Ang Jeeva Sherpa treks in the world’s highest altitude amidst beauty beyond compare.

Everest Base Camp is the ultimate base camp in the world and trekking to it is definitely on every trekker’s bucket list. The physically daunting but equally rewarding trek started at 8 am when we flew to Lukla from Tribhuvan International Airport. The weather was on our side, it was a bright sunny day and it took us 45 minutes to reach Lukla from Kathmandu.

A hearty breakfast and we trekked to Phakding. The trail to Phakding began with a gentle decline from the airstrip to Chheplung. Past pine forests, prayers wheels and boulders with Buddhist mantras carved on them, after four hours, we reached Phakding where we spent the evening.

At 8 am the next day, we crossed the Dudh Koshi River and went towards Monjo. The trail then descended to Jorsale, where we had our lunch before the grueling incline to Namche Bazaar. After two and a half hour of arduous walk, we finally reached Namche. We spent the evening strolling around the town and discussing the route with other trekkers.

The third day, we stayed at Namche to acclimatise to the altitude. Mount Everest, Ama Dablam and some of the most beautiful peaks in the world greeted us that day. With a whole day in our hands we hiked to the nearby Khumjung village where I took my friends to see
the yeti’s skull preserved in the Khumjung Monastery, some believe it be yeti’s skull while some chose not to believe it. After some sightseeing we headed back to Namche.

As planned, we started the next day at 7:30 am. After walking for five hours, we reached Thame and spent the night there. Ascending a short steep trail from Thame, we began the other morning. The path descended to Marulung, a typical Sherpa village. Passing through beautiful terrain we reached Lungdhen and rested for the day. We got up early at 4 am, the next day and after breakfast we hit the trail to Kharka. It was freezing outside and we trekked with our headlights guiding us. After an hour, rays of sun touched the mountains. The view was simply mesmerising and we couldn’t take our eyes off the mountains now painted in golden colour. By the time we reached Renjo La (5,400 m) it was 10 am. We spent the next 30 minutes taking pictures and taking in the beautiful panorama. We then headed to Dragnag, a five hour walk away and stayed the night there.
The next day we successfully climbed Chola Pass (5,368 m) and spent the night at Dzonglha, and the following day we trekked to Gorak Shep. From there, our destination, the iconic Everest Base Camp (EBC) was just four hours walk away. Walking through the moraine
of the great Khumbu glaciers and snowcapped rocks, past many small frozen lakes on the way, we reached EBC. However, Everest was not visible from the camp, hence, we made a plan to go to Kala Patthar (5,550 m) to seize the sunrise next day.

Our ascent to Kala Patthar started with torch lights guiding us through the dark. After two hours of steep climb with an equally challenging weather, we finally reached the top. Watching the sun rise above the mightiest mountains, the risk and the daunting walk undertaken to reach the top was worth it. And, nothing in the world could compare to the beauty we saw. On the same day we returned to Lobuche and spent the night there.

On day 10, we took a slow walk to Tengboche, past rhododendrons, junipers and pine forest; visited the monastery and headed back toward Namche. From there, we walked to Lukla and boarded our early flight to Kathmandu. Magnificent landscape, warm hospitality, alluring peaks and colourful villages trek wash an unforgettable experience.

The author is a tourism entrepreneur who started his career in tourism sector as a guide in 2009.