Everest Base Camp Adventure – The Arrival
-
Mount Everest, the mother of all mountains. In our own small way we are following in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
Our little plane to Lukla from Kathmandu!
As we fly on our tiny plane through the Himalaya’s from Kathmandu to Lukla in Nepal, we can’t help but feel a little giddy. Legends have had to take this exact flight en-route to summiting Mount Everest during their expeditions. While we are not going to reach the summit ourselves, we are trekking to Everest Base Camp. The place where all the great high altitude mountaineers of the world make their camp while they acclimatize for weeks on end before their final push to the top of the world’s highest mountain.
One half hour into the flight the white peaks of the Himalayas come into view on the left. It is a thrill made even more thrilling by the fact that we are flying in a 14 seat twin otter plane between these mammoth peaks.
Dave and I sit at the front and we have a first hand view of the pilot and co pilot at work. They fly with finesse. They turn knobs and adjust gauges. When the the plane leans to the left a little too much, I see the captain spin a dial beside his seat to level us out. These are some the the greatest pilots on earth flying daily through difficult conditions. We feel in good hands when we hit some turbulence. The little tin box is tossed around in the air and my palms get sweaty, but I see the smile on the captain’s face as he holds the plane steady and I feel more comfortable knowing he is not worrying. In a minute or so it is over and we see the Lukla airstrip in the distance.
Small Airstrip in Lukla Nepal
The Tenzing-Hillary airport stands at an altitude of 2800 metres in the middle of the Himalayas. It is a short landing strip built at a steep grade to slow the planes down quickly. It is needed too because if you don’t stop, you are going straight into a mountain. It is not the landing I am nervous about as much as having to take off in 2 weeks time. It looks terrifying, but I don’t have to think about that for a while.
The Airport against a Himalayan background.
We have just taken our thrill ride of a lifetime and we are only at the beginning of our adventure of a lifetime!
No time to stop and think about what we are about to do though. Once we land, we have to trek for 3 hours to Phakding our first stop on the trail. So after a quick breakfast we are off.
We have been awake since 4:00 am.
It is awe inspiring to be surrounded by the Himalayas. Our guide Dipendra points out jagged white peaks named Kwangde, Mumbu and Kishumkongara (of course I am spelling them all wrong as I write their names in my journal as best I can) At 6000 + metres, these are the “little guys” of the world’s highest mountain range.
6000m Peaks of Himalayas in Nepal
We decided to hire a guide and porter for our Everest Base Camp trek. Several days are spent at over 5000 meters and as Bobby from Fort Lauderdale pointed out, “why not enjoy the trek and support the local economy?” Nobody is going to say, “yeah, but did you carry your own bag when you went to Everest?”
We also had the added bonus of making great new friends in Dipendra and Sher. We learned a lot about local customs and tradition and enjoyed excellent conversations. We instantly took a liking to Dip and Sher. Sher is a sweet man with a soft smile and Dip is an entrepreneur with 10 years of guiding under his belt.
The EBC Trek begins in Lukla.
Having Dip explain things to us not only makes our Everest visit an adventure, it also makes it spiritual. We feel the life that Everest nurtures and provides for as we watch porters and local people alike walk to the right of the boulders covered in sacred text. They respect the mountain and keep to traditions. Walking to the right of the prayers keeps you in the right hand of God. They spin prayer wheels saying the mantra Om mani padne Hum giving blessings to the climb ahead. Mount Everest has taken many a life and it even in a trek to Base Camp which isn’t nearly as dangerous as the climb itself, it is still wise to respect this mountain at every point of the trek.
Stay to the right of the Prayer Boulders up to Everest.
It is going to be a beautiful trip.
More Links regarding the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek
15 Responses to Everest Base Camp Adventure – The Arrival
Leave a Reply
Sponsors
The Planet D on TV!
