Having been to many treks in our lifetime, mountains and breath-taking views are nothing new to us ghoomophiro sisters. But when it comes to the Himalayas, we always feel the challenge enthralling us, tempting us to come to see what lies beyond the city life. Brahmatal is a trek with the most fantastic views of Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti. So let’s take you on the journey to the Brahmatal summit with us.
Overview
Brahmatal is easy to a moderate winter trek. With two frozen lakes and panoramic views of the mountains, one has to walk approximately 24 km to undertake this 6-day trek. Situated in Uttarakhand, the Brahmatal Lake surrounded by snow-covered forests is at its grandest during December, January, February, and even March. The maximum altitude you have to endure is 12,100 ft.
How to Reach?
By train, via Kathgodam railway station which is connected to Lucknow, Delhi, and many other places. Train ticket for both sleeper and A/c class is cheap from Delhi with costs ranging between Rs 180 and Rs 450. But remember to book in advance.
By Bus, it is an 8-hour journey from Delhi to Kathgodam.
Day by day Itinerary
Day 1- Kathgodam – Lohajung
Our journey began once we reached Kathgodam from Delhi by train. We had already booked a trekking organization and many options are available online. As soon as we reached the station, we saw that the vehicles were waiting to pick us up and take us to Lohajung. It was 15 of us who were going on the trek. The road journey from Kathgodam to Lohajung was nothing but exposure to the beauty of Uttrakhand. The view was fantastic as we saw the marvels of nature on both sides. While the mountains stood tall and proud, the river flowed gently by. We crossed the Bhimtal Lake, Kausani and Dhewal on our way to Lohajung. It was a long and wonderful journey that took approximately 12 hours. We did stop at different places to have breakfast, lunch and the occasional tea. Once we reached the base camp at 7 in the evening, we ate dinner and were briefed about the upcoming days. We, the trekkers had already gotten familiar with each other. We sat and listened calmly about medical tips, trekking etiquettes, staying hydrated, etc. The day-long travel had already tired us and so we got inside our blankets and went to sleep.
Day 2- Lohajung – Bekaltal
The second day, our actual trek began and it spanned five hours with us trailing in and out of the treeline, all exposed to the marvelous views. The snaky trail took us firstly to a village called Mandoli. That was our first rest stop after moving from Lohajung. The trek got gradually harder as we ascended the mountain and we saw a breath-taking valley formed by the confluence of Mountain Kali and Pindari. There were many muddy huts on our way and we did stop to take pictures with them. From there, the rhododendron forests began which are a treat to the eyes. They grow red during February but while we were trekking, it was a light trail. The rhododendron trees are not too tall but give ample shade while walking. The oak forests and rhododendron forests right on our first day of trekking was proof that this trek was going to be memorable. As soon as we moved out of the forest cover, we saw a wooden bridge and reaching Begum, our next resting spot. Then on, we saw Gujrani Stream and many other streams. Then finally our long trail had ended and we ate dinner before resting for the rest of the night.
Day 3:- Bekaltal to Brahmatal
The next day when we woke up, we saw snow all around. There was snow on our tents and even though we felt like sleeping in for a little longer, we had to wake up at 6 in the morning and head out for our journey. There was no internet access but we chatted among the other trekkers and mainly enjoyed the walkthrough meadows of Telandi, all spread like a snowfield. After we crossed the meadow, the highest point in the trek, we started feeling the altitude shift since now we had to descend to reach the basecamp of Brahmatal. The atmosphere at Brahmatal was fantastic. There was a small temple there with bright yellow flags. Brahmatal Lake was a small walk from the temple and it was frozen in the stone-cold weather. We were surrounded by the Almora and Nainital valley as the Mountain peaks of Trishul, Nanda Ghunti and Himalayas stood strong and tall. As far as eyes could see, there was a soaring beauty of nature. The aura of Brahmatal Lake was simply incredible.
Day 4- Bramhatal – Bramhatal summit – Bramhatal
The next morning we woke up to the beauty of the frozen lake with the sunlight falling on it. As we walked ahead seeing streams being made out of melting snow, we felt like each slope was going to be the last. We had essentials in our backpacks and sometimes the beauty of trek was overshadowed by the tough times but the will to reach the top kept us going. The last 1 kilometer to the top was the hardest and a fight between going on and giving up. As the final walk ended, we sighed with relief. It was an inexplicable experience making it to the top as there we saw magnificent views of the mountains from the Brahmatal summit. The feeling of finally accomplishing what we had come to achieve was beyond imagination. It was one of the moments we would cherish all our lives. The trail down is different than the trail that got us there since we saw a 180-degree view of the Himalayan Range. Click fantastic pictures of Nilgiri mountains, peaks of Mandi, Mana, Maitoli, Haukhambha and Nanda Ghunti.
Day 5: Brahmatal – Lohajung
Now it was the last day of walking and we were supposed to descend to Lohajung. It was a 10 km long trail with villages like Wan on the way. We started the trek back early in the morning and though the trail was mostly downhill, somehow we weren’t motivated enough for it. We wished to explore the trek, even more, stay there for little longer and capture as much as we could both on our cameras and our mind. The mental struggle of not wanting to leave with the physical struggle of hurting limbs and knees was weighing us down but our fellow trekkers and trek leader kept us going with fantastic mythological tales of Brahmatal. Time seemed to pass a little slower than expected and it was still an hour till we reached the basecamp and yet we already wanted to pass out in a tent nearby. When we finally reached Lohajung, it was still an accomplishment since now we had finished the complete trek successfully. Despite the adversities, we had made it back.
Day 6:- Lohajung to Kathgodam
Our last day was spend travelling back to Kathgodam from Lohajung. The night before, we had slept like dead horses with our limbs aching and us knowing that there was no more walking to be done the day after. We moved from Kathgodam after breakfast and said goodbye to the beautiful Uttarakhand. The trek wouldn’t have been truly complete without our pitstop at Kausani where we went souvenir shopping to commemorate a successful trek. After reaching the railway station, we were off to our journey back to Delhi.
It was when we were on the train that we thought about our entire experience. Life in the mountains is entirely different from city life. While city life is stressing, busy and challenging, the mountains challenge more than just your brains. They calm your soul, challenge your body, can be exhausting but the trekking experience is addictive. Trekking makes you feel closer to nature and also makes you realise how close you can be with the earth. The sight of clouds so near to us, marvellous sunset and grand mountains left an imprint on our hearts. Go Trekking towards Brahmatal whenever you wish, though we definitely recommend the winter trek. It might be harder but the views of snow-covered peaks and snowfields are worth it.
North India is one of the most gifted lands when it comes to natural beauty – whether it be in its beautiful Himalayas offering Panoramic views or historical cities like Delhi or Agra. Delhi, Agra, Kashmir, Mussoorie, Chandigarh, Jammu, Nainital, Ladakh, Dehra-dun, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Mohali, Amritsar, etc the list goes on and on. Today, we will bring you a list of 5 must-see destinations in North India.:
1.Mussoorie
Aptly dubbed as the Queen of hills, Mussoorie is the first destination in our list of 5 must-see destinations in North India. It might as well be called the travel capital on North India for it is a favorite tourist spot for people of Delhi, Chandigarh, NOIDA, etc looking for a hills station getaway for a weekend. The Kempty falls of Mussoorie is a really fun picnic spot if you are traveling with family or friends. The spirituality important Jawalaji temple of great spiritual importance for Hindus is not much far. You can do your shopping at Mall road and the best of it all is that you can do all this and much more within two or three days and still be back home in time to find enough rest before you start on your next week.
How to reach Mussoorie?
Mussoorie is connected by roadway to Delhi via Saharanpur-Delhi road – a distance of only two hundred and ninety kilometers from Delhi. The nearest railway station and airport though both at Dehra-dun from where you will have to get a taxi or a bus to Mussoorie – a bus leaves for Mussoorie every hour or two.
2.Chandigarh
Next, in our list of 5 must-see places in North India is Chandigarh. A union territory and a capital of two states, Chandigarh is one of the few planned cities of the country and one of the cleanest. Thus it is no surprise that it is one of the most favored destinations in Western India. The Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake are some of the major tourist attraction but its strength lies in its markets (especially popular is the market in Sector-17). Being the educational capital of Punjab and Haryana, It has developed a very active nightlife too.
How to reach Chandigarh?
National Highway 1 connects Chandigarh to New Delhi. The green city is well connected by rail, road, and air with all major cities in the region.
