Overview
Trekking to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal was one of the most memorable trip for me. As an avid trekker and aspiring mountaineer, I have had opportunities to trek across the beautiful India Himalayas. However, my excitement had no bound when I finally got the chance to trek to the Everest Base Camp and explore the stunning Nepal Himalayas. The trek covers the distance of more than 130 kms over the period of 11 days and is certainly one of the challenging treks in the world! However, this journey to reach at the base camp of the highest mountain of the world is rewarding in so many more ways than one can imagine! If you love photography and always get excited to capture nature in its different forms then the trek to Everest Base Camp is not going to disappoint you.
Everest Base Camp Trek – A photographer’s paradise!
From lush green forests to scenic waterfalls coming down a mountain face, the sheer beauty and power of the Dudhkosi river to gigantic mountain peaks, mystical monasteries to ever smiling villagers, there is beauty in every corner on the trail to be captured by your heart and camera. Pictures don’t do justice to the beauty of this special place. However, here is my attempt to capture some of the beautiful moments from my trek to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal and take you along on a virtual journey!
(1) Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla, the start point of the Everest Base Camp.
Considered to be the most adventurous flight and landing, flying to Lukla was an adventure in itself. You fly in a very small aircraft with the seating capacity of 14 people. This scenic flight from Ramechhap Airport to Lukla, takes you above stunning mountain villages and through narrow valleys. With only 527m long runway with a valley on one side and cliff and buildings on other, landing on the Lukla airport will definitely give you a rush of adrenaline. I clicked this picture as we made our way out from the airport to our teahouse in Lukla before we start our first hiking day on the Everest Base Camp Trail.
One of the most unique airports in the world!
(2) Colorful streets of Lukla, the start point of the Everest Base Camp Trek
As you get out of the Lukla Airport, you get absorbed into the busy yet peaceful streets of Lukla. With hundreds of shops that sell trekking gears, souvenirs and basic necessities, this is a perfect spot for any last minute shopping before you are off to the wilderness. You see smiling faces of trekkers brimming with excitement to start an adventure of a life time. The vibe of the place is so inspiring and exciting! As you leave the busy streets of Lukla and head out on the trail to Everest Base Camp, you can feel the fresh mountain air.
Colorful streets of Lukla.
(3) Stunning views of the Dudhkosi River on the way to Namche Bazaar from Phakding.
This was the view when we left for Namche Bazaar from Phakding on Day 2 of the Everest Base Camp. As we left our teahouse in Phakding, it started drizzling. We could see beautiful clouds and mist coming up from the valley below creating surreal and mystical views. As we moved further passing through the high suspension cable bridges, including the highest in the world, “The Hillary Suspension Bridge” we were awestruck by the beauty of the place. The soothing sound of the gushing waters of Dudhkosi river was so refreshing and walking alongside the river was meditative in itself.
Stunning views of the Dudhkosi River on a rainy day.
(4) Namche Bazar – The Gateway to Khumbu Valley
Situated at an altitude of 3400 meters above the sea level, Namche Bazar is one of the most vibrant mountain towns on the Everest Base Camp trekking route. With the increasing popularity of Everest Base Camp trek and trekkers coming from all across the globe, this ancient town that was hub for the trading for local communities have transformed into a modern and developed mountain town with some high end shops, luxury hotels and teahouses, bakeries, clubs and restaurants. Trekkers usually spend one additional day in Namche Bazar to get acclimatized to the increasing elevation before continuing the journey to the base camp.
Namche Bazar, The Gateway to Khumbu Valley.
The memorial of Sherpa Tenzin Norgay is a must visit place when you are in Namche Bazar. The place offers magnificent panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam and also houses a museum where one can learn more about Nepal and Mt. Everest.
Statue of Sherpa Tenzin Norgay (First person to climb Mt. Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary) at Namche Bazar
(5) The Himalayan Giants – Views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam
This was one of the best moments on the trek when on Day 4 we got blessed with an absolute clear weather. As we left Namche Bazar after spending two nights to acclimatize, we got rewarded with stunning blue skies and grand views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Ama Dablam. Seeing the highest mountain in front of you and up close is a feeling very hard to describe in the words.