Posts
- Yangshuo Cooking School A Culinary Delight in China on February 1, 2012 by debndave - 12 Comments
- Five Unique Things to do in Thailand on February 9, 2012 by debndave - No Comment
- How Virtual Tourist Opened My Eyes to Inspiration on February 8, 2012 by debndave - No Comment
- Crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica on February 7, 2012 by debndave - 8 Comments
- Top Thrill SeekingThings to do in New Zealand on February 7, 2012 by debndave - 6 Comments
- Yangshuo Cooking School A Culinary Delight in China on February 1, 2012 by debndave - 12 Comments
- Honesty, Fear and Triumph – Dear Reader on May 27, 2011 by debndave - 166 Comments
- Petra by Night in Photos on May 4, 2011 by debndave - 144 Comments
- What’s With All the Hatin’ in Travel Blogging? on October 29, 2011 by debndave - 127 Comments
- So You Want to Be a Pro Blogger in The Travel Business on November 14, 2011 by debndave - 122 Comments
Sights, culture, entertainment or activities, if you’re thinking short breaks, Europe has it all and Marriott has it covered, with 107 hotels in 22 countries.
If you’re looking for a golf break, take a look at these amazing Marriott golf packages available throughout the UK, Ireland, Egypt, Spain and Portugal.
Marriott hotel resorts offer sensational sojourns in some of the world’s most enticing locations. Aruba, Bali, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica – where will you go?
A country break in a Marriott Hotel & Country Club will get you back to nature in some style. Time to treat yourself…
Marriott hotels in the UK offer comfort, style and a warm welcome. Business, leisure, short-break or celebration – take a look at the options.
Online hotel reservations
Wow! What an amazing experience. I can’t wait to hear about your journey!
.-= Alison´s last blog ..Gone Photographin’ =-.
Amazing picts again. Must be so unreal to be among the tallest mountains in the world. Good luck and have fun on this great trip.
.-= Maria Staal´s last blog ..The University Library Challenge =-.
Looks like an exciting and spiritual adventure awaits you. Enjoy
.-= Gourmantic´s last blog ..A Paris Scam: The Lost Gold Ring =-.
Wow what great pictures! Enjoy reading this a lot as going to Everest base camp is something that I want to do within the next couple of years.
Look forward to reading more about it
.-= Jo´s last blog ..Why 3 pairs of knickers just won’t do =-.
I’m sure it is going to be spectacular. This is one of my dreams in the future, so I will be looking forward to the results and more great articles about climbing to the base camp! Hope you guys have a great time!
.-= Migration Mark´s last blog ..16 Ways To Have a Thrilla In Manila =-.
This trek is a photographer’s playground. Enjoy the Nepali chiiya! I’ll never forget ducking in Tengboche during heavy snowfall, paying a guesthouse owner to sleep on the kitchen floor because all of her beds were occupied.
Have you picked up any Nepali expressions yet? “Ke garne” is a personal favorite–it means “what to do.”
.-= Alan´s last blog ..American Airlines’ Shortcut to Elite Flying =-.
Wow! I got goosebump reading your post. What a great beginning to your journey. I can’t wait to read the rest of your adventure. Yup, it’s going to be a beautiful trip!!
.-= Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..Best 5 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Columbia, SC =-.
I’m with Amy – reading your account of the flight in gave me goosebumps! I have a love/hate relationship with those tiny planes
Looking forward to reading more about this adventure – going to Everest base camp is something I hope to do someday, even though I have no desire to go to the summit, not until they put in an escalator. A heated one.
.-= Trisha Miller´s last blog ..The Travel Writer’s Handbook =-.
Great photos. Slightly terrifying flight, but worth it for the views it looks like!
.-= Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences´s last blog ..Marta and Chris About Life On The Road =-.
That take off in two weeks is going to be VERY interesting. All I think when I look at that picture of the runway is PULL UP!
.-= brian´s last blog ..Shut Out Doubters, Shut Down Your Own Doubt and Travel =-.
Pingback: Everest Base Camp Adventure - Day 1 | The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple
Pingback: Everest Base Camp Adventure - Part 2 | The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple
Pingback: Everest Base Camp Adventure - Part 3 | The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple
I landed at Tenzing-Hillary airport and I can say it’s a unique feeling.
Madrid Apartments recently posted..Apartment Piamonte 1J- Madrid
A trek to Everest Base Camp is one of the most amazing adventures in the world and has become a Mecca for adventure travel enthusiasts. Just imagine standing at the point where so many expeditions have left on their way to the summit of the highest mountain in the world. The trek ventures deep into the Himalayas with amazing views of many of the world’s highest and most beautiful mountains. Not only can you enjoy the breathtaking views across the Khumbu icefall, but you can experience all the amazing landscapes and culture that Nepal has to offer too.