16 Major Places of Everest Base Camp Trail
Looking forward for trekking in Everest Base camp? Well here are some information regarding the trails and few essential stops as well as the accommodation available during the trek. Reading this might be fruitful while getting to Everest base camp. As this contains information and things available and few not to miss spots in the trails reflecting culture, tradition and lifestyle of people living in that particular region of Everest.
Things to Know about Everest Base Camp Trek
1.Lukla
Elevation: 2860m/9383ft.
Accommodation: Starting from basic to Mountain luxury like Yeti Mountain home.
The first stop before starting of the trail with 30minutes flight from Kathmandu. Lukla is a small town in Solukhumbu district with one of the most dangerous airport in the world as it have short-takeoff-and-landing flights. Traditionally Lukla means a place where houses of many goats and sheep are found but now a days only less amount of such animals are found in this area. Many trekkers find this place as gate way to Everest as beautiful town in lap of Himalayas offering variety of shops and Lodges catering the tourist providing western style meals and trail supplies. However this town offers much more than that. Even though having scariest airport nobody can deny the fact that flight has provided access to Everest region within 30 minutes from Kathmandu for numbers of people as trekkers and climbers can now explore such beauty in comfortable manner.
The town also offer luxury for luxury seekers as few place provides attentive service to guests, decent room size with private bath, electric blankets, internet and many more. Three course meal for dinner good continental breakfast you name you got in such harsh place in lap of mountain. The place which once was tiny farming community now has become a trekker’s town with budget to luxury service provided by tourism and hospitality industry of Nepal.
Lukla has a monsoon influenced sub-alpine climate with cool summers and cold winters. There is high temperature fluctuation, and temperatures can reach freezing even in the middle of summer. Influenced with Sherpa culture and lifestyle with some Tibetan influences some prayer flags, prayer wheels are too common in the area. Passing through some suspension bridge and with the views of green hills and Mani Walls you will be reaching to Phadking. This is more like 7km hike.
2.Phadking
Elevation: 2610m/ 8562ft.
Accommodation: Starting from basic to Mountain luxury like Yeti Mountain home.
This generally is first stop in the trail leading to Everest base camp. There is not any hard and fast rule that you have to stay in Phadking only but most trekkers stay here as the first day of trek after bone chilling flight experience it is a perfect place to rest and prepare for upcoming days of trekking. This is place where you will find decent hotel with attach baths and choice of foods. The accommodation usually are basic with shared bath, standard with attached bath and some mountain luxury like Yeti Mountain home. The place is surrounded with hills the trail side of Dudh Koshi the white water river. On the way you come across many suspension bridges leading towards Namche Bazzar. The trails are not too hard leading to Namche as you could come across many porters and donkeys carrying the supplies for up in the Base camp area.
3.Monjo
Elevation: 2835m/ 9301ft.
Accommodation: Starting from basic to mountain luxury like Everest summit lodge
Well Monjo is alternative stop for trekkers who don’t want to stop in Phadking on their way to Namche Bazzar. This is a small village in Khumbu region just north of Dudh Koshi River and just below the entrance gate or check point of Sagarmatha National Park. The foods and Accommodation are similar to Phadking reflecting the local Sherpa community and their culture. While reaching to Monjo lively wild flowers, bright tea houses and flapping prayer flags are seen around the trails. Monjo is one of the perfect place to chill after five hours hike from Lukla with cozy hotel rooms and sipping hot beverage overlooking the villages and hearing the sound of vicious Dudh Koshi River with Thamserkhu Himal as a back drop. The accommodation usually are basic with shared bath, standard with attached bath and some mountain luxury like Everest summit lodge. Reflecting the culture and faith in Buddhism, along the way you could found chortens and Mani walls of Sherpa people of Everest region.
4.Namche Bazzar
Elevation: 3440m/ 11286 ft.
Accommodation: Starting from basic to Mountain luxury like Yeti Mountain home.
We follow the Dudh Koshi, ascending through Himalayan pine and Cedar forests, to the vibrant Namche Bazaar. The village of Namche is a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchange salt, dried meat and textiles. Lately it is a modern town where you could find internet cafes, variety of local shops offering imported as well as local goods and handicraft. Trekkers stay at Namche for 2 nights usually for acclimatization.
