The Everest Base Camp trek is simply the most famous trek in Nepal. The Everest Base Camp is one of the most visited regions in the Himalaya and is high on trekkers' priority lists. The two-week trek begins and ends in Lukla, an airstrip in the region known as the "Gateway to Everest." The majority of trekkers fly to Lukla to begin their journey.

A gentle two-day trek up the Dudh Koshi valley from Lukla leads to the famous Namche Bazaar. There are numerous tea houses along the route. On the first day, Phakding and Monjo are popular stopovers, and just beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park at the Jorsale check point, where permits are checked. The trail that follows the Dudh Koshi River begins ascending from a suspension bridge just a few minutes from Jorsale and ends in Namche Bazaar after a three-hour hike.

As it cannot be done in a hurry, it is best to stop here for a few days to acclimate by walking around Namche. A hike to Syangboche or some Sherpa villages such as Thame, Khumjung, and Khunde, which are only a few hours' walk from Namche, are good options for passing the time.

Leaving Namche Bazaar, the path traverses the Imja Khola valley, with superb views of the Thamserku, Kangtega, and Ama Dablam mountains, as well as the giants, Lhotse and Everest, dominating the skyline ahead. Tengboche, at the summit of a hard ascent from the Imja Khola, is the most popular night stay after Namche. Tengboche Monastery is one of the most well-known monasteries, owing to its unrivaled background, Mt. Ama Dablam.

The path ascends via Pangboche, following the Imja Khola from Tengboche, until it reaches Pheriche or Dingboche, where the day's trip concludes. Another day of acclimatization follows, with an interesting side excursion to Chhukung, approximately a three-hour trek from Dingboche.

A 6-hour trek from Dingboche or Pheriche goes to Lobuche, which is located on the Khumbu glacier's lateral moraine. The trek from Lobuche to the last village on the route, Gorak Shep, takes around 3 hours. The few tea houses in this area give accommodation for the night before the final part of the journey over the glacier to Everest Base Camp.

Above Gorak Shep lies the well-known viewpoint known as Kala Patthar, from where many a trekker has snapped a photograph of the world's highest peak and stared up in amazement. The journey to base camp along the glacier might take up to five hours. This is dangerous terrain, and one must proceed with caution since finding a route can be difficult, and there is always the chance of slipping on the slick ice. Being at Everest Base Camp is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Aakriti