight the walking is a little problematic and is an uphill way to Namche bazaar. The trail now goes to the generally flat terrain, crossing back to the right bank to the meeting point of the Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi Rivers. The trekkers have to walk through the large suspension bridge.
From here, trekkers have to walk towards the park headquarters and climb up above the Dudh Koshi River. The path to Dingboche blesses with the monastery situated below the summit of Mt Everest and bordered by other snow capped peaks. The trekkers can also get the picture of local flora and fauna with the amazing Danphe( national bird of Nepal). After coming at the reforestation area of Trashinga, the track moves down until it comes across the Dudh Koshi River at Phunki Tenga 3250m. After this, it is initially steep through pine, fir, black juniper and rhododendron forests towards Tengboche.
Trekkers have to go high above the Imja River and get further on to the tea houses at Orsho before crossing the river and old glacial moraines on the track to the community of Dingboche. The Mt Everest here is hidden behind the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge.
Dingboche is an attention grabbing valley with a collection of small fields bounded by stone walls protecting the crops from the chilly winds. The sights are amazing and unbelievable in this valley; the soaring south face of Lhotse to the North Island Peak in the core of the valley and the fluted ice walls of Himalayas is lined up in the southern end of the valley.
The trekking starts with the large flat land on wide open fields. Then, crossing the Khumbu Khola at Dughla, the trekkers eat a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of Khumbu glacier. The fantastic view of Pumori and across the border in Tibet, Changste are seen at the top of the valley.
The trekking starts from the wide valley of Khumbu Glacier. It is the firm, slow and steady way towards the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier. The trails make a sequence of small up and down over an unsteady track lined with cairns that shows the way eventually to the blue glacial sands of Gorakshep 5160m. Then, the trekkers head off towards the Everest Base Camp, it is the point for the Mountaineers to summit the peak. They again trek back to Gorakshep in the afternoon and stay there.
This is the trek to the small mountain of Kalapatthar with the gigantic views of mountains and glaciers. This route gives you the close-up views of Mt Everest, Amadablam and Pumori and the path continues to a small settlement in Pheriche. You can explore the village and experience the culture of the people living here
The trekkers trek back to Tengboche from Pheriche. The path is pleasant with the views of mountains and forests and reaches to the Tengboche village. The trekkers stay here overnight to explore the village and surrounding. The next morning , they begin their journey to Namche Bazaar. They pass through Tengboche and continue towards the canvas of Monjo valley. The trekkers reach Namche Bazaar and stay overnight in a lodge.
This trekking trail follows a sandy path with strenuous walk. The trail is full of views of landscape and some mountain scenarios. The trekkers can explore Lukla bazaar and local shops. You can also celebrate your successful trekking with special brands of drinks.
Fly from Lukla Airport to Kathmandu Airport and enjoy the panoramic views of snowy mountains from the window of the plane.
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