3.New Delhi
How can the capital of the country be left out of our list of 5 must-see places in North India? New Delhi has a rich history and thus have many historical landmarks – Qutub Minar, Lal Kila, India Gate, Jama Masjid to name just a few and there are several museums making it a great destination if you are interested in country’s rich history. In case you are out for fun and partying, its pubs and nightclubs ensure a rich a nightlife.The street food here offers a great variety and is a tourist magnet in itself. And there are different markets selling almost everything on the planet and catering to consumers of different budgets.
How to reach Delhi?
Delhi’s international airport connects it to the rest of the world. It also has brilliant road and rail connectivity to the major cities of both North and South India
4.Jaipur
It seems preposterous not to include at least one of the amazing array of tourist destinations of the Rajput state of Rajasthan in our list of 5 must-see places in North India. And the city to get this credit is Jaipur. Dubbed as the pink city, Jaipur deserves the honor. Its popularity is owed mostly to its forts and historical sites – Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jal Mahal,Jaigarh Fort, City Palace, Nahargarh Fort to name only a few as well as to the friendly people who live here. One also gets a chance to enjoy the delicious street food and you can get photographed in traditional Rajasthani dresses. You can also buy locally handcrafted goods as souvenirs.
How to reach Jaipur?
In terms of convenience, nothing beats traveling by road – by bus. Sanganer airport that is only 12 kilometers away handles both local and international flights. However, we highly recommend trying a ride on Palace on Wheels at least once if you can.
5.Agra
Any list of 5 must-see places in North India would be incomplete without a mention of Agra – the city that is home to one of the seven wonders of the world – Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory and love for his deceased and beloved wife Nur Jahan. It is a stunning wonder in marble which is said to be the result of the labor of over twenty thousand masons, jewelers, workers, artists, etc whose hands, so the local legend tells us, were ordered to be cut off Shah Jahan after the construction was complete. The city is thus a magnet for romantic and honeymoon tourism among both local and international tourists.
How to reach Agra?
Agra’s airport hs flights to and from New Delhi. By railways, it is connected with major cities throughout the country while by road it is well connected to the surrounding region including Delhi.
Conclusion
How did you like this list? What places will make it to your list of 5 must-see places in North India? Do write to us in comments below. 🙂
Now monsoon is something that makes a tricky business. Most treks grow more hostile to trekkers during monsoon – the ones in particular in the Himalayas turn risky because of risks of landslides. That being said, there are treks that are best experienced during monsoons. Today, Ghoomophiro brings you a list of 5 amazing monsoon treks in India:
1. Valley of Flowers
There can be no scruples in our list of 5 amazing monsoon treks in India. Not only Valley of Flowers shows all its Glory in monsoons but it is in fact closed for the rest of the year. A part of Valley of Flowers National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the trek is in NandaDevi Biosphere Reserve.Hundreds of different kinds of flowers, colorful butterflies, birds, and some wildlife is on offer for your eyes to feast on in this valley.
2. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Jammu & Kashmir
Another trek to the beauty of which, monsoon is bust an ornament, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is second in our list of 5 amazing monsoon treks in India. Your eyes feast on beautiful snow-clad mountain peaks and mesmerizing lakes as you roam on this incredible trek.
3. Hampta Pass trek
Third, in our list of 5 amazing monsoon treks in India is Hampta Pass Trek. The trek acts as a link between Kullu Valley and Lahaul Valley, this incredibly beautiful trail begins at Manali, and offers amazing views of mountains and glaciers.
4. Zanskar Valley Trek
The fourth in our list of 5 amazing treks in North India is the Zanskar Valley Trek of Ladakh which hardly receives any monsoon rains at all. Among sights offered by the trek are Hamlet’s, Kargil, Wildlife, monasteries, mountain passes, etc.
5. Spiti Valley Trek
One of the best treks in our list of 5 amazing monsoon treks in India, Spiti Valley Trek is the best trek for those looking for more challenging treks in monsoons. The beauty of natural scenery it has to offer remains unspoiled by monsoon rains. Feeling takes you on a walk through a Tibetan Hamlet of Changtang, monasteries, Tso Moriri lake and Parang Pass in this long and challenging trek.
And a bonus trek just for you,
Nanda Devi Sanctuary Trek
This challenging trek has stunning natural beauty on offer, especially during monsoons. You can also come across a lot of wild animals on this trek including Arrow, Brown Bear, Himalayan Thar, etc.
Conclusion
Trekking in monsoon is never completely safe. We highly recommend that you keep an eye on the weather and be extra careful especially when around water bodies and near cliffs. Also, ensure you take the necessary precautions that we must always take while going trekking.
Are you considering a trekking expedition this summer? What are your plans for it? Do write to us in comments below. 🙂
The growing appetite for climbing the highest mountain of the world brings with it, tons of pros and cons. The ones who make the dream come true are the unsung heroes who attain the trophy of lifetime – eternal glory. To climb the Mt Everest is a mighty undertaking and not only does it take enough courage and confidence but also an intense amount of prolonged training.
In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first explorers to reach the summit of Mount Everest and, encouraging the mountaineering community spirit of the time, they agreed not to reveal who actually set foot on the top first.
Tenzing’s legacy is that about 10,000 Sherpas are employed in Nepal’s mountaineering and hiking industry, earning wages well above the national average. They have solely devoted themselves to plan routes, prepare meals at the harshest of situations, and help their clients achieve the biggest dream of their bucket list. They also save the lives of numerous people, carrying them and assisting them during sickness and injuries.
However, as adventurous as it seems, climbing Mt Everest is nevertheless, not a bed of roses. According to estimates, 2019 has become one of the deadliest climbing seasons in history on the world’s highest mountain – with inexperienced adventurers, bottlenecks and climbing firm cutting corners.
Pros of climbing Mt Everest –
Sense of Achievement: One of the mightiest benefits of Climbing Mt Everest that come with the completion of this expedition is the sense of achievement – an accomplishment of one of the biggest challenges. This totally gives an outright boost to your self-esteem and encourages you to try new adventures in life.
Fitness increment: To climb Mt Everest, one needs a great intensity of patience, perseverance, and training. It takes months and years to prepare for the day, hence, you would need to have the excellent physical fitness to complete the expedition. This is like an add-on to your accomplishment as you will prefer to keep your fitness intact even after you go home.
Life-Changing experience: If you succeed in this expedition of yours, your entire outlook of the world is bound to change. Climbing Mt Everest is one of the hardest things in the world and with its accomplishment, you will start to believe more in your capabilities and accept even harder challenges of life with a smile. So, if you love challenges and extremely open to prolonged hardcore training and preparation, this is for you.
Challenges of climbing Mt Everest-
Intense traffic: Due to the overwhelming quest for Climbing Mt Everest, there have been ‘intense traffic’ of crowds lined up to reach the summit. Due to prolonged lining up amidst snow, people often fall victim to altitude sickness, frostbite and many more.
Bad weather: Avalanches, frostbite, extreme weather, sudden falls and lack of oxygen have led to the huge number of deaths last year. However, this year, fatalities have been blamed on too huge crowds and inexperienced climbers. So, perfect preparation and training are highly necessary.
Lack of support: The rise of “low-cost” domestic firms, that in some cases offer expeditions at less than $35,000, half the price of more established rivals, creates incentives for cost-cutting, climbers said. They offer inadequate food and stay options which can be harmful too.
The debate on climbing Mt Everest as an ‘adventurous experience’ is nevertheless divided into two groups – pro-climbers and anti-climbers. Not to mention, climbing Mt Everest has greater threats to life than anything else on this world and the cons are never-ending, but it is not impossible. If you are trained, confident, well-equipped and determined, you can achieve your lifetime accomplishment. Every single person to climb Everest will tell you that it has been the adventure of a lifetime, and one that they would uptake again gladly.
Odisha combines many kinds of tourist attractions in itself – the tribal culture, the ancient Hindu temple famous for both their religious importance and art and architecture, sea beaches, Wildlife spots etc.
I had a lot of fun visiting this tribal state and it is impossible to catalog all the fun things one can do here but here is a list of ten things I loved doing most.
