Mind the Mountains!!

Ever seen them up close? The magnificent, giant massifs that stand still and make you wonder how puny you are in front of them!

This is how it began !!

As luck would have it, I got a chance to trek one of the most beautiful, amazing yet treacherous mountain terrains in the world. My sister, who dreamt of conquering the mountains, asked me to join in her quest, and I agreed without knowing what I was stepping into. And so began the journey called Everest Base Camp Trek. The trek is situated in the Khumbu Region of Nepal, starting from Lukla and culminating at Everest Base Camp, located at an altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level. The trek, which is 130-135 Kms long both ways, is generally measured in the number of hours you'll be walking in a day.

We chose to partner with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation to take care of the trip, trek, and the whole journey, and boy! They have the best team around. I don't think I would have completed it without their team's assistance. I'll describe more on this as you read on!

Leaving my little ones and family behind to embark on a solo trip wasn't easy. I managed it thanks to my family's amazing support, especially my husband, who helped me overcome my self-doubt during the Everest Base Camp trek. He was probably happier than I was—he got a break from me, and I came back so grateful for the experience that he won't hear any nagging from me for at least a year! 😃😃 Meanwhile, my kids enjoyed an old-school summer vacation with their grandparents (and me without them :D), soaking up all the pampering they could get! And my sister, who had to jhelofy me for good 16 days, ever thankful to her to choose me to partner with her!

Everest tak ja rahe hain, Mazak thodi na hai... To amp up the game, I got a personal trainer whom I asked to train me for the big game! One needs to be in good physical shape for the mountain terrain, even when they say no specific physical fitness level is required. I did think I have my fitness at a good place, but mountains are eye-openers too 😃 you too would know soon if you wish to scale them!

As chalked out by TSAF, the whole trek was for 13 days and had scope for buffer days. You start from your place to Kathmandu and gradually go up! They have beautifully planned it and almost everything you'd want during your stay there is well taken care of! You just need to carry stuff as per their checklists, and you'd be in a good place!

The Adventure and more...

Our trip started with Kathmandu.. by road to Ramechhap and then a tiny flight to Lukla. As the days progressed, we trekked from Lukla to Phakding... Phakding to Namche Bazaar, Namche to Dingboche, and then to Lobuche. Don't worry, you'll get used to the names!! The last day of uphill was Lobuche to Gorekshep to EBC and back to Gorekshep, we started at 4:00 am and was back by 6:00 PM .. longest day of the trip but it was sensational! We stayed at EBC for 30 odd minutes and took time to sink in the feeling of finally achieving the goal of the whole trek! 

While downhill, we trekked down faster and covered more distances. In total, we climbed for 8 days (including a couple of acclimatization days) and descended in 4 days.

If you've underestimated walking as a fitness trait, you'd soon land up in a big bowl of soup! You walk slow and you walk for hours. You walk high, you walk low. You walk on every terrain possible... You walk a lot... so pick up modest, humble walking as an activity sometime before you start your actual trek!

The stays or Tea Houses are cute little enclosures with all the basic amenities you'd require to spend your night there! Nothing fancy or overly done… You'll meet some of the most amazing hosts, and they very easily open their hearts and kitchens to you! Who knew a room with attached washrooms was luxury!! We were ecstatic after getting one of those "suites" with washrooms attached! 

When you reach your stay, you're tired but very high-spirited! Each day feels like a win. You get a lot of time to yourself, and if you're a shy-cum-introvert-cum-listener like me, you'd absolutely love being there! For me, I was meeting a whole bunch of people after years (working solo doesn't give you the luxury of working with a team). As a meek individual, I was terrified to be with different people and had a tiny insecurity of being awkward, unskillful person around! So glad, I was wrong; it took me a couple of days, but I gelled along. Maybe this nudge was required for me to know that I am still good with people 😃

