Everest Base Camp Trek
I’ve been banging on about the Everest Base Camp trek (EBC) for some time, I’ve done it and it took some time but I’m finally ready to tell you how it went! Due to the sheer length of the trip and all that I want to tell you, I’m going to break it down into sections (see towards the end of post there is a link to each), very much like I did for the Kilimanjaro series.
The 12 day trek was undertaken as part of a charity group from Milton Keynes (Climb Your Mountain) whom I’ve helped raise money for in the past in challenges such as Kilimanjaro and UK mountain trips. In total there were 10 of us in the group, each with different physical levels and experience and the trip was booked through World Expeditions.
After a 10 hour flight from London with a short stop off at Delhi we arrived in a hot and dusty Kathmandu. Eventually passing through the airport with all visa requirements met we were greeted by our tour leader Prasant and piled onto a mini bus into the hustle and bustle of central Kathmandu, to the quite luxurious Radisson hotel in Lazimpat just a short walk/drive from Thamel.
We had a short briefing session upon arrival to the hotel, quick dinner, re-organising of bags and a quick visit to the ATM to withdraw an adequate amount of Rupees to see us through the trek, we settled down for the night as the very next day we had our flight to Lukla!
Our itinerary for the trip was as follows:
Day 1 Fly Lukla (2800m). Trek to Monjo (2850m). Walk approx 4 – 5 hours.
Day 2 To Namche Bazaar(3440m). Walk approx 4-5 hours.
You can read about days 1 and 2 here: Lukla to Monjo to Namche Bazaar
Day 3 Rest day Namche Bazaar
Day 4 To Deboche (3770m) via Thyangboche . Walk approx 6-7 hours
You can read about days 3 and 4 here: Namche Bazaar to Deboche
Day 5 To Dingboche (4360m). Walk approx 6- 7 hours
Day 6 Rest day in Dingboche.
You can read about days 5 and 6 here: Deboche to Dingboche
Day 7 To Lobuche (4930m). Walk approx 6 hours
You can read about day 7 here: Dingboche to Lobuche
Day 8 Kala Pattar (5545m) and Lobuche. Walk approx 7-8 hrs
You can read about day 8 here: Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Kala Pattar
Day 9 Everest Base Camp (5360m) and Lobuche. Walk approx 8-9.5 hrs (although it took us around 12hrs)
You can read about day 9 here: Everest Base Camp
Day 10 To Deboche (3770m) via Thyangboche. Walk approx 9 hours
Day 11 To Namche Bazaar (3440m). Walk approx 7 hours
Day 12 To Lukla (2800m). Walk approx 8 hours.
You can read about the last 3 days here: Deboche to Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 13 To Kathmandu by air (1330m).
I hope you find my day to day account of the trek interesting and I hope it inspires you take on a challenge, big or small!
You can also read my posts on Vaccinations Required for Everest Base Camp and Travel Insurance for Everest Base Camp to help you on your way!
If you have a challenge in mind, tell me what it is, I’d love to hear!
21 Comments
Hayley
This looks amazing, sounds brilliant. I don’t think I’d have the stamina to walk that long though!
Carly
Thanks Hayley, it’s amazing how far you can push yourself, I’m not a fit person by any shot, just determined! You should give it a go 😉
Peter Johnson
Carly,
Really enjoyed your pictures and narrative of your trip. I completed this with World Expeditions last November 2013 and there was 17 of us on the trip. Being the oldest I was the slowest into camp every day but after a lifetime dream made it OK.
Your story brought back so many memories and now after 8 months some of the agony getting to Namche Bazzaar and also climbing up the trail to the monastery as been forgotten and would like to do this ago but go to on the Gokyo trail next time.
Anyhow thanks for the memories as always good to read of others experiences.
Peter
Carly
Hi Peter, thanks for taking the time to comment.. I think there’s definite benefits to taking to slowly, you have more time to soak it all in and be able to enjoy it better…Had I had tried to keep up with the faster group I don’t think I would have enjoyed it so much in all honesty.
Honest Mum
Wow, what an amazing lady you are and what an achievement, incredible x
Carly
Thanks Vicky 🙂
Jennifer
Amazing. I’m exhausted just reading about it. Congrats on such a wonderful achievement! #PoCoLo
Carly
Thanks Jennifer 🙂
Hannah - Budding Smiles
Amazing, well done! I’d love to do this one day, when less pregnant! I’ve trekked to Machu Picchu which was amazing xx #PoCoLo
Carly
Thanks for stopping by Hannah! I’d like to do Machu Picchu one day too 🙂
Christine
I went trekking in Nepal about 20 years ago (that makes me feel so old!) and I still look back on it as one of the best things I’ve done in my life so far. Look forward to reading the rest of your trip report. #pocolo
Carly
Hi Christine, Yes i’m sure I will look back on this and treasure the memories…I bet Nepal has changed a lot in 20 years too!
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk)
You are really amazing and to think that the only thing that I am eyeing to do is do a 20 minute exercise in my living room (I cant just squeeze it in). Congrats and thanks for sharing this! #pocolo
Carly
Hi Merlinda, thanks for stopping by, believe me I am the most laziest person when it comes to daily exercise, somehow (I think mainly due to the speed of the trek being slow) I find them quite manageable!
Verily Victoria Vocalises
Wow! This sounds and looks amazing – Everest base camp wasn’t on my bucket list but it really should be. Thank for linking up your fab trip to PoCoLo 🙂 x
Carly
Hi Verily, Thanks for stopping by, yes I recommend everyone to go to Nepal trekking, even if it’s not EBC, there’s plenty of others you can try and the views will just be as good! Thanks for hosting the linky..will definitely stop by again!
Christine
I have enjoyed reading about your experiences. I’m 52 and am considering an attempt of Mt Kilimanjaro and also Everest Base camp both with World Expeditions next year. I would be travelling alone but with the WE group as I haven’t been able to find someone willing to tackle these adventures with me. I am used to travelling by myself and my husband and I have completed a number of walks/treks so I feel I’m fit enough. What are your thoughts on being solo within a group of people I haven’t met before. I have done a number of WE trips both solo and with family but not as adventurous as these. Interested to hear your comments.
Carly
Hi Christine, thanks for stopping by! I would definitely consider travelling solo with an organisation such as WE, quite often I bet you find that many people within the group are solo travellers and once you’re on the road, you soon settle in and mingle with each other, discussing how the day went etc. Both my trips were for the same charity so I knew some of the people going, but for the Kilimanjaro trip I knew very few people and I actually felt quite at ease (and i’m a terribly shy person to begin with)…you share an incredible experience with these people and even though you only know them for a relatively short period of time, most will become friends for life as you want to recap your adventures over the years 🙂
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