Everest Base Camp Trek

Depending where you go, trekking is possible anytime of the year in Nepal. The most popular season is spring and autumn. During winter trekking is mainly at lower altitudes. During the monsoon season you can trek in the northern Himalayas of the upper Mustang and upper Dolpa regions. These places are out of reach of the rain and clouds because of the high mountains.

The major trekking areas of the Annapurna, Langtang, and Mt Everest regions are where you can enjoy camping or comfortable lodge trekking from September to late May. During winter, December to January, the high passes may be closed due to snow. In the lower parts of Annapurna and Everest below 5000m and other regions of Nepal, trekking is available throughout the year.

Lukla is the closest airport to Mt Everest and is the place most trekkers choose to start their trek to Everest Base Camp. The lack of flat land in this region has created a unique runway and interesting experience for passengers landing here. The 2840m altitude of Lukla and its position causes a spasmodic schedule of flights, usually in 16 seat Twin Otters or helicopters.

The trails in the Khumbu Region are the main highways, so over the many years they have been developed for both porters and yaks. With stone steps, wooden and wire cable suspension bridges, with essential handrails, these trails flow through the pristine countryside.

The trails are bounded by rock walls and are sometimes paved near the villages. You need to be wary of the yaks on the trail as they have been known to accidentally knock trekkers over steep bluffs, sometimes to their death. The numerous villages and teahouses on the route provide accommodation and refreshments.

The solidly built lodges are constructed from stone blocks carefully shaped by hand by a team of stonemasons and fitted together with mortar. The wooden windows and doors are placed in the walls as they are being built. They become an integral part of the structure. All the materials are carried by a team of porters from many kilometers away.

Porters carry every conceivable type of object from firewood, luggage, food, rocks even children in their cane doko baskets. The smaller bridges are made from logs spanning the river and secured to rock abutments on either side.

Porters periodically rest their heavily laden doko baskets on T shaped walking sticks.

Views of majestic peaks present themselves, along the trail, especially clear in the mornings.

After a steep climb you will arrive at Namche Bazar, the unofficial Sherpa Capital. Set in a natural amphitheatre at 3440m, this village provides great shopping, internet facilities, bakeries, accommodation, incredible views and a chance to relax and soak up the ambience.

In Namche Bazar the fully stocked shops and the Saturday morning market line the trail getting intimate contact with trekkers, porters and yak trains, as they wind through the village.

Porters carry an enormous range of objects to Base Camp including food, furniture, plywood, ladders, tents, fuel…..etc.

The Everest View Hotel was built to capture the first superb view of Mt Everest from near Namche Bazar. It has supplementary oxygen piped to luxury rooms to help quests sleep at this altitude. Having a cuppa on the terrace with this view is pure heaven.

The entry gateway to the highest monastery (3860m) in the Khumbu Region.

Tengboche Monastery was rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire in 1989. It is customary to be blessed here before continuing on. The monks often officiate at many ceremonies and festivals throughout the region.

A rare sight on the trail where trekkers can enjoy a shower after heated water is poured into the tank on the roof.

It is not hard to find places to catch your breath, to have a much needed drink and soak up the scenery.

The porters use a tumpline strap to support the large heavy loads on their foreheads. Only years of developing their neck muscles and posture have allowed the porters to carry these enormous loads in this way.

Yaks are the trucks of the trail with heavy loads strapped securely to their backs. They can negotiate the tricky footholds with surprising agility.

Trekkers continually alter their clothing layers for the conditions, weather and work load.

Teams of porters and trekkers stream down the trail choosing one of the many well worn paths.

The distinctive peak of Ama Dablam rises up to 6812m on part of the trail.

Fellow trekkers resting on the trail with a million dollar view ahead.

Some high mountain villages are not occupied in winter because of the heavy snowfall and restricted mobility. They spring to life and offer accommodation and food to trekkers and bases to oversee the grazing of yaks at other times of the year.

Houses are built on different levels to accommodate the sloping ground. Small windows and thick walls help to insulate against cold temperatures. This house still has slate on its roof but the modern versions usually have corrugated iron.

The stone walls of the mountain villages form a distinctive pattern and a welcoming sight for trekkers, especially after a snowfall.

Modern lodges have sprung up to accommodate the increasing number of tourists trekking in the region. This lodge has a wide veranda to help with the transition from the rain and cold snow outside to the dry warm interior.

The scenery changes dramatically after a snowfall. Putting on sun glasses is essential especially with the increased reflection of the sun off the snow.

Yaks do a great job of breaking trails in the fresh snow.

By climbing up Gokyo Ri you get great views across the expansive Ngozumpa Glacier to Mt Everest with the jet stream cloud blowing off the top.

Gokyo Kharka on the shores of Dudh Pokhari is used as a summer village for the grazing of yaks.

Ample opportunity for panoramic photographs of glaciers and mountains abound on the treks. This one is from Kala Patthar looking over the Khumbu Glacier.

Trekker photographed in front of the 7161m high Pumo Ri (Brides Peak) on Kala Patthar.

On days like this you feel like you are the first person to visit these valleys.

A welcome sight with prospects of warm food and company.

Following the trail through valleys with superb views after fresh snow.

Yaks on the way home to pick up the next load.

Wow!

A hot cuppa awaits just down there at that teahouse.

Ice pinnacles on the Khumbu Glacier.

One of the many avalanches that constantly happen on the slopes around Base Camp.

A chorten built in memory of the late Babu Chiri Sherpa.

End of the trek, Base Camp beside the Khumbu Glacier on the south side of Everest.

The massive and extremely dangerous Khumbu Icefall near Everest Base Camp.