Location
The trek is carried out in the Khumbu region. It is a high, silent, and serene land where the snowcapped mountains stand like huge old men. The journey is initially at Lukla, where you fly in a small plane from Kathmandu. Upon your arrival in Lukla, you breathe in fresh air, view the stone-built houses, and see the people smiling and welcoming you. The Khumbu region is the home of the Sherpa people who are known for their caring nature and courteous behavior. This place has woods, rivers, prayer flags, and mountains that almost touch the sky and make you feel very little but happy.
Duration
The trek is ten days. These ten days are walking, resting, looking, and enjoying days. You get up early, eat hot food, and take walks slowly. You avail yourself of a rest whenever it is needed. You retire early when the sky is full of stars. Each day gets you closer to Everest Base Camp and makes your body strong in the rarefied air. Although the trek is a short one, it feels like a big one because every moment in the mountains is special.
Day-by-Day Experience
The first day sees you flying to Lukla and starting a gentle walk to Phakding. The way is quite and full of green trees. The second day has you walking to Namche Bazaar, a small cheerful mountain town that is filled with small shops and colorful homes. Namche lies amongst hills and looks like a comfortable bowl. You will be staying in Namche so that your body can become accustomed to the new altitude because the air is thinner there. After Namche, you proceed to Tengboche, a picturesque village that has a large monastery located on a hill. Monks are praying softly inside, and their chants create a cooling feeling in your chest.
This is followed by a walk to Dingboche where you will find that the earth is broad and open. The mountains are very close and look like they are your loving guardians. You take a rest in Dingboche and thus make your body strong. Then you move to Lobuche where the ground is rocky and cold. After this, you get to Gorakshep, a small place before Everest Base Camp. From Gorakshep, you go slowly to Everest Base Camp, a very close contact zone with the tallest mountain in the world, which is full of rocks, snow, and the overwhelming feeling of being there. When you are at Base Camp, you cannot but be proud and happy because you arrived there by your small steps.
You are at liberty to go up to Kala Patthar the following morning, if it is in your plan. From this point, Mount Everest is very clear, and it is sparkling like a huge white king. After the viewing, you return through the same path all the way to Lukla. When the trek finishes, it is warm with memories that fill your heart.
Route
The journey is from Lukla through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar. After that, the same way back. The trail is equipped with long bridges that are built over rivers of blue, which are waiting for you to cross. You go through the woods where there are tall trees. You meet small villages and are introduced to the smiling Sherpa families. When going upwards, the trees become smaller, the air gets colder, and the mountains look bigger and nearer. The route is risk-free and is walked on by numerous trekkers daily.
Natural Environment
The environment is like a living fairytale on this trek. At the beginning, the woods are green and lively. You hear the birds sing and see the flowers that are tiny and colorful and look like stars. When you move to higher ground, the trees are smaller, and the area is bigger and more open. The snow-covered peaks are shining in the sun. Along the way, you meet rivers that look like silver running through the land. The sky is so blue that it looks like a newly done painting. Occasionally the clouds are seen playing around the mountains. After sunset, the stars are there sparkling like tiny lamps. The higher you go, the more silent the world gets. The only sound you hear is your breathing and the wind, which is not strong.
Culture
On this trek, the culture you come face to face with is overflowed with the traits of love, peace, and kindness. Sherpa people are warm in their reception and open in their hearts to the trekkers. In an abundance of places in the area, you find prayer flags in all colors flapping in the wind. These flags are the carriers of prayers for love, peace, and fortune. You see mani stones which have words of blessing carved on them. You go to the monasteries where monks practicing silence and prayer can be found. The voice of their chanting is like soft notes of music which touch the listener's heart. The culture that is there, imparts the qualities of being gentle, patient, and respectful like the mountains, to you.
Difficulty Level
The short 10 days trek might be slightly tough due to the high altitude. It is similar to working your way up a long set of stairs, but you do it slowly and just one step at a time. The further you get up, the thinner the air becomes and therefore it is harder to breathe. Sometimes your legs might feel tired. However, if you walk gently, rest properly, keep hydrated and follow the instructions of your guide, then you will be fine. There are quite a few people from different age groups that have successfully completed this trek most likely by going slow and being careful with themselves.
Accommodation
Your nights will be spent in the likes of simple mountain homes known as tea houses. Tea houses are homely and inviting. They come with small wooden rooms furnished with beds and blankets. In the evening the trekkers meet up at the dining hall where the warmth from a stove makes everyone comfortable. You sip hot tea, eat food made warm by the kitchen, and speak with other trekkers. The rooms are basic but they feel safe and friendly. To stay in any of these tea houses is like being a member of a small mountain family.
Food
The food taken along the trek is warm and gives strength to the body. The menu includes rice, noodles, soups, eggs, potatoes, bread, and vegetables. Dal bhat is the most popular dish, and it is very energizing. Along with the eating, one also drinks hot tea, hot chocolate, lemon water, and soup to keep warm in the chilly air. All the dishes taste delicious because you are eating them in the middle of the mountains.
Weather
The weather of this trek can be variable, though it is generally cool and fresh. A lower area might feel very mild, but as you go higher, it will get cold and windy. The mornings are mostly sunny while the nights can be very cold. At times, the clouds move rapidly between the mountains. Days without clouds give you views of the mountain peaks that are stunning. Weather makes mountains look different every hour, as if they were changing their outfits.
Best Time to Trek
The ideal time to go 10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek is when the skies are clear, and the days are bright. These times make walking more comfortable. It is also possible to see the massive snow-covered peaks as there are no clouds to obstruct the view. Good weather keeps your body in good shape and makes you happy during the trek.
Safety
Great importance is given to safety on this trek. One ensures his/her safety by a slow walk, giving in to the need for a rest when tired, taking sufficient water, eating well and dressing properly. Your guide assists you in understanding the trail and ensuring your security. You should take a rest if you are feeling dizzy or tired. You should wear warm clothing if you feel cold. If you take care of your body, the trek will be a safe and happy one.
Conclusion
The 10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek is an amazing tour packed with love, joy, nature, and peace. It is a journey where one comes in contact with the big mountains, the gentle winds, the silent forests, and the nice people. The trek, although brief, is deep and it has a lot of meaning. Every single step teaches you to have courage and to be patient. When the trek is completed, the feeling is one of pride and happiness. There are memories of snowy peaks, warm tea houses, shining rivers, and the simple magic of walking in the tallest mountains on Earth that one takes back with them. It is a story that you will always remember like a warm dream inside your heart.