Why The Everest Base Camp Trek Should Be Your Next Big Adventure
Vasanthi Cheruveettil, a 59-year-old tailor from Kerala, completed a solo trekking to the Everest Base Camp. Now, the more fascinating news is that she completed the trekking without any formal training.
She solely relied on YouTube training videos and did all the physical training at home, including running, walking, and being familiar with her shoes.
However, is trekking to the Everest Base Camp as easy as it sounds after the news comes to the surface? No, it’s not!
Though the trek is not about climbing Mount Everest, the highest in the world and featured on the list of hardest mountains to climb in the world, it’s an adventure that offers cultural exploration and amazing mountain views, and it tests your mental and physical endurance.
Also, you must climb with a professional group of climbers, or companies like Himalayan Hero Adventures offer complete 14-day Everest Base Camp trek packages.
Do you want to learn more about why the Everest Base Camp trek should be on your bucket list? We have discussed everything you need to know in this Dream and Travel Guide.
Why Everest Base Camp Is So Special
One of the best trekking adventures in Nepal, the Everest Base Camp trek is about reaching a destination where all mountain climbers start their journey to Mount Everest.
The elevation of this base camp is 17,598 feet. Also, you need to train for trekking in Nepal, as it is going to be a toilsome journey through the mountains spanning from 12 to 16 days.
What Are The Reasons To Trek Everest Base Camp?
So, your adventure to the Everest Base Camp starts. The first leg of the adventure or the plane ride into Lukia Airport, is scary as the runway is short and located on the side of a mountain.
Can it get more thrilling than that?
Once you land, you will start walking through green valleys and quaint villages that have preserved a particular way of living for hundreds of years.
You will find prayer flags fluttering in the wind and ancient temples sitting on clifftops like something out of a movie.
As you get higher up, everything changes to this wild landscape of rocks, ice, and massive snow-covered mountains that look like they’re touching the sky.
Most days, you’ll walk for about 5-7 hours, which sounds like a lot, but it’s spread out and you get plenty of breaks.
The key is going slow and letting your body get used to the thin air up there. There are built-in rest days, so you don’t get altitude sickness, which is something you want to avoid.
Furthermore, you will have the most special experiences throughout your trek, and here I will talk about them.
1. Meeting Amazing People Along The Way: Reasons To Trek Everest Base Camp
Meeting the Sherpa people. For me, it is the highlight of most treks in Nepal.
In my Nepal travel guide from India, I have discussed the significance of exploring the local culture. That’s incomplete if you don’t cherish the best of Sherpa culture in the country.
Furthermore, Sherpas know these mountains like the back of their hand and have this amazing spiritual connection to the peaks around them.
2. It’s Going To Be Tough (But That’s The Point): Conquering The Everest Base Camp Will Be A Life-Changing Experience
The Everest Base Camp trek is going to push you. You’ll be tired, the air gets thinner as you go higher, and you’ll be sleeping in basic accommodations.
There will be moments when you wonder what the heck you got yourself into.
But here’s the thing – that’s exactly what makes it so amazing. Every tough step teaches you that you’re stronger than you think.
Every sunrise over those massive peaks reminds you why you came. This trek is like a crash course in not giving up, and that lesson sticks with you long after you get home.
3. Reaching The Everest Base Camp Will Be The Biggest Moment Of Your Life
- Two weeks of hiking
- Getting used to the altitude
- Pushing through moments when you wanted to quit
All of these make reaching Everest Base Camp is incredibly emotional.
It’s not just about getting to your destination – it’s about proving to yourself that when you commit to something big, you can do it.
Looking at the Khumbu Icefall (the first really dangerous part that Everest climbers have to cross) reminds you just how powerful this mountain is while also celebrating what you’ve accomplished.
The trek doesn’t end when you fly home. Most people find that this experience keeps affecting their lives in unexpected ways.
4. The Immersive Experience At The Tengboche Monastery: Reasons To Trek Everest Base Camp
You will meet many small and big monasteries during your journey to the Everest Base Camp. However, Tengboche Monastery is the most prominent among them.
Located on the top of a hill above the Dudh Koshi River, this monastery offers the best views of the rhododendron forests, glacier streams, Mount Everest, and other high peaks.
Planning Your Adventure For The Everest Base Camp Trek
Have a look at the table below to understand how you will plan for the Everest Base Camp trek.
| Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trekking | March to May and September to November |
| Physical Training | CardioBuilding leg strengthPracticing hiking with a loaded backpack |
| Mental Training | Mental enduranceMeditation |
| Choosing the Right Gear | Hiking bootsSleeping bagsRight clothes |
| Emergency Medical Kit | Basic medicines and bandages |
Taking Care Of The Environment
Irrespective of the reasons to trek Everest Base Camp, more and more people are doing this trek every year, which is awesome, but also creates some problems for the environment.
However, the good news is that responsible companies are working hard to fix these issues through programs that deal with trash properly, take good care of the porters who carry supplies, and fund projects that help local communities.
Tourism also does a lot of good for the area. It provides jobs and income for Sherpa families and helps pay for things like schools and medical care.
When you choose a responsible company, you’re making sure your adventure helps the local people and protects these amazing mountains for future generations.
