5 Secrets That Make the Everest Base Camp Trek Epic

“Here are some of the lesser known facts that keep us coming back season after season.”

It’s one of the most popular treks on the planet but it isn’t just reaching the foot of the highest mountain on Earth that makes this an epic experience. Here are some of the lesser known facts that keep us coming back season after season.

THE BAKERIES
Yup, you read that right! This trail is millennials galore with its bakeries and coffee shops that literally dot the trail reaching altitudes as high as 4600 meters. To put that into perspective, your toffee nut latte is being served at an altitude only 200 meters below the summit of the Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the European alps!

NAMCHE BAZAAR
Anyone who’s ever walked on this side of the Himalayas will come back with stories of Namche Bazaar, a vibrant Sherpa village at the crossroads of the major trekking routes of the region. It’s an unusual clash of the modern and the traditional with shops like The North Face and Marmot having actual outlets in the village, burger joints on almost every corner and even a Sushi restaurant. Reaching this village takes 3 days on foot so it isn’t exactly the most accessible place in the world, which is why it’s so unique.

“Makalu, Choy Oyo and Lhotse are 3 other mountains above 8000 meters that will be possible to see during the trek, not to mention other incredibly imposing albeit lower summits like Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pumori and Tabouche.”

4 MOUNTAINS ABOVE 8000 METERS
It isn’t just Everest you’ll see on this trail. Makalu, Choy Oyo and Lhotse are 3 other mountains above 8000 meters that will be possible to see during the trek, not to mention other incredibly imposing albeit lower summits like Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pumori and Tabouche.

TENGBOCHE MONASTERY
The monastery at Tengboche is one of the sacred places in the Buddhist religion and sits at the entrance to the great Khumbu sanctuary. At 3:30pm the monastery opens its doors to visitors where trekkers get to witness Buddhist rituals and mountaineers receive blessings. During festivals it’s possible to be a part of the vibrant ceremonies that are held outside the temple walls against the incredible backdrop of the remote Khumbu valley.

SUNSET FROM KALAPATHAR
Although most itineraries include the sunrise from the relatively small summit of Kalapathar, the real views are at sunset where the light gradually climbs the southern slopes of Mount Everest just before the moon appears from directly behind the mountain. It’s a sight like no other.