Lonely Planet Everest Trek in the 4th rank in the 10 Best Treks in the World. Lonely Planet, one of the world’s leading travel guidebooks updated its Top 10 Best Treks in the World List in June 2020. Everest Base Camp Trek ranks in the top 10 best treks because it takes you around the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (8,848m). Kalaptthar (5,555m) is the highest possible place one reaches during this trek.
Apart from Mt. Everest, you can see two other eight-thousanders: Mt. Lhotse (8,516m) and Mt. Cho Oyu (8,188m) respectively. Mt. Lhotse is the 4th highest while Mt. Cho Oyu is the 6th highest peaks in the world. Other mountain peaks you see are Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812m) , Mt. Pumori (7,161m) Mt. Nuptse (7,861m), etc.
Besides the Great Himalayas, you can also see numerous glaciers, glacial lakes and icefalls en route. The Khumbu Glacier and the Khumbu Icefall are among the largest and highest of their type in the world.
From Everest Base Camp (5,364m), you cannot see the Everest Summit as the insanely tall peaks hide it behind. However, you can see the sparkling view of the Everest Summit from Kalapatthar. Therefore, the sunrise view from Kalapatthar is said to be the best in the world because you can see the Giant Mountains looming everywhere! You can capture the videos and photos as many as you can by keeping the Mahalangur Himalayan Range on the backdrop.
As stated by Lonely Planet Everest Trek, not only the Himalayas but there are many other things that prove Everest Base Camp trek to stand different. Sagarmatha National Park is one of the 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nepal. This is also one of the world’s highest altitude conservation areas popular for various flora and fauna.
The globally acclaimed travel guide book says, “Reaching a height of 5,545m (18,193ft) at Kala Pattar, this two-three-week trek in Nepal is extremely popular, thanks to its spectacular scenery but also romanticism; successful trekkers are able to proudly say they've stood at the base of the world's highest mountain.”
The dense forests of oak, pine, fir and rhododendron plants make this Himalayan region more beautiful. To witness its maximum beauty, you have to trek to Everest Base Camp in spring season. Spring is the best time for trekking to Everest Base Camp to see the entire region wrapped with the colorful rhododendron flowers.
The endangered species of animals and birds are also come to play hide and seek with you while doing Everest Base Camp trek. The snow leopard, red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, etc. are the animals protected in this national park. Additionally, there are more than 118 bird species like Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, red-billed and yellow-billed chough.
Lonely Planet Everest trek further says, “The heights reached during this trek are literally dizzying until you acclimatize to the altitude, and the continuous cutting across valleys certainly has its ups and downs. Be warned: prime trekking season brings serious crowds.”
Next season is autumn when you not only see the most pleasant scenery but also observe many of the feasts and festivals of Everest Region. Autumn is the time when the weather remains pleasant with clear skies. The visibility is so supportive that the snowcapped peaks are smiling in the most welcoming way!
The Everest region is the home for the Sherpas who are synonymous to mountaineering and trekking in Nepal. Tenzing Norgay, who was the first to climb Mt. Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary, also belongs to this region. Right from then, the Sherpas are popular for adventurous tourism in Nepal. There is a famous saying in Nepal that if a Sherpa remains away from home for a night, he has already reached the top of Mt. Everest and returns next morning!
The ancient monasteries, chortens and mani walls decorated with the colorful prayer flags are other attractions of Everst Base Camp trek. There are ancient monasteries in almost every stopover. Tengboche Monastery is the largest monastery while Pangboche Monastery is the oldest monastery of Everest region.
Khumjung Monastery is famous for the Yeti Scalp (skull of the abominable creature). A large number of national and international tourists make their trekking to Everest to have a look at it.
The Sherpa people are not only brave and honest but equally hospitable as well. They are very friendly to the visitors in their region that they help the tourists as much as they can. They celebrate different festivals like Lhosar, Mani Rimdu, etc. with a grand celebration.