1. Temples
Odisha’s popularity as a tourist destination lies with its golden triangle for the most part – Bhubaneshwar, Puri, and Konark. All these three cities are in turn famous for their temples. Thus we start off with these amazing temples
Konark Sun Temple
The Konark Sun temple has been declared UNESCO world heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the world. The temple is built in shape of a huge chariot with twenty-four giant wheels (showing either twenty-four hours of a day or two aspects (Shukla and Krishna Paksha) of twelve months and twelve giant horses. Though much of this temple is now ruins, the reliefs and sculptors of the temple still make it one of the most popular landmarks of Odisha. I couldn’t help feeling proud of the grandeur of Indian architecture when I visited this temple Kama craving on the walls of this temple has got a lot of attention during the British rule and gave me goosebumps.
Jagannath Temple
One of four Dhams of Hinduism, Jagannath Puri, is one of the biggest attractions for religious tourism in India. It is one of the four sacred Dhams of Hinduism. Though the temple was crowded, the architectural beauty and spiritual peace, the visit gave me made it more than worth it. I was at just the perfect time to see the Rath Yatra, an annual festival, though the occasion might have added to the crowd of pilgrims too
Temples of Bhuvaneshwar
Bhubaneshwar (literally ‘king of land’) is the capital of Odisha. Its old name meant ‘temple city’ and it really is the temple city of India. The city is divided into two part – the temple city and the more developed urban parts.
It has been said there are more than a thousand temples in the city. Now that was too many for me but, I wasn’t obviously going to miss the best ones. Lingaraj temple takes the cake of all the temples here – it is third best temple after Konark Sun temple and Jagannath Puri temple. However, there were some other temples that I will recommend if you got the time – Parashurameshvara Temple, Ram Mandir Rajarani temple, Mukteswara temple etc.
3. Sea Beaches
After having too much of humanity at Jagganath temple, I thought a sea beach evening was in order. And a sea beach was available only a few minutes away. The four hundred and sixty kilometers long coastline of Odisha have plenty of beaches to offer and Puri sea beach is one of the busier ones but it also offers all the comforts that come with commercialization.
If you are looking for a more quiet beach, away from commercialization and urban noises, there are a bunch you in Odisha you can try. Some of them are Balramgadhi Beach, the Astranga Beach, the Paradeep Beach, the Pati Sonalpur Beach and Gopalpur sea beach. I can not forget the experience which Astranga beach and Sonalpur, in particular, left me with.
4. Chilika Lake
There are many lakes in Odisha like freshwater Ansupa Lak of Cuttack, Kanjia lake etc but all of them fade away when compared to delights that Chilika lake had to offer. It had dolphins!
Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon of India and, also, the second largest lagoon in the World. It is home to several spices of migratory birds and rare and endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins, Looking at those pretty dolphins here was the best thing I did in all of my Odisha tours.
5. Exploring Wildlife
Orissa is just as much about wildlife as it is about arts, history, and temples. There are several venues to explore for wildlife enthusiasts – National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Animal reserves, Zoos Wetlands etc. Personally, I loved the Silipal National Park and Bhitarkanika’s wetlands.
Silipal National Park
Located in the Mayurbhanj districtSilipal National Park of Odisha is an elephant reserve. Several Royal Bengal Tigers,Wild Indian elephants, Indian Bison, Chausingha etc find their home in this amazing National Park.
Another thing that I enjoyed extremely is Barehipani Waterfall at Baripada. At about 400 meters, this is the tallest waterfall of Odisha and one of top ten tallest waterfalls in India
Another waterfall, Joranda Falls is located close to it. Khandadhar Falls of Sundagarh is also popular.
Bhitarkanika National Park
Created by river delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers in Bhitarkanika National Park, Bhitarkanika Mangroves is one of the largest Ramsar vegetations in India. It is a mangrove swamp and home to several endangered species like Indian python, Saltwater Crocodile, White Crocodile, King Cobra etc. The sight of White Crocodile gave me goosebumps!
Nandankanan Zoological Park
There is also the Nandan Kanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneshwar. The zoo and botanical garden enshrine rare Asiatic lions, Indian crocodilians, big rock Pythons, White tigers etc. There is an aquarium too and a reptile park which is guarded by Tyrannosaurus Rex.
6. Caves of Khandagiri and Udaigiri
These caves, which are home to an ancient monastery, had some of the most splendid images that I have seen in Odisha outside of Konark Sun Temple and are much older than that belong to golden ancient ages of the country. The scenic beauty from the top of hills is itself splendid. Remember to beware of monkeys and carry your bottles. Start in time to be able to enjoy the sunset from the top of the hill.
7. Dhauli Giri
Visiting Dhauli Giri made me literally feel that I have time traveled to India’s ancient part. The site is historically important, as it is the place where the famous Kalinga war is supposed to have taken place. The war that melted the heart of King Ashoka, making him go all non-violent and Buddhist. The edicts of great Ashoka were the best things for me especially the Shanti Stupa.Among other attractions were Budha statue, Shiva temple, and white peace pagoda.
8.Museums
Odisha boasts of rich history and this history is celebrated in a number of museums here.
Odisha State Museum in the capital holds several treasures – Palm Leaf Inscriptions, paintings done in traditional style etc.
Tribal Research Institute Museum, which is also known as ‘Museum of gives you a chance to observe and study tribal art and artifacts, displayed in its five different parts. These parts are – Personal Adornments in first Hall, Belongings, Arts, Paintings & Photographs in second Hall, Hunting & Fishing Implements & Weapons of Offence and Defense in the third hall, Household Objects and Agricultural Implements in the fourth hall and Dance, Musical Instruments and Dhokra Items in the fifth hall.
If you aren’t old school, when it comes to art, we recommend the Modern Art Gallery which is full of little treasures of modern art.
All the above museums are in Bhubaneshwar. The capital city also has the Regional Museum of Natural History which displays taxidermy of different animals.
9. Hirakund Dam
There are a number of small dams in Odisha. A couple of them provide ready spots for a picnic with family and friends. Hirakund Dam though has a grandeur of its own. I was left awe-struck by its vastness. It stands on Mahanadi river at fifteen kilometers distance from Odisha. The surrounding vegetation combined with vast amounts of water stored in the dam creates a very awesome view.
10. Go Shopping
Bhubaneshwar is one of the first planned cities of India. And its urban half has a lot of awesome shopping points. There is the phrase I market, which is most popular among the middle-class shop alcoholics for its cheap products. You can buy clothes, electronic accessories, makeup products, cosmetics etc here at the cheapest rates. Another market for budget customers would be Station Square. There is also a market specifically for sarees – ‘Saree Mandir’. When shopping in these markets, be prepared to bargain – as the shopkeepers put high prices anticipating that you will bargain. Also, be extra careful with your valuables.
Handicrafts Villages
If you are looking for souvenirs let it be something artistic – Patthachitra paintings or palm leaves carvings or other such handicrafts. Raghurampur, a village just fourteen kilometers drive from Puri is devoted to making the most beautiful handicrafts – from Palm leave inscriptions to Stone and wood carvings to wooden toys. It is definitely worth a visit for every art lover. Shop for something – and spend some time window-shopping the handicrafts on display. Another village Pipli, thirty-eight kilometers from Puri, is devoted to colorful applique work. This can be a good place to get beautiful decorative items, handicrafts, personal accessories etc. We recommend a visit to these villages as it will also give you a chance to look into the village life of the state.
And of course:
Try Street Food
I can not visit a place without trying its street food, it just won’t feel complete. For a foodie, there are delights of seafood available at sea beaches and pure vegetarian cuisine offered at major restaurants. But streets food everywhere is just yummy! And Odisha has several of its own local delights to offer in this regard.
There are several other amazing things that I did there, so many amazing places to see – Sishupalgarh-a ruined fortification, Lalitgiri-a Buddhist complex, Second Mahanadi Rail Bridge to name a few. And of course, you can go shopping as well. There is a flea market in a phrase I, a great place for budget shopping. There is also a saree mandir, market devoted entirely to sarees. I so, so, so wanna talk about them but I had resolved, it was a stupid thing, to go on a word diet and so am limiting myself to merely those ten things.
Travel Blogging is made out to be such a glamorous job and we constantly get emails asking us what it is like and how can people set up their own travel blog. What people don’t understand is the work that goes behind keeping up a travel blog. It may not be a regular 9 to 5 job but it still requires a lot of hard work and working all the time whether it is weekend or holidays. So this post is to let you guys take a peek behind the curtain and let you see what each day is like in the life of a travel blogger.
