Remarkable things happen around Everest Base Camp. It is more than a staging point for mountaineering expeditions; it is a popular trekking destination, a forum for important global issues, and a place where people test themselves and achieve monumental goals.
Ever wondered what the world looks like from Everest Base Camp? In the last sixty years only a few thousand people have been able to look down on the world from Everest's peak, but access to the camp below is not restricted only to Sherpas and mountaineers with ambitions of reaching the summit. Adventurous holidaymakers can visit this historic staging area at the climax of the classic Everest Base Camp Trek through Nepal.
The Inca Trail is more than just a stunning visitor attraction; it was the route that led to some of the most important religious monuments in the Incan Empire that were synonymous with deity worship. Here are just a few of the ancient Gods that you’re likely to find on an Inca trail trek.
The actor Brian Blessed, with his bulky beard and booming voice, is probably the most recognisable person to have attempted to climb Mount Everest’s massive 8,848 metres. He is no stranger to Everest base camp, having been part of three expeditions up the mountain.
Nepal and Tibet are now hugely popular destinations for trekking holidays (with the Annapurna Circuit and the Everest Base Camp trek reckoned as two of the best treks in the world) but it wasn’t always so. Learn more about the myth of Shangri-La, the heaven on earth Buddhist kingdom that has fascinated and baffled scholars and travellers for centuries.
Machu Picchu was an important place for sun worship during the Incan era and as a civilization that held the sun in such high regard, you can imagine that for the Incas, winter was not a pleasant time of year. They feared that the annual disappearance of the sun would mean the onslaught of famine and to prevent this from happening would take an annual pilgrimage to Cuzco to honour the sun god and plead for his quick return. This ceremony was perhaps the most important in the Incan calendar and known as ‘Inti Raymi’, or ‘The Festival of the Sun’.
It's your first Everest Base Camp Trek and you've packed your clothing, bedding, food, emergency supplies and sundries. But you've still got at least a litre of space left in your backpack. What do you really need? What indulgence do you deserve? What will baffle and irritate your trekking mates even as they burn with jealousy...?
Anyone who has visited Everest base camp or who has an interest in the mountain will know that it stands at 8,848m. Something fewer people know is when this figure was discovered and who was responsible for it. The following is a question and answer session designed to satisfy your curiosity.
The Sherpa people of Nepal bear a name indelibly linked to the legacy of their mountain homeland. For the 400 or so years that the Sherpa have lived amidst the Himalaya they have explored this fierce environment and taken part in the greatest feats achieved on the highest peaks on earth. Yet despite their achievements they are often overlooked by a more Euro-centric press. For their achievements from Everest base camp to the wider Himalayan region, here are three short biographies of a trio of remarkable men.
When the finest trekking holidays in the world are discussed, there are plenty of strong contenders. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc, and the trek to Everest Base Camp are amongst the most famous walks in the world, but veteran walkers often point to another, perhaps lesser known trek as their personal highlight – the Annapurna Circuit.
‘The Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon’ is a destination for those who truly want to travel off the beaten track. Closed to outside visitors until 1974, trekking holidays and tours in Bhutan are becoming increasingly popular, but it is still relatively unknown compared to Nepal, Tibet and the other Himalayan nations. Yet with its traditional Buddhist culture and stunning mountain landscapes, it is an unforgettable holiday destination for those who choose to venture there – here are five of the essential highlights to see whilst on a trek or a tour in Bhutan.
Adventure holidays have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially where mountain trekking is concerned – routes such as the Inca Trail, Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp have become some of the “do before you die” holiday experiences for the more adventurous traveller. But while plenty of people enjoy going on trekking holidays to great mountain ranges, climbing the most difficult peaks is a far greater challenge.
Expert Author: Jude Limburn Turner | Category: Climbing There are fourteen mountains that present the ultimate challenge to the world’s most experienced climbers. They are the so-called eight-thousanders, the fourteen mountains on Earth that are over eight thousand metres in height, all of them to be found in the Himalaya and the Karakoram mountain range. Learn more about the quest to conquer the eight-thousanders...
Expert Author: Jude Limburn Turner | Category: Vacations Bhutan, a country around the size of Switzerland that only opened its borders to tourism in the 70s, is a wonderful destination for a trekking holiday or cultural tour. Bhutan tours can take in so much, from the memorable festivals, to the breathtaking mountain scenery and the friendly people, the country is really like no other. If you still need convincing, here’s a breakdown of what makes the country so special.
For incredible views, an exciting atmosphere and the sheer sense of adventure, you can't beat a trekking holiday in some of the world's most remote places. There are some treks which you should be aware of as being more challenging - here are some of them...
The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is an exciting adventure for you in its own right, but is even better when shared with the family. We count down the top five family experiences you can take part in before, during and after your holiday trek.
The discovery of Machu Picchu was actually the unintentional consequence of the search for Vilcabamba – a town established by the rebellious Inca Manco Capac II after Peru was invaded by the Spanish. From this town, the remaining Incas would attack the Spanish settlers in Cusco for the following 36 years. But in 1572, the Spanish invaded the troublesome settlement, and executed Manco Capac’s successor ending the Incan dynasty. The location of this legendary settlement was forgotten – living on only in a few vague maps and clues left by future generations.
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest trekking peak in the world, is an amazing goal for any seasoned mountain walker. Learn more about the essential things to know before booking a Kilimanjaro trekking holiday.
Everest, previously known just as Peak XV, was confirmed to be the highest mountain in the world in 1856. It was named after Sir George Everest (a previous Surveyor General of India) due to the fact that Tibet and Nepal were sealed off at the time, and so the local names couldn’t be discovered. From paraglider descents to weddings on the summit, Mount Everest certainly has some bizarre facts and stories associated with it. Learn more about seven of the strangest facts concerning the world’s highest mountain.
Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is also one of the most amazing areas of natural power and beauty on earth. As you travel up the mountain towards the Everest base camp, the sights become more poignant and awe inspiring. We count down the top ten.