Namche remains the central trading post in the Khumbu, attracting Himalayan and lowland merchants. After breakfast trekkers can hike towards Khumjung. On the hike, hikers capture the first glimpses of Everest and neighboring peaks like Lhotse Peak (8414m) and Ama Dablam (6856m). On arrival at Khumjung (3780m), trekkers could visit the Hillary School before stopping for lunch at one of the tea houses the walk takes about 3 hours and continue ascending the foot path to Khunde (3840m), visit the local museum where you can see traditional costume of Sherpa people.
Namche also offers fancy cafes and bakery where one could enjoy the bakery delights, coffee and many others things to shop from handicraft to souvenirs. This day can be physically demanding at times and you should be prepared as the weather is very unpredictable.
5.Syngboche – Hotel Everest view
Elevation: 3962m/ 13000 ft.
Accommodation: Mountain luxury Hotel Everest View.
Known for its delicious cuisine, view of Everest & surrounding mountains and luxury stays in Himalayas. Hotel Everest View is surprising the visitors as offers the best dining experience in the Khumbu region. Whether you’re staying at the hotel, hiking in the area, or landing at the heliport after a mountain flight, feel free to stop by and enjoy what menu has to offer. Continental breakfast, Japanese-style oyakodon, club sandwiches, filet mignon with fresh green vegetables, and more. Rooms at Hotel Everest View are designed to offer panoramic views of Everest and the surrounding mountains. Rooms are spacious, with private bathrooms, seating areas and access to beautiful stone-walled balconies. Our luxurious rooms allow visitors to celebrate the art of pure relaxation while enjoying the tranquility and peace that can be felt in such sublime surroundings. A thermos and an electric blanket to keep the bed room in order to make guest warm. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. An interesting fact about Dining Room is that the back wall is not made of the hand-carved stone that covers most of the interior. It features ancient rocks that were originally on the ridge. It bears the Tibetan Buddhist inscription “Om Mani Peme Hum”.
6.Kanjuma Village
Elevation: 3440m/11286ft
Accommodation: Basic to stander guesthouses.
Kanjuma is a small village on the trails of Everest base camp trek which provides the view of Lhotse Peak (8414m) and Ama Dablam (6856m) and on clear day even Everest and many other surrounding peaks. This place is just after one and half hours distance from Namche so it could also be possible acclimatization alternative for second night in Namche. Khumjung is splitting point in order to trek to Everest base camp via Gokyo lakes. The accommodation available in this area are very less but guesthouses are very comfortable and cozy and decent room size. This place is usually surrounded with hills covered with green forest and fresh mountain air. Reflecting the culture and faith in Buddhism, along the way you could found chortens and Mani walls of Sherpa people of Everest region.
7.Tashinga
Elevation: 3540m/11318 ft.
Accommodation: Basic Lodges and tea houses to Mountain luxury like Everest Summit Lodge.
Tashinga is located just off the main trail to Everest base camp as many trekkers use this as returning route which makes the trek still exciting. The trail is not too extreme but it stills have some twist and turns followed by some uphill and downhill but not extreme. The place have small stone tiny houses where nobody resides. It is a peaceful place as very less people follow this trail and one got to admire the view of Everest (8848m), Ama Dablam (6812), Nupse(7861m), Tharmsekhu (6623m) and Lhotse (8516m).
It is surrounded by pine forest and on the trail one could see some blooming Rhododendron. Along the way you could see the Mani Walls written many things in Buddhist and Tibetan scripture as many people only know Om Mani Peme Hum. Chortens are the essential part in Everest trail ass every trail in Everest region have Chortens. Some parts of myth says Chortens are mostly rooms of Gods.
8.Tengboche and Diboche
Elevation: 3860m/12664ft.
Accommodation: Basic Lodges to standard and luxury like Rivendell Lodge.
Tengboche is 9.6 km from Nance bazars and usually trekkers’ reach in Tengboche at day 4 of their trek to Everest base camp. The trail starts with flat and easy leading towards Tengboche. Then it declines deep into the Dudh Koshi Valley at Pungki Thanka. After arriving in Punki, climb towards Tengboche, the village where the very famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in the Everest region, is located. One could also see Chorten and Mani walls of the Khumbu region.