Our day begins at 7-7:30
Though we aren’t much of morning people unless there’s an agenda like catching a beautiful sunset or an early flight. But the day does star with a short walk and a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. This is also the time when we check our schedule for the day or sometimes the coming week. It includes the daily social media content we must put up among other things like the places to visit that day, some basic details about the travel plans.
We plan the trip and have all the details regarding it saved. It becomes necessary to glance it over early in the morning to get a fair idea of how the day would pan out for us.
Social Media Plan
Being a Travel blogger requires one to have an impactful and consistent social media presence and while we do take pictures on the go and do live tweeting, it is still essential to plan out certain things in advance. Some posts are scheduled in case there is weak wifi connectivity where we are travelling. Whether it is India or travelling abroad, sometimes it gets hard to find internet connectivity except for in the hotel, so we keep a social media plan in hand.
This includes posts and pictures about our previous trips, some basic guides about the place we are travelling to and when there is internet available, live updates as well as personal experience write-ups. Though we prefer to write these things at night, we type out certain memorable instances on the go along with pictures so it jogs our memory when we actually start to write.
Our social media plan is also planned beforehand in the same way as our travels. And the bulletin is scheduled keeping in mind the destinations of our travel. It is really helpful but we also keep updating it according to circumstance, keeping it flexible.
Working on the go
That’s one of the things about being a travel blogger. You have to learn how to work on the go. This doesn’t require much of internet connection unless we need to research something. Otherwise, basic document software works fine for preparing the posts. Though we do live in the moment and enjoy the travels, the thought of how to present a particular place is always in the back of our mind. Preparing a blog post is not as easy as it sounds and more often than not requires research to be done, thorough knowledge and a unique style is needed to make the blog stand out from all others.
Real Time Travel:
No matter what it looks like, work isn’t ALL we do. That is why travel blogging is fun because you also get to travel to amazing places and know the stories related to that place. Being in the moment, doing things that fill you with adrenaline on one hand and peace, on the other hand, is worth it. We leave the real travelling and visiting places part for the afternoon because of perfect lighting and the day just keeps us refreshed. Meanwhile, as we work and travel, it is almost time for sunset. And that isn’t something we s travellers ever want to miss.
Meetings on the go:
Checking up on our family, friends as well as responding to emails, messages and blog comments, it is all done during the travel. We generally find a secluded coffee shop or any nice quiet space to deal with all that. This is also the perfect time to reach out to people. We generally find evenings more comfortable to have a cup of tea with locals and get chatty. It also is a great time to visit heritage places or beaches.
Night
Night time is perfect for two things depending on the place you have been travelling to. If it is a serene place, we like to go for a long walk beneath the starry sky and if it is more of a modern place with a good nightlife, then, clubbing and going out for drinks comes on the agenda. Night time can often be just as good to have a full experience of place and absorbing its beauty as daytime. We are kind of night owls so instead of spending the time recuperating in our hotel rooms, we prefer to roam around.
An Hour before sleep
Usually, by this time, we are already exhausted and ready to get cosy in bed. But before we fall asleep, we check if there is anything left on our checklists, something we forgot to do or any urgent proposal to consider. It is also the time to process and post any pictures we found intriguing. If we didn’t get time to write or work during the day because of some reason, we finish it up before sleeping which can be hard because of exhaustion but one has to fight it.
So that is all. That shows you how we live our lives while on the move, managing travelling and blogging at the same time. But when we aren’t travelling and are back home, we relax and spend time with our families and friends, try to indulge in other things like catching up on books or TV shows or do our favourite thing- plan for our next travel adventures.
Located 11 km away from the Library point in Mussoorie is Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, surrounded by pine trees and views of snow-capped mountains. This sanctuary is a part of the Rajaji National Park in the ‘Queen of Hills’. The place is popular among bird-watchers since it is a haven for rare bird species. Set among dense forests, it also gives the nature lover something to be enthused about and also the mesmerizing sights of the peaks of Chaukhamba and Bandar Punch.
What to do there?
Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful place and there are plenty of attractions here, of course, everything is connected to nature because that is the biggest highlight of the place. Major ones being:
Flora
The whole sanctuary is surrounded by pine-covered slopes and there are plenty of medicinal herbs and plants in the area as well. Benedictory pines old cedar trees and Fir trees are seen all around the place and as we walked amidst that dense forest, we felt like we were lost in a fairy tale.
Fauna
This is one of the major attractions of the place—its wide range of rare and beautiful bird species. It is a hub for bird-watchers who can spot White Capped Water Redstart birds, mountain quails and Red Billed Blue Magpie among other wide variety of birds. There are also many wild animal species such as Himalayan bear, deep, leopard and panthers that can be spotted.
Trekking:
The sanctuary offers multiple trekking opportunities for the area within or surrounding areas. We took a trek from cloud’s endpoint to Benog Sanctuary, watching amazing views on the way. Since the sanctuary is located amidst the solitary region of Mussoorie, it is perfect for people looking forward to spending some alone time in solace. It is away from the hassle of the crowded city.
Our experience:
The place gave us a complete ‘Into the wild’ feeling as we explored the wilderness on foot, with our camera in our hands. There were just so many places where we just wanted to sit and not move for hours at end. Benog Wildlife sanctuary is one place that is still unmarked by degradation through heavy tourism. Everything is still natural and raw there. There were so many beautiful birds, some of which we were able to capture in our camera. Trekking with such incredible views was a delight as well, and the snow-capped mountains just added a cherry to the top. It is the perfect place to escape from the city and take a day off. Mussoorie is one of the top tourist attractions, and this wildlife sanctuary showed us exactly why that is. Our visit to Benog Wildlife sanctuary turned out to be a perfect mix of leisure and adventure holiday.
Travel Tips:
The timings for the sanctuary are 7 am to 5 am so it is preferred to leave early since vehicles are not too easily available and one should have enough time to explore the place.
Best Time to visit would be April to November, though the sanctuary does remain open throughout the year.
Where to Stay?
There are plenty of accommodation options near the sanctuary itself ranging from luxury hotels, resorts to budget hotels.
How to Reach?
From Library point, public and private buses are easily available and it is 11km away by Road.
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport which is 60 km away from Mussoorie.
The nearest railways station is Dehradun Railway Station which is 30 km from Mussoorie.
So hurry up and start planning your next getaway to Mussoorie! The natural beauty, scenic views, natural wilderness is all worth it.
Thousands of people travel to Nepal every year for trekking to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. Nepal is a worldwide famous spot for such adventure sports and hiking expeditions and as such, quite popular among adventure junkies. We are going to delve into this detailed guide for Everest base camp trek options, which is based on our latest adventure to the place.
The Everest Base Camp is known to be the most popular trekking destination, located amidst the peak of the highest mountain in the world. People come from all over the world to trek over here, every year and the usual trekker count reaches 40000.
After the successful expedition of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, the route became everyone’s dream.
Guide to Everest Base Camp Trek
There are many sights of various peaks on the journey that you will encounter and these sites will mesmerize you. Apart from the main attraction – Mt. Everest (8848m), you will also see Mt Nuptse(7855m), Lobuche peak(6145m), Pokalde peak (5806m), Mt Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Lingterin (6679m), Mt. Amadablam (6856m), Mt. Pumori (7161m), Mt. Changaste (7550m), Mt. Kantega( 6685m), Mt.Kusum Khagaru (6367m), Mt. Twache peak (6367m), Mt. Cholaste (6335m), Mt.Kusum Khagaru (6367m), Mt.Kongde (6011m), Mt. Thamserku(6723m), Mt. Khumbila(5761m) , Honku south peak (6119m) , Island peak(6179m) and many more.
Located in Everest region, which is the second best trekking region in Nepal, this trek is filled with views of flora and fauna. The walk through this region among the beautiful green hills along with thick forests, glacier lakes, elegant rivers and graceful waterfalls is an incredible experience in itself.
This region also includes a UNESCO World Heritage site in its midst that is a home to several rare and endangered species. The Sagarmatha National park is open for viewing and you can come across some of its wildlife treasures on your way.
There is also a unique culture that thrives in this region of Everest. Known as the Sherpa community, most of the people living in this region have a culture and lifestyle resembling Tibetians. The open-mindedness and friendly approach of these people make them special.
All these details are for the sole purpose of informing you because it is better to have a clear idea about a place before visiting. This article will briefly explain all the details you need to know for having a wondrous journey to the Himalayas.
