25 Reasons to Trek to Everest Base Camp

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Everest Base Camp Trek

25 Reasons to Trek to Everest Base Camp

From the perspective of an over 50 years old woman who was never particularly fit, never wanted to go to Everest Base Camp and would now happily go there annually.

1.Trekking to Everest Base Camp is amazing. Amazing. And yes amazing. I make no apologies for the overuse of the word.

What better Big Challenge than Base Camp?

2.Climbing Kala Pattar, looking at Mount Everest at sunset or sunrise or standing at Everest Base Camp is possibly be one of the best things you will ever do in terms of travel experiences. Certainly it will be an achievement you will be proud of. Guaranteed.

On top of Kala Patthar in October

3.Trekking to Everest Base Camp is something you have to work at. And we always value things more if we have to work for them. And you have to work for trekking to Everest Base Camp before you leave for Kathmandu. It’s what you call Training for EBC – that’s Everest Base Camp. And to do it you need to train for six months or more depending on your base fitness level. We did. My trainer  often reminded me; “Remember it’s not just about the destination, it’s about the journey.”

Climb to Namche Bazaar, main trail to Everest Base Camp
Part of the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar before the rest point

I discovered on my journey that this is true. Your training is part of the journey when you realise the things you can achieve, when you have a big challenge before you. The trek to Everest Base Camp is a life changing experience. Taking on an amazing challenge and achieving it feels, amazing. You will cry on Kala Pattar or at Base Camp because you will have made it. Guaranteed.

Perfect for Everest Base Camp Hill training
Our favourite training hill in Melbourne.The Trainer half and my daughter the speck at the top.

4.Standing in a valley in Dingboche or on top of Kala Pattar totally surrounded by mountains is an amazing experience. You get a little understanding of how astronauts feel when they view earth from space. You walk through the massive landscapes and feel so small. We are a small part of a very big picture on this wonderful planet. You might cry here too.

Above Periche Between Dingboche and Dughla
Between Dingboche and Dughla

Lots of Exciting Moments Along the Trail

5.Bridges along the way provide exciting moments though I confess I didn’t linger long on them. At first I felt a bit anxious crossing the suspension bridges that span the roaring rivers and jiggle about a bit. But the rushing wind and the loud water make it exciting. You do get used to them and people are very careful on them.

Suspension bridge at Chheplung
First bridge on the Everest Base Camp Trek

6.Add flying into Lukla one the world’s most dangerous airports. Granted it is a bit nail biting the first time. It was a dot point on my 2013 “Why I Don’t Want to Trek to EBC” list. I was so worried about all the things that might go wrong that I hadn’t thought about the amazingly beautiful place and adventure I was about to embark on. So when I saw the view out the window of the little plane, I cried. For most of the forty-minute flight you fly along the line of the Himalayas.

Flying to Lukla
It’s not often you get to fly along the Himayalas

7.It is an experience in itself. After doing it once it’s a piece of cake. The pilots fly into Lukla every day. They have lots of experience and there are lots of procedures in place now since there have been air crashes. So you will be able to add that to your list of amazing travel adventures.

Lukla Airstrip
The airstrip at Lukla airport

Amazing and Beautiful Nepal

8.The most amazing and beautiful landscapes and lovely little villages on the way. And it is so special walking through through beautiful places.

9.Nepal is beautiful. Full stop.

10.The people are beautiful. Time with the local people – your porter or guide and maybe some of the lodge owners is special.

11.Tourism and trekking to Everest Base Camp supports these beautiful people.

Nepal is Well Set Up For Making Trekking Easy For You

12.You don’t have to carry a big backpack, just a daypack. The porter will carry your gear for you. In doing so you will be employing a local person and be helping build the local economy.

13.You don’t have to stay in a tent unless you want to. There are lodges all the way. All the way to Gorak Shep the end of the trail.

Dingboche EBC trek Nepal
Lodge in Dingboche

14.You are part of life on the track. It feels like you are on a pilgrimage. There is only one track and you are either going up, or you are going down. And you see the daily life along the track of the porters, trekkers, kids going to school, yaks, donkey trains, people going to market, lodges being built.

15.You meet other trekkers staying at the lodges. People are keen to hear news of what is happening along the trail.