Diboche is a small settlement after 20 minutes walk from Tengboche which is mostly down hill and reflecting authentic Sherpa culture with some Yak huts mostly built out of naturally available stones and alpine woods linking with Natural limestone. There are few hotels available in the area offering decent accommodation with pleasing views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and many others unnamed snowcapped peaks.
Tengboche has one of the famous monasteries of Nepal which is leading Buddhist center in khumbu region with residing Rinpoche who bless pilgrims, mountaineers, trekkers and travelers as well as locals. Every October, Tengboche Monastery hosts the colorful Mani Rimdu festival, which is a culmination of Buddhist celebrations with a religious gathering, songs, ritual dances, and enactments of the lives of legendary figures. Visitors are welcome to partake in the festivities and many trekkers book their trek to coincide with the festival. Pines, azaleas and colorful rhododendrons surround the attractive Gompa (monastery), with a stunning panoramic view of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Tengboche has many rest houses and lodges as well as spacious camping sites.
You could also find some bakery cafes near Tengboche as it has variety of items to offer. Looking at spectacular views of mountains you could enjoy some baked delights as this is going to be unforgettable moment in your life and is weird that you will be pinching yourself asking is this real? And yes it’s real!!
9.Shomre
Elevation: 4252m/13950ft.
Accommodation: Basic tea houses
This place is probably the stop for lunch during the trek to Everest base camp as the place offers the view of Ama Dablam (6812), Nupse(7861m), Imjatse(6160m) and many other surrounding peaks. This place is in the route between Tengboche to Dingboche as trails goes down the beautiful forest, cross Imja Khola and trek through the village of Pangboche (3900m). With the Himalayas as its backdrop, trekkers descend into Imja River and cross then climb up to Dingboche. This day is probably the most interesting trekking day because you will not lose altitude like on other days.
10.Pheriche
Elevation: 4240m/13943ft.
Accommodation: Basic and decent lodges
There is Trekkers Aid Post at Pheriche (4240 m), staffed by western volunteer doctors and supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association which offers treatment and consultation to trekkers. This is good place to consult if you are having some issues on physical health while trekking. The trekkers continue up the valley, gaining altitude. Come out of the valley to descend to the yak pastures of Lobuche.
The Pheriche hospital is open only during the two trekking/climbing seasons (March–May and October–December). Although the hospital was built with Japanese support in 1975. Although the hospital was built with Japanese support in 1975. It is staffed by Nepali volunteer and physicians who are mostly from the US, Europe, Canada and Australia.
Primarily a farming village, Pheriche which used to raise potatoes, buckwheat and yak keeping but now a days many men are employed as trekker guide and porters. There is also many decent lodges in the area where trekkers and climbers can stay while trekking or climbing to Everest. The place can also be used as alternative place for acclimatization stays. The interesting thing about Pheriche is the entire forecast for Everest region is done here.
11.Dingboche
Elevation: 4410m/14469ft.
Accommodation: Basic to standard Lodges.
Dingboche is the last Sherpa village of the trails of Everest base camp trek. Located at elevation of 4410m it makes one of the attractive Sherpa village reflecting the Buddhist culture with many prayer flags, prayer wheels, Chorthens and Mani Walls. This is best place to acclimatize for trekkers and climbers of Everest as the main idea is to climb high and sleep low which makes Dingboche perfect for acclimatization.
One can see the beautiful views of Ama Dablam, Imjatse (Island peak), Everest, Pumori (meaning daughter of Sherpa) and many other surrounding mountains. This place is comparatively warmer than Pheriche. You can also interact with other trekkers and climbers as most trekkers acclimatize in this place. The river imja khola directly flows from beautiful mountain Imja Tse (Island Peak) on the east side.
The best part about Dingboche is that you can rent climbing gears such as ice axe, harness, two screw carabineers, decenters, climbing boots, Boot gaiters, ascenders etc. and many others at hotel Good Luck.
12.Thukla
Elevation: 4615m/15141ft
Accommodation: Basic Tea Houses.
Thukla, also known as Dughla, lies at the very end of the Khumbu glacier and is usually just a lunch stop. However, if you aren’t feeling well because of the altitude, there is accommodation available. Whatever you do, don’t push it from here onwards.
The place is also famous memorial view point. All those who lost their lives Sherpa’s, hikers and climbers who lost their lives summiting the Everest have memorials in Thukla. Beautiful prayers are written in memorials by well-wishers and family of climbers. Walking by that place makes you sad and makes you realize how tiny space we occupy in this world and how fragile the life is and why do we do what we do?
