INTRODUCTION:
The Everest Base camp trek is considered as one of the most famous treks in the world. Every year, hundreds and thousands of people from all over the world come to visit Nepal just so that they can complete this trek. The adventurous journey to M.t. Everest Base Camp which starts from a beautiful little town called Lukla.
The classic and challenging trek route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is beautiful but has become quite crowded and over-developed during the years. Below are some of the highly recommended alternatives that take your mind blown off the beaten path and let you experience M.t. Everest in ways that very few people do.
Take an Alternative Route
The huge majority of Everest Base Camp trekkers in Nepal fly to Lukla and follow the trail via Namche Bazaar. You can’t avoid the crowd during each stage of your trek since there is only one trail on the last stretch to the Everest Base Camp, but there are several alternative routes which include more remote trails on some sections of the trail.
Head towards the beautiful places where few other trekkers go camping for a night or two. The huge network of lodges in the Everest Region is second to none, so we usually recommend using these for the majority of your trek. But to reach places that you can’t easily reach due to their difficulty and bad weather conditions, limit yourself to the main trails, consider spending a few nights camping out and saving your energy. The logistics aren’t very easy, so refer to a well trained camping guide to get you started with some great ideas, and get your local specialist to work out the logistics for you as well.
- Trek in the Lower Solukhumbu
- Combine your journey with the Gokyo Lakes or The Three Passes Trek
- Trek via Hinku Valley and Mera Peak over Amphu Lapcha Pass
Think Beyond Hiking
If hiking isn’t your thing or your fitness physique is not enough for you, or you want to mix it up a bit, here are some other modes of transportation that you can opt to reach the Everest Base Camp.
- Go for Helicopters
If you don’t have enough time and budget, combining a helicopter ride with a trek journey can be a great way to get amazing close-up and scenic views of Everest. Some trekkers choose to fly all the way from Kathmandu to the Everest Base Camp and back, but more common way to do this is to trek half way up and then take a helicopter ride from Namche or Thame to Everest Base Camp and back, and possibly skip the hike back by flying back to Lukla where you can catch your domestic flight to Kathmandu.
- Motorcycle or Mountain Bike for the win
Mountain Bikes and Motorcycles Rides are not recommended (or not strictly allowed, depending on the latest flavour of the ever-changing rules here) in Sagarmatha National Park, on the Nepal side of Mt Everest. So if you want to ride while having an epic and picturesque view of M.t. Everest you have to save a couple of options for consideration.
Stay at Higher-End Lodges
Most trekkers stay in standard lodges or some called them Teahouses, which are usually very clean and cozy. Staying there is a great way of socialising with other trekkers and tourists. If your priorities are more towards comfort and perhaps even some luxury, you can stay in more upscale lodges or tent houses such as Yeti Mountain Home.
You can also stay in local tents as well, which may sound like roughing it, but Nepal style camping treks are more like “Glamping” and “Adventurous”. All equipment and food are usually carried by porters,and you can get your camp set up by the personalised staff, while the cooking team will prepare you delicious meals.
Visit the “other” Everest Base Camps too
When people refer to Everest Base Camp, most often they only refer to the ones that are situated in Nepal below the Khumbu Icefall. Not everyone knows that there are even two more Everest Base Camps located in Tibet, slightly towards the northernmost part of M.t. Everest.
- The second popular base camp, used by climbers focusing on climbing Mt. Everest via the North Col route which is located in Tibet. There are actually two base camps on this route: one is referred to as “Everest Base Camp” and the other one is known as “ The Advanced Base Camp”.
- Last but not the least There is another base camp situated on the Northern side in Tibet, located in Kangshung valley, below the sheer east face of M.t. Everest.
