Reaching Everest Base Camp is one thing, but the journey to this destination hides the real gem. Along the Everest Base Camp trail, there are many things to look around and explore. Every turn offers a different view.
There are many along the way from where you can see breathtaking mountain landscapes. Not only that, trekkers who love sunrises or sunsets will also get ample chances to enjoy them. The scenery along the trail is also fabulous.
In the lower part of the trail, you will see lush, verdant foothills and valleys. The landscape has rivers, streams, forests, terraces, and hanging bridges. Once you go above 4,000 meters, you will see tall mountains, barren hills, glaciers, frozen streams, and rocky tracks.
As the journey continues, the views only get better. This blog lists all of the top scenic spots along the mainstream Everest Base Camp trail. Note that we have also included villages, architecture, and cultural beauty of the region in this blog and how these things add to the overall scenery of the EBC trail.
As your journey starts here, we cannot leave Kathmandu off our list of the best scenic spots on the EBC trek. You will probably spend one or two days in this city before flying to Lukla. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and has the only operating international airport.
If you are flying into Nepal, you will land in Kathmandu. It is a city of temples and palaces with many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, bustling markets, museums, and galleries. Kathmandu is a valley surrounded by lush hills.
During your time there, you can visit the monuments and learn about Nepali culture, art, architecture, and history. The Nepali art and architectural marvels are insane. All the places are photography-worthy. You will have a lot to capture and freeze in time.
Lukla, located at 2,860 meters, is the starting point of your Everest Base Camp Trek. It is a beautiful town with stone houses, souvenir and trekking gear shops, and lodges. As you pass the narrow streets, you will see yaks and mules transporting goods and the locals doing their daily chores.
Likewise, Lukla airport is known as the smallest airport in the world, with a gradient of 527 m (1,729 ft) × 30 m (98 ft) and an 11.7% gradient. Given its location, flying in and out of this airport is quite nerve-racking. Only small fixed-wing propeller planes and helicopters can operate from this airport.
The first few days of the EBC trek go through lush rhododendron and magnolia forests and traverse verdant hillsides. In the spring season, thousands of flowers bloom all over the Lower Everest Base Camp trail.
Summermonsoon season sees lush vegetation and gushing rivers and streams. Likewise, autumn has these beautiful hues of brown, red, and orange. And the winter season has this magical winter wonderland aesthetic.
Whatever season you trek, the EBC route is very scenic and worth taking pictures of.
The Tenzing Hillary Suspension Bridge is one of the tallest and longest bridges in Nepal. Named after the two first Mount Everest summiteers, it provides a safe passage for travelers to cross a deep river gorge.
The bridge is 135 meters high and 60 meters long. Below it, the Dudh Koshi River flows. It is a hanging bridge decorated with colorful prayer flags. Crossing this bridge is thrilling.
On days with fog and mists, you will literally find yourself walking into some sci-fi scene. Trekkers love to take pictures on this bridge. You will cross this bridge while walking from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, just before approaching Monjo village.
Namche Bazaar is the tourist hub in the Khumbu region. It is a big town with many modern services, such as internet cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, trekking/climbing gear shops, bakeries, ATM lounges, etc. Even though the town is located 3,440 meters above sea level and only accessible through walking or helicopter flights, this place is quite big and busy. The narrow alleys are adorned with numerous shops.
There are also galleries and museums in Namche Bazaar. You can hike up to nearby viewpoints to witness a full aerial panorama of the town and take pictures. The locals allow you to take their pictures doing daily chores.
The vibrant colors and happening lives of the locals amidst the tall, barren peaks and mountains are very mesmerizing.
The Hotel Everest View is located a few hundred meters above Namche Bazaar at 3,962 meters (13,000 ft). Usually, trekkers who are spending an acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar hike to the Hotel Everest View to acclimate.
It is a luxury lodge that caters to trekkers looking to indulge in Himalayan luxury. The hotel's location allows it to offer a view of Mt. Everest from all of its windows, which is what led to its name.
Surrounded by alpine trees and mountains, the Hotel Everest View offers modern, contemporary architecture with a blend of Nepali heritage and hospitality. Visit this place to enjoy the breathtaking mountain views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam and enjoy delicious food.
*Fun fact: The Hotel Everest View was once honored with the Guinness World Record title of the world's highest luxury lodge.
Tengboche (3,860 m) and Pangboche (3,985 m) are famous villages on the EBC trail. Most of the trekkers spend a night at Tengboche village. Both villages have ancient monasteries called Tengboche Monastery and Pangboche Monastery, respectively.
Tengboche monastery is the biggest in the Khumbu region, whereas the Pangboche monastery is one of the oldest. Visiting these monasteries will show you the region's cultural richness and how deep the locals' roots and faith in God are.
Not only that, but the entire route is scattered with many stupas, chortens, and prayer wheels. There is also Khumjung monastery that you can visit during your Hotel Everest View hike. It is also one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region.
Observing locals doing their daily things against the backdrop of peaks and mountains is also very scenic. If you are traveling between the Tiji festival and Lhosar, you will also see the vibrant festivities blended with nature. For locals, mountains, rivers, and forests are their gods.
Everything has some energy and cultural beliefs for the locals. Explore ancient stupas and monasteries. Learn about art, architecture, and antiques. See how the local's faiths and beliefs blend with nature and create a harmonic scenery.
Lobuche village and Gorak Shep are the last two settlements before you reach Everest Base Camp. These villages are situated above the tree line. The scenery around these villages is rustic and barren. You will see tall mountains, glaciers, and peaks around you.
These villages are much smaller compared to Namche Bazaar and Tengboche, but they are good places for trekkers to stay overnight. The view is different from the lower altitude but mind-blowing. You will see the true nature of the Himalayas and its barren grandeur.
Not to mention, the sunrises and sunsets from these two villages are also stunning.
The Khumbu Glacier, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar are three famous destinations in the Khumbu region. You will come across the Khumbu glacier while trekking from Dingboche to Lobuche and Lobuche onwards. The trail also goes through its moraine.
Likewise, Everest Base Camp is definitely the main highlight of the entire EBC trek. Reaching here is a huge achievement. You will be surrounded by glaciers and snow-covered mountains. During the climbing season, you can see hundreds of tents of mountaineers.
Lastly, Kala Patthar is the final climb of the EBC trek and also the highest point. It is a short hike that trekkers take to witness a breathtaking view of Mt. Everest and a gorgeous sunrise. All these places are very scenic.
One of the main reasons the Everest Base Camp Trek is famous is the jaw-dropping mountain views and diverse landscapes. From the start of the journey to the end, you will immerse yourself in surreal views.
The diverse terrain and climate along the trail offer diverse scenery. From lush valleys to glaciers, you will see some of the most stunning scenery. Likewise, the trail is also dotted with giant hills and mountains.
You will see the 1st highest mountain (Everest), the 4th highest mountain (Lhotse), the 5th highest mountain (Makalu), and the 6th highest mountain (Cho Oyu). Apart from these mountains, you will also see Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori, Lobuche Peak, Island Peak, etc.
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