Mani Rimdu Festival is the most colorful festival of the entire Sherpa community. This festival is the homage to the nature that has become a very significant culture of this region. The monks and nuns of various monasteries gather in the premises of Tengboche Monastery and celebrate it traditionally in front of the Guru Rinpoche.
The masked dance performed in the traditional music and song by making circle is the unique feature. This festival is not only famous in this region but also all over the world as thousands of tourists observe and take part in this every year.
Although located in the Himalayan region, Namche Bazaar provides you with all the modern amenities. You can find banks, ATM booths, luxurious hotels, cafes and quality restaurants here. As it the main trading center of the entire Khumbu region, it is also called the Sherpa Capital.
Everest View Hotel (3,880m) located nearby Namche Bazar is one of the highest placed hotels in the world. It is famous for the splendid view of Mt. Everest and other peaks while having breakfast or lunch.
Likewise, you can visit the Sherpa Museum that stores the photos of Everest expeditions right from the 1953 Everest Expedition made by Hillary and Tenzing. The Hall of Fame is the gallery that consists the photos of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay from the very first ascent to the Everest Summit.
Everest Base Camp trek itinerary ranges from 3 days to 2-3 weeks depending upon the vacation you have to spend in Nepal. To complete this trek in just 3 days, you have to take help of flights in the beginning, middle or in the end. But, we recommend you to book Everest Base Camp trek 15 days itinerary to do this trip leisurely.
If you have just a couple of days but want to reach Everest Base Camp, you can even do Everest Helicopter tour. Everest Helicopter tour without landing gives you a better chance for enjoying the aerial view of the entire Khumbu region. Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour with landing gives you chance for capturing this moment in the camera in terms of photos or videos.
As stated by Lonely Planet, Everest Base Camp trek has enchanted a large number of intrepid men and women ever since 1920s long before the first ascent to the Everest Summit. Nowadays, it is accessible for the people of all ages if they have good physical condition and strong conviction. Even the differently able people have been to the top of Everest, let alone the base camp!
Being a popular destination for Nepal Trekking, the trekking routes are always in perfect condition. The local people are well aware of the benefits of tourism that not only popularizes the region but also gives economic activities. The food and accommodation facilities of Everest Base Camp trek are among the most luxurious in the world.
Only the altitude adds up to Everest Base Camp trek difficulty as you have to spend all the nights above 2,500m. Beginning from Lukla, the gateway to EBC trek, you will gradually gain altitude. Walking or remaining above 2,500m means there is chance for altitude sickness. However, if you follow some precautions like walking slowly, having enough water, sleep and food including keeping some medicines, you can easily beat this challenge.
Everest Gokyo Lakes trek is the most fascinating chance for witnessing the glacial lakes having natural network. The turquoise water of the six glacial lakes with the reflection of the snowcapped peaks on them, makes this journey more of lifetime experience!
If you love a little more challenges, you can hike to Gokyo Ri (5,357m). From the top of Gokyo Ri, you can also see Mt. Makalu (8,485m) along with the mountains surrounding Mount Everest. It is another eight-thousander located around 19 kilometers eastwards from Mt. Everest.
For the avid trekkers who love even more challenge in life, there are other variants of Everest region trekking. Everest Three High Passes trek and Everest Gokyo Cho La Pass trek are the most done treks by the adventure lovers.
Likewise, you can also do Jiri Everest Base Camp trek avoiding a domestic flight. It is an opportunity to follow the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. During this trek, you can also see the beautiful Rolwaling Valley which is also famous for the Yeti Legend!
Conclusion: Lonely Planet Everest Trek
Because of these wonderful natural and cultural aspects, Lonely Planet has recommended the international trekkers to do this trek. Apart from the Himalayas, flora and fauna, successful trekkers can proudly say they've stood at the base of the world's highest mountain. It is a must-do activity once in a lifetime!
Book this trip with Nepal Trekking Routes, one of the most reliable local tour operators in Nepal. NTR has been organizing Everest Base Camp trek along with many other tour and trekking packages since its inception. For more information, visit our official website of Nepal Trekking Routes
