My incredible experience solo hiking the famous Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal from Lukla.
Day 1 (Kathmandu to Monjo)
✔ I’ll hike for about 8 miles or 13 km until I reach the village of Monjo. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla only takes about 25 minutes.
✔ It’s a beautiful flight as you get a breathtaking view of the Himalayan mountain range remember if you wanna see the best view of the mountains choose the left side of the plane.
✔ People also claim that this flight is the scariest one in the world our plane landed safely at Lukla. The village has lots of shops and restaurants.
✔ You can also easily hire a guide or porter here if needed. To enter the park there are two permit fees the first permit costs 2000 Nepalese rupees or around 15 Dollars and can be purchased as you depart Lukla.
✔ What is unique about this trek is you are not hiking in the wilderness or rather through villages as people have lived in this mountain for centuries you’ll get a glimpse of the daily lives of the local people known as sherpas.
✔ Sherpa, which means people from the east are an ethnic group that migrated from eastern Tibet to Nepal, around 500 years ago they initially made a living from farming it wasn’t until the 1920s that sherpas became involved in climbing.
✔ When the British planned additions and hired them as porters from that point Mount Near became part of the Sherpa culture.
✔ Due to their ability to climb the world’s tallest peaks the high count day one is fairly relaxed.
✔ The trail is the only way for people to get from village to village so it’s well trafficked by both hikers and locals alike as donkeys and yaks are used to transport everything up the mountain will see many of them on the trail and they have the right of way.
✔ Tibetan Buddhism is practiced in the Himalayas and you will experience that everywhere on the track stone engraved with the famous Buddhist mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” placed at the entrance of the villages near monasteries and alongside trails and rivers.
✔ Because these places have religious significance but are also passed by many stupas on the trek.
✔ According to Buddhist belief, this is a direction that the universe spins if you go counterclockwise you will be running the risk of angering the gods.
✔ I’m not superstitious but I’ll be in the mountains for 2 weeks so I’m not taking any chances on the way to Monjo you will pass by beautiful glacial river streams and suspension bridges you will even start to see some mountain peaks.
What is the altitude of Manjo Nepal?
The altitude of Manjo Nepal is 2,835 Meters from sea level.
✔ A stupa is a man used to house holy relics many times they are surrounded by prayer wheels remember whether you are passing a stupa or spending a prayer wheel always do it in a clockwise direction.
Is Lukla one of the scariest flights in the world?
Yes, Lukla is one of the scariest flights in the world.
✔ I arrived at the Monjo in the early afternoon when searching for a tea house and made sure to ask if they had wifi and an indoor bathroom.
✔ I ended up staying at the Monjo guest house and they had free wifi and charging which was rare.
Day 2 (Monjo to Namche Bazaar)
✔ Early in the morning, I plan to hike from Monjo to Namche Bazar the hike is only 2.6 miles or 4 Kilometers but there is a significant elevation gain of 600 meters.
✔ After reaching the entrance gate of Sagarmatha National Park you have to pay an entrance fee of 3000 rupees (around $20) the hike is pretty easy as you continue to walk through the village.
✔ Most families here keep farm animals which you won’t see as the elevation gets higher. I arrive at the famous double-suspension bridge from here it is an uphill climb toward Namche Bazar.
✔ I still can’t believe how strong the porters are as they carry so much weight. I learn that Porter gets paid by the way they carry thus the heavier their load the more money they can make as every brick and every wooden beam must be carried up the mountain.
✔ The wooden beam must be carried up the mountain. It gives me a whole new appreciation for how much hard work goes into making this hike possible.
✔ The view just gets better and better as I get closer to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is known as the unofficial capital and trading center of the Himalayas.
✔ Historically Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian traders used to travel for days and gather here to buy and sell goods they still have a Saturday market to this day there are also several helipads here you can fly from here directly to the Everest base camp.
✔ The 1st tea house that I found quoted a price of $200 a night whipstitch is insanely high. For reference, this tea house that I stayed at was only $8 it just goes to show that you can find all kinds of luxuries in the mountains.
✔ The day was warm and the views along the way were so beautiful by the way I learned that yak only refers to males while females are called Nak.
✔ I also stopped by the Sherpa culture museum which had a traditional Sherpa house with Sherpa artifacts there was also a hall of the gallery of Sherpas who summited Everest.
What is the altitude of Namche Bazar Nepal?
The altitude of Namche Bazar is 3,440 Meters from sea level.
What is the entrance fee for entering Sagarmatha National Park?
The entrance fee for entering Sagarmatha National Park is 3000 rupees (around $20).
✔ It was so inspiring to read about the amazing expeditions and achievements of the Sherpas.
