Everest, the world's highest peak at 8,848 meters, is the mountain you would love to conquer at least once in your lifetime. Everest Base Camp, the highest altitude base camp, is on the lap of the Mahalangur range at an altitude of around 5,500 meters above sea level. Hence, trekking to this place is on the bucket list of almost every trekker worldwide
This village guide will be useful for anyone preparing to do the EBC trek or the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek.
Villages on Everest Trekking Trail: Highlights
You would get the spectacular golden sunrise and sunset view over Everest.
Observing the cultural traditions and social customs is the best part of the journey. You would enjoy the warm hospitality of the Sherpa people.
The experience of the takeoff and landing on the 500m runway of Lukla airport is unforgettable for almost everyone.
Acclimatization stays at Namche Bazaar and hikes to Hotel Everest View at 3,880 meters for mesmerizing glimpses of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Tawoche, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, and more.
Experiencing the prayers and hymns at the ancient Buddhist Monastery at Tengboche, Mani Rumdi festival, Buddha Purnima, and Lhosar.
The enchanting view of the world's highest glacier between Everest and Nuptse-Lhotse ridge, the Khumbu glacier, entertains the hike to Lobuche and Gorakshep.
Beholding some of UNESCO's world heritage sites, Sagarmatha National Park and its endangered flora and fauna.
Lukla
Lukla, the start and end of any Sherpa settlements in the Everest region, is a tiny town with an elevation of 2,860m in the Solukhumbu district. Every Everest region trekker first steps into Lukla to start their journey to Everest camp. Also, the helicopter on the One Day Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour first lands at Lukla before flying to Pheriche and Kala Patthar.
Lukla is better known for two things:
a) Airport
b) Climate
Lukla Airport, also known as Tenzing Hillary Airport, is the scariest and coolest airport in the world. This airport has only around a 500m long runway. The climate of Lukla on top makes the two Kathmandu Lukla Flights delayed and causes issues with takeoffs and landings. The low clouds and fog covering the village affect the flight delays to an extreme level.
Local Sherpa constructed Lukla airport in 1964 AD, where Sir Edmund Hillary supervised the whole construction process himself.
When there was no airport, the porters used to carry all the mountaineering gear to the Everest region on foot from Kathmandu. The journey used to be painful and lengthy for mountaineers and Sherpas. Also, the trekkers hiked the same classic route via Jiri.
But today, travelers get a direct 50-minute, two-way Kathmandu Lukla Helicopter flight at affordable rates. The advancement of Lukla airport and skyrocketed commercialization of the Everest trek and expedition have made the Kathmandu to Lukla helicopter flight affordable too.
Accommodation in Lukla is luxurious if you can afford it. From local-run tea houses to star-rated hotels, the different accommodations in Lukla fit the preferences of every Everest region trekker. Most trekkers stay overnight at Lukla after returning from the trek. You may see pubs, bakeries, and restaurants for Western food. You can easily access the internet in this beautiful village with excellent hospitality.
Phakding
Most Everest Base Camp trekkers land at Lukla and hike to Phakding for an overnight stay. Phakding has several teahouses and luxury lodges with bustling trekkers, guides, porters, and locals.
It is a small gorgeous village in the Khumbu region. It is at a lower elevation of 2610 m than Lukla and sits 6 km north of it.
UNESCO listed Phakding village in 1979 on the list of World Heritage Sites. The focal attraction of this place is the elegant tea houses with the inspiring landscape, surrounding hills, and rushing Dudh Koshi.
Monjo
Monjo is the third Sherpa settlement if you’re ascending to Namche for Everest region trekking. Most trekkers prefer staying at Phakding but some hike an extra hour to Monjo and stay overnight. It's a beautiful small village around 4 km from Phakding at an elevation of 2835m.
You can either have lunch in Phakding and stay a night in Monjo or stay overnight in both places. It depends on your walking pace and overall trek plan.
Alongside Phakding, UNESCO has also listed Phakding as a World Heritage Site. You can make this village a destination for a day so that you can stroll around and enjoy the surroundings properly. A majestic first glimpse of Thamserku and Khumbila would energize you to go near the Himalayas.
