Mt. Everest is what treasures Nepal and while reaching at top of Mt. Everest is not all people’s success, reaching till Everest Base Camp could be people’s success. Everest base camp trek, a super adventure full of enjoyable and exciting moment from the beginning to an end on this marvelous adventurous journey, leading you in the heart of world highest Mt. Everest base camp at 5,364 m with incredible views of Khumbu Ice Falls and remorseless fields of moraine, ice and glaciers that surrounds you. To reach the Everest base camp the main route would be from Lukla which takes 14 days from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. Reaching to Lukla is considered the shortest route and most used route by the trekkers. However it is also considered as the most dangerous route. And we have heard many accidents in the Lukla route.
So, finding the alternative we can see two alternative routes to reach Everest Base Camp besides Lukla. First route is salleri/phalpu to Everest Base Camp which is also a trekking route and a shortest alternative to Lukla. Phaplu is a place that is located 20 minute walk from Salleri. This route takes us to highs and lows of mid-hill and the path is guided by Khachars more often. When the trip to Everest Base camp is considered 14 days trip with flight from Lukl, following this route means additional 4 days. Its takes 1 day for bus travel to reach Phaplu from Kathmandu but theer is also the flight to reach there. This path seems to be most adventurous and thrilling when going through a walk or bus because between the road of Kharikhola and Chheplung hundreds of mules pass every day making roads slippery. The best season to go through these route would be on June and if we travel by bus/ walk back to Salleheri then it take 21-22 days to complete the trek and if it’s from fly away to Lukla then 18 days would be maximum time period to return back home from the trip.
Next alternative to reach Everest Base Camp instead of Lukla is Jiri – Everest Base Camp. Everest base camp trek route via Jiri is the classic route taken by the early day explorers like Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay when the Lukla airport wasn’t into existence. Comparatively less popular and way longer, Jiri – Everest trek is still preferred by adventurers, as well as nature and culture lovers who wish to explore the authentic self of Nepal beyond the mountains. The trail is filled with pristine views of mountains and takes to the breathtaking alpine landscape.
The trek starts with the small village name Jiri taking you along the beautiful villages of mid-hills, terrace farms, monasteries and hospitable locals of Hindus and Buddhist. This route trek can be used anytime except June-August. However, when measuring the level of trekking through this route it is assumed to be hard because the trails between Jiri and Chheplung is pretty strenuous encompassing multiple steep uphills, downhills, slippery mule trails, etc. The trails are well marked, however, aren’t maintained regularly. Talking about the days to complete the trip walked back to Salleri and take a jeep/bus it would take maximum 25 days and if taken jeep after walking back to Jiri then it would take 28 days.
Thus, Everest base camp is considered the most going trek by foreigners as well as Nepalese which is filled with full adventure, thrill and beauty. The beauties are breathtaking to watch surrounded by field of glaciers, ice and moraine. While Lukla seems to be the most used route to reach Everest Base Camp, alternative routes can be from Salleri and Jiri too.
