Wednesday, 17 May 2023

Dream to Reality, The Ultimate Guide to Trekking Everest Base Camp: Route, Altitude, and Difficulty

The journey started in December 2022, Book Return Flight Ticket from Surat to Kathmandu. Search Organisation and Date is Finalise 1st May 2023 with trekker Dr kamlesh Rafaliya.

Pre Trek Preparation for 5 months
Do not use Lift, Use Stair instead. 
Daily 1 hrs Physical Exercise to Increase stamina.
Daily 5km walk at a pace 

Before 15 days, ready all Gear necessary for Trek & do research about Trek, route, & challenges.
Distance: Total 130 km Trek Up & Down. 
Level: Moderate to Difficult 
Altitude hike: From 2800 metres(Lukla) to 5644 metres ( Kala Pathhar)


30 April 2023 
Me and Kamlesh leave from home at 2.30 pm, Book an Auto for Surat Airport. After checking airport reaches 5.30 pm in Delhi. our next connecting flight to Kathmandu is morning at 7 am, due to an Air India problem they offer us a Complementary Hotel stay in Red Fox Hotel, a Unit of a lemon tree.



1 May 2023 ( Thamel, Kathmandu)
we enjoy hospitality by hotel & take dinner & leave at 4 am for Delhi airport. after checking in at the airport, visit the Delhi airport lounge where we take our breakfast, masala dosa & Tea with cookies. Flight to Kathmandu is on time so reach at 8.45 am at Tribhuvan Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Buy Nepali Sim from Company Ncell, which covers all the trek. The driver came for pickup & drop at Hotel Marshangdi, Thamel. 
Thamel is a buzzing, visitor-friendly area, Thamel is the city’s main nightlife zone. Bars blast out live music by cover bands, and lively eateries serve Nepalese and international dishes. After Fresh Up Take Lunch with Nepali Dish, containing Rice, Dal, Potato sabzi & bhaji at Local Poplualr Dining Zone Thakali Bhanchha. Also, buy a Sleeping bag & water purification tablet from Thamel Market. evening visit Pashupatinath temple & take dinner of samosa & Momos. evening 7 pm we debriefed about the trek by Tour operator, share all details with the question and answer & solve doubts. we leave the next day for Ramechhap at 3am & all leave from the lobby to the room for Sleep,




23 members of Trekkers ( 8yr to 67 yr )

2 May 2023 ( Kathmandu- Ramechhap-Lukla)
Wake up at 2.30am & fresh up leave for Ramechhap which is a place from where take the Flight to Lukla. it is 150km far from Kathmandu & takes 5 hr of Road Travel on Hill Road. We reach at Ramechhap 9.30am.  Our Guide Nigma Sherpa meet us & Take the Boarding pass for Lukla. Due To yesterday's Flight postponement, they go first, we leave at 4.00pm from Ramechhap to Lukla. Reach Lukla at 4.30pm.
Lukla is a small town in the Solukhumbu district of eastern Nepal. It is located at an altitude of 2,860 meters (9,383 feet) and is a popular starting point for treks to Everest Base Camp. The town is accessible only by air, with flights departing from Kathmandu's domestic airport. & Ramechhap. The flight to Lukla is a scenic and thrilling experience, as the plane flies through narrow mountain valleys and lands on a short runway that is famous for its steep incline. From Lukla, trekkers can begin their journey to Everest Base Camp, passing through villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, and Gorak Shep along the way.
After reaching Lukla, Trekking starts to ward Phakding, Meanwhile, All 23 members take Trek cards for EBC. & Our Luggage hand over to the porter, & we all carried Backpacks. Start the Night trek for 3 hrs and reach Phadking sherpa guide lodge at 9.00 pm, Take a dinner 

