The adventure of a lifetime, the Everest Base Camp Trek is a captivating journey that will leave you thrilled with its stunning landscapes, cultural immersion, and a profound sense of accomplishment.
You will feel like the entire world is at your feet with the world’s highest mountains, a tapestry of cultures including the legendary Sherpa culture, and not to miss the unparalleled feeling of standing at the base of Mt. Everest.
However, your entire trekking experience can be enhanced ten folds if you have an idea of what to look forward to and what not to miss out on during the trek as these highlights are the ones that will make your trek extra ordinary.
Therefore, for beginners and experienced trekkers alike, if you plan on conquering the Everest Base Camp Trek next, we have a list of the 10 best things to do during Everest Base Camp Trek. Enjoy!
1. Explore Lukla
Starting with one of the most thrilling aspects of the Everest Base Camp Trek, you will be excited, scared, and amazed all at the same time as your flight will land at the Lukla airport, i.e. if you are taking a flight.
This is the most dangerous airport in the world with a thin airstrip located at a high altitude and it is so thrilling that only a handful of pilots are permitted to fly the planes to and from here.
The flight will treat you to a spectacular 30 minutes of Himalayan show as you will be seeing spectacular mountain views while soaring above the clouds. You will basically get a teaser of the adventure that awaits you during the trek.
Besides that, once you land, you can even explore the Lukla village as you start your trek at Lukla. This can set the stage for your exploration of the Everest Base Camp. Enjoy the distant views of the Himalayan giants including Kongde Ri
2. Acclimatize at Namche Bazaar
Known as the heart of the Khumbu region, the charm of Namche Bazaar awaits you further ahead in the trek. This is a vibrant hub for trekkers, tourists, and traders alike.
Besides that, Namche Bazaar also serves as a crucial acclimatization stop on the trek which is very important as acclimatizing allows you to prevent altitude sickness further ahead in the trek.
In the course of acclimatization, you can explore the market of Namche Bazaar and handpick local souvenirs and handicrafts. You can also go for acclimatization hikes to the nearby regions including Hotel Everest View and other viewpoints.
You can also simply take a walk along Namche Bazaar and explore the nearby restaurants, pubs, shops, and you will also get laundry and hot shower facilities here which you can use if you stay here for longer.
3. Visit Tengboche Monastery
A spiritual retreat awaits the trekkers at the Tengboche Monastery, which is also known as the spiritual heartland of the Everest region. This is one of the most ancient and significant Buddhist monasteries in the region.
Famed for its spectacular architecture and a serene ambience, the Tengboche monastery will give you a sense of tranquility amidst the Himalayas. You will also be able to delve deeper into the teachings of Buddhism at the Tengboche monastery.
Situated at 3,867 meters, the Tengboche monastery is one of the best places to attend a ceremony or simply be present at and listen to the chants of the monks, fluttering of the prayer flags, and the enchanting melodies of the prayer wheels.
The monastery complex is also a major attraction as you will see many intricate carvings, murals, statues, and artifacts related to Tibetan Buddhism and its importance amongst the Sherpas.
One of the most extraordinary experiences you can have here is witnessing the Mani Rimdu Festival, an event that brings the monastery to life with ancient rituals, vibrant dances, and deep religious significance.
4. Immerse in Sherpa Culture
If you are aware of the Everest Base Camp Trek, you must have at least once heard about the Sherpas. Known as the Guardians of the Himalayas, Sherpas are famed for their bravery and warm hospitality.
Regardless of whether you are staying in a homestay or a teahouse during the Everest Base Camp Trek, you will be welcomed by the Sherpas with a sweet smile and open arms.
During your Everest Base Camp Trek adventure, you will be able to interact with the local Sherpas and even share a roof with them during which you can listen to some of their encouraging rescue stories.
While doing so, you can also witness the lifestyle of Sherpa people up close as well as observe and take part in their traditions and rituals as you share a warm Himalayan meal with them and foster a deeper connection.
5. Hike to Khumjung Village
Located at 3,780 meters, Khumjung village is a hidden yet a worthy part of the Everest Base Camp Trek adventure. A hike to the Khumjung village can make your trek even more rich in terms of cultural exposure.
The major attractions of Khumjung village are the Khumjung monastery and the famous Hillary school established by Sir Edmund Hillary. Besides that, a great number of cultural interactions await you here.
Take a stroll through the village and see the small stone houses adorned with fluttering prayer flags. Don’t miss seeing the yeti scalp housed at the famous Khumjung village gompa.
6. Experience the thrill of Kala Patthar
Situated at 5,555 meters, Kala Patthar is the pinnacle of the Everest Base Camp Trek and is one of the best viewpoints in the Everest region. It is considered the crown jewel of the trek as it offers trekkers the highest accessible vantage point to view Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks.
While the climb to Kala Patthar can be quite daunting even for intrepid trekkers, the views from the top are worth the challenge as you will be able to see some of the most spectacular views.
