Meaning of the trek
Basically, this trek is one where you spend fourteen days on foot, going from one mountain village to another. The story behind the trek is walking up and down the mountains, crossing bridges, following rivers, and gradually making your way to the Everest Base Camp. Speed is not a factor here. A gentle walk is what you do because the air becomes thinner at higher altitudes. Eating warm food, drinking hot tea, and sleeping in simple tea houses are the things you do. The trek is not just about the achievement of getting to Everest Base Camp. It is also about the experience of each step, each tiny moment, and each view that makes your heart sing.
Location
The trek is in the Himalayas of Nepal. Nepal is a stunning mountain country. The Trek starts from a small airport at a place called Lukla. Small Lukla seems like a little home tucked in between big hills. The trek from Lukla will take you to the Khumbu region which is the home of the Sherpa people who are known for their strength, courage, and kindness. This area has forests, rivers, rocks, and snow-covered land. The Everest Base Camp is situated quite far up at the foot of Mount Everest where the land is cold, white, and full of ice.
The Journey Day by Day
The fourteen days are like fourteen small chapters of a story. On the first day, you fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. The plane goes between mountains, and everything looks very small from the sky. You then walk to a place called Phakding. The second day, you trek to Namche Bazaar, which is a lively mountain town located on a large hill. On the third day, you take rest in Namche acclimatizing your body to the altitude. You do a short walk around town, take deep breaths, and admire the beautiful mountain views.
From Namche, you trek to Tengboche, which is known for its quiet and beautiful monastery. A monk performing rituals inside and their chants hearing is your spiritual experience. The trek continues to Dingboche, where you also take a rest day after the trek and then go to Lobuche where the air gets very cold. Your journey from Lukla to Everest Base Camp will last for several days and your next stop will be Gorakshep. Everest Base Camp is where you finally go for a walk from Gorakshep. You head up to Kalapatthar to watch a beautiful sunrise after that. You take the same route back to Lukla and fly to Kathmandu on the last day.
People on the Trek
You come across a lot of Sherpa people during the trek. Sherpa people are courageous mountain people who are very familiar with the area. Being kind, they smile, help trekkers, and guide them safely. Besides that, you can also come across trekkers of diverse nationalities. Some may be fast walkers and some slow, but all of them are equally amazed by the mountains. The only dream everybody has in their hearts, and that is to be able to reach the Everest Base Camp together.
Food and Stay
The tea houses will be your place to rest at night during the trek. Tea houses are modest wooden dwellings where you will be provided with warm beds, blankets, and dim lights. You can take a seat by the heater in the dining room and warm your hands. For food, you get simple and warm meals like rice, soup, noodles, potatoes, eggs, and tea. Hot food tastes extra good when the air outside is cold. After a whole day of walking, tea houses are perfect places to feel secure, warm, and content.
Nature on the Trek
The nature on this trek keeps changing each day. First, you have tall green trees, lively rivers, and long bridges. Birds come and go above you, and yaks are walking along the trail. When you ascend further, the trees vanish and the land turns to rocks. The air becomes colder and purer. Places like Dingboche and Lobuche will greet you with snow, ice, and tall white mountains glittering under the sun. The sky looks deeper and brighter. At nighttime, the stars are like tiny candles all around you. It seems like the whole world is sleeping peacefully.
Feelings While Walking
Walking in the mountains takes its time and is gentle. There are days when your legs will feel tired. There are days when your heart will feel strong. However, every day will be special. You take your breath slowly as the air is thin. Water is drunk over and over to keep the body strong. The first time you see Everest from a distance, your eyes become wide and your heart is filled with joy. You feel as if you are looking at something magical.
Everest Base Camp
When you get to Everest Base Camp, you see land full of rocks, ice, and snow. The area is quiet but has a strong feel to it. Dancing in the cold wind are colorful prayer flags. The place is where climbers put up tents, in case that is where they start for the highest mountain they will be climbing. However, even from here, the very top of Everest can't be seen, though, the closeness of it can certainly be felt. That moment is like the realization of a long-time dream. Your thought goes to your long trek, your steps, your days, and your nights, and you take pride in the fact that you have been through it all.
Kalapatthar
After the following morning, you get up early and head to Kalapatthar. It is like a small hill, but when viewed from there, the biggest view is quite apparent. Mount Everest turns golden the moment the sun comes up. The mountain range glistens in various colors such as pink, orange, and yellow. The cold wind helps your face but the gorgeousness taking over your mind makes you forget the fact that you are being touched by the wind. It is said by a lot of trekkers that Kalapatthar is the most enchanting part of the entire trek.
Importance of the Trek
The 14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek imbues one with the virtues of patience, courage, and love for nature. Find out how slow walking, calm breathing, and savoring the smallest things like warm tea, soft blankets, or friendly smiles can be taught to you through this trek. You realize that strong dreams require their due time and have to be followed by careful steps. You also realize that nature is huge and beautiful and we are small but still brave. Besides, this trek depicts how mountain people live in simplicity, kindness, and happiness.
Ending of the Journey
After the accomplishment of the Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar, you make your way back to Lukla on foot. Every step seems more and more manageable because you are going downhill. Your last day flight to Kathmandu will find you looking out of the airplane window and taking in the mountainous scenery for one final time. Your heart will be full and warm as you know you have achieved your big dream. Those memories will be like a treasure that you are always going to keep with you.
Conclusion
The 14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek is a journey of joy, beauty, and learning. It is long but full of wonderful moments. It is simple but meaningful. It is exhausting but satisfying. A person who goes through this walk will consider himself/herself transformed, joyful, and thankful. The trek is more than just a trip. It is an adorable story that stays in your heart forever.