Views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam
A stupa near Namche Bazar with Mt. Everest and Lhotse in the background.
(6) Blessings from the sky! A Buddhist stupa on the way to Everest Base Camp
The Khumbu valley in Nepal has a rich tradition and culture. Buddhism is prevalent in the region and you find many Buddhist stupas, Mani stones, Prayer flags and ancient monasteries throughout the route to the Everest Base Camp. When I reached at this particular stupa after a challenging climb, for a few minutes I was the only person there. As I sat down on the side wall of stupa I could sense a very high spiritual energy around me that made me forget all the hardship and fatigue of the climb. The fluttering sound of the colorful prayer flags with a backdrop of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam and a bright beautiful Sun showering its warmth on me, almost teleported me into a spiritual world.
A Buddhist stupa adorned with colorful prayer flags.
(7) Tengboche Monastery – The Shangri La of the Himalayas!
Tengboche Monastery also know as Thyanbouche Moanstery is the largest Gompa (A Buddhist religious place) in the Khumbu Valley. Located at an altitude of 3867 Meters, this is one of the most popular and most sacred places in Nepal. I had a chance to visit the monastery and get the blessings from the resident Lamas (Buddhist spiritual leaders) at the monastery. This spiritual experience was one of the highlights of the trek. Just being inside the monastery and praying to huge statues of Tibetan deities was a very peaceful experience. The monastery is renowned for its marvelous architecture and houses many ancient wall paintings, murals, thangka paintings and sculptures.
Tengboche Monastery – The Shangri La of the Himalayas!
Tengboche Monastery, the largest gompa in Everest region.
(8) A lovely teahouse with the backdrop of Mt. Lhotse and Ama Dablam.
The best part about trekking in Nepal is the option of staying in the lovely teahouses at some of the most stunning locations. Teahouses are almost a synonyms to trekking in the Everest region. This are locally owned and operated bed and breakfast like hotels/lodges that provide accommodation and food when trekking to the Everest Base Camp.
Sunrise views from a teahouse in Debuche village with stunning backdrop of Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Ama Dablam.
Stunning views of Nuptse peak from a teahouse on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Pumori peak as seen from a teahouse on the Everest Base Camp Trek
(9) Ama Dablam, the constant companion on the trek
While many people are fascinated by the idea of seeing the highest mountain Mt. Everest on the trek to the base camp, I was more eager to see one of my favorite mountains, Mt. Ama Dablam up and close on the trek. Known as the “Matterhorn of Asia”, Ama Dablam is considered as one of the most beautiful mountains in the world! It is also a very technical and difficult mountain to climb due to its sharp features and very technical sections that require a great amount of experience, skills and endurance.
A Buddhist stupa with the view of Mount Ama Dablam in the background.
One can get the glimpse of Mt. Ama Dablam pretty much all throughout the trek and as you move from one teahouse to another, you get to see different faces of the mountain.
Mt. Ama Dablam in all its glory!
The Majestic Peak of Mt. Ama Dablam
(10) A porter catches breath and rests near a Mani stone with Mt. Lhotse in the background somewhere near Dingboche Village.
I clicked this picture of a porter while trekking towards Dingboche village on the Everest Base Camp trail. Life in the mountains is full of hardship and challenges. Due to the higher altitude and remoteness of the villages, most of the things are either carried by Porters or transported on Yaks and Mules. On the Everest Base Camp Trek you will often see the porters carrying huge loads on their head. Without any fancy gears or shoes they walk longer distances carrying huge loads and transport essential supplies, trekking equipment or luggage for trekkers from villages to villages sometimes even in harshest weather conditions. These porters are backbone of the Nepal’s trekking and mountaineering industry and one can’t help but admire them for their simplicity, strength and resilience.
A porter catches breath and rests with Mt. Lhotse in the background somewhere near Dingboche Village.
(11) Stunning Himalayan Villages
The trek to Everest Base Camp isn’t only about the mountains and picturesque Himalayan landscapes. The trek also gives an opportunity to stay in quaint little mountain villages and experience the Nepalese hospitality. While villages like Lukla and Namche Bazar are popular amongst the trekkers for the vibrant atmosphere and all the modern facilities they offer, there are many other villages on the Everest Base Camp trail that are must visit to experience the simple life in the mountains and have more meaningful cultural immersion. One such village is the Dingboche village situated at an altitude of 4400 meters, which is probably one of the highest high-altitude village settlements in Nepal. Beautiful farmlands, local houses and lodges, monasteries all makes this least densely-populated village a vibrant place to stay during the Everest Base Camp Trek or the Three Pass Trek.
