Nepal Travellers Blogs
Mount Everest doesn’t need an introduction, It is the highest mountain in the world and the most famous one. Everest is located on the border between Tibet and Nepal and is accessible from both countries. The Northern side of the peak is located in Tibet. The peak is called Qomolangma. The southern slope is in Nepal and Nepalese call the mountain Sagarmatha. There are two options to reach Everest Base Camp in Nepal: by trekking or by taking a Helicopter. Trekking is a budget option but it will take you about 2 weeks to complete the trek. Helicopter prices can be steep, especially if you take it from Kathmandu. However, you will only need 1 day to see the Everest TREKKING TO EVEREST BASE CAMP ( EBC) The most popular way to reach Everest in Nepal is following 2 weeks in and out trek. Hikers start in Lukla, the nearest city with a small airport with the most impressive and sometimes scary reputation. The classic route takes 14 days, however, there are several gorgeous detour options. There are many guesthouses on the way, and most lodges are not expensive, making this way to reach Everest the cheapest option if you travel independently. If you join one of the tours offered by travel agencies, especially some of the high-end ones, the price can increase steeply going into several thousand dollars per person. Trekking passes through gorgeous areas, including spectacular Gokyo valley, Namche Bazaar, Rongbuk glacier, and magnificent Ama Dablam peak. Find a related link : Everest Base Camp Trek TAKING A HELICOPTER TO EVEREST BASE CAMP The fastest and the most convenient way to reach Everest in Nepal, but also the most expensive one. You can take a helicopter straight from Kathmandu with a short stop at Lukla. Price can go as high as USD 10,00 per person. Keep in mind that because of the rapid elevation gain when traveling from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp, you can only spend a few minutes in a camp to avoid altitude sickness. You will also enjoy great views along the way. Another option is to take a helicopter from Lukla. The price per person will be lower. Additionally, if you have already spent some time trekking in the area and acclimatized to high altitude, you can spend more time at the base camp before heading back to Lukla airport. Find a related link : Heli tour for Everest Base Camp CULTURAL EXPERIENCE IN NEPAL Most visitors arrive in Nepal through an international airport in Kathmandu. Some arrive via overland routes through India or Tibet. Depending on where you are coming from, you might travel through Kathmandu or hire a jeep to drive to Lukla. Here you can find information about highlights of Kathmandu: The capital of Nepal is a great place to start your tour. I highly recommend spending at least 2 full days in Kathmandu, better 4-5 if you want to explore it at a relaxed pace or travel outside of the capital. The most notable sights in Kathmandu are Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Temple, Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, and Kopan monastery. From Kathmandu, you can fly to Lukla or take a jeep to it. Flying into Lukla airport is an experience by itself. Being one of the most dangerous airports in the world, it rewards travelers with stunning mountain views. Taking a car is a cheaper option and will suit those on a tight budget. The trekking adventure starts in Namche Bazaar (3,440m/ 11,280 ft), the famous Sherpa settlement. Most visitors spend a couple of days here to acclimatize to the high altitude before continuing the trek. Doing worry about being stuck in a small town. You can never get tired of the view on surrounding mountain ranges. You can also find lodgings for any budget as well as cafes, bakeries, shops, etc. ACCLIMATIZING TO HIGH ALTITUDE Everest base camp is located at an altitude of 5,364 meters in Nepal. There are two ways to reach Everest: by trekking in and out for approximately 2 weeks or by helicopter in one day. The highest altitude on the trekking route is 5545 meters at Kala Patthar. From Kala Patar you can see the Nuptse Lotse ridge and Mount Everest. If you don’t trek in high altitude areas, a helicopter can only stop for 5-7 minutes (also depending on weather conditions and how crowded is the base camp) before taking you back to the Lukla airport. Trekking to the base camp gives you enough time to acclimatize to high altitude and spend more time at the camp. However, you still need to spend a couple of days in Namche Bazaar (3,400) to acclimatize before heading towards Everest. In Nepal, the helicopter rescue service is available for trekkers. Keep in mind that helicopters can only fly at certain weather conditions and up to a certain height (depending on the heli). ROAD CONDITIONS IN NEPAL Road conditions in