7 Best Things to do during Everest Base Camp Trek

The last time, when I had been to Everest, the weather was really good. It was in May, and the views were soul-piercing. I still remember that the milieu was filled with colors.

I am not sure whether the rhododendron was more colorful than the Chortens that I encountered many times on the way, but monasteries were surely outstanding.

I knew it because I was paying scrutiny to minor details on the trip; perhaps because I am a writer and writers always pay attention to details like a spy: James Bond 007.

I know he isn’t a writer, and neither am I comparing myself with James Bond, but I have a lot of interesting things to share with you that I found super-exciting during my Everest Base Camp Trek.

Some part of the credit also goes to the Holy Mountain Treks, who provided me with such an amazing guide, Mr. Ram Chandra. I wanna say Thank You to you Ram from this blog if you are reading this.

Even if you are not, Thank you. It is totally absurd, but there are a lot of absurd things that I am about to discuss in this blog.

1. Crispy Apple Pie at Bengkar

I am pretty sure, nobody talked about this to you before. The apple pies at Bengkar have an amazing taste. While it is equally good at Tengboche as well, the one at Bengkar had something in it.

Maybe, it was the spectacular waterfall at Bengkar that put the flavor in the apple pie or was it the smiling Sherpa whose hospitality inspired me to exaggerate the taste of that apple pie. Whatever be the case, you should try it.

It costs you around Rs. 500, but don’t blame me if they charge you more. Pricing totally depends upon the salesperson. Further up the trail, there are a lot of places where you can taste the good apple pies. Apple Pies are one of the favorites of Everest Trekkers.

2. Starbucks Coffee

It is not the official branch of Starbucks in Washington, USA. But the coffee still tastes good. You should try this coffee at Lukla. This coffee shop is next to the Irish Pub, and there is a large board suggesting ‘Starbucks Coffee Lukla’.

3. Writing names on the stones

For decades, the trend of writing names on the stones has been followed by the trekkers. Stones often fall from the glaciers and mountains. Especially during the Avalanche, a hurdle of stones slides down to the trail.

In these stones, you can write your name and your lover’s in a block letter as a memory left on the World’s highest peak. It is a super-exciting task; click a photograph near the stone and show it to your loved ones when you return home.

4. Blessing Scarf

You might wonder, what is this blessing scarf? Is it something religious, or are there any holy scarves in Nepal that bless you with something supernatural?

Trust me, even I was shocked when my guide from Holy Mountain Treks told me about this scarf. But later, as I listened to him, it wasn’t as astonishing as I had thought it would be.

Purchase a scarf from Kathmandu and tie it on the suspension bridges. Locals believe that it is an act of bringing good luck. There are already thousands of scarfs tied on the suspension bridges.

So, it is not something unique but has a meaning. Of course, you wouldn’t hesitate in the act of calling good luck.

5. Mani wall at Dingboche

If you are attempting Everest Base Camp Trek via Tengboche, then you will acclimatize at Dingboche. During your stay at Dingboche, make sure you explore the Mani Wall that fences the whole Imja valley. The story behind the construction of this Mani Wall is even more exciting.

One interesting fact about this wall is that it took many centuries to be built and another more interesting fact is that the wall was unintentionally built. When the early Sherpas plowed their field, they gathered the stones at the edge of the field, which ultimately got piled up one over the other and formed along the wall.

This is a story without any compelling evidence, but locals are very much sure about this story.

6. Prayer ceremonies in the Monastery

You will encounter zillions of monasteries on the way (so to speak) and many of those monasteries are intricately decorated with paintings of Buddha and other Buddhist messengers. Apart from this, monasteries have regular prayer ceremonies.

You can participate in these ceremonies and investigate the culture of Buddhists in more depth. So, make sure you check out prayer ceremonies in the monasteries, especially at Tengboche Monastery, which is the largest in Khumbu Region.

7. Camp Exploration

Of course, the most interesting part of this trek is camp exploration. When you rise to the Base Camp of Everest, you will see a large snowscape surrounding you. A lot of mountains come into view from the base camp of Everest.

But, the more interesting part of this Everest Base Camp Trek is the tent. Tents in the Everest base camp trek are very awesome. Chat with trekkers from all over the world and share your experiences. Psychologists have proven that the more you share your feelings with strangers, the happier you become. This is where you can do that.