Everest Base Camp Trek in Newcastle, New South Wales
Everest Base Camp trek is a must-do activity once in a lifetime! If you are an avid trekker, you definitely desire to trek to different Himalayan regions. And of course, Nepal comes top in your bucket list as it houses 8 of 14 eight-thousanders in the world. Mt. Everest (8,848m), the world’s highest peak lies in Nepal.
The Great Himalayan Trail (1,700km) is one of the longest and highest trekking trails in the world. It extends from east to west of Nepal combining ten major sections. And the 8 eight-thousanders make the respective major section of this trekking route that requires nearly 157 days to complete.
Everest Base Camp trek takes you to the closest possible place of the world’s highest point. Mt. Everest Base Camp (5,364m) gives you the lifelong memory of the Great Himalayas looming on a row. Kala Patthar (5,550m), the best vantage point of Everest region is the only place from where you see the Everest Summit!
One question that comes in everyone’s mind is: “Can I see the Everest Summit from its base camp?” To your utter surprise, you can’t see it from the base camp. You can see Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Pumori, and many others instead. To see the panoramic view of the Everest Peak, you need to hike to Kala Patthar the following morning.
The Sherpa settlement areas, lush rhododendron, pine and cedar forests and amazing landscapes are equally rewarding. Everest region used to be the residential region of Rai ethnic communities in the past. Nevertheless, nowadays, the Sherpa people are the residents of this region. Therefore, it is also called the Sherpa Capital as well. The ancient monasteries, mani walls and chortens decorated by the prayer flags and wheels are the cultural attractions of this trek.
Getting Everest Base Camp
To do the epic trek to Everest Base Camp, you need to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. The 30-minutes’ flight gives you the best aerial view of the Everest region. The lush valleys, dense forests and snowcapped peaks come into your sight. From Lukla, Tenzing Hillary Airport, you formally begin this trek through the Sherpa villages nearby Sagarmatha National Park.
Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep are the stopovers. All these places have hotels and lodges that serve with basic facilities of food and accommodation. Namche Bazaar is the main trading centre of the entire Khumbu region providing all modern amenities. Banks, restaurants, ATMs, bakeries are found in remarkable number.
Gorakshep is the last settlement area before the Everest Base Camp trek and it used to be the original base camp till 1953 Everest Expedition. You spend a night at this village because it is the transition between Everest Base Camp trek and Kala Patthar. This is the highest place on Earth that one can go without any permit and cost.
Everest Base Camp Acclimatization
Acclimatization day is very necessary while making a trip in the high altitude places. As the layer of oxygen is thinner in the higher altitude, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is always possible. If not taken precaution or cured on time, it may result at death of the trekkers, too. As soon as one goes higher than 2,500m elevation, there is always chance for altitude sickness.
The entire Everest region lies above 2,500m, so, acclimatization is a must. You should have at least a day’s acclimatization at Namche Bazaar. To better be familiar with the high altitude, you can hike to Everest View Hotel or Sagarmatha National Park. Alternatively, you can also visit the Sherpa Museum or Khumjung Village.
According to this itinerary, there are two days for acclimatization. The first day is in Namche Bazaar and the next at Dingboche. During Dingboche acclimatization, you can hike to Nagarjun Hill (5,073m). Although the trail is steep and challenging, the view is rewarding. You can have a stunning view of Mt. Ama Dablam from top to bottom.
