Adventure ToursReturning to Everest Base Camp for the second time was an entirely different experience. The first time, I was a participant, mesmerized by the mountains and discovering my own limits. This time, I carried the responsibility of a team, guiding, motivating, and making decisions that affected everyone’s safety and experience.
Our journey began at 1 AM from Kathmandu, with a ride to Ramechhap that everyone would remember for years. After a six-hour wait for our flight to Lukla, we finally touched down around 1 PM. Dal Bhat at Khumbu Resort recharged our energy, and we immediately set out to Toktok, a little beyond Phakding. By 6 PM, the team had reached our tea house, stretched, and enjoyed a well-earned dinner. Spirits were high as everyone settled in for the night, ready for the trek ahead.
The next morning, we left Toktok for Namche Bazaar, facing an 800-meter ascent. The trail opened up to the first snow-capped peak of the trek, Thamserku, followed by Kusum Kanguru, and crossing the iconic Hillary Bridge at 2900 meters was a thrill for everyone. By the time Kongde Ri revealed itself, the team was ecstatic. We reached Namche around 4 PM, relaxed with Ginger Lemon Tea, and looked forward to the acclimatization day ahead.
Day three was our first true acclimatization challenge: ascending to 3880 meters and returning to 3550 meters at Khyangjuma. We trekked past Kongde, Thamserku, and Kusum Kanguru, reaching Syangboche Airport to watch helicopters and paragliders. At Sagarmatha Next, we explored innovative ways the region recycles plastic, and at Everest View Hotel, clouds played hide-and-seek with Everest while we enjoyed tea and hot chocolate. A lunch in Khumjung, a village home to numerous Everest summiteers, followed by games and cards in the evening, wrapped up a fulfilling day.
On day four, the weather shifted dramatically with rain, snow, and wind. Despite the challenging conditions, the team remained strong and calm. Lunch of puri, potato curry, rice, eggs, and bhel revitalized everyone, and by 3:15 PM, we reached Debuche. Changing into dry clothes and playing games lifted spirits, giving the team a taste of the mountains’ power. Tomorrow, we would tackle Dingboche.
Our trek to Dingboche on day five at 4400 meters was long and demanding, but the clearings and patches of snow made it magical. We stopped at Pangboche to resupply, had lunch at Somare, and entered a surreal landscape devoid of vegetation, blanketed in snow and fog. Ama Dablam towered over us, while wild goats and yaks added to the Himalayan charm. We reached Dingboche by 3 PM, some feeling the effects of altitude but all in high spirits, preparing for the next day’s acclimatization.
Day six was a mixed weather day with sun, snow, and rain as we completed a 4700-meter acclimatization hike. Returning by 11:30 AM, the team spent the day relaxing, playing games, and enjoying the surroundings. The excitement for Base Camp was palpable, though Everest still remained partly hidden.
Due to heavy snowfall, day seven was an extended stay at Dingboche. The weather cleared gradually, and the team rested, regaining energy for the push to Lobuche. Safety remained the top priority, and everyone felt ready for the coming challenges.
Finally, on day eight, the weather cleared for our trek to Lobuche at 4900 meters. Snow covered the trail, making the trek slippery, but we pressed on. We stopped at Thukla for lunch, visited the Everest Memorial, and trekked past the majestic peaks of Nuptse and Pumori. Reaching Lobuche by 3:30 PM, we prepared for the most anticipated day, the journey to Base Camp.
Day nine was unforgettable. Leaving Lobuche at 6 AM in freezing conditions, the first rays of sunlight melted the chill. We reached Gorakshep for lunch and continued to Everest Base Camp at 5346 meters. Trekking among giants like Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest, the team’s excitement and awe were palpable. We took group photos, did push-ups at 17,000 feet, and shared moments of joy and emotion, every participant had achieved what they had set out to do.
On day ten, some of us rose at 4 AM to witness sunrise from Kalapatthar, enjoying Everest up close. Afterwards, we began descending to Pheriche, feeling lighter and invigorated with each step into more oxygen-rich air. Day eleven continued the descent to Namche Bazaar, a nostalgic trek retracing our steps through Somare, Pangboche, and Khyangjuma. We visited Tengboche Monastery, the largest in Khumbu, and caught fleeting glimpses of Everest, with Dal Bhat fueling our energy for the day.
The final day, day twelve, tested our mental endurance. Trekking from Namche to Lukla, fatigue challenged everyone, but determination prevailed. Dinner in Lukla turned into a celebration with music and dance alongside other groups. Many carried a 1 kg bag of trash under the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee’s #CarryMeBack initiative, leaving it at Lukla and receiving tokens of appreciation. The sense of fulfillment and pride was indescribable, as everyone reflected on memories that would last a lifetime.
Completing Everest Base Camp as a leader was transformative. Unlike my first trek as a participant, this journey demanded responsibility, patience, and calm decision-making. Seeing the team conquer challenges, supporting each other, and grow together was more rewarding than reaching Base Camp myself. This wasn’t just my second EBC trek, it was my proudest. #Engineer2Mountaineer
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