Ramechhap Airport View From Distance

17 Seater Air Craft Ramechhap to Lukla
Lukla Airport Views

Lukla Town Gate where Trekking Start at EBC
3 May 2023 ( Phakding- Namchebzar)
Phakding is a small village located on the trail to Everest Base Camp in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It is situated at an altitude of around 2,610 meters (8,560 feet) and is approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the town of Lukla.
Phakding is situated on the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, and there is a suspension bridge that crosses the river just outside the village. The bridge is a popular spot for taking photos and enjoying the views of the surrounding mountains.
From Phakding, the trail continues north towards Namche Bazaar, passing through forests and crossing several more suspension bridges along the way. The trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar takes around 5-8 hours and is considered to be moderately difficult.
it's a Sunny Day & weather is clear, we start to trek at 9.00 am after breakfast. in Breakfast eat Tea with Bread toast. On the way for the full day, we move around Dudh koshi river & cross 4 bridges. Take Lunch at Monjo elevation of 2855 meters & then after HIking start for Namche Bazar. it is the most difficult hiking on the train Route. In the evening after a full day, 8 hrs of walking reach Namchebazar at 5.30pm & take LEmon ginger hot water & then Afte dinner takes to go to sleep. Hectic day for All of us.
Morning Breakfast @ Phakding

Dudh Koshi River

Monjo Resting Point with Trek Guide of Ahmedabad

Suspension Bridge

On the way to Namche Bazar Hiking 

Namche Bazar Entrancee
4 May 2023 ( Namche bazar)
Namche Bazaar is a town in the Khumbu region of Nepal, situated at an altitude of around 3,440 meters (11,286 feet). It is a popular stop for trekkers on their way to Everest Base Camp, as it is the largest town in the area and offers a range of services and amenities. Namche Bazaar is known for its stunning mountain views, including views of Mount Everest and Ama Dablam. There is also a weekly market where local people sell goods such as food, clothing, and handicrafts.

One of the main attractions in Namche Bazaar is the Sagarmatha National Park Museum, which provides information about the local environment, wildlife, and culture. The museum has exhibits on the history of mountaineering in the region, as well as displays of local flora and fauna. Overall, Namche Bazaar is a vibrant and bustling town that provides a welcome break for trekkers on their way to Everest Base Camp. Its unique culture, stunning scenery, and range of services make it a highlight of the trekking experience.

Today we have acclimatized day, Acclimatization is the process in which an individual adjusts to a change in his environment (such as a change in altitude, or temperature), allowing him to maintain fitness across a range of environmental conditions. Today we Hike & gain 200 meters altitude, Weather is Cloudy & foggy and we get snowfall on the way to visit Sagarmatah Next, it shows a 10 min Khumbu region culture & By 3D Everest Top Visit. also, Enjoy Coffee latte & Hot chocolate in Cold weather. Evening Spend time in Namche market, weather is clear & buy a few necessary stuff also enjoy Samosa & Alloparatha at Umami Taste Corner, which serves Delicious Indian Taste.


Hot Chocolate in Cool Weather
Enjoy Snow Fall

Indian Taste at Umami Taste Corner

late evenig view of Moon at Namche bazar Top

5 May 2023 ( namche bazar - Tengbuche- debuche)
Early Morning Wake up at Ready for Next Destination Debuche,3820 meters from 3440. Today is the First half till Lunch point is the Mountain Flat & down word trek at 3250-meter altitude trek, enjoy Sunny weather & take Cool photography. On the way see Mountain Everest & the whole range of Himalayan Mountains. take Lunch at Mountain Sherpa Kitchen at Phungi Thenga 3250 meter. after lunch time tough hike toward 3875 Tengboche, it is a continued 3hr walk & to reach Tengboche it has a Buddhist monastery, Tengboche Monastery, which is the largest gompa in the Khumbu region. The structure was built in 1923. afterward, downward our stay at Lobuche.
Debuche is a small village located in the Khumbu region of Nepal, at an altitude of around 3840 meters (12,607 feet). It is a common stop for trekkers on their way to Everest Base Camp. We Reach 4.30pm at Everest Rodhodenrone Lodge, we See Golden Everest & evening Play Cards. take 7.30 pm dinner & go For Sleep with Recollect whole Day.

