Transcript
Page 1: Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp Trekking

Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the Himalayan Mountain Range, where being able to stand on the top of the world has for centuries been one of mans most daring challenges. Once conquered by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing in 1953, many have visited `The Land of the Sherpa` in Nepal to wonder at his achievement and making it one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world today.

The Everest Base Camp trek is located in some of the most spectacular scenery to be found on the continent and is not for the faint hearted. The trek starts from the Sherpa village of Lukla, following the short flight from Kathmandu and uses the traditional expedition route to Khumbu, the capital of the region. Then the route continues on along the Imja Khola River to the valley below Everest itself. From there the trek continues on using the route taken by the first expedition to climb Everest to South Col and on to Everest Base Camp.

At a steady four to 7 hours trekking a day, on average, at altitude, participants need to be reasonably fit and well versed in hill walking, as the well worn trails include some steep gradients both up and down. The trail includes stops at the Sherpa villages of Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Everest Base Camp, Gorekshep, Kala Pattar, Pheriche, Kyangjuma, Monjo then return to Lukla and Kathmandu. One day is spent in Namache Bazaar and DIngboche giving the group time to acclimatise and explore the locality.

The trail will pass through several little villages which allow you to get a feel for the region and its peoples and there will be opportunities to take photographs of the surrounding mountains and scenery that you will want to capture to relive the experience at your leisure on your return home. Amongst those most memorable views may be the sight of The Khumbu glacier, Everest and Nuptse from the top of Kala

Pattar. Then there is the alpine scrub and junipers of the Sherpa region or the pine forests and rhododendron flowers of the valleys.

Be sure to acquaint yourself with local customs to avoid inadvertently offending the local people. Follow health advice for the region as stringently as possible. Care must be taken not to pollute

Page 2: Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp Trekking

or litter the area, so be sure to select environmentally friendly items wherever possible. When taking photographs of the local people you will need to ask their permission first and remember that early mornings and evenings have the best lighting conditions for taking landscape photographs.

Groups of one to twelve people at a time are taken on the treks which take place in March, April, May, September, October, November and December. Kala Pattar is the highest point reached on the trek at an altitude of 5600 metres or 18,188 feet. Be sure to wear old comfortable hiking boots for the trek, or boots that have been adequately broken in to avoid painful feet. It is important to select the right clothing for the trip and where possible to buy the best you can afford. While synthetic fibres are useful, in that they are light and waterproof, Animal clothing such as wool based items, for example woollen shirt, walking breeches and a down vest, are best for warmth.