General Itinerary for Everest Base Camp
This includes the most common path undertaken which leads to the Everest Base camp. You can always customize the route but will have to willing to spend more time exploring the place. The usual itinerary is as below:
Day 1: From Kathmandu,Fly to Lukla (2804 mt.), then Trek to Phakding (2610 mt.)
Day 2: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazar (3441 mt.)
Day 3: A break in Namche Bazar for Acclimatization
Day 4: Trek from Namche Bazar to Tengboche(3860 mt.)
Day 5: Begin Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4410 mt.)
Day 6: A break at Dingboche for Acclimatization
Day 7: Start Trek again from Dingboche to Lobuche (4910 mt.)
Day 8: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5153 mt.) to EBC and back to Gorakshep
Day 9: Start hiking to Kala Patthar and then trek to Pheriche (4210 mt.)
Day 12: Start Trekking from Namche Bazar to Lukla
Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu
If you don’t wish to fly to Lukla, you can take an alternative route to go to Everest Base camp via Jiri.
Train your body for the Everest trek
Everest is not a child’s play and while you do not need to have an athlete’s body, it is still required that your body is fit enough to endure the terrain. If you wake up sore every morning, you will not be able to enjoy the long walks. Thus, it is better to train your body with some easy methods:
•Four to six weeks before the trek, start doing regular exercises.
•Follow the cardio exercise routine like swimming, cycling etc
•While doing these exercises, try carrying a backpack.
•Do push-ups, pull-ups squat to strengthen your muscles.
•Do not over-exercise. The aim is to increase lung capacity and stamina.
What to pack for EBC Trek
The trek requires several types of equipment and you can choose according to your needs. Below is a list of all needed equipment:
Start from Trekking gears, you must have these:
•Waterproof heavy-weight gloves.
•Running shoes or sandals which would work as running shoes around camp.
•Hiking boots and shoes and carry a spare set of laces
•Wool or fleece trousers or pants
•Down vest or jacket
•Warm and thick woollen socks for hiking
•Gaiters (optional)
Some other things you will need during the trek are:
•Shorts
•Underwear
•Thermal Tops
•Plastic bags
•Sun hat or scarf
•Waterproof shell jacket
•T-shirts
•Socks
•Cotton trousers
•Thermal gloves
•Thermal Bottoms
•Fleece jacket
•UV protection sunglasses
•Sleeping bag
•A daypack (35-40 litres/2500-3000 cubic inches)
•Water bottle
•Toiletries
•First aid kit
•Waterproof shell trousers
•Small wash towel
•Camping mattress
Some things to should know about the equipment
•It is not compulsory to buy all items on the list. Use your own judgment according to necessity.
•The footwear you choose must be comfortable and durable. Make sure that the boots are lightweight trekking boots and the fabric should be good and waterproof. Blisters and shoe bites can often ruin the fun.
•You can buy a pair of gaiters for your legs.
•It is better to dress in layers to be able to regulate body temperature according to will. Choose the outfit according to weather conditions.
•The clothes must be lightweight too and specially designed for trekking.
•A waterproof shell outerwear is a must.
•Your body, head and hands should be kept as warm as possible.
Required Permits for Everest Base Camp
While the Everest region is not restricted and does not require any prior permit, if you will be entering the Sagarmatha National park, then you must pay a little amount of permit fees.
Health concerns
There are many risk concerns while trekking to such high altitude. Whether it is a minor or major injury caused by a careless step or a natural calamity, or a case of common cold and viral fever, there are many things that might go wrong.
Some of the most important issues that you must make yourself aware of before trekking to the Everest Base Camp are as follows:
Altitude Sickness
This is one of the most common sicknesses that happen when one ascends to higher altitudes. The symptoms appear within six to twenty-four hours. But it is not something to be taken casually because altitude sickness can be fatal and must be treated in time. One must stay alert for any symptoms.
Symptoms
The symptoms of altitude sickness are mentioned below:
•Dizziness
•Tiredness
•Headaches
•Nausea and Vomiting
•Upset stomach
•Loss of appetite
•Shortness of breath
•Difficulty sleeping
•Feeling unsteady
•Increased heart rate
An effective measure to recover from early AMS
In case you observe any of the above symptoms, follow the following guidelines immediately:
•Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
•Take medicines immediately
•Stop climbing and do not climb for further 48 hours
•Make sure you rest until you feel better
•Try descending to a lower altitude if possible
•Take external oxygen if necessary
•Do not smoke
•Do not exercise.
If despite all these, you do not see your condition improving within the next 48 hours, you will need to be immediately deported for medical support in the city.
Preventive Measures
Though there are no ways to make your body adapt to high altitude before the trek begins, there are some ways to avoid AMS which are:
•Start ascending slowly and gradually till you reach higher
•Drink plenty of water on the way to stay hydrated
•Avoid drinking, smoking or any tranquilizing medicine.
•Let your body rest properly.
•Eat high-calorie food as your body needs it.
Sunburn issues
Higher altitudes cause sunburn more easily and therefore, it is essential to carry an abundant amount of effective sunscreen lotion. Something with a strong SPF like SPF 80 is suggested and make sure to apply it daily in adequate amounts.
The sun’s wrath doesn’t end there and you will have to protect your eyes from the sun rays as well. Carry good polarized sunglasses.
Insurance
Insurance is very important while going on such a trek and remember not to start a trek without it. In case you fall prey to Altitude sickness or any natural calamity, you might have to be deported in a helicopter and Insurance covers such costs, but you will have to purchase it beforehand. The easiest way is to reach out to any Travel agent and ask them regarding the purchase of Health insurance. They will guide you through the process or you can research it on your own if you want. But this is one of the important things you must not forget.
Trekking options
There are plenty of options for trekking to Everest Base Camp such as:
•Porter/Guide Combo
•Small Group Tour with Guide with Porter
•Private Guide with no Porter
•Private Guide with Porter
•No Guide with Porter
•No Guide and No Porter
Hiring a guide and a porter
Though it isn’t compulsory for you to travel with a guide, it is recommended. Guides have good knowledge and more experience about trekking. They usually make the trek easier by guiding through navigations, suggesting good places to stay at and eat, and they can also help with negotiating price at various places. In case of emergencies, a guide is quite helpful but before hiring one makes sure to check their license.
A porter is just someone to carry your baggage so you can enjoy your journey more comfortable. In current times, Guide-porters are also available so it just depends on what you want to choose for yourself. Guide-porters help cut down additional expenses as these are experienced porters who are close to becoming a certified guide.
Best season for trekking
If you are trekking to Everest Base Camp, the months of March to May (Spring) and September to December (Autumn) are considered the best. The weather during these months is pleasant and you can make the most out of the trekking experience by enjoying the walks and weather. The rainfall is also limited or there is none at all which removes additional hassle. In the month of May, the flowers will be blooming in the rhododendron forest. The clear skies also help in making sure you get the best view of the Himalayan ranges.
Enjoy your Everest Trek!
The Everest Base Camp Trek is every trekker’s dream. So we hope this Trek guide helped you out in your plans. Just the thought of standing at the highest peak fills us with such excitement. And though the journey sounds so difficult, in reality, it is just not so. There are just so many things to enjoy and savor along the way that one almost forgets the weariness and forgets to pay attention to the tiredness of the body. But if you follow the tips and tricks mentioned in the guide, you will have a complete and a pleasant trip which will be unforgettable. Drop us a note at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com for any Everest related query.
Thousands of people travel to Nepal every year for trekking to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. Nepal is a worldwide famous spot for such adventure sports and hiking expeditions and as such, quite popular among adventure junkies. We are going to delve into this detailed guide for Everest based camp trek options.
The Everest Base Camp is known to be the most popular trekking destination, located amidst the peak of the highest mountain in the world. People come from all over the world to trek over here, every year and the usual trekker count reaches 40000.
After the successful expedition of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, the route became everyone’s dream. Since it is one of the earliest opened treks for foreigners.
Guide to Everest Base Camp Trek
There are many sights of various peaks on the journey that you will encounter and these sites will mesmerize you. Apart from the main attraction – Mt. Everest (8848m), you will also see Mt Nuptse(7855m), Lobuche peak(6145m), Pokalde peak (5806m), Mt Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Lingterin (6679m), Mt. Amadablam (6856m), Mt. Pumori (7161m), Mt. Changaste (7550m), Mt. Kantega( 6685m), Mt.Kusum Khagaru (6367m), Mt. Twache peak (6367m), Mt. Cholaste (6335m), Mt.Kusum Khagaru (6367m), Mt.Kongde (6011m), Mt. Thamserku(6723m), Mt. Khumbila(5761m) , Honku south peak (6119m) , Island peak(6179m) and many more.