Photos Click On way in Sunny Weather

Namche Bazar From Top
Pointing Everest
On way with Masti

at Tengboche Monastery
Pointing Toward Golden Everest @Debuche

Everest Rhododendron Lodge @Debuche

6 May 2023 ( Debuche - Dingboche )
Wake up in the early morning 4.30am, and take a Morning sunrise picture of Outside from the lodge of Everest view. leave for the next destination Dingboche around 8.30am after Breakfast. The whole day trek is Up & down & a 9 km trek with 8 hrs walking. On the way see a beautiful view of the world's best mountain ama Dablam along with the island peak. 
Dingboche village lies 4410 meters altitude above sea level, it is one of the most charming Sherpa villages of the Khumbu region in northeast Nepal valley and one of the best places for trekkers and climbers to acclimatize. 
On way Bridge

Landscape View


Dingboche VIllage From Disctance

HOT lemon Water Cost 300/-

Ama Dablam World Beautiful Mountain
7 May 2023 ( Dingboche to Thukla )
As we have acclimatized day at Dingboche, but we have kids & aged people so decided to move a further 200 meters up to Thukla within 3 hr flat walking distance, to save time the next day to Lobuche. so we start the trek at 11.30pm & reach 3 pm at Thukla. it is a Flat walk trek with a few up & down & crossing River. Thulka is an altitude of 4620 meters, we stay at YAK Lodge in Thukla.


 
8 May 2023 ( Thukla to Lobuche )
Sunny Morning, we start our trek at 8 am. First 30 min tough hike to Thulka pass 4800 m. It's the memorial place and the saddest point because the top of the Thukla Pass showcases over 100 memorials of the climbers and Sherpas who lost their lives in the mountains. then after Mountain Flat Up & down & Reach 3hr walk to Lobuche. 
Еlеvаtiоn оf Lоbuсhе Villаgе is 4940 m Lobuche serves as the last stopover for accommodation before Gorakshep in the Everest region. There are no agricultural fields; people there depend on tourism to earn their living.Intеrnеt аnd охygеn sеrviсеs аrе аlsо аvаilаblе in sоmе оf thе lоdgеs. 
After Lunch, $pm we go for an acclimatized walk for a 100-meter hike, chit chat about Group & Return Lodge due to too cold outside. playing cards with friends in the evening & take dinner at 7.30pm & going to bed 

Thukla Pass
memorials of the climbers and Sherpas
who lost their lives in the mountains
On the way to Lobuche

Playing Cards
9 May 2023 ( Lobuche to Gorkshep to EBC)
The final Day for Long Trail's full day first half is to reach Gorkshep, Gorak Shep means "dead ravens," because of the complete lack of any kind of vegetation in this place It is found at an elevation of 5,164 meters (16,942 ft) elevation, near Mount Everest. It is the final stop on most common treks to Everest Base Camp from Lukla, 
From Lobuche trek starts at 8 am in the morning, the first 1 hrs is a flat walk & then the Hiking start at Gorkshep. On the way stunning views from the Himalayan Mountain Ranges. with Too much Cold wind, we reach 11.30 pm at Gorkshep & take lunch & start trekking toward EBC which is 3 hrs journey. On the way see Everest top & it seems like a beautiful peak. Lots of trekkers move toward EBC to complete their Journey successfully reach EBC & celebrate by taking photos.
Reaching EBC 5534 m at 3.40pm & taking photos & see the beauty around at a temperature of 4 degrees, the return journey takes more than 2.30hr to reach Gorkshep & the evening All celebrating success of the EBC summit. this points all food cost is high, we pay for a 1-liter bottle of 500 Nepali. 

we have a group of 23 people, and on way 9-day journey 4 people are discontinuing due to medical issues. & 15 people did not want to return to trek, they plan to return by Helicopter to Lukla from Gorkshep costing 450USD. we 4 people finalize to Return with Walk.






