Getting into Lukla
For getting into Lukla, you need to have a short flight from Kathmandu Domestic Airport. But, in the peak trekking season due to the high air traffic, the flight will be operated from the small Manthali Airport, Ramechhap. It takes almost 20 minutes to reach Lukla from Ramechhap and takes 4 hours drive to reach Ramechhap Airport from Kathmandu. Every morning, the first flight leaves at 6 am from the Manthali Airport to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. So, you need to leave Kathmandu at one o'clock at night. Then, the adventure begins from here.
Hillary Airport, Lukla
In the early morning, you will arrive at Lukla. Then, you will meet your porter at the arrival terminal. He carries your trekking backpack and finally, your trekking begins for the first overnight stay in Phakding village. After getting out of the airport, you will go to the left-hand sideways and move towards the head northern way. From there, you can see the bird's eye view of the beautiful Hillary Airport, which lies in the back.
Buy a Khada (a blessing scarf) & fasten it on a long Hillary Suspension Bridge
Khada is a scarf, made up of silk material. This scarf is used especially on special occasions for honoring the respected people in Nepal. You may also receive at the Kathmandu Airport upon your arrival by your travel agent.
Hillary Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the Everest region. This bridge is located between the Phakding and Namche Bazaar. According to the Sherpa people's beliefs, tieing a Khada on the suspension bridge is a sign of good luck.
Everest View Hotel Hiking
Everest View Hotel lies just almost one hour away from the Namche Bazaar. This is the highest-placed hotel in the world with an elevation of 13000 ft. It offers breathtaking Himalayan views including Mount Everest. Having a cup of tea in front of such scenery would be the best experience once-in-a-lifetime.
Besides, you will spend two nights in Namche Bazaar. So, on the acclimatization day, you can go for a hike to the Everest View Hotel.
Visit to Tengboche Monastery
Tengboche Monastery is the highest Tibetan monastery in the Everest region. You can visit it either in the early morning or evening during the praying ceremony. It is located at Tengboche village where you are going to spend a night. So, it would be a worthwhile opportunity to join the praying ceremony with a majority of monks once in a lifetime.
Placing the prayer flag if you go to the Passes
If you are going to Everest base camp by passing some major passes of the Everest region like Cho La Pass, Renjo La Pass, and others. It would be worth doing if you buy some colorful droll of prayer flags and place them on the passes. Because most trekkers do this in remembrance of the climbers who died on the mountain.
These colorful flags have their own meaning in Buddhism. For instance; White refers to air, red means fire, blue denotes wind, green for water, and yellow represents earth.
See the popular signboard "Way to Everest"
The "Way to Everest" is the renowned signboard in social media, placed at Gorakshep Village. It is the last village of the Everest base camp, from where the way to EBC begins.
If you wish, you can even post a photograph of this signboard.
Everest Base Camp
Finally, you will reach the Everest base camp and take the pictures of beautiful mountains. You can click your own photo by sitting on top of the large famous rock of EBC where the Everest Base Camp 8848 meter is written. It would be proof of you that you have completed the Everest base camp trek.
Capture the snapshots from the top of Kalapatthar
There is no doubt that you are going to capture the selfies on top of the Kalapatthar. It is the highest vantage point of the Everest base camp. From the summit of Kalapatthar, you can explore the most stunning mountain views including Mount Everest that you can not see from the EBC.
Visit to Sherpa Museum
Sherpa Museum is located on the eastern side of Namche Bazaar. It can be visited at the beginning of the trek, but it is advised to visit there during the trek back period. It would be the means of refreshment and get lots of time to explore the museum. From there, you can see the views of Everest and the Lhotse Mountains.
Touch, feel, and rotate the prayer wheels on the way
During the Everest base camp trek, you will find uncountable prayer wheels throughout the way. So, you will get the chance to touch, feel, and rotate the prayer wheels. It is believed that spinning the prayer wheels brings good fortune according to Buddhism. Apart from that, good fortune comes if you walk on the right-hand side of these wheels and rotate them clockwise.
Watch the Everest Documentary
In Namche, every bar and restaurant displays a movie about the Sherpa and their mountaineering activities. The show time of the documentary is three o'clock in the afternoon. So, it would be better to reserve a comfortable seat early and watch the movie by enjoying the popcorn and drinks.
Try the delicious taste of Belgium Wafers
There is no doubt that the teahouses of the Everest region serve a tasty variety of foods. But in order to change the taste, it is better to try once the hot Belgium Wafers while getting back from the trek on the way to Namche Bazaar. You can ask for directions and your guide will take you over there.
Buy the trek completion certificate
There is a checkpoint below the Namche Bazaar. So, do not forget to buy the Everest base camp trek accomplishment certificate at the checkpoint. It costs only USD 4. However, your travel agency will also provide the Trek Completion Certificate with your photo at free of cost.
Build the piles of stone whenever you can
On the trail, you can see lots of stone piles everywhere. It is believed that these are the small stupas which are sending prayers and blessings to the god for protecting the builders on the route.
Besides, these stone piles help the trekkers to mark the way during the low visibilities.
Examine your oxygen level at Pheriche or Namche or Dingboche
There is the HRA office at Namche, Pheriche, and Dingboche. So, you can check the oxygen level there if you feel any changes in your body or also get some ideas about high-altitude-related issues.
Visit the visitor center at Monjo
There is a small visitor center at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park in Monjo. This visitor center showcases the 3D model of the entire Khumbu region. Along with it, you can explore lots of pictures on the wall.
Write your name on a stone at Everest Base Camp
After reaching the base camp of Mount Everest, it is advisable to write your name on the stone and leave your mark over there.
Keep Everest region clean
Managing the garbage that you have used during the Everest base camp trek is very important. So, please keep the garbage in the dumping sites or take it back to Kathmandu to keep Khumbu clean. And if it is possible, encourage other visitors to keep the Khumbu neat and clean.
Follow the bridge alternatively
There are two different suspension bridges such as old and new. They are situated between the Lukla and Namche Bazaar. So, it is advisable to use the new bridge at first while going to Everest base camp and walk along the old bridge while trekking back from Mount Everest base camp.
Try your best to find the left-row seat and right-row seat while going to Lukla and come back to Kathmandu simultaneously
The Himalayas of Nepal lie on the northern side of Nepal. So, it would be better to get a flight seat on the left row while going to Lukla from Kathmandu. Then, you can explore the mountainous views including Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world.
On the other hand, getting the right-row seat on the flight when returning to Kathmandu after completing the trek will also provide another opportunity to explore the Himalayan giants of Nepal again.
Donate for road construction
Due to the unsuccessful plan of the government for constructing a well-maintained trekking route, Pasang Sherpa has been maintaining the trekking trail locally in the Khumbu region of Nepal. You can encounter the old man with a donation box with signboards on the way between Namche and Kyanjuma. So, please read the information written over there and donate at least one dollar which is nothing for you.
Try once Starbucks coffee
This is an unauthorized coffee in Nepal. There is no Starbucks except in Lukla. You can find it just next to the IRISH PUB, there is a signboard of 'Starbucks Coffee Lukla'. So, why not taste it once in a lifetime?
Gifts
We strongly advise you not to provide gifts or anything to the local children because it may encourage the bigging habits of the pupils. Instead of doing this, we suggest you for donating the schools and organizations.
Buy some keepsake
If you wish, you can buy some souvenirs.
Enjoy the trip
Enjoy your trip as much as you can. Take lots of photos and memories with you.
