The Bodhanath Stupa, just outside of Kathmandu, is one of the largest stupas of its kind in the world, and dates to sometime around the 6th century, possibly even earlier. Like Bhaktapur, it lies on the old trade route to Tibet and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stupa sustained minor damage during the 2015 earthquake but is otherwise in good condition. The stupa itself is a symbol of enlightenment but at Boudhanath the symbolism is particularly clear. Each different shape represents one of the five elements, earth, water, fire, air, and sphere, which are also the attributes of the five Buddhas. Brought together in the form of the stupa, their unity reflects in abstract fashion the structure of the universe itself.

Tips : Hire your porter or guide in either Kathmandu or better yet when you arrive in Lukla on the plane. Prices are expensive when you book from your own country and if you book your guides in Nepal, you can be sure that more money is going directly to them as opposed to large corporations. There are many porters and guides that will meet you at the plane when your flight comes in to Lukla that are very experienced and capable. Plus, You have the added bonus of being able to interview them and see if you get on and you save money by not having to pay for their flight from Kathmandu. We climbed with our good friend Dipendra in Nepal, a guide with over a decade of experience.

Train and prepare: The trek to Everest Base Camp is a stunning walk through the world famous trail to Mount Everest. It is not a technical climb; you do not need to have any previous technical climbing experience or even any altitude experience to complete the trek. However, you do need to be physically fit and have excellent strength, conditioning and endurance to be able to complete the trek and to fully enjoy the journey. If you have not trained your body to withstand the pressures of constant strain at high altitude, you will find it a very difficult task to complete the trek, risking your and other people’s safety. I would recommend that you spend at least four days a week doing some sort of intense physical exercise for approximately six to eight months prior to your starting date of your trek. Personally, I would have spent at least four days a week either walking up hill on a treadmill or walking on a stair-master (stair master is best) for one hour to two hours building up to 10 kilos (22lbs) in a backpack on my back. I have always been lucky and lived in a place where I had access to hills to train on the weekends, and I found that this was the greatest training I could get for trekking. I would spend at least one day a week out in the hills or mountains for at least a 4 hour walk and up to 7 hours in a row. Read more on Sightseeing tour in Nepal.

We recommend : Respect local culture. When trekking Prayer rocks, walls and flags are meant to be kept to the right at all times. It is a custom to follow what the local people believe. Also, ask before taking any photographs, many people do not want their photos taken.

What to Pack – Here is a list of everything we suggest (Click here). However, the most important thing to bring is a good pair of trekking shoes that you have hiked in previously. Kathmandu is a great place to buy trekking clothes that are both cheap and of decent quality. If you can bring your own sleeping bag otherwise you can rent one from us for $20. We also provide down jacket rentals for $15 for the complete Everest Base Camp Trek.

At Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expeditions, we believe in responsible tourism and giving back to the community. Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expeditions has always taken a pro-active stance to combat some of society’s issues, which is why we also run various charity programs to help and support poor rural villages that are deprived of proper healthcare facilities, including sanitation, hygiene, and safe drinking water. Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expeditions has also played an active part in providing schools with educational materials along with raising awareness on the need to protect the environment and the beautiful, thick forests of Nepal from deforestation. This commitment has become an integral part of our company’s philosophy and the way we do business. Extra info on https://www.adventuregreathimalaya.com/.