Located in Everest region, which is the second best trekking region in Nepal, this trek is filled with views of flora and fauna. The walk through this region among the beautiful green hills along with thick forests, glacier lakes, elegant rivers and graceful waterfalls is an incredible experience in itself.
This region also includes a UNESCO World Heritage site in its midst that is a home to several rare and endangered species. The Sagarmatha National park is open for viewing and you can come across some of its wildlife treasures on your way.
There is also a unique culture that thrives in this region of Everest. Known as the Sherpa community, most of the people living in this region have a culture and lifestyle resembling Tibetians. The open-mindedness and friendly approach of these people make them special.
All these details are for the sole purpose of informing you because it is better to have a clear idea about a place before visiting. This article will briefly explain all the details you need to know for having a wondrous journey to the Himalayas.
General Itinerary for Everest Base Camp
This includes the most common path undertaken which leads to the Everest Base camp. You can always customize the route but will have to willing to spend more time exploring the place. The usual itinerary is as below:
Day 1: From Kathmandu,Fly to Lukla (2804 mt.), then Trek to Phakding (2610 mt.)
Day 2: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazar (3441 mt.)
Day 3: A break in Namche Bazar for Acclimatization
Day 4: Trek from Namche Bazar to Tengboche(3860 mt.)
Day 5: Begin Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4410 mt.)
Day 6: A break at Dingboche for Acclimatization
Day 7: Start Trek again from Dingboche to Lobuche (4910 mt.)
Day 8: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5153 mt.) to EBC and back to Gorakshep
Day 9: Start hiking to Kala Patthar and then trek to Pheriche (4210 mt.)
Day 12: Start Trekking from Namche Bazar to Lukla
Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu
If you don’t wish to fly to Lukla, you can take an alternative route to go to Everest Base camp via Jiri.
Train your body for the Everest trek
Everest is not a child’s play and while you do not need to have an athlete’s body, it is still required that your body is fit enough to endure the terrain. If you wake up sore every morning, you will not be able to enjoy the long walks. Thus, it is better to train your body with some easy methods:
•Four to six weeks before the trek, start doing regular exercises.
•Follow the cardio exercise routine like swimming, cycling etc
•While doing these exercises, try carrying a backpack.
•Do push-ups, pull-ups squat to strengthen your muscles.
•Do not over-exercise. The aim is to increase lung capacity and stamina.
What to pack for Everest Trek
The trek requires several types of equipment and you can choose according to your needs. Below is a list of all needed equipment:
Start from Trekking gears, you must have these:
•Waterproof heavy-weight gloves.
•Running shoes or sandals which would work as running shoes around camp.
•Hiking boots and shoes and carry a spare set of laces
•Wool or fleece trousers or pants
•Down vest or jacket
•Warm and thick woollen socks for hiking
•Gaiters (optional)
Some other things you will need during the trek are:
•Shorts
•Underwear
•Thermal Tops
•Plastic bags
•Sun hat or scarf
•Waterproof shell jacket
•T-shirts
•Socks
•Cotton trousers
•Thermal gloves
•Thermal Bottoms
•Fleece jacket
•UV protection sunglasses
•Sleeping bag
•A daypack (35-40 litres/2500-3000 cubic inches)
•Water bottle
•Toiletries
•First aid kit
•Waterproof shell trousers
•Small wash towel
•Camping mattress
Some things to should know about the equipment
•It is not compulsory to buy all items on the list. Use your own judgment according to necessity.
•The footwear you choose must be comfortable and durable. Make sure that the boots are lightweight trekking boots and the fabric should be good and waterproof. Blisters and shoe bites can often ruin the fun.
•You can buy a pair of gaiters for your legs.
•It is better to dress in layers to be able to regulate body temperature according to will. Choose the outfit according to weather conditions.
•The clothes must be lightweight too and specially designed for trekking.
•A waterproof shell outerwear is a must.
•Your body, head and hands should be kept as warm as possible.
Required Permits for Everest Base Camp
While the Everest region is not restricted and does not require any prior permit, if you will be entering the Sagarmatha National park, then you must pay a little number of permit fees.
Health concerns
There are many risk concerns while trekking to such high altitude. Whether it is a minor or major injury caused by a careless step or a natural calamity, or a case of common cold and viral fever, there are many things that might go wrong.
Some of the most important issues that you must make yourself aware of before trekking to the Everest Base Camp are as follows:
Altitude Sickness
This is one of the most common sicknesses that happen when one ascends to higher altitudes. The symptoms appear within six to twenty-four hours. But it is not something to be taken casually because altitude sickness can be fatal and must be treated in time. One must stay alert for any symptoms.
Symptoms
The symptoms of altitude sickness are mentioned below:
•Dizziness
•Tiredness
•Headaches
•Nausea and Vomiting
•Upset stomach
•Loss of appetite
•Shortness of breath
•Difficulty sleeping
•Feeling unsteady
•Increased heart rate
An effective measure to recover from early AMS
In case you observe any of the above symptoms, follow the following guidelines immediately:
•Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
•Take medicines immediately
•Stop climbing and do not climb for further 48 hours
•Make sure you rest until you feel better
•Try descending to a lower altitude if possible
•Take external oxygen if necessary
•Do not smoke
•Do not exercise.
If despite all these, you do not see your condition improving within the next 48 hours, you will need to be immediately deported for medical support in the city.
Preventive Measures
Though there are no ways to make your body adapt to high altitude before the trek begins, there are some ways to avoid AMS which are:
•Start ascending slowly and gradually till you reach higher
•Drink plenty of water on the way to stay hydrated
•Avoid drinking, smoking or any tranquilizing medicine.
•Let your body rest properly.
•Eat high-calorie food as your body needs it.
Sunburn issues
Higher altitudes cause sunburn more easily and therefore, it is essential to carry an abundant amount of effective sunscreen lotion. Something with a strong SPF like SPF 80 is suggested and make sure to apply it daily in adequate amounts.
The sun’s wrath doesn’t end there and you will have to protect your eyes from the sun rays as well. Carry good polarized sunglasses.
Insurance
Insurance is very important while going on such a trek and remember not to start a trek without it. In case you fall prey to Altitude sickness or any natural calamity, you might have to be deported in a helicopter and Insurance covers such costs, but you will have to purchase it beforehand. The easiest way is to reach out to any Travel agent and ask them regarding the purchase of Health insurance. They will guide you through the process or you can research it on your own if you want. But this is one of the important things you must not forget.
Trekking options
There are plenty of options for trekking to Everest Base Camp such as:
•Porter/Guide Combo
•Small Group Tour with Guide with Porter
•Private Guide with no Porter
•Private Guide with Porter
•No Guide with Porter
•No Guide and No Porter
Hiring a guide and a porter
Though it isn’t compulsory for you to travel with a guide, it is recommended. Guides have good knowledge and more experience about trekking. They usually make the trek easier by guiding through navigations, suggesting good places to stay at and eat, and they can also help with negotiating price at various places. In case of emergencies, a guide is quite helpful but before hiring one makes sure to check their license.
A porter is just someone to carry your baggage so you can enjoy your journey more comfortable. In current times, Guide-porters are also available so it just depends on what you want to choose for yourself. Guide-porters help cut down additional expenses as these are experienced porters who are close to becoming a certified guide.
Best season for trekking
If you are trekking to Everest Base Camp, the months of March to May (Spring) and September to December (Autumn) are considered the best. The weather during these months is pleasant and you can make the most out of the trekking experience by enjoying the walks and weather. The rainfall is also limited or there is none at all which removes additional hassle. In the month of May, the flowers will be blooming in the rhododendron forest. The clear skies also help in making sure you get the best view of the Himalayan ranges.
Enjoy your Everest Trek!
The Everest Base Camp Trek is every trekker’s dream. So I hope this Trek guide helped you out in your plans. Just the thought of standing at the highest peak fills us with such excitement. And though the journey sounds so difficult, in reality, it is just not so. There are just so many things to enjoy and savour along the way that one almost forgets the weariness and forgets to pay attention to the tiredness of the body. But if you follow the tips and tricks mentioned in the guide, you will have a complete and a pleasant trip which will be unforgettable.
