It may sound like a cliché but we don’t mind repeating it! Yes, Mount Everest is more than a mountain and the trip to its base is more than just a trek. Reaching to the base of this world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest (8848 m) is the dream of every adventurer. Many Himalayan adventure seekers have already ticked it off in their bucket list and some are yet to do so. As, this trip is one of the most talked about and sought after adventures, travelers and would-be travelers are well versed about the information related to Everest Base Camp. However, many are not fully aware about all the routes and corresponding time required to reach Everest Base Camp.

There are actually two base camps on Mount Everest, on the either sides of the mountains: South Base Camp which is situated  in Nepal at an altitude of 5364 m, and North Base Camp which is situated in Tibet, China at an altitude of 5150 m. Most of the Base Camp trekking or Everest expeditions are operated on the Nepal side, i.e the South face of the Everest. In fact, when people say Everest Base Camp Trek, they normally mean Base Camp trekking on the Nepal side of the mountain. However, there are many ways to reach the Base Camp from both sides.  

Everest Base Camp from Nepal
Everest Base Camp from Nepal is a popular trekking trail and easier to access than other routes. Reaching the Base Camp from Nepal gives you a chance to challenge yourself, discover the majesty of mountains, walk among the Himalayan giants and explore the highland cultures.

1. Classic Everest Base Camp Trek : 8 days of trekking from Lukla to EBC

This is the commonly used route to reach the Base Camp. It is a spectacular high altitude trek that starts at Lukla, the gateway of Everest region and winds through the floral and faunal richness of Sagarmatha National Park. You gradually hike through some of the beautiful places of Khumbu region such as Phakding, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche and return the same way.

2. Alternate treks: 13 –22 days

As Everest Base Camp route from Lukla is popular and most favored one, the trail and accommodation get crowded during the peak seasons i.e. spring and autumn. So, if you want to avoid the crowd, then you can consider alternative trekking routes. However, if you choose alternate routes also, you are likely to meet the main trail at some points.  

• The route from Jiri is also a well-known Everest Base Camp trekking route. This is the same route used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa to reach Lukla for the Everest summit before airport was built in Lukla during 1950s. This trail adds several days in the itinerary as you have to trek around 6 days from Jiri to reach Lukla/Phakding from where you join the main Everest Base Camp trail.
• You can reach Everest Base Camp through the trail of Three Passes Trek as well. One of the most challenging and thrilling treks in Everest region, Three Passes Trek offers an amazingly scenic circular route that includes crossing of challenging Renjo la (5360 m), Cho la (5420 m) and Kongma la (5540m) passes connecting at Lobuche to advance towards Everest Base Camp. The order of the Passes can be any depending on where you start from. The duration of this trek is quite lengthy (at least about 17/18 days) and only the trekkers who seek for more challenging adventure choose this trail.
• Gokyo Lake trek can also be a better alternative to reach Everest Base Camp as this trek skirts Everest Base Camp and continues to the beautiful Gokyo Lake (or vice versa), one of the world’s highest freshwater systems. You can combine this trek with Three Passes trek. The views during this trek worth cherishing for the rest of your life.

3. By Helicopter

Everest Heli Tour: Duration – Half day

Heli Tour is the easiest way for the travelers who wish to reach to the lap of this stunning mountain but have very limited time. It is a luxurious way to reach Kala Patthar (5545 m) and Everest Base Camp without trekking. The trip makes you marvel at the panoramic aerial views of astonishing mountains, tranquil valleys, quaint villages, glittering snow peaks, Khumbu glacier and many more. It not only gives you the thrill and makes your adrenaline rush but also offers you the next level perspective of the region which is not possible when you walk. Everest Heli tour starts from Kathmandu or Lukla and stops midway for breakfast with wonderful view.

Everest Base Camp from Tibet

Everest Base Camp on the northern side of Everest lies in Tibet. An easier way to get to the Base Camp is by car or tour vehicle. You can travel from Lhasa to the Base Camp along the highways having well paved roads. This is one of the fastest and luxurious ways to reach the Base Camp and visit the various attractions of Tibetan plateau. Some travelers also prefer trekking from Tingri over driving to the Base Camp.

1. By car: Duration – 2 days from Lhasa

Many visitors who visit the Base Camp on north side usually get there by car. It is a two-day drive from Lhasa. However most travelers stop along the way in the locations such as Gyantse, Shigatse or Shekar (new Tingri) and Rongbuk that makes this tour longer and more exciting. There are very good roads which make the journey comfortable for almost everyone. The landscape that you can see is breath taking! If you wish, you can drive all the way up to the Base Camp but many of the travelers prefer to walk the last mile which is a bit off road. One needs to be acclimatized properly prior to the journey because of the time frame. Remember Lhasa itself is at an altitude of 3,656 m! And you will gain about 2000m + altitude within 2 days.

2. By Trek from Tingri: Duration – 5 days

The trip starts with a drive to Tingri from Lhasa, which will be followed by a trek to the Base Camp. The adventure gives you an amazing experience of Tibetan plateau, small village communities and nomadic herders. This trip takes you to Lungtang which takes around five hours from Tingri and heads due south, by crossing the Tingri plain and on to the Ra-chu valley and so on. This trail is not commonly used and only attempted by the experienced well-acclimatized trekkers.

