Best Seasons for Classic Everest Base Camp Trekking:
Nearly all months of the year, except wet months of monsoon season from June to mid September when days are cloudy that obstructs views of mountains with rains and dark heavy clouds, but much greener with lush rich vegetations (not recommended during monsoon wet months unless for botanical people and students to study flora and fauna of the region)
Best time from March to May when most days are clear for views and as well for pleasant walks with moderate temperatures and longer sunlight hours, and on this time of season when wild flowers are in full bloom, enjoy bright and beautiful wild flower especially rhododendron of various species from trees to bush of different colored flowers (national flower of Nepal the rhododendron).
March to May in late afternoon can be cloudy with chances of rain and snow around higher altitude, where’s Mid September to December around autumn /fall and pre winter one of the best times with clear blue sky and sunny days (for short while from morning to mid day) can be cold and freezing during morning and night times above 1,800 m high.
Sunlight is short during autumn and winter seasons but most of the morning till late afternoon are clear for views and pleasant walks can snow sometimes around higher elevation.
People and Culture:
High Khumbu and Lower Solu area populated by Highlanders the Sherpa of Everest, interwoven with Buddhism religion and colorful culture and fascinating heritage life style where you can witness from Lukla onwards, villages festooned with religious symbols and monuments of prayer flags, decorated walls with spinning chiming bells.
From Jiri and around Solu area with mix tribes of hill people with Sherpa, Rai, Magar, Tamang, includes some Brahmin and Chettries of various custom with Buddhist and Hindu religions and interesting culture that makes this Classic Everest base camp trek more interesting.
Introduction:
Classic Everest Base Camp trekking quite different from busy route of Khumbu for some days walking within quiet trail, often visited by other trekkers as this classic and original path almost forgotten since Lukla airport was built.
Where most trekkers and adventurer follows high Khumbu trail flying in from Kathmandu to Lukla and onwards, travelers joining on this classic route to Everest will surely enjoy the peaceful walks visiting remote rural villages of Solu areas located south of Everest.
Classic Everest Base Camp trekking begins with exciting overland journey from the capital Kathmandu heading due east past many nice farm villages and towns with high and downhill drive to reach at Jiri, a lovely town often known as Switzerland of Nepal.
As Jiri town located within a beautiful valley surrounded by green hills covered by tall pine trees with views of high snow capped peaks of Gaurishankar and range of mountains that resembles like Switzerland.
Walk leads after a short drive from Jiri heading further north east with grand views of Melung-Tse, Gaurishankar with Number Himal where walk lead to climb to reach Sete and over Lamjura-La pass to reach at Junbesi a large Sherpa village.
After a lovely overnight stops at Junbesi observing nice impressive culture of Sherpa people and then on the road to reach at high Khumbu area as walk leads past Ringmo, Nunthala and Khari-Khola to reach at high Khumbu where route coming from Lukla and Jiri joins.
From here on main scenic trail to reach high Namche Bazaar as walk leads through several interesting villages adorned with Buddhist cultural heritage and monuments and then reaching Monju village where Sagarmatha National Park starts and ends.
Sagarmatha a word for Everest in Nepali while Sherpa call Chomolungma, as walk continues entering within nice alpine forest and crossing bridge over Dudh Kosi River with steep climb to Namche Bazaar.
At Namche rest days for acclimatization before heading towards Everest base camp and above with time to enjoy short hike and to witness immense cultures and custom of Khumbu Sherpa, as our walk continues on scenic path with ever present views of Everest and chain of peaks.
Adventure climbs to a beautiful area at Tengboche with its famous monastery surrounded by high snow-capped peaks with Everest in the north, with time here to visit the monastery of great interest located within green woodland surroundings.
From Tengboche where walk heads to higher country on leaving green vegetation and tree lines behind for sheer wilderness of arid and dry terrain heading closer to high mountainous area to reach our major and final destination at Everest base camp.
Enjoy great views of close giant peaks with Khumbu Icefalls and glaciers where Everest stays hidden between Lhotse, Nuptse and Lola peaks being much closer and beneath world highest peaks.
For excellent close views of Mt. Everest our adventure takes you high at Kalapathar located above 5,545 m the highest point of the adventure with Mt. Everest at nearest distance includes array of mountains that surrounds you on this high hill top.
Slowly our adventure comes to an end as walk leads back to Namche Bazaar losing altitude that makes you feel much better to enjoy scenery with pleasant walks to Lukla, where short and scenic flight brings you to Kathmandu, after a wonderful remarkable experience on Classic Everest base camp trekking.