The group had people from all ages and backgrounds. From Army veterans to Business owners to working fellows to law to adrenaline junkies, we had them all. What a mix, so many lives, and such a pleasure to sit and talk and know them! Telling others about themselves, playing team-building games, sharing stories about families, evening sessions of card games, morning stretch sessions, sharing items and food... everyone bonded well. You get motivated by seeing others while trekking as some of the rugged terrain does test you. Having a group of people experiencing the same things as you and overcoming all the challenges gives you that ability to be more of you and make it happen! All of the participants in our group reached EBC for that reason we believe! UNO, Teen Patti and constant chatter about food were common evening sights ☺️

 The Trek requires you to walk, stop, eat, drink, talk and reach your next stop. All these are double the fun if you have a good team or company! Apart from the team/ other participants, it was such open heart conversations with the local guides. Oz Dai, Aaryan, IT, Mamaji, DK , Naymar (never really got his actual name) and Nawang Dai made earnest efforts to keep us entertained along the trek! The local folklore, stories behind the villages, things about food and unlimited Bollywood songs made it easy for us to move to the next setting without worrying about the physical pain one might actually be experiencing ! 

The instructors from TSAF were equally important, while one took care of our slightest  needs others were available to boost morale or improve our performance! They help you with their fullest might and make the whole experience just what you needed it to be! From regular stretching sessions to the push required to overcome fatigue and fears! Instructors literally had a big box of medical supplies and had har marz ki dawa ;)

I for one, will always remember how a gentle nudge by one of the Instructors challenged me to overcome the fear of walking alone on those really long, super high suspension bridges (you cross many along the way!). We also got to meet Legendary Bachendri Pal Ji and a 16 year old girl Kamya who had just summitted Mt. Everest and they inspire one to the core.

Dal Bhat Power 24 Hour!!

What is an experience without mentioning the food. Kathmandu is full of options to eat. However, when you climb up, the options are limited but you still get to eat super fresh food. Another regular is Dal-Bhat. Dal-Bhat is a local favourite and widely available (after a while you don't even want to see it ). Dal Bhat Tarkari is a traditional Nepali meal consisting of rice (bhat), lentil soup (dal), and a variety of vegetable curries (tarkari). It is often accompanied by pickles (achar) and sometimes meat or fish. Other options include noodles, flavoured rice, Nepali breads, pizzas, pastas, and burgers. Though they might not taste the same as flat lands, The tea houses serve amazing soups, and we just loved them… garam garam soup kadakti thand me! Hot water is essential, and you easily get it too! Things get pricey with altitude but almost everything is always available! Imagine buying a water bottle for 500 rupay!

The tea house folks are kind and welcoming; They love to talk and can casually chat with them when they are available! They opened their kitchens for us, and we had used it a couple of times to make our stuff too! One of us made Masala Chai a couple of times 🥰🥰 and it was welcomed very well ☺️

Alcohol and local wines are easily available, and one must try their home-brewed Racsi, a clear rice wine. Despite its potent nature, Racsi is surprisingly smooth on the palate, making it a delightful drink to savor! Earthy notes and a lingering aftertaste! It is believed to have warming properties that can help alleviate cold symptoms and aid in digestion when consumed in moderation.If you have knack for local brews you’d definitely love this one! However, it’s advisable to not consume alcohol during the trek for obvious reasons. (a lil bit won’t kill anyone 🫣😁)

Landscapes are as beautiful as you can imagine… mighty mountains, flowy rivers, picturesque Sherpa villages and  the flats are equally gorgeous too! Some of the landscapes looked unreal, straight out of some Hollywood movie, like the enchanted forest we witnessed just before reaching Dengboche or Rhododendrons blooming only on one of the mountains and not on others or the squeaky quite walk to Phariche with Yaks and stream on the sides! There’s always a river or a stream flowing next to you!! Prayer flags add vibrancy to the landscape. Khumbu Valley has Kosi and its tributaries flowing all over… Sometimes tamed, sometimes vigorous and sometimes pure serenity! 