It's also a final checkpoint for the entrance and exit of Everest trekkers. As a trekker in Sagarmatha National Park, you must register your entrance and exit at Monjo Trekkers Check Point with necessary permit checks.
Teahouses in Phakding provide one of the most comfortable and luxurious lodgings. Flying prayer flags and small gompas on the way would offer you an aesthetic view.
Jorsale
The lovely settlement of Jorsale above the left bank of Dudh Koshi River is the last settlement before Namche Bazar. Also, tea houses in Jorsale are the place for daytime lunch and meals to energize before leaving for Namche Bazaar.
It lies at an altitude of around 2750m and sits North of Monjo village. Those who stay at Phakding and Tok Tok stop at Jorsale for lunch, while trekkers who stay overnight at Monjo start the hike to Namche Bazaar after early lunch at Monjo.
Jorsale village provides sumptuous meals in the Everest region trek with enough teahouses. Riverside seatings, great food, a serene ambiance, and comfortable stay-ins allure the trekkers' hearts.
Namche Bazaar
Here comes the most beautiful and wealthiest town in the country, Namche Bazar. It is the fifth town on the trekking trail at an elevation of around 3440m.
This town is a popular destination for Everest trekkers and climbers. Those trekkers who have walked from Lukla to Namche Bazar take a day or two to rest here. They prepare themselves for the altitude through acclimatization.
Namche is famous as the Gateway to Mount Everest. But, it is also a major trade center in Khumbu. Even the Tibetans descend to Namche Bazaar for business. Crowds take over the Saturday market and pubs.
Namche Bazaar offers the best homemade yak cheese. Ancient cultural traditions and heart-melting hospitality are unforgettable for everyone.
Do you know about acclimatization?
Acclimatization is the process of adapting to the weather of a high altitude. You may develop altitude sickness symptoms if you can't adjust to the increasing altitude. Altitude sickness issues and acute mountain sickness are simple yet fatal for any individual's health.
Trekkers and visitors to the Everest region stay here in the most luxurious accommodation. They can enjoy the facility of hot showers, bakeries, cafes, and the internet here.
Namche Bazaar is the first acclimatization stop in the Everest region trekking. At 3,440 meters, it offers various day tour options for you to acclimatize. Trekkers climb to Hotel Everest View at Syangboche to sightsee Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, and more on a Everest View Trek. The hotel's courtyard provides an excellent view of the landscape.
Another acclimatization hike includes a trip to Hillary School in Khumjung, followed by a mountain museum. A skull of Yeti, various photographs, materials, and ethnic stuff in the museum are worth the visit.
For further hikes, you can hike to Namche Bazaar Viewpoint and other locales for the best view of the town. You can also fly to Everest from Namche and return to Kathmandu; a popular fashion called Everest Helicopter Tour from Syangboche.
Tengboche
You are trekking to the EBC, Everest Three High Passes Trek if you’re in Tengboche. The Gokyo Lakes Trek Route separates from Sansa midway to the hike from Namche to Tengboche. And right now, you have reached Tengboche, halfway to the base camp.
To those who want to view Ama Dablam, Everest, and other mountains without hiking up to the Kala Patthar, a hike to Tengboche, Everest View Trek Tengboche, is a popular choice.
Tengboche is an exquisite Sherpa settlement on Everest Camp trek village with beautiful ancient monasteries. This place at an altitude of around 3900m has religious-historical importance. The leading characteristic of this place is the Tengboche monastery, the largest gompa in Khumbu. There are a lot of other small monasteries around here.
This monastery was first built in 1923 AD. People have renovated the monasteries many times. The monastery caught fire in 1989 and was rebuilt with the help of foreign aid and local efforts.
Mani Rimdu is the prominent festival of Buddhists in Khumbu, where Sherpa people gather and celebrate it in Tengboche Monastery. Monks and pilgrims celebrate with chants, prayers, masked dances, and rituals for five days. It is 19 days long. On every first full moon day in September/October, trekkers plan their hike to Tengboche as a cultural escapade trek called Everest Mani Rimdu Festival Trek. Beautiful ancient architecture and prayer flags flying in the wind enchant everyone who is visiting Tengboche.
