12 Interesting facts to know about Everest base camp

  • Last Updated on Dec 16, 2024

The Everest base camp trek is one of the most iconic trekking adventures in the world. The trek provides trekkers a chance to have a close look at Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks.

This is an all in one package, as you can explore beautiful Himalayas, glaciers, rivers, forests, and cultural and traditional beliefs of Sherpa people. This trek is not just about reaching the base of the world’s tallest mountain but also about exploring ancient monasteries and the lifestyle of the legendary Sherpas, who are known as experts at mountain climbing.

Here are 12 interesting facts about the Everest base camp trek:

Table of Contents

Most terrifying Airport of the world Lukla

Lukla Airport, which is also known as Tenzing Hillary Airport, is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world. It is the main gateway for the trekkers and mountain climbers heading towards Mt. Everest or Everest Base Camp.

This airport has a short and uphill, sloppy runway that is only 527 meters long. This airport is situated at a high altitude of 2800 meters, with high weather changing and making visibility very poor as it is surrounded by the mountains, which is extremely challenging during landing and taking off. Because of these challenges, Lukla airport has a high accident rate, but with modern navigation systems, improved aircraft, and better pilot training, safety has improved.

Two Base Camp

Everest has two different primary base camps: one is on the south side of Mount Everest, which is in Nepal and another on the north side of Everest which is in the north side in china. Both base camps offers very good views of Mt. Everest but the experience differs due to different landscapes and routes.

The south base camp (5,364 meters), which lies in Nepal, is more popular among the trekkers as it has an easy trekking route and better arrangements, whereas the north base camp (5,150 meters) is more remote with few visitors.

The trek to South camp begins from Lukla, which involves walking through several villages, whereas the trek to North Base Camp begins from Lhasa, which involves the scenic drive through Tibet’s high hills.

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High Altitude

The high altitude of the Everest Base Camp trek is one of the crucial factors for the trek, but it can be managed with the proper preparation.

Everest base camp is located at 5,364 meters above sea level, which is considered a high altitude but the average elevation of cities like Denver (USA) is around 1,600 meters, and Kathmandu, which is also the starting point of the journey to trek is about 1400 meters from the sea level. So, Everest Base Camp (5,364m) is 3 times higher than many cities.

Although its high altitude problem is a big challenge, walking slowly during the trek and understanding how your body reacts to altitude will help you to enjoy the journey with great health conditions.

Outstanding scenery

The Everest base camp trek is full of breathtaking scenery, from dense forests and rivers at lower altitudes to naked and rocky landscapes and various icy peaks at high altitudes. While having a trek, you will pass through beautiful villages in the lap of the mountain with natural and cultural beauty with it.

When you start getting closer to Everest, various glaciers and other mountain ranges can be seen. The morning and evening views of sunrise with snow-covered mountains turn them into gold.

The sunrise over the highest peak of the world, Mt. Everest, is one of the beautiful parts of the trek.

Outstanding scenery of Everest range

Sherpa culture

The Sherpa culture is a wonderful mixture of resilience, spirituality, and harmony with nature. Despite the great influence of modernization and tourism, Sherpas have been working hard to preserve their traditions by focusing on preserving their language and teaching younger generations about their traditions and heritages.

They are very kind and helpful towards visitors and are one of the most important parts of the Everest trekking experience.

Tengboche monastery

Tengboche Monastery is one of the main holy places of Khumbu region. It is one of the most important places for the Sherpa people; it is also the place where climbers and trekkers seek blessings before their attempt to summit Mount Everest.

This monastery is located in an amazing location, has a rich history, and deep connection with Sherpas livelihood. Visiting this monastery is a chance to reflect, recharge, and appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas.

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is located in the Khumbu region in Nepal and is one of the main highlights of Everest Base Camp. Sagarmatha National Park covers the altitude from 2,845 meters to 8,848 meters.

This park is not just about mountains but also rich in wildlife. The trek through the park is challenging because of the steep paths, high altitude, and changeable weather.

Despite all the challenges, Sagarmatha National Park is an amazing place that is a mixture of natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural beauty.