The beautiful Dingboche village at the foothill of Mt. Ama Dablam
Trekkers spend one additional night in Dingboche and usually trek up to Nangkartshang Peak for acclimatization. The panoramic views of the Imja river, Ama Dablam and other mountain peaks make it one of the most stunning villages in the Everest Valley.
Dingboche Village on the Everest Base Camp trek
(12) The ever changing landscapes and trekking through stunning valleys!
The Everest Base Camp trek is a classic Himalayan trek that offers trekking in varied landscapes. You start trekking through lush green forests with waterfalls and streams all around. As you move higher up you find yourself trekking in vast valleys surrounded by big mountain peaks. You see landscape changing its colors as you keep moving higher.
Trekkers descending from Nangkartshang Peak
Imja River flowing through the valley at the distance
Imja River flowing through the valley
(13) Thukla Pass Memorial
One of the most emotional moments for me on the trek was to visit the memorial at Thukla Pass at an altitude of 4830 meters. This memorial is a tribute to all the mountaineers and Sherpas who lost their lives in attempt to climb Mt. Everest.
A memorial dedicated to all the mountaineers and Sherpas.
Prayer flags at Thukla Pass
Thukla Pass
(14) Trek to Lobuche
As we made our way from Dingboche to Lobuche the terrain became more and more challenging. The walk through glacial moraines was challenging and tiring but rewarded us with some great views of snow clad mountains all around.
Snow covered trails leading to Lobuche.
(15) Magical sunset views over Nuptse peak as seen from Lobuche Village
I clicked these two images just few minutes apart. Witnessing the golden rays reflecting on the snow clad summit of Nuptse peak was truly a magical experience.
Sunset views over Nuptse Peak
Magical sunset on Nuptse Peak
(16) Nature’s reflections
I captured this image as we had just started walking towards the last village before the Everest Base Camp, Gorakshep. The water bodies around the trail were partially frozen and the morning sunshine created a surreal reflection. We could see Mt. Pumori at a distance just behind a hillock.
Reflection of hikers and mountains on a partial frozen pond
(17) The Grand Himalayan Panorama!
The trek to Gorakshep was a difficult and challenging part. With each step you can feel the altitude. The terrain became steeper and steeper as we moved closer to our destination. With Pumori in front and Nuptse wall on one side, this walk was inspiring as with each step we were rewarded with some magnificent panoramic views.
The Himalayan Panorama!
Views of the glacier at the Everest Base Camp surrounded by mountain peaks
Soaking in the beauty of the Himalayas!
Nuptse peak and glacier views near the Everest Base Camp.
(18) The Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar
And the ultimate destination of the trek, base camp of highest mountain in the world!
At the base camp of highest mountain in the world!
Sunset views from Kala Patthar Summit
(19) The journey back to civilization
And then it was time to retrace our way back to Kathmandu. Descending back to Lukla was relatively easy as you can breath more oxygen. We covered longer distances on our return journey and the excitement to be back in the comfort of civilization kept pushing us.
Crossing a suspension bridge near Periche Village.
A sunny day in the Periche Village.
A long way back from Periche to Namche Bazar.
Mt. Lhotse and Ama Dablam.
(20) Kathmandu
And finally it was time to bid adieu to the majestic mountains. I explored some tourist attractions in and around Kathmandu during the last couple of days of my trip. This excursion gave me a chance to experience the cultural heritage of Nepal.
The Monkey Temple or Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu
The journey to the Everest Base Camp is life changing experience in many ways. Every trekker should do this trek at least once in their life. I hope you enjoyed the virtual journey to the base camp through my pictures. If you are feeling inspired, plan a trek to the Everest Base Camp and turn you dream into reality. Reach out us on [email protected]
Read reviews from fellow trekkers who have been to the Everest Base Camp with us here.
Find travel inspiration on my Instagram page: @umangxdave