It gives the perfect magnificent panoramic view of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and more. Since Sagarmatha National Park surrounds the area, you can get sight of the endangered wildlife. You can see flora and fauna here.
You can opt for an alternate route from here if you don't want to follow the classic trail for the EBC trek.
Dingboche
One word for this beautiful settlement among traditional Everest trek villages is 'Charming.'
Dingboche village comes after Tengboche. This village is the last Sherpa village in the Khumbu region at 4,400m.
The elevation of altitude is high for trekkers when they reach this village. So, it is perfect to acclimatize here. They can stroll around or go for a short hike. They can reduce the chances of altitude sickness and prepare for more elevation.
An impressive and superb view of the mountains from the village would relax you to a great extent. You can see mountains like Island Peak, Lhotse, Amadablem, etc., from Dingboche.
It also has a nunnery run by the Tengboche monastery named Deboche Nunnery.
Since it is a chilling place for trekkers, it is a cozy and cordial center for everyone. Tea houses of this village provide excellent lodging and food services. Also, the comfortable accommodations in Dingboche provide adequate rest for the trekkers.
Lobuche
Lobuche is very near to Everest. It is also close to the Khumbu Glacier and Icefall. This settlement area is small, and it looks very primitive in comparison to other Everest trek villages.
Lobuche shares its name with peaks, such as Lobuche Far East, Lobuche East, and Lobuche West. There is another peak named Lobuche in China as well.
Like its pre-ancient looks, people in this area provide lodging in stone huts. Decent foods and accommodations are readily available here. It is the last stop for staying overnight in the Trek to EBC. You can either stay here or go to the main base camp at Gorak Shep to end your trek. It is up to you.
This place is the hub for porters, guides, Sherpas, trekkers, and mountaineers, who are on their way to the Everest base camp or the Everest summit.
You shouldn't miss the splendid view of the Khumbu glacier from Lobuche.
Gorak Shep
A small settlement area on the frozen lake is Gorak Shep. This location is your original Everest base camp.
If you are here, you have accomplished your 7-day trek to base camp. You would only have one mission left, to hike to Kalapattahar and watch the golden view of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and more.
Gorak Shep, at an elevation of around 5200m, is mostly inhabited. It doesn't have many inhabitants, which doesn't mean that there are no tea houses at Gorak Shep. You can find a fine lodge here with basic facilities. You can even use high-speed internet nowadays.
There is one thing that you need to be careful about altitude sickness. Not only altitude sickness, but you should also be aware of the symptoms and remedies of acute mountain sickness. If you have prepared your body to adjust to this high altitude, you will face no problem in this kind of location. Being not careful about acclimatization is very dangerous for an individual's health.
You are just under the nose of Mount Everest at this point. You should enjoy the view and celebrate your achievements on this trek.
Kala Patthar
Has anyone told you that the view of the Himalayas from the Kala Patthar viewpoint is breathtaking?
It is a milestone for Everest Base Camp trekkers. This area is not a settlement area, but it's a ridge above the Gorak Shep. In the early morning, people on the Helicopter Tour fly to Kala Patthar to enjoy the mesmerizing views of Everest and other nearby peaks.
You can stay overnight in Gorak Shep and walk up to Kala Patthar the following early morning to see the exotic sunrise on Mount Everest.
This short walk is very worth it, and you'll cherish the magical sunrise over the mountains for the rest of your life.
The view of Mount Everest and other peaks is astonishing. At an altitude of around 5650m, you would access the most close-up and alluring view of the Himalayas. You wouldn't want to stop looking at this spectacular view from Kala Patthar.
Final Thoughts
Everest Base Camp Trek is challenging because of its arduous geography. Trekkers love the thrill and adventures it offers. Hence, with apt knowledge of classic all-inclusive Everest Base Camp trek villages.
Walking through all those villages en route with enough itineraries, you can have a lot of fun. The memories you make here will be irreplaceable in your life.
You should hire a professional guide and a porter for this trekking journey. You can come and take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the magical landscape on Earth.