✔ Typically people would spend a couple of days in Namche to acclimatize to the altitude.
✔ Since I have had some experience hiking in high altitudes I felt great.
Day 3 (Namche Bazzar to Tengboche)
✔ My next plan for the day is to hike from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche the trek is around 6 miles or 10km the started relatively flat and easygoing as I hiked along the beautiful mountain ridgeline.
✔ After a short while the trail opens up to a stunning view of the Himalayan mountains including Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam some of the tallest Mountains in the world.
✔ This is probably the most beautiful day on the trek so far every corner of the trail was an incredible viewpoint.
✔ I came across the lodge with a beautiful view of Ama Dablam where you can use a telescope to watch mountaineers summoning the famous mountain.
What is the altitude of Tengboche Village, Nepal?
The altitude of Tengboche Village, Nepal is 3,860 Meters from sea level.
✔ While there I also tried yak cheese for the 1st time and it was nutty delicate and delicious. On the trail you can also see many wild birds and chickens they didn’t seem to be afraid of people at all there were many lodges.
✔ On the way I could stop for some milk tea rest or have lunch. The portions on the Everest trail may look large at first but your appetite increases with more days on the trek.
✔ I reached Tengboche around the early afternoon. Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region, was once home to Tenzing Norgay, the first Sherpa to summit Mount Everest.
✔ When I visited the monastery there was a ceremony going on it was truly a treat to be able to observe the daily lives of the monks living there.
✔ Visitors can also go inside the monastery. I recommend spending some time here as you can walk around the monastery grounds and it’s very peaceful.
Day 4 (Tengboche to Dingboche)
✔ My plan today is to hike from Tengboche with an elevation gain of around 540 meters. I knew that hiking at around 4,000 Meters would be more difficult for me.
✔ I started my hike early since I would be going much slower.
✔ The hike started easily the weather was beautiful and there was an incredible view of the mountains around every corner.
✔ I stopped at the Somare rest stop for lunch they had an amazing lunch set for only 500 rupees Nepalese which was a steal.
✔ Somare is the 1st village that is above 4000 Meters which is 4040 Meters from sea level, my body was feeling the altitude.
✔ It was far too cold to sit anywhere for too long, so I started making my war slowly towards Dinbo Che. The landscape started to change quite a bit after Somare the trees and forests disappeared.
What is the altitude of Dingboche Village, Nepal?
The altitude of Dingboche Village, Nepal is 4,410 Meters from sea level.
✔ I was greeted with broad valleys and winding streams far below the trail around every corner.
✔ I was rewarded with more spectacular views of the Mountains with beautiful ama Dablam in clear view.
✔ At this point there are only yaks on the trail as donkeys can’t survive at such high elevations. The beautiful view made this difficult hike well worth it.
✔ Finally, I saw the colorful roof and stone fences of Dingboche from afar even though it was still early when I found a tea house.
✔ All I wanted to do was rest and sleep unfortunately my altitude sickness got worse, which is something I’ve never experienced before, the mountains humble you.
✔ At this point, I knew the only thing I could do was to rest and let my body adjust. What made this day even more difficult is that at 4400 meters the air is much thinner.
Day 5 (Hiking for Nangkarshang)
✔ It’s very difficult to breathe and nighttime is extremely cold. Last night I struggled with a painful headache all night and it was very difficult to fall asleep despite this I felt a lot better.
✔ The next day the mornings were so cold here that there was no running water because all the pipes were frozen, after lunch.
✔ I felt well enough to go on a day hike nearby my plan for the day was to hike to the top of Nankarshang Peak which is at an elevation of 5083 Meters.
✔ The hike takes around 4 hours with an elevation gain of almost 700 meters.
✔ This is a popular acclimatization hike as it helps your body adjust to higher elevations without having to stay there for an extended time.
✔ This is also the 1st time I’ll hit 5000 meters on this trek.
✔ The trail can be steep in rocky places but the scenery makes up for the challenging terrain, given the uphill climb with an elevation gain of 700 meters.
✔ This hike was probably the most difficult on the trek so far the key is to go very slowly and control your heart rate and breathing.
✔ As you reach the top of Nankarshang Peak you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Mountains.
✔ Especially a great view of Ama Dablam and if you are lucky like me you’ll even see some traditional dancing.
✔ After the hike, I stopped by a cozy bakery that makes a great apple pie and they offer free charging which was super helpful since my phone died.
Day 6 (Dingboche to Lobuche)
✔ My plan today is to hike from Dingboche to Lobuche. The hike is around 8 km with a pretty significant elevation gain of 500 meters.
✔ It was incredibly scenic as soon as I started walking the majestic peaks of Tabucheand Cholatse towers over the clear sky.