Talking to a trekker returning from Base Camp.
Talking to people along the way and our porter waiting patiently

16.You often stop and talk to people going the opposite way while you catch your breath or rest or maybe even help with a bit of donkey traffic control.

Donkeys on EBC Trek
Keeping the slow donkeys moving from the safety of the sidelines. CHUK!

Trekking to Base Camp You Will Feel Great

17.The trail provides a great opportunity to practice mindfulness. You need to watch where you step. All the time. So I found the trek quite meditative.

18.You breathe fresh air at least five hours a day and think of all the vitamin D.

19.You eat well. We ate vegetarian food and many lodges grow their own vegetables.

20.You sleep eleven hours a night.

21.Very few decisions need to be made. You get up in the morning and you only have one thing to do. Get to the next town on your itinerary. And you know how you are getting there. You are going to walk and you are either going up or down.

22.No traffic, traffic jams or fumes. There’s lots of foot traffic though to keep things interesting. Four footed traffic, donkeys, yaks and a few horses, just give them the right of way.

23.No emails, no phone calls, no stress.

24.You feel so fit and amazing. I felt ten years younger. Had never felt fitter. Ever. So, why wouldn’t you want to try a trek like this? Even if you don’t make it all the way you will have tried and had an amazing experience and you can always try again. We did.

25.Taking on a big challenge is a great thing to do; whether you achieve it or not. The important thing is that you have tried. The journey is as much about the how you get there, the training, the preparation and how great it feels to get out of your comfort zone as is the final destination.

WARNING: You may get addicted to Nepal and to trekking in such an amazing place. We are seriously thinking of returning a third time.

After reading the 25 reasons, you might have a few unanswered questions. Like why on earth did I try to trek to Base Camp the first time if I was worried about it?

Or might want to see more of the bridges you will cross .

Lower suspension bridge over the Dudh Khosi taken from the higher bridge
Lower suspension bridge over the Dudh Khosi Gorge
Lobuche to Gorak Shep
Crossing a Stream over the Rubble Strewn Trail to Gorak Shep

You can do shorter treks in the area for example Namche Bazaar, Khunde and Khumjung and Thame or go as far as Pangboche or a bit further to Dingboche my favourite and climb the Dingboche Ridgetop for an amazing view. You will still have had an amazing experience. Most of the villages have side treks. I will be researching those a bit more for future posts.

Here is the itinerary for our Everest Base Camp Trek in 2015 when we made it all the way to EBC. Convinced? Ready to go? Here is a suggested  Everest Base Camp Trek packing list.

Don’t forget to train so that you have no aches or pains and instead you will feel fantastic. Guaranteed. And then there will be NO tears.

43 thoughts on “25 Reasons to Trek to Everest Base Camp”

  1. Pingback: Training for EBC in July and August | the year I touched my toes

  2. I must confess the fear of flying into Lukla has held me back. I was so afraid flying those terrible planes in Nepal and all the crashes. It was terrifying! I would love to do this trek. There has been so much bad stuff in Nepal that it has been terrible. Someday I will do this one though Louise! how many days did it take in all? What is the highest point? I think it is actually a little below Kilimanjaro if I am correct.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Yes I was very worried about flying into Lukla before our first trek too. It was on the top of my long list of why I didn’t want to go but then I didn’t want to be left behind to worry either. A pilot friend assured us that most of the planes that had crashed had been single engine planes. The planes to Lukla are mainly twin engine now. Also they have improved their record immensely. Once I was up in the plane I was reasonably relaxed and as for the landing at Lukla it was over in seconds.
    Kilimanjaro is 5895m and the highest point is Kala Pattar at 5545m. We designed our trek to take 17 days and we had 2 days before and 3 days after in Kathmandu. Door to door it was a 22 day trip.
    I think if you are leaving small children behind I would second thoughts my children are older so I know what you mean.
    Yes I know what you mean about all the terrible things in Nepal. I hope this season will be a good one for them.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Thank you for this post! Just yesterday I was telling my hobby that I am having second thoughts about going to Nepal. They’ve been having earthquakes every month. It’s scary. But I will never be able to forgive myself for not going just because I was afraid!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Hi Boots Was wondering about you and your progress. It is usual to have tremors for a long time afterwards. I was watching the earthquake today website daily before we went last year and had a look again the other day. It is tricky. I am going to write a few earthquake posts coming up as the anniversary is fast approaching.