It may sound like a cliché but we don’t mind repeating it! Yes, Mount Everest is more than a mountain and the trip to Everest Base Camp is more than just a trek. Reaching to the base of this world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest (8848 m) is the dream of every adventurer. Many Himalayan adventure seekers have already ticked it off in their bucket list and many are yet to do so. As, this trip is one of the most talked about and sought after adventures, travelers and would-be travelers are well versed about the facts related to Everest Base Camp. However, many are not fully aware about all the routes and corresponding time required to reach the Base Camp.

There are actually two base camps on Mount Everest, on the South and North sides of the mountains. South Base Camp which is situated  in Nepal at an altitude of 5364 m, while North Base Camp is situated in Tibet, China at an altitude of 5,150 m. Most of the Base Camp trekking or Everest expeditions are operated on the Nepal side, i.e the South face of the Everest. In fact, when people say Everest Base Camp Trek, they normally mean Base Camp trekking on the Nepal side of the mountain. However, there are many ways to reach the Base Camp from both sides.

Everest Base Camp from Nepal

Everest Base Camp from Nepal is a popular trekking trail and easier to access than other routes. This trail gives you a chance to challenge yourself, discover the majesty of mountains, walk among the Himalayan giants and explore the highland cultures.

1. Classic Everest Base Camp Trek : 8 days of trekking from Lukla to EBC

This is the most popular route to reach the Base Camp. It is a spectacular high altitude trek that starts at Lukla, the gateway of Everest region and winds through the floral and faunal richness of Sagarmatha National Park. You gradually hike through some of the beautiful places of Khumbu region such as Phakding, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche and return the same way.

2. Alternate treks: 13 – 22 days

As Everest Base Camp route from Lukla is popular and most favored one, the trail and accommodation gets crowded during the peak seasons i.e. spring and autumn. So, if you want to avoid the crowd, then you can consider alternative trekking routes.

• The route from Jiri is also a well-known Everest Base Camp trekking route. This is the same route used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa to reach Lukla for the Everest summit before airport was built in Lukla during 1960s. This trail adds several days in the itinerary as you have to trek around 6 days from Jiri to reach Lukla/Phakding from where you join the main Everest Base Camp trail.
• You can reach Everest Base Camp through the trail of Three Passes Trek as well. One of the most challenging and thrilling trek in Everest region, Three Passes Trek offers an amazingly scenic circular route that includes crossing of challenging Renjo la, Cho la and Kongma la passes connecting to Lobuche to advance towards Everest Base Camp. The order of the Passes can be any depending on where you start from. The duration of this hard trek is quite lengthy (at least about 17/18 days) and only the trekkers who seek for more challenging adventure choose this trail.
• Gokyo Lake trek can also be a better alternative to reach Everest Base Camp as this trek skirts the Base Camp and continues to the beautiful Gokyo Lake, one of the world’s highest freshwater systems. The views during this trek worth cherishing for the rest of your life.

3. By Helicopter

Everest Heli Tour: Duration – Half a day

Heli Tour is the easiest way for the travelers who wish to reach the lap of this stunning mountain but have very limited time. It is also a luxurious way to reach the Kala Patthar (5545 m) and Everest Base Camp without trekking. The tour makes you marvel at the panoramic aerial views of astonishing mountains, tranquil valleys, quaint villages, glittering snow peaks, Khumbu glacier and many more. It not only gives you thrill and makes your adrenaline rush but also offers you the next level of experience. Everest Heli tour starts from Kathmandu or Lukla and stops midway for breakfast with wonderful view.

Everest Base Camp from Tibet

Everest Base Camp on the northern side of Everest lies in Tibet. An easier way to get to the Base Camp is by car or tour vehicle. You can travel from Lhasa to Base Camp along the highways having well paved roads. This is one of the fastest and luxurious ways to reach the Base Camp and visit the various attractions of Tibetan plateau. Some travelers also prefer trekking from Tingri over driving from Lhasa.

1. By car: Duration – 2 days from Lhasa

Many visitors who visit the Base Camp on north side usually get there by car. It is a two-day drive from Lhasa. However most travelers stop along the way in the locations such as Gyantse, Shigatse or Shekar (new Tingri) and Rongbuk that makes this tour longer and more exciting. There are very good roads which make the journey comfortable for almost everyone. The landscape that you can see is breath taking! If you wish, you can drive all the way up to Everest Base Camp but many of the travelers prefer to walk the last mile which is a bit off road. One needs to be acclimatized properly prior to this journey because of the timeframe. Remember Lhasa itself is at an altitude of 3,656 m! And you will gain about 2000m + altitude within 2 days.

2. By Trek from Tingri: Duration – 5 days

Trek from Tingri to Everest Base Camp gives you an amazing experience of Tibetan plateau, small village communities and nomadic herders. This trip takes you to Lungtang which takes around five hours from Tingri and heads due south, by crossing the Tingri plain and on to the Ra-chu valley and so on. This trail is not commonly used and only attempted by the experienced well-acclimatized trekkers.