It’s easy to find the itineraries and guides to the base camp easily, each explaining how the journey is not too tough. Well, as long as it isn’t climbing Everest, right?
Well, like the great saying, “It is not about the destination but about the journey,” we actually felt it is true on this trip. The trek to Everest Base Camp is not the actual climb to Everest but a hike to where the actual climbers begin from. That doesn’t make it any less special. The walks are equally beautiful though ours was a little less challenging.
Mount Everest towers 8848m above sea level over the Himalayas and is every adventurer’s dream. Our dreams only took us as far as the Everest base camp which is still 5364m above sea level and not child’s play. It was common sense to think that the trek would be hard but we underestimated the level of effort it would require getting to the feet of the world’s highest mountain peak. While it was all about reaching the destination when we embarked on this journey, looking back from the destination, we realized it was more about the trip, because the base camp itself was nothing more than a pile of rocks, though, with a great view.
This blog entry is all about our day-to-day experience while on the Trek. The idea was to capture each moment before it slipped away from memory and instead it became a caution tale too about how hard it was to hike each day. This is just daily documentation of our experience and you can judge for yourself if it is the right trek for you.
Let’s start from the beginning. Before starting about the day-to-day activities on the trip, we’ll talk about our arrival into Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and the chaos that it ensured. The arrival at the airport was met by a mess of people and a struggle to get our baggage. We spent a couple days exploring Kathmandu since there were places we wanted to visit there. And after a few days of wandering in the city streets, we finally went to bed knowing that the experience that began the day after would remain with us for the rest of our lives.
Day 1 Fly from Kathmandu(1400m) to Lukla (2860m), then hike to Phakding- 7.8 km (2 hrs 20 mins)
We woke up with an early alarm excited for the beginning of our journey. While en route to Tribhuvan International Airport, we kept thinking about the trip and beautiful sights we would get to see on the way. We took an 8 am flight and sat on the window seat while flying to the world’s most dangerous airport- Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla and we must say either it was the beautiful sight or the thrill itself, it just added to our excitement.
While Lukla is just a small town at the foothills of Himalayas, its airport is built atop a hill and has been prone to many air crashes. The flights also get canceled a lot because of bad weather. We were grateful that nothing like that happened with us, though the flight was delayed by ninety minutes. The short scenic view during out flight towards the hills is imprinted on our minds. As soon as we got off the plane, we were greeted by lots of guides and porters, much like the Taxi and Rickshaw drivers in usual airports. Some things just never change. But it is good for people making last-minute bookings who haven’t planned the things beforehand. It was after this that we finally started walking. It took about two and half hours to reach the small settlement of Phakding. The walk through the Himalayas jungle and swing bridges seemed easy enough and the first day was the easiest of them all. Phakding has developed a lot over the years and we saw shops on either side of the rocky pathway with even a Reggae bar and free wi-fi. We got a hotel room and it was clean and comfortable.
Day 2 Hike from Phakding (2600m) to Namche Bazar (3440m) – 12 km (In 6 hours, 15 mins)
Though yesterday’s walk was easy, we knew it wouldn’t be the same today. Our introduction to the Himalayas had prepared us or something more challenging today. We had a climb over 800 meters so we began by having a hearty breakfast. It was going to be a big day hiking after all. The steep ascension and moving across suspension bridges was exhilarating, especially with the wild wind blowing. The mountainside was filled with many prayer wheels, shrines and stupas. Along with the beauty of our surroundings, we were also able to take in the spiritual feel of the place. But the feeling of stepping on the suspension bridges, 80m above the river really made us feel pray. The thrill had an edge of fear to get off the bridge as soon as possible. But the view from the bridge, the huge waterfalls and massive gashes in mountainside is a sight to behold if you are able to concentrate anywhere besides your own feet that is.
The path was a busy one though not crowded with our fellow humans but with Yaks and donkeys who carried people’s belongings through the path along with goods for locals and tourists that would be sold in the main Market area, which was also our destination for the day Namche Bazaar.
The walk started pretty mildly and we enjoyed it but once we passed Monjo village, it got steep with no signs of the earth flattening anytime soon.We kept climbing up and up and up. It was when we crossed about 3000 meters that we started to slow down since we knew the altitude also starts affecting at the time. That was a tough walk and our body started feeling the one and half hour long hoke on the steep slope. Afterward, we reached a checkpoint and felt like we were finally getting close. Reaching Namche bazaar was exciting since this whole settlement seemed to have popped out of nowhere, just around the corner. Located on the edge of a cliff, the place was full of color and felt like fun from the moment we stepped in. This is one of the main trading posts in the Himalayas and is used as a spot for acclimatization because of its wide availability of shops and bars and relaxed surroundings.And we abided by the same principle, taking in delicious food and resting after the difficult hike we had just endured.
Day 3 Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazar
The thing about rest days in a trek is that they aren’t really resting days at all. So we had to throw the idea about sitting back in our hotel room, lying around or wandering Namche Bazar out the window. It works like this, this day is a chance for your body to adjust to the high altitude, so to do that, you have to hike up to a higher elevation and then steep lower to sleep. Our day constituted of climbing a ‘small’ mountain behind Namche Bazar to the highest five-star hotel in the world, the Everest View Hotel. The hike did put a lot of strain on us as we started to feel the effects of high altitude. Along with puffiness of breath and getting tired easily, there was a nagging headache. But the little rest time in the Hotel with a cup of tea and a view of the Everest made things wonderful again. That afternoon we also went to a museum on the outskirts of Namche that displayed artifacts of the first-ever ascent to Mount Everest.
The best advice is to slow your pace on the rest days and save energy for the days that matter. It is a 12-day long trek, so it becomes essential to pace accordingly. We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon to save some energy for the upcoming days. The altitude had started affecting us at this point and we felt shortness of breath even while doing everyday tasks. At this point, it is essential that while hiking you walk slow. It was already starting to feel like a difficult hike but we still had a long way to go.
Day 4 From Namche (3440m) to Tengboche(3860m) (4 hrs)
As the walk began, we were amazed by the glimpses of Everest as we walked on a fairly easy path around the sides of mountains. We saw an amazing view of the majestic Ama Dablam Mountain. Frankly, this was one of the most scenic days of the hike and as the trail took us down, we reached close to a river where we stopped to have lunch before indulging in a steep climb again. And by steep, we mean scaling over 500m of the steep slope for 90 minutes. By the time that ended, we were all sweaty and yet it was an accomplishment knowing we had made it.
Tengboche has a beautiful old Monastery, one of the oldest in the Himalayas and it welcomes guests and tourists every day around 3 pm when the local monks come to pray. That act itself is something mesmerizing to witness. The whole ceremony takes place in less than half an hour and yet it leaves such a spiritual impact. Tengboche also has a bakery with a delicious range of cakes and we tried some. At this point, we were already pretty tired and it was funny how our body shut off right at 8 pm, straight after dinner. We needed the rest after all and by this time we were already at a high altitude, so it seemed reasonable.
Day 5 From Tengboche (3860m) to Dingboche (4410m)—11.6 km (4 hours)
It was at Tengboche that we discovered how hard it had gotten to breathe. Even the landscape was now shifting from trees to a desert feel. Though we didn’t mind the shift in the terrain, the shortness of breath, while we had to climb such a long way, was quite difficult. It was good that this day didn’t include any steep sloped, but some steady and slow inclination up to the mountain till we reached Dingboche.
We hit the track and were still amazed by the scenic beauty of the place. The swing bridges came back again and so did small settlements. A headache begin too at this point as we kept moving to high altitudes and by the time we finally got to our destination, we both felt fatigued as well. Dingboche turned out to be a big settlement with a couple of shops and a Café. What struck us interesting about the café was that it was filled with tourists eating popcorns and enjoying coffee, watching the movie ‘Everest’. Turns out they show the movie every day.
After having our dinner, we both went back to bed and ate Diamox (altitude sickness medicine) because the headache still refused to leave us.
Day 6 Dingboche Acclimatization day 6 km – 4 hours
Another rest day that wasn’t really a rest day at all, but today’s goal was easy. Well, who am I kidding? It was again a strenuous exercise. We all headed towards the Nangkartshang peak. It started off mildly but close to the top when only last couple hundred meters was left, we finally started feeling the pressure. But once we did reach the top, the views were completely astonishing as it had snowed there the night before. We got to see a snow-covered view of the mountains and the entire valley which was glorious. The rest of the day was for just that, rest. And we have to say it does get boring since there is nothing much to do during that time.