This is one of the best things to do during Everest Base Camp Trek and you will be able to see a breathtaking sunrise over Mt. Everest and a series of neighboring peaks around it.
The 360-degree views are truly captivating and will allow you to create lifelong memories of the trek while also capturing the most stunning photographs of the Himalayan giants of the Everest region.
7. Visit Dingboche
As you must already be knowing, proper acclimatization is a crucial aspect of ensuring the success of your Everest adventure. Therefore, you will find another crucial acclimatization stop at Dingboche on the Everest Base Camp Trek.
This beautiful village also not just serves as an acclimatization stop but is also a good place to visit and it located at an altitude of 4,410 meters. There is a lot more to Dingboche than just staying in a teahouse and enjoying a warm bowl of Thukpa.
You can hike to the nearby Nangkartsang Peak where you will be treated to the beautiful views of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Imja Tse, Lhotse, Nuptse, as well as the entire Imja Valley.
If you find the ascent of this hike to be too daunting, you can also take a simple option of exploring the Chhukung Valley during which you will get closer views of Island Peak and the Imja Valley.
8. Explore the World’s Highest’s
As you immerse yourself in the thrill of the adventurous Everest Base Camp Trek, don’t forget to chill out a little and indulge in the unique high-altitude hospitality of the region.
While on the Everest Base Camp Trek, there will be many ‘world’s highest’s’ that you will be coming across. One suitable example is one of the highest settlements in the world at Gorakshep at 5,190 meters.
At Namche Bazaar, you will also find the world’s highest located Irish Pub which can be a good way to spend your acclimatization days.
You will find many spots all over the Everest Base Camp trail where you can indulge in great food while enjoying the views of the Himalayas. One such place is Hotel Everest View which holds the Guiness World Record for the highest placed hotel in the world.
While you will already be experiencing some of it at Hotel Everest View, there is another spot which you cannot miss.
Known worldwide, the ‘World’s Highest Bakery Cafe’ is the highest bakery in the world located at an altitude of a whopping 4,910 meters at Lobuche and you will find it crowded most of the time.
You can simply make a stop here and have a cup of hot coffee while you indulge in some of the mouthwatering delicacies from the bakery. Not to forget, you will always be accompanied by the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas.
9. Explore the Gokyo Lakes
Although not a part of the Everest Base Camp Trek, for trekkers with ample time, taking a detour to the pristine Gokyo Lakes is definitely the best thing to do during Everest Base Camp Trek.
Located at an elevation of 4,700 to 5,000 meters, you will find a unique system of many lakes at the Gokyo Lakes. And all these lakes are known for their serene beauty and the striking turquoise color.
Along with exploring the lakes, you can also go to the nearby vantage points of the region including the Gokyo Ri as well as high altitude mountain passes like the Cho La Pass.
Another highlight of Gokyo Lakes Trek is that you will be able to see the longest glacier of Nepal, i.e. the Ngozumpa Glacier where the icy crevasses of the glacier will provide some of the best opportunities for photography.
You will also be able to see some of the most spectacular views of the mountains including Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, as well as the Ngozumpa glacier. Their reflections on the surface of the lake will be a pleasant add on.
What makes this trek a worthy detour is that you will be able to escape the swarming crowds of the Everest Base Camp trek as not an equal number of people visit Gokyo Lakes.
All in all, a visit to Gokyo Lakes is a comprehensive experience comprising of glaciers, beautiful lakes, rugged landscapes, towering peaks, and awe-inspiring panoramas.
10. Reach the Everest Base Camp
While you go to other iconic landmarks and do other activities throughout the Everest Base Camp trek, do not forget the end goal of your trekking adventure, which is to reach the Everest Base Camp.
For most of the trekkers, the joy of standing at the base camp is quite unexplainable and you will be feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment as you stand there.
Located at 5,364 meters, this base camp is a testament of human resilience and also an emotional reminder of how far you have come as not many people make it till the base camp and return before that due to any unforeseen challenges.
This is also the point where countless adventure enthusiasts have started their journey towards the summit of Mt. Everest. Therefore, it becomes even more emotional and overwhelming for trekkers.
As you stand here, you can truly bask in the breathtaking beauty of the Everest region and Khumbu glacier while also reflecting on your entire trekking journey by far.
Conclusion
The Everest Base Camp Trek is an unforgettable experience as it is, and these 10 best things to do during the Everest Base Camp Trek will definitely bring out the best of the trek.
Whether you are soaring through the clouds over Lukla, interacting with the local Sherpa people, or exploring the more remote places of the trek like Chhukung Valley, each experience adds more depth and meaning to your trek.
However, make sure to adhere to the sustainable practices while trekking the Everest Base Camp as you will be trekking in a quite fragile ecosystem, and we have to keep the trek intact for future trekking enthusiasts.
As you prepare for the trek, remember to embrace the challenges as well as savor the beauty of the trek. You will definitely create memories for a lifetime this way. Happy trekking!