✔ The broad valley beneath the mountains is filled with herds of yaks eating bathing, and playing. People living here can even Peak inside the stone houses left behind from the farming days to get a glimpse of the past.
What is the altitude of Lobuche Village, Nepal?
The altitude of Lobuche Village, Nepal is 4,950 Meters from sea level.
✔ Everywhere you look there is a postcard-perfect shot of the Himalayas, you will also hear many helicopters flying by hopefully they’re part of a tour and not a rescue mission soon you will see the small village of Thukla from afar.
✔ This is where I stopped for lunch. After lunch, it’s a straight climb to Lobuche with the rising altitude everyone’s feet are getting heavier and walking slower.
✔ The uphill climb eventually took me to the beautiful Thukla Pass here you will also find hundreds of memorials.
✔ You can also read the stories and pay homage to all those who lost their lives in an attempt to summit Everest.
✔ Although there is no documentation of how many casualties there are it is believed that more than 300 people have lost their lives in the mountains.
✔ After Thukla pass it was an hour of relatively flat and rocky terrain before I reached the small village of Lobuche it’s very cold here at night but the sunset is so beautiful.
Day 7 (Lobuche to Gorakshep)
✔ Today I plan to hike from Lobuche to Gorakshep. The hike is only around 4.5 kilometers.
✔ The trail starts by weaving over rocky highland terrain despite the hike being relatively easy with a gentle incline the elevation made me gasp for air at every step.
✔ The trail seemed busier today with many people going and leaving both ways given the narrow trail.
✔ You’ll often have to stop and make way for the passing yaks after a while you will be walking right alongside the Khombu glacier for the rest of the hike the views are truly breathtaking with the glaciers stretching out on your right side.
✔ The towering peaks of Pumori rise in the distance soon Gorakshep finally comes into view with Kala Pathar and Pumori sitting behind the village.
✔ I reached a tea house just before noon and the sun made the whole place feel super warm and cozy. I had lunch and marveled at the signs and flags left behind by past hikers.
What is the altitude of Gorakshep Village, Nepal?
The altitude of Gorakshep Village, Nepal 5,190 Meters from sea level.
✔ I thought about all the people who have been here leaving their marks as they check Everest base camp off their bucket list.
✔ I felt very grateful to be here many people had to Everest Base camp after lunch at over 5500 meters Kala Pathar is the Highest point in the Everest base camp trek.
✔ It gives you the best view of Mount Everest you can see Mount Everest and Lhotse. As you start the hike the view just gets better the higher you go although some people hike to the peak during sunrise.
✔ It’s a much better view at sunset the hike is around 4 kilometers. It’s not a particularly long or technical hike but it’s very difficult given the 500-meter elevation gain in such a short distance.
✔ I went very slowly and took many breaks to look at the amazing views. Finally, I got to the top of Kala Pathar with a beautiful Mount Everest in full view in front of me.
✔ Even though it’s freezing on top of Kala Pathar everyone eagerly awaits the sunset at 8848 meters.
✔ Mount Everest is the tallest peak in the world you’ll often hear the local people calling Mount Everest by its Tibetan name ”Chomolungma” meaning ”mother of the world”.
✔ As the sun slowly sets the mountain range starts to glow from yellow to deep orange as I hike down Calaputar daylight slowly fades and everything feels so calm and peaceful.
Day 8 (Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp)
✔ Okay, today’s the day of Everest Base Camp the main event on this trek from Gorakshep is a 2.4km hike to the base camp.
✔ I started the hike by walking along the edge of the Khombu glacier along the way you will pass by beautiful ice fields glacial water and dangerous crevices.
✔ The tiny Everest base camp rock comes into view during the climbing season you’ll see it immediately by the colorful tent set up by the climbers who are preparing to summit Everest.
✔ But other times you’ll have to look a little harder you will know you have arrived. When you find a small crowd gathered around the famous Everest base camp rock everyone lines up to get their iconic pictures taken here.
✔ The base camp is actually huge and it won’t be too difficult to find a spot away from the crowds and just admire the mountains surrounding you can also get a close-up view of the Khombu glacier.
How high is Mount Everest Base Camp?
The altitude of Mount Everest Base Camp is 5,364 Meters from sea level.
✔ The Everest base trek was one of the longest and most difficult hikes I’ve ever done but also incredible.
✔ The rewarding joy of this amazing trek is not just getting to the base camp but all the wonderful days before the amazing stunning.
✔ The Himalayan landscape the challenging terrain and the Sherpa culture all come together to make this an unforgettable hike.
✔ Thank you so much for coming with me on this adventure of hiking to Everest Base Camp.
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