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Everest View Hotel

The Everest View Hotel, located at about a one-hour uphill hike from Namche Bazar, is one of the main highlights of the EBC trek and is a great place for observing the breathtaking views of Mount Everest and other Himalayan ranges.

It is one of the highest-altitude hotels in the world i.e., 3,880 meters above sea level. This hotel was built in 1971 and is known for its modern comfort mixed with traditional design. Although this hotel is at high altitude, it provides luxury services.

Yaks

Yaks are an essential part of life and trekking in the Everest region; these animals can adapt to high altitudes and can be seen in the Everest Base Camp area. Their thick fur, large lungs, and strong bodies make them perfect for the cold and thin air of mountains.

These animals are very important for the local economy as they are used for the purpose of milk, butter, and meat. Yaks are decorated with colorful braids, bells, and blankets, making them more charming.

Legendary kalapatthar

Kalapathar, which means Black Rock in Nepali, is one of the popular viewpoints of Nepal, located in the Everest region. It is the only place from where you can see the beautiful view of the highest Peak, Mt. Everest, from top to bottom.

This fabulous place is located near the village of Goraksheep at an altitude of 5,643 meters above sea level. It is famous for the absolutely wonderful view of sunrise and sunset spreading the golden light all over Mount Everest and other mountain peaks.

To reach kalapatthar trekkers need to trek for 2-3 hours from the last village (Ghorakshep) of Everest base camp trek.

Mount Everest views from Kala Pathar

The Right Time for the Trek

The best time to do Everest base camp trekking is dependable; it varies according to weather, visibility, and trial circumstances. As the spring and autumn seasons have beautiful clear skies and balanced temperature scenery, these seasons are perfect for trekking in the Everest region or the Everest base camp trek.

Here’s some detailed information about the best seasons to trek:

Spring Season: The weather during this time is warm during the day with clear skies and excellent mountain views, which makes the trek comfortable and enjoyable for the trekkers. As you can see, beautiful scenery is also great for photography. You can interact with fellow trekkers as the trekking trail is very busy.

Autumn Season: After monsoon, the sky is polished, and the surrounding area becomes clear and beautiful. This season is also best for trekking. With dry and easy to walk trails, trekkers can observe the breathtaking views at ease. This is the most popular trekking season, as it is also the season of festivities in Nepal, like Dashain and Tihar.

Winter Season: Trekking in this season can be challenging as it is extremely cold during the night, and trails can be blocked by the snow. But if you love to trek in snowy paths and can handle the cold with proper planning, preparations, and guidance, you can enjoy a quiet and peaceful trek.

Monsoon Season: Having a trek during the Monsoon can be very risky, as heavy rain makes trails muddy and slippery, and there is a high chance of an accident occurring. If you want to observe beautiful views, you should avoid this season as clouds can block mountain views.

Everest Base Camp is not a summit

Many people are confused about whether Everest base camp is a summit or not. Everest base camp is definitely not a submit; it is a starting point for climbers who want to climb Mt. Everest, located at an altitude of 5,364 meters.

Even when Everest Base Camp is not a summit, it is still a legendary place for trekkers who want to experience the charm of the Himalayas without summiting the mountain but only to its base.

Conclusion

Hope the 12 facts shared in this blog are helpful to you, but these are small things when it comes to the wonder of the Everest Base Camp Trek. This trek is perfect for those who are attracted to Buddhist culture and traditions or want to experience the thrill of mountains. So, if you have dreamt of trekking in the Himalayas this is the chance to fulfill your wish.

Everest is calling you, so grab this opportunity and enjoy your adventurous journey with Dream Heaven Adventure. To book us, you can contact via email or WhatsApp:

Suman Aryal

Suman Aryal

With over 15 years of experience in the tourism sector of Nepal, Suman is the Managing Director of Dream Heaven Adventure. His passion for trekking has taken him to nearly all of Nepal's popular regions, making him an authorized trekking and tour operator.

Suman has a particular affinity for traveling to the Himalayas, where he has gained deep knowledge about the region's religion, culture, and history. As a part-time blogger, Suman shares his research on the cultural and religious diversity of Nepal, providing his personal touch with insights from his decade-long experience. He also enjoys answering readers' queries with his expert knowledge and personal touch.