Nepal depend on the season when you are visiting. In summer southwest wind from the Indian Ocean brings a lot of rainfall in Nepal. Peaks are often covered with clouds and fog. The best time to trek in Nepal is in March-May and October-November when it is dry. That’s when the trek also becomes very crowded. You should also be aware of yaks traveling the route carrying heavy loads and always step aside when they are approaching. There is a good helicopter rescue system in Nepal and it is recommended to have travel insurance covering it. However, you should assess your physical abilities and weather carefully before trekking alone or in unfamiliar areas. Avalanches claimed the lives of many trekkers in Nepal even on the established routes WEATHER IN EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK Weather in Nepal varies depending on the season. Winter can be bitterly cold especially when you ascent to high altitude areas. It is not the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp. In Summer, mostly from July to August is the rainy season in the Himalayas. It is best to avoid trekking during that time. Mudslides are very common, you most likely won’t see many of the peaks because it is cloudy. Spring and Fall are the best seasons to travel in the region. The most popular months are May and October-November. October is one of the peak seasons in Nepal. Hotels and guesthouses become very crowded. Be prepared to spend a night on the floor in the dining area. However, don’t let it stop you from witnessing some of the landscapes of the Himalayas. Find a related link :Trekking season in Nepal VISA AND PERMITS TO VISIT EBC IN NEPAL For visiting Nepal, most visitors need a visa. You can get this visa on arrival. It is also possible to fill out the visa application online prior to traveling to Nepal to speed up processing in your point of entry. Trekking in the Everest region also requires permits. You will need Everest Regional Area Permit called Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality (issued in Lukla) and Sagarmatha National Park permit issued in Kathmandu or in Monjo, near the park’s entrance gate. You have to bring a passport size photo for the permit and fill out a simple form. If you are trekking from Jiri, in addition to the above-mentioned permits, you need a TIMS card issued in Kathmandu. Some areas in Jiri require additional Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit. Check the permit requirements before heading a trek and enjoy your adventure! HOTELS AND MEALS ON THE WAY TO EVEREST If you start your journey in Kathmandu, you can choose between budget cheap and luxurious and still not very expensive hotels. Most travelers after that head to Lukla. In Lukla choices are limited, however, you still have options. The most popular high-end guesthouses are a network of Yeti Mountain Home lodges nestled between Lukla and Namche Bazaar. These are not exactly 5-star hotels, but very comfortable simple options with bathroom and hot water. That means you won’t give up comfort too soon. Another famous hotel near Namche Bazaar is the Everest View Hotel, the highest hotel in the world. However, when you head further past Namche Bazaar, you will have to stay in more simple guesthouses. Most have rooms with 2 twin beds. The guesthouses become crowded during the busy season. You will have to give up some privacy, but what a great opportunity to make new friends! MEALS In Kathmandu, you will enjoy a range of great restaurants with delicious meals, both Himalayan cuisines, and European staples. There are lots of cozy coffee shops serving not only coffee but also pastries and light meals. You can also find some party places. When you go on a trekking route, you will find fewer choices but still a good variety of dishes. Guesthouses serve breakfast. For dinner, you can have local dishes and some Western food such as pizza, soups, and French fries. You can also bring snacks or buy them on the way. The common snacks include nuts, chocolate, cookies, and fresh fruit. SOUTH ROUTE FROM NEPAL
Same as trekkers, climbers start in Lukla from where they trek to the first Base Camp. No roads mean that everything is delivered by yaks to the Base Camp. Still, you can expect your stay there to be reasonably comfortable. From EBC, climbers have to cross a dangerous zone on the Kumbum ice fall that claimed many lives. After the EBC everything is delivered to the climber’s camps by Sherpas. That limits how many items can be brought to the advanced camp and above. Additionally, going up and down the icefall necessary for acclimatizing can be dangerous. Helicopter rescue can go up to the Base Camp in Nepal, but a lot depends on the weather conditions. Nepal Travellers Blog
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