Everest region is walked by thousands of trekkers from around the world, and without arguing more than half are towards the Everest Base Camp. Being the base of the towering peak of all, Everest (8,848 meters), the popularity of Everest Base Camp is quite obvious.

Well, of course, the trekkers of base camp are drawn by the eminence of Everest, however, besides the very fact that it is the base camp of Everest, the journey itself is a remarkable experience. From the exotic beauty of nature to the distinctive culture of Sherpas, to confine the journey of Everest Base Camp with one reason is not fair. Here are some top attractions of Everest Base Camp that makes it so special and sought-after.

1. The dangerous airport of Lukla

Named after the first two climbers of Everest, Edmund Hillary, and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, Tenzing-Hillary Airport or Lukla Airport is one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Located at a high altitude of 2,845 meters, it is from Lukla airport where officiates the trekking of Everest Base Camp.

Lukla Airport is surrounded on all sides by steep, mountainous terrain. On one end of the airport, there is a wall and at the other end, a steep drop into the valley below. It also has a very short runway, perched on little more than a mountain shelf. Weather is another story for Lukla airport, where mist, fog, rainstorm, or snow are possible anytime.

2. Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is a beautiful Himalayan village at 3,440 meters nestled amid the staggering landscape of hills and mountains. It is the main stop for the trekkers of Everest Base Camp and often referred to as Gateway to Everest.

Namche is the main trading hub of Khumbu, where traders from the neighboring village come together to sell and barter goods. On Saturday morning, when a weekly market is held, the town gets more alive with the bustling of locals, trading Tibetan artifacts to trekking and climbing equipment.

It is one of the exquisite Himalayan settlement with spellbinding beauty and rich ancient culture, tradition, and heartwarming hospitality.

3. Grandeur of Mountains

As you scale-up, you feel like you are diving deeper into the pool of mesmerizing mountains. Including Everest, there are several other tallest mountains you can observe in Everest Base Camp trek; Cho Oyu (8,153 meters), Makalu (8,470 meters), Lhotse (8,511 meters) and Nuptse (7,879 meters).

Not only the tallest, as it is the most concentrated mountain region, there are over 200 peaks over an altitude of 6,000 meters.

4. Sherwi Khangba Center

Sherwi Khangba Center is an ancient traditional Sherpa house in the Everest region in Namche Bazaar. Dedicated to the preservation of Sherpa culture, it is the personal effort of Mr. Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa. As per Lhakpa, his quest for Sherpa memorabilia was trigged by British photo-journalist.

Edmund Hillary inaugurated the center in April 1994.

There are several sections comprising different valuables; Sherpa Culture museum has ancient Sherpa artifacts; Sherpa Culture Photo Gallery has photographs exhibiting Sherpa culture, tradition, and lifestyle; Mount Everest Documentation Center has a complete and systematic documents on Sherpa climber; Khumbu International Library has books on mountains, people, flora, fauna and so on.

International Conference Halland Hotel Sherwi Khangba, where you can experience Sherpa hospitality is also the part of Sherwi Khangba Center.

5. Sherpa Culture and Tradition

There is a misunderstanding amongst foreigners that Sherpa is a mountain guide in Nepal. Well, you are very wrong if you have the same idea. Sherpa is actually an ethnic group of Nepal native to the Himalayan region. On the word Sherpa, Shyar means “east” and Pa means “people,” referring to their geographical origin of eastern Nepal.

Their distant inhabitation in the Himalayan region has made their culture and tradition a subject of interest amongst tourists. Living in such an extreme place, Sherpa’s culture and tradition are still retained by their predecessors.

And, right in Everest region, you can witness the Sherpa lifestyle and culture, from their traditional clothes, cuisine, and language to the intriguing and interesting festivals of Tiji and Mani Rimdu, the Sherpa are one of the attractions in Everest Base Camp.

6. Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche Monastery is the Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Sherpa community in Khumbu region at 3,867 meters altitude. Typically every trekkers and mountaineers, visit Tengboche Monastery to have a blessing from Rinpoche.

Not only the religious significance, but the monastery also serves as one of the best viewpoints of Nepal. From the monastery, you can have the unobstructed panoramic view of mountains including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Tawache, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku.

Mani Rimbu festival held every year in October attracts an equally large number of tourists when trekkers plan the itinerary to coincide with the festival.

Surrounded by the beautiful forest of colorful rhododendrons, pines, and azaleas, with the backdrop of a magnificent range of mountains, Tengboche Monastery is one of the attractions of Everest Base Camp.

7. Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is dominated by the Everest and walking towards base camp; the unique and varied biodiversity has become an attraction of Everest Base Camp.

The park showcases a rich diversification of Himalayan wildlife and vegetation. Pine, birch, silver fir, juniper, rhododendron, and hemlock are some vegetation. Likewise, the wildlife includes langur monkeys, Himalayan wolves, red panda, musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, and marten. With 118 species of birds, the park is perfect for birdwatchers as well.

Not just the plants and animals, Sagarmatha National Park also harbors peaks including Pumori, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Pumori.

8. The Base Camp

Located at an elevation of 5,364 meters, Everest Base Camp is definitely what mainly attracts the trekkers to embark in this challenging journey. The feeling of accomplishment and glory when you put your foot on the base camp; well, it is hard to put through words.

Although it is the journey as the whole that makes Everest Base Camp trek one of the best in the world; however, to ultimately stand with the high Himalayas lying in front of your eyes is what counts for all of us. So, yes, Everest Base Camp is indeed the main attraction of the base camp trek

9. Kala Patthar

Now, what possibly can beat the experience, you just had as you arrived at Everest Base Camp? Kala Patthar at 5,645 meters, in the vicinity of Everest Base Camp, is known for grand and majestic of Mount Everest than anyplace on earth. How come Kala Patthar can provide the best view?

Kala Patthar, meaning black rock in Nepali language, is not even a proper mountain as its prominence is only 10 meters. The reason why it has the best view is, due to the structure of Everest massif, Nuptse blocks its high peak from much of the surrounding region.

It is typical for trekkers and mountain climbers of Everest Region to walk towards Kala Patthar because the journey is easy and reward is immense.

10. Side Trek

On your quest towards Everest Base Camp, you will come across several routes from where you can get onto another trek. If you aren’t so tight in time, then you can extend your Everest Base Camp trek for a day or two by walking in these side treks.

Thame from Namche, Khumjung and Khunde village from Namche again and Chukung from Dingboche are some of the best treks for trekkers of Everest Base Camp that takes only a day or two.