Hiking Trekkers On way EBC

Cool-weather with View

Vahcare at EBC
10 May 2023 ( Gorkshep - Lobuche - Thukla - Pheriche - Debuche )
as per our itinerary, we have 3 days for descending for 65Km 
Gorkshep to Pheriche  ( 5140 - 4240 )
Pheriche to Namche Bazaar ( 4240 - 3443 )
Namche bazaar to Lukla ( 3443- 2850)

we four Nitin Kamlesh Vinee Hari all four are fast movers among 23 groups so we decided this journey completed in 2 days, we talk with our Guide & he agrees to 2 days Desend

Now we leave at 7 am from Gorkshep & continue to descend till 1 pm and reach Pheriche, take Lunch & again start trekking toward Lobuche. from ( 5140 -3840 in a single day with 10hrs walk )
Same Everest Rhododendron lodge we stay & take Dinner & Sleep at 8.30 pm 

Ama Dablam Side view



Farming with YAK

Mountain Deer

Reach Debuche 3820 m
11 May 2023 ( Debuche - Namche bazar - Phakding - Lukla )
wake up at 5.30 am, after fresh Up & breakfast, leave 7 am morning from Debuche. initial 30 min hiking till Tengboche & it is high endurance hiking, but now we are returning so easily manage hiking. 
Tengboche to Namche bazar is Downside from 3875 to 3443 m. it is a down trek where the descent is smooth but when hiking our pace is slow. after 5 hrs of descent reach Namche bazaar. take lunch at the umami taste center, samosa chole Bhautre & Alloparatha.
after Lunch again start a descent to ward Monjo. Namche to Monjo journey is downward but too risky while moving down, we slowly pace move further and on the way cross bridges, the doshi river & stunning mountain views. finally evening at 8pm we reach Lukla. & take Hot Sup & dinner with recollect whole day memories.



12 May 2023 ( Lukla - Ramechhap - Kathmandu )
Morning 7.30 am our flight, to Ramechhap from Lukla. reach Ramechaap at 9.00 am & leave for Kathmandu. evening 3.30 pm we reach Kathmandu hotel.
evening time spend in Thamel Resto with celebration. 


with Guide Nigma & Ganesh

Lukla Runway 
13 May 2023 ( Kathmandu )
Local Thamel Visit & Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, It is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace. Evening spends in Thamel Market & Pub.
Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square

wooden Work 


14 May 2023 ( Kathmandu - Surat)
Flight Kathmandu to Delhi & Delhi Surat
Reach Surat at 9.00 PM




Monday, 22 August 2022

Banej Shiv temple : Excellent natural beauty in Gir forest ( Adventure Jungle Ride )

Route : Sasan gir - talala - jamwala - Chodvadi forest check post - turn right toward Banej

Excellent natural beauty in Gir forest, in fact, very few people know about this place forest area around this place. The best place in the entire gir forest. Especially when you visit after monsoon when permits start. Wintertime is also good. It's a totally off-road journey so fewer ground clearance cars are to be avoided. in Road travel your car window opens to enjoy forest noises and fresh air of nature (if you get lucky you may encounter lions on the return journey specially early mornign or evening time).  A permit is totally free but with strict disciplined drive & avoid Noise by Horn to disturb wildlife, This Banej trip will give you a feeling of a Jungle safari ride. Good to enjoy a day excursion. Carry water & snacks with you. Suggest to start at early morning with sufficient food and water since you wont find anything on the way

Our journey to Banej started on 20 aug 2022 morning, we leave at 9.30 am from dhava village. & first, reach ankolwadi to jamwala forest entry & Single Patti road. on way, we enjoy Live garma garam thabdi penda. then after reach jamawala checkpost. ( Nr jamwala, famous jamjir waterfall is also their, one can visit )

Forest entry is free at jamwala checkpost but all information we share like a number of people, male, female, kids along with from where we came & car number, with strict rules as follow mention in receipts back side, key rules is avaoid plastic waste & No noise to disturb wildlife. forest office is cooperative.