1Million Tourists Nepal

1Million Tourists Nepal has achieved an unprecedented success in receiving tourists in 2018 with a record of 1,001,930 arrivals between January-November. According to Nepal Tourism Board, the month September alone has the record of 91, 820 visitors, a 33.8 percent increase compared to last year! The tourism arrival got the momentum throughout the peak tourist season between October-November. However, the total count doesn’t include overland visitors, which would have further increased the figure. India became the top source market with 260,124 visitors followed by China with a total of 134,362 Chinese tourist arrivals. The United States, Britain and Germany were enlisted as third, fourth and fifth source countries respectively.

“The growth can be attributed to concerted efforts of Government of Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board, private sector travel trade and media towards promotion of overall tourism sector in the international tourism arena,” said Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of Nepali Tourism Board. Tourism industry of Nepal considers the record as crucial in Nepal’s tourism history as it indicates a brighter future to further realize the tourism potentials ahead of Visit Nepal Tourism Year 2020. Nepal had the record 940,218 tourist arrivals in 2017.

“Trekking to the Everest Base Camp along the off the beaten trail that crosses stunningly challenging Cho La Pass 5420m is the remarkable circuit trek in the Everest Region. The trail of the trek having relatively fewer trekkers caters opportunities to climb Gokyo Ri 5320m and Kalapattar 5545m- the vantage points to savor the magnificence of the world’s highest Himalayan peaks including the eminent Everest.”

This incredibly wonderful trek at some points allows trekkers to sight the views as far as Kanchenjunga in the east and Cho Oyu to the north. Other lofty Himalayan peaks that add wondrous aspects for the eyes and the lens include Pumori, Cholatse, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the matchless pyramid of Mt. Ama Dablam, among others.

Gokyo Everest Base Camp Trek begins with the scenic fixed wing flight to world’s one of the thrilling airports, Tenzing Norgay Airport in Lukla. The gateway to every trek in Everest Region, Lukla is the famous tourist hub catering services of every kind of trekker’s interest. Walking across the famous Dudh Koshi River Valley inside Sagarmatha National Park, the natural UNESCO World Heritage Site the trek halts at famous Sherpa town, Namche Bazaar where trekkers get ample opportunity to acclimatize.

Few more days of trek via several Sherpa hamlets, the journey arrives at Gokyo. The beautiful Sherpa settlement right at the foot of Himalayan giants and at the bank of strikingly mesmerizing glacial lake Gokyo, the place is the heaven on earth that manifests absolute tranquility and the unlimited beauty of the nature itself. Walk to the fifth lake of Gokyo and ascend the Gokyo Ri before crossing the silent Himalayan Pass Cho La. Crossing over the Cho La, the trek enters Khumbu Valley and begins to chase the footprints of Hillary and Tenzing along the classic Everest Base Camp Trekking Trail.

The prominent highlights of the latter half of the trek continue to include the exceptionally hospitable Sherpa culture and the highland monasteries including the one of Tengboche. The panorama of Himalayan giants and the floral and faunal biodiversity of Sagarmatha National Park will keep on spellbinding trekkers during this part of the trek as well. The final section of the trek highlights the walk to Kalapattar and the Everest Base Camp, 5357m itself, which are in fact the great achievements for any trekker, as all these landmarks lie higher than the highest mountains of Europe Australia.

We as the leading trek operator of Nepal cater this wonderful trek in Everest Region on Teahouse basis, where trekkers are accommodated in handpicked eco-lodges run by the native Sherpas. Regarding the safety of places and hotels of the region after the quake, the entire trail has been assessed and declared safe to trek. Hence we urge trekkers craving for the extra adventurous fun while making up to the bewitching base camp of the Everest- try this trek.

Jake-Gyllenhaal

Prisoner star Jake Gyllenhaal and Agent “K” of Men in Black, Josh Brolin have arrived to Nepal to shoot their next movie “Everest” which is based on the Everest bestseller “Into Thin Air,” a government official said Monday. The leads of the movie Everest are currently at a five-star hotel in Kathmandu. The upcoming movie Everest will focus on tragedy happened during an endeavor to summit Everest in 1996. The movie being directed by an Icelander Baltasar Kormakur portrays how eight climbers lost their lives when a rogue storm hit the mountain.

Josh-Brolin

Official at Ministry of Communication Mr. Umakant Parajuli said, “A local agent applied for permission on behalf of Baltasar Kormakur to shoot ‘Everest’ and received the permission three days ago”. Parajuli added, “The team has a permission to shoot in the Himalayan nation for two weeks.”

Gyllenhaal would play Scott Fisher, a US expedition leader who lost his life in the disaster while Brolin will play Beck Weathers, an American doctor who survived the storm, British newspaper The Guardian reported last week. US mountaineering journalist Jon Krakauer   also the author of 1997 best seller, who wrote about this tragedy, has accompanied the team.

As Everest has been the climbers passion and trekkers paradise, hundreds of climbers scale the peak every spring, while thousands more go trekking from Lukla, the nearest airport, to Everest base camp.