Top 10 attractions of Everest Base Camp Trek will surely be #1 choice on travel bucket list for trek enthusiasts around the globe. Obviously, the world’s highest mountain peak must have set adventure goals for travelers, though there are numerous attractions and things to do during Everest Base Camp trek. From even the airport as the starting point of the journey culminating at the base of Everest, you encounter memorable landmarks and unique local Sherpa culture.
The wonderful journey to the Everest Base Camp kicks off with a scenic mountain flight to Lukla with magnificent views of the Eastern Himalayan peaks. Named after the first people to successfully summit the Everest, Tenzing Hillary Airport remains the arrival center for trekkers and mountaineers destined to trek and climb the world’s highest peak. It is an amazing sight of Lukla airport being operated at such a height of over 9000 feet and steep landscape. This first step of trip provides you a sneak peek into glorious Himalayan vistas, first of many to cherish.
Traversing through Dudh Koshi valley on the way to the base camp, you will arrive at this beautiful Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. After a day hike to Syangboche, arrive at Everest View Hotel to get stunning views of glacial valleys and peaks of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. Explore ancient villages of Khumbu region including Pangboche, Lobuche, Phortse, Dingboche and the Khumjung, where you discover a monastery supposedly housing ‘Yeti Scalp’. Nepal Himalaya gets synonymous with Sherpas. It is due to the fact that the indigenous people and dwellers of the mountains are the backbone of the region. The brave Sherpa people live life with a simplicity which is quite admirable and inspiring. Their unique Sherpa culture, traditions, and Buddhist religion give you an appealing insight into the lifestyle in this remote corner of the developing world. Also, taste the exotic dishes of the mountain regions including yak cheese, thukpa, potato vegetables and dal-bhat meals.
A UNESCO listed World Natural Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park is a major highlight on your Everest Base Camp trek. The world’s highest national park, yes, the region has several ‘highest’ accolades, is a protected area for a wide range of Himalayan flora and fauna, spread over 440 square miles of area. Walk through the rhododendron and pine forests where you can see various endangered animals and birds including Himalayan Thar, Musk Deer, Lophophorus (the national bird of Nepal), snow leopard, red panda and many more. Also, it is a natural habitat for around 118 species of birds and one can find various species of flora including birch, juniper, blue pines, fir, bamboo, etc. The park has many landmarks to explore which you will learn more below.
Tengboche monastery is one of the several Buddhist landmarks you discover on the way to the Everest Base Camp. Also known as Dawa Choling Gompa, the monastery is located in Tengboche village of Khumbu and is the largest of the region. The devout Buddhist pilgrimage is amidst the Sagarmatha National Park offering you a 360-degree panoramic view of Himalayan range. The residing Rinpoche blesses the pilgrims and travelers leaving them with a sense of tranquility and spirituality.
The local accommodations in the mountains, tea houses amaze the trekkers with the satisfying level of comfort provided during their long trekking journey. You will be provided will all basic facilities including hot showers. At the end of each trekking day en route to the Everest Base Camp, you can take rest in the evening and warmly spend your nights in the standard, clean and comfortable tea houses. Also, you may socialize with other travelers and meet the local people.
The famous vantage point of Mount Everest, Kala Patthar offers you the most accessible and close-up views of the world’s highest peak. Lying at the base of Khumbu Icefall, it is a big black rock leading you with a freezing walk to the Everest Base Camp. The highest altitude on your trek at 5545 meters, provides you with breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks including Pumori, Changtse, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Lingtren, Khutse, Thangsherkhu and Taboche in addition to Everest. These stunning views from the top of Kala Patthar are simply mesmerizing and make your trek absolutely worthwhile.
Visit this private museum in Namche, depicting the Sherpa culture and historical photographs from the Everest region. Owned and maintained by a local photographer, Sherpa Culture Museum preserves ages’ old cultural artifacts of Sherpa and also comprises the photographs of all Everest summiteers.
It is a part of Sherwi Khangba Center as is the Khumbu International library with a huge collection of books, travel guides and historical journals. You can donate a book to the library which may interest another visitor. This way, your possession remains as a part of the historical center for eternity.
Another interesting place to visit in the Everest region is the Pyramid International Laboratory located in Khumbu valley. The research centre is built in typical Nepali lodge-style where over 500 scientific missions have been carried out by above 200 researchers from several countries. These are the unique attraction of Everest base camp trek.
This is the ultimate goal of your exciting trek. The long, tiring and yet pleasant journey reaches its climax at the Everest Base Camp. With the world’s highest mountain soaring high above you, admire the incredible melt patterns and rounded ice towers of Khumbu Icefall. The close-up views of Everest are truly mesmerizing and the best part of the trek. Also, one can get beautiful glimpses of surrounding peaks including Pumori, Khumbuste, and Nuptse. Everest Base Camp trekking is undoubtedly the world’s most popular trekking adventure because you know, it’s EVEREST.
Everest region is famous for the classic trek to the base camp, though there are many alternative routes. Among them, challenging three passes trek is itself a major attraction along with the heavenly Gokyo lakes. You will cross Kongma La (5535m), Cho La Pass (5420m) and Renjo La (5340m) to arrive at the base camp of world’s highest mountain. Along the route, explore the remote villages of Nangpa valley, Marlung and popular monastery in Thame. Similarly, the beautiful turquoise lakes of Gokyo prove to be quite mesmerizing for wonderful photographs. Attractions of Everest Base Camp Trek come with its surrounding nature and geography like Gokyo lakes and Himalayan high passes.
To those experienced trekkers who seek new adventures, Everest region grants your wish with popular peak climbing options like Mera peak and Island peak. Mera peak is the highest trekking peak in Nepal standing tall at 6461m. You can get delightful views of five 8000 meter peaks from the top of Mera peak viz. Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Island peak (6189m) seems as an island in the sea of ice, welcoming hundreds of climbers and trekkers every year.
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Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this amazing site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks
for the advice!
woah!! those gokyo lakes are picturesque..would love to do trekking in Everest region
I will definitely get to top of Kala Patthar for those incredible views of mountians
Well written and very useful stuff for EBC trek