An epic journey to Everest from Kathmandu to Base Camp
Embarking on the Everest Base Camp trek is a dream for many adventure enthusiasts, and for us—Subarna and Sandesh—our journey from Kathmandu to Lukla marked the beginning of an unforgettable experience. After a thrilling jeep ride from Kathmandu to Ramechhap, we flew to Lukla, one of the world’s most dangerous airports. Despite initial nerves, our excitement grew as we touched down in Lukla, ready to begin our trek to Everest Base Camp.
Our first destination was Monjo, where we spent the night after a day of trekking. The following morning, we continued our journey to Namche Bazaar, often referred to as the gateway to Everest. The steep climb to Namche was challenging, but the town’s vibrant atmosphere and stunning views made it all worthwhile. Namche Bazaar, the capital of the Khumbu region, surprised us with its size, bustling crowds, and high prices.
On Day 3, we trekked from Thame to Lungden (4,380m), covering approximately nine hours of walking, with breaks for lunch and snacks. Along the way, we encountered two local young Sherpas, Phur Tenzing Sherpa and Chimmi Sherpa, who shared their fascinating stories. We had an enjoyable hour conversing about toys and potatoes to yaks. We even heard about how Chhimmi’s friend once playfully locked him in a hotel for two minutes.
Day 4 brought us to the Renjo-La Pass (5,360m), one of the highlights of the trek. The challenging 8.5-hour hike rewarded us with panoramic views of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Makalu. The descent to Gokyo Valley (4,750m) added three more hours to our day, but the stunning scenery and the magical experience of hiking under the moonlight made it worth every step.
The next morning, we embarked on a hike to the summit of Gokyo Ri. The view from the top was a breathtaking panorama of mountains and glaciers, a sight that felt like a majestic painting come to life. Crossing the Ngozumpa Glacier, one of the largest in the Khumbu region, was another unforgettable experience as we made our way to Thandak.
Day 6 was a tough journey from Thandak (4,700m) to Cho La Pass (5,420m) and then to Dzongla. As mountains at shoulder level surrounded us, we eventually stopped asking for the names of the peaks—they were simply everywhere. I even lost my sense of direction, as the north was no longer toward the mountains.
Reaching Everest Base Camp (5,340m) on Day 7 was the climax of our trek. The awe-inspiring sight of the world’s tallest mountain was as captivating as ever, leaving us in silent admiration. Standing at the foot of the world’s tallest mountain was like re-watching a favorite movie.
The following day, we trekked from Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5,545m) and then to Pangboche (3,985m). This 13-hour journey covered an astonishing 31.5 km, testing our endurance but rewarding us with views of Ama Dablam, one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. The name Ama Dablam, meaning “mother’s necklace,” symbolizes the protective embrace of a mother and the traditional pendant worn by Sherpa women.
As our adventure neared its end, we trekked from Namche Bazaar to Lukla, a five-hour walk driven by the excitement of returning home. The next day, we were fortunate to catch a direct flight back to Kathmandu, carrying with us memories of an epic journey and deep gratitude for the local support we received along the way.