Keeping all this emotion side one must prepare for the tough time in the trail and in life ahead. Most of the Sherpa also says increased number of death during expedition is not a good sign.
13.Lobuche
Elevation: 4990m/16210ft
Accommodation: Basic Lodges
Trek along a broad valley floor to Dughla, passing the Trekkers Aid Post at Pheriche there is small village at Lobuche. The place is windy but peaceful offering the views of mountain like Nuptse 7861m, Tabitha 6501m, Pumori and many others. This place is at elevation of 4940m and near Khumbu Glacier. The accommodation at Lobuche are too basic consisting of stone huts with shared bunk beds however lately some lodges provides modern facilities and amenities with twin bed room. Some lodges even provides internet and oxygen services.
This place is also the last overnight with lodging on the trails before Gorak Shep to Everest base camp as hikers and climbers make their way to Everest base camp and is popular stop among the trekkers in the area. You could see some yaks and many snowcapped mountains.
14.Gorak Shep
Elevation: 5164m/16942ft
Accommodation: Basic tea houses
This place is also the last overnight with lodging on the trails and there lies a small settlement that sits on the edge of a frozen lakebed covered with sand. It is found at an elevation of 5,164 m (16,942 ft.) and the village is not resided by local whole year. In recent times the Gorak Shep offers the lodges with modern amenities and shared twin rooms mostly. Some place even provides high internet access. This place is final stop for the trekkers summiting Kala Patthar at elevation of 5550m/18209ft. which provides best view of Everest.
Climbing towards Kala Patthar starts early in morning from Gorak Shep as it takes few hours to reach and come back. The best time and best views are usually found at seasons like spring (March and April) and autumn (October and November), where one will get clear vision of mountains.
15.Kala Patthar
Also known as dark rock which is located in the Nepalese Himalaya above place called Gorak Shep. Due to the structure of Everest, only some part Everest is seen from Everest base camp so many trekkers goes there in order to get the proper view if Everest. Kala Patthar (5550m/18209ft.) is considered as the highest altitude most can reach without climbing permit Not just Everest Mountains like Lhotse (8516m), Nuptse (7861m), Pumori (7161), and other above 6000m peaks like Ama Dablam, Crumb, Thamserku, Kangtega, Taboche &Lobuche can be seen.
Helicopter tours can be also be done if you think you can’t trek or you are travelling with your family. As helicopter tours will take you to Kala Patthar and gives you the best views of mountains. In most cases the sunrise and sunset views can be seen from Kala Patthar if weather favors and is clear. Mostly helicopter tours operates during morning time.
16.Everest Base Camp
The ultimate destination for trekkers and camp ground for climbers for whom new journey begins from this place. Due to the structure of Everest only some parts of Everest can be seen but many other mountains can be seen. Placed at elevation of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) base camp is surrounded by giant Himalayas. It takes many hours as the trail piles through ice and past the cracks of Khumbu glacier. Trekkers can have opportunity to meet people attempting the summit.
From Global Holidays Adventure
While going from Gorak Shep to base camp or Kala Patthar it’s better to go to Kala Patthar at morning as views of mountains are lovely and clear during morning time whereas going Everest base camp is better during evening. If you want to promote brands then you could take banners and click pictures at basecamp as well. During the trek the trails are filled with plenty of attraction where it is advised to click as many pictures as possible because the view keeps on changing due to unpredictable weather conditions.
The attractions starting from airport at Lukla followed by pleasant view as well as Mani Walls and chortens and wonders of luxury in places as Namche, Monjo, Syangboche with views of mountain just in front as well as in backdrop and enjoying food or even coffee, it’s something shouldn’t be missed during the trek.
Chilling in fancy café, having some freshly baked delicacy shopping some goodies at Namche Bazzar makes you wonder and helps you realize how things are operated in world famous trails of Sagarmatha Periphery. You could see lifestyle of Sherpa community. The monastery of Tengboche Monastery hosts the colorful Mani Rimdu festival, which is a culmination of Buddhist celebrations with a religious gathering, songs, ritual dances, and enactments of the lives of legendary figures every October. If you want to see this then mark the date or plan a trek in October.