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  6. Yes I remember it’s April 21 I think or 24. I’m still planning on going. Although my training has been put off with so many responsibilities here at home. But soon, I will get back to it.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I really enjoy your enthusiasm about Nepal. I have many chronic pain issues, but I do walk almost everyday. It would be amazing to go off on a great adventure as this. I would also love to see Australia!! So much to see!! I am going back to Hawaii in January too. It is just my fave place ever. I am sure part of it is my retro feelings because I grew up there as a child !

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Hi Anne, Yes the biggie across the Dudh Khosi Gorge is quite well known and gets the heart beating a little. You don]t dawdle on that one. Thanks for the interest. Louise

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  11. I have been enjoying reading your posts Louise, what an amazing time you had, huge congrats! I have walked in Nepal too but not to EBC, We went on the Annapurna track and I loved it all. I hate heights, scary bridges and had a bit of altitude sickness but I’d go again. I also did Kokoda a few years ago which I think was harder in some ways. You are right when you say there are few choices to make – just get up, pack your bag and walk. Reading your blog has taken me back to our fantastic trip so thanks for that. 🙂

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  12. Thanks Debbie. It was amazing. Wow Kokoda. I love the idea of going to New Guinea. Kokoda I think probably is harder in ways – the humidity, I couldn’t cope and leeches and things and the danger element. Not what the pack situation is but carrying a huge pack is not on the list of things I ever want to do. I would love to go to the Mt Hagen Sing Sing, or show, or whatever it is called.

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  14. Pingback: Two Earthquakes and Two Films | the year I touched my toes

  15. Pingback: Travel to Nepal Now | The Year I Touched My Toes

  16. Hi Louise,
    Have really enjoyed catching up on your EBC experience on your blog tonight – your reflections ring very true and love your photos – beginning to think about something very special and possibly even as big as this! You are inspiring me – Wld lk fwd to a little challenging walk together soon – jane ( from Heid and choir ..

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Pingback: Life is Great in Retrospect | The Year I Touched My Toes

  19. Hi Louise, many thanks for sharing your trip to the Everest Base Camp. It has been a pleasure to read and the photos are breathtaking. Your blog is a reminder that there is a beautiful world out there – just waiting. Please say hello to Sam. Great photo of him sitting on the ground, overlooking the valley with the mountains in the background. Keep Travelling, Michael S

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Pingback: Recharging in Nepal | The Year I Touched My Toes

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  23. Gorgeous photos. I am not trekking, but I love to hike in Finland on its Arctic fells where reindeers roam freely. It is also an experience, which I want to relive from time to time.

    Happy blogging.

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  26. Pingback: Climbing to Namche Up Down Up Down Down Down Up Up Up Up Up Up Up Up | The Year I Touched My Toes

  27. Can’t believe I missed this post but glad I found it. What an amazing experience you had Louise. So, is it third time for you, do you think?

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  28. Hi Miriam, yes it was an amazing experience and this is one of my favourite posts. Do you mean will we go again? Yes we plan to go again. We were thinking next year but we are planning a trip to Sicily with our daughters next year. But we are both keen to go back, it is additive … Louise

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Good for you Louise. If you can do it why not? Sicily sounds wonderful too. My wonderlusting post, with your link in it, should (hopefully) be up tonight. Have a great day. xo

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  36. You sold me by the time I reached point 10…it wasn’t hard. Point 22 is also enticing.

    Love the beautiful photos Louise.

    Do you think 22 days is enough time to do this trek comfortably or would more time be better?

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  37. Our 2015 trek was 17 days long PLUS two days either side of the trek for time in Kathmandu. The trek was 16 days and the 17th was the flight out of Lukla. We really feel you need that time either side in Kathmandu it’s part of the acclimatisation. Our contact in Kathmandu really encouraged us to have two days before we flew out to Lukla too. It also allows for any connection problems etc.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Thanks, I read all that but wondered if you had more time, would have you stayed longer? I understand about acclimatisation as we did this for a week in Cusco before the 5-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.

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  43. Pingback: Training for EBC in July and August | The Year I Touched My Toes

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