The road is not so good but one should visit at least once in life. It may not be a long run as per kms but the road is too rough and have suv type of vehicle. The total distance from jamawal to banej is 23 km on Google Maps. From jamwal to chhodavadi forest check-post distance is 15km on google Maps but due to off-road, it takes 1hrs to reach there. from chhodavadi check-post to banej shiv temple distance of 8 km.

we reach chhodvadi forest check-post, on the way we see a peacock, deer, monkey, Bagla & Neelgay etc, also witness kala karto mor.  from chhovadi checkpost right side banej shiv temple & left side kankai mata temple. we are in between monsoon so heavy waterflow on road, no access to reach kankai mata mandir, so we visit only banej shiv temple.

chhodvadi forest to take right side & drive 8 km with travel time 40 min reach at banej. on way, heavy rain make a road in bad conditiion & car is difficult to pass but we manage & reach banej,  

in normal time river has less flow, and the car can easily pass through the river, but now the heavy rain river flow is high so we park a car on the opposite side & decided to walk & reach shiv temple. put all stuff like a mobile purse at car & water level is upto high then thigh. we cross the river in support of each other & it is a thrilling moment for all of us. again walk for 500metre one check dam cross with high flow water & it is also thrilling adventure for us.  Its a peaceful place as per location n place.

The Indian mega-epic Mahabharata's famous character Arjuna comes alive here so this place is famous because of him. Once travelling through this forest, Pandavas gets thirsty and Arjuna uses his bow to discover water from the earth. There is a Mahadev temple here called 'Banej'. Today the place is there & water came from there, now then call as "Banganga" & temple drink this water only.

if you planning to Sasan Gir & you love nature & forest then this is must visit place in your itinerary. although it is a hectic journey with a 10-15km speed car ride you get a thrilling & adventurous experience through this road travel. 



Near River @banjej



Kala karto Mor





On way Deer









Saturday, 28 May 2022

Hamta Pass Trek - Himachal’s Valley of Flowers, Perfect one for Beginners

Hampta pass trek is considered easy to moderate in difficulty and a perfect one for beginners. Simply put, the Hampta Pass is Himachal’s Valley of Flowers. The landscape is strikingly similar to that of Valley of Flowers – a narrow green valley protected by snow-covered mountains. At 14,000 feet Hampta Pass in Himachal Pradesh falls under those rare, dramatic pass crossings in the Himalayas. On one side is the lush green valley of Kullu — with forests, grasslands, and flowers blooming on the side of your trail. 


Background of Trek

our journey started with a group of nine people, including Nitin, Shailesh, Alpesh, Kashyap, Amresh, Snehal, Sachin, Hiren & Rajan.  initially, 4 people group planned for the trek & make a booking of the trek by surat to Delhi train ticket, later on, Shailesh joined, he manages his own booking. after talking with Rajan, more than 4 members join. that's why how our group formed & 9 people join the journey.

Out of 9 people, 3 have prior experience of Himalayan trekking, the rest are beginner, so first thing buy gadgets from declathon for hampta pass trek. also advise prepared your self as daily 1hrs physical workout.

20 May 2022

we all reached the surat railway station at 7.00 PM, our train Surat Rajdhani 12951 departed at 7.48pm sharp, and we order Harikrishna Dish for dinner on the train. settle in train & adjust the seat with co-traveller & we 4 in one compartment, rest 4 is in a different compartment. overnight sleep & I read a Novel during travelling Shallaja Sagar, written by Ashwani Bhatt.

 
 
  Surat Railway station 

21 May 2022

Morning wake up at 6.30am & take breakfast of sandwich & tea. our train reached 8.30 am on time at New Delhi railway station. all meet at platform & then march toward Paharganj side, we have Volvo booking from Delhi to Manali at evening departed 6.30pm. so we book a room for rest. evening we reach at RK ashram Piller no 26 for departure, where zingbus office. but came on time & we all started our next journey toward Manali, we have 2 halts on way to Manali, one for dinner & second for breakfast.