Day 7 From Dingboche (4410m) to Lobuche (4925m) in 3 hours and 50 mins (9.8km)
It was a fairly easy hike in theory but the altitude made it difficult anyway, yet it was the great views that kept us going even while our bodies protested. The glorious walk along open pastures and old abandoned houses is how it began that day until we reached a small settlement named Thulka where we stopped for a cup of tea. After the break, it was still a 45-minute walk straight uphill, at a steep slope. We had to take quite a few breaks on this hike because of the pressure making our heart hammer fast but in the end, we made it to the plateau safe and sound and almost healthy.
While walking uphill, we were greeted by many stone memorials of the climbers who had lost their lives right there on the mountain that we were so determined to climb. It was quite moving actually, instead of being demotivated, we became even more determined to climb the mountain. Many people paused to absorb the serenity of the place and the emotions it arose. We came across one special memorial- Rob Hall and Scott Fisher’s whose fate we had seen in the movie just a day before. That really was the highlight of all the things we saw on the way. It just had a special significance that couldn’t be forgotten. The rest of the walk was quite tough as we had started to feel the fogginess in our heads along with the loss of concentration. That didn’t bode well for the kind of path that we were on and all the stumbles and near falls made us more careful.After reaching our guesthouse at Lobuche, we finally decided to rest and do nothing else for the entire day.
The guide had told us that it was necessary to save our energy for the upcoming day. We were also told to take a short walk to a higher level but we were just too tired to muster up energy, so instead, we decided to sleep and give our bodies some rest from the exhaustion.
By this time, we had already begun to look forward to getting off the mountain but that hope was a little less than our excitement for the final destination- Everest Base Camp.
Day 8 From Lobuche (4925m) to Gorak Shep (5140m) and finally Everest Base Camp (5364m)- 13.2 km (In 7 hours including breaks)
Knowing that this was the day we had been waiting for and had made so much effort made for a great motivator to battle the altitudes. With each step, the excitement level rose with the anticipation of the destination. After all, today was the day it was all about, right? It was quite a struggle to reach the place but as we kept walking, slowly yellow specks appeared and that kept us walking faster. There were amazing views all around us throughout the whole walk and we also passed by a dried river where Khumbu glacier used to be before it receded up the mountain by a few kilometres.
We had an early lunch after we reached Gorak Shep to muster up more energy for reaching the Base Camp. Though, we have to say it was a bit underwhelming,Everest base camp turned out to be nothing more than a pile of rocks with a couple of flags. The case is probably different for the actual Everest climbers but to us, the journey so far had drained everything. But it wasn’t all about the destination and the underwhelming pile of rocks but the journey we had undertaken and the rocky transformation we had gone through to reach the place. The rocky landscape was more a symbol of our achievement and when we looked at the place with that thought in our heads, it actually looked like the place of dreams.
We had finally reached the place we had been climbing so hard for, yet, no one broke out the champagne to celebrate.Probably because you should NEVER drink at high altitudes, yet, we were dizzy enough from the altitude itself. We spent around half an hour at the place, capturing pictures to keep a memory of that moment and taking in the surroundings.One of the most awesome things about Everest base Camp was that we could hear the ice shelves around the place creaking and breaking under the changing atmosphere. Then we had to trek back to Gorak Shep which was 200m descending since our resting place was there.
Day 9 Gorak Shep (5140m) to Kallar Pathar (55mom) to Pheriche (4371m)
We were finally relieved to have been getting down the mountain, yet there was another hill to climb before that. This was the day we had decided we would climb the Kallar pathar, a place known for its beautiful sunrise and panoramic views. Though we were reluctant to climb any more, yet it seemed a shame to miss out on the place when it was right there and what is a few more hours anyway. The hike was the toughest till yet and the altitude had started taking effect as we were on the brink of vomiting, yet we made it to at least 5400m which gave us a magnificent view of the tallest mountain in the world along with a vantage point for seeing the sunrise. After this, we began descending, knowing that there would be no steep slopes from here, just going down. We were exhausted yet relieved from the pressure which kept us going for while longer.
We trekked down the valleys while passing the glaciers and memorials on the way till finally reaching the treeline that was 4000m above sea level. We stayed at Pheriche village. It was the same village we had passed by on our way up yet entirely different, for this time we felt comforted, knowing that there were no more hard walks ahead of us, just retreat. Yet, we turned out to be so wrong. What the walk back lacked in hard terrain and pressure of high altitude, it matched up with covering long distances in a day’s time. Even the walk back made us so exhausted and strained our bodies. This place has rudimentary hospital under Himalayan Rescue Association.
Day 10 Pheriche (4371m) to Namche Bazar (3440m) (In 8 hours and 45 mins)
We had finally started feeling better at this point and the lower altitude was doing its job well, keeping us comforted. Yet, these last two days of backtracking the same path we had come upon were quite strenuous and so long the day didn’t seem to end. Even the scenery wasn’t much of a motivator anymore since we had already been in awe of it before and now the only thought in our heads was going back to Lukla. As we passed through Namche Bazaar again, we stopped by to get a brownie at a café, taking in the place for the last time. When we had come to the place we had been going up with such determination in our eyes and anticipation for the glorious views, overcoming hard obstacles and making it through the day. Yet this time around, we came with tired eyes and had finally become resigned as it was time now to head back. Then it was time to head back to the village Namche Bazar. We finally took a bath and it was unbelievable, the level of satisfaction one gets after finally taking a bath after so many days. It is all about the small luxuries at places like these.
Day 11 Namche (3440m) to Lukla (2860m)
It was here, the last day of the trek and we looked forward to it with the same anticipation as we had looked towards reaching the Everest base camp. The whole trek was so glorious and it gave us plenty of time to think about the whole journey and recall every aspect of the ten days that had gone by, in what seemed like a blink of a moment now. The track had gotten busy by the time we were heading back and there were a lot of climbers excited to go on the same path we had just retreated from.
We looked at the faces of energetic climbers and hope for the best for them, knowing the distressing journey they were about to undertake. They had no idea about how physically, emotionally and mentally challenging these few days were going to be. But a person comes out better at the end of it, knowing that if you could make it out of such hard course, you could do anything.
We kept walking, knowing that the end was coming soon, yet when there were only two kilometres left for the trek, we felt exhausted and it was at that time that the walk also turned tough. The track turned into an ascending one towards Lukla and it took a lot of effort out of our energy tanks to take each step upwards. One good thing though, that by now we had been used to such strain and so after much effort and putting one step in front of the other, we finally reached Lukla.This was the end of the journey and we had done it! It was such an accomplishment. We were filled with joy at the moment.
Day 12 Departure from Lukla and the flight back to Kathmandu
It was another spectacular ride from the most dangerous airport in the world, which we enjoyed the exhilarating views. It was a comfortable ride and in a 16-seater turbo-prop no less. It just took the full runway before lifting off as the plane leaps off the cliff. Yes, exhilarating is the right word for such a feeling. We saw glorious sights again from out of the window and this time we didn’t have to walk or exhaust ourselves to see it. Our legs were aching and the body was screaming from pain and exhaustion by this time. Yet, all we felt was happy and perhaps, a little melancholic about having to head back and leave the Everest behind us. The city of Kathmandu greeted us with same hustle and bustle and it made the thought hit hard. The trek had finally ended. All that was left now was to go back home with a lot more memories than we had before, and a lot of pictures as well.
The trip ended on such a wonderful note that now when we look back at it, we see the good moments, the awesome views, the amazing memories we made on the way more than we think about how hard it was or the exhaustion or the pressure. Things like that are momentary and forgotten as soon as one takes a long bath and rests, but the memories and the sense of accomplishment remain for a long time. The trek to Everest Base Camp seems easy because it is nothing compared to climbing Everest.Yet it requires a lot of effort and determination. We were lucky enough to not fall sick, yet, we did see a woman being taken down on a stretcher who would have to be deported on a helicopter to get medical help because of altitude sickness.These are real issues that have to be tackled on the trek. Yet, somehow, it is worth it. It is worth all the stress, strain and risk. It is worth going days without taking a bath. The feeling that one gets while one of the suspension bridges or seeing the sun creep up from behind the snow-covered mountains, the people you meet on the way and the way even little things taste delicious after a long exhausting day is what makes it all worth it. We experienced it all. Now it is your turn!
For any queries related to Everest base camp, drop us a note at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com
