Who doesn’t want to reach the foothill of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest? It is probably the most kept activity to do in the bucket list of the things to do before dying of majority of people from across the globe. Therefore, the numbers of people trekking in the Everest Base Camp Trek route is always high every year. In fact, the EBC Trek has become the face and the cornerstone of the Nepalese Trekking industry. There are many blogs and information about the trek. However, every one focuses on the things which are common. In today’s blog we try to delve into 10 things nobody tells you about the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Finding the best piece of information always helps you to prepare and plan for the trip. Moreover, you must be spot on and do meticulous planning for the high – altitude Everest Base Camp Trekking. Our blogs can be helpful for you to plan and budget for the trek. In addition, it can be helpful for you to expect what’s coming while doing the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Table of Contents
List of 10 things nobody tells you about the Everest Base Camp Trek
1. Lukla Flights and Road to Lukla
After the construction of the Lukla Airport, the trekking scenario of the Everest region has changed drastically. Ironically, lots of blogs about Everest don’t share the fact that you can’t fly directly to Lukla from Kathmandu airport during the peak trekking season. Trekkers have to do 4 to 5 hours of drive from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport Ramechhap for Lukla Flights.
On top of that, the competition to get the earliest tickets is fierce! Besides the Lukla Flights, you can also reach Lukla via jeep drive from Salleri or Phaplu. During the dry season, you can choose to avoid Lukla flights by booking the jeep drive to Surke Village. The village is about one and half hour walking distance from Lukla. It is projected that by 2027, Lower Lukla on the banks of the Dudhkoshi River, the road network will reach.
2. Trek to Khumjung or Khunde from Everest View Hotel
Some trekking guides and companies compel trekkers to return back to Namche Bazaar after visiting the Hotel Everest View (3880 m). They don’t do extra to take trekkers to the beautiful village of Khumjung or Khunde. There are many things to see in these villages. In fact, these villages are the authentic Sherpa villages where you get to visit 600 to 700 years old monasteries. Interestingly, there is a monastery in the Khumjung Village where you get to see the mystical Yeti animal’s scalp. The exploration of these villages is the most scenic and wholesome in an entire Everest Base Camp Trek in terms of understanding Sherpa culture and traditions.
3. You can’t see Mt. Everest from Base Camp
Do you know that you can’t see the Mt. Everest from the base camp of the mountain? Yes, if you wish to see the mountain, you have to stop in about 300 m before the base camp over the ridge.
4. Kalapathar is the best vantage point and highest place on EBC Trek
The highest altitude on the EBC Trek route is the Kalapathar sitting at an altitude of 5,545m. The hill is also the best vantage point to view mountains of the Mahalangur Himalayan range. Moreover, the sunrise experience from the top of the Kalapathar is so scenic and legendary. Relish the mesmerizing golden rays of sun kissing the tip of the snowy mountains. Some trekking guides persuade trekkers to skip the Kalapathar Hike. They can have easy ride.
5. First View of Everest is seen before reaching Namche Bazaar
The journey from the Hillary Twin Bridge to the Namche Bazaar is the time when you can spot Mt. Everest for the first time on this epic journey. Lots of trekking blogs about the Everest Base Camp Trek don’t say that you can see Mt. Everest before reaching Namche Bazaar! After walking for about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Twin Bridge, you can reach the small resting place. This is the place which is about 300 m before the trekker check post of Namche Bazaar. You can get the mesmerizing scenery of mountains like Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. However, it depends on the climatic and weather conditions.
6. TIMS Permit is no longer needed
Few years before trekkers had to obtain the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) permit but you don’t need the TIMS permit now. You can do the trek by buying the Sagarmatha National Park Entry permit at NRs. 3000 and the Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry permit at NRs. 3000 to do the trek. Please note that the SAARC nationals can obtain the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit at NRs. 1500 only.
7. You can’t land Helicopter in the Everest Base Camp
Some people believe that you can do the helicopter tour and land in the Everest Base Camp. No, you can’t land in the Everest Base Camp (5364 m) unless it is emergency or particular case during the climbing season. The landing spot of the Everest Helicopter Tour in Nepal is at the Kalapathar Hill.
8. Phortse Village Route for Authentic and tranquil Everest Trek
The usual route of the Everest Base Camp Trek takes the route of the Tengboche Monastery. However, you can take the alternative and tranquil route to the Dingboche Village skipping Tengboche. You can include exploration of Tengboche upon the return trek. Enjoy the tranquil and best chance to know about the Sherpa lifestyle by choosing the Phortse route instead of Tengboche – Debuche route.
9. You can’t skip Acclimatization Hikes
Don’t skip the acclimatization hikes that are included in the Everest Base Camp Trek route. You should know that these acclimatization hikes are very important for the successful trekking trips in the Everest Base Camp Trek journey. The first acclimatization hike from the Namche Bazaar to the Everest View Hotel prepares you well for trekking under the 4,400 m altitude while the second acclimatization hike of the Nangkartsang Hill prepares you to trek properly in the places above 4,400 m altitude.
10. Anybody can get altitude sickness and hot shower is not free
Don’t underestimate the risk of the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. Interestingly, even if you are physically fit with strong cardio – vascular abilities, you may become the victim of the altitude sickness. Therefore, you should always follow and heed instructions of your trekking guide while trekking in the Everest base Camp Trek.
Hot showers are not free on the Everest Base Camp trek because heating water at high altitude requires scarce resources like gas or solar power, which are expensive to transport. And the cost of hot shower is depending on altitudes.