Seeing those huge mountains up close fills you with awe and wonder… kuch itna khubsurat kaise ho sakta hai yaar! The shades from greens, to greys, to reds , to pinks to whites.. it’s so much that you’d not want to look elsewhere! Just be there and sink in! 

Mountain life is not easy!! Along the way we saw some of the fragile things (boys in their 20s) ferrying weights up to 3 times their body weight on their backs! The trek is full of Yaks, horses, mules and people carrying weights which looks impossible to carry (at least to me). 

While going up.. you love the Sun but while returning you hate it! Gives you massive sweat and tans are exceptionally common, unless you’re covered from top to toe like my sister did! I was in at least 4 shades when I reached Kathmandu back! 

Discoveries :)

I discovered a lot about myself on the trek. Turns out, I'm seriously scared of heights, like, BIG time. But hey, facing your fears? That's a real thing. Also, I found out I'm quite the adventurer and totally at home in the mountains. Plus, I'm a natural at striking up conversations and making new friends. Who knew, right?

Besides having an absolute blast, I really picked up some valuable lessons along the way. But let me tell you, the real essence of the trek, for me at least, lies in... 

• one should definitely go solo tripping at least once in a while, especially women who are generally tied up in their own lives! My sister and I did this after 10-12 years and doing something for over-selves made us content! 😌 
• There’s beauty in being able to do something that is out of your comfort zones and completing it gives you immense joy! 
• Be kind!! Like always 😇 it’s doubles your whole experience !!
• The whole thing boosts your confidence! May be I am stressing much on this but that’s what it did to me!
• Living with limited resources is a new life skill, you learn it there and for good! 
• Taking care of the environment and locals is the need of the hour! SPCC (Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee) is doing their best to ensure that the beauty of these places remain intact. Plan to visit Sagarmatha Next, Namche Bazaar and carry their bags to SPCC check post, Lukla while returning from EBC!

• It's about overcoming self-doubt, gaining confidence, and enjoying quality me-time without the pressures of appearance or responsibilities like cooking for fifteen days. It's a complete reset, far beyond the satisfaction of finishing a trek.

Here are a few recommendations for while you're there

• Food - Jhol Momos From Lil Buddha at Thamel, Kathmandu. Swarg, again at Thamel served best pure vegetarian meals. Gaia had most amazing Masala chai. Try to get your hands on Riki-kur (a pancake made with potatoes & eggs) served with a variety of accompaniments. 
• Trekking Gear - A small tiny shop named Kala Patthar in Thamel gives your gears at best prices! Highly recommend reaching a day before and buying your trekking gear from Locals, cheaper and better! 
• Bakes —  Bakery just opposite to Tengboche Monastery which serves amazing Danish.You get enjoyable hot chocolate & coffee at Sagarmatha Next! You gotta try fresh Apple Pie at Green Tara in Namche! 
• Beverages - I’ve had the best Racsi at a Tea house named Mount Kailash Lodge & Restaurant at Monjo! She brews it in-house and it was to die for! Also, do try local rum and whiskey brands they are fairly good! You cannot skip The Irish Pub at Namche Bazaar, lovely ambiance and super cool drinks! 
• On buffer days or days at Kathmandu, one can enjoy the umpteen number of stupas, Monasteries and temples. The markets are equally interesting.. Thamel is the biggest and then you have local tiny pop ups all across the city.
• Reaching iconic viewpoint Kala Patthar for panoramic views of Everest and surrounding peaks. Though we had to miss this as we were exhausted from previous day’s trek. 

Trekkers typically arrange the trek through licensed trekking agencies, which provide experienced guides, porters, permits, and logistical support to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. We partnered with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation which is an outbound leadership institute and can be reached at +91 99057 16339 or you can write to them at info@tsafindia.org . Thrillophilia, IndiaHikes and others have same offerings too.

We hope you found our journey to Everest Base Camp inspiring! If you've ever dreamed of taking on this adventure, why not give it a try? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences, so drop a comment below. Please be kind and friendly when you post – tiny request.

Remember....Stay Wild , Stay Groovy !!