 
In bus Delhi to Manali

22 May 2022

we reach Bhuntar at 9.30am & then take 35 km taxi jeep ride for Reach base camp at Rumsu village, nr Naggar.  Rumsu (2200 m) is a small traditional village about 3-4 km from Naggar. It makes for a quaint experience to see the local village lifestyle in the mountains.  Rumsu is also chiefly known for being the starting point of the trek to Malana. There is a well-defined trail through a forest of deodar, pine and other trees that leads toward Chanderkhani Pass.


    at Base Camp


    acclimatise walk in the evening

jeep drop us on-road in rumsu village, then we move to our base camp by trail walk for more than 10 minutes, we witness Rumsu is a charming village with old wooden houses; the residents worship Jamlu Devta (the main deity of Malana). we get a warm welcome from camp leader Ranjit Singh, after settling in the room, we take tea.

next 1 hrs we fresh up & take lunch & at 3pm we go for acclimatise walk around the village.  In the evening we get raining & suddenly the atmosphere is change from dry to cold. on the first floor. we have a brief about the trek, many are first-timer.  we are a group of 38 people in that age group from 7 years to 55 years age group people in our group. after dinner we all going to sleep in a room with sleeping bags. many are uncomfortable with a sleeping bag

 
the     evening suddenly weather change 


    with sleeping bag

23 May 2022

we leave at 8 am from base camp to hampta dam.  From rumsu to Nagar to Prini then hampta dam it takes 2 hrs jeep ride. Crossing the Prini village and facing right on the visage the hefty foothills of the Himalayas standing in its majestic charm, was like wow. A reward, so soon, was kind of unexpected. Yet I, rather we all trekkers, accepted it with warmly open hearts. I was at Pir Panjal range and felt, deep inside, very blessed.

we all group of 38 people with 3 group leaders & supporting staff 5 members started our journey. Trekking should be packed in with the fun, adventure and scope for lots of memorable moments for the future. we took packed lunch on way to Hult point, with adventures crossing 2 river streams, luckily glacier water flow is not too much so we easily pass by the support of each other. With the increasing altitude, my tiredness was also increasing but it used to soon fade away by the views of the hues of the myriad terrains- from dense greenery to the stony mountains.  Finally, reach campsite chikka. suddenly clouds gathered an evening & Rain started. off & on the rain we experience. enjoy campsite & doing the garba & dance & after dinner goes into tent.  OverNight Raining in the valley. 

    Hamta Dam 


    Start trek from hamta Dam

    with trek leader ranjitsingh


    Ascending toward camp site



    Resting Time

24 May 2022

on wakeup, we see a totally different atmosphere the previous day, velly is full of clouds & raining continue, as per group leader, we can't send today, as Balu ka Ghera have too much rain overnight.


Rajan & Nitin 


We full day stay at chikka campsite, morning session we go for small trekk where snow is there & doing skiing in snow & enjoy.  later in the evening, all groups decided to descend as there is no chance for hampta to pass due to only 1 day left, batter we do descend  & enjoy one extra day at Manali.

 

25 May 2022

sunny day, the cloud is disappeared, send is possible but last night group agree for descend so we all move to descend toward hampta dam. & we reach at 12.00 pm at hampat dam. & take a jeep for Manali & check in at the hotel at 3.00pm

later evening visit Hidimba temple & mall road Manali.


    Descend toward hamta dam


    Final meetup groups with instruction 



 26 May 2022

hire bullet for day & visit Atatl tunnel, sisu & jogani mata waterfall. & evening we have booked for Delhi from Manali. & next day from Delhi to surat by Tejas Rajdhani.

 I was glad that I made good use of my time, money as well as strength. It's always good to try something new; the Hampta Pass trek is the best. yet I am not finished. but next time again does the same trek in future

 

Lessons from this Trek :

Don't focus on the Destination, Enjoy the Journey

Himalayan is calling again, Don't chase Himalayan