Everest Base Camp Trek Journal – Day 1

by Sara on Monday, October 17th, 2011

in Accomodation, Asia, Canyons, Hikes, Mountains, Stories, Tours, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Waterfalls

The start of the Everest Base Camp Trail in Lukla

Sam and I arrived late last night into Kathmandu where we met up with Dan, Andrew, and Mike. We had a 4:30 AM wake up call so that we could make our 6 AM flight to Lukla and start our trek! The flight had gorgeous views but was decidedly one of the sketchiest flights we had ever been on. We got situated in Lukla then started off. We hiked for about 4 1/2 hours with stops for photos and a long lunch. Today was the easy day. Only about 3 hours of actual hiking and a lot of downhill. Our guide is named Bhuwan, and he agreed to let us call him Boo. We also have 3 porters – Jit, Case, and Milar.

Walls of stone prayer carving tablets and a Buddhist Stupah Temple

We got to our teahouse for the first night, Snowland Lodge, then had a beer and played some very poor games of pool at one of the bars in town. The teahouse is simple but nice, except for the bugs. I think I’ve already inhaled quite a few. Yuck. Early dinner then off to our rooms by 7 PM. It’s already pitch black outside, and we’re exhausted. The hike has been beautiful. Lush scenery with waterfalls and cliffs. Rocks painted with elaborate mantras. There are lots of kids running around who say hello to us and want us to take their picture. Yaks and friendly stray dogs pass us by on the trail. Hanging everywhere are colorful Buddhist prayer flags for protection (hung vertically) and long life (hung horizontally). All of the stores have the same things for sale, mainly chocolate, Pringles, and cans of beer. Supplies are carried up by sherpas who strap everything to their heads. We’ve been told that some can carry up to 80 kilos! Our first day is done. Time to rest for a challenging day 2.

Our accommodation for the first night, Snowland Lodge in Phakding

Everest Base Camp Trek Day 1 Notes

Date: 17 September 2011

Path: Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding

Where Did We Stay In Phakding: Snowland Lodge

Elevation: 2610m / 8563 ft

Hours hiking: 3

Hours hiking w/ stops: 4 1/2

Stay tuned for the Everest Base Camp Trek journals Days 2-12

Everest Base Camp Trek Lukla to Phakding Photo Gallery

: Walls of stone prayer carving tablets and a Buddhist Stupah Temple

: This landslide took out a home or 2, killing several people inside, and happened just days before we passed

: Some Dzo (half Yak half cow) carrying supplies along the Everest B.C. trail

: Cutting it pretty close along the mountain tops on the flight to Lukla (check out the waterfall in the background)

: Looking out the dirty window at the Himalayas on the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla

: A little hut / house along the stream on the way to Phakding

: Waiting inside the plane to take off from Kathmandu on our way to Lukla

: The airport in Lukla, Nepal

: One of many waterfalls along the trek

: One of many waterfalls along the trek

: The plane we took from Kathmandu to Lukla, refilling gas

: The river headed up the canyon, we followed this for a few days and crossed it many times

: Several sherpas carrying materials for buildings all the way up the trail

: The start of the Everest Base Camp Trail in Lukla

: A closeup of one of the many stone carvings along the trek

: Our accommodation for the first night, Snowland Lodge in Phakding

Flying Into Lukla Videos (Worlds Most Dangerous Airport)

Taking off on this tiny little aircraft for what we knew was to be a very sketchy flight was not fun. The Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla is known to be amongst the most dangerous in the world.

It was nice to focus on taking pictures and video from the plane, even though the windows were filthy, it kept my mind off the flight and